Category Archives: Adoption

Adoption, Cats, Dogs, Events, News

Wagener Cares

Posted on by Angel Hartline
12
Jun

24 August 2014

Wagener Cares

By Joanna Samson, FOTAS Board of Directors

On Saturday, August 16th, CTFK (Churches Together for the Kids Ministries) hosted its annual Back2School Bash in downtown Wagener to ready area students for the upcoming school year.

It was a beautiful day.  Friends and families gathered to catch up with their neighbors and have some lunch, while children of all ages lined up for free school supplies, haircuts and health screenings.

FOTAS was on-site to provide information about its Fix-a-Pet Program, which provides low or no-cost spay/neuter surgeries for pets in the Wagener area.

“I bet we saw 600 people,” says Carol Miller, one of the FOTAS Fix-a-Pet coordinators. “We ran out of stickers, coloring sheets and animal cards after lunch.  We handed out all of our Fix-a-Pet fliers and spoke to lots of people who were interested in taking advantage of the program.”

“It was a huge success,” she continues. “20 people scheduled spay/neuter surgeries for last Tuesday. We have had so many calls, we are already scheduling the next pick-up date.”

Wagener is a town that has preserved a strong sense of community and tradition. It has not fallen prey to the nondescript modernity of chain stores and fast food restaurants.  In so many ways, Wagener is a picture of Americana, representing the small-town values upon which this country is built.

Yet over time, Wagener has become a hotspot in the County for problematic overpopulation of dogs and cats, resulting in a disproportionately high number of homeless animals euthanized in the County Shelter every year.

Over the past three years, FOTAS has worked closely with Mayor Miller’s office to address this issue by providing low or no-cost spay/neuter surgeries for pets in the Wagener area.

Once or twice a month, depending on the number of people who have signed up at the Mayor’s office, FOTAS volunteers arrange the pick up, transportation and return of the animals to and from the SPCA’s spay/neuter clinic, and FOTAS pays the costs of the surgery.

“We know how hard it is for families and working folks to find the time and resources to spay or neuter their pets,” says Colleen Timmerman, another FOTAS Fix-a-Pet coordinator, “so we try to make it as financially and logistically painless as possible.”

The hard work is paying off.  In 2013, FOTAS paid for 379 spay/neuter surgeries, the majority of which came from the Wagener area. This year should be even better as the FOTAS Fix-a-Pet Program (which also supplements the County Voucher Program for all County residents) gains traction in the community.

Every spay/neuter surgery does make a difference.

According to theoretical breeding statistics, that is, the number of kittens or puppies an un-spayed female and her offspring are capable of producing over a 7 year period, one un-spayed female cat and one un-neutered male cat can produce 420,000 kittens in 7 years.  For dogs, one un-spayed female and one un-neutered male can produce 67,000 puppies over the same period.

While it’s true these numbers are theoretical and assume maximum health and reproduction capabilities and longevity, they are nevertheless mind-blowing. The population of unfixed animals in the County is the reason for the shockingly high number of homeless animals (4800 last year, down from 6500 in the past) consigned to the County shelter each year and the correspondingly high euthanasia rates.

Pope Paul II once said, “A community needs a soul if it is to become a true home for human beings,” and that it is the people of the community that give it that soul.

Wagener is a community with soul.  As evidenced by the Back2School Bash, it is a place that cares deeply for its people and its children. The increasing success rate of the FOTAS Fix-a-Pet Program demonstrates Wagener is a place that cares deeply for its animals as well.

 

MAXIMUS    Male    Germand shepherd mix    9 mos   40 lbs

SCOOTER     Male   Domestic Medium Hair    8 wks    1.6 lbs.

Adoption, Cats, Dogs, Events, Fundraisers

Raining golf balls in September

Posted on by Angel Hartline
12
Jun

17 August 2014

Raining golf balls in September

By Edie Hubler, FOTAS Director

There are so many things to love about Aiken. It is a quaint southern town, full of tradition, historic homes, shaded parkways, and cool shops.

And then there are the citizens of the Aiken community: active and generous people who love their sports as much as they love their animals. Among other things, Aiken boasts the oldest continuously used polo field in the country, one of the few court tennis facilities in the country, and one of the oldest fox hunting drag hunts in the country.

And then there’s golf:  Aiken is a quintessential haven for golfers because of the rolling country and temperate climates.  Courses ranging from the iconic Augusta National just across the state line to the oldest golf course in the country, Palmetto Golf Course, so many people move or retire here solely for the golf.

So when FOTAS volunteer Sandy Staiger proposed organizing a golf tournament to raise money for FOTAS and the animals in the Aiken County Animal Shelter, we were thrilled.  What a great way to combine the community’s fervor to help its helpless animals with its fever for fun.

On September 22, 2014, FOTAS is sponsoring Playing Fore the Pets at the popular Houndslake Country Club, with lots of prizes and surprises.

The tournament will be played as atraditional 4-person Captain’s Choice, and the first player who sinks a hole-in-one on a Par 3 hole will win a car from Honda Cars of Aiken.  There will be other hole challenges, various trophies & prizes for the golfers as well as food and drink. Plus, all registered golfers will receive a coupon to receive a FREE Razor Golf Club valued at $120.

But wait, that’s not all, folks, there’s a twist.  In fact, it’s a

$1,000.00 Twist.

It’s going to rain golf balls.

That’s right – golf balls.  In the early afternoon, and never before seen in Aiken, a helicopter will drop pre-numbered golf balls from 300 feet over a designated hole.  If you donate $10.00 to FOTAS for a corresponding ticket to one of the pre-numbered golf balls, you will have a chance to win $1,000.00.  The first ball that goes in the hole or lands closest to the hole is the winner.  There are a limited number of ball tickets being sold and you don’t have to play in the tournament or be present to win.  Tickets can be purchased at Aiken Dry Goods, Aiken Saddlery, Family Pharmacy (Price Ave. location), Aiken County Animal Shelter, Houndslake Country Club, Honda Cars of Aiken, or by contacting golf@FOTASAiken.org.

All proceeds from this action-packed event will benefit the Aiken County Animal Shelter, because, as you know, keeping the County’s homeless animals is not fun and games.

Virtually every dollar FOTAS raises is dedicated to those animals. Through fundraisers like this, FOTAS buys necessary medicine and equipment, like flea and heartworm treatments, leashes, collars, grooming supplies and training treats.

The money buys food and supplies for our animals in foster care and veterinary treatment for animals with special needs.  It supplements the County’s spay/neuter voucher program and provides manpower and resources to fix pets and neuter community cats in County hotspots.  It pays the cost of transporting animals to no-kill partner shelters in other parts of the country.

Join us on September 22nd at Houndslake.  Play golf, watch the festivities, meet some of our adoptable animals.  Your participation and donations will make a difference in the lives of the dogs and cats at the County Shelter.

For more information on the event, activities and sponsorship opportunities, go to fotasaiken.com.

 

PET OF THE WEEK

BUDDY   Beagle … Male … 2 yrs… 21 lbs. — $70

COCONUT   Tabby … Male… 4 ys .. 8.9 lbs. — $35

Adoption, Board of Directors, Cats, Dogs, Events, News

A Triumphant History and a New Era

Posted on by Angel Hartline
12
Jun

10 August 2014

A Triumphant History and a New Era

By Joanna Dunn Samson, FOTAS Director

Last week was a banner week for FOTAS, the Aiken County Animal Shelter and its animal residents.

Adoptions were at a record high: 15 dogs and 7 cats were rehomed to loving families.  Sixteen dogs were transferred to one of our partner shelters.  The FOTAS Fix-a-Pet program assisted County citizens in need and organized and funded the spay/neuter of 33 dogs and cats at the SPCA’s clinic.  FOTAS celebrated its fifth birthday, and Martha Chadwick became the first Shelter Manager.

These events represent a remarkable journey of hard work, persistence and perseverance and the dawn of a new era for the County Shelter.

FOTAS was officially formed on July 28, 2009 to help the County with the wretched conditions at the old shelter.

At that time, the annual intake often exceeded 6000 animals.  Up to 95% of the animals surrendered to the shelter or picked up by animal control were put to death.

The shelter was hopelessly outdated – open trenches for waste, no outdoor facilities, no ventilation systems for proper air exchange, no isolation facilities, as many as five to six animals housed in one small indoor crate. The shelter was a breeding ground for anxiety and contagious diseases.

Fast forward five years. Through the innovative and effective public/private partnership forged by the County and FOTAS, a modern, healthy new shelter was built – a facility in which the community can take pride. The partnership also has developed and established successful adoption, volunteer, training, foster, transfer, and spay/neuter programs.

The result? The euthanasia rate has dropped from a haunting 95% to a still haunting, but significantly improved, 69%.

But wait – it gets better.  The County recently restructured it’s animal control/shelter program to better coordinate the County’s staff and private resources, ensure better care of the animals, and meet the needs of the shelter and the community.

First, animal control and shelter management have been separated, allowing Chief Animal Control Officer Bobby Arthurs to be out in the community solving problems, interacting with County citizens, enforcing state and county laws, and educating the public about responsible pet ownership.

“No one has been more committed to the care of the County’s unfortunate animals or more supportive of the changes at the shelter than Bobby,” says Jennifer Miller, the President of FOTAS.  “He is a tremendous asset with an amazing depth of experience, equaled only by his amazing depth of compassion.”

Second, the County created a Shelter Manager position that reports directly to the Assistant County Administrator’s office and hired Martha Chadwick to fill the position.

Martha, who moved to Aiken five years ago from Virginia with her husband and three children, has the people skills, management experience and love for animals necessary to continue to develop the shelter’s programs, increase adoptions, and further reduce the euthanasia rate.

Martha also wants to encourage greater community involvement with the shelter.  “I want folks to know that they can make a difference, either by adopting their next pet from the shelter or joining the FOTAS volunteer program or both.”

That’s a tall order, but Martha is certain she has the right people to make it happen.

“I am so impressed with the shelter staff and FOTAS volunteers, who have managed to do so much with so little for so long.  They have welcomed me with open hearts and made my transition into this new position effortless,” says Martha.

“I am so excited about this job.”

She pauses. “ I can hardly believe I am getting paid to do it.”

Joanna Dunn Samson is a retired attorney and environmental administrator who specialized in the development of large public projects and public/private partnerships. Appointed to the FOTAS Board in 2012, she and her husband David, their two dogs and two ponies moved to Aiken in 2006.

Pets of the Week:

JOSE — Male, American bulldog mix — 4 months old — 20 lbs — $70

LEMON – Female, tabby kitten — 12 wks old — 3.1 lbs — $35

Adoption, Events, News, Volunteers

Celebrating My Community Brigade

Posted on by Angel Hartline

03 August 2014

Celebrating My Community Brigade

By Edie Hubler, FOTAS Director

Charmed by the Aiken community after a short visit here in 2005, I returned several months later to purchase a lot in Cedar Creek for my future move.  The lure of this area brought me sooner that I had expected and in 2007 Aiken became my home.  Goodbye Maryland, miss you, but I love it here.

Like many residents of Aiken, I became involved in volunteering with various organizations, but in 2011 I found a calling to get involved with FOTAS.  I helped with fundraising and chaired two highly successful events for FOTAS.   My involvement was just to be assistance to the organization, but in 2013 I joined the FOTAS Board.  Having had many pets prior to this, I thought my pet ownership days were over as I travel a lot and am also very busy here in Aiken.  Guess what — I adopted two County Shelter animals, Meg (a terrier mix, the poster “child” for several FOTAS Woofstocks) and Zeus (a shih tzu).  These two abandoned animals caught my heart, and here we are.

Many of my neighbors also support FOTAS.  Some are devoted dog socializers and go to the Shelter four days a week (one became FOTAS’ very first volunteer in 2009.)  Others help in many many other ways.  It occurred to me recently just how involved the Cedar Creek community is supporting FOTAS and volunteering at the County Shelter itself.

There are about 1200 residents in Cedar Creek (in a little over 600 homes.)  Many are retired and many still work (both full and part-time.)  Like Aiken itself, this is a very involved and giving community.  Recently I reviewed the FOTAS supporter list and was surprised that over 100 of them are Cedar Creek residents.  Not only do they go to the Shelter to walk the dogs and socialize the cats, they staff the front desk, do administrative and database tasks, chair and volunteer at special events (both on-site and off-site), participate in the short-term foster program, take photographs of the animals, help with publicity, donate towels and toys for the animals, generously donate money that helps FOTAS supplement the limited resources of the County Shelter, make peanut butter/green bean treats for the dogs, as well as issue spay/neuter vouchers for those in need.   Some residents have had parties where they asked the attendees to bring donations for FOTAS instead of hostess gifts.  The Cedar Creek Ladies Club, a group of about 100 residents, has donated large amounts of money to FOTAS — we have honored them with a bench in their name at the new Shelter which we purchased from some of the funds they have donated.

You know, I wish I knew the number of County Shelter animals that the residents of this fine community have adopted. This is a large number I’m sure — I often see them walking their dogs when I am walking mine, and enjoy their stories about how Shelter pets have enriched their lives, become their best friends and make the best pets around!

So, I am celebrating what a great community I live in and what a great community “brigade” my Cedar Creek neighbors are.  Thank you for all you do and have done for FOTAS and the County Shelter.

If you have a soft spot in your heart for our abandoned furry friends, please consider becoming a volunteer and supporter of FOTAS.  We are especially in need of dog walkers right now.  These beautiful souls can’t wait for human contact and for a daily much-needed outside break from their Shelter kennels.

Here’s a great idea!  Maybe you could rally your own neighbors and create a community brigade as well to help FOTAS and the Aiken County Animal Shelter.  This work is rewarding and you’ll make some new friends also.

Contact us at 803-514-4313 or info@FOTASAiken.org

And last, but most important — please adopt a wonderful animal from the County Shelter.  Remember, their lives are in our hands.

ANDREW      American Bulldog mix … 2 1/2 yrs old … 50 lbs … $35

HENDERSON    Domestic short hair …. 2 1/2 yrs old … 14 lbs … $17

Adoption, Cats, Dogs, News

Adopting a Pet from the Aiken County Shelter: All Joy & Little Risk

Posted on by Angel Hartline
12
Jun

01 August 2014

Adopting a Pet from the Aiken County Shelter: All Joy & Little Risk

By Joanna Dunn Samson

Like most people, I’ve made some pretty stupid decisions in my 60 years, but the smartest decision I ever made, right up there with becoming Mrs. David Samson, was to rescue our beloved dogs from a shelter.

Since 1996, David and I have adopted five dogs. Without exception all five were and are extraordinary pets.  Each of them enriched our lives in ways we could not have foreseen when we brought them home.

Were we just lucky to find five great dogs?

No. Thanks to dedicated FOTAS volunteers, trainers and staff at the Aiken County Animal Shelter, luck had very little to do with it.

An animal typically spends at least 10 days in intake at the County shelter before being moved to the adoption floor, so by the time it is adopted, volunteers, trainers and staff have had plenty of time to evaluate its temperament and disposition.

They can often even tell whether a dog is housebroken by its behavior in the kennel. For example, does it do its business in the outside kennel or wait until a volunteer takes it for its walk?  In addition, if the animal was surrendered, the owner may have provided some reliable background information.

So the perceived risk of adopting a shelter animal – that is, you don’t know what you are getting when you adopt a pet from the shelter – is unfounded.  FOTAS Volunteers and County staff are well acquainted with the nature of an animal by the time it is ready for adoption.

There are so many reasons why your next pet should come from the County shelter.

First and foremost, it’s the right thing to do.

Thousands of unwanted animals wind up in the County shelter every year, and although we try, we can’t save them all.  Until the wretched overpopulation of unwanted animals is reduced by programs like FOTAS’ Fix-a-Pet, we, the community, are their only hope for a happy, healthy life.

Second, it’s a great bargain, especially until August 9.  For $35 for a dog and $17 for a cat, your new pet will be spayed or neutered, microchipped, dewormed and vaccinated.

Third, there are dogs and cats of all shapes, colors and sizes at the shelter, so you have a wide variety from which to choose.  Once you’ve narrowed down the possibilities, you can spend however much time you need getting to know the dogs in the large fenced-in play areas. (Don’t be put off by their excitement; shelter dogs love human company.)

If you are looking for a fluffy feline, you can visit with them in the Cat Colony House built by FOTAS, where adoptable cats are free to move around or go outside to a fenced in area to play on the climbing stations.

Finally, my husband believes that shelter animals are grateful because they know in their heart of hearts you saved them, which results in extraordinary devotion to their rescuers.  I have to agree.

Their lives are in our hands.

Come on down to the new Aiken County Animal Shelter and adopt your next pet.  You won’t be sorry.

 

Adoption, Cats, Events

FOTAS Receives $2,500 from Purina Cat Chow

Posted on by Angel Hartline
11
Jun

29 July 2014

FOTAS Receives $2,500 from Purina Cat Chow

As publicized in the “Aiken Standard” on July 17, 2014, FOTAS is the recipient of a $2,500 donation from Purina Cat Chow’s Building Better Lives program to support future cat adoptions after winning a nationwide promotion by Purina Cat Chow.  Read about it here!

http://www.aikenstandard.com/article/20140717/AIK0101/140719392/0/SEARCH&slId=9

 

Adoption, Cats, Dogs, Events

Pooches & Popsicles

Posted on by Angel Hartline
11
Jun

29 July 2014

Pooches & Popsicles

Saturday, July 26 FOTAS held their first party for kids called Pooches & Popsicles.  A short follow-up story appears in  the “Aiken Standard” .  The children had an opportunity to play with the dogs and cats and made doggie treats also.
http://www.aikenstandard.com/article/20140728/AIK0101/140729421/0/SEARCH&slId=1

Much fun was had by all.

 

Adoption, Dogs, Heartworms, News

Adopting a Healthy Heartworm Positive Dog: A Talk With the Doctor

Posted on by Angel Hartline
11
Jun

 

By Joanna Dunn Samson

You’ve decided it’s time to adopt a dog. You pack up the kids and head over to the new Aiken County Animal Shelter to check out some prospects.

A volunteer introduces you to Duke, a 35-pound, black and tan border collie/shepherd cross. Duke is frisky, alert and well-behaved. He loves attention. He loves his bath. He walks quietly on a leash.

Duke’s perfect, you think, but there’s one thing that worries you.

Duke is heartworm positive (HWP).

You need not worry. Duke is a healthy dog with Stage 1 heartworm infection, which can be treated with proper care. As a result, pursuant to a new County/FOTAS initiative, Duke is eligible for adoption and FOTAS will pay for the first six months of treatment when he is adopted.

I asked Dr. Charlie Timmerman, a well-respected veterinarian in Aiken County for over 30 years and a FOTAS Board member, about heartworms and the new County/FOTAS initiative.

CT: Heartworms, which are prevalent in South Carolina, are parasites that live in the heart and lungs. Left untreated, the worms can increase in numbers and fill the heart chambers, interfering with the heart’s ability to pump blood to the body and ultimately causing congestive heart failure.

JDS: How is the disease transmitted?

CT: By mosquitos that have fed on an infected dog; the mosquito then transmits the microfilaria, or the larva, to the next dog it bites.

JDS: Does a dog bitten by an infected mosquito get sick right away?

CT: No, it takes the microfilaria 6-7 months to become an adult and move into the heart. The time for a dog to develop heartworm disease varies with every dog, and not every dog will develop heartworm disease!!! That’s why early diagnosis and treatment is so important.

JDS: How can you tell if a dog is infected?

CT: Through a blood test that checks for the presence of adult worms. If it’s positive, then you do a second test to determine if there is microfilaria in the blood stream. Some dogs only have adult worms and no microfilaria.

A dog that tests positive for infection, who is otherwise healthy and shows no clinical signs of disease, could be in the very early stages of infection. They are as healthy as any of the other adoptable dogs at the County shelter.

JDS: How do you treat early-stage heartworm infection?

CT: We endorse the “slow-kill” method of treatment, which is more affordable and easier for the dog than the “fast-kill” method.

First we administer antibiotics, which weakens the adult worms and makes them easier to kill. Then the dogs are put on Heartguard, a monthly preventative, which keeps them from getting more heartworms and “slowly kills” the worms and any microfilaria.

JDS: If someone adopts a healthy HWP dog from the County, does FOTAS help pay for the treatment?

CT: Yes.  FOTAS issues a voucher for the doxycycline and six months of Heartguard, which is accepted by six participating veterinarians in the County.

It’s a great deal, because every dog in South Carolina should be on monthly heartworm prevention anyway, so it’s one less expense for the owner.

This is all good news. Like Duke, there are many loving, healthy dogs at the County Shelter that just happen to test positive for heartworms.

Thru August 9th, if you adopt a HWP dog, the adoption fee is reduced to $35 and you get the first 6 months of Heartguard free.

That’s a win-win for everyone.

So come on, why don’t you take Duke home today?

Here are the Shelter’s  received, saved and euthanasia stats for the month of June 2014.

DOGS                   CATS                        TOTAL

Received                                                      300                        268                          568

Re-Homed (adopted/transferred)                   65                          80 (best ever)        215

Euthanized                                                     43                        292                          435

 

DUKE — Male, shepherd/collie mix — 1.5 years old —  $35

 

Rosa – Female, calico — 4 yrs old — 7.5 lbs — $17

Tags

Adoption, Cats, Dogs

Wild with Love

Posted on by Angel Hartline
11
Jun

“Wild” Dogs — Much Love

20 July 2014

 

By Joanna Dunn Samson, FOTAS Director

Are you under the impression that dogs that come from a shelter are wild?  Really?  Let me introduce you to some of the “wild” dogs at the Aiken County Shelter.

Take 3 year-old Sweetie, a favorite among the volunteers and staff because she lives up to her name.  A beautiful brown and white, 38 pound bulldog/terrier cross, Sweetie’s sole purpose in life is to please a human and cuddle up on the couch.

 

Sweetie

There’s Booker, a four year-old boxer mix with such an exceptional temperament, our trainers believe he’d make a wonderful service dog.  With darn near perfect leash manners, Booker is a pleasure to take for walks on the newly created trails around the shelter.  He loves playing ball and he loves children, and he particularly loves playing ball with children.  By the way, did I mention Booker is house-trained?

How about Iffy, a leggy, one year-old mixed breed with a stunning brindle coat?  Iffy loves people.  She gets so excited when people approach her kennel that she wags her tail against the wall so hard it bleeds: a condition our shelter vet calls “Happy Tail.”  Affectionate and sweet, Iffy will make some lucky human a very devoted pet.

 

Then there’s Lokey, another boxer/terrier cross with beautiful white markings on her face and a shiny black coat.  Two years old and the perfect medium size (38 pounds), Kathy Jacobs and her son Noah (FOTAS volunteers) take Lokey out to play ball every time they come to the shelter.  Lokey is playful, intelligent and willing to learn.  She just needs a human to take care of, fuss over and love.

 

Are these dogs wild?  You bet they are – they are wild with love.

Jay Lyda of Southern K9 Solutions and Veterans K9 Solutions comes to the shelter three mornings a week to work with the volunteers and the dogs on basic obedience skills, like leash training.

“Most of these dogs have never been obedience trained,” says Jay, “yet without exception, every one of them are eager and willing to please, even in the generally stressful environment of a crowded shelter.”

In fact, according to national surveys, 95% of dogs surrendered to shelters have never had any obedience training, which along with lack of exercise, accounts for the majority of behavioral problems that cause an owner to surrender a dog in the first place.

Continues Jay, “A dog does not know how to be a good family member without proper instruction.  Like a child, they need to be taught basic manners.  Any dog can be trained with a little patience and commitment, and the payoff is huge.  Training stimulates their brain, helps them focus, and provides an outlet for their energy.”

He is so right.  We see it all the time at the shelter.  Even the most unruly dogs become attractive adoption prospects after a little leash training, attention and exercise provided by dedicated FOTAS volunteers and trainers like Jay, Susi Cohen of Palmetto Dog Club and Nancy Webster, and the payoff has been huge.  In 2013, more County shelter animals were adopted and rehomed last year than from any other rescue facility in the CSRA.

That’s a remarkable and well-earned achievement, but we desperately need the community’s help to keep it going.

We need more volunteers to work with the animals, especially during these hot summer months when intake numbers are heartbreakingly high.

We need financial donations to enable FOTAS to continue to supplement the County’s resources to provide the best possible care for these animals.

But most of all, we need responsible owners to adopt their next pet from the Aiken County Animal Shelter, and now through August 9th, adoption prices have been cut in half.

For only $35.00 for a dog and $17.00 for a cat, your new pet will be vaccinated, wormed, microchipped and spayed or neutered. Now that’s a bargain.

Please don’t wait.  Reach out today.  Their lives are in our hands.

 

BOOKER — Male, Boxer mix — 4 years old — 63 lbs — $35

EDWIN – Male, tabby kitten — 6 wks old — 1.6 lbs — $17

Adoption, Dogs, Events, Volunteer

Sunny Day and a Gathering of Shelter Success Stories

Posted on by Angel Hartline
11
Jun

By Eleanor Joos and Joanna Dunn Samson

Earlier this month, FOTAS hosted its 1st Annual Dog Alumni Social at the new Aiken County Animal Shelter, and oh boy, what a turnout!

There was Indy, adopted from the shelter 14 years ago, who looks like she hasn’t aged a bit – maybe she had a little work done at the groomers?

There was Morris, a lab mix who was the first dog from the County shelter rescued and trained by Jerry Lyda of Veterans K9 Solutions.  A total party animal at the shelter (he never met a ball he didn’t love), Morris is now the dedicated service dog for veteran Michael.

And how about Glory and Josie?  Totally misunderstood in their shelter days (bulldog crosses just look like the baddest girls on the block) – they are now loving and devoted family members with their humans Caiden and Judy, proving once again, just how wrong and unfortunate those old stereotypes are.

It was great to see little Jax, a terrier mix with boundless energy who literally bounced off the walls as a shelter resident.  Well, guess what?  Crazy little Jax ain’t so crazy anymore – he has calmed down and blossomed under the expert care and love of Dr. Sybil Davis.  Hey Jax, you’re looking mighty dapper in that bow tie.

Then there was Princess, always the most stylish girl in the room, strutting her stuff with her humans Carol and Jim and looking oh so fashion-forward in her ruffled collar.

Sweet girl Pollyanna is the same sweet girl she always was, living the good life and doting on her human David.  That David is a lucky man.

And let’s not forget Parker, even handsomer now than the day he left the shelter thanks to the love and care of his human Pixie, who continues to swoon over his good looks and charming disposition.

These were just a few of the happy canine alumni who spent a few hours visiting the new shelter, enjoying Thea’s homemade doggie cookies and muffins, having their photos taken by talented photographers Janice Freeland and Pam Eckelbarger, getting a quick manicure and pedicure from the vet techs from Veterinary Services, and adding their “Paw” Hancock to commemorative certificates.

Veterans K9 Solutions, which trains dogs and volunteers at the shelter three times a week, was also present to give training tips and demonstrations.

By all accounts, the day was a great success thanks to scores of FOTAS volunteers (to whom we are eternally grateful for this and all they do), good weather and lots of willing participants having a good time.  Even better, 7 dogs and 3 cats found new homes that day.

The greatest success of the day, however, wasn’t just a function of the sunny day, fun-filled activities, raffles, tours, adoptions and shopping opportunities.

Rather, it was the overwhelming affirmation of just how wonderful, how satisfying, how loving a pet adopted from the Aiken County Animal Shelter can be.

We see these successes all the time, year after year.  A responsible pet owner adopts a lost, homeless animal and an enduring bond is created that sustains not only the adopted pet, but its adopted family as well.

Ask any human who found their loving friend and companion at the County Shelter; they will tell you just how lucky they are to have that animal in their life.

Shelter animals make the greatest pets.  Adopt your next pet from the County Shelter – their lives are in our hands.

Contact info@angelhartlinedesigns.com or visit FOTAS on line at www.fotasaiken.org or call 803-514-4313

ROXY – ONLY $35
LAB RETRIEVER MIX – FEMALE – 5 YEARS OLD – 57 LBS.

 

NATHAN – ONLY $17
DOMESTIC SHORT HAIR – MALE – 1 YEAR OLD – 7.5 LBS.