Category Archives: Adoption

When Clade Tuttle visited the Aiken County Animal Shelter three months ago, he had no idea it would dramatically change his life for the better.

He went to the shelter to adopt a small dog for his 5-year-old son, Colton. But Colton found himself drawn to Tock, a 40-pound mixed breed with a mahogany brindle coat. Tuttle reminded his son that they were looking to take home a much smaller pup. But when two-year-old Tock curled up next to Colton and then got on his back for a tummy rub, Tuttle gave in and adopted the affectionate stray.

Tuttle, a marine who saw action in Iraq and Afghanistan, now works from home, so he and Tock started spending a lot of time together. Every morning, they would drop Colton off at school and run errands.

“At first, Tock would ride in the backseat and then he began joining me in the front seat,” Tuttle said. “He’d go everywhere with me.”

Then something happened. Tock began leaning into Tuttle when he felt his new owner was stressed, upset or angry.

“Sometimes I would be tense and he could sense it,” said Tuttle, who has Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and fights depression as a result of his wartime experiences. “Tock put his paws on my lap, so I rubbed his head and behind his ears. He wouldn’t move until I calmed down. He does it every time I’m feeling anxious.”

Tuttle said he was in a “dark place” before Tock entered his life. He thinks the unfortunate events that occurred during the United States exit from Afghanistan was the catalyst for his latest bout with depression. He fought in Operation Enduring Freedom but was back home when the U.S pulled out its troops. “We needed to get out of there,” he said. “But the way we did it, it hurt.”

Thankfully, with Tock’s help, Tuttle is feeling better now. And Tock is loving his new life. He just finished a three-week off-leash training course and has a new canine sister, Lexi, a miniature pinscher.

“Tock came along when I was in a deep, dark hole,” Tuttle said. “There was a lot of stuff in my head eating me up. But he rescued me. Not the other way around. This dog is one of the best things that’s ever happened to me.”

The County Animal Shelter is full this holiday season and has many more wonderful dogs and cats in need of homes. Now is the perfect time to adopt a new best friend and give the ultimate present to this pet — a forever home. This Saturday, Dec. 17, is our Home for the Holidays adoption event. The adoption fee for all available animals will be $0 and Santa will be there to pose for photos with you and your new pet!

Their lives are in our hands.

By Bob Gordon, FOTAS Communications Director


This past Friday, November 11, was Veterans Day, an important holiday that honors U.S. veterans for serving and protecting our country.

FOTAS strongly supports our armed forces and recognizes the benefits that veterans and active military personnel can experience from the company of a shelter cat or dog. We launched our veterans adoption program on Nov. 11, 2015 and it continues today. U.S veterans and active U.S. military personnel can adopt a dog or cat from the Aiken County Animal Shelter for no charge, year-round.

It is our small way to show gratitude to the people who serve our country and make sacrifices to defend our freedoms.

Vietnam veteran Bill Redfield adopted mixed breed Amos from the County Shelter seven months ago, and the 3-year-old, 55-pound dog has proven to be an outstanding companion.

“I take him to Odell Weeks every day and people stop to pet him and watch him do tricks,” Redfield said. “Sometimes they even take a selfie with him.” Amos is a charmer who can sit, shake hands, high-five, roll over and give kisses on command. When he rolls over, he usually gets a nice tummy rub from his admirers.

“He’s just a big mush,” Redfield chuckled. “I’ve always had small dogs like Yorkies. But when I met Amos at the shelter, I knew he was coming home with me.” Redfield said he was surprised and honored when FOTAS paid his adoption fee, but still insisted on donating $50.

Nicolas Whitt, who is in the National Guard, adopted Lucky after he helped rescue him. He and his cousin found him in the woods. The poor dog had been hit by a car. But despite two broken legs and losing blood fast, the butterscotch mixed breed found the strength to drag himself from the road to safety. Whitt called for help and a County Animal Code Enforcement Officer picked Lucky up for emergency treatment at the shelter.

“He wagged his tail when he saw us” Whitt said. We gave him some water and tried to stop the bleeding. He was such a trooper.”

It was touch and go for a while. Lucky’s left rear leg was shattered and had to be amputated but his right rear leg was saved by using pins to set the bones in place. Whitt called the shelter nearly every day to see how Lucky was doing. When he got the good news that Lucky was going to recover, he and his wife, Debra, decided to adopt him.

“He’s still recovering but doing well,” Whitt said. “He’s gentle with our four-month-old son, Jackson, He licks his feet and cuddles with him. I think the way Lucky entered our life, it was just meant to be.”

If you are active in the military or a veteran, please take advantage of your complimentary adoption. The shelter is at full capacity and there are so many wonderful pets desperate to find loving homes.

Their lives are in our hands.

By Bob Gordon, FOTAS Communications Director