Category Archives: Adoption

FOTAS is hosting a book reading and signing event for Colton & Casey Mason’s first printing of “I Just Want to Snuggle” today from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Aiken County Animal Shelter. The beautifully illustrated children’s book is about Cooper, the sweet black and white mixed breed they adopted from the County Shelter in 2020.

Cooper will be with Casey, ready to snuggle with attendees while she signs books. Books will be available for purchase at the event, with a portion of the proceeds donated to FOTAS.

Following today’s book reading and signing, visitors can create their own storybook ending from 1:00 to 4:30, as all adoption fees will be waived during this time period. That’s right. You can adopt your own dog who “just wants to snuggle” for $0!

The shelter is full of terrific, adoptable pets but please be sure to visit our canine residents who have been here the longest, including:

Bam Bam. One of the shelter’s largest dogs up for adoption, six-year-old Bam Bam weighs in at 73 pounds. He walks well on a leash and is cuddly. If you’re looking for a couch companion, Bam Bam is your guy.

Faith. Sweet, senior mixed breed Faith loves people, especially children. Nine-year-old, 51-pound Faith has tagged along with FOTAS during school visits and each time she behaved like a rock star. She would be great as an only pet or possibly with a calm, larger dog.

Butler. Handsome, four-year-old. 45-pound Butler is a playful dog who loves being with people and would be a great companion. With his big personality and athleticism, he is a great dog for an active person or family.

Diesel. Mixed breed Diesel stands out not just due to his white coat but also because he is quite a character and appreciates every bit of affection he receives from people. This three-year-old, 38-pound pup would love a fenced-in backyard to play in.

Dipsy Doodle. This sweetheart is our smallest long-term resident and loves to fetch tennis balls. With her cuddly personality, this four-year-old, 51-pound mixed breed will make a wonderful pet for a single person or couple.

Suzie. Nicknamed “Super Suzie,” this wonderful pup loves other dogs. She is a tad shy at first, but quickly warms up to you. Three-year-old, 45-pound Suzie loves to play in water and go on walks.

Their lives are in our hands.

By Bob Gordon, FOTAS Communications Director

After pets are adopted from the Aiken County Animal Shelter, staff members follow up to see how they are doing in their new homes. Here is some recent feedback from our adopters.

Hutch loves his new home and family


Hutch, who we renamed Scout, is definitely part of the family now. He’s really good with our kids and loves his new home. We are curbing some habits and getting used to his big energy! We all enjoy playing fetch and taking him for walks. He’s a really good boy.
Rachel Carter

Beagle Angela is the perfect addition to this family

Thank you all for being so wonderful and making the adoption process a joyful occasion. I adopted the sweetest little Beagle girl, Angela. Last night she slept on the bed along with her three brothers. She is still a little shy, but I know she is the perfect addition to the family. Thank you all again for always making the Aiken County Animal Shelter the best place to adopt.
Linda Burros

Sweet Clementine even likes the cat!

Clementine is doing very well.

Eating well and getting along with everyone and everything…even the cat. We go to the dog park regularly and she is a favorite there.
Judy Sweeny

Pretty Millie loves being with the kids and other dogs

Millie is such a love, and really enjoys being with the kids and the other dogs in our pack. We have a huge yard and she loves finding fun sticks and pinecones to chew! Her ears are still deciding if they are both going to stand up or not, ha-ha! Thank you for bringing us together!
Sarah Roudsari

Bonded pair of kitties are becoming more confident

Pearl and Penelope have adapted well to our house! They have really opened up and are becoming much more energetic and social, but they’re still exceptionally well behaved.
Bradley Raley

Arlo is settling in wonderfully

I cannot say enough good things about Arlo. He has settled in super with my family and our animals. He loves his older “brother” Doobie, and they play well together!

He is so well behaved and I take the two dogs hiking every morning. He walks well on his leash and even off it, never leaving my side.
Alicia Coviello

Chip might be the sweetest dog ever

Mister, now Chip, is doing wonderful! We love him so much and he has to be the sweetest dog ever. He plays with a plastic bowl outside and sleeps by my bed at night. The cats are almost used to him, but he still wants to bark at the donkeys! But it’s fine. He just has to be on a leash at the barn.
Debra Waters

The County Shelter has so many more wonderful animals available for adoption. Please come and meet them at 333 Wire Road in Aiken.

Their lives are in our hands.

By Bob Gordon, FOTAS Communications Director

Black is beautiful. Yet, black dogs statistically wait at least four times longer to be adopted from shelters than lighter coated and more colorful canines.

It’s known as “Black Dog Syndrome” and we are currently experiencing this unfortunate phenomenon at the Aiken County Animal Shelter. Attractive, friendly and smart black dogs are languishing at 333 Wire Road because prospective adopters are not selecting them. Why? We’re not sure. Experts claim that superstitious people see black dogs as dangerous or evil. Others theorize that their facial expressions are harder to see, especially in the shadows of their kennel, so people don’t connect with them as easily. Still others speculate that black dogs don’t photograph as well, so when they are featured on social media pages, they don’t catch the eye of prospective adopters.

Frankly, the whole Black Dog Syndrome seems silly to us — but we can’t ignore it. Not when the shelter is filling up with dark-coated dogs who can’t find homes.

1. Therefore, to counter these negative tropes, here are ten reasons why you should adopt a black dog:
2. Black dogs are chic and always in fashion.
3. Black dogs never look dirty.
4. Black dogs make you look thinner.
5. Black dog hair blends into your dark pants, dress or coat.
6. Black dogs are just as loyal, playful, and loving as other canines. Maybe more so.
7. Black dogs are always ready for a formal occasion.
8. Black dogs are cute and smart. Breeds like Labrador Retrievers, Spaniels, Shepherds and Terriers are some of the smartest dogs and often have black fur.
9. Black dogs are easy to accessorize. They look great in any color.
   Black dogs look tough even when they are sweet pushovers.
10. Adopting saves lives. By adopting a black dog, you will not only be saving their life, but will open up a spot for another dog to be rescued.

Here are just some of the County Shelter’s terrific black dogs who need and deserve good homes:

• Malone, a mini black Lab mix who is four years old, easygoing and enjoys the company of other dogs.
• Dipsy Doodle, a cute, four-year-old cuddle bug who enjoys car rides.
• Butler, an athletic, four-year-old Retriever mix who wants to be your one and only.
• Suzie, an active and athletic three-year-old mixed breed who is a proven superstar in playgroup.
• Smokey, a three-year-old black Lab mix, who is medium-sized and super affectionate.
• Kenobi, an active, three-year-old mixed breed who can’t get enough human attention.
• Arabell, an adorable, one-year-old mixed breed who plays well with other dogs.

Please stop by the shelter to meet these black beauties and cuties. The County Shelter is at full capacity and these dogs need to find loving homes soon.

Their lives are in our hands.

By Bob Gordon, FOTAS Communications Director

Photo caption:
Kenobi likes toys, car rides and cuddling with his favorite humans
Malone is easygoing and often sunbathes on his back in his kennel.
Dipsy Doodle is an active girl who wants to be your one and only pet.

Butler is athletic and loves to go on walks.
Suzie is a wiggle butt and enjoys wrestling dogs her size or larger.
Smokey loves tummy rubs.