Category Archives: Cats

Adoption, Cats, Dogs, News

Love your pet? Then fix your pet!

Posted on by Angel Hartline
04
Aug

By Joanna D. Samson, FOTAS Vice President. 

What do Lucy, Skye, Olivia, Zeus, Roberta, Harley, Andrew, Bane, Butch, Zach, Dante, Buster, Milo, Brees, Leroy, Triscit, Biscuit, Snowhite, Alberta, Rowdy, Axel, Rory, Destiny, and Tamara have in common?

Other than being canines who ended up at the Aiken County Animal Shelter through no fault of their own, they are energetic, muscular, sleek, barrel-chested, short-snouted, square-headed people-pleasers with big goofy smiles, long tongues and irresistible urges to chase balls and curl up next to their humans on a couch to watch Living Dead reruns.

In short, they are all pit bulls or pit bull crosses.

They are also all lucky, because most of these dogs have found homes and humans to adore. However, because they are pit bullish, they spent a longer time in the shelter than their cute, fluffy, floppy-eared shelter mates – a seriously perilous position in a public shelter with limited space.

And in the County shelter, like other public shelters around the country, many of their brethren are not so lucky. Pit bulls are deemed unadoptable and euthanized at much higher rates than other breeds before they even get to the adoption floor.

Yet often the very people who are attracted to pit bulls refuse to spay or neuter their pets. They say it is cruel and unnatural to take away their manhood or breeding capacity.

Really? In my book, it is unspeakably cruel and unnatural to bring pit bull puppies into the world when there are thousands upon thousands of deserving, homeless pits across the country who are likely to be killed without ever having known the love of a responsible human. Really.

The truth is, in an animal-rich environment like Aiken, it’s impossible to adopt your way out of this problem. Last year in the County alone, excluding the City, 4500 animals passed through the shelter and 50% of those were euthanized. Those are grim numbers.

The only way to meaningfully reduce the euthanasia rate is to reduce the intake rate, and the only way to reduce the intake rate is to eliminate the overpopulation of unwanted animals, and the only way to reduce overpopulation is for every citizen, and their families, and their friends to spay and neuter their animals. Period.

There are no legitimate reasons not to spay and neuter your pets. Research has proved that animals who are “fixed” live healthier, longer lives, are easier to control and make better family-members.

What’s more, you don’t need to breed your dog so your children can experience the “miracle of birth” – you can foster one of our many pregnant mamas. You and your children will get to experience the joy of birthing and caring for the puppies, FOTAS will provide food and medical supplies, and when the puppies have been weaned, you can hand them over to be sent to their new homes knowing you have done a great deed.

Spaying or neutering your pet has never been easier or more affordable. Plus you may be eligible for financial assistance through the County or City voucher program or FOTAS Fix-a-Pet.

Call us today at (803) 514-4313, and we’ll help you get it done.

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

PETS OF THE WEEK

TIA   Female, Hound, 1 year old, 32 lbs — $70.00

EMMA   Female, Domestic short hair, adult   — $9.00

Adoption, Cats, News

Why you need a barn cat and why you should get one at the County Shelter (for free!)

Posted on by Angel Hartline
22
Jul

By Joanna D. Samson, FOTAS Vice President

Barns and stables are natural habitat for rats and mice – lots of food sources from grain bins and accidental spillage around the prep and feeding areas. That, coupled with lots of water and places to nest, equals Disney Land for rodents.

But despite the adorable mice portrayed in Disney movies, mice are highly destructive disease carriers. QC Supply, a company that specializes in home and farm supplies, estimates that just two mice can munch their way through four pounds of grain in six months and deposit 18,000 droppings. Mice contaminate food sources and can be the source of serious, even life-threatening, diseases. They gnaw their way through insulation and electrical wires (think fire hazard) and burrow holes around and through the foundation.

But wait, you say, I rarely see mice in my barn. Ha! When Hurricane Agnes dumped 10 inches of rain in the Roanoke Valley in June of 1972, I spent a frenzied morning helping with the evacuation of 18 anxious horses from a friend’s barn. By the time I pulled myself through chest-high water raging through the runway to pull out the last horse, there were thousands – no exaggeration – thousands of squealing, terrified, panicked rodents lining the tops of every stall door and level space above the water level. And this was at a barn with no rodent problem.

So if you have a barn, you have mice, and if you have mice, you need a cat. Natural born hunters, cats have been used for rodent control since the day cave men decided storing grain was less dangerous than killing dinosaurs for dinner. For a cat, hunting is a finely tuned survival instinct genetically coded in their DNA. For anyone who has ever had a kitten attack their feet in the dead of night, you know what I mean.

Barn cats can be great companions, too. A beautiful, fearless calico cat lived at Foxchase Stables who, besides systematically dispatching everything that scurried, also walked you to the paddock, hopped on your lap in the tack room for a good cuddle, and chased off the dogs that dared to pester her. Much loved by all of us, she lived a long and productive life in that barn

The Aiken County Animal Shelter has cats – lots of cats – A TRAGIC AMOUNT OF CATS. In the month of June, 353 cats were received at the shelter, and 315 cats were euthanized. That’s an 89% euthanasia rate for cats if you’re counting, which we are. These numbers keep me up at night.

From now until the end of July, the Aiken County Animal Shelter is GIVING AWAY adult, already spayed/neutered cats, so there has never been a better time to implement a time-honored, tried and true rodent control system on your property. Don’t need a mouser? That’s okay. Now is the perfect time to bring home a couple of adorable, virtually self-sufficient companions who will curl up with you on the couch to watch Law and Order reruns and will never, ever need you to take them for a walk in the rain.

Please don’t wait. Their time is running out.

 

Adoption, Cats, News

Love Cats? This Month’s ‘Touch of Gray’ Promotion Is for You

Posted on by Angel Hartline
30
Jun

By Bob Gordon, FOTAS Volunteer and Cat Correspondent

The current collection of adoptable cats at the Aiken County Animal Shelter includes felines of all colors and sizes, making it a challenge to choose just one to take home. But now through July 11, cats that are completely gray, partly gray or just have a touch of gray are on sale for half price ($17.50).

The animal shelter’s cat adoption building (with both inside and outside visiting areas) is ideal for getting to know the cats and choosing one or two to take home. In large rooms with tall cat trees, beds and a variety of toys, you can play with the cats, watch them play with each other, or just relax with a friendly feline in your lap.

Here are some things to think about when selecting a new cat.

What do you want in a companion? Do you want a family cat to play with? Do you want a kitty that spends much of her time on your lap? Or maybe you want a barn cat who loves the outdoors and the thrill of a good mouse hunt.

Adult or a kitten? With adult cats, what you see is usually what you get.  You can assess his personality and disposition, which is unlikely to change. But a kitten’s personality is not yet fully developed so it can be impossible to know what kind of attitude and relationship they will have with you until they mature.

Outdoor or indoor cat? If you want a cat that will spend part of his time outdoors, you don’t want to select a small, timid feline. You want one that can handle himself and tends to be a more dominant personality.

How much time do you have for your cat?  Although far more independent than dogs and capable of entertaining themselves for long periods of time, cats are social animals that can get lonely by themselves. So, if you are going to be at work most of the day, think about adopting an older cat or, even better, two cats that get along – maybe siblings.

Here are a few of the fabulous felines waiting for you at the County Shelter:

Perseus looks like a tough guy, but underneath those 10 pounds of muscle is a real love bug. Perseus was the first hero in Greek mythology, and this Perseus can be your hero, too.

Marbles, a gorgeous muted Tortoise shell cat, loves nothing more than a warm lap and a scratch behind the ears. Gentle and affectionate, she’s an extrovert that wants to get to know you

Cinnamon is a dominant cat and pretty much the boss of everyone. Picky about her companions, she can be sweet to the right person and would be a happy barn cat or the queen of a one-cat household with no young children.

Come visit the County Shelter at 333 Wire Road, where there are so many healthy, amazing animals that just need a home, a little love and a second chance. Their lives are in our hands.

BY THE NUMBERS

February 2015 – May 2015

FOTAS organized and paid for the spay/neuter surgeries of  79 community cats (TNR) and 106 pets owned by citizens in need of assistance in fixing their dogs and cats- 185 animals fixed in total

Adoption, Cats, Dogs, News

At the Aiken County Shelter: puppies, kittens and kids – oh my!

Posted on by Angel Hartline
29
Jun

6/22/15 By Ellie Joos, FOTAS Director and On-site Event Coordinator

What’s way more fun than a barrel of monkeys? Puppies and kitties and kids, that’s what! And we had them in spades over the past several weeks when the Aiken County Animal Shelter hosted a birthday party and a visit from a group of twelve 4 and 5-year olds from the First Baptist Church Aiken Day Camp.

Abby Callis and seven friends celebrated her 10th birthday at the Shelter, complete with lots of gifts and a delicious cake shaped like a fluffy dog. Her guests brought presents for our an-imal residents, too – special homemade treats made from peanut butter and green beans, along with a great selection of toys. Abby’s and her family’s thoughtfulness included a sur-prise for the first family that came to the shelter that day and adopted a dog (the Toole fam-ily from Beech Island.) To Christina & Emily Toole’s delight, the Callis family had assembled a huge bowl filled with treats and toys for their new puppy that Abby proudly presented on behalf of her friends and family.

We started the party with a brief introduction to the shelter and our volunteers. We showed them how the volunteers socialize the dogs and cats to help them learn basic obe-dience skills and manners so they can adapt more quickly in their new homes. Many of the children said they want to volunteer too some day. Nothing would make us happier.

After the introduction, Maggie, Linda, and Sharon, our amazing volunteers, worked with the girls to make toys made from old t-shirts. Then they filled small plastic cups with pumpkin, which was frozen for an afternoon snack for the dogs.

The real fun began – play time with the puppies and kittens! The kids were split into smaller groups, and needless to say, by the time the girls were done, we had a bunch of very tired puppies and kittens.

Birthday cake and ice pops completed the morning’s activities. The cake shaped and deco-rated like a fluffy dog was a huge hit. To top off the event, our birthday girl adopted an adorable kitten named Smokey and one of her friends adopted a sweet and loveable older cat.

Next up was a morning visit from the First Baptist Church Aiken day camp group of 4 and 5 year olds, accompanied by Margaret Campbell and a huge basket of treats and toys. Earlier that morning, prior to their arrival, our volunteers were busy walking dogs, bathing kittens, and preparing the puppy pen. Most of the children had not been to the shelter before and they were wowed by all of our adorable residents. The children squealed with delight at the puppies, who chased the toys with wild abandon and gave the kids lots of big kisses. The kittens also provided lively entertainment in a room full of children, toys, and our great volunteer Pat.

Sound like fun? It was. Call us at (803) 514-4313 to plan your next birthday party or event. Call us to volunteer. Come by and adopt your new best friend.

Their lives are in our hands.

BY THE NUMBERS
May 2015
Total Dogs and cats received = 525
Total dogs and cats adopted /transferred = 216
Total dogs and cats returned to owner = 19
Total dogs and cats euthanized = 217
Euthanasia Rate- = 41%

PETS OF THE WEEK

SULA Female, terrier mix — 10 months old, 16 lbs $70

GARFUNKEL Male, tabby — 8 weeks old $17.50

Adoption, Cats, Dogs, News, Volunteer

Help! They’re coming out of our ears!

Posted on by Angel Hartline
17
Jun

By Joanna D. Samson, FOTAS Vice President

It’s summer time at the Aiken County Animal Shelter, and we’re swamped with dogs, cats, puppies! So many puppies! A hundred kittens! Seriously.

The County Shelter and FOTAS need your help… desperately. Many of our dedicated volunteers have gone away for the summer, leaving us critically shorthanded. The kennels in the adoption pod are full and the intake wing is backed up with animals, waiting for space to open up on the adoption floor.

We need volunteers to walk the dogs, play with the cats, fuss with the kittens, entertain the puppies, groom the dogs, help out at the front desk.

Last week there were only 3 volunteers to walk 35 dogs – many of whom wait to so their business outside.

Also, we need folks to foster so we can move the dogs out of the shelter. If you are up for a summer of squishy, adorable puppy-love, you can foster mamma dogs and little puppies.

Not into long-term commitment? You can foster an adult dog or dogs scheduled for transfer and let them chill out in a home environment. (For every dog you foster, another one moves to the adoption floor, saving two for one.)

We are also trying a new Foster for a Weekend program for true commitment phobes – just to get the animals some love and personal attention for the weekend and give you a taste of what you’re missing.

Call us today and we will get you started. Call the FOTAS hotline at 803-514-4313 or email us at info@angelhartlinedesigns.com.

But most of all, we need you to adopt, adopt, adopt. These sweet animals deserve a second chance, and you can give it to them. Take advantage of this month’s Touch of Gray adoption special – ½ price for any cat or kitten with even a single gray hair in their coat.

Thank you, and God Bless. Their lives are in our hands.

Adoption, Cats, Dogs, News, Volunteers

FOTAS: Transfer program and foster families save lives

Posted on by Angel Hartline
13
Jun

27 May 2015

FOTAS: Transfer program and foster families save lives

By Joanna Dunn Samson, FOTAS Vice President.

It’s not even Memorial Day yet, and the intake wing of the Aiken County Animal Shelter is inundated with abnormally high numbers of owner surrenders, puppies, kittens and strays usually reserved for the summer months. Intake during April and May has been at record highs, far exceeding the number of animals leaving the shelter for forever homes. The shelter is forced to double or triple up animals in the kennels in the intake wing until space is available on the adoption floor. It is an agonizing state of affairs.

When this happens, FOTAS and shelter staff increase their efforts to network the animals on the adoption floor the longest (among other things) by organizing transfers to our no-kill sister agencies in other parts of the country. The transfer program has grown to include 20 partner rescue agencies over the past five years.

“It’s hard work,” says Jennifer. “The partner tells us how much space they have available, and we send them photographs and information about the dogs on the adoption floor, particularly the dogs that have been in the shelter the longest and need to be moved on. We don’t need to transfer out the small, cute dogs- they find homes quickly – we really advocate on behalf of the dogs that are hardest to place.”

In addition to the hard to place dogs, the transfer partners also take healthy, weaned puppies – a godsend during this time of year when the shelter is packed with them.   Says Miller, “Mutt puppies are hard to find and in great demand, particularly in the north, because everyone spays and neuters their animals.”

The FOTAS and County-approved foster homes are instrumental in the success of the transfer program. Once FOTAS and the transfer partner have negotiated which animals to send, FOTAS volunteers and county staff move the approved dogs to foster homes quickly, allowing the dogs a little transition time in a home before they are shipped out.

“Plus,” says Caroline Simonson, a FOTAS Director and volunteer, “moving the dogs quickly to foster frees up space on the adoption floor, allowing staff to release dogs from intake, which is so important when intake is so crowded.”

The need for foster families has never been greater. A potential foster fills out an application and demonstrates to the County that they have a safe, healthy place to care for the dogs. FOTAS is willing to pay for food and vet services to reduce the cost of fostering if necessary.

“You get to save two lives for every foster you take in,” says Toni Urben, a FOTAS foster, “ the dog you foster and the dog that takes its place on the adoption floor. My husband Gary and I love doing it.”

And so will you. Over the next couple of weeks, I’ll share with you some of the experiences of our fosters so you can see for yourself how satisfying and how necessary the job is.

We are desperate for more foster families, so if you’ve ever thought about fostering, now is the time. Please call the FOTAS Hotline at 803-514-4313, or email us at info@angelhartlinedesigns.com.

Their lives are in our hands.

Adoption, Cats, Dogs, News, Volunteers

Summer Heartbreak at the County Animal Shelter

Posted on by Angel Hartline
13
Jun

17 May 2015

Summer Heartbreak at the County Shelter

By Joanna Dunn Samson, FOTAS Vice President

Summer is tough at the Aiken County Animal Shelter. While the rest of the world settles into the sleepy tempo of summer, FOTAS volunteers and County staff shift into hyper-drive to address the inevitable onslaught of puppies, kittens and owner-surrender animals that crowd the intake wing and stress county resources to alarming levels.

This year, the seasonal surge of animals started early. The shelter experienced abnormally high intake during April, and May’s numbers promise to be equally dismal.

These homeless animals will come from the County, the City, Edgefield County, occasionally private rescue agencies already filled to capacity, but primarily, they come from private citizens.  On average, the number of citizen-surrendered animals doubles during the summer months because of (are you ready?) vacations.

Vacations! It is a sad but true fact that there are people who surrender their pets to the County Shelter when they go on vacation rather than make proper arrangements for their care, consigning their confused and trusting pets to the stress of a shelter environment and a 50% chance of being euthanized. Unthinkably heartless.

Over the past year, the County and FOTAS, with the help of the community, made great strides in saving more animals and reducing the euthanasia rate, but until rampant overpopulation is checked and the horrifying intake numbers come down (a 10-year proposition under the best of circumstances, according to most experts), our goal of never having to euthanize another adoptable animal is out of reach.

In the meantime the County, with the help of FOTAS, is responsible for the care and disposition of the 4600-5000 unwanted animals that wind up in the County shelter each year. Paid for with taxpayer dollars, the County shelter has a legal obligation to accept all comers – it cannot refuse to accept an animal because there isn’t enough room. Quite frankly, it feels like sweeping back the ocean with a broom, especially during the summer months.

How can you help?

First and foremost, spay or neuter your animals, and talk your friends and family into spaying and neutering theirs. If you or they cannot afford the cost to spay/neuter, you may be eligible for County or FOTAS financial assistance.

Help us take care of the animals – volunteer at the shelter.

Become a short-term foster for dogs selected for transfer or a long-term foster for mamma dogs and their puppies until they are weaned and rehomed.

Most of all: adopt one of the deserving animals in the Adoption Wing.  For every animal you adopt or foster, you save two lives – the pet you adopted and the pet that can be moved to the adoption floor from Intake.

Make a tax-free donation to the cause at www.fotasaiken.org.

Call us at (803) 514-4313 or email us at info@angelhartlinedesigns.com and see how you can get involved. You won’t be sorry.

Take advantage of our outrageous May special: adopt an adorable “Pibble” for only $20 or a cat for $10. The adoption fees cover spay/neuter surgery, all inoculations and micro-chipping. It’s a tiny cost for taking home a new love.

Their lives are in our hands.

BY THE NUMBERS

April 2015

Total received = 481 dogs and cats

Total adopted/transferred = 170 dogs and cats

Total euthanized = 201 dogs and cats

PETS OF THE WEEK

SAUL .. American bull dog — male — 6 mos. old — 34 lbs.  — $20

ROSEANNE … Tabby — female — 2 years — 17.7 lbs  — $10

All bully dog mixes $20 and cats $10 through May 31, 2015

Adoption, Cats, Dogs, News

Back in black: the semi-annual, half-price adoption special for black pets

Posted on by Angel Hartline
13
Jun

12 April 2015

Back in black: the semi-annual, half-price adoption special for black pets

By Joanna Dunn Samson, FOTAS Vice President

Did you know that black dogs and cats take 4 times longer to be adopted from a shelter than their lighter counterparts? That’s right, 4 TIMES LONGER.

It’s a sad, but true, phenomenon in the rescue world referred to as “Black (or Cat) Dog Syndrome.” Black dogs and cats are often passed over by potential adopters for a variety of vague reasons, like indistinct facial features and “generic” body types – issues compounded by poor lighting in many shelters – and size: large black dogs are even harder to adopt out.

Black dogs and cats are victims of their genetics and irrational prejudice stemming from negative portrayals in literature and ancient folklore (think black cats and witches or the black hounds of hell). There is not a shred of evidence that black dogs are more aggressive or untrustworthy than their lighter colored brethren. Aggression is a function of abuse and poor training – not a function of color. Period.

A black pet will give you every bit as much squirming, unconditional adoring love as a lightly-colored one. Plus, there’s this: black pets won’t show dirt as much, so you won’t have to wash them as often. With the money and time you’ll save on grooming, you could, say, treat your significant other to a romantic dinner and bottle of wine. Who knew adopting a black pet could be a boon to your marriage?

Okay, maybe that’s a stretch, but how about this? Black is the color of preference for fashion icons and musicians – think Coco Chanel or Johnny Cash. It’s the color of free thinkers and poets.

Like Seamus, the cat of the week – he positively drips intelligence and attitude. He is one very cool cat.

Here’s an even more perplexing fact: a large majority of the black dogs at shelters who do not get adopted are Labrador retriever crosses, yet year after year, Labs, and in particular, black labs, top the list of the most popular breeds in the country.  They are friendly, playful and promiscuous in their love of humans.  They are goofy, good-tempered animals – an excellent choice for families with children.

So why do black lab mixed breeds endowed with the same admirable and lovable qualities have so much trouble finding forever homes?

It makes no sense.  Take a tour of the Aiken County shelter, and you will often find any number of Lab crosses with bubbly, affectionate personalities just waiting for a family to love, entertain and protect.

Well, hell-ll-ooo, Bingley! If you looked up “earnest” in the dictionary, you’d see this photo of Bingley, our dog of the week. Seriously, look at that face. He’s a perfect family dog.

FOTAS and the Aiken County Animal Shelter have designated April as Back in Black Month. Adoption fees for black dogs have been reduced to $35 and black cats to $15.  This fee covers spaying and neutering, all necessary vaccinations and microchipping.

Come on over to the Aiken County Animal Shelter and take home your next best friend.  By the end of the day, you will be snuggled up on the couch watching The Voice with a happy black bundle of pure love.

Their lives are in our hands.

BY THE NUMBERS

MARCH 2015

407 dogs and cats received

229 dogs and cats adopted/transferred

153 dogs and cats euthanized

38% euthanasia rate ( lowest for any March to date!)

PETS OF THE WEEK

BINGLEY— Male — Retriever — 4 months old — 18 lbs — $35

SEAMUS — Male — Domestic  Short Hair — — $15

SPECIAL FOR BLACK DOGS & CATS THRU 4/30/15 — Dogs $35, Cats $15

Adoption, Cats, Dogs, Events, News

Notes from a busy day at the Shelter

Posted on by Angel Hartline
12
Jun

07 February 2015

Notes from a busy day at the Shelter

By Ellie Joos, FOTAS Director, On-Site Activities Coordinator

It was a busy afternoon at the shelter last Wednesday, when FOTAS hosted another Dog Ears Reading Program in conjunction with the Aiken County Library.

Jenny Beck from the library waited with me for our first arrivals, along with volunteer Sharon Kahl and several Serteens.

Shortly thereafter, the first mom showed up with her daughter Lane, Lane’s friend Megan and her little toddler. They had been at the shelter the day before and heard about the Dog Ears Reading Program and came back to read specifically to the five adorable Chihuahua puppies on the adoption floor. Sharon sat on the blanket with Lane, Megan and two of the Chihuahua puppies on blankets in the outside portion of the kennel while the girls took turns reading to the puppies and loving them up. What fun!

More kids arrived over the next 2 hours. Stella read to Owen, an enthusiastic border collie mix, with Serteen Stephanie, while her brother Sam read to the bouncy and ever so eager Belinda, a sweet hound dog mix who loves the attention, with help from Serteen Jade.

Young Christian and his mom came to the shelter to read to the cats – he can’t have one at home since his dad is allergic. First he read to a kitten he had selected from the new cat condo in the lobby with Jenny, then he repaired to the shelter feline house with Serteens Kate and Brandon to share the love with the feline residents residing in the colony.

Cindy from the “Aiken Standard” was on hand to photograph the activities. She told me how much she enjoys being assigned to the shelter to cover these events, which is evident from her terrific photos published in the on-line edition the next day. If you missed them, be sure to look them up – she really captured the joy of the participating children and the animals.

I also set up a craft table with all the necessary supplies, like paper, markers, stickers, rubber stamps and such, so the kids could make their own cards when they finished reading with the help of the Serteens.  They created some samples for the kids to see so the children could make their own cards when they finished reading.

Lane said she was making her Valentine card for the puppy she had named Cupcake. She had mounted a serious campaign to adopt little Cupcake, but her mother was not having it. Too bad for Lane and Cupcake – they did make a cute couple.

Next up at the shelter is the Valentine’s Day Yard Sale and Bake Sale to be held from 10 am to 1 pm, on Sat. Feb. 14. Come on over and check out the great bargains on pet supplies, household items, toys, books, maybe even some tack and equine supplies, and of course, some fabulous baked goods. The Valentine Card craft table will be set up for the kids to show their artsy side. In addition, photographer Janice Freeland will be on site to take photos of attendees with their pets in front of a Valentine backdrop.  The address is 333 Wire Road.

And don’t miss our Valentine’s Cat Adoption Special – only $2 to adopt a fully vaccinated and spayed or neutered adult cat, one day only — Sat., Feb. 14. If you’ve been thinking about adding a feline friend to your brood, now’s the time.

The Dog Ears Reading Program will be held at the shelter on the first Wednesday of each month, which is early release day for the schools. Be sure to check the FOTAS web site at www.fotasaiken.org for reservations information.

Thank you, and as always, remember – their lives are in our hands.

Adoption, Cats, News, Volunteers

Lenny’s Brigade strikes again

Posted on by Angel Hartline
12
Jun

25 January 2015

Lenny's Brigade strikes again

By Joanna Dunn Samson, Vice President of FOTAS

Shortly after sunrise last Saturday, 3 trucks set off from Wagener and Graniteville with a collective cargo of 19 feral cats trapped the night before from various cat colonies located in and around the two towns. The cats, trapped by volunteers of FOTAS’ Trap, Neuter and Release (TNR) program called Lenny’s Brigade, were on their way to Aiken Animal Hospital to be spayed or neutered by Drs. Cindy Brown and Mary Tricia White, two local veterinarians with big hearts and a deep commitment to animal welfare.

By 8 a.m., all 19 crates had been unloaded at the Hospital.  By 8:15, Drs. Brown and White, accompanied by Veterinary Technicians, Leanna Long and Paxy Holley, and Veterinary Assistant Megan Degan, began to sedate and prep the animals for surgery. By noon, all 19 surgeries had been completed, and the cats were resting comfortably in their crates.

“Dr. Brown and her team are amazing,” says Jennifer Miller, President of FOTAS. “They are top-notch doctors dedicated to the highest standards of professional care. When Dr. Brown offered to donate not only her time, but her clinic and supplies as well, we were speechless with gratitude.”

“Between our practice and our families, time is a valuable commodity for all of us,” says Dr. Brown, “so we made the decision as a team to take this on. We have the skills, we have the place, and we have the supplies, and we thought, ‘This is really important.’ It’s another way for us to give back to the community.”

It is important. Community, or feral, cats are domestic cats that have been either abandoned or born in the wild. Highly adaptable, cats can survive quite well on their own; however, an unmanaged, unchecked population of feral cats has the potential to upset the balance of nature in the area in which they live.

Not surprising since it is estimated that a female cat is capable of producing as many as 100 kittens during her lifetime.  If a typical colony is 25 cats, and slightly more than half are female, that’s 1300 offspring per colony without factoring in the breeding capacity of the males and the fertility of the subsequent generations of female offspring.

TNR programs like Lenny’s Brigade involve humanely trapping, sterilizing and inoculating community cats, then returning them to their original colony. Long-term studies indicate that over time, TNR is a more effective way of reducing community cat populations than just euthanizing them since new cats always move in to fill the void.

Lenny’s Brigade, the brainchild of FOTAS volunteer Dr. Kathy Bissell, DVM, pioneered TNR in Aiken County, and thanks to FOTAS organizers Colleen Timmerman, Vicky Wright, Dottie Gantt, Carol Miller and other volunteers, and Mayor Mike Miller from Wagener, FOTAS has organized and funded the spay/neuter of more community cats in the past two years than any other organization in the County – 409 feral cats to be exact.

Back at the Aiken Animal Hospital, after a couple of hours of rest, the 19 cats were loaded back on to the trucks and returned to Wagener and Graniteville, where they were collected by the FOTAS volunteers who had dropped them off in the morning. Most of the cats spent the night with the volunteers and were reunited the next morning with their colony of origin – safe, inoculated from disease and no longer capable of contributing to future generations of unwanted cats.

If you do the math, that’s at least 1300 less future homeless kittens to worry about thanks to 2-3 days of hard work by dedicated volunteers.

It’s a start.

PETS OF THE WEEK

CASPER — Male, American bulldog  mix — 4 1/2 months, 23 lbs — $70

PINE — Male, Domestic Short Hair — 3 months — $35