Category Archives: Demodex

The Joys of Fostering from an Expert

We began fostering puppies with FOTAS and Aiken County Animal Shelter shortly after seeing the conditions in the old shelter on Wire Road. In the almost 10 years since then, we have fostered more than 600 puppies, and our incredible new shelter was built. The only thing that hasn’t changed is that our shelter remains […]

Fostering Helps Save Dogs Rescued from Hoarding Situation

In early February, the shelter received a large group of dogs from a hoarding situation. These poor canines were not only fearful, but also emaciated, covered in fleas — and many were bald from demodectic mange. We were desperate to find help for these horrified, neglected animals, as shelter life is not the best for […]

Fosters Needed for Shelter Dogs with Demodectic Mange

They arrive at the Aiken County Animal Shelter (ACAS) with patches of fur missing – and sometimes even completely bald, with red, scaly skin — but through fostering and treatment, transform into handsome, furry canine companions. These are dogs with demodectic mange or “demodex”, a typically easily treatable condition that is not contagious to humans […]

Dede Blossoms After Love and Care at the County Shelter

Dede was wandering the backroads of the county in the sizzling heat of July when she was picked up by animal control officers. Her condition was shocking: aside from being terrified and dehydrated, she was completely hairless and bleeding. She was, as you can see from the featured photo, hard to look at without grimacing […]

Fostering Medical Needs Pets Brings New Challenges, Many Rewards

This has been a long summer at the Aiken County Animal Shelter (ACAS). Kittens thrown from car windows, dogs starved, puppies abandoned in the woods…we’ve seen all these scenarios come through the door again and again. Shelter staff and FOTAS volunteers work so hard to help the many pets that are surrendered or found as […]

Neglected Puppy Coco Makes Amazing Recovery

In early November, a stray puppy was brought into the Aiken County Animal Shelter by one of the animal control officers. I have seen a lot of neglected dogs enter the shelter but this one instantly brought tears to my eyes. We could all feel her pain. Her face was dripping blood, she had no […]

Two FOTAS Family Members Honored as Heroes

The American Red Cross honored FOTAS fosters Becca Babineau and Chenoa Shields with its local hero award for “going above and beyond the line of duty to save lives and serve others.” The two women were presented with their awards with other citizens who showed extraordinary courage to rescue and change lives for the better. […]

You too can be a hero

Dogs, cats, puppies and kittens are surrendered or abandoned to the shelter every day. These animals, through no fault of their own, are blindsided by a change of life that can have a dramatic impact on their emotional and physical well-being. FOTAS and the shelter immediately act to make sure these animals can not only […]