Category Archives: Dogs

Adoption, Bully Dogs, Dogs, Foster, FOTAS, Heartworms, Uncategorized, Volunteer

Lost, mud-covered pup leads family to love Bully mix breeds

Posted on by Angel Hartline
09
Aug

By Bob Gordon, FOTAS Director of Communications

Five years ago, Lauren Kilbreth was heading home after a job interview when she passed some little kids running from a mud-covered puppy. Lauren wasn’t in the best part of town, it was cold and pouring rain, and she was dressed in one of her best business suits – but she felt compelled to turn the car around and head back to investigate.

“He looked lost and I was worried he might get hit by a passing vehicle, so I decided I would get out of my car and call him to me, and if he ignored me or became aggressive, I’d just continue on my way,” Lauren says.

But when she clapped her hands once, knelt down and called out to the pup, he came running into her arms. Lauren took him home, gave him a bath and she and her husband, Ryan, became smitten with the brown Pit Bull mix pup with a white chest. Not only was he a loyal love bug to the couple but he also got along well with their two older Greyhounds, Grace and Baxter, and Stella, their Westie. The Kilbreths named their new, furry family member, Rock.

Rock grew to weigh 60 pounds and became the alpha dog. When Lauren and Ryan had their first baby, Easton James, Rock showed extraordinary interest, always watching over the child and needing to look over Lauren’s shoulder when she changed the baby’s diaper. Rock nurtured their second baby, Deacon Reid, the same way.

Friends who visited the Kilbreths were initially a bit wary of Rock. They weren’t sure how they felt about Bully mix dogs because of the negative way they are portrayed in the media. But most came to love Rock. Some even got Bully mix dogs of their own.

All was great at the Kilbreth home until last year, when their two oldest dogs, Grace and Stella, were diagnosed with cancer and rapidly succumbed to the disease. Baxter handled their deaths well but Rock became depressed and withdrawn. Lauren, now a volunteer at the Aiken County Animal Shelter (ACAS), decided it was time to find a new playmate for Rock. She took him to the Shelter to meet her favorite prospects and he picked a lovely, one-year-old Bully mix named Evie May, who quickly made Rock a happy dog again. Then, just three months ago, the Kilbreths adopted another young Bully mix beauty from the shelter. At 75 pounds, Ava Rae became the biggest dog in the Kilbreth home and has fit in beautifully with the other canine family members. She is heartworm positive but the slow-kill treatment for her condition, paid for by FOTAS, is nearly complete.

The ACAS currently has a number of Bully mix canines available, including seven dogs and four puppies. Carson, Cy, Conor, Chip, Delta, Connor and Tavis are the adults and the two-month-old pups are Claressa, Jeremy, Klay and Shadrack.

“Take a chance on these dogs,” Lauren says. “They are extremely loyal and have a lot of love to give. Never judge a book by its cover. Go to the shelter and see for yourself how sweet they can be.”

Their lives are in our hands…

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Adoption, Cats, Dogs, FOTAS

An incredible summer day at the County Animal Shelter

Posted on by Angel Hartline
29
Jul

By Joanna D. Samson, FOTAS Vice President

They started lining up at the Aiken County Animal Shelter at 10:30 last Saturday. By the time the shelter opened its doors for adoptions at 11:30, the line snaked around the building.

What compelled so many good citizens to stand in line patiently in the brutal heat? The Shelter was participating, along with 700 other shelters, in the annual Clear the Shelters Day, a nationwide pet adoption initiative to connect animals in need with loving homes.

In the days leading up to Saturday, Traci Deaderick, the Shelter’s Adoption Coordinator, organized the staff and the paperwork on every animal to streamline the adoption process. Ellie Joos, the FOTAS On-Site Events Chair, established a systematic process to make certain that every potential adopter had a dedicated volunteer to escort them through each stage of the adoption process. FOTAS volunteers also exercised, bathed and groomed the dogs so that their true adorable selves could be on display. Nothing was left to chance.

“It was a remarkable team effort,” said Jennifer Miller, FOTAS President. “The Shelter has never been faced with processing so many animals in such a short time frame. All hands were on deck, including Bobby Arthurs, the Shelter Manager, and Dr. Lisa Levy, the Shelter veterinarian, who spent her day off at the Shelter answering questions about the animals and moving cats and kittens from the intake wing to the Adoption Floor.”

And it worked. By the time the dust settled and the Shelter doors closed at 4:30, every kennel on the Adoption Floor was empty—46 dogs and 69 cats were on their way to a new family and a better life.

Like Gideon, a lovable sweetheart of a boy who had the unfortunate distinction of being the longest term resident of the Shelter—adopted by a kindhearted older couple. Or Laila, a beautiful brindle whose puppies had been born and weaned in foster care—adopted by a new FOTAS volunteer. Or, Coal, a confident blue gray tabby and a volunteer favorite. Or Cleo, a talkative, people-oriented orange tabby who’s maybe a tiny bit chubby. The list goes on and on.

That day couldn’t have come at a better time. The Shelter is packed to capacity during the summer months. In June, a heartbreaking 532 animals were turned in to the Shelter. Now all of those animals in intake can move to the Adoption Floor for their second chance—we can’t let them down. The work goes on and on.

Saturday’s success was exceptional on so many levels, and not only because of the huge number of animals saved in 5 short hours. The way County staff and FOTAS volunteers came together in an exceptional show of cooperation and grace under pressure was exceptional. This is how an effective private/public partnership works.

Finally, the response of you, the Aiken community, was nothing short of breathtaking. We asked for your help on behalf of these homeless animals, and you showed up in spades—amazing, compassionate people who wanted nothing more than to make a difference and be a part of this historic day.

We are profoundly touched. Thank you and God Bless.

Their lives are in our hands.

 

Patricia Rameau of Aiken adopts Robin, a hound puppy, on Clear the Shelters day.
Patricia Rameau of Aiken adopts Robin, a hound puppy, on Clear the Shelters day.
Adoption, Cats, Dogs, FOTAS, Spay/Neuter, Volunteer

Fix-A-Pet Program provides assistance for spay/neutering surgery

Posted on by Angel Hartline
29
Jul

By Bob Gordon, FOTAS Director of Communications
While it is impossible to determine exactly how many orphaned dogs and cats live in the United States, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) estimates that for cats alone the number is upwards of 70 million. That figure is staggering but the ASPCA stat that is a true jaw-dropper is this one: only 10 percent of the animals received by shelters have been spayed or neutered, while 83 percent of pet dogs and 91 percent of pet cats are spayed or neutered.
This means a vast majority of pet owners are acting responsibly by getting their pets fixed. But a small percentage of people who do not get their animals spayed or neutered are the source of our cat and dog overpopulation crisis.
FOTAS and the Aiken County Animal Shelter are well aware of this troubling trend, and that is why they are working together to make spay/neutering pets as easy as possible for local residents. Aiken County has a voucher program to assist its citizens who are in need of financial help to spay/neuter their pets and community cats. It also has a Trap/Neuter/Release (TNR) program in which feral cats are fixed and then returned to local cat colonies. 

FOTAS supplements both of these limited County initiatives with its “Fix-A-Pet” program. In fact, since launching Fix-A-Pet in 2013, FOTAS has organized and, through donations, paid for the spay/neuter surgeries of more than 1,800 community cats and pets owned by citizens in need of financial assistance.
Now you may be thinking, “How can such a small minority of irresponsible pet owners create such a huge overpopulation problem?” If we take a look at some more stats, the answer to that question becomes crystal clear.  According to the ASPCA, a fertile cat produces one to two litters of kittens a year; the average number of kittens is four to six per litter. A fertile dog produces about one litter per year and the average amount of puppies in a litter is four to six. In other words, the cute little critters can make a lot of babies in a very short time.

Cats are especially impressive breeding machines. They can become sexually mature at four months old. Since the average gestation period for a cat is about two months, a kitten could deliver a litter when she is as young as six months old. Kittens having kittens! This is why it is not uncommon for people to start caring for a small group of cats living on their property and soon witness the manageable group explode into a cat colony of 20 or more felines.
It is heartbreaking when cats and dogs are abandoned by their owners and left to fend for themselves. The animal’s world is shattered. But when the dog or cat is not fixed, the result is a cycle of heartbreak as multiple unwanted, orphan animals are born.
Please help spread the word to spay/neuter your pet. Until everyone in our community fixes their pets, the County Animal Shelter and other local shelters will continue taking in thousands of homeless animals every year.
For more information about the FOTAS Fix-a-Pet Program, please go to www.fotasaiken.org or call the Fix-A-Pet Hotline, (803) 514-4313.

Their lives are in our hands…

Adoption, Cats, Dogs, FOTAS, Transfer

FOTAS partnership with New York rescue saves County shelter animals

Posted on by Angel Hartline
10
Jul

By Gary Willoughby, Executive Director, SPCA Serving Erie County
Nine years ago, when I moved to Aiken, South Carolina to join the SPCA there, it was difficult to imagine the progress that would be made in animal welfare in such a short period of time. The SPCA and the Aiken County Animal Shelter both have wonderful new facilities and important in-house and community to improve the lives of homeless animals and family pets in need of help.

The work that FOTAS has done with their partnership with the Aiken County Animal Shelter is very encouraging, particularly in developing a transport network that helps so many dogs find their forever homes in other parts of the country.
The overwhelming number of surrendered and stray animals brought to the Aiken County shelter has forced FOTAS to look at other alternatives such as transferring some of the animals to other shelters all across the country. The logistics and coordination of these transfers to the “right” shelters requires a tremendous amount of work but it is all worth it when a successful shelter-partner is found.

These FOTAS transfer programs – combined with access to affordable spay and neuter programs, treatment for heartworm positive dogs, volunteer programs to socialize and exercise the animals there waiting for adoption, community outreach, and a vibrant foster network – have made a significant and positive impact in Aiken County.

I’m honored to share with the Aiken Standard’s readers that FOTAS and the SPCA Serving Erie County have formed a new partnership to send Aiken County dogs and cats to my facility in Buffalo, NY.

The SPCA Serving Erie County is fortunate to find new homes for around 8,000 dogs and cats each year and this new partnership with FOTAS and Aiken County has the potential to help hundreds of dogs and cats find their forever homes, while helping to ease the overcrowding of the county shelter.

The staff and volunteers of the SPCA Serving Erie County are excited about the new partnership with FOTAS and the Aiken County Animal Shelter and what it will mean for the homeless animals each group helps. The potential adopters here in Buffalo are eager to help and most of the animals that make the over 800 mile journey through seven states will be adopted in the first day or two they become available.

Our first transport in June was unique for both groups, in that it included nine kittens. Nationally, dog intake trends for northern shelters have decreased, allowing dogs and puppies to make their way to the Midwest and New England areas, but only recently have the same trends occurred with cats and kittens.

We are thrilled to be part of this new win/win partnership but need to remind all of you that the number of adoptions we hope to generate from the Aiken County Animal Shelter represents a tiny sample of the overwhelming number of animals that must be saved from there.

Thank you to all of you in Aiken County who donate, volunteer and adopt – as well as those of you who set an example by getting your animals spayed/neutered, have a veterinarian care for them and who consider your pets a part of your family. We couldn’t do this work without you.

 

ACAS ADOPTION COORDINATOR TRACI DEADERICK CARRIES KITTENS FOR TRANSPORT TO NORTHEAST RESCUE.

Adoption, Dogs, Donate, Foster, FOTAS, Volunteer

Our little man Sam

Posted on by Angel Hartline
02
Jul

By Kathy Jacobs, FOTAS Programs Coordinator

I first saw Sam at the Aiken County Animal Shelter on a Thursday morning. I had returned a foster puppy that was ready to be moved to the adoption floor and asked one of the vet techs, Judith, if there were any other pups in residence that needed a foster. Judith introduced me to a five pound ball of fur trembling uncontrollably in his kennel. The puppy, which could not stop crying, had been picked up as a stray, alone and terrified. I knew I had to take him home, so I took him in my arms and christened him “Sam”.

At home, I prepared a place for Sam where he could feel safe and protected – a cozy crate in my bedroom covered with a sheet. He scarfed down a bowl of food and gulped a full bowl of water as fast as any full-size dog. My heart ached for this sad, helpless puppy that deserved so much better. I was determined to turn his life around.

Later on, my husband and I took Sam outside to let him explore the yard. He immediately bolted under the porch. My husband, shaken because he had never seen a puppy that fearful, wholeheartedly joined our campaign to turn little orphan Sam into a lovebug.

We employed our own dogs to lure him out from under the porch. Fortunately, Sam liked dogs more than people. He came out, wagging his tail hopefully whenever they looked his way. Interestingly, our dogs were hesitant with Sam at first – they instinctively knew how fragile and scared he was, and they moved cautiously to avoid overwhelming him. Now I ask you, aren’t dogs awesome?!

Our little Sam progressed, growing more confident each passing day. He still ate and drank quickly – like he was afraid the food and water would disappear. Eventually, Sam came to trust that we would not take away his food and water and occasionally left a bit of food in his bowl.
By day 3, our terrified, voiceless Sam even barked! He still froze when we held him, so our son Noah spent hours talking and sitting with him. We hoped that, with enough love and attention, Sam could learn that maybe humans aren’t so bad after all.

The shelter is full of puppies, dogs, kittens and cats that, like Sam, are fearful and unloved. Staff and volunteers can only do so much. The kennels are always full, and the cries and barking from these abandoned animals never stops. They have done nothing to deserve this fate.

FOTAS and the shelter desperately need people to temporarily care for these animals in their home – particularly during the summer when the shelter is terribly overcrowded. Trust me, there is nothing quite as rewarding as loving one of these scared animals out of their shell.
Please don’t hesitate. Call FOTAS at 803-514-4313 or email us at info@angelhartlinedesigns.com. You won’t regret it.

Their lives are in our hands.

By the way, little Sam found his forever home, thanks to his foster family, volunteers and shelter staff who advocated for him, and someone like you, who decided that a rescue puppy would make a fabulous pet.

 

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Adoption, Cats, Dogs, Donate, Foster, FOTAS, Volunteer, Volunteers

Two hours a week – you can make a difference at the County Shelter

Posted on by Angel Hartline
12
Jun

I hate this time of year. While the rest of Aiken settles into the steamy, sleepy tempo of summer, FOTAS volunteers and County staff shift into hyper-drive at the Aiken County Animal Shelter to care for the inevitable onslaught of puppies, kittens and owner-surrender animals that crowd the intake wing and stress county resources to alarming levels.

Every summer, the County Shelter is filled to capacity, and this summer promises to be no exception. The Cat Adoption House is packed. Every dog kennel is occupied. Yet day after day, more homeless dogs and cats are picked up or surrendered to the shelter.

“As I walked through the aisles last Saturday,” says Jennifer Miller, President of FOTAS, “every single dog looked up at me with longing and hope – desperate for some human love and attention, desperate to be out of the stressful kennel environment, desperate for a home of their own. It breaks my heart because it never ends.”

And although we at FOTAS work like crazy – through print, television and social media, through our daily efforts to make the animals more adoptable, through our transfer programs – to find these animal homes, we can’t keep up. Even though last week was a record week for adoptions and transfers, 58 to be exact, the Shelter took in even more animals. The crisis continues, week after week, month after month throughout the summer and into the fall.

And here’s the thing: at the very time intake is so high, our volunteer ranks are thin because of vacation schedules and family commitments. That means that even though our cherished core volunteers and fosters are working non-stop, there are just not enough to give all of those dogs and cats the care and attention they need and deserve.

We need more people! I know you love animals or you probably wouldn’t be reading this article. So, help us out – join Team FOTAS. Volunteer at the Shelter, one or two hours a week, that’s all we ask.

One or two hours a week: you can walk and love up the dogs, play with the puppies, cuddle with the cats in the Cat Adoption House, help the handlers with dog playgroup sessions, greet visitors and potential adopters in the air conditioned comfort of the Shelter’s cheerful front lobby – there are so many options.

Just one or two hours, that’s it.

Please do not walk away from those unfortunate animals longing for love and attention. They ended up at the Shelter through no fault of their own, but it is our responsibility, as a community, to care for them.

Call the FOTAS Hotline 803-514-4313, go to www.fotasaiken.org , or email info@angelhartlinedesigns.com to help volunteer, foster, or donate.

Their lives are in our hands.

 

Ivy and Janson are waiting for someone to take them for a walk.
Ivy and Janson are waiting for someone to take them for a walk.
Adoption, Dogs, FOTAS, Military Veterans, Service Dogs, Veterans

County Shelter animals give comfort and aid to U.S. Veterans

Posted on by Angel Hartline
31
May

By Bob Gordon, FOTAS Communications Director

“There is a special bond that dogs and humans share,” says William Collins, a local U.S. veteran who served overseas.  “A dog can make a huge difference in a person’s life.”

The dog that changed William’s life is a four-year-old, shepherd mix named Buddy that he adopted from the Aiken County Animal Shelter (ACAS). The calm canine goes everywhere with William and helps him to cope with the long-term, after effects of war.

“Buddy has changed my life for the better,” William says.  “He has allowed me to live a healthier, more functional and fuller life.  Buddy is a safe place for me and I depend on him to help me with some of the difficulties and challenges I face on a daily basis.”

Because it recognizes that servicemen and women can benefit from the companionship of a shelter cat or dog, FOTAS has decided to make its half-price adoption discount for U.S. veterans and active U.S. military personnel a year round program. FOTAS sponsors half the adoption fee, so dogs are $35 and cats just $17.50. The discount was launched on Veteran’s Day of last year and due to the positive response, FOTAS decided to make it a permanent offer.

It is a small way for us to thank the men and women who serve our country.

FOTAS also helps find service dogs for veterans suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and other health issues that can result from military service. Working with dog training specialists like Veterans K9 Solutions Inc. in Augusta, FOTAS has provided service dogs to about 15 veterans over the past few years.

“These people [veterans] are my heroes, and any help they can get from FOTAS and the shelter is very much appreciated” says Jerry Lyda, co-owner and founder of Veterans K9 Solutions in Augusta. Jerry is a veteran himself and started his nonprofit training organization after he saw his buddies come back from Vietnam with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and other war-related ailments. He focused on training canines from shelters to assist veterans “because it saves two lives – the person and the dog.”

Luckily, most veterans don’t suffer from PTSD or other war-related illnesses. They just come to the Shelter to add a furry companion to their home. But for those that do, the dogs can be a godsend.

Joe Shaia, another local war veteran, adopted Laila, a two-year-old, Shepherd/Retriever mix, from the County Shelter two months ago. Joe was stationed in Afghanistan and came back with severe PTSD. But since training and spending time with Laila, he’s finding it easier to cope with his illness. Joe has difficulty being in areas with a lot of people, but Laila acts as a buffer and always has his back.

“She means a lot to me,” Joe says. “She helps me get out in the public and out of my safe zone and gives me something positive to focus on.”

For more information about the U.S. Military Services/Veteran Half-Price Adoption Program at the ACAS, please go to www.fotasaiken.

Their lives are in our hands.

William Collins with his service dog Buddy

Laila goes everywhere with Veteran Joe Shaia

 

Adoption, Cats, Dogs, Donate, Foster, FOTAS, Volunteer

The County Shelter is full and needs your help!

Posted on by Angel Hartline
26
May

By Bob Gordon, FOTAS Communications Director

It’s a rainy Tuesday morning and although the Shelter opened its doors less than an hour ago, the staff has already taken in two litters of homeless kittens. A Siamese mix is weaning three of the kittens and a Calico is cuddled with six babies, two of them breathing heavily and needing medical attention.

“I didn’t know what to do,” says the elderly Aiken woman who brought in the Siamese mom and her brood. “I’d love to keep them but I already have four cats and two dogs at the house.”

An hour later, a woman and her young son bring in two Spaniel mix dogs that they say wandered onto their farm. Still later, an elderly man arrives with a chubby, brown Tabby in a wire cage. Then, just before noon, another man surrenders six kittens. He says they were born under his porch but the momma cat was hit by a car and killed.

This seemingly endless parade of homeless animals is not unusual these days. The Shelter is at full capacity and the combination of warmer weather and longer daylight hours means more animals are breeding. Springtime also signals the arrival of “kitten season”, a peak time of feline births that will continue through September.

But while the extremely high intake of animals makes for challenging times at the Shelter, there are many ways you can help, including:

  • Take advantage of our May half-price special and adopt a pet. This month, all cats and dogs that have already been spay/neutered are just half-price at the shelter. The adoption fee for cats (normally $35) is just $17.50 and for dogs (normally $75) is only $35!
  • Volunteer at the shelter. We need all sorts of help, especially dog walkers and people to show the animals to visitors. We have cats and kittens that need cuddling and care; dogs that need to be walked, washed and shown to visitors; and puppies that need to be socialized and loved. Come to 333 Wire Road and fill out an application.
  • Foster shelter animals at your home. To get homeless animals prepared for adoption and open up space on the adoption floor, we are seeking fosters to temporarily take in animals. Come to the shelter and fill out an application, and we’ll get you started on this rewarding journey.
  • Get your dogs and cats on heartworm preventative treatment ASAP. Way too many dogs that are picked up or surrendered at the shelter test positive for heartworms. Please get your pets on a year-round preventative right away. Heartworms is a mosquito-borne condition and the buzzing blood suckers are already out and about. Consult your veterinarian for which preventative best suits your pet.

And, of course, be sure to spay/neuter your pets. This is where the overpopulation problem starts. Typically, dogs and cats are mature and efficient breeding machines at just four months of age. Both FOTAS and the County offer financial assistance to qualified pet owners for this surgery – including a voucher program, FOTAS Fix-a-Pet and a TNR (trap, neuter, release) plan. Getting your pet fixed should be a top priority. In fact, it is your duty as a good citizen of Aiken County.

Their lives are in our hands.

For more information, please go to www.fotasaiken. You can also call (803) 514-4313 or send an email to volunteer@angelhartlinedesigns.com.

Adoption, Dogs, FOTAS

Ox-a big black dog with a big soft heart

Posted on by Angel Hartline
06
May

By Joanna D. Samson, FOTAS Vice President

His name is Ox, well, because he is big as an ox. He has a big, sleek muscular body; a great big ol’ head; and a big twinkle in his big golden eyes. When he’s happy (which is just about all the time) he has a big goofy smile with a big goofy tongue that hangs out of the side of his mouth.

Our buddy Ox does everything in a big way. He waits patiently (okay, maybe “patiently” is stretching it a teeny bit) for his walk and his time in the play yard, where he tears around in a fit of joy, romping with his friends, checking in with the handler in the yard for a quick scratch behind the ears, chasing his best pal Russell at a speed that defies his 60 pounds of muscle, stopping for a little splash in the pool, and doing his canine duty to greet newcomers to the yard with a sniff, a lick and a mad wiggle that says “No worries here, friend, just lots and lots of fun!”

You see, Ox has a big presence and an even bigger personality – he exudes good will from every pore. Yet Ox, like so many of his brethren at the Aiken County Animal Shelter, has been betrayed by the human race. Ox was dumped by his owner in a rural area east of Aiken. He spent his days roaming the streets and scrounging for food. Whenever a car passed, Ox would perk up and run to the road, tail wagging frantically, like he was thinking “Maybe it’s my human! I knew they’d come back for me.”

But of course, they didn’t. A kind local family took him in, had him fixed through FOTAS Fix-a-Pet, and tried to find him a home. They were unable to do so, and eventually they surrendered Ox to the County Shelter with a heavy heart.

An examination by the Shelter veterinarian, Dr. Lisa Levy, revealed that Ox is heartworm positive. But he was sweet and willing and otherwise healthy, so FOTAS paid for his heartworm treatment. He was moved to the adoption floor the same week that FOTAS and the Shelter implemented canine play groups in the yard as a way to socialize the dogs, allow them to blow off some steam and relieve the stress of confinement.

Ox’s transformation in play group has been nothing short of amazing. In two short weeks, he has gone from a dog climbing out of his skin with desperate, pent-up energy to a happy, affectionate dog who plays all morning with robust abandonment and then trots calmly back to his kennel for a nap.

Ox needs a home. This 2 year-old bundle of love with the big personality and the big smile has an even bigger heart. He needs someone to love and someplace to play. He’s great with kids and other dogs.

Please don’t wait – claim our big boy for your own. Maybe you can be that person in the car Ox has been waiting for so long.

His life is in our hands.

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Above:  Ox, Ellie Joos, the FOTAS On-Site Events Coordinator, and Emily Heath take a break in the play yard.

Adoption, Cats, Dogs, FOTAS, Volunteer, Volunteers

FOTAS volunteers make a difference for the County’s homeless animals

Posted on by Angel Hartline
06
May

By Joanna D. Samson, FOTAS Vice-President

On any given day at the Aiken County Animal Shelter, FOTAS volunteers greet visitors, answer the phone, assist the County Adoption Coordinators, and coordinate on-site programs such as the Dog Ears Reading Program, birthday parties, yard sales or special events such as the Woofstock Dog, Cat & Music Festival (to be held in the fall of this year.)

FOTAS volunteers also work with the animals every day. Some cuddle and visit with the cats and kittens. Some walk the dogs on the trails around the property, often stopping by the lobby to hang out and hobnob with other volunteers and visitors. Some walk the dogs that have just had surgery. Some wash and groom dogs, while others play with the puppies in the segregated puppy pen.

In the newest program at the Shelter, FOTAS volunteers create and manage play groups in the yard consisting of multiple dogs on the adoption floor, giving them a much needed opportunity to socialize with their own kind and blow off some steam.

Volunteers are the lifeblood of FOTAS – through their and the County’s efforts over the past 7 years, thousands of animals have been saved and the euthanasia rate at the Shelter has dropped from 95% to 30%, an extraordinary accomplishment by any measure.

Is it perfect? No.

Can it be better? Yes, but until everyone in the county spays and neuters their cats, and the shockingly high intake numbers at the shelter come down, we need more people like you to commit time and resources to the 4,700 abandoned, homeless, abused and neglected animals that pass through the Shelter doors every year. We need such dedication from the community just to sustain this level of progress, much less build on it.

The Shelter and FOTAS particularly need more help in the summer months, when intake at the Shelter skyrockets and our volunteers take much needed time off to vacation with their family or beat the heat.

If you’ve ever thought about volunteering to help animals, now is the time. Perhaps you and one of your older children could volunteer together. Pick a time that works for you during operating hours at the Shelter, and we’ll make it work.

Tell us what interests you. Dog care and handling? Cats? Working at the front desk with other volunteers to greet the public? Short-term or long-term fostering? Fostering is a great way for your family to care for a dog or puppies without the commitment of owning a pet. There are so many possibilities, and the work you do with and for the animals makes an enormous difference in the lives of these unfortunate souls.

Don’t wait – call the FOTAS Hotline at (803) 514-4313, or email us at info@angelhartlinedesigns.com.

Their lives are in our hands.

 

Judy with Sandra July 24 2015 ref

Above:  FOTAS Volunteer Sandra Procter comforts Judy, a sweet shelter dog.

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Above:  Young FOTAS Volunteer Holly Heiens with Munchkin the cat.