Category Archives: Empty the Shelter

So many gems waiting to be discovered at County Shelter

Bonded siblings Darius and Mohana love other dogs.

Time is not on the side of pets waiting to be adopted from the Aiken County Animal Shelter. With the facility at full capacity due to so many strays arriving each week, homeless animals are competing for kennel space. In this stressful environment, the sooner these pets can find loving homes, the better.

The only bright side of the shelter being so crowded is that we have a greater variety of pets available for adoption. This means more choices for you, the prospective adopter. The adoption fees for many of these dogs are being waived during our Empty the Shelters event, which continues through July 31. Cats and kittens are just $10.

Here are some of the wonderful pets waiting for forever homes:

Audrey. Pretty, mixed breed Audrey is two years old, 44 pounds and loves going on walks. This friendly girl arrived at the shelter as a stray. She is a sweetheart who has a lovely brindle coat and enjoys cuddles with her favorite humans.

Beck. With ears that could direct air traffic, blue-coated Beck is one of the cutest dogs available at the County Animal Shelter. He’s also one of the sweetest. Found as a stray, Beck is six years old, 47 pounds and cuddly.

Winkler. This gorgeous, long-haired flame point kitty was heavily matted and covered in fleas when found. He’s loving but prefers to sit by you rather than be picked up. Winkler is 6 years old, seven pounds and FIV positive — so he should be your only cat or be with other FIV positive cats.

Darius & Mohana. Together since birth, fhese two bonded, six-year-old, 88-pound mixed breeds were living happy lives, when their owner suddenly moved and left them behind at the County Shelter. Heartbroken, these two dogs, who are fabulous with everyone, desperately want to be loved and find a real home together. Mohana and Darius enjoy the company of other animals and are housetrained.

Martin. This black and white cutie walks beautifully on a leash and has a wonderful disposition. Martin was found as a stray, scared and hungry. Three years old, 56 pounds and sporting a soft coat, this active Retriever mix needs a good home. Martin loves playing with other dogs and is a volunteer favorite.

Tiger. Handsome Tiger is here because his owner passed away. This orange and white feline is 12 years old, just over 10 pounds and super gentle. Tiger greets everyone who stops by the lobby and is sweet and calm. He just wants a safe, cozy home to relax in. Tiger has always been an indoor-only kitty and will make a terrific lap cat.

There are so many more terrific pets at the County Shelter who need a second chance for a wonderful life. Please go to fotasaiken.org to see them or stop by and visit them at 333 Wire Road.

Their lives are in our hands.

By Bob Gordon, FOTAS Communications Director

If you are looking to adopt, now is the time

Handsome FIV positive cat WINKLER needs to be an indoor-only pet.

On Thursday, July 6, we launched this summer’s Empty the Shelters event. This is a nationwide promotion sponsored by the Bissell Pet Foundation to help save the lives of shelter pets. Summer is always the worst time for animal shelters. In June, our shelter took in more than 500 animals. Finding homes for these dogs and cats is becoming increasingly difficult.

Sweet CRYSTAL, seen here with County Shelter staff member Aimee Waggoner, is a bundle of energy who would love to find a home with a fenced-in yard.
Sweet CRYSTAL, seen here with County Shelter staff member Aimee Waggoner, is a bundle of energy who would love to find a home with a fenced-in yard.

Across the country, adoptions are at the lowest we have seen in years! Our kennels are full of incredible dogs right now. We have yellow and chocolate Labrador Retrievers, Beagles, Pointers, you name it! Most are active in playgroups with other dogs, which makes them easier to integrate into homes with existing pets.

There is no way we can save these lives if our community doesn’t adopt. Rescues are full, shelters are full, the model of no-kill is not sustainable if people don’t start adopting.

Aiken County schools have changed their schedule, which has shortened the summer for school kids. This means many families are traveling, resulting in fewer local adoptions, fewer foster homes and fewer volunteers.

Empty the Shelters is an event that promotes reduced and fee waived adoptions to limit the barriers to rehoming. Many people worry about the cost of adopting in addition to purchasing supplies such as leashes, collars, crates, litter boxes, etc. By reducing and waiving adoption fees, it allows people the flexibility to be able to buy these needed items for their pet.

Sweet SMOKEY is the County Shelter’s longest resident.
Sweet SMOKEY is the County Shelter’s longest resident.

Empty the Shelters runs through July 31st. If you are able to adopt, now is the time. The homeless pets need you.

Their lives are in our hands.

By Kathy Cagle, FOTAS Programs Coordinator