Category Archives: Foster

2018, Foster, FOTAS, News, Pibbles, Training, Volunteer, Volunteers

Volunteering at the Animal Shelter: What’s in it for You?

Posted on by Bob Gordon
01
Jan

Rain or shine, hot or cold, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year! In some way, shape or form, FOTAS volunteers are helping to find homes for the more than 5,000 animals taken in annually by the Aiken County Animal Shelter!

Volunteer John Berk socializes Kromer on the Shelter couch.

Let me count the ways you can help at this special place: fostering, walking, socializing animals, front desk reception, publicity, fundraising, assisting at special events, and much more. You’re never too old to sit quietly in the sunshine with a scared or lonely dog by your side, or too young to cuddle a kitten under the watchful eyes of a parent. Seeing a dog run, play and chase toys in the play yard often results in the transfer of that same energy, enthusiasm and sense of well-being to the humans watching.

Nanci Santos, a longtime volunteer, says, “Sitting with a dog on the couch, watching the cars go by gives us both a sense of peace and love – feelings that flow both ways.”

Always present and often our comedy relief, Volunteer John Berk loves to take pets for a doggy day out – walking in Hitchcock Woods, sipping coffee at his favorite downtown watering hole, or home for a weekend of up close and personal attention. An ex avid golfer John claims that, “Surely there is more joy in walking a dog than missing a three-foot putt!”

Dana Hollon, who is at the Shelter every Saturday, says “the animals’ antics make me happy; they make me laugh!”

Bill Carter, another dog walking volunteer, explains, “I know they relieve my stress and I like to think I relieve theirs.”

Front desk and lobby volunteers also find great satisfaction and challenge in helping visitors. These valuable folks greet everyone who walks through the door and match personalities — human, canine, and feline. Watching folks walk out the door and back to their car having adopted the perfect pet is so rewarding! My belief is that the pet finds you, not the reverse.

Volunteer Nanci Santos cuddles a Beagle mix after their long walk.

Major off-site fundraisers such as Woofstock and the FOTAS Playing Fore the Pets Annual Golf Tournament require months of behind the scenes preparation but result in community camaraderie, solidarity and raising funds. All of the donations go to the shelter animals who need spay/neutering, medical treatment, food and so much more.

If none of the above roles have your name on it, how about the simple enticement of happy people, smiling faces, teamwork, and the chance to meet and make new friends. Where else can you choose your own hours, be your own boss, and experience great job satisfaction?

So, consider volunteering at the Aiken County Animal Shelter among your New Year’s resolutions and come to 333 Wire Road or go online and fill out a FOTAS volunteer application. Orientation sessions are scheduled at convenient intervals and last about an hour and a half. After that, you’re good to go.

Welcome to the world of FOTAS volunteers – there’s a lot in it for you!

 

— By Jan Barker, FOTAS Volunteer Trainer

 


By the Numbers
Since October 1, the County Animal Shelter has taken in 1,125 strays and surrendered pets.

 

 Pets of the Week

WYATT: Boxer mix, male, 3 years old, brown/rust, 53 pounds – $35

 

CEE CEE: Domestic Shorthair cat, female, 1-1/2 years old, black & white, 6.5 pounds – $10

 

2018, Adoption, Cats, Chained dogs, community cats, County animal laws, County tethering ordinance, Dogs, Donate, donations, Foster, FOTAS, Fundraisers, Heartworms, News, PetSmart cats, Pibbles, Spay/Neuter, Stray hold requirements, surrendered pets, TNR Program, Volunteer, Volunteers

The Christmas Spirit of Gratitude and Charity

Posted on by Bob Gordon
24
Dec

The Christmas season is upon us. It’s a time of festivity, bright lights, family, goodwill, and faith. It’s also a time to count our blessings. As we at FOTAS look back over the past nine years, it’s also a time to reflect upon our profound gratitude for our friends and supporters in the Aiken community.

FOTAS Volunteer John Berk with Cleo, who was adopted to a good home this year.

We’ve come a long way together. With your help, we successfully lobbied the County Council to build a new shelter and partnered with the county to raise money to fund the architectural design and construction-ready plans.

Once the new shelter opened in early 2014, we recruited and trained an army of volunteers to work at the shelter, performing the equivalent of eight to 10 full-time jobs. We funded training programs for county personnel. We developed and funded exciting new programs with the county to increase adoption rates. We created a network of transfer partners in the northeast that take animals we can’t adopt locally, along with a system of foster care for dogs and cats who have been accepted for transfer or have special needs. We also supplement adoption fees for military personnel and veterans.

LUCY gets some lovin’ from young FOTAS volunteers.

We provided fencing to create exercise yards, bought a new van to move animals locally to outside adoption events, and installed a storage shed. We pay for toys, blankets, treats, flea and tick meds, cat condos, a doggie treadmill to rehabilitate and socialize dogs, and humane runners for folks who need to take their dogs off of chains.

We funded the construction of an isolation pod to separate shelter animals with temporary infectious diseases, as well as a host of necessary medical equipment and supplies. Through this assistance, we’ve made it possible for sick and injured animals to have a second chance. A total of 450 heartworm positive dogs have been saved through our funding. We also pay for outside veterinarian services when necessary.

FOTAS PetSmart Volunteer Twylia with feline Mabel.

Our funding has made it possible to attack overpopulation of pets at the source. Last year, the county and FOTAS paid for the spay/neuter of over 1,300 citizen-owned pets and 1,120 community feral/cats.

Has all this effort made a difference? You bet it has. In 2009, the old county shelter often took in more than 6,000 animals a year; only 5% made it out alive. This year, the shelter will have taken in 4,200 animals, and 90% were saved. Hands down, FOTAS and the county save more animals than any other rescue agencies in the country.

It couldn’t have happened without a lot of hard work, dedication, and support from you, the Aiken community.

Adopted dog HILDE in her forever home December 2018.

We and Aiken’s homeless animals are blessed to have your support.

But there is still so much to do. In the last two months, a whopping 1,000 animals were surrendered to the shelter. Please consider an end-of-the-year donation to FOTAS, either by mail to FOTAS, PO Box 2207, Aiken SC 29802 or online at FOTASAiken.org.

By the way, since FOTAS was recognized by South Carolina as one of the 10 most efficient and effective charity “Angels” in the state, you can be certain that your hard-earned dollars are spent on our mission.

Thank you and God bless your family this Christmas season.

Their lives are in our hands.

 

— By Joanna D. Samson, FOTAS Vice-President

 

By the Numbers
Since October 1, the County Animal Shelter has taken in well over 1,000 strays and surrendered pets. Please spay/neuter your dogs and cats.
 
Pets of the Week
ANGIE: Retriever mix, female, 3 years old, brindle and white, 50 pounds – $35

 

BEE BEE: Domestic Shorthair cat, female, 1-1/2 years old, black and white, 6.5 pounds – $10
2018, Adoption, animal abuse, essay, Foster, FOTAS, injured animals, News, Pibbles, surrendered pets

So Many Abandoned, Neglected Animals

Posted on by Angel Hartline
30
Jul

Last Monday, I returned to the Aiken County Animal Shelter after my one-week summer vacation and was stunned and dismayed at the number of animals that had been taken in by the shelter in just seven days. Summers are always a crowded time at the County Shelter, but this was something else altogether. Even more heartbreaking was the condition of these poor animals.

Two surrendered dogs are terrified when they first arrive and are housed in a Shelter kennel.

I am an optimist by heart, but my heart tells me that no animal deserves the kind of abuse or neglect that these animals have suffered. 

I knew that on Friday, two mother dogs, each with large litters of puppies, had been brought in after being abandoned. I hadn’t been at the shelter two hours on Monday before an animal control officer picked up four beautiful Retriever-mix pups found wandering in the street—two of those puppies’ ears had been hacked off before they were dumped on the street. They were shaking and cowering, afraid to be touched at first. But like all puppies, they responded quickly with a little kindness and soft touches.

A scared puppy dumped in a park like trash.

Dogs are so much more forgiving than people, aren’t they? 

Later in the day, a man surrendered five dogs to the shelter and informed the intake receptionist he was bringing in five more the next day! Our intake was full, so the staff had to ‘double up’ the kennels. One of the dogs was so scared, it could not stop vomiting while two younger ones huddled in a corner, shaking and terrified, trying to disappear. We gave them all a toy, a meal and lots of fresh water. Staff and volunteers tried to comfort them, calm them down, but there was only so much they could do before moving on to take care of all the other animals in the shelter.

While we were caring for those animals, three more dogs with four puppies were picked up at a local park where they had been dumped; all were hungry and thirsty and covered with fleas. Then, one of the animal control officers came rushing in with a lovely senior dog with a mangled leg. She had been hit by a car.

As if this day couldn’t get any worse, a brown Shepherd arrived with an injured leg and paws burned and raw from the hot pavement. He was covered with fleas and smelled of his own urine.  I brought him a soft bed, but all he wanted was to be held and comforted.

Shelter dog RYKER gets some love from young volunteers. He arrived with the top of his ears sheared off.

The list goes on and on: the sweet Lab with a broken paw; the big teddy bear-looking dog whose tail had been cut off; the adult dog with horribly chopped-off ears; scores of sick, tiny kittens with runny noses…

Unbelievable, and so unnecessary. These animals are victims of insensitive people who don’t fix or care for their pets and dump the responsibility for their care on the rest of us — the taxpayers.

Why is it important to foster a pet for a week? To donate time or money?  To adopt from the shelter?  Because these animals deserve it. They need you. We need you.

Their lives are in our hands.

– By Kathy Jacobs, FOTAS Programs Director


By the Numbers

July 1 to July 25: The Shelter received 434 strays and surrendered pets.

2018, Dogs, essay, Foster, FOTAS, News, Spay/Neuter, Transfer, Volunteer, Volunteers

Dog Days of Summer: County Shelter Population Doubles!

Posted on by Angel Hartline
15
Jul

I used to love summer and particularly the 4th of July with all of its patriotic fervor, but now I dread it—not because I am less patriotic, but because I see so many pets whose lives are shattered through no fault of their own.

More puppies and kittens are coming into the shelter than going out through adoptions.

The fireworks terrify many dogs, who then bolt from their homes in a panic. Some get hit by cars; others get lost and are picked up as strays and brought to the Aiken County Animal Shelter.

People go on vacation and surrender their pets to the shelter rather than finding someone to care for them. Hundreds of unwanted mothers and puppies and kittens have been turned into the shelter.

It is heartbreaking to see these innocent pets in the shelter. They did nothing wrong. One day they have a home; the next, they are in a strange noisy place with hundreds of other dogs, abandoned by their own family.

The shelter is over-crowded, kennels doubled-up. In January, the shelter received 237 unwanted dogs and cats. In June, the shelter received 545 unwanted animals—almost a 100% increase! Each one of those 545 animals has a face, a heart and a soul.

There are not enough volunteers to work with so many animals, and because it is so brutally hot, it’s difficult for the existing volunteers to give the dogs the attention they need in such a stressful environment. We desperately need more volunteers to help us walk and socialize the dogs.

The Shelter has lots of homeless kittens this month!

FOTAS has ramped up its transfer program, sending animals to no-kill partner shelters as many as two to four times per week. This program is critical to relieve overcrowding in the shelter, but we need more foster homes.

Intake kennels at the Shelter are full, with some dogs doubled up.

Here’s how it works: an animal assigned for transport is taken out of the shelter and placed in a foster home for five to seven days prior to the transfer to acclimate the animals to a home environment. When an animal is placed in a foster home before transfer, it opens up a space on the adoption floor for an animal in the intake section, so fostering saves two lives—the animal fostered and the animal moved to the adoption floor.

FOTAS supplies foster families with pet food and crates and any other necessary supplies. There is nothing more rewarding than fostering a pet for a few days, knowing that your time and care help a shelter pet adjust to family life and get them adopted faster.

This is a difficult time. FOTAS and the shelter need your support now more than ever; every little bit helps.

Donate. Volunteer. Foster. Please.

Together we will continue to make a difference to the many animals who depend on us to save their lives. Email FOTAS at info@aiken.org or call the FOTAS hotline: 803-514-4313.

Their lives our in our hands.

— By Jennifer Miller, President of FOTAS

By the Numbers

July Summer Adoption Special: dogs and puppies $35, cats and kittens just $10.

July 1 – 15: The Aiken County Animal Shelter received 223 strays and surrendered pets.

 

Pets of the Week

MASON: Boxer mix, male, 4 years old, light brown, 57 pounds– $0 to good home (adoption fee is sponsored)

PATCHES: Domestic Shorthair, female, 3 months old, Calico, 2.7 pounds – $10 (available at Aiken PetSmart Store on Whiskey Road)

 

 

awards, Bully Dogs, Demodex, Dogs, essay, Foster, FOTAS, injured animals, News, Volunteers

Two FOTAS Family Members Honored as Heroes

Posted on by Angel Hartline
01
Jul

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.

Becca Babinea with demodex foster dog Max.

Becca, who will be a senior in high school next year, was honored by the Aiken Red Cross for the work she does with her family, fostering and nurturing Aiken County Animal Shelter (ACAS) dogs in preparation for adoption. Becca works closely with her mother, Peggy, to help restore the health and confidence of canines with severe skin conditions and other physical ailments.

Becca Babineau (center) receives the Red Cross Hero Award with the support of (l to r): Betty Ryberg, Paige Bayne, Jennifer Miller, her parents Dave and Peggy Babineau, Bobby Arthurs and Dr. Lisa Levy.

“I was pretty surprised when I heard that I had won this award and I’m very appreciative of the recognition,” Becca said. “I enjoy working with the dogs because I can do it in our home where everything is very relaxed and it’s rewarding to see the progress they make.”

Becca has helped foster about 160 dogs in four years. Canines that stood out to Becca included Max and Nellie, who were suffering from severe demodectic mange, a skin condition that is often worsened by stress. When she and Peggy brought the dogs home from the ACAS, they were nearly furless. But once they felt safe and received the one-on-one socialization needed, their medication kicked in and they regained their beautiful, thick coats.

Chenoa Shields, with the support of her husband, Jason Aumick, was honored for fostering and helping place more than 50 homeless dogs.

Becca also has fostered dogs injured in car accidents and even one recovering from gunshot wounds.

Chenoa with Katie, a dog she adopted from the ACAS.

Chenoa, also a long-time FOTAS foster of ACAS dogs, received the Augusta Area Red Cross Hero Award for saving and placing homeless dogs in forever homes. Since 2015, Chenoa has helped save 51 shelter dogs by taking them into her Evans, GA home and treating their physical and emotional wounds. She often adopts the dogs and then places them by carefully screening potential adopters until she’s sure they can provide good homes. Sometimes she even delivers the dogs herself, driving as far as 850 miles in a single day, all while working fulltime as a program analyst at the Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center.

“I started offering to deliver my fosters to their forever homes because the joy on the adopter’s face upon first meeting their new dog is priceless!” Chenoa said. “I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”

Congratulations to these wonderful women who have done so much for homeless animals. We are proud and lucky to have you on our FOTAS team!

Their lives are in our hands.

— by Bob Gordon, FOTAS Director of Communications

By the Numbers

The adoption fee for cats and kittens is being waived ($0) through July 3rd

 

 

Pets of the Week


CHURCHILL: Mixed breed, male, 9 years old, 52 pounds – $35


LILLY: Domestic Shorthair, female, 2 years old, 6 pounds – $0 through July 3

 

 

2018, Dogs, essay, Foster, FOTAS, Transfer, Volunteer

The Joy of Being a Camp Counselor for Dogs

Posted on by Angel Hartline
24
Jun

Fostering dogs is like being a camp counselor. Every couple of weeks new friends arrive. Dogs that stay from five to seven days become more social, more trusting because they are cared for and loved.

How does fostering work? We went to the Aiken County Animal Shelter and a FOTAS volunteer gave us a tour. We filled out the paperwork and received information on the program. FOTAS funds the transfer to out-of-state rescue agencies for animals that are not locally adopted. When there is a transport scheduled, an email goes out to all potential foster homes. If it is convenient that week, I agree to foster and make arrangements to pick up the foster dog. The volunteers provide me with a leash, a crate and dog food.

What if I can’t foster that week? There is no obligation. We only reply when we will be available. Sometimes the dogs come for only four nights—taking a foster dog even for a few days not only helps the dog but makes room at the shelter for the intake of new animals.

Where do the dogs stay? Our home is not set up for dogs, so every night they sleep in a quiet stall next to our house with soft blankets, towels and rugs, and plenty of water. In winter the stall is equipped with a ceiling heat lamp, and in summer, a screened window and fan—far cozier than living in a ditch by the side of a highway or a noisy kennel. When we let them out in the morning, their joy is boundless. They are so happy to see us, they follow around the walled yard and romp all day.

Do we get attached? Of course, but in a different way. When we pick up the foster dog, we know they are going on transport to a forever home. The places they travel to in the north have strong spay and neutering laws, so there are very few adoptable animals. Every transported dog is adopted—100%.

Betty Ryberg with Fred, her first foster dog. Fred lives happily ever after in his home up north.

How do we prepare them for transport? I write up a “profile” on the foster dog. I include whether they are housebroken, walk on a leash, play well with other dogs and/or children. Some of the fosters are older and would be a perfect companion for a person who sits and reads. Others are young and would love a family atmosphere. Still others are socialized with other dogs and are welcome additions to a family who already has a pet. Just like Internet dating, matching is important!

Why foster? The animal shelter has taken in 545 homeless animals in less than 30 days. Some dogs are doubled-up in their kennels. Imagine being doubled-up in a twin bed! The relief fostering gives is a quieter atmosphere, which calms and socializes the animals before their forever home transport.

Greg and I lead busy lives and we travel often, so we are not able to have our own dog anymore. Fostering gives us all the delight of a companion dog and the satisfaction of knowing we made a difference in a dog’s life. We are grateful for the walks, the antics, the licking and the love.

For more information on fostering, contact FOTAS at info@fotasaiken.com.

 Their lives are in our hands.

 – By Betty Ryberg, FOTAS volunteer and foster

 

By the Numbers

The adoption fee for cats and kittens at the County Shelter will be waved from Monday, June 25 to Tuesday, July 3. FOTAS is participating in Best Friends’ national adoption promotion to offer this $0 deal.

From June 1-20, the County Shelter received 317 strays and surrendered pets.

 

Pets of the Week

JOEY

Mixed breed, male, 4 years old, black & white, 50 pounds – $35

 

NADIA

Domestic Medium hair, female, 2 months old, Tortoiseshell Tabby, 1.6 pounds – $10

 

 

Cats, essay, Foster, FOTAS, injured animals, kittens, News, Volunteers

Fostering Kittens is a Proud Tradition for Windsor Family

Posted on by Angel Hartline
17
Jun

“You get the love from the kittens and when you see one that you raised get adopted to a good home, it’s one of the best feelings in the world,” says Fran Bush, explaining the rewards of fostering homeless shelter pets.

FOTAS Foster Volunteer Angela Poe bottle-feeds kittens at home.
Fran Bush with Nuka

She should know. Fran and her husband, Don, are top volunteers for FOTAS and the Aiken County Animal Shelter (ACAS) and have been fostering kittens and other homeless animals in their Windsor home for many years. Before retiring and volunteering for FOTAS, they owned Booklovers Bookstore in Aiken and customers, knowing their love for animals, would bring the couple strays to nurture and place in homes.

Don Bush with healing foster kitten, Nuka.

It’s a proud family tradition. Fran’s mother took in stray cats and taught her how to care for them and Fran’s daughter, Angela Poe, and her husband, Derrick, have fostered about a dozen ACAS kittens so far this year – some of them only days old.

“I used to joke to my friends that I had to share my cradle with kittens,” Angela said. “But it’s what you do…take care of these animals that are helpless on their own.”

It’s a noble cause and the work of these fosters is vital to FOTAS and the ACAS. While the Shelter provides all the care it can – and extraordinarily committed staff members even take kittens to their own homes for bottle feeding – the flood of orphaned fur babies is too much to handle for any rescue or shelter facility. Until they are at least 3 weeks old, kittens must be bottle

Nuka recovering from her upper resperatory illness.

fed every two hours and manually stimulated to defecate and urinate – and they must be cared for 24 hours a day. If the kittens are brought in with their momma cat, she can take care of these tasks. But most litters arrive at the shelter without their mother and the kittens need nourishment and care. Older kittens need fostering, too. Before being put up for adoption, they must be socialized and learn to trust humans.

Nuka gives some love to fellow foster kitten Mischief.

Fran and Don have fostered four litters of kittens in the last year, but they also take in “singlets” or kittens that are found alone. Recently, they saved a kitten named Nuka. Nuka was just 2 or 3 weeks old when he was found on the side of the road, weak and suffering from a sever upper respiratory infection. He also had difficulty standing on his own. Fran took in the kitten and the ACAS gave him antibiotic to treat the infection. His condition was touch and go, but eventually he recovered. The probable scenario is that Nuka’s back leg was injured when he was dumped from a moving vehicle.

“We are so grateful that Fran and Don stepped up to save this kitten’s life,” said ACAS Adoption Coordinator Hillary Clark-Kulis. “They gave him the one-on-one, 24-hour care needed to recover from his illness and injury.”

Now, Nuka is happy, healthy and best buddies with Mischief, another foster kitten saved by Fran and Don.  But with more than 200 strays and surrendered pets arriving at the shelter in just the first two weeks of June, it won’t be long before another kitten arrives that desperately needs their help.

If you can help foster for FOTAS, please call (803) 514-4313.

Their lives are in our hands.

By the Numbers

From June 1-14, the ACAS received more than 200 strays and surrendered pets.

 

Pets of the Week

PHANTOM

Mixed breed, male, 2 years old, black & white, 50 pounds – $35

 

PENNY

Domestic Shorthair kitten, female, 2 months old, orange/white Tabby, 1.5 pounds – $10

 

 

animal abuse, Dogs, essay, Foster, FOTAS, News, Training, Volunteers

Terrified Stray Dog Keegan Learns How to Love Again

Posted on by Angel Hartline
27
May

He wouldn’t let anyone pet him for two weeks.

Keegan, a 2-year-old, mid-sized, black Retriever mix, was picked up as a stray in Graniteville and being at a strange, new place full of barking dogs was terrifying. Having no idea how to behave in such a situation, he shut down completely.

It’s not an uncommon scenario at the Aiken County Animal Shelter (ACAS). Many homeless dogs and cats brought to 333 Wire Road in Aiken are traumatized before they arrive and have extreme difficulty adjusting to their surroundings.

Keegan overcame his fear to find a new home, but it took time. patience and a lot of human love.
Keegan overcame his fear to find a new home, but it took time. patience and a lot of human love.

“Dogs like Keegan want to be loved, but they don’t have the experience of being loved,” explained Jackie Edel, a FOTAS volunteer who took on the task of fostering Keegan at her home.

While not ready to be adopted in his current condition, the Shelter staff and FOTAS team thought Keegan could gain confidence and learn to trust people in a quieter environment, where he could experience more one-on-one training.

Keegan had to be carried into the house but slowly began accepting Jackie’s direction. Watching the behavior of Jackie’s own four dogs, and being accepted by them, also turned him around. If her dogs – Corgis Maisie and Heath, Border Collie Gabby and Australian Shepherd Julia – trusted and loved Jackie, maybe he could, too.

Jeff Martin and Yellow Retriever Nala help Keegan feel welcome in his new home.
Jeff Martin and Yellow Retriever Nala help Keegan feel welcome in his new home.

“My dogs are older and know the drill,” Jackie said. “They helped him tremendously. I remember the first time Keegan hopped up next to me and licked my face, I almost passed out. I was so surprised and happy for him!”

Once Keegan accepted Jackie, he was ready to meet and accept new people. Jackie brought him for visits to the shelter, walks in the park and downtown, and to FOTAS events like the annual Woofstock Festival. Keegan also hung out with volunteers under the FOTAS tent at the Aiken Charity Horse Show.

Keegan in Jackie Edel's car, learning to socialize with her dogs.
Keegan in Jackie Edel’s car, learning to socialize with her dogs.

It was during this period that FOTAS volunteers Jeff and Bonnie Martin started to notice Keegan. While promoting FOTAS’s programs at the horse show, Bonnie was handed Keegan’s leash and asked to watch him for a little while. That was all it took. Keegan’s sad eyes and timid licks on her hand sealed the deal.

The next day, Bonnie and Jeff introduced Keegan to Nala, their 9-year-old yellow Lab, and the meet and greet was a success as the dogs happily played together. The Martins weren’t really looking for another dog, but that was before they met Keegan and learned about his struggles.

“We made a breakthrough this morning,” Jeff said with a big smile about a week after adopting Keegan. “He took a treat right from my hand instead of waiting for me to put it on the ground. He’s so appreciative, we love having him and he’s doing better each day.”

Their lives are in our hands.

 — by Bob Gordon, FOTAS Director of Communications

paw_print_heart_stickers-r368b69be3802466f8feff0ba57adc012_v9w0n_8byvr_512

By the Numbers

May 1-23: The County Shelter received 435 stray animals and surrendered pets in just three weeks (more than 20 per day). Please spay and neuter your pets and don’t surrender them to the shelter this month unless you have no other options.

saveapetlogo

Pets of the Week

BUTCH and SPIKE POTWBUTCH & SPIKE: Chihuahua mixes, males, 8 years old, 17 pounds – $35 each


CADEN POTW 052718CADEN: Domestic Shorthair, male, 5 months old, Siamese mix, 5 pounds – $10

2018, Adoption, Bully Dogs, Doggie Day Out, Dogs, essay, Foster, FOTAS, Uncategorized, Volunteer

No Time for a Dog? How about Some Dog Time!

Posted on by Angel Hartline
06
May

Every Saturday afternoon, after the volunteers have gone home, after the animals have been fed and the kennels cleaned, as staff attends to the paperwork of another adoption week at the Aiken County Animal Shelter – that’s when Kelly Meyers comes to the shelter. He stops in the lobby and asks Bob Gordon at the front desk, “Who should I take this time?”

Shelter dog Garrett enjoys sleeping at Kelly's house one April weekend. Since the photo was taken, Garrett has been adopted and is now living with a loving family.
Shelter dog Garrett enjoys sleeping at Kelly’s house one April weekend. Since the photo was taken, Garrett has been adopted and is now living with a loving family.

The “who” Meyers is referring to is whichever dog in the shelter needs a little help, is a little stressed, and is feeling the effects of too-long at the shelter. Sometimes a dog has been identified; sometimes Kelly just walks through the kennels and picks a dog that looks sad or scared. Once the choice is made, Kelly loads the lucky dog in his car and off they go for a fun-filled weekend. On Monday morning, Kelly returns his canine visitor back to the shelter, happy and relaxed.

Last week the lucky dog was Garrett. “As I write this, says Meyers in his email, “Garrett is laying at my feet. At the shelter, he was barking non-stop for attention. A quick car ride later, some tennis ball tosses in the backyard, and a walk around the block, and he is chilled out!

Says Kathy Jacobs, the FOTAS Program Director: “At first I worried the dogs would be upset when they came back to the shelter, but it’s just the opposite! The break in routine, the chance for extended human attention, and the opportunity to socialize makes all the difference in the world to these dogs. They come back refreshed, a little worn out, and ultimately better adoption prospects.”

Most recently, Kelly took Hilde home to foster over the weekend.
Most recently, Kelly took Hilde home to foster over the weekend.

Meyers treats his canine guest like his own. He takes them out into the community to give them public exposure. Recently Jacobs ran into Meyers on a Saturday night in the Alley downtown, lounging on a bench with a dog named Raven, showing her off to the public. Raven was basking in the glow of all the attention.

“It kind of choked me up,” says Jacobs, “seeing her so happy.”

The experience also provides staff and volunteers facts that are hard to sort out in a busy shelter: Is the dog housebroken? A barker? Friendly to strangers? All useful information for a potential adopter.

I’ve had dogs all my life,” says Meyers, “but it’s just not possible for me to have one these days because I live alone and travel all week for work. This is a great opportunity for me to get a canine-companion fix—there is something about the unconditional love of a dog that is unmatched in this world. Plus, the satisfaction of helping those dogs overcome the fear of the unknown, such as the inside of a house or a walk down the street, is so rewarding.

If you are a dog-lover but a full-time commitment isn’t possible, a Doggie Day Out or a Doggie Sleepover is a great way to scratch that itch (pardon the pun) and show some deserving dog a really good time. You’ll both be better for it.

Call us and we’ll set you up.

Their lives are in our hands.

— By Joanna D. Samson, FOTAS Vice President

paw_print_heart_stickers-r368b69be3802466f8feff0ba57adc012_v9w0n_8byvr_512By the Numbers

May 1-2: The County Shelter received 45 strays and surrendered pets in the first two days of month.

 

Pets of the Week

JACKSON POTW 050618 (2)JACKSON: Hound mix, male, 4 years old, tan, 21 pounds – $35

CHELSEA POTW 050618 (2)CHELSEA: Domestic Shorthair, female, 1 year old, grey & white, 8 pounds – $10

Demodex, Dogs, essay, Foster, News, Volunteer, Volunteers

You too can be a hero

Posted on by Angel Hartline
01
Apr

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.

Birgit Derrick fosters a hound from the County Shelter.
Birgit Derrick fosters a hound from the County Shelter.

FOTAS and the shelter immediately act to make sure these animals can not only cope with their new situation but ensure that they will have a fantastic future. Often that requires a foster home to provide a temporary, stable environment that prepares the pet for its future home. FOTAS provides these dedicated foster families with food, crates, and anything else they need to care for the animals.

For example, Max was surrendered missing most of his fur because of a non-contagious skin condition called Demodex. The condition is made worse from malnutrition and stress, but the pet is adoptable once it receives extra TLC and regains its coat. Peggy Babineau and her husband, their children, and five dogs have fostered many shelter canines. The Babineaus fostered Max for three weeks, and his black and white shiny coat grew back.

Happier and more confident, Max was immediately adopted and his new family sends continuous notes, thanking the shelter for their perfect pet. We currently have two dogs just like Max that need foster homes, so they can experience the same results he did.

John Dabney fosters a litter of puppies to prepare them for adoption.
John Dabney fosters a litter of puppies to prepare them for adoption.

Too often the shelter receives many unwanted or abandoned terrified puppy litters that are motherless and homeless. When four to six puppies are crammed into a shelter kennel before they are old enough for adoption, they can shut down or become fearful. Enter lifesaver John Dabney. He converted one of the stalls in his barn to house foster puppies. They play with John’s dogs and he gives the pups love. After two weeks with John, the puppies were returned to the shelter, where they were all adopted within one to three days.

Then there is Birgit Derrick, one of FOTAS’s original fosters.  She often takes two adult dogs that play together.  Many times these dogs are scheduled to be transported to a sister shelter where they have forever homes waiting for them. When Birgit fosters two dogs for 5 to 7 days, it opens two kennels, giving a safe place for new arrivals coming into the shelter.

“To give an animal a safe place is so rewarding”, says Birgit. “They look at you with such appreciation, they sleep so soundly and they will know that their next home is a safe one because you taught them that.”

Becca Babineau at home with foster dog, Max.
Becca Babineau at home with foster dog, Max.
Max at the Shelter before his Demodex was cured.
Max at the Shelter before his Demodex was cured.

“The difference that I have seen in animals that were fostered is incredible,” she adds. “They come to the shelter lost, confused, and afraid. But after being in a foster home, they return to the shelter without fear or anxiety, and they’re home ready.”

Huge thanks to all our fosters who have opened their hearts to the homeless pets of Aiken County. The shelter received 4,907 animals last year, so we urgently need more fosters to join our life-saving team. Call the FOTAS Hotline, (803) 514-4313, if you are interested in fostering to help save lives. You too can be a hero.

Their lives are in our hands.

– By Kathy Jacobs, FOTAS Programs Coordinator