Category Archives: fostering

2019, Adoption, Bully Dogs, DOGGIE DATES, Dogs, Foster, fostering, FOTAS, News, Pibbles, Training, Volunteers

Doggie Dates and Sleepovers Help Shelter Pets Relax, Find Forever Homes

Posted on by Bob Gordon
04
Jun

Did you know you can go on dates with dogs who are waiting to be adopted at the Aiken County Animal Shelter (ACAS)? You can! If you live in the County, FOTAS has a program that allows you to take homeless dogs out for an hour or two, on a day-long field trip or even overnight.

And the dogs love it. Getting out of the shelter for even a short car ride can work wonders to reduce their stress, build trust and boost their confidence.

“The biggest value of the Doggie Days Out and sleepovers is how they reduce the dogs’ anxiety,” said FOTAS volunteer Kelly Meyers, who often takes ACAS dogs home for the weekend. “Currently I’m working with Bastian, and he goes from amped up to chilled out as soon as he gets in my car. The experience gives them a break from the stress of shelter life and a chance to decompress. “

BASTIAN, a terrific 7-year-old Retriever mix currently available for adoption at the County Animal Shelter, enjoys some down time at Kelly Meyers’ house. The time away from the shelter helps make dogs more confident and ensures more successful adoptions.

The experience also provides staff and volunteers with critical information about the dog’s personality traits, strengths and weaknesses. Is the dog housebroken? Does he get along with cats? Is he friendly to strangers? Answers to such questions provide key data for successfully matching them with potential adopters.

“It’s good to give these dogs some quiet time, so I take them on walks downtown or bring them to a local horse farm,” said FOTAS Volunteer Donna Dring. “Sometimes I take them for a walk in the woods or bring them to my home for an hour just to unwind and get some sleep.”

Going on a doggie date or hosting a doggie sleepover can also give citizens greater insight about a dog they are interested in adopting. Marti Healy recently took black Lab mix Cooper home for a sleepover to see how he would mesh with her pets. Her dog, Quincy, became quick friends with Cooper but her cat, Tuppence, didn’t fare as well. The feline liked Cooper but he couldn’t help himself from chasing her around the house.

LADY, who has since been adopted to a great home, enjoys some cuddling with FOTAS Volunteer Donna Dring during a Doggie Day Out.

Although Healy was disappointed Cooper wasn’t the right match for her family, she was thankful for the experience.

“Getting the chance to see how Cooper got along with my animals in a relaxed setting was a huge help,” she said. “I would have felt bad if I had adopted him and then had to take him back.” Her experience also let the shelter know that Cooper bonds well with other dogs but needs to find a home without kitties.

In the summer, the need for doggie daters is at its greatest because thousands of animals are received during the hot months, the shelter is usually at capacity and we are short on volunteers as some go on vacation. When citizens take these homeless pets on walks or field trips, it’s greatly therapeutic for them, especially the dogs who are shy or scared.

If you would like to take an ACAS dog on a date, please come to the shelter, located at 333 Wire Road, and we’ll set you up. All you need is your driver’s license and a love for dogs.

Their lives are in our hands.

— By Bob Gordon, FOTAS Communications Director

PETS OF THE WEEK

BOLT
Mixed breed, male, 3 years old, 42 pounds – $35

JADA
Domestic Longhair, female, 2 months old, 1.5 pounds – $10

2019, Adoption, Bully Dogs, Cats, Dogs, fostering, FOTAS, Home-to-Home adoption program, News, surrendered pets

Home-to-Home Program Reduces Stress for Pets and Owners

Posted on by Bob Gordon
21
May

By Ellen Priest, FOTAS Board Member and Home-to-Home Coordinator

Friends of the Animal Shelter (FOTAS) is constantly looking at best practices for the Aiken County Animal Shelter. Recently we discovered the Home-to-Home program and thought it would be a perfect way to reduce the number of animals being taken in by the shelter each year. By the way, that number was 5,000 in 2018. Mind-boggling, isn’t it, that 5,000 unwanted animals made their way to the Aiken County Animal Shelter last year?

The Home-to-Home program allows owners, who can no longer keep their pet, a way to rehome them to another family by creating a profile on a specially created website and uses FOTAS’ Facebook page to promote the animals. By using this tool, it reduces owner surrendered numbers, and stress for both the animal and the owner.

When animals come from a home to the shelter, they are often so confused and shaken, they shut down. Volunteers will find them shaking in their cages, confused by the noise and the unfamiliar surroundings. These highly adoptable animals cower in their cages, not interacting with prospective adopters and become unadoptable.

One of the many Home-to-Home postings on the FOTAS Facebook page.

Since we started the program the beginning of February, we have had 89 listings. Fifty pets have been adopted, seven were eventually surrendered to the shelter, and the rest are still looking for homes. That is 50 pets that didn’t come to the shelter in the last three months, freeing up space for strays and injured or abused animals. And we’re just getting started.

As we get word out, we hope to have more rehoming success stories, with a pet going from one loving home to another.

Carrolanne reached out to us recently. She had just lost her husband of 35 years suddenly. Richard stayed at home with their two beloved fur babies, while Carrolanne took care of her elderly mother, who had suffered a stroke. With Richard’s sudden passing, Carrolanne was faced with leaving her mother’s side to run home to take care of the dogs, and get back to her mother before the home health worker left. She could not bring the dogs to her mother, who would need wound care if a dog accidentally jumped on her. She was faced with the heartbreaking decision to rehome her beloved Penny and Ginger Snap.

The Ergles were thrilled to welcome Ginger Snap and Penny into their family through the new Home-to-Home adoption program FOTAS started incorporating this year.

Carrolanne contacted the shelter and we got her girls listed on Home-to-Home. The next day, I received a call from Carrolanne, who, choking back tears, said a nice family had come to see Penny and taken elderly Ginger Snap, too, when they saw how bonded the pair were. She said, “I truly don’t know what I would have done without your help and this program.”

Ginger Snap and Penny are now getting the love and attention of the Ergle family, and while Carrolanne is missing them terribly, she has our assurance that when the time is right, we’ll help her find a new pet to love. Visit fotas.home-home.org for more information, and to see available pets.

Their lives are in our hands.

2019, Adoption, Bully Dogs, Dogs, Foster, fostering, FOTAS, News, Pibbles, surrendered pets

The Struggles of Our Friend, Vegas the ‘Pittopotamus’

Posted on by Bob Gordon
08
Apr

by Kathy Jacobs, FOTAS Program Director

Some dogs at the shelter just can’t seem to catch a break.

Take our friend,Vegas. He was a shelter favorite, often referred to as a “pittopotamus” as he clearly had not missed many meals. He would lay quietly in his kennel, no wagging, looking solemn. Very little curb appeal to those looking to adopt. But once he got outside, he would run, play with toys and enjoy himself as much as any of the other dogs in play group.

Vegas gets ready for a snooze while staying with a foster volunteer.

Vegas was adopted and returned two times. We learned from both adoptions that Vegas needed to be an only pet. Like many children, he just couldn’t share his new owner’s attention with other pets. He longed for love.

Since the poor guy was so depressed after his second adoption wasn’t successful, a volunteer started taking him home at night. We learned that Vegas was even more awesome of a dog than we thought! Great in the house, a total couch potato.

After being overlooked for what seemed an eternity, a man came looking for a dog for his family. He fell in love with Vegas immediately! He took Vegas home to meet his wife and children. What a success! The family came to visit after a few weeks to show us how good Vegas looked. The kids just loved him! Vegas was now going to the dog park almost daily, sleeping in bed with them and having what appeared to be the best time!

Vegas is still looking for the right home.

It was perfect until the family had to move. They looked and looked for a home where Vegas could live with them, but all had lease restrictions. Poor Vegas has a label on him, and his breed is restricted.

The family tried to re-home him using our Home to Home program as they did not want to bring him back to the shelter. Unfortunately, they eventually did have to move and Vegas is now back on the adoption floor at 333 Wire Road. Do you want to see a sad dog? Come visit him.

It is very unfortunate that because of his breed, Vegas lost the best home he had ever known. Many of the dogs in shelters are those that have been labeled aggressive breeds — German Shepherds, Chow Chows, Akitas, and Bully mixes. But these are some of the most loving and intelligent dogs available! They are so loyal and most of our bully breeds just want to be close to people and touch them.

Vegas would make the perfect only pet for a young couple or a great companion for an older person. He’d also make a great family dog. He is just a wonderful dog who deserves better and we are all very sad to see him back and feeling so hopeless. Please spread the word and help us get him a good home.

Their lives are in our hands.

BY THE NUMBERS
On April 1, the Aiken County Animal Shelter launched extended adoption hours. The new hours are: Mon, Wed. and Fri. – 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Tues. and Thurs. – 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.; and Sat. – 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

PETS OF THE WEEK

GIBBS
Mixed breed, male, 4 years old, blue gray, 70 pounds – $35

ZAC
Domestic Shorthair kitten, male, 2 months old, tan & black Tabby, 2 pounds – $10

2019, fostering, FOTAS, News, Shelter staff

The Extraordinary Staff at the Aiken County Animal Shelter

Posted on by Bob Gordon
18
Mar

By Joanna D. Samson, FOTAS Vice President

It’s so rare these days to find someone who does what they love and loves what they do, except at the county shelter, where all of the staff falls into that category. They work hard, and in their free time they foster, they educate, and they love.

Dr. Lisa Levy (left) and vet assistant Lyn Irilli tend to a stray dog.

Hillary Clark-Kulis is the shelter’s adoption coordinator. Along with the huge responsibility of finding homes for many animals, she also takes them home to foster. During kitten season you will most likely find on Hillary’s desk a crate filled with tiny kittens under a heat lamp. Aside from being patient and kind, she also educates the public about kitten-care for abandoned babies.

Amanda Kaminski and Bob Gordon are adoption counselors. Amanda recently fostered an injured dog that needed a foster home to recover. Bob has adopted four cats of his own, yet he spreads the word on social media about the needs of the shelter and responsible pet ownership.

Rachel McGee, the assistant administrator, organizes the county’s community cat program, shelter intake, and helping citizens find lost pets. She and Hope Reese, the shelter’s office assistant, distribute traps and educate citizens about community cats.

Rachel McGee counsels a man who found a stray dog.

They also work with citizens who want to rehome their pets, and they have been known to pick up strays.

Betty Erikson is a vet assistant that works in the medical clinic. She spends her days in the clinic assisting with spay/neuter, medicating shelter animals, and helping sick and displaced pets, and she fosters litters of kittens at home. Betty and Lyn Irilli often come in after hours to help animals picked up by animal control that need medical attention.

Thanks to Dr. Levy, the shelter’s record for saving severely injured animals is outstanding. She has also adopted a three-legged dog that she saved and a heartworm-positive Pibble that she treated.

Randy Bush helps socialize dogs waiting to be moved to the adoption floor.

Randy Bush, head kennel technician, is a phenomenal caretaker for both dogs and cats. Earlier this year, he adopted Stone, a feral cat that lived on the shelter property, when it got sick. Although Stone may never be able to return to his freewheeling, roaming days, thanks to Randy, he is turning into a pretty nice house kitty.

Brandon Fulmer, also a kennel tech, fell in love with and adopted a sweet Pibble who was overlooked on the adoption floor because of her scarred body and a severe underbite. Jennie Wilson, who cares for the

Bob Gordon get some computer assistance from Mason.

cats, cleaning and making sure they all have warm blankets, toys, and a clean litter box, fostered and then adopted a kitten in need of lots of TLC. Peggy Babineau has fostered so many dogs with extra medical needs that we’ve lost count.

Hillary Clark-Kulis (right) accepts a sizable donation from the Aiken Newcomer’s Club.

Marissa Acosta and Chase Byers spend extra time going kennel to kennel to give the dogs some extra attention, particularly the most misunderstood. They work with the dogs that first come in, and at the end of the day, they make sure everyone has blankets, toys and the proper food.

Bobby Arthurs, the shelter manager, is a chihuahua whisperer and animal lover. Bobby does anything and everything to help the abandoned, neglected animals that are consigned to the shelter.

The shelter staff is phenomenal. Aiken County and the shelter residents are so lucky to have them.

Their lives are in their hands.

Pets of the Week

SEYMOUR
Mixed breed, male, 8 years old, white and tan, 47 pounds – $35

DANE
Domestic Medium Hair, male, 11 months old, orange and white Tabby, 6.5 pounds – $10

2019, Adoption, animal abuse, County Animal Control, Demodex, Dogs, Events, Foster, fostering, FOTAS, neglected pets, News, Uncategorized, Volunteer, Volunteers

Neglected Puppy Coco Makes Amazing Recovery

Posted on by Bob Gordon
28
Jan

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 fur, and she was just a baby!

COCO was hairless and in severe discomfort when she was brought in to the Shelter

This sweet little girl didn’t make a peep. She lay in the medical clinic on a blanket, eyes wide with fear, while allowing Dr. Levy and her kind-hearted assistants to clean and treat her. The puppy had a condition called Demodectic mange or “Demodex”, a very treatable and non-contagious skin condition that we see in neglected, malnourished or stressed dogs. This was just the most severe case I had ever seen.

We called Paula Neuroth, one of FOTAS’ most dedicated foster moms, and told her what just came in. Paula came in the next day and picked up the frightened pup. She and her husband, Rod, named the puppy Coco. During the next four weeks she healed beautifully. Paula called and said she thought Coco was some kind of Spaniel or Hound, and when her fur came in, she had a beautiful white coat with brown spots.

Paula Neuroth holds COCO, who through excellent medical and foster care, made a full recovery and regained her beautiful coat.

“Coco is a very brave little girl who has been through a lot,” Paula said. “From the moment we brought her home she was gentle and so sweet. We just showed her a lot of love and she learned it is okay to have fun, eat without fear, and to trust people.”

We have many dogs that come to the shelter with Demodex and they need foster care. Some just have patches of fur missing while others, like Coco, temporarily lose their entire coat. The recovery time is so much less when they are in a home environment, away from the stress of the shelter.

Coco is already in her forever home and living her dream life. Paula continues to foster those that need her, but we need more foster volunteers who can help. Currently we have other dogs with very treatable medical conditions that need a safe place to recover. These dogs are so grateful, they will love you more than any other.

Please consider fostering a puppy or dog in need. It is one of the most rewarding experiences you will have.

Their lives are in our hands.

— by Kathy Jacobs, FOTAS Program Director

By the Numbers
From January 1 to 23, the County Animal Shelter took in more than 300 strays and surrendered pets.


Pets of the Week

MARKUS
Mixed breed, male, 6 years old, 73 pounds – $35

HOLLY
Domestic Shorthair Dilute Tortoiseshell cat, female, 4-1/2 years old, 6.5 pounds – $10  (at Aiken PetSmart store)

2019, Dogs, Foster, fostering, FOTAS, News

Fostering Shelter Pets Is Rewarding and Saves Lives

Posted on by Bob Gordon
20
Jan

Our family welcomed a temporary house guest over the Christmas holidays. We were joined by Tillie, a six-month-old, partial Mini-Pinscher puppy that we “fostered” on behalf of the Aiken County Animal Shelter.

The Bunker children enjoyed their time with Shelter pup Tillie.

Tillie was scheduled to join her new “forever” family in Rhode Island after the New Year, but in the meantime the little stray was scared and miserable in the shelter. For such a tiny puppy, the loud barking, big dogs and strange surroundings were intimidating. She needed time to socialize. FOTAS (Friends of the Animal Shelter) and the animal shelter staff saw that a foster family would help her.

Tillie was nervous when she came home with us. On the first day, her skinny frame trembled. She cowered under the dining room table, her tail between her legs and her appetite low. Tillie wasn’t too sure about her new surroundings.

We were pleasantly surprised as we watched her socialize over the next two weeks. With warmth and attention, she ate, frolicked with our other dogs, and learned how to be a puppy. Before long she was rolling around with the other dogs and chasing, and being chased by, them. Charging up and down the stairs, and running around the back yard, her energy and confidence returned.

Aiken County and FOTAS established the foster care program for adoptable dogs and cats outside of the shelter. This program ensures that they experience a healthy environment, and it frees up limited shelter space for other adoptable animals.

County Council Chairman Gary Bunker holds foster puppy Tillie, who has since been adopted to her forever home.

Fostering saves lives. It’s simple as that. When a volunteer fosters a shelter dog, it prepares the dog for his new home. It also opens a kennel on the adoption floor, giving another dog a chance to be seen by a prospective adopter. This in turn frees up space in intake, allowing the shelter to accept another stray or surrendered pet.

Short-term fosters for five to ten days typically involve animals scheduled to be transferred to no-kill shelters in other parts of the country or for whom an adoption is pending. Foster families caring for moms with puppies (or kittens) usually do so until they’re weaned, roughly 12 weeks from the date of birth.

In too many instances, animals come in with injuries from abuse or negligence that require medical treatment, followed by fostering in a home to recover. The shelter is currently in urgent need of “medical” fosters.

Would you like to foster a dog or cat? Contact FOTAS at (803) 514-4313. Or fill out a form at fotasaiken.org and fax to FOTAS at (803) 643-4006. FOTAS will select the animals available for foster based on need, temperament, and the resources and environment of the foster home. FOTAS provides food and medical care for the foster dogs, if necessary.

For us, our fostering of Tillie was over all too quickly. After the holidays, she returned to the animal shelter just in time for her journey to her new adoptive home. We’ll miss her, but we’re sure she will make one special family happy for a long time to come. And thanks to the foster program, we were able to positively impact her life.

Their lives are in our hands.

— By Gary Bunker, Aiken County Council Chairman

By the Numbers
From January 1 to 15, the County Animal Shelter took in 210 strays and surrendered pets.


Pets of the Week

TRUMAN
Mixed breed, male, 1 year old, 43 pounds – $35

FALLYN
Domestic Shorthair Calico kitten, female, 3 months old, 3 pounds – $10

2019, Doggie Day Out, fostering, FOTAS, News, Training, Volunteer, Volunteers

Couple Fosters Shelter Dogs, Prepares them for Good Homes

Posted on by Bob Gordon
08
Jan

When Yvonne and Colin Brookes moved to Aiken from the UK two years ago, they didn’t think they’d have any dogs in their home. They planned to make frequent trips back to the UK to visit family and friends across the pond, so owning pets wasn’t practical.

But for a couple not used to life without animals, this was a difficult adjustment. Yvonne spent most of her life as a professional horse trainer and rider in North Yorkshire, England and at one time she and Colin owned six horses, two dogs and two cats. Shortly before moving to Aiken, their last dog, a Jack Russell named Bernie, passed away at the age of 18.

“It was very hard not having a pet but then we heard about FOTAS and attended their Woofstock festival – and we discovered a way to spend time with animals and at the same time help dogs in need,” Yvonne said.

They started by walking dogs and spending time with them on the shelter grounds. Then Yvonne began to take dogs on “Doggie Days Out,” a FOTAS program that allows people to take shelter canines for short trips to the park, downtown or even just for a car ride. Yvonne was taking so many dogs on days out that a separate sign-out sheet was created for her.

Finally, Yvonne and Colin took in a puppy, Tyler, for about a week to help the 5-month-old Hound get used to people and experience what living in a house is like before being placed in his forever home.

“The fear we had initially was getting too attached to the dogs,” Yvonne explained. “We had never fostered before and in the past, any animal in our home was considered a member of the family. But once we took the approach that these dogs were just with us for a little while and already destined to be someone else’s pet, it became an extremely rewarding experience.”

Yvonne Brookes takes shelter dog Zeus on a walk downtown to help socialize him. Such special attention and training helped prepare Zeus for his forever home.

After Tyler, the couple fostered a young Lab mix Carlos. Then came Mac, Maverick, Celeste, Polo and Zeus. All were dogs needing socialization and training. Retriever Celeste was shy but bloomed into a confident canine under the two-week tutelage of Yvonne.

Polo, a chain dog, learned better manners and how to walk well on a leash. Zeus, a large Rhodesian Ridgeback, who was anxious and bit at his leash when being walked, became a well-behaved, calmer dog.

“I would tell anyone who’s thinking of fostering, give it a go,” Yvonne said. “It really helps these animals. It helps them find homes and raises the likelihood of a successful adoption. Sometimes it’s just a matter of teaching these animals that they can be loved.”

Their lives are in our hands.

— By Bob Gordon, FOTAS Communications Director

By the Numbers
On the first  two days of the new year, the County Animal Shelter took in 58 strays and surrendered pets.

 

Pets of the Week
PHILO
Mixed breed, male, 3 years old, brindle/white, 48 pounds – $35

CLARA
Domestic Shorthair cat, female, 1 year old, tortoiseshell, 8 pounds – $10