Category Archives: Heartworms

No More Tears: Hamilton’s a Happy Dog and Facebook Star

This is a story that began with a dog crying real tears when he was surrendered to the Aiken County Animal Shelter nearly a year ago. FOTAS Programs Coordinator Kathy Jacobs described the dog, Hank, and his reaction to being separated from his owner in this weekly column space on Feb. 24, 2019. “I saw […]

Biscuit is Heartworm Free and Living the Good Life

It is uplifting to see how happy Biscuit is now that he has a home with a family that loves him. This sweet 9-year-old mixed breed is one of those special dogs you never forget. In fact, Dr. Lisa Levy, the Aiken County Animal Shelter’s (ACAS) Veterinarian, said Biscuit is one of her favorite dogs […]

The Christmas Spirit of Gratitude and Charity

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. […]

The Mystery of Hilde

Hilde is a beautiful blonde with a big, goofy smile, and eyes as gold as her heart. She was always a favorite among FOTAS volunteers and the Aiken County Animal Shelter staff – everyone wanted to spend a little “me” time with Hilde. She is one of the sweetest, people-craving, kid-loving dogs we’ve ever known, […]

Old shelter dog teaches his senior adopter some new tricks

Last July, I lost Jake, my 10-year-old black Labrador retriever. With the start of a new year, I felt ready to start seeking a new dog for our home. As I am in my 80th year, I didn’t feel comfortable adopting a very young dog. I wanted a dog that was more my speed, one […]

Nine-year-old Aiken boy raises more than $400 for shelter’s heartworm positive dogs

Alex Mastromonico is on a mission to help the homeless animals at the Aiken County Animal Shelter (ACAS). The nine-year-old heard about FOTAS’s “Have a Heart, Save a Heart” program, a fund which supplements the treatment of heartworm positive dogs at the shelter, and decided he wanted to pitch in to this life-saving effort. With […]

Loving a senior dog like our sweet Arthur

Arthur is a handsome, 7-year old retriever-cross with four white socks and a gray muzzle. He was found wandering on the road, dumped by his owner—confused, scared, half-starved, hair falling out. Just like he did the day he was found, he perks up whenever a car drives by or pulls into the Aiken County Animal […]

Resolving to do better by our animals

It’s that time again—the end of one year and the promise of a new one. Most of us (myself included) resolve to be better—to exercise more, lose weight, spend less time on our cell phones—and although our resolve is genuine, our willpower and attention span are, shall we say, less than perfect. My own New […]

One Less Leg, Just as Much Love

Dr. Lisa Levy, ACAS Veterinarian Three years ago, a small, scared, black dog came into the shelter. Her right rear leg was missing below the knee, leaving the end of the broken bone exposed. She also had a deep scar around her neck from a past embedded collar. Normally she would have been euthanized, but […]