Category Archives: kittens

Happy Tails and Adoption Success Stories Reflect the Holiday Spirit

Our final column for this year celebrates happy “tails” and dreams come true. We thank our volunteers, fosters, donors and adopters for giving these homeless animals a second chance at a great life.

Here are emails received from recent adopters:

AJ (left) and his new best buddy, Lucy.

Rottweiler AJ comes out of his shell
AJ (who my kids have renamed Bubba) is doing great! He made an instant friend with our other dog, Lucy, who is a Black Lab/American Bull mix. He’s come out of his shell quite a bit, but we still have work to do there. He’s a quick learner and is already great with the sit, stay, and paw commands. Bubba is also an excellent guard dog. We love that and feel loved by him as he’s showing us that he’s protecting his pack.

Jarrod Fothergill

Kitty Carly is adjusting well to her new home
Carly is doing great. Eating well. Behaves for the most part, besides being energetic and climbing the curtains. But we just play with her more when she gets so frisky. She has adjusted well and we’re happy to have added her to our family!

Amanda Watson

Winnie stays close to her new sister.

Winnie is adorbs and the kids love her
Allison, who we renamed Winnie, has quickly blended into the family and made herself at home. She gets along with our elderly “grumpy old man” cat, which is no small feat. She also adores our three-year-old and loves to snuggle with her at naptime. She does enjoy chewing on the occasional shoe and stuffed animal, but the kids are learning to keep those out of her reach. We absolutely adore her!

Amanda Hammond

Pampered Bridget got the home she needed
Bridget is doing wonderfully! We love her so much! She’s gotten so spoiled; my son lets her sleep with him, and she loves it!

Lindsay Hammett

Bridget and her new family at home.

Pascal aka Charlie loves everyone he meets
We’ve changed Pascal’s name to Charlie, and he is doing great! He’s playful and still has puppy tendencies such as chewing, but we are working on that. He loves everyone and every other animal he meets. He’s a joy!

Lori McCormack

Charlie aka Pascal: happy in his new home.

Mayhem is just another name for perfection
Mayhem and our other cat, Monster, got along from the start – and now they’re inseparable. He talks to us all the time and is a bundle of purrs. He’s probably one of the cuddliest kittens I’ve ever had. He’s using his litter box and scratching post well, so behavior wise everything is perfect.

Ann Bryson-Eldridge

— By Bob Gordon, FOTAS Communications Director

FOTAS Provides Complimentary Adoptions to Veterans Year-Round

This Wednesday, November 11th is Veterans Day. Held on the anniversary of the end of World War I, it is an important holiday that honors U.S. veterans and thanks them for serving our country.

FOTAS supports our armed forces and recognizes the benefits that veterans and active military personnel can experience from the company of a shelter cat or dog, So, we launched a veterans adoption program on Veterans Day, 2015. At first, we only offered discounts during November and then we offered half-price adoptions for veterans and active military throughout the year. But in 2018, FOTAS decided to make it possible for U.S veterans and active U.S. military personnel to adopt a dog or cat from the Aiken County Animal Shelter for no charge, year-round.

Mason Lamb cuddles with kitten Calli.

“Now, every day is Veterans Day at the County Animal Shelter,” said FOTAS President Jennifer Miller. “It is our small way to show gratitude to the men and women who serve our country and make sacrifices to protect and defend our freedoms.”

Veteran John Corda and his wife adopted Paislee, a senior Bassett Hound mix, last month and were surprised when they were told FOTAS was paying the adoption fee.

“It’s a great program that needs to be promoted more,” John said. “I told my friends about it and let them know the whole experience at the shelter was wonderful and how happy we are with our new pet.”

Larry and Esperanza Lamb just adopted a Calico kitten from the County Shelter and benefitted from the FOTAS veteran/military adoption program. Larry is in the reserves, so the family’s adoption of little Calli was paid for by FOTAS.

“Calli and my 3-year-old son are inseparable,” Esperanza said. “We knew about the veteran special when we went to look for a pet. I think it is a really good program. I know the animals need the homes and I think the veterans appreciate the generosity. It’s nice to be appreciated for what you do.”

The Cordas adopt senior Bassett Hound mix Paislee. FOTAS paid for the adoption to thank John Corda, a U.S. veteran, for his service.

It is always rewarding when pets in need bring joy to their adopters, and the veteran/military adoption program has resulted in many successful match-ups.

“Sable and Shadow are sleeping right under my feet as we speak,” said veteran Jerry Hufnagel, who adopted two senior Pomeranians, Sable and Shadow, from the ACAS in August. “They’ve been really good companions during this time I’ve had to stay in because of COVID-19. They are always nearby me, keeping me company.”

If you are currently active in the military or a veteran, please take advantage of your complimentary adoption. Make an appointment to visit one of our homeless pets by calling the ACAS at (803) 642-1537. The ACAS is nearly at full capacity and these pets are desperate to find loving homes soon.

Their lives are in our hands.

— By Bob Gordon, FOTAS Communications Director

County Shelter Pets in Need Find Fantastic Forever Homes

When you adopt a homeless pet from the Aiken County Animal Shelter (ACAS) and walk out the door with your new furry companion, staff members don’t just file your paperwork, wave good-bye and wish you good luck. They make sure you and your pet are happy and doing well.
Here are emails received from recent adopters we followed up with (some have been edited for space):

Gator is a hit in his new home.

Bonded kittens adapting well to new home
Boots and Tux are doing very well. We are so glad we adopted both of them and feel it would have been a big mistake to separate them. We recommend your shelter to everyone we talk to because we have had such a positive experience. Keep up the great work!

Ruth Leazer

Gator is enjoying his new life
Gator loves his new fur brothers and sister. He also loves Joey, our 9-year-old. He sleeps and plays with him. Gator is healthy as an ox and enjoying life. We can’t thank you enough! He is a big part of our lives!

Angela Miles

Binx relaxes on his new human sister’s shoulder.

Binx beats his fear, then makes himself at home
Binx was very scared the first few days and didn’t want to come from the bathroom. But now he has made himself at home. He’s gentle with all three of my kids and lets them hold him as much as they want. He sleeps with my 6-year-old every night. His favorite place in the house is the window seat where he watches the squirrels until he falls asleep. He’s the best cat ever. We love him so much!

Lisa Robinson

Everybody loves Ringo
Hello! Ringo is doing great! Loves all her new siblings and they love her! Her new name is Willow. Thanks for checking in!

Mikky Glidden

Ringo (left) with his feline family member.

Boz is a big mush who loves belly rubs
Boz is doing fabulously! He was frozen in place when we first got him, but now he struts around confidently. He loves playing with tennis balls and is big mush who falls over for belly rubs. He jumps up on the bed and wakes me up with kisses every morning. He really has been a joy! We are working on obedience and he now knows how to heal, sit, and lay down on command.

Courtenay Khoury

Boz (left) and his new best friend and canine brother.

Kimber is the perfect family addition
It took a little while for Kimber to trust the dogs, but they play quite a bit now. Our pittie, Riley, absolutely adores her. She has also bonded well with our other cat, Stella. They are inseparable! Kimber is a very affectionate love bug who loves to play and watch TV but most of all, cuddle. She’s the perfect addition to our little family!

Carrie Betterly

Kimber in her forever home with Pitty mix Riley.

— By Bob Gordon, FOTAS Communications Director

Fosters and Citizens Step Up and Save Lives During Kitten Season

Kitten season is upon us. A female cat can go into heat at any time of year, but the majority do so between May and November, and it puts a tremendous strain on animal shelters and rescues – including the Aiken County Animal Shelter.

What to do if you find kittens
With so many kittens being born during this period, you might spot them in your yard or while taking a walk in your neighborhood. But what do you do if this happens? It depends on a number of factors – but before you do anything, determine if the kittens’ mother is around. Kittens do best when they are with their mother, who instinctively knows how to help her offspring grow up to be strong and healthy. The mother’s milk also is crucial to providing the kittens powerful nutrients for their immune systems.

Kitten season takes place from late May to Nov.

Depending on their age and condition, here are your three choices if you find kittens:

1. Leave the kittens be. If the kittens are underage (under 2 pounds or younger than eight weeks old) and mom is still around and taking care of them, leave the kittens where they are until they are weaned. To help the mama cat, you can provide shelter and put out food nearby.

2. Take the kittens into your home. If the kittens’ mom is not around, wait at least two hours to see if she comes back. If she doesn’t return, foster the kittens or find someone who is willing to foster, until they are at least two pounds. This is done through bottle-feeding the kittens until they are ready to eat on their own.

FOTAS Volunteer Mindy Hand holds foster kitten, Dewey, who was adopted last week.

FOTAS provides “kitten kits” containing supplies you need to take care of the kittens until they are old enough to come to the shelter or go into foster care. If you’re unsure of the kittens’ age or care needs, you can bring them to the shelter for assessment and we can help you decide on a plan for adoption or direct you to other options, such as our TNR (Trap, Neuter, Return), which is free to Aiken County residents, or the spay/neuter voucher program.. You can also call the shelter for counsel.

FOTAS provides citizens with kitten kits — complete with food, litter, toys and other resources to help care for them.

3. Bring the kittens to shelter for spay/neutering. If the kittens are at least four pounds, they can be brought to the shelter in a humane cat trap (you can sign one out from the shelter) to be fixed through our Community Cats TNR program. After they are sterilized, you just return them to their outdoor home. This effectively works to reduce the cat population and prevents more cats from entering the area.

Fosters are always needed
Because citizens are sometimes unable to bottle feed and socialize the kittens they find, we have a small team of FOTAS fosters who take in babies and give them the care they require. These amazing volunteers save many feline lives each year. You can help save lives by volunteering to foster, too. To volunteer, go to the FOTAS website (fotasaiken.org) or call the shelter at (803) 642-1537.

Their lives are in our hands.


— By Bob Gordon, FOTAS Communications Director

Successful Pet Adoptions Are Made During Pandemic

Despite the coronavirus crisis, the Aiken County Animal Shelter continues to adopt out homeless animals in need. The shelter is temporarily closed to the public, but folks can visit and adopt pets by making an appointment and completing paperwork curbside.

Baya cuddles with one of the Laufer children

Here are some of the latest emails and notes we’ve received from people who have given homeless animals a second chance at a great life:

Baya is getting more comfortable each day
Thank you for checking in! Baya is doing great. She is behaving and eating well. She loves to play and is careful with our small children. So far, she is adapting better than expected and getting more comfortable every day. We love her so much!

Andrea Laufer

Penny adjusting well to her new family
Penny is doing great, loves her treats and has a hearty appetite! Loves playing with her tennis balls, rope and dinosaur. She has adjusted very well and is a great addition to our family!

John Grayson

Penny is a great addition to her new family

Kittens Frick & Frack have new names and a better life
Since adoption, Frick and Frack have been given the new names of Rajah and Bagheera! My fiancé and I are big Disney fans, so we decided to name them after Disney cats, the tiger from Aladdin and black panther from The Jungle Book. We are so impressed with their behavior. No scratching at all, use the litter box well, haven’t nipped or clawed either of us, and eat just fine! We have enjoyed the entertainment during this quarantine watching them play with all of their toys and each other. We are so glad we had the opportunity to adopt these two sweet and loving girls!

Cody and Heather Hayden

Frick and Frack with their new “parents”

Louis is bonding with new sister, Pippa
Louis (renamed Neville) is doing fantastic. He is slowly becoming less shy and more playful (at least around us). He gets along great with our other dog, Pippa, and keeps a safe distance from Stinky the cat. He usually eats well and has gained some weight since he arrived last month.

Hannah Strobel

Louis (right) and Pippa nap together


— By Bob Gordon, FOTAS Communications Director

More than 3,000 Pets Adopted from ACAS in 2019

The Aiken County Animal Shelter saved and adopted out 3,303 homeless pets in 2019. We thank our shelter staff, adopters, supporters, volunteers, fosters and donors for making this possible.

Abby and little Barkley cuddle

Here are some of the latest emails and notes we’ve received from people who have given homeless animals a second chance at a great life:

Abby and little Barkley are BFFs
Faith (who we renamed Abby) is doing wonderfully. She fits right in with our other dogs. Since day one, she and our little Barkley have been best friends. She eats well and plays all day with her toys. Any worries anyone had about her being a problem with other dogs or little kids is completely gone. She’s great with both. Whoever had Abby before us, treated her well and taught her how to behave. I’m sure they miss her, and I hate she’s no longer with them. But at the same time, our family loves her beyond any words.

Jarid Moon

Classic Tabby kittens Jasper and Casper

Dasher is a big cuddle bug
Dasher is doing great! He enjoys playing with my parents’ dog, Berkeley, and is typically well behaved. He loves going on long walks and being active, but is also a big cuddle bug! He’s definitely been a light in my life.

Eryn Cameron

Feline brothers complete their family
Casper and Jasper are happy and spoiled! I’m so glad we adopted them both and didn’t separate them! They get along beautifully with our dog, Hope. Our family has been completed. Thank you all for what y’all do!

Lynn Feltham

Dasher and his new mom

Kitten Burt is a life-changer
I love my Burt! He can be a challenge since he discovered leftover food goes in the trash. But my life is forever changed. I am 52 and Burt is my first pet! My son also has a cat, which was my inspiration. I tell everyone that Burt is my grandchild!

Janet Tate

Brandy has a new name and a great new life
Brandy is now Mamma Mia and doing well. She loves my other dog and they are always together. We are so grateful for her and believe that she is very happy now. I promise she will have a great life with us.

Brandy aka Mamma Mia

Kristin Pearce

by Bob Gordon, FOTAS Communications Director

We Love a Happy Ending! Adopters Share Their Success Stories

Thank you to everyone who has adopted pets from the Aiken County Animal Shelter. Here are some of the latest emails and notes we’ve received from folks who have given homeless animals a second chance at a great life:

Blake goes on nature walks with his new family.

I Have Found My Best Friend
We are absolutely thrilled to have Blake! He has been to work with me and been by my side since day one. He loves to play tug of war and I run him at Odell Weeks park to get his energy out. I have found my best friend. In fact, yesterday someone commented that I must have invested a lot of time and money into training him because he is so well-behaved at work on a construction site. I was lucky to find the perfect dog. The work y’all must have done with him really shows.

John Eubanks

Jellybean Is Part of Our Family
Liana, who we renamed Jellybean, is amazing with our daughters and seems to like the cat. She thinks she is a small dog and wants to climb in your lap for snuggles. If it gets cold and the girls are outside, she will insist on them going back inside. Jellybean likes bedtime because she gets to help tuck in her sisters. She is part of our family and we love her so much. Thank you for helping us find our perfect doggie.

Scott Farrar & Wendy Morgan

Super furry selfie: Jellybean and he new dad.

Rubble Is No Rabble-Rouser
Rubble is amazing!! We couldn’t have asked for a better match. He’s such a lover! Well-mannered in the house and the car, and is getting along great with his new sister, Sugar. Loves his bed and is also good in his crate.

Melissa Beck

Rubble give some love to his adopter.

Lebowski: A Big, Goofy Lapdog
Chazz is wonderful. He now goes by Lebowski (The Dude) and gets along great with his big sister, Bizkit. He fit in right away and listens well. He’s just a big goofy lapdog that we wouldn’t trade for anything.

David Webb

Kitten Parker Is Growing Up Quickly
Parker is doing great. He’s eating well – both dry and canned kitten food – and growing very fast. He’s playing with the other three cats and explores everything.

Ann Willbrand

KItten Parker makes himself at home.

Velcro Dog West Loves His Beagle Bro
West is sweet, well-behaved and doesn’t leave my side whenever I’m at the house. He also sleeps next to me when he doesn’t want to be in his crate. I love him to death, and he loves his Beagle brother, too.

Taylor Swan

By Bob Gordon, FOTAS Communications Director

Adopters Report Back with Stories about Their County Shelter Pets

FOTAS volunteers and the shelter staff contact new pet owners within a week to 10 days of their adoption to see how they are doing Following up with new adopters not only helps ensure they are satisfied with their pets, but also provides us with great stories and feedback that can help with future adoptions. The best feedback includes photos of the shelter pets loving life in their new homes.

Pit Bull mix Hector loves his new family and watches over the little ones.

Here are examples of emails and notes we’ve received from recent adopters (some have been edited for space):

Hector watches over new baby girl
I’m happy to report that Hector has adjusted very well to life in the Frank household. He has been eating just fine and quickly adapted to his routine here. We just had our fourth child last week and one of Hector’s favorite things to do is lay beside her swing and bed to watch over her. He is very protective over the little ones. We appreciate the opportunity to have him in our lives.

Murray Frank

Kittens Cheddar and Kady enjoy cuddle time at their new home
Cheddar and Kady are doing great. They are eating well, and both have become part of our family. They enjoy playing together and cherish all their cat toys and other treats. Kady has an attachment to her favorite blanket and both enjoy cuddle time.

Brittany Hiers

Kitten Cheddar: If I fits, I sits!

Senior Beagle Aimee is filling out and gaining confidence
Aimee is amazing! We changed her name to Sadie, and she is the absolute sweetest. She loves going on walks, wants to meet all the neighbors and her two favorite things are jerky treats and car rides. She’s filled out like the vet wanted and has gained the confidence to get on the couch whenever she wants! We were just talking about taking her on a trip to the mountains this fall so she can smell all the trails. Thank you for taking care of her until we found her!

Kelli Prather

Pibble Haylee eats side by side with her new brother
Haylee is doing very well. She is still learning which are her toys and which are ours, but catching on very quickly. She is loving her new brother, Dudley. They eat side by side and he is slower than her, but she will wait until he is finished to make sure he cleaned his bowl. They have become fast friends!

Will Clark

Adopted Haylee (left) and Dudley have become fast friends.

Bo wins his family’s heart and takes over their bed
Bo is doing amazing …we changed his name to Buddy and he truly is my buddy as well as a big part of our family. We love him very much and he shows us lots of love in return. He’s also taken over our bed during the day.

Niccole Reidhead

— By Bob Gordon, FOTAS Communications Director

How to Select the Right Shelter Kitty for Your Home

Looking to adopt a feline friend? Now is a great time to make the plunge and visit the Aiken County Animal Shelter. A flood of strays and surrendered pets is hitting the shelter and these beautiful animals need homes.

Young kittens are in cat condos located in the front lobby and most older kittens and adult cats are housed together in the shelter’s newly renovated feline facility.

Black kitten BERNIE waits to greet visitors who stop by the ACAS’s feline facility.

When selecting a cat, first observe their behavior. Whether the cat is alone or with another feline, you can quickly assess their personality. Observe if they are shy or confident, playful or laid-back, chatty or quiet. Then, choose accordingly.

Meet the kitties in the feline facility
Regardless of their independent nature, cats respond to attention and love. To approach a cat in the indoor/outdoor facility, crouch low so as not to intimidate the feline and extend your hand so he can sniff it. If he accepts you by licking your hand or coming closer, slowly rub his forehead or lightly scratch under his chin while speaking in a low, calm voice. Gentle petting should follow as long as his ears remain up, the tail is not flicking, and he is not cowering or hissing.

CERSEI is a friendly female Calico now available for adoption in the shelter’s feline facility.

Kittens in the front lobby
If the feline is in a cat condo or kennel, ask a volunteer or employee to open the door so you can pet him. For a kitten that is more active or playful, a trip to the shelter’s adoption room is a good idea. There, you can get a better idea about his personality and try out different toys for him to enjoy.

Shelter cats at the Aiken PetSmart store
The shelter also transports cats and older kittens to the Aiken PetSmart, where they can be adopted on-site. These felines are showcased in cat condos located in the back of the store. Description cards are posted on the condos to inform you of each cat’s background and personality traits. If you want to spend a little time with one of the cats, just ask a PetSmart employee to assist you.

Bringing your new pet home
Once you select a cat and bring him home, let him explore your residence. It is natural and enables him to define the kingdom he will soon rule. Leave the carrier he came home in near his food and water so he can have a place where he feels safe.

PANDA MANDA and LANNA at play.

Don’t let him outside even if you plan to make him an outdoor cat. He first needs to learn the lay of the land as well establish that you are his source of food and care – a process that takes at least a month. Keep in mind that the life expectancy for indoor cats is 14-19 years while that of those that go outside is 5-7 years. The Shelter strongly recommends keeping your cat indoors.

If you have other pets, wait at least one day before introducing them to allow your cat to decompress from the stress of moving to a new place. Spend as much time with your cat as possible and talk to him. Your calm voice and affection are what he needs to bond with you.

Pretty SOPHIE at the Aiken PetSmart store.

To ensure he gets needed exercise and satisfies his hunting instinct, play with your cat using different feather and mouse toys. Most importantly, enjoy your new feline companion and shower him with love and good care. You have just saved a cat and given him a second chance at a great life!

— By Steve Masterson, FOTAS Volunteer

Clear the Shelter Event Results in Heartwarming Adoptions

Last Saturday’s Clear the Shelter event at the Aiken County Animal Shelter was a success, with 40 unwanted pets finding loving homes in four hours.

Part of an annual national effort, the shelter’s standard adoption fees were waived on this day to encourage folks to visit the animals and give them homes, thereby “clearing the shelter” to make room for — and save the lives of — more homeless animals.

Adopted blind cat DREW sits on the lap of his new owner, Kathy Brewer.

Last month, the ACAS received 533 stray animals and surrendered pets, so the timing of this event was ideal. We needed to find these animals homes and the community rallied and responded.

“I had been looking for a cat for my family for a while, and when we saw Drew, we knew it was just meant to be,” said Erica Brewer. Erica’s mom, Kathy, recently had a stroke that severely impaired her vision – so when Erica saw the blind cat, she knew he was the right choice for them. Erica’s wife, Jessica, and their two daughters, Makayla and Makenzie, held and petted Drew while the adoption process was completed.

“Drew adjusted to his new home right away,” Erica said. It’s like he’s been living there for years. Everybody loves and spoils him rotten. There’s just something about him – he’s a special cat.”

Deke meets his new human brother.

While Drew was being put in his carrier to go home on Saturday, a kitten name Juliet was selected for adoption by Samantha Maynard. Carrying her 7-month-old son, John Keith, in her arms, she said, “I saw the shelter was having this event, so we drove out here to find him a pet. Everybody has been helpful and friendly. It’s been a great experience.”

Meanwhile, three senior dogs, a senior cat and 13 heartworm positive dogs were also adopted on this day, including black Lab mix Deke, who bonded with an autistic boy looking for a support animal. Thanks to your donations to FOTAS and its “Have a Heart, Save a Heart” program, all of the heartworm positive dogs at the shelter go home with medicine to treat and cure their condition. Thank you so much for coming out and adopting these animals in need.

Kitten JULIET gets adopted by Samantha Maynard during Clear the Shelter Day, Aug. 17.

While the shelter continues to be overwhelmed with more strays and unwanted pets received each day, your help and participation make such a difference! If you are looking to adopt, foster or volunteer, please come to the Aiken County Animal Shelter, 333 Wire Road. Or contact FOTAS at (803) 514-4313 or info@fotasaiken.org.

Their lives are in our hands.

–By Bob Gordon, FOTAS Communications Director

BY THE NUMBERS
Nationwide, the Clear the Shelters 2019 campaign, resulted in the adoption of more than 147,000 pets from nearly 2,000 participating shelters. Since it began in 2015, the Clear the Shelters initiative has resulted in nearly 400,000 pets finding their forever homes.

PETS OF THE WEEK

PRISCILLA
Mixed breed, female, 2 years old, 36 pounds – $35

KAI
Domestic Shorthair, male, 3 months old, Tabby, 2 pounds – $10