Category Archives: News

Shelter Dog Spirit Overcomes Adversity, Hopes for a Forever Home

The 27-pound mixed breed female that hobbled out of the roadside woods to greet Patrick Miller, Animal Control Officer, was bringing a lesson to share. Patrick suspected a hit and run with the number of cuts in her body and the skew of her bloodied jaw. Her ribs were defined under white and brown fur […]

Four Furry ACAS Alumni Are Living the Good Life with One Family

Over the last three years, Robin and Bobby Vaughn have adopted four homeless pets from the Aiken County Animal Shelter (ACAS). This quartet of two kittens, Ripley and Charlee, and two dogs, Cody and Bella, are enjoying the good life on the Vaughn family farm with a stray cat, five horses and a rooster. “While […]

Sweet Savannah Wants To Be Your One and Only Pet

Have you ever known someone who is funny, clever and exceptional around their friends but turns into a stammering, nervous individual when meeting new people? They become a shell of their true personality and shut down in front of strangers? Well, that can be true of dogs, too. Savannah, a stunning, smart dog at the […]

ACAS Is Your Chief Resource for Upcoming Kitten Season

A flood of kittens is about to hit the area. It happens every year, starting in April, peaking in July and August, and sometimes continuing into November. Feline babies of every color, fur length and breed type will soon be popping up throughout the country – including Aiken County. Here is what you can do […]

More Fosters Needed as County Animal Shelter Fills Up

The need for foster homes is great. The Aiken County Animal Shelter is filling up as it does every spring. This causes us to run short on room but also increases the stress level in the kennels. I have been fostering dogs and puppies for six years and absolutely love it! My dogs are more […]

Never Say Never: An Adoption Success Story

Never say never. That’s something I’ve learned over the years, and it’s something that came into full realization when Hitch entered my orbit. “I saw the cutest little Chihuahua mix at the animal shelter today,” is how my fiancé’ Hallie started the conversation. Chihuahua? Cute? Wait a second. That’s a little dog, isn’t it? Years […]

The Joys of Fostering from an Expert

We began fostering puppies with FOTAS and Aiken County Animal Shelter shortly after seeing the conditions in the old shelter on Wire Road. In the almost 10 years since then, we have fostered more than 600 puppies, and our incredible new shelter was built. The only thing that hasn’t changed is that our shelter remains […]

Doggie Days Out: Win-Win Program for Four-Legged and Two-Legged!

When FOTAS and the Aiken County Animal Shelter launched our Doggie Days Out Program, we had no idea just how beneficial it would be for the dogs. Turns out to be great for the volunteers as well! Shelter dogs can shut down due to kennel stress. Some will cower in a corner, some will spin […]

Shelter Dog Replaces Dog of a Lifetime

FOTAS Programs Coordinator Kathy Jacobs knew Scott Albrecht and Harvey were meant to be together. When she first saw Harvey arrive at the Aiken County Animal Shelter (ACAS), she somehow divined that this handsome, black and brown, longhaired dog was the perfect match for him. Harvey was found as a hungry stray at a Shell […]

The Real Story Behind the Numbers

“Figures don’t lie, and liars don’t figure.” That old expression is important when we quantify the accomplishments over the years at the Aiken County Animal Shelter. This success story is a result of the continuous dedication of the shelter staff, FOTAS cherished volunteers, our county government, and a change in attitude throughout Aiken County. FOTAS […]