Category Archives: News

2021, Doggie Day Out, Dogs, FOTAS, News, Pibbles

Shelter Dog Seaver Will Dance His Way Into Your Heart

Posted on by Bob Gordon
04
Feb

Seaver is a dancing machine. No, really! When this handsome dog gets excited, his front two feet become a blur as he gracefully taps his paws on the ground like a canine Fred Astaire. When he anticipates going for a walk, receiving a treat or meeting a new person, his eyes light up, his tail slaps the floor and his white paws jump and glide while he smiles and prances in place.

Sweet Seaver arrived at the Aiken County Animal Shelter more than 6 weeks ago and is still looking for a forever home. If you would like to adopt this wonderful dog, please call the shelter, (803) 642-1537, option 5 or send an email to info@fotasaiken.org.

It is adorable to see 4-year-old, 64-pound Seaver express his joy this way and we thought posting a video of him in action would catch the attention of potential adopters. But despite getting thousands of views and many shares on social media, Seaver is still looking for a forever home.

Besides his great moves, Seaver is also an extremely good-looking dog. His black coat with white markings on his feet, face and chest combined with his soulful eyes make him a stunner. He’s also housebroken and walks well on a leash. And did I mention he loves children? He does and he instinctively knows to be gentle around little ones.

Seaver on a Doggie Day Out.

Yet, still this amazing dog sits in his shelter kennel, waiting for a home.
Seaver also loves to go on car rides. He’s been on numerous Doggie Days Out with volunteers and behaves himself, enjoying the scenery and human company. Nearly every time he returns from his Doggie Day Out adventures, the folks comment on what a terrific boy he is.

Seaver dances in place when he gets excited.

But despite these rave reviews, he’s on his second month of watching other dogs get chosen instead of him. So, what’s going on here?

We’re not sure but we think it is because Seaver does best being an only pet. He is not generally aggressive towards other pets and can be seen at the shelter giving kisses to dogs that walk by his kennel. But he doesn’t want to share his home with other animals and this limits his adoption opportunities.

However, if you are looking for just one awesome dog to be your best friend for life, Seaver is ready to dance his way into your heart. If you would like to adopt Seaver and can give him a loving home or know someone who would be a good match for this cutie, please call the Aiken County Animal Shelter, 803.642.1537 (option # 5) or email info@fotasaiken.org and make an appointment to visit him.

Their lives are in our hands.

— By Bob Gordon, FOTAS Communications Director

2021, abandoned animals, ANIMAL CRUELTY, Cats, FOTAS, neglected pets, News, senior pets

Abandoned Senior Cat Snowball Deserves So Much Better

Posted on by Bob Gordon
03
Feb

She was devastated when they didn’t return home. Beautiful, 7-year-old house cat Snowball was abandoned and left outside to fend for herself when her owners moved away.

For six months, this senior white cat was on her own, braving the elements and foraging for food. Luckily, a kind neighbor eventually noticed her wandering outside and fed the hungry feline. But the neighbor was allergic to cats and couldn’t keep her; so when the temperatures started dropping in mid-November, they brought Snowball to the Aiken County Animal Shelter.

Snowball was saved by a neighbor of the owners who abandoned her.

When Snowball first arrived, she was scared and did not want any attention. She was clearly confused, upset and not ready to trust again. We put her in a cat condo located in the front lobby, where she remained quiet and glued to her bed. Staff and volunteers periodically visited her and pet her. She allowed people to stroke her fur briefly but then, in a moment of uncertainty, she gently swatted their hand away. It was heartbreaking to see her so sad and distressed.

We moved Snowball to our cat facility – a building that features two big rooms, where cats can run around, play and perch on tall cat trees. When temperatures are milder, the facility also allows the cats to relax in an enclosed, outdoor “catio”. The combination of Snowball enjoying more living space and receiving consistent human affection broke her out of her despair. She now loves it when people visit her and purrs happily when petted. She’s ready to find her forever home.

So, if you are looking for a wonderful kitty to keep you company, make an appointment to visit Snowball. Despite having so much love to give, senior cats like her are often the last to get adopted. However, they make great pets because they understand what it means to be rescued and are most thankful for a second chance at a good life. Senior cats also are already litter box trained and less likely to misbehave. They love to relax as much as you do and make great couch companions! Snowball is happiest when she is napping with you or perched by the window, watching what’s going on outside.

Snowball is a senior housecat who became depressed when she was brought to the shelter. But once she got her bearings, she began to trust again and once again became a loving, affectionate feline.

If you would like to adopt Snowball for only $10, please make an appointment to see her by calling the Aiken County Animal Shelter, 803.642.1537 and choose option #5. Or send a short email to info@FOTASAiken.org.

Their lives are in our hands.

— By Bob Gordon, FOTAS Communications Director

2021, Adoption, Bully Dogs, Chained dogs, Dogs, FOTAS, News, Pibbles, SOCIAL MEDIA

Hilde: One Special Shelter Dog Who Finally Found Her Dream Home

Posted on by Bob Gordon
26
Jan

In the seven years since the new Aiken County Animal Shelter opened, thousands and thousands of dogs have passed through its doors. Dogs of every shape, size, age, condition, breed, and mix of breeds—we’ve seen them all. So, it’s unusual for a particular dog to be indelibly imprinted into my mind (other than my own beloved rescues), but there is one—a beautiful blonde, golden-eyed, pit bull mix named Hilde, who first came to the shelter in 2016.

Hilde and her big, goofy smile.

Hilde was a volunteer and staff favorite, a 55-pound, people-lover with a big, goofy smile. Yet, by the end of January 2017, she held the unfortunate distinction of being the longest canine resident at the shelter. It was a mystery why someone hadn’t scooped up this bundle of love, but day after day, potential adopters walked past her kennel without a second look. After a while, the inevitable stress of shelter life took its toll on Hilde; the light began to fade from her eyes.

FOTAS leaped into action. We initiated Doggie Day Out for Hilde (a program still in effect today), packed her in a car, took her downtown, and paraded her through stores and coffee shops. We wrote about her and marketed her on social media. She spent weekend Doggie Overnights with Kelly, one of our volunteers.

Hilde being loved on by one of her little peeps.

Finally, our efforts paid off. A young family came to the shelter specifically to meet her, fell in love, and adopted her. For months, the family sent us photos of Hilde and the kids, snuggled up on the couch, stretched out on the bed. We were thrilled and relieved. Hilde had a home.

Imagine our horror when, a year later, the Lexington County Animal Shelter notified the shelter (thanks to her microchip) that Hilde had been picked up as a stray—weak, starving, flea-bitten, and terrified. One of the staff immediately hopped in the van to pick her up. When she saw her old friends at the shelter, her tail thumped with joy. We cried—shocked by her condition and profoundly touched by her recognition.

What happened? We never found out. Her “dream” family was not responsive to our calls. Time to start over. First order of business: get Hilde healthy. Second, find her a forever home—this time for real.

It took some time, but Hilde’s a survivor. She got lots of medical attention, exercise, and affection, plus weekends off with her pal, Kelly. When she was ready, we wrote another article about her. Enter Kathy and Greg Bowman. It was a match meant to be.

Hilde shares her toys with her human sister.

But Kathy’s daughter? Not so much. She was worried. A pit bull mix? Would her kids—Kathy’s grandkids—be safe? It didn’t take long to convince her of Hilde’s inherent gentleness and her love for people, particularly children. She witnessed it firsthand: her kids loving on an ecstatic Hilde, snuggled up together on the bed, napping happily away, romping through the yard.

Finally, after all these years and misadventures, Hilde has found her forever home. She deserves it. She even has her own Instagram page: Hilde the Rescue Dog. Check it out!

Godspeed, Hilde. Godspeed.

Their lives are in our hands.

–By Joanna D. Samson, FOTAS Vice President

Hilde fast asleep on Christmas day 2019
2021, Adoption, Bully Dogs, Dogs, FOTAS, neglected pets, News, Pibbles, Volunteer, Volunteers

Local News Anchor Joins FOTAS, Adopts and Promotes Shelter Dogs

Posted on by Bob Gordon
25
Jan

WRDW TV News Anchor and Investigative Reporter Meredith Anderson and her daughter, Ella, have joined FOTAS, and we could not be more pleased to have them on our team. They visit and help socialize the homeless pets at the Aiken County Animal Shelter (ACAS) and both take photos of dogs that Meredith then posts on her popular social media channels.

The Anderson’s Three Musketeers nap on their masters’ bed: Eliza, Mulligan & Hamilton

“With COVID restrictions, social media is their best chance,” Anderson said. “It’s good for my heart because it makes me feel like I am making a real difference. Social media is a powerful thing, and I am thrilled my daughter gets to see it being used for good.”

Added Ella, “I absolutely love volunteering for FOTAS. The best part about it is getting to meet so many adorable, sweet and playful dogs and cats.”

In less than two years, the Andersons went from having no dogs at all to adopting three dogs with special needs from their past abandonment and abuse. The family’s love for shelter dogs began in February 2019, when they saw a big, black pit bull mix named Hank on the FOTAS Facebook page. When Hank was surrendered to the shelter, he shook in fear and had tears in his eyes. The Andersons saw his photo, read his story and couldn’t stop thinking about him. They took Hank home, committed to helping the troubled dog start a new, better life. They hired a trainer and Hank, renamed Hamilton, slowly learned he was loved and became less anxious.

Meredith Anderson takes her adopted dogs to the vet for their check-ups

This year, two more rescue dogs joined Hamilton: Eliza, a huge, gray pit bull, and young Mulligan, a black and white mixed breed that Ella fell in love with while volunteering at the shelter. Eliza is a dog that was shot but refused to leave the spot where someone drowned her puppies. Mulligan, a dog who faced abuse in her past, became a family member in November of 2020.

“It’s been a process for sure,” Meredith posted on her Facebook page shortly after adopting Mulligan. “It took a lot of love, patience and work, but I truly believe this was meant to be.”

Adopting Mulligan has made Eliza happy. While she loves Hamilton, he doesn’t like to play as much as she does, and Mulligan fills that role nicely.

“Mulligan is a runner, so she and Eliza spend the entire day running and playing,” Meredith explained. “It has given Hamilton some peace and quiet. He’s happy to walk away and watch the girls when he’s had enough. We never imagined how this dynamic would benefit all of them so much. “

Ella hugs Mulligan, a dog she bonded with while volunteering at the Aiken County Animal Shelter.

Becoming a FOTAS volunteer is a great way to spend time with animals, and who knows? You might fall in love and add a pet in need to your home, like the Andersons did. Please go to FOTASAiken.org to learn more about volunteering and download an application.

“What I say to people who are planning to volunteer or adopt is, ‘Thank You, that’s very kind of you to think about these poor animals,’” Ella said. “’Never lose that sense of kindness.’”

Their lives are in our hands.

— By Bob Gordon, FOTAS Communications Director

Bosom buddies Mulligan (left) and Eliza.


2021, animal abuse, Dogs, FOTAS, kennel stress, neglected pets, News

Unloved, Neglected Pets Kole and Spice Just Need a Chance

Posted on by Bob Gordon
12
Jan

So many of the pets that arrive at the Aiken County Animal Shelter are family ready. One of our foster families contacted me the other day, saying that they couldn’t figure out how a dog so housebroken and good with other pets could possibly arrive at the shelter as a stray. This always boggles our minds, too. Such well-mannered pets and no one is looking for them.

Kole has a white chest and freckled feet.

Then we get the pets who have been severely neglected, abused and unloved. Unfortunately, these animals can’t tell us their stories. We have to try and put the pieces together and sometimes their backgrounds remain a mystery.

In this category, we have two dogs on our adoption floor who need homes — but they need to be the “right” homes.

Kole is a handsome, black dog with freckled feet. When he arrived as a stray, he was despondent and shut down. Shelter Manager Bobby Arthurs took Kole on as his project. He saw something in Kole and started bringing him hot dogs every day. Well, that was the key! Kole is food motivated but not big on being touched. He is easy to walk and will stay by your side, bumping you with his nose to get a treat. He lets us give him little pats but does not like to be hugged or petted.

Handsome Spice is a playful and sweet dog.

Kole came in around the same time as a very shy, white and tan dog named Spice. For days, Spice hid in the corner, shaking until the kennel staff made progress with him. This poor boy would try to climb the walls to escape our touch. Slowly he learned to go for walks but still hit the ground and flattened out when we tried to pet him. He is doing much better, but it will take time for him to feel completely safe.

Kole (left) and Spice are dealing with a history of neglect and need canine mentors.

Kole and Spice have become buddies and trust each other. Shelter staff take them into the play yard every day and the two comfort each other, walk around together, sniff together. We think these dogs need homes with other dogs who can mentor them and show them how to be “pets”.

Kole and Spice deserve a chance for a happy life in a good home. Yes, they have some issues. But with their past, who wouldn’t? Please share their stories and follow us on Facebook and Instagram. If you are interested in adopting one of these dogs in need, please call the Aiken County Animal Shelter, 803.642.1537 (option # 5) or email info@fotasaiken.org and make an appointment to visit them.

Their lives are in our hands.

– By Kathy Jacobs, FOTAS Programs Coordinator

2020, adopter feedback, Adoption, Dogs, FOTAS, kittens, News

Happy Tails and Adoption Success Stories Reflect the Holiday Spirit

Posted on by Bob Gordon
04
Jan

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

2020, Adoption, Bully Dogs, Dogs, News, Pibbles

Christmas Miracle: Fate Brings Family and Dogs Together

Posted on by Bob Gordon
28
Dec

Sometimes things happen that cannot be explained. My wife, Jennifer, and I recently experienced such an event.

About 15 months ago we adopted Meadow, a white Pitbull mix, from the Aiken County Animal Shelter. We had just lost our favorite dog and wanted to honor him by adopting a dog from the shelter that nobody wanted. Meadow was about 5 years old and overbred. Everyone passed her kennel at the shelter without even looking at her.

We were concerned how our two male dogs would respond to a new female dog entering their lives. We also have horses and didn’t know how Meadow would react to them.

Meadow (left) and Chloe are best buddies.

The dogs accepted her, and she soon became the boss. On her first day, we brought our horse, Bruno, into the barn and introduced him to Meadow. We held our collective breaths when, suddenly, Bruno began to groom Meadow like horses groom each other. We had never seen a horse groom a dog! The grooming sessions became a daily ritual. Since then, Meadow and Bruno have been featured in the paper, our local Channel 12, and the story went viral on Facebook.

Meadow is a star; maybe the best dog we’ve ever owned.

The story doesn’t end there. Sadly, one of our male dogs passed away from cancer this past summer, and Jennifer was determined to adopt another dog in his honor.

This is where the plot thickens. In late November, we adopted two-year old Chloe from the shelter who, like Meadow, is a slightly smaller, overbred, white Pitbull mix. Like Meadow, she has the same soft coat and black spots subtly spread over her body. But, unlike Meadow, Chloe has a stunning black circle around one of her eyes. Except for that black spot, it’s hard to tell them apart.

Meadow and Chloe have become best buddies. They play together, cuddle, constantly kiss each other, and are inseparable. Like Meadow, Chloe immediately commandeered a spot on the most comfortable chairs and couches. Like Meadow, Chloe refused her crate and insists on sleeping on our bed.

Like Meadow, Chloe insists on sleeping on the bed.

They have many of the same habits, traits, and characteristics. We have begun to think maybe it’s more than a coincidence.

Think about it! Meadow was overbred; we know she had several litters of puppies, but we don’t know what happened to any of them. Could it be? Was it fate or some higher power that had us adopt Meadow 15 months ago? Was it fate or some higher power that brought Chloe and Meadow together this past November?

Who’s to say? So, we have made our own happy determination: Chloe is Meadow’s daughter.

That’s our Christmas story and we’re sticking to it! How lucky are we to have three, loving, goofy, happy, affectionate Pitbull mixes to make our home a joyful place? Maybe it’s time for your family to adopt the first, the second, or even a third dog and share that Christmas joy. You won’t be sorry.

FOTAS wishes you and your family a Happy Holiday Season. This year the shelter, once again, saved more than 4,000 animals, thanks to our community’s support. Thank you and God bless.

Their lives are in our hands.

— By Peter Miller, FOTAS Volunteer

2020, Cats, Dr. Lisa Levy, FIV positive felines, injured animals, neglected pets, News, surgeries

A Tale of Two Kitties: Greg and Torino

Posted on by Bob Gordon
22
Dec

I often wish that animals could talk, so they could tell us what happened to them.

Greg is a complete mystery. He is a big, handsome gray cat but his feet were a disaster when he arrived at the shelter. Three of his feet had big, red fleshy areas on the underside. After sedating him to get a better look, I could see one pad on each foot had split open and what I was looking at was the inside of his pad on the outside! The pad had tried to close around it, so this had been going on for some time.

Surgery was extensive. Two of the pads were toe pads, so it was easier and a better prognosis to remove the toe. He lost a toe on one front foot and one rear foot. The real problem was the other front foot, as that was the large pad he walks on. The excess tissue was removed and the pad sewed closed.

Torino quickly recovered from his surgery and was adopted shortly after becoming available at the Aiken County Animal Shelter.

Unfortunately, pads do not heal well and I was worried about his recovery. As predicted, the surgery site opened again – twice! At that point, I just had to bandage it and let it heal on its own. This required weeks of bandage changes, but Greg was the most patient cat I have every dealt with. He is super affectionate, loves to be held and the whole staff loves him.

Greg tested positive for the Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV), so he needs to be an indoor-only cat. FIV positive cats can live with FIV negative cats if they get along since it is transmitted primarily by bite wounds. But since we don’t know if Greg gets along with other cats, and don’t want to take a chance of infecting another cat, we recommend he be adopted as an only cat.

Torino came into the shelter with the string from a “fuzzy dice” car ornament wrapped around his rear leg, cutting off the circulation. I had already left for the day so when Judith, my vet tech, called, I thought I would just be going in to sedate him and remove the string. But one look at his leg and I could tell the muscles of his leg were dead. Our only option was an emergency amputation. Dead muscles can quickly make an animal extremely sick.

We had no idea if Torino would be friendly and adoptable. If he was feral, he would not be a good candidate for the surgery as he would require antibiotics and follow-up care. What if we couldn’t get our hands on him the next day? I decided to give him a chance and go ahead with the surgery. The procedure went well and he recovered normally.

Young Xander Stefanakos spends time with Greg, a super affectionate FIV positive cat who needs a loving home.

The next day we could touch him but he cowered in the back of his kennel, preferring to be left alone. Amazingly, after three days, when Judith was cleaning his kennel, Torino rubbed his head against her hand and started purring. He became very loving and was adopted quickly after his recovery was complete.

Both of these cats defied the odds and will make great pets for their lucky adopters. Sometimes they just need to be given a chance. Torino is doing great in his new home and sweet Greg is still waiting to be adopted.

— By Dr. Lisa Levy, Aiken County Animal Shelter Veterinarian

2020, adopter feedback, Adoption, ANIMAL CRUELTY, Dogs, FOTAS, neglected pets, News

Stray Dog Toby Escapes Hard-Knock Life to Become Cherished Family Member

Posted on by Bob Gordon
17
Dec

Dogs living in animal shelters remind me of the iconic Broadway play, “Annie”. Early in the show, Annie and the other orphans sing, “It’s a hard-knock life.” With lyrics like “instead of kisses, we get kicked” you quickly learn that these girls, like shelter dogs, have experienced bad things in their lives but they still hope someone will love them.

Toby was just such a dog when a special “guardian angel” named Charlene found him. One February night, Charlene saw a dog with no collar walking in a parking lot by a busy road. Even though she was on her way to Church, she stopped to check on him. She returned later in the evening to take Toby home, but he was gone. Store workers told her the dog had been coming around since a man threw the little dog out of his car in their parking lot. For six weeks, Toby had been living on a few scraps the workers gave him and he was sleeping outside during the cold nights.

Toby relaxes at his forever home.

Charlene came back the next day and found Toby. When she put him in her car, he began shaking violently in fear. Charlene couldn’t keep Toby, but she tried to place him with friends. In the end, she took him to the Aiken County Animal Shelter. The FOTAS volunteers assured her he would be well cared for until a suitable owner could be found.

In the meantime, we were ready to adopt a dog into our family. We didn’t want a puppy, but we did need a smaller dog because of the size of our backyard. In early March, we met Toby shortly after he was brought to the shelter and we instantly fell in love. We proceeded with the adoption and posed for a picture to be placed on the FOTAS Facebook page. As luck would have it, a mutual friend saw the picture and told Charlene. We connected and she shared the sad story of how she found him. Her insight helped us to understand some of his anxiety issues.

Our first days with Toby were a learning curve. He didn’t know how to play with toys nor was he leash trained. His fear of other dogs and people left him shaking and very anxious.

Lyddie and Charlie Hansen adopt Toby.

A visit to Dr. Holly Woltz provided us with some tools to socialize Toby and help him live his best life. Today, Toby loves his daily walks. He nuzzles all of the dogs in the neighborhood and happily greets their owners. His favorite friend is Luna, a large black dog who is equally happy to see our little Puggle. As for toys, he loves to play fetch with his pink elephant!

The story of Toby culminates in much the same way as in the play when Annie sings with Daddy Warbucks, “I Don’t Need Anything but You”. Toby is in his forever home and brings us much joy. We even have his picture on this year’s Christmas card. He completes our family, and we are grateful to Charlene and our friends at FOTAS for bringing us together.

— By Lyddie Hansen, FOTAS Supporter

2020, Donate, donations, FOTAS, GivingTuesday, News, Where your donations go, Where your donations go

GivingTuesday: Please Consider Contributing to FOTAS on Dec. 1

Posted on by Bob Gordon
01
Dec

This Tuesday, Dec. 1, is a global day of giving – an opportunity for people to contribute to the greater good in support of charities that are important to them. GivingTuesday was started in 2012 and always takes place on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving. FOTAS is participating in this wonderful event and has a generous donor who will match donations up to $7,500.

Like most organizations, FOTAS and the Aiken County Animal Shelter (ACAS) have felt the negative impact of the 2020 pandemic. We had to suspend our big fundraising events this year due to the COVID-19 crisis. The annual FOTAS Playing Fore the Pets golf outing and Woofstock Doggie Derby Day are scheduled to carry on in 2021, but it hurt having to cancel them in 2020. With the pandemic causing such chaos, every dollar you donate is more important than ever and greatly appreciated.

FOTAS Programs Coordinator Kathy Jacobs comforts Roger, a scared Retriever mix , at the Aiken County Animal Shelter.

Where your donations go
All FOTAS donations go directly to programs that help save the homeless pets at the ACAS.
Your donations pay for:
• Specialized surgery and physical rehab for adoptable dogs and cats who arrive abused, injured or sick

• Medical treatments such as those for heartworm positive dogs

• Medical equipment and facility improvements at the shelter

• Transports of shelter pets who are not locally adopted. to rescues in the northeast Without these transports, our shelter would be overcrowded and at risk of having to euthanize adoptable pets.

• Fenced-in play yards for incoming dogs

• Flea and tick treatment, leashes, toys collars, beds for the shelter animals

• Spay/neuter for community cats and pets whose owners need financial assistance

• Humane runners to get pet dogs of chains

• Food for community pets in need

• Adoption fees for active military and veterans


We are thankful to the Aiken community
The shelter took in more than 4,000 abandoned, neglected and abused animals last year and continues to receive high numbers of homeless pets in 2020.

KAI, a Siamese kitten, gets used to his cast after an operation that saved his leg. He is now being fostered by a FOTAS volunteer.

But thanks to your donations, the euthanasia rate at the ACA has dropped from 71% in 2013 to less than 5% in 2019. To put it another way, the save rate at the shelter is 95%, a complete turnaround from where we were when we started out 10 years ago. In fact, every adoptable animal has been saved over the last three years.

How to donate to the homeless pets at the county shelter
To donate to FOTAS, please go to our website, FOTASAiken.org. We are a volunteer-based organization and a registered 501c3 public charity and all donations are tax deductible. FOTAS is a recipient of the Secretary of State of South Carolina Angel Award – one of ten, out of 14,000 organizations, recognized as representing the most efficient and effective charities in SC.

Thanksgiving is a time to reach out. We give thanks to our community – volunteers, donors, adopters, the county council, and county staff – as we head into GivingTuesday to continue our life-saving programs.

Their lives are in our hands.

— By Bob Gordon, FOTAS Communications Director