Category Archives: surrendered pets

2020, Cats, Events, FOTAS, Fundraisers, neglected pets, News, senior pets, surrendered pets

Coco & Mia’s Owners Moved Away Without Them

Posted on by Bob Gordon
21
Jan

Coco would not eat or even groom herself. The 6-year-old, long-haired, gray and white beauty just slept or watched visitors with a suspicious eye when they approached her cat condo at the Aiken County Animal Shelter (ACAS).

COCO (left) looks out for her bestie, MIA.

But then we moved Mia, the 2-year-old gray Tabby Coco was surrendered with, into Coco’s condo and everything changed. Coco started strutting around and stretching, ate some food and cleaned and groomed her coat, making it gorgeous again. She even took some cat treats from a staff member’s hand. It was then we knew that Mia and Coco were bonded and needed to be adopted together.

Poor Coco and Mia were surrendered by their owners, who didn’t include them in their moving plans. So, now they only have each other.

While not uncommon, bonded adult animals at the shelter tend to take longer to adopt out since people are often seeking one pet to join their other, established pets at home. But Coco and Mia would be perfect for a person or family who doesn’t have any cats and want to add some furry indoor-only felines to their home. Double the cats, double the love! Both Coco and Mia are spayed and can be adopted for just $20.

COCO (left) and MIA are bonded indoor-only kitties who need to be adopted together.

SHELTER HAS EXTENDED ADOPTION HOURS TUESDAY & THURSDAY
Don’t forget! The ACAS now has extended adoption hours on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The shelter is open for adoptions until 7 p.m. twice a week to make it more convenient for you to visit and select a homeless pet for your family. The shelter’s adoption hours are: Monday, Wednesday and Friday — 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday — 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. And on Saturday the shelter is open for adoptions from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

REGISTER TO RUN IN FIRST FOTAS FURRY 5K RACE
Register to run in first FOTAS Furry 5K race A race to benefit the homeless animals at the ACAS is scheduled for Saturday, February 1 at Generations Park in Aiken.

Logo for the First Annual FOTAS Furry 5K

The First Annual FOTAS Furry 5K and 1-Mile Fun Run will feature adoptable dogs from the county shelter and FOTAS will be accepting dog and cat food donations as well as toys, treats and other goodies at the event. Participants can bring their own furry friend to run with them and are encouraged to dress up their dog for the canine costume competition.

The special event is being organized by 2 Girls and a Clock Racing & Timing Services and registration can be done on runsignup.com through Jan. 28. Late comers can also register in person on the day of the event.

The 1-Mile Fun Run starts at 8:30 a.m. and the 5K race begins at 9 a.m. Winners of the 5K will receive awards and prize raffles will be held following the race. For more information about this event, please go to fotasaiken.org.

— By Bob Gordon, FOTAS Communications Director

PETS OF THE WEEK

PIPPA
Mixed breed, female, 4 years old, red, 56 pounds – $35

ARCHER
Domestic medium-hair, male, 2 months old, Tabby, 2 pounds – $10

2019, Bully Dogs, Dogs, donations, Events, fostering, FOTAS, Fundraisers, News, surrendered pets, TNR Program, Volunteers

The Christmas Season of Kindness and Hope

Posted on by Bob Gordon
30
Dec

The good doctor was on his way to work in Augusta when he spotted two large bully dogs on the Aiken-Augusta Highway. Concerned about their safety on the busy, four-lane road, he pulled over and coaxed the dogs—who were healthy, well-behaved, and in good shape—into his car. Figuring they had to be someone’s pets, the doctor turned around and headed for the Aiken County Animal Shelter.

A young volunteer reads to a shelter dog to help socialize him and keep him company.

Bobby Arthurs, the shelter manager, was on site when the doctor arrived with the dogs. He agreed with his assessment that the dogs were well-cared for, so he scanned them for a microchip. Turns out, they were microchipped, and in short order, Bobby had identified the owner and a contact number. The owner, who was at work, was both alarmed his beloved dogs had escaped their yard and relieved they were safe.

Wait—the story gets better. The good doctor offered to drive the dogs to their owner even though he was late to work. First, he called the hospital; then he loaded the dogs into his car (again) and drove back to Aiken to reunite the dogs with the owner.

We often fill these pages with stories of hard luck and sadness—distressed, baffled dogs surrendered to the shelter by their owners or dumped on some county road—and we are often pleading for help to relieve overcrowding at the shelter or to save a particularly special dog. But today I want to celebrate the many acts of kindness and sacrifice, both large and small, that make it possible for FOTAS and the shelter to save thousands of dogs every year.

Dasher was fostered by the Simons family during the Christmas holiday, and shortly after he was adopted to a good home.

Whether it’s a volunteer making calls for one little lost dog, or Bobby Arthurs organizing a pre-dawn pickup to feature adoptable animals on the local news at 6 a.m., or the shelter adoption coordinator giving up a day off during the busy holiday season, or FOTAS volunteers taking dogs to a special event on a hot summer day, or someone who fosters a hard–to-place dog who has been on the adoption floor for a long time, or school children who pool their allowances to buy much-needed supplies for the shelter, or kind citizens who bring in community cats for TNR or adopt senior dogs or foster medical-needs dogs or the folks who bring in wishlist donations on their own time. . . the amount of effort expended to save these animals breathtaking.

FOTAS volunteers bring shelter dogs to USC Aiken Pet-a-Pup event.

What is Christmas but the season of good will and hope?

Here’s to hoping for the day that all pets are fixed, no dogs are tethered to logging chains, no animals are dumped by the side of the road, no boxes of abandoned puppies and kitties are dropped off at the shelter, and every pet is a cared-for, cherished family member.

Thank you and God bless you and your family this Christmas season.

By the way, if the Christmas spirit moves you to adopt your next pet, now’s the time!

Their lives are in our hands.

— By Joanna D. Samson, FOTAS Vice-President

BY THE NUMBERS

The Aiken County Animal Shelter has greatly reduced and waived adoption fees through Jan. 1. The shelter is full, so now is the perfect time to adopt a dog or cat.

PETS OF THE WEEK

TANNER: Retriever mix, male, 1-1/2 years old, 73 pounds – $35

BIRDIE: Domestic Shorthair cat, female, 2 years old, 14 pounds – $10

2019, Adoption, Chained dogs, Dogs, FOTAS, Home-to-Home adoption program, News, surrendered pets

Home to Home Program Successful, 100 Plus Pets Already Adopted

Posted on by Bob Gordon
07
Oct

In the seven months since FOTAS started our Home to Home Program, we have found homes for more than 110 animals.

That is 110 dogs and cats that did not come through the Aiken County Animal Shelter’s doors. That’s 110 animals who went from a loving home that could no longer provide for them or keep them, to a loving home that could. Had those animals come to the Shelter instead, they would have suffered a much different experience.

The Home to Home program is a new adoption option that also helps animals avoid the fear and stress of facing a shelter environment.

Odds are they would have ultimately found another loving home, because our save rate is now consistently over 90 percent, but before that happened, they would have been kept in an unfamiliar cage, frightened by other barking and noisy animals. Chances are they would have cowered when potential adopters came by. They may have greeted them, or they may have refused to come forward and reduced their own chances of adoption. The shelter volunteers would come every day to walk dogs and play with cats, and some lucky few will spend time in a foster home, but as they say there’s nothing like home – your own home.

Home to Home is free to use, free to adopt and we’ve had some wonderful success stories. One such story featured Dirty, a poor German shorthair chained to a tree and abandoned when her owner moved away. Rescued by some kind neighbors, Dirty found a wonderful new home two hours after being posted on FOTAS’ Facebook page and on the Home to Home site. Her horrible plight touched a kind woman’s soul. Pictures the next day showed Dirty living the life she should have always had, stretched out on a porch and asleep on a couch. Hopefully, soon her previous circumstances will be like a bad dream.


Dirty, a dog chained to a tree and rescued by good Samaritans, found a forever home within hours of being posted on the FOTAS Facebook page and Home to Home website.

Owners may be forced to give up their pet due to a move, facing a severe illness, or a death in the family. There have been owners that ultimately decide their family may not be the right home for their pet because they don’t have the time to spend with them that the animal deserves.

A month after posting the animal, I follow up with the owners to see if they’ve found a new home and those that have not are re-posted. Sometimes the second time is truly the charm and someone new sees the post and responds.

Not all animals are adopted and some ultimately end up being surrendered to the shelter. However, every animal kept out of the shelter is not only saved from that stressful situation, but also frees up space for a stray or abused animal without another choice.

Dirty relaxes in her new forever home.

There are many reasons a family may choose to give up an animal, but most who ultimately want the best for their pets find the Home to Home program a welcome relief. I’ve had some heartwarming thank you notes from owners so happy to see their pet go to a home more suited for their needs. To see available pets for adoption, please go to fotas.home-home.org.

Their lives are in our hands.

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

2019, Dogs, FOTAS, injured animals, kittens, neglected pets, News, Shelter staff, surgeries, surrendered pets

A Tale of Tails: A Little Bit Shorter Now

Posted on by Bob Gordon
18
Jul

We have all experienced that strange phenomenon where things seem to come in waves, or the old saying that things happen in “threes”. Well for the month of June that trend was tail surgery and it wasn’t three; it was five! I normally perform one or two tail amputations per year. But this particular month the tail injuries kept coming.

First there was Bolt. Bolt is a very energetic Pittie mix. After only a few days at the shelter he developed what we lovingly call “happy tail”. He wags his tail so much he hit it against the walls of his kennel causing the tip to bleed. Normally a wrap on his tail for several days resolves the problem. Unfortunately, Bolt was not a fan of having his tail wrapped and despite bitter apple spray and the dreaded cone of shame around his head, he still managed to get his wraps off. The tail wound kept getting worse and finally I decided to amputate his tail when it became clear that it would never heal. His facial features are a little like a Boxer’s, so we made his tail end match.

His tail healed beautifully and we may have prevented his forever home from having to deal with that exuberant tail knocking everything off the coffee table.

Scraps arrived with a badly injured tail but felt better after the dead tissue was surgically removed.

Then came the 3 kittens Scraps, Sagwa, and Ren. They came in about a week apart.

Scraps was first. About ¾ of his tail was black and hard, meaning all of the tissue was dead and had been for a while. After surgery, the poor little guy hardly had any tail left, but then again neither does a Manx cat. However, he was more playful after surgery, so I think he felt better without that dead tail.

Sagwa is a beautiful little Siamese mix. She came in with the last half of her tail just hanging on by a piece of skin and the bone exposed. She healed very quickly and was adopted within one hour of being put on the adoption floor.

Last of the kittens was Ren. He was the luckiest of the three as only about the last third of his tail was injured, so he was able to keep most of his tail.

Black kitten Ren goes home with his new family.

Finally, there was Magyver (yes, I spelled it wrong on purpose). He is one of my most challenging cases this year. He is a shepherd mix brought in by animal control with multiple areas on his body covered in maggots. In order for a dog to be that severely infested, they have to be weak enough to allow flies to stay on them long enough to lay eggs, which then hatch into maggots.

My two vet techs and I got to work and it took an hour to shave all the affected areas and flush out all those gross little things. After many years of practice there are not a lot of things that make me squeamish, but maggots are still one of them. (You’ve heard the expression “gag a maggot”. Well, I really think it’s the people who gag!)

X-rays revealed he had a fractured pelvis which is probably why he was reluctant to move to stop the flies. The next few days his skin felt like leather from all the scabs. He would not make eye contact and his eyes looked defeated.

Bolt looks better — and feels better — with a docked tail.

I wasn’t sure he was going to make it but slowly with medication he started to improve. Then his tail turned black and I knew the tissue was so damaged it could not be saved. So Magyver became my fifth tail amputation. As he healed, his spirits started to improve and after two weeks we finally got our first wag of that stump of a tail. I was so happy I almost cried. He was finally showing us he was happy to be alive.

The next day I got my first kiss on the face. His skin continued to heal and his hair is growing back. This amazing dog is in foster care and getting stronger every day. And that makes it all worthwhile.

–– By Dr. Lisa Levy, ACAS Veterinarian

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

Fostering Prepares Pets for Adoption and Saves Lives

Posted on by Bob Gordon
25
Jun

The need for foster homes is greater than ever. The Aiken County Animal Shelter is full of puppies, dogs, cats and kittens who are confused and afraid. So far in June, we have taken in more than 400 animals in just three weeks. There are only so many places to put these animals.

Yvonne Brookes works with her foster dog, WALTER, who since has been adopted.

Fostering saves lives and is rewarding beyond words! It gives strays and surrendered pets time to decompress, heal and thrive and when people temporarily take them into their homes, it makes room for more animals at the shelter. We choose foster pets that are easy to rehome and often need only a week in your care. Puppies and kittens need a bit longer — two to four weeks.

Young Boxer mix FANCY enjoys her stay with the Brookes family while waiting to be adopted
Senior Beagle ERNIE arrived at the shelter with a serious wound but healed in a foster home and then was adopted to a great family.

Fancy, a young female Boxer mix now available for adoption, has enjoyed spending time at the home of FOTAS fosters Colin and Yvonne Brookes.

“Fancy is the most amazing little house dog,” Yvonne noted. “Calm and polite, she is a joy to have around. Loves to play with her toys and fetch balls. She is housebroken and adores travelling in the car with you. She is good with adults, children and most dogs. She will sit on command and is very trainable – always eager to please. Come give this girl some sugar and a forever home … she will love you forever in return.”

Ernie, a senior Beagle, came to us with a large wound and needed time in foster care. After being in a foster home for a week, he was adopted and his new mom reported back, “He is the best — absolutely perfect! I have been looking for a dog for three years and I am so glad I waited.”

Volunteers often write notes to the people who adopt their foster animals. Here are some examples:

“These young dogs are so fabulous. They love to play together and keep each other company. They were skittish and fearful at first, but we walk twice a day in the woods and at every turn they run back to me. We have really enjoyed watching them blossom!” – Foster Betty Ryberg

“This Southern Doll Baby is stout, sturdy, wiggles when she walks and just adorable. She plays well with her foster brother. She is guaranteed to put a smile on your face. Does not bark. Enjoy her as we have.” – Fosters Gary and Toni Urben

FOTAS Volunteer Gary Urben has been fostering ACAS dogs for a long time.

“Blake is a super happy and beautiful dog. He wags his tail vigorously at the sight of his people. He is crate-trained, walks off leash with other dogs easily, comes when called, sits on command, and is eager to learn. Blake enjoys playing with other dogs, shares food and toys well. We really loved having him in our life for the week.” – Foster Shana Pearsons

Foster parents help get these pets ready for forever homes and the adopting families are so grateful. They love their rescue dogs and love to know that someone else loved them, too.

If you are interested in fostering, please contact FOTAS at info@fotasaiken.org or (803) 514-4313. You can also come to the County Animal Shelter at 333 Wire Road and fill out a short application.

Their lives are in our hands.

— By Kathy Jacobs, FOTAS Program Director

PETS OF THE WEEK

NIGELLA
German Shepherd, female, 4 years old, 65 pounds – $35

OLIVIA
Domestic Medium-hair kitten, 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, animal care education, Chained dogs, County Animal Control, County animal laws, Dogs, FOTAS, Junior FOTAS, microchipping, News, Spay/Neuter, surrendered pets

Animal Control Officers: Friends, not Dog Catchers

Posted on by Bob Gordon
15
Apr

by Kathy Jacobs, FOTAS Program Director

I often go to area schools to talk to students about responsible pet ownership and proper animal care.

When we talk about how animals come into the Aiken County Animal Shelter, I tell the students that animal control officers as well as members of our community rescue and bring in stray dogs and cats. When asked by a show of hands how many believe animal control officers are mean, most will raise their hands. These young people have watched many animated movies and television shows that portray these community helpers as “dog catchers” – the cruel characters that drag Bolt and his friends into the dreaded animal shelter. What a misconception!

Officer Creel poses with Tall Pines STEM Academy students after talking to them about his job and giving them tips on how they can help homeless pets in their community.

Our community is very lucky to have officers that protect us and our pets from unvaccinated, sometimes aggressive animals. They look out for the neglected, abused and unloved pets in our area. They rescue dogs that have been left in the heat and cold without proper shelter, food and water. They bring in horses and pigs that have escaped their enclosures. These are the good guys.

Recently, Officer Brandon Creel attended our Junior FOTAS meeting at Tall Pines STEM Academy. He brought a catch pole, a scanner that reads microchips and demonstrated to the students how he and the other officers are trying to help. He explained that when officers use catch poles, it is as much for the dog’s protection as their own. Dogs can’t say “Stop,” but they can bite out of fear. If a dog bites an officer, not only will the officer be injured but the dog will have to go into quarantine. Therefore, the catch pole safely gets the dog into a kennel where they can decompress at the shelter. The scanner, he explained, helps officers identify and return dogs and cats to their homes without having to go to the shelter.

Officer Creel enjoys a light moment with students while teaching them about his job duties.

The officers also pick up scared strays, issue tickets to those who do not vaccinate, and educate the public about how to properly care for their pets. They save so many lives!

Officer Creel told the students that there are three things they can do to help: make sure their pets are vaccinated, ensure their animals are spayed and neutered, and speak up when they see an animal in need.

Aiken County is in good hands with this group of animal control officers. At the end of the work day, you will often see them visiting the dogs in their kennels, handing out pet treats and petting cats that need socializing. It’s their way of showing these animals that they do care about them and want them to be happy. Many of the officers have even adopted animals that they have rescued from the streets.

Their lives are in our hands.

BY THE NUMBERS
From April 1 to 10, the Aiken County Animal Shelter received 115 strays and surrendered pets. That’s more than 11 a day!

PETS OF THE WEEK
HUDSON: Terrier mix, male, 2 years old, 26 pounds – $35

SMOKEY: Domestic Medium Haired cat, female, 9 years old, 6 pounds – $10

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, Adoption, Bully Dogs, Cats, Dogs, FOTAS, News, surrendered pets, Volunteer

Dog Cries Real Tears When Owner Leaves him at Shelter

Posted on by Bob Gordon
25
Feb

A few weeks ago, I was finishing up some paperwork at the shelter and saw a handsome Labrador mix sitting quietly, looking up at his owner. She was surrendering him. The dog looked so sad and confused. His owner seemed upset as well.

Sookie is a beautiful, declawed Calico available for adoption at the Aiken County Animal Shelter.

One of the veterinary assistants tried to soothe the dog, but he just shook and refused to leave his owner’s side. A kennel tech came in and picked him up, all 50 pounds, and carried him to medical. I followed as my heart was now invested.

Then I saw something that I had not witnessed before, something that I will never forget. The black Lab had tears in his eyes, with some trickling down his face. His cheeks were puffing in and out and his breathing was rapid. I was stunned. It was like watching a child be taken from his parents. He was heartbroken.

Later, I went and sat with him in his kennel. He already had a fluffy blanket that someone had kindly donated and a toy that some local children had made for shelter dogs. He was just sad. I held him and he snuggled close, desperately seeking comfort.

When he was moved to the adoption floor, this dog, Hank, stole the hearts of all the volunteers! He is the most charming boy and you can see how incredibly loving he is when you look into his big eyes. Unfortunately, potential adopters have passed Hank by for other dogs and he has been on the adoption floor for weeks. He still smiles when visitors arrive but when they leave, he gets depressed. We are desperate to find handsome Hank a new forever home where he can be happy and loved.

Labrador mix Hank cried when he was separated from his owner, but he’s eager to find a new home.

Not long after Hank arrived, a lovely, 13-year-old Calico cat was surrendered as well. Being in a house all her life, it was a very frightening experience for her to come to the shelter. Staff and volunteers worry about her as so many people overlook older pets to adopt a kitten or young cat.

Sookie sat quietly in her kennel at first but allowed us to hold her. When we put her in the lobby for adoption, the declawed feline became fearful and confused – even sometimes hissing at people. This is not because she is a mean cat; she just doesn’t know what is going on and misses her home and family. We are working with her and hoping to earn her trust, but hoping even more that someone will come rescue Sookie and give her the home she deserves.

Please understand that sometimes it is necessary for a pet to be surrendered; it may be the only option for someone. But these animals need comfort and love. It is extremely confusing and scary for them to enter the shelter with all the loud barking, meowing, strange surroundings…all the different smells, the new people.

Please consider volunteering with us to help these wonderful animals, either at the Aiken County Animal Shelter or by fostering them at your home. You can also help by donating to FOTAS so we can purchase the blankets, toys, collars, flea treatments and other items needed to give these animals some comfort. To volunteer, stop by the shelter at 333 Wire Road in Aiken or contact FOTAS at (803) 514-4313 or info@angelhartlinedesigns.com.

Their lives are in our hands.

— By Kathy Jacobs, FOTAS Program Director

2019, animal abuse, Cats, County Animal Control, Dogs, FOTAS, injured animals, kittens, neglected pets, News, Spay/Neuter, surrendered pets, TNR Program, Uncategorized

Save Lives and Stop Needless Suffering by Fixing your Pets

Posted on by Bob Gordon
18
Feb

When people talk about our chronic dog and cat overpopulation problem, they usually focus on the overwhelming numbers – and rightfully so. Millions of pets lose their lives each year because people don’t spay/neuter their animals.

Stray dog Thaddeus arrived at the shelter with a gunshot wound so severe, his right back leg was turned to powder and had to be amputated.

Puppies and kittens will soon be pouring into the County Shelter because some citizens are not getting their pets spayed/neutered.

In fact, the Aiken County Animal Shelter (ACAS) takes in approximately 125 unwanted animals per week during the summer months. When you do the math, the total number of animals coming into the shelter is staggering and the only solution to the problem is spaying and neutering your pets.

It’s really easy and inexpensive to get your pets fixed now, thanks to the County’s spay/neuter voucher program and FOTAS’s Fix-a-Pet program. The SPCA Albrecht Center clinic and participating local veterinarians accept these vouchers, available at the County Shelter, which reduces the cost of fixing your pet to $15 or less.

Wagener, a young stray cat arrived at the shelter in severe pain because her birth canal was too small, and she couldn’t deliver her kittens. She was saved but some of her babies died inside her.

FOTAS and the County also offer a Trap, Neuter & Return (TNR) program for feral and community cats that is helping to reduce feline overpopulation in the area. Cats must be brought to the shelter in a trap, which you can borrow from the ACAS. Trapped cats can be brought to the shelter at 333 Wire Road in Aiken on Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday mornings at 8 a.m. and picked up later the same day. Call the ACAS for more information, (803) 642-1537.

Mama dog Angeline was scared and exhausted when she was brought in with her starving puppies.

Last year, Aiken County and FOTAS paid for the spay/neuter of 1,287 pets owned by citizens in financial need and 1,099 community/feral cats.

Yellow Retriever Angeline and her starving puppies were brought to the ACAS by an animal control officer. The mama dog was suffering and freezing to keep her puppies alive. Exhausted and ribs visible, Angeline was afraid of human touch but she and her pups are now recovering with the care of FOTAS foster volunteers.

February is National Spay/Neuter Awareness Month, an ideal time to encourage people to have their pets sterilized before the spring and summer months, when there is a rampant overproduction of puppies and kittens. It’s also a time to recognize one other aspect of this issue: needless suffering. These animals not only are filling our shelters but when wandering on their own, searching for mates and food, they also can face horrible and painful consequences.

Thaddeus is a stray who was shot while homeless and searching for food.

So, we’re asking you to help us do better this year. Let’s spread the word about the importance of spay/neuter to our family, friends, acquaintances and even strangers.

Also, please join us in thanking the folks who are helping to fight this animal overpopulation battle. We thank the Aiken County Council for its support of the vital Spay/neuter voucher program; Code Enforcement Director Paige Bayne for the awesome management of the County Spay/Neuter voucher program; The ACAS vet clinic for their TNR work; and our FOTAS TNR veterinarian partners, Aiken Animal Hospital, Aiken Veterinary Clinic, Silver Bluff Veterinary Clinic and Veterinary Services of Aiken.

Their lives are in our hands.

— By Bob Gordon, FOTAS Communications Director

By the Numbers
So far this month (Feb 1-15), the Aiken County Shelter has taken in 176 strays and surrendered pets.


Pets of the Week
REESE
Catahoula Leopard dog mix, male, 1 year old, 57 pounds – $35

WILLY
Domestic shorthair cat, male, 3 years old, 12 pounds – $10