Number one: Forgiveness.
Take Tug, for example. He was surrendered with several other dogs. Tug had an old fracture that had healed incorrectly and was causing him pain. We amputated his leg, and the very next day he was walking, kissing us and had completely moved on from the painful experience.

Wouldn’t it be great if we lived each day like it was the best new day? What if we could let go of what happened in the past and simply move forward with positivity?

Dogs seem to know how to do that.

Number two: It’s not always about us.
Dogs give love so completely that sometimes it seems as though their happiness comes from making us happy.

Bruno is a fluffy red dog who was surrendered to us with barely any fur and clearly hadn’t had the best life before coming to the shelter. Yet all he wants is to sit on your lap!

He will wiggle over, barely making eye contact, and sit as close to you—or directly on you—as possible, seemingly just hoping to give you comfort and love. It is the sweetest thing ever.

Most of our dogs simply want to make us happy, and that is part of what brings our volunteers back every day. It is incredibly rewarding—and maybe even a little selfish sometimes—because of how much love we receive from animals who have so much love left to give.

Number three: Get over it!
Dogs don’t care if we drive the best cars. They don’t care if we are a little heavier than we used to be. They don’t care if they get steak for dinner.

Dogs just want love.

They don’t need top-of-the-line everything. There are so many ads right now telling us that dogs need refrigerated food, orthopedic beds, supplements and all sorts of other things. Those things are wonderful, and I’m sure dogs appreciate them.

But our shelter dogs are living in kennels.

What they really want is someone to hug them, feed them—kibble is just fine!—and give them a soft place to lie down. A blanket, sofa, bed or your lap are all perfectly acceptable options.

Maybe we humans could stand to simplify things a little, too.

Number four: Don’t judge.
Dogs don’t care if we smell after a run. They don’t care if we’ve had a bad day and don’t feel like talking. They don’t care what we look like, what we own or what kind of day we’re having.

They just love us for who we are.

We can learn a lot from dogs.

If you haven’t experienced the nonjudgmental, unconditional, joyful and endearing love of a dog, you are missing out.

Come volunteer with us. Email info@fotasaiken.org. 

Adopt from us at the Aiken County Animal Shelter, 333 Wire Rd., Aiken, SC.

Whatever you do, get some of that dog love.

You won’t regret it.

Their lives are in our hands.

By Kathy Cagle, FOTAS Programs Coordinator

I was a little shell shocked but ready to meet new people and make new friends. For the first several months I was getting to know Aiken and meeting lots of people but feeling I wasn’t “connecting” and began missing my longtime friendships back in Virginia. As time passed, I had the horrible feeling that we made the wrong choice and even asked my husband if he would consider going back. His answer was a hard “No!” He liked the mild weather, enjoyed playing golf and was falling in love with pickleball.

I began reading the Aiken Standard intently looking for articles about local organizations where I could contribute my time and in October 2023 there was an article that caught my eye. The article was about an organization, FOTAS, desperately looking for people to volunteer to walk dogs at the Aiken County Animal Shelter. I thought to myself, “I can walk a dog and maybe there will be other people there walking dogs. And people who care about animals are really good people.” 

So I signed myself and my husband up for the dog walking training. We began walking dogs which I loved more than I realized. The dogs needed the walks and the social connection as much as I did. And then I began to meet people. A wide range of people. Some older, some younger but all were people that I began to look forward to seeing when I went in to volunteer. And then I began to expand that volunteer experience at the shelter where I felt I could help: Doggie Day Outs, short term Fostering, taking a dog to an event, and Play Group support. 

It has been a life changing three years since I saw that article. I am grateful for all the people I have come to know who share their experience, time, a good laugh and give me new perspectives to consider.  I’ve come to realize that every single person at Aiken County Animal Shelter is a valuable asset. Every member of the staff. Every member and volunteer of FOTAS. Every person who donates. All of us are people who care deeply about the animals who come into the shelter. All of us are working towards improving the lives of each animal and making a better future for them while they are in our care. I hope you’ll consider coming out to volunteer. If you do, I’ll be sure to introduce myself when I meet you on the walking trails. I’m glad we moved to Aiken, South Carolina!

Their Lives Are In Our Hands
by Amy Peterson, FOTAS Volunteer

Dogs are roaming neighborhoods, seeking shade on neighbors’ porches, begging for food or simply wandering because they aren’t properly contained.

As much as we talk about the importance of spaying and neutering, we are finding ourselves having to go back to the very basics of pet ownership: Keep your pets safely contained and provide them with food, water, shelter and veterinary care.

We are also seeing dogs surrendered because their owners are unable—or unwilling—to keep them contained.

Pet ownership comes with responsibility. Pets are a gift we choose to bring into our lives, and there is a level of “parenting” involved. In return, they give us so much: love, companionship, security and friendship.

If you cannot properly care for an animal, please don’t get one. If your children desperately want a pet but you don’t have the financial means, time or energy to care for another living being, it’s okay to say no. A pet is a commitment that can last 10, 15 or even 20 years.

We see what happens when that commitment is forgotten.

Poor Flynn was recently brought back to our shelter. He was adopted from us a year ago and then rehomed multiple times before eventually ending up back where he started. All that bouncing around has left him sad and confused. He doesn’t understand what he did wrong.

Thanks to our volunteers he finally found his smile again this weekend, now he needs a home that will keep him safe and loved!

Aiken County is growing. We see new homes, new neighborhoods and new businesses everywhere. Unfortunately, at the shelter, we are also seeing more animals coming through our doors.

People often ask us, “How can I help?”

Right now, one of the biggest answers is: ADOPT.

If you have the time, resources and commitment to properly care for a dog or cat, now is the time. We have an abundance of wonderful pets desperately needing homes.

Many have already experienced neglect, instability or a lack of love. Imagine what it means to one of these animals to finally have a safe home, a full bowl, a comfortable place to sleep and someone who loves them.

Keep your pets safe. Keep them home. And if you have room in your life for another, please consider adopting.

Their lives are in our hands.
by Kathy Cagle, FOTAS Programs Coordinator

But slowly, they thaw. Week after week, he sits quietly, offers treats, plays a little, and lets them set the pace. Before long, the same dogs who once trembled in the corner are pulling me out of their kennels and trotting happily to Buddy’s room, tails wagging like little metronomes keeping time with their excitement. They know it’s Buddy Time, and they’re all in.

And here’s the sweetest part: Buddy gets just as much joy from these moments as the animals do. Loving a cat or dog — and being loved back — is a happiness that knows no limits. Those four to six hours he spends at the shelter each week? They’re his favorite hours of all.

Like Champ. He was a challenge even getting through a door, and now look at him — sitting on the couch getting loves.

Or his best friend, Fred. Fred wants nothing more in the world than a lap to cuddle up on, and as you can see, he is in his happy place, too.

If you’re someone who loves cats or dogs and has a few hours to spare, I hope you’ll consider joining him. Just reach out to the Aiken County Animal Shelter at info@fotas.com to ask about volunteering. I promise you won’t regret it.

I hope to see you there — maybe during Buddy Time.

To volunteer with FOTAS please email us at fotasaiken.org.

Their Lives Are In Our Hands.

by Letty Dempsey, FOTAS volunteer

For me, FOTAS is more than an organization. It is a lifeline of compassion, hope, and second chances. Every animal who enters the Shelter comes from a hard beginning, but with the help of FOTAS, they receive kindness, healing, and a soft place to land.

Every day shelter staff, and the FOTAS team work tirelessly to find the perfect home for each animal in their care. Their mission goes beyond sheltering—it’s about loving, restoring trust, and making sure every soul gets the chance it deserves. Whether arranging transports to out-of-state rescues or connecting with shelters to relieve overcrowding, especially during “baby season,” their dedication is nothing short of extraordinary.

If financial hardships ever make caring for a pet difficult, the Shelter’s animal food bank is open to anyone in need. This lifeline doesn’t just provide food—it keeps families together. They help people find programs that allow them to keep their beloved companions, ensuring no one has to say goodbye due to tough times.

The medical team at the Shelter performs miracles daily. No matter how dire an animal’s condition, they fight for every life. I know this firsthand—my hospice dog, Allie, arrived with a collar embedded in her neck and was discovered to have cancer during surgery. The team removed her tumors and provided exceptional aftercare. Today, Allie looks and feels as good as new, a living testament to their devotion and skill.

And then there are the volunteers—the heartbeat of the Shelter. These warrior souls walk dogs, bathe them, sit quietly to offer comfort, and often provide the very first kindness an animal has ever known. It is a blessing to witness how dogs and cats blossom with just a little affection. Animals who once knew fear and hardship transform into joyful companions, returning our love a hundred times over.  If you feel called to lend even a few hours a week, please email info@fotasaiken.org.  They can answer all your questions you have about opportunities available.  My time there has truly been life-changing.

FOTAS’s impact spreads far beyond the Shelter walls. Their school outreach programs teach children empathy and responsible pet care. Reading groups help shy animals connect with young readers. “Doggy Day Out” adventures give shelter dogs a chance to enjoy the world. Fosters take in injured or ill animals, giving them safety and comfort while they heal. Every program ripples through our community with compassion and purpose.

The adoption team works tirelessly to match people with pets who fit their lifestyle and bring joy into their homes. Their insight helps create forever families and opens space for new animals to be saved.

To witness the work of the staff and volunteers is to witness the best of humanity. They are warriors—fighting for every life, every family, every moment of hope. Their love is an extraordinary blessing to our community, and the animals they save give that blessing right back in ways words can scarcely describe.

Thank you for taking the time to read this, and perhaps for adding the Shelter to your prayers. Our community—and our animals—are better because of FOTAS.

by Letty Dempsey, FOTAS Volunteer

We are incredibly grateful to the volunteers, donors, foster families, rescue partners, and staff members who give so generously of their time, talents, and resources.

Many people don’t realize just how much our volunteers do. They socialize cats, clean kennels, and transport cats between the shelter and the Petsmart Adoption Center on Whiskey Road.

Others walk dogs, bathe them, or take them on Doggy Day Out adventures that provide a much-needed break from shelter life. Foster families open their homes to dogs, puppies, cats, and kittens that need extra care while they wait for permanent homes.

Some volunteers greet visitors, assist with clerical work, or even write thank-you notes to the generous people who support our mission.

We also see kindness from members of our community every day. Someone may stop by with a bag of dog food, cat litter, or blankets. Others donate a crate, collar, or pet supplies after losing a beloved companion, hoping those items will help another pet. 

Of course, none of this would be possible without our dedicated shelter staff. They clean kennels, feed and medicate animals, assist with playgroups, comfort frightened pets, and work tirelessly behind the scenes to give every animal the best possible chance at a new life.

We truly are blessed with an amazing team of helpers.

Last Saturday, Friends of the Animal Shelter hosted our annual Volunteer Ice Cream Social as a small token of appreciation for our volunteers, supporters, and shelter staff. Flanigan’s Ice Cream Truck helped make the afternoon extra special, giving us a chance to celebrate the people who keep the Aiken County Animal Shelter running with compassion, dedication, and love.

As if that wasn’t enough to celebrate, this week the Aiken County Animal Shelter received another No-Kill Award from Best Friends Animal Society for maintaining a save rate of over 90 percent.

In announcing the award, Best Friends CEO Julie Castle wrote:

“The award represents so much more than a number. It represents a culture of caring and compassion. It represents dedicated staff, committed volunteers, and motivated supporters. It represents innovative, thoughtful programming. And it represents extraordinary leadership, both within your organization and within our broader animal welfare movement.”

That award doesn’t belong to one person. It belongs to every volunteer who walks a dog, every foster who opens their home, every donor who drops off a bag of food, every adopter who says “yes,” and every staff member who shows up each day determined to save lives.

So, just as Mister Rogers encouraged us to do, look for the helpers.

At the Aiken County Animal Shelter, we are grateful to say we find them every day.

Their Lives Are In Our Hands

by Kathy Cagle, FOTAS Programs Coordinator

When Thomas left the shelter for his Doggy Day Out, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect.

The first person he met that morning was my adopted adult son, Matt. Matt has intellectual disabilities and has always struggled a little with getting close to dogs. Many dogs make him nervous, and he is often unsure how to interact with them.

But Thomas seemed to know something we didn’t.

From the moment they met, Thomas was drawn to Matt. No matter where Matt stood, Thomas would quietly make his way over to him. He nudged him gently with his nose, leaned against him, and seemed determined to offer affection. There was something incredibly sweet about watching this shelter dog choose the person who needed him most.

When it was time to leave, Thomas faced another challenge. My vehicle sits fairly high off the ground, and he didn’t seem to know how to jump into a car. I lifted his front paws onto the floorboard, and then he carefully worked out the rest for himself, slowly climbing inside.

At first, Thomas settled on the floor behind the front seat. But when Matt sat down in the back seat, Thomas made another choice.

He climbed up onto the seat beside him.

The two sat together as we drove away from the shelter. Thomas wore a dog seat belt for safety and quickly settled into the ride. He stretched out quietly next to Matt, watching the world go by through the windows. Every now and then he would glance toward Matt as if checking to make sure his new friend was still there.

Thomas found his forever home thanks to a Facebook post about his Doggy Day Out!   Maybe you want to take a shelter dog out for an hour or two? Contact us at info@fotasaiken.org.

Our destination was Hitchcock Woods.

The moment Thomas stepped out of the vehicle, his nose went to work. There were so many new scents to explore. Every path held a new adventure. Every breeze carried information he was eager to investigate.

Along the trail, Thomas met hikers and politely greeted them. He spotted a horse and was fascinated by the giant creature. He tried pulling toward it for a closer look, but I reminded him to stay with me. A little later, a squirrel darted across our path. Thomas immediately wanted to give chase, but when I told him, “No, leave it,” he listened and stayed by my side.

For a shelter dog experiencing so many new things, Thomas handled everything remarkably well.
What stood out most wasn’t his curiosity or even his good behavior.

It was his heart.

Again and again throughout the day, Thomas showed us that he longs for connection. Whether it was resting quietly beside Matt in the car, checking in with me on the trail, or greeting strangers with gentle interest, Thomas seemed happiest when he was simply sharing life with people.

Some dogs spend their Doggy Day Out racing from adventure to adventure.

Thomas spent his showing us who he is.

A loyal companion. A gentle soul. A dog who chooses people.

Watching him with Matt was my favorite part of the day. A shelter dog and a young man who are both sometimes misunderstood found comfort in each other’s company without needing words.

Their Lives Are In Our Hands.

by Lisa Gaudet, Animal Adoption Assistant

Then there’s Echo. Now, Echo—he had a home and loved his humans. Then one day, his humans dropped him off here at the shelter and just walked away. No ‘atta boys, no goodbyes, no nothing. Echo’s a great little guy—so much fun, housetrained, the works—8 years-old, maybe not so great with other male dogs. But hey! Nobody’s perfect. 

My other pal, Ozzy? He also had a home, too, and his humans left him here because he had a few medical problems—which FOTAS and the shelter fixed right up! He’s 2 years-old, healthy, and he’s a great big snuggle bug. The volunteers love him. 

Point being, the how’s and why’s of how all us dogs got here are different, but our stories are all the same: our humans let us down. Big time. But you know what? The humans here, at the shelter? They’re top-notch, the best—especially the volunteers! I never even met a volunteer before I came to this place—and take it from me, you need to get one. They come every morning and walk us, sit with us in the yard and talk to us so sweetly. They bring us treats and throw balls. They take us to morning playgroups. 

Who knew humans were capable of such love and world-class belly rubs? Go figure!

But here’s the thing: there aren’t enough of them—volunteers, I mean (although you can never have enough belly-rubs, either!). It takes time in the morning to walk all us dogs, so if we’re lucky, we get maybe 15 minutes of me-time. That might not seem like a lot to you, but to us dogs? It’s everything. 

Plus, there’s no one to walk us in the afternoon. Do you know how hard it is, if you’re a gal me like me who would never mess in her kennel, to only get one chance a day? It’s a misery. 

So, please! All you humans reading this, I’m begging you: JOIN FOTAS. BE A VOLUNTEER! You’ll have a great time with all the other volunteers, and we dogs will show you a good time, too. Like Buster, who’s now a superstar thanks to the volunteers. He’s good in playgroup, walks on a leash, and sits on command. He’s a happy guy. And when you stop by the shelter, look me up—DayLilly.  They say I’m magnificent! Not sure what that means, but it sure sounds good!

So please, spread the word: we’re all ready to be adopted and be someone’s new BFF. And be a volunteer! We need you.

Our lives are in your hands.

Joanna D. Samson, FOTAS Vice-President

We hope and pray those things come true, but sadly those mega-issues are beyond our personal control. In the meantime, what we can do is shift our focus to the things in our life we can control. We can radiate kindness and concern for our family, friends, and neighbors. We can believe in the transformative power of love. We can engage in local causes that ease the suffering of those less fortunate than ourselves.

If you love animals, there are thousands of neglected, homeless, and abused animals in Aiken County, over 5000 of which end up at the Aiken County Animal Shelter every year. They need comfort and attention, so becoming a FOTAS volunteer offers you the opportunity to help lonely, suffering animals; make friends; and feel good about yourself in the process.

The mission of FOTAS is to find a home for every adoptable animal picked up as a stray or surrendered to the shelter. This is no easy task—the animals at the shelter are pack animals isolated in a kennel in a busy, noisy shelter crowded with other anxious animals and human strangers. How do we make them less anxious and, thus, more adoptable?

In the words of John Lennon, all you need is love. Just 15-20 minutes/day of human attention and affection with a shelter animal—a short walk around the grounds, a romp in the play yard, some basic obedience instruction, a little praise and cuddle-time on the bench—makes all the difference in their world. FOTAS has been able to find a home for every adoptable animal at the shelter over the past five years thanks to the volunteers who bless those lost and homeless animals with time and affection.

It’s not all self-sacrifice. Our volunteers say the time they spend at the shelter makes a difference in their quality of life. Not only does it give them a happy place to go, a routine, a little exercise (not to mention the proven stress reduction of spending time with an animal), they make new friends through shared experiences. They chat about the dogs they walk and laugh about their escapades. They celebrate the animals who found homes and fret over the ones that haven’t. Your fellow volunteers are glad to see you and worry about you if you don’t show. For most volunteers, their time at the shelter is not an obligation, but a labor of love with unimaginable emotional and spiritual returns.

This year, make a New Year’s resolution that matters. Join our special community of FOTAS volunteers and fill your life with purpose, charity, and fellowship. Go to our website at www.fotasaiken.org and fill out a volunteer interest form, or email us at info@fotasaiken.org. We can’t wait to meet you.

God bless, and Happy New Year.

Their lives are in our hands.

By Joanna Dunn Samson, FOTAS Vice President

The majority of our adoptions are thanks to social media. The downside, people can be really mean!

For example, we posted a video of a dog being given a squirt of canned spray cheese. Ok, so is it the healthiest – No. The angry comments were just ridiculous about how cruel we are, the sodium content, we are disgusting, “Plz stop poisoning him. Someone save him, plz!”.

We always try and take the high road and respond, ‘Thanks for caring!’ but what we really want to say is, ‘Hello? This dog was just saved after being chained to a tree for the past six years, skeletal and ravaged by fleas. Pretty sure the cheese spray isn’t going to hurt him.” Thankfully we don’t react to negativity. When you see what we see every day, you try and focus on the positive.

We posted a video of two dogs playing in separate play yards through a fence in the rain. Man, that one got a lot of hate! We had to take down the post! Not only were we accused of hating dogs, we were accused of leaving dogs in the mud and rain, no shelter and we didn’t let dogs play together. Ugh.

Here is the truth. Dogs have to do their business, rain or shine. Our dedicated volunteers and staff walk the dogs in all conditions. Some dogs won’t ‘go’ on leash so we put them in play yards. We do whatever we can to help them. We took a video on a rainy day of two dogs romping in the rain, happy to play next to each other. It was really cute! We would have really appreciated an appropriate comment of, “Awe, thanks for taking care of the homeless pets in the elements. They look happy and relaxed.”

Recently we were criticized by so many because we posted a video of puppies sleeping in the kennel in the sun. Wow, people went crazy! We had so many comments about how cruel we are for not providing beds for the puppies. What people don’t see is the inside of their kennels with beds, blankets and toys. We have kennels that provide indoor and outdoor exposure, some dogs really do like to lay in the sun on cool concrete.

All I am saying is PLEASE, before accusing us of being cruel, maybe look at the bigger picture.

The Aiken County Animal Shelter receives five thousand dogs and cats a year. These are pets that were discarded, dumped, abandoned in homes, left on highway exits, tied to trees, uncared for and unloved. Our shelter staff comes in seven days a week. They clean kennels all day long, they provide clean bedding, safe toys and giant bowls of food. The kennel technicians even take note on what dogs need wet food due to having filed down teeth. They feed the emaciated pets multiple feedings of high protein food.

Our FOTAS volunteers come to the shelter every day, rain or shine. They come on holidays too! Our volunteers not only walk dogs, cuddle cats, but they make dog toys, they donate pet food, they bring love and comfort to the discarded pets of Aiken County.

Next time you are quick to post a harshly written comment, maybe take a minute and think, how is this helping the pets? How about you come and volunteer with us? Maybe you could donate some beds, blankets or toys?

Their lives are in our hands.

by Kathy Cagle, FOTAS Programs Coordinator