Category Archives: Volunteer

2026, Volunteer, Volunteers

Calling all humans! Volunteers needed!

Posted on by Shana Ryberg
The magnificent DayLily poses for the camera.
26
May

Every dog has a story, and for me and my pals here at the Aiken County Animal Shelter, most are sad. Take me—DayLily. I’m a happy-go-lucky kind of gal, yet my humans dumped me on a county road and drove off—without me! I thought surely they’d made a mistake; they’ll come back. I waited . . . and waited . . . and waited, but they never came. Finally, I gave up and wandered, lost and confused. Luckily, a good Samaritan found me on the road, and I was so hungry and tired, I was grateful to be found—even if it was by a stranger.

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

2025, Volunteer, Volunteers

Making the New Year meaningful

Posted on by Shana Ryberg
Change an animal's life as well as your own! Come volunteer with us at the Aiken County Shelter.
24
Dec

There’s something promising about the dawn of a new year. Maybe the upcoming year will be better than the last. Maybe the profound political divisions of the past will give way to a newfound compassion for our fellow human beings. Maybe civility will be restored to our civic and public life.

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.

Change an animal's life as well as your own! Come volunteer with us at the Aiken County Shelter.
Change an animal’s life as well as your own! Come volunteer with us at the Aiken County Shelter.

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

2025, SOCIAL MEDIA, Volunteer

The Downside of Social Media

Posted on by Shana Ryberg
After being chained to a tree for years, this pup is enjoying their string cheese.
30
Oct

We are so grateful to all that share our posts on Facebook and Instagram.

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!”.

After being chained to a tree for years, this pup is enjoying their string cheese.
After being chained to a tree for years, this pup is enjoying their string cheese.

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

2025, Volunteer

How to have more than one boyfriend at a time

Posted on by Shana Ryberg
Best friends can be found at the Aiken County Shelter
08
Oct

When you volunteer at the Aiken County Animal Shelter, it’s acceptable to have more than one “boyfriend” at a time. And by “boyfriend”, I mean one of the male shelter dogs I walk every day. Luckily, most of the dogs are adopted out fairly quickly, but alas, new dogs arrive daily. Inevitably there are a few dogs that each of the volunteers is drawn to, spending just a little bit more time walking, throwing the ball or cuddling on the bench.

Best friends can be found at the Aiken County Shelter
Best friends can be found at the Aiken County Shelter

When I meet a few that I really like, I call them my “boyfriends” because they are the best companions, confidants and co-pilots. They are everything you want in a good boyfriend without the “mess”. All in good fun … if they act up, you can put them back in their kennel. If they talk back, you can tell them to shush! If
they jump on you, you can tell them to sit.

Just this past week, Titan, Cody and Macaroni have been my “boyfriends”. They all happen to be the most beautiful and adoring Pitties. Titan is the strong, silent type. He loves to be close to you while guarding against would-be competitors. You’ll always be safe with Titan. Cody is always happy to see you. He loves to take a stroll through the woods and will give you big kisses and hugs. You’ll always have a best friend with Cody. Macaroni is another Pittie, playing the role of Labrador. He’ll bury his head into your lap and calmly keep you company while appreciating every ounce of your affection. You’ll always
feel special with Macaroni.

And of course, it goes without saying that I couldn’t do without a few canine “girlfriends”, like Faye, Josephine and Lita who love to get the dirt (literally) on all the boys.

The shelter has a myriad of wonderful breeds available for adoption. From Shepards to Hounds to Labradors – from puppies to seniors, whatever your  reference, coming to the ACAS is your chance to fall in love with your next boyfriend or girlfriend.

Best friends can be found at the Aiken County Shelter
Best friends can be found at the Aiken County Shelter

Each dog is an individual with its own personality and history. It is up to us to recognize them for who they are and try to accommodate them in this unfamiliar and sometimes stressful environment. Giving them our positive and reassuring energy is the least we can do for them. Because, as we say at the shelter, “Their lives are in our hands.”

by Barbara Ambach, FOTAS Volunteer

2025, Foster, Volunteer, Volunteers

FOTAS: Coming together as a community to save homeless pets

Posted on by Shana Ryberg
Milo goes for a Doggie Day Out!
26
Sep

In the past several weeks, we have been discussing the chronic overcrowding at the Aiken County Animal Shelter resulting from the overpopulation of homeless companion animals due to indiscriminate breeding practices. Let’s look at the numbers.

Because of its warmer climates, the breeding season in the South is longer than places farther north. Cats are seasonally polyestrous, meaning their heat cycles are triggered by longer daylight hours. Using conservative estimates, a mama cat can have up to 3 litters annually, with 12-18 kittens/year. Assuming a 25% female kitten survival rate, a single breeding mama can produce ~3000 kittens every six years.

As for dogs, females can go into heat twice a year, but let’s be conservative. Assume 1.5 litters/year (some heats skipped/failed), 5 pups/litter, and only 30% female pups survive to breed. In the case, the six year estimate for one unspayed female pup is ~600 cumulative pups.

With these numbers, it’s easy to understand how rapidly the overpopulation of homeless animals escalates in the South. It is also easy to see how unplanned and accidental breeding dangerously overwhelms the county shelter’s capacity and stresses a fragile animal welfare system desperately attempting to rehome every adoptable animal.

These numbers also demonstrate the need for a dedicated spay/neuter clinic in Aiken County to reduce the chronic overcrowding at the county shelter and to support a currently fragile animal control system without resorting to euthanizing adoptable animals.

The Aiken County Council understands the need and is making plans to build a spay/neuter clinic, but it could be years until the day it opens its doors. What can you do in the meantime.

  • Volunteer at the shelter to help with the increased number of animals.
  • Be a foster family.
  • Donate an afternoon to taking one of our dogs out for a well-deserved rest from a crowed shelter as part of our Dog Day Out program. All you need is a license and a few hours. We’ll pick you a suitable dog.
  • Adopt another animal (or two), maybe select one of the less adoptable senior animals or one with disabilities. If you cannot adopt another animal, please spread our social media posts about the many deserving animals available for adoption.
  • If you or someone you know finds a stray, or if circumstances force you or someone you know to do the unthinkable and give up your pet, please rehome your pet privately. Encourage others to rehome privately. Our Home-to-Home program is a great resource.
  • Encourage your friends, families, and neighbors to have their pets fixed with private vets and clinics if possible.
  • Donate, donate, donate—for our pet food bank, transfer costs to sister shelters, extra medical care when needed, and lifesaving equipment and programs. Think about designating a legacy gift to the shelter for future needs.

Collectively, we must pull together as a community to help the shelter and the thousands of homeless pets until the County’s dedicated, low-cost, spay/neuter clinic if open for business.

Your collective generosity and commitment have been, and continues to be, the hope of all those homeless, abandoned, and abused animals in Aiken County. God bless you all.

Go to fotasaiken.org to see all the ways you can help. Together, we can make our community shelter a resource and not a destination.

Their lives are in our hands.

By Joanna D. Samson, FOTAS Vice President

2025, Volunteer

Why Do I Walk Dogs at the Shelter?

Posted on by Shana Ryberg
Chuck and Goose
20
Aug

My wife and I have always had dogs during our 40 years of marriage which began in Illinois where our packs numbered from one to 5 or 6 dogs, the first from a puppy through a breeder and the rest adopted dogs of various ages and breeds, most of which were lost or surrendered.

Elise and Chuck
Elise and Chuck

Now in South Carolina, we still have five in our pack of dogs, all foster failures (we fostered and kept). When we moved to Aiken 8 years ago, I was finally retiring from practicing dentistry at the age of 81 and had extra time on my hands. I always like to exercise and be as fit as possible, so I started volunteering at the County Animal Shelter (FOTAS) by walking dogs and fostering puppies.

We had never encountered working at a shelter before. I began to notice that the more the dogs were walked, the more relaxed they became and the easier it was to walk them. So I began to realize that I was walking the dogs for me and the dogs. Then I was walking maybe 2-3 days each week with the dogs and more recently my walking increased to 5 days a week within the last year. Now I am part of a team of walkers in the afternoons – Barb, Sue, Olga, Malia, who share the same goals. Now we walk not only for ourselves and the dogs, but we walk for those people that will adopt the dogs and make them part of their lives. So why do I walk dogs? My answer would be – It is the right thing to do. So if you can and are able, please join us walking the dogs at the shelter. It’s the right thing to do for all of us. I cherish the opportunity to be a volunteer for FOTAS – maybe you will too.

Their lives are in our hands.

By Chuck Cooper, FOTAS Volunteer

2025, Volunteer

The Gift of a Shelter Dog

Posted on by Shana Ryberg
Couch cuddling at the shelter
24
Jul

Since moving to Aiken a few years ago, I have driven by the Aiken County Animal Shelter not knowing if I could take the shelter dogs out of their kennels and then put them back in. I was thinking of my own sadness and guilt when faced with the plight of so many innocent creatures who suffer due to our failing to protect and love them. But once I began to volunteer, walking 8-10 dogs a day, I quickly realized the extraordinary benefits of giving them love and attention while receiving it in return 20-fold.

Every day, they wait, wide-eyed and waggy-tailed [some patiently and some not-so much] for us to loop that leash and take them for their coveted walks and sniffs. Some are anxious to explore every leaf or twig, while others are laser-focused on the journey ahead. Either way, their interest in and connection to nature is a reminder that a whole world exists to them that we can only observe and admire.

Each shelter dog has its own story and its own personality. Of course that goes without saying, but even in the short time I am able to get to know each one, I am surprised by their humor, enthusiasm and hope. We humans have put them in this predicament, yet they are somehow forgiving and generous to a fault.

You’re never alone when you are with a dog. They fill your heart til it’s bursting! The dogs insist on your “presence”, which is often a relief from the trials and tribulations of our daily lives. They privilege us with their uncanny ability to connect in a quiet and meaningful way. Their silence speaks volumes saying, “Don’t worry, I’m right here with you and by the way, thanks for being with me.”

The staff and volunteers at the ACAS are truly committed to the health and well-being of these animals. They deserve so much, and I feel tremendous gratitude that we have a facility in Aiken that works to give each one a chance. Their lives are in our hands.

By Barbara Ambach, FOTAS Volunteer

2025, Adoption, Volunteer

Adopting Kali was Kismet

Posted on by Shana Ryberg
Malia and Kali: it was meant to be
12
May

Some adoptions are just meant to happen.

The most recent example of destiny stepping in to match a dog with an adopter involves a terrified tan and white mama dog and a long-time FOTAS volunteer.

Kali arrived at the Aiken County Animal Shelter as a stray who was found feeding her puppies under a shed. The pretty mixed breed was so skittish, she had to be caught in a trap along with one of her pups. Gaunt and weak when she arrived at the shelter, Kali showed signs of being sweet but was too scared to bond with any of the staff.

When Kali graduated to the adoption floor, she was immediately noticed by volunteer Malia Koelker.
“She was trembling in the corner of her kennel” Malia said. “So, I sat with her for an hour or so and did the same thing the next day. She started feeling more confident when I walked her and was so grateful for the attention.”

From then on, Kali became attached to Malia. Whenever the shy 5-year-old, 42-pound dog saw Malia, she would perk up and beg to be petted. Other volunteers and staff members began to teasingly ask Malia what she did that made Kali fall in love with her. Even when Kali was in playgroup, she would get distracted if she spotted Malia walking other dogs or chatting with volunteers.

But Malia kept resisting the urge to adopt Kali. She’d been a FOTAS volunteer for seven years and never adopted a dog. She and her husband, Robert, like to travel and the timing never felt right. Besides, they were still mourning their 18-year-old dog, who passed away a year ago. Why do it now?

Kali feeling safe and secure in her new home.
Kali feeling safe and secure in her new home.

“I’ve been tempted so many times to adopt a dog, but Kali broke my heart,” Malia said. “Whenever she saw me, she’d whine and bark. When I walked her, she’d jump up on the couch and curl right up next to me.”

As days kept going by without Kali finding a home, Malia decided to take Kali home for one night to see how she would do away from the shelter, in a quiet home. Robert was skeptical, but agreed to Kali’s visit.

“She was perfect,” Malia said. “She slept in our bed and won over our cat, Darwin. She took over one of our chairs and fit right in.”

Malia adopted Kali the next day and the timid dog who trembled and shook in her kennel is now happy and living her best life.

“She’s warming up to Robert now,” Malia said. “When we walk Kali together in the morning, she stops and waits for him if he’s lagging behind.”

Malia smiles. “I think she’s won Robert’s heart, too.”

Their lives are in our hands.

By Bob Gordon, FOTAS Communications Director

2024, Foster, fostering, Volunteer

Giving Tuesday: supporting Aiken County’s homeless animals

Posted on by Shana Ryberg
Aiken County Shelter dog smiling up
25
Nov

This Tuesday, December 3rdh, is Giving Tuesday, which kicks off the annual Christmas-giving season with a world-wide celebration of selfless generosity. There are so many worthy charities in the Aiken community, so how do you choose a charity for your donation?

If you’re an animal lover and you want your hard-earned dollars to make a difference, then FOTAS, the private partner of the Aiken County Animal Shelter, is the choice for your charitable generosity. Here’s why.

  • FOTAS, working with the County Shelter, saves more animals than any other 501(c)(3) organization in the CSRA. Period. Full stop. For the past SIX years, every adoptable animal at the shelter was saved, and thanks to the extraordinary efforts of FOTAS, this year will be no exception.
  • FOTAS AND AIKEN COUNTY fund more spay/neuter pet surgeries for folks in financial need than any other charitable organization in the CSRA.
  • FOTAS AND AIKEN COUNTY fund more TNR (Trap-Neuter-Return) surgeries for community cats than any other charitable organization in the CSRA.
  • FOTAS saves more heartworm positive (HWP) dogs than any other charitable organization in the CSRA.
  • FOTAS supplements adoption fees for active military personnel and veterans.
  • FOTAS helps county animal control take dogs off the chain by funding humane runners for distribution to county residents.
  • FOTAS gives out more pet food to Aiken County pet owners in need than any other charitable organization in the CRSA. This critical assistance makes it possible for folks to feed (and, thus, keep) their animals in hard times.
  • FOTAS also funds the costs of flea medication, toys, leashes, and pet food supplements, as well as subsidizing equipment and extraordinary medical needs at the shelter.
  • FOTAS is 100% supported by private donations, and we need your help now more than ever. The shelter, like all public shelters post-Covid, is overwhelmed with shockingly high intake. More people are abandoning their animals than adopting new ones.

Here in Aiken County, the problem is compounded by an explosion in population growth in the county, as well as a severe shortage of veterinarians and low-cost spay/neuter services. This means more and more animals are joining the ranks of the unwanted and the homeless—a tragedy after so many years of progress.

Have all those private donations to FOTAS made a difference?

You bet! An incredible difference! In 2009 (the year that FOTAS was created) over 90% of the animals consigned to the shelter were euthanized. Today that number has been turned on its head. From 2018 through this year, 2024, every adoptable animal at the shelter was (and will be) saved. That’s over a 90% save rate.

Our success is your success: FOTAS’ ability to save so those thousands and thousands of shelter animals is the direct result of your generosity. From our hearts to yours, thank you and God bless.

Please send your much-appreciated donations to FOTAS, PO Box 2207, Aiken SC 29802, or go to fotasaiken.org to make your donation online. By the way, when you donate to FOTAS, you can be certain your monies go to our life-saving programs because our administrative expenses are so low: FOTAS is a volunteer-based nonprofit with no brick and mortar.

Their lives are in our hands.
By Joanna D. Samson, FOTAS Vice-President

2024, Adoption, Volunteer

Join us for the FOTAS Furry 5K to have fun for a good cause

Posted on by Shana Ryberg
Bring your dogs (leashed) on Sept. 21 to participate in the Furry 5K. FOTAS will be taking adoptable dogs to the event as well.
18
Sep

The FOTAS Furry 5K and 1 Mile Fun Run is coming soon! You don’t have to be a runner to enjoy this event. Sign up to walk, jog or run with your dog in support of Friends of the Animal Shelter!

2 Girls and a Clock Race and Timing Services, led by Alecia Kinard and Chrystie Weimer, are organizing this special event. These women are incredibly busy educators and mothers that devote their time and energy to help the Aiken County Animal Shelter. Chrystie and her family have adopted from our Home to Home program and her children were in our Junior FOTAS Club.

Bring your dogs (leashed) on Sept. 21 to participate in the Furry 5K. FOTAS will be taking adoptable dogs to the event as well.
Bring your dogs (leashed) on Sept. 21 to participate in the Furry 5K. FOTAS will be taking adoptable dogs to the event as well.

2 Girls and a Clock came to us four years ago wanting to hold a 5K that would help support the many programs that save our shelter pets. Our first Furry 5K event, in 2020, was a huge success. Then the Covid pandemic hit and slowed our momentum a bit. This year, we are hoping to draw a large number of participants again.

The 2024 event is being held Saturday morning, September 21, at Generations Park. The One Mile Fun Run begins at 8:00 a.m. and the 5K will begin at 8:30.

“All of us with 2 Girls and a Clock are passionate about animals, especially dogs,” Weimer said. “We hold a special place in our hearts for our own fur babies. The Furry 5K event allows us to give back to a wonderful cause in a fun and rewarding way. We hope this event continues for years!”

This fundraiser is incredibly gratifying, and we have seen individuals from 8 to 80 years old come out and walk or run to help the pets. The atmosphere is full of good energy and people bring their families to root them on.

FOTAS Volunteers are bringing adoptable dogs to the Furry 5K in hopes of finding them loving homes. We also will be taking food donations – dry and cat wet food for dogs and cats as well as toys! If you bring your own furry friend to run with you, we will have dog treats for them.

To sign up for the FOTAS Furry 5K and 1 Mile Fun Run, please go to: https://runsignup.com/Race/SC/Aiken/Furry5Kand1MileFunRun2024

Sponsors include South Aiken Physical Therapy and Wellness as well as Lionel Smith. Ltd Gentlemen’s Clothiers.

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

By the Numbers
In the month of August, the Aiken County Animal Shelter took in 514 stray and surrendered pets, including 139 feral cats that were spayed/neutered for the TNR (Trap, Neuter, Return) program.