Category Archives: Volunteer

Adoption, Cats, Dogs, FOTAS, Spay/Neuter, Volunteer

A heartbreaking week results in many amazing animals up for adoption

Posted on by Angel Hartline
29
Aug

By Kathy Jacobs, FOTAS Programs Coordinator
This has been a very heartbreaking week. In just six days, the Aiken County Animal Shelter (ACAS) received 150 homeless dogs and cats. Many of these animals were brought in by Animal Control Officers, who pick up the stray, neglected, abused or abandoned animals wandering our streets. Some were brought in sick or old by their owners while still others were pets whose families had to relocate or could not afford to keep them anymore.

When we look at the numbers, sometimes we can forget about the individuals. But these animals are so full of love, they deserve to have their stories told. By no fault of their own, they have been cast out and left in the care of our shelter staff and FOTAS volunteers.

Here are just a couple of the stories from last week’s new arrivals:

Meet Poseidon, a lovely two-year-old Shepherd mix that was surrendered by his owner. He had an embedded collar that was removed and is now healing. He was also neutered when he arrived and will be ready for adoption soon. We are so happy that he is now getting the care that he needs.

Nike and Brian are two feline brothers who were also surrendered by their owner. They are chubby, healthy little boys that were in a loving home but their owner could no longer afford to keep them. These handsome Tuxedo cats are bewildered and wondering why they are in a kennel. I hope that someone will read this and know how important it is to adopt them and keep them together.

Each of these wonderful animals knows what it means to be a pet. They once had homes but now are orphans. There are hundreds more at the shelter just like them and each animal has their own story of pain and trauma. As a community, it is our job to help them.

Despite being removed from their homes and left in a kennel surrounded by unfamiliar smells, noises and faces, these animals still wag their tails when we visit them or purr when we pet them. They appreciate any attention they are given and will make amazing pets!

As a community, we need to diminish the number of homeless animals in our area. FOTAS and Aiken County provide spay and neuter vouchers to families that cannot afford to fix their pets. Take advantage of this service! Also, please do not purchase a dog from a breeder or a kitten off of Craigslist. This only adds to the problem. We have every type of puppy, dog, kitten and cat pass through our shelter. I guarantee we can find the right friend for you.

For more information about how you can help or adopt a shelter animal, please visit the FOTAS website, www.fotasaiken.org, or call the Aiken County Animal Shelter, (803) 642-1537.

Their lives are in our hands …

fotas column Poseidon the dog with Traci Deaderick August 28

Poseidon, a Shepherd mix surrendered by his owner, is held by ACAS Adoption Coordinator Traci Deaderick.

 

fotas column Brian the cat august 28 2016
fotas column Nike the cat august 28

Nike and Brian came to the shelter because their owner could no longer afford to keep them.

Adoption, Cats, Dogs, FOTAS, Fundraisers, Volunteer

Aiken Family finds enrichment from fostering Shelter animals

Posted on by Angel Hartline
19
Aug

By Bob Gordon, FOTAS Director of Communications
When Wendy Dietzel read on the FOTAS Facebook page that the Aiken County Animal Shelter was at full capacity and needed volunteers to foster dogs and cats, she called a family meeting.
She, her husband, John, and two daughters, 13-year-old Ella and 8-year-old Audrey, discussed the shelter’s critical need for foster families and the new responsibilities it would mean for each of them.
“We decided we could at least help the animals by giving them a temporary home,” Wendy said. That was three months ago. Since then, the family has fostered four puppies.

Their first foster pup was Katie, a 3-month-old Pit Bull mix with a reddish coat. They took care of the shy canine and helped socialize her for adoption. After two weeks, she was ready for the adoption floor and was quickly selected and brought home by a young couple.
The family’s second foster animal was Fin, a very young and skinny Retriever mix, who was with them for three weeks – enough time for him to fill out and learn some manners. After spending quality time with the Dietzels, Fin also was swiftly adopted.
Wendy was pleasantly surprised how eager Audrey and Ella were to help with feeding, socializing and even cleaning up after the puppies.
“We knew fostering would mean extra work but we didn’t know how much we’d enjoy it!” Wendy said. “Sometimes the toughest part is letting them go. But what makes it easier is knowing that they are going to a permanent home and we will soon get a new shelter puppy to care for, teach and love.”
By taking a foster dog or cat into their home, foster volunteers save two lives: the life of the foster animal and the life of the animal that takes his/her place in the shelter. Foster homes also provide homeless animals with a less stressful, more peaceful environment than a shelter. As wonderful as the County shelter is, it can be noisy and animals have to compete for one-on-one time with volunteers and staff members. This is why dogs healing from an injury or skin condition, such as Demodectic mange, are sent to foster homes. They usually recover more quickly in a cozier, quieter setting.
Since they began fostering, the County Shelter has become a big part of the Dietzel family’s life. Audrey even had her birthday party there so she could show the facility to her friends. The party included making dog treats, a scavenger hunt and playing with the homeless puppies and kittens. Audrey also asked her guests to donate to FOTAS instead of bringing her presents.
“It’s been a great family experience volunteering and fostering,” Wendy said. “If you have the time and you love animals, I would say, give it a try. Not only do you get the enjoyment of spending time with these wonderful animals, but it also saves lives.”
If you are interested in becoming a FOTAS foster family, please visit the FOTAS website, www.fotasaiken.org, or call the Aiken County Animal Shelter, (803) 642-1537.
Their lives are in our hands…

ella dietzel with pup augustaudrey with pup aug 2016

Ella Dietzel snuggles foster pup, Hugo, on her first day of 8th grade, while her little sister, Audrey, poses with Kipper for her back-to-school photo.

 

Adoption, Bully Dogs, Dogs, Foster, FOTAS, Heartworms, Uncategorized, Volunteer

Lost, mud-covered pup leads family to love Bully mix breeds

Posted on by Angel Hartline
09
Aug

By Bob Gordon, FOTAS Director of Communications

Five years ago, Lauren Kilbreth was heading home after a job interview when she passed some little kids running from a mud-covered puppy. Lauren wasn’t in the best part of town, it was cold and pouring rain, and she was dressed in one of her best business suits – but she felt compelled to turn the car around and head back to investigate.

“He looked lost and I was worried he might get hit by a passing vehicle, so I decided I would get out of my car and call him to me, and if he ignored me or became aggressive, I’d just continue on my way,” Lauren says.

But when she clapped her hands once, knelt down and called out to the pup, he came running into her arms. Lauren took him home, gave him a bath and she and her husband, Ryan, became smitten with the brown Pit Bull mix pup with a white chest. Not only was he a loyal love bug to the couple but he also got along well with their two older Greyhounds, Grace and Baxter, and Stella, their Westie. The Kilbreths named their new, furry family member, Rock.

Rock grew to weigh 60 pounds and became the alpha dog. When Lauren and Ryan had their first baby, Easton James, Rock showed extraordinary interest, always watching over the child and needing to look over Lauren’s shoulder when she changed the baby’s diaper. Rock nurtured their second baby, Deacon Reid, the same way.

Friends who visited the Kilbreths were initially a bit wary of Rock. They weren’t sure how they felt about Bully mix dogs because of the negative way they are portrayed in the media. But most came to love Rock. Some even got Bully mix dogs of their own.

All was great at the Kilbreth home until last year, when their two oldest dogs, Grace and Stella, were diagnosed with cancer and rapidly succumbed to the disease. Baxter handled their deaths well but Rock became depressed and withdrawn. Lauren, now a volunteer at the Aiken County Animal Shelter (ACAS), decided it was time to find a new playmate for Rock. She took him to the Shelter to meet her favorite prospects and he picked a lovely, one-year-old Bully mix named Evie May, who quickly made Rock a happy dog again. Then, just three months ago, the Kilbreths adopted another young Bully mix beauty from the shelter. At 75 pounds, Ava Rae became the biggest dog in the Kilbreth home and has fit in beautifully with the other canine family members. She is heartworm positive but the slow-kill treatment for her condition, paid for by FOTAS, is nearly complete.

The ACAS currently has a number of Bully mix canines available, including seven dogs and four puppies. Carson, Cy, Conor, Chip, Delta, Connor and Tavis are the adults and the two-month-old pups are Claressa, Jeremy, Klay and Shadrack.

“Take a chance on these dogs,” Lauren says. “They are extremely loyal and have a lot of love to give. Never judge a book by its cover. Go to the shelter and see for yourself how sweet they can be.”

Their lives are in our hands…

KilbrethFamily1

KilbrethFamily4

KilbrethFamily3

Adoption, Cats, Dogs, FOTAS, Spay/Neuter, Volunteer

Fix-A-Pet Program provides assistance for spay/neutering surgery

Posted on by Angel Hartline
29
Jul

By Bob Gordon, FOTAS Director of Communications
While it is impossible to determine exactly how many orphaned dogs and cats live in the United States, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) estimates that for cats alone the number is upwards of 70 million. That figure is staggering but the ASPCA stat that is a true jaw-dropper is this one: only 10 percent of the animals received by shelters have been spayed or neutered, while 83 percent of pet dogs and 91 percent of pet cats are spayed or neutered.
This means a vast majority of pet owners are acting responsibly by getting their pets fixed. But a small percentage of people who do not get their animals spayed or neutered are the source of our cat and dog overpopulation crisis.
FOTAS and the Aiken County Animal Shelter are well aware of this troubling trend, and that is why they are working together to make spay/neutering pets as easy as possible for local residents. Aiken County has a voucher program to assist its citizens who are in need of financial help to spay/neuter their pets and community cats. It also has a Trap/Neuter/Release (TNR) program in which feral cats are fixed and then returned to local cat colonies. 

FOTAS supplements both of these limited County initiatives with its “Fix-A-Pet” program. In fact, since launching Fix-A-Pet in 2013, FOTAS has organized and, through donations, paid for the spay/neuter surgeries of more than 1,800 community cats and pets owned by citizens in need of financial assistance.
Now you may be thinking, “How can such a small minority of irresponsible pet owners create such a huge overpopulation problem?” If we take a look at some more stats, the answer to that question becomes crystal clear.  According to the ASPCA, a fertile cat produces one to two litters of kittens a year; the average number of kittens is four to six per litter. A fertile dog produces about one litter per year and the average amount of puppies in a litter is four to six. In other words, the cute little critters can make a lot of babies in a very short time.

Cats are especially impressive breeding machines. They can become sexually mature at four months old. Since the average gestation period for a cat is about two months, a kitten could deliver a litter when she is as young as six months old. Kittens having kittens! This is why it is not uncommon for people to start caring for a small group of cats living on their property and soon witness the manageable group explode into a cat colony of 20 or more felines.
It is heartbreaking when cats and dogs are abandoned by their owners and left to fend for themselves. The animal’s world is shattered. But when the dog or cat is not fixed, the result is a cycle of heartbreak as multiple unwanted, orphan animals are born.
Please help spread the word to spay/neuter your pet. Until everyone in our community fixes their pets, the County Animal Shelter and other local shelters will continue taking in thousands of homeless animals every year.
For more information about the FOTAS Fix-a-Pet Program, please go to www.fotasaiken.org or call the Fix-A-Pet Hotline, (803) 514-4313.

Their lives are in our hands…

Adoption, Cats, FOTAS, Volunteer

A Little Kitty Love Goes a Long Way at the County Animal Shelter

Posted on by Angel Hartline
29
Jul

By Carolyn McCurdy, FOTAS Volunteer

I was feeling a little indulgent, a little selfish, but there I was driving to the shelter to volunteer, aka to get some kitty love, while my family packed the car for vacation. I told them I would only go for an hour. As I was driving I thought, “It’s not enough time. What good will it really do? I should be back helping my family pack.” But when I got there, Damario came to greet me with his tail high in the air. Good Damario! I had been telling him if he wanted to get adopted he was going to have to look more relaxed and learn to put that tail up. I instantly stopped feeling guilty. This was proof I was making a difference.

When I enter the left side of the facility, Monica is on her shelf waiting for love and as soon as I sit, I have several cats looking for attention. Purrs and ear scratches all around. On the right side, Nin is at the door waiting and there are two new faces I haven’t seen. As I sit, one lays against my leg and the other sits against my back. I see my darling Gwyneth’s forehead, with its little white star, pop out of the cubby she prefers. She is intimidated by all the other cats. It has taken days, but now she comes out to sit with me. She knows I won’t let anyone pick on her.

I move and sit next to handsome Coal. He is such a love bug. Isabella makes her rounds and Nin and ZuZu come by to check on me. It is hard to move on, but I have to save time for the cats outside. That is where my dear, sweet Tiger is. He is a personal favorite. I sit and again I am soon surrounded. Beautiful Nevada lays along my leg. She is missing her kittens that have just been weaned, but at least she has Lora. Lora is younger and lets Nevada tend to her.

The hour passes quickly and I have to get back home. I say my special goodbye to Tiger. I hope he is not there when I return. I know he has a home out there. How could such a great cat not? I tell him I will miss him. The cats watch me go, and I feel a sad knowing many will still be there when I come back. But the earlier guilt is gone, and has been replaced with a feeling of satisfaction. The hour was well spent giving the cats attention and helping them relax.

On the way out of town, I tell my family about the cats and their stories. My son asks to see pictures of the new ones. He knows I will have some on my phone. He asks about Tiger, one of his favorites, too.

All of the animals at the shelter have stories. Come volunteer and become part of their story, or adopt and give their story a happy ending. Then again, you could do both. That is what I did.

Their lives are in our hands.

Adoption, Dogs, Donate, Foster, FOTAS, Volunteer

Our little man Sam

Posted on by Angel Hartline
02
Jul

By Kathy Jacobs, FOTAS Programs Coordinator

I first saw Sam at the Aiken County Animal Shelter on a Thursday morning. I had returned a foster puppy that was ready to be moved to the adoption floor and asked one of the vet techs, Judith, if there were any other pups in residence that needed a foster. Judith introduced me to a five pound ball of fur trembling uncontrollably in his kennel. The puppy, which could not stop crying, had been picked up as a stray, alone and terrified. I knew I had to take him home, so I took him in my arms and christened him “Sam”.

At home, I prepared a place for Sam where he could feel safe and protected – a cozy crate in my bedroom covered with a sheet. He scarfed down a bowl of food and gulped a full bowl of water as fast as any full-size dog. My heart ached for this sad, helpless puppy that deserved so much better. I was determined to turn his life around.

Later on, my husband and I took Sam outside to let him explore the yard. He immediately bolted under the porch. My husband, shaken because he had never seen a puppy that fearful, wholeheartedly joined our campaign to turn little orphan Sam into a lovebug.

We employed our own dogs to lure him out from under the porch. Fortunately, Sam liked dogs more than people. He came out, wagging his tail hopefully whenever they looked his way. Interestingly, our dogs were hesitant with Sam at first – they instinctively knew how fragile and scared he was, and they moved cautiously to avoid overwhelming him. Now I ask you, aren’t dogs awesome?!

Our little Sam progressed, growing more confident each passing day. He still ate and drank quickly – like he was afraid the food and water would disappear. Eventually, Sam came to trust that we would not take away his food and water and occasionally left a bit of food in his bowl.
By day 3, our terrified, voiceless Sam even barked! He still froze when we held him, so our son Noah spent hours talking and sitting with him. We hoped that, with enough love and attention, Sam could learn that maybe humans aren’t so bad after all.

The shelter is full of puppies, dogs, kittens and cats that, like Sam, are fearful and unloved. Staff and volunteers can only do so much. The kennels are always full, and the cries and barking from these abandoned animals never stops. They have done nothing to deserve this fate.

FOTAS and the shelter desperately need people to temporarily care for these animals in their home – particularly during the summer when the shelter is terribly overcrowded. Trust me, there is nothing quite as rewarding as loving one of these scared animals out of their shell.
Please don’t hesitate. Call FOTAS at 803-514-4313 or email us at info@angelhartlinedesigns.com. You won’t regret it.

Their lives are in our hands.

By the way, little Sam found his forever home, thanks to his foster family, volunteers and shelter staff who advocated for him, and someone like you, who decided that a rescue puppy would make a fabulous pet.

 

IMG_1840

Adoption, Cats, Donate, Foster, FOTAS, Volunteer

Kittens are just $10 at Aiken County Animal Shelter through July 16

Posted on by Angel Hartline
02
Jul
By Bob Gordon, FOTAS Director of Communications They just keep coming. Stray mama cats with their babies, litters of kittens surrendered by people who cannot afford the additional felines and even some lone kittens found along the side of a road, in the woods, or callously left on private property. The influx of purring babies is steady and relentless. There are 27 spayed/neutered kittens ready to be adopted in the shelter lobby and many more on deck over at intake, eager to get their chance to be seen on the adoption floor. To address this flood of kittens, FOTAS and the County Shelter just launched a $10 Kitten Special that will continue through July 16. The shelter is also extending its $10 June adoption special for black cats and tuxedo (black with white) through this date. The adoption fee for felines (normally $35) includes spay/neuter surgery, all vaccines and a microchip. These tiny, furry purr monsters desperately need homes and FOTAS is hoping the $10 adoption special will encourage people to adopt them. We are also bringing kittens to the Aiken PetSmart store on Saturdays. Yesterday morning, the shelter’s veterinarian, Dr. Lisa Levy, took kittens to the store and in subsequent weeks, FOTAS volunteers will rotate to display and adopt kittens on Saturday mornings. All the feline toddlers are happy, friendly and family ready so people can select the ones they want and take them straight home from PetSmart! Of course, the ONLY way to curb the current parade of homeless kittens is for EVERYONE to spay/neuter their cats. If you have feral cats that need to be neutered, FOTAS has a Trap-Neuter-Release (TNR) program. The County also provides traps and can do a limited amount of spay/neuter surgeries for feral and community cats. If you need financial assistance with spay/neutering your domesticated cat or dog, the County has vouchers you can apply for at the shelter and FOTAS can also help through the Fix-A-Pet Program. With that said, here are just some of the many wonderful kittens now available in the shelter lobby: Dustin – black, loves people, he will jump out of his cat condo onto your shoulder. Missy – black and gray Tabby, will kiss your cheek when you hold her, cuddler. Tara – muted Calico, love bug, she’s been here the longest of all the kittens. Granger – black, very athletic, likes to climb human beings, sweet. Delancy – male gray Tabby, white chest and paws, pretty boy. Vidal -different shades of gray, fantastic eye markings, laid back and friendly. George – an orange, easy-going boy who lives with his bestie and look-alike, Jericho. Mirella – a brown and black Tabby, the lovable runt of the litter, so pretty! For more information about the FOTAS $10 Kitten Adoption Special, please go to www.fotasaiken.org or call the Aiken County Animal Shelter, (803) 642-1537. And if you haven’t had your pet fixed, please DO IT. Their lives are in our hands…
Cats, Donate, FOTAS, Volunteer

Successful TNR Program Boosted by Local Veterinarians

Posted on by Angel Hartline
17
Jun
By Bob Gordon, FOTAS Director of Communications Aiken veterinarians Holly Woltz and Cindy Brown are helping FOTAS with its Trap/Neuter/Return (TNR) program and have already fixed close to 300 community and feral cats for local residents.
“I became partners with FOTAS and the County Shelter because I’ve seen the gut-wrenching consequences of cat overpopulation,” said Dr. Woltz, Chief of Staff for Veterinary Services. “The numbers are still too high with these feral cats, and the shelter has a limited budget…stretched to a tiny thread to meet many needs. Since we can spay/neuter these animals for FOTAS at a very low price, I volunteered our services. FOTAS needs every penny!”
TNR is regarded as the most humane and effective way to control feral cat population growth. Using this method, all the feral cats in a colony are trapped, neutered/spayed and then returned to their territory, where they continue to thrive on their own. Young kittens that can still be socialized, as well as friendly adults, are placed in foster care and eventually adopted out to loving homes. Dr. Brown, who practices at Aiken Animal Hospital, also began volunteering her practice’s services to FOTAS late last year, and says by all accounts TNR seems to be working.
“Any time that FOTAS volunteers or the County Shelter calls for help, we accommodate their needs whenever possible to help the stray animal situation in Aiken,” she said. “I cannot stress enough the importance of education to aid in the [cat overpopulation] problem and we will continue to help spay and /or neuter as many stray animals as we can,” she added. Since launching the TNR Program in 2013, FOTAS has paid for the surgeries of more than 870 community cats. “The TNR program is a socially responsible and compassionate approach to serving these cats and the public,” said Dr. Woltz. “As a result, cats live healthier and more peaceful lives.”
The County also provides traps and can do a limited amount of spay/neuter surgeries for feral and community cats. If you need financial assistance with spay/neutering your domesticated cat or dog, the County has vouchers you can apply for at the shelter and FOTAS can also help through the Fix-A-Pet Program. Please donate to FOTAS to support the TNR and Fix-A-Pet programs, as well as provide other assistance to the homeless animals at the County Shelter. To make a donation, you can go to our website, FOTASaiken.org, or bring your contribution to the shelter at 333 Wire Road in Aiken. And while you’re there, visit our adoptable animals. The shelter is still at full capacity and the steady stream of homeless animals being brought through our doors has not let up. If you are looking for a cat (or dog), NOW is a great time to find a furry companion at the County Shelter. Their lives are in our hands…
Holly Woltz DVM
Holly Woltz DVM
Cindy Brown DVM
Cindy Brown DVM
                 
Adoption, Cats, Donate, Foster, FOTAS, Volunteer

Now is the time to adopt a feline: $10 special on black and tuxedo cats

Posted on by Angel Hartline
12
Jun

By Bob Gordon, FOTAS Director of Communications

If you are thinking about adding a cat or kitten to your home, now is the time to do it. Not only is the shelter filled to the brim with felines, but the adoption fee for all spay/neutered black and tuxedo (black and white) cats this month is just $10. That includes all vaccinations, spay/neuter surgery and microchip!

Twenty-one kittens, many of which are black or tuxedos, are playing or napping in the lobby of the Aiken County Animal Shelter (ACAS), waiting to be adopted and taken to their forever homes. Just outside, in the cat adoption facility, are 19 adult cats also hoping to be adopted. We also have eight shelter cats at the PetSmart store in Aiken that need homes, plus many more housed at the intake section of the shelter, eager to get their chance on the adoption floor.

You might be wondering, “Why are the black and tuxedo cats singled out for this month’s $10 special adoption fee?” Well, there are two reasons we focused on them. First, we currently have a lot of cats and kittens sporting these coat colors; and second, black cats are often overlooked by adopters. In fact, black felines are only half as likely to be adopted as cats of other colors.

Apparently, despite the fact that we are living in the 21st century, this sad statistic exists because people still associate black cats with bad luck. This myth dates back to the Middle Ages when black cats were associated with witchcraft.  In truth, many cultures associate black felines with virtue and nobility. Black cats were worshipped in ancient Egypt and are considered lucky in Japan, England, Scotland, Italy and France.

Need more evidence that black cats are awesome and far from harbingers of ill luck? Come to the Shelter at 333 Wire Road and visit these regal animals to see for yourself.

Here are just some of the black and tuxedo cats and kittens (most babes are about 2 months old) available for adoption:

Granger: male, short hair, black kitten – loves to be held, purr monster
Iago: male, short hair, black cat – large, 8 years old, velvet fur, regal
Danny & Ernie: brothers, short hair, black kittens – tiny, always wrestling
Burt & Carol: siblings, long hair, black kittens – cuddly fur balls, purring machines
Nin: female, short hair, black cat – petite, 3 years old, gorgeous face
Adelaide: female, long hair, black kitten – white undercoat, sweet and cuddly

Ricky and Turner: brothers, classic tuxedo kittens – rambunctious, climbers
Sweet Pea: female, coat has more white than black – tiny, 2 years old, loves people

As noted, the shelter is at capacity and more strays and homeless animals are coming in all the time. If you are looking for a cat (or dog), there is one looking for you at the County Shelter. Please go there today and meet your new furry, loving companion and give them a good home.

Their lives are in our hands…

Bobby Arthurs, Aiken County Animal Shelter manager, holds Ricky and Turner
Bobby Arthurs, Aiken County Animal Shelter manager, holds Ricky and Turner

 

 

 

Adoption, Cats, Dogs, Donate, Foster, FOTAS, Volunteer, Volunteers

Two hours a week – you can make a difference at the County Shelter

Posted on by Angel Hartline
12
Jun

I hate this time of year. While the rest of Aiken settles into the steamy, sleepy tempo of summer, FOTAS volunteers and County staff shift into hyper-drive at the Aiken County Animal Shelter to care for the inevitable onslaught of puppies, kittens and owner-surrender animals that crowd the intake wing and stress county resources to alarming levels.

Every summer, the County Shelter is filled to capacity, and this summer promises to be no exception. The Cat Adoption House is packed. Every dog kennel is occupied. Yet day after day, more homeless dogs and cats are picked up or surrendered to the shelter.

“As I walked through the aisles last Saturday,” says Jennifer Miller, President of FOTAS, “every single dog looked up at me with longing and hope – desperate for some human love and attention, desperate to be out of the stressful kennel environment, desperate for a home of their own. It breaks my heart because it never ends.”

And although we at FOTAS work like crazy – through print, television and social media, through our daily efforts to make the animals more adoptable, through our transfer programs – to find these animal homes, we can’t keep up. Even though last week was a record week for adoptions and transfers, 58 to be exact, the Shelter took in even more animals. The crisis continues, week after week, month after month throughout the summer and into the fall.

And here’s the thing: at the very time intake is so high, our volunteer ranks are thin because of vacation schedules and family commitments. That means that even though our cherished core volunteers and fosters are working non-stop, there are just not enough to give all of those dogs and cats the care and attention they need and deserve.

We need more people! I know you love animals or you probably wouldn’t be reading this article. So, help us out – join Team FOTAS. Volunteer at the Shelter, one or two hours a week, that’s all we ask.

One or two hours a week: you can walk and love up the dogs, play with the puppies, cuddle with the cats in the Cat Adoption House, help the handlers with dog playgroup sessions, greet visitors and potential adopters in the air conditioned comfort of the Shelter’s cheerful front lobby – there are so many options.

Just one or two hours, that’s it.

Please do not walk away from those unfortunate animals longing for love and attention. They ended up at the Shelter through no fault of their own, but it is our responsibility, as a community, to care for them.

Call the FOTAS Hotline 803-514-4313, go to www.fotasaiken.org , or email info@angelhartlinedesigns.com to help volunteer, foster, or donate.

Their lives are in our hands.

 

Ivy and Janson are waiting for someone to take them for a walk.
Ivy and Janson are waiting for someone to take them for a walk.