Category Archives: Volunteer

Adoption, Cats, Volunteer

Partnership with Happy Tales Gives County Shelter Cats Fresh Venue to Strut their Stuff

Posted on by Angel Hartline
30
Oct

By Bob Gordon, FOTAS Communications Director and Volunteer

The Aiken County Animal Shelter and FOTAS are partnering with Happy Tales, a not-for-profit organization that shares their mission to find forever homes for rescued cats and kittens. The partnership includes showcasing County shelter cats at PetSmart in Aiken – and the kitties couldn’t be happier about their new showcase venue.

Last week, five cats were transported from the shelter to PetSmart, where Happy Tales Founder Joanne Dansby-Brosz welcomed them with open arms. Morris, Neo, Nicole, Kovu and Caleb were a bit scared and nervous during the trip and when they first arrived. But shortly after they were placed in their PetSmart “apartments,” they began to get comfortable – and even content – in their new digs. Joanne decorates the apartments with colorful bowls, blankets and toys to create a vivid, warm setting that makes the cats look their best.

Happy Tales has eight cat apartments at the Aiken PetSmart and Joanne is planning to transfer in new County shelter cats each week in partnership with FOTAS.

“We get a lot of traffic coming through here and that extra exposure results in a lot of adoptions,” Joanne said. “We are really excited to be part of saving the lives of County animals and can’t wait to accept more of the shelter’s cats and get them seen.”

FOTAS and the shelter are thrilled with the partnership as well. The more exposure the cats get, the better their chances of finding a forever home.

“This arrangement gives the cats an opportunity to shine at the PetSmart store,” said Martha Chadwick, Manager of the Aiken County Animal Shelter. “Our goal is to get every healthy cat adopted – and being in a different venue can make a difference.”

Joanne currently has 11 volunteers, each of whom works in two-hour shifts at the Aiken PetSmart location. Some have been with her organization for close to two decades. Happy Tales has partnered with the Aiken PetSmart store for 10 years and Joanne said that Store Manager Butch Hampton and his employees have been extremely supportive of her and her team.

Joanne only takes cats that are fully vaccinated and vetted, spay/neutered and parasite-free. She is strict about maintaining her strong reputation of providing only clean and healthy felines. In addition, before any adoption is approved, she visits the prospect’s home to ensure they are good, responsible pet owners.

With the shelter now at full capacity in the cat adoption facility and with its cat condos filled with kittens, the partnership with Happy Tales could not have come at a better time.

“We are doing this to save feline lives,” Joanne said. I know the County can be overwhelmed with the huge number of homeless cats coming in, so we need to get them good homes as fast as possible.”

The County shelter, located at 333 Wire Road, currently has some great black cats and kittens available for adoption, including: Muffit, Layth, Corey, Collette, Draco, Keifer, Jamison and Jet. At the shelter, they are $35 (half the price of a dog adoption), which includes all vaccinations, spay/neuter and microchip.

For more information about our new partnership with Happy Tales, please go to www.fotasaiken.org and www.happytalesadoptions.com.

Their lives are in our hands…

Photo Caption: 

FOTAS Volunteer Bob Gordon and Happy Tales’ Joanne Dansby-Brosz help Morris the cat get situated in his new Pet Smart “apartment”.

Adoption, Cats, News, Volunteer

Partnership with Happy Tales Gives County Shelter Cats Fresh Venue to Strut their Stuff

Posted on by Angel Hartline
15
Oct

By Bob Gordon, FOTAS Communications Director and Volunteer

The Aiken County Animal Shelter and FOTAS are partnering with Happy Tales, a not-for-profit organization that shares their mission to find forever homes for rescued cats and kittens. The partnership includes showcasing County shelter cats at PetSmart in Aiken – and the kitties couldn’t be happier about their new showcase venue.

Last week, five cats were transported from the shelter to PetSmart, where Happy Tales Founder Joanne Dansby-Brosz welcomed them with open arms. Morris, Neo, Nicole, Kovu and Caleb were a bit scared and nervous during the trip and when they first arrived. But shortly after they were placed in their PetSmart “apartments,” they began to get comfortable – and even content – in their new digs. Joanne decorates the apartments with colorful bowls, blankets and toys to create a vivid, warm setting that makes the cats look their best.

Happy Tales has eight cat apartments at the Aiken PetSmart and Joanne is planning to transfer in new County shelter cats each week in partnership with FOTAS.

“We get a lot of traffic coming through here and that extra exposure results in a lot of adoptions,” Joanne said. “We are really excited to be part of saving the lives of County animals and can’t wait to accept more of the shelter’s cats and get them seen.”

FOTAS and the shelter are thrilled with the partnership as well. The more exposure the cats get, the better their chances of finding a forever home.

“This arrangement gives the cats an opportunity to shine at the PetSmart store,” said Martha Chadwick, Manager of the Aiken County Animal Shelter. “Our goal is to get every healthy cat adopted – and being in a different venue can make a difference.”

Joanne currently has 11 volunteers, each of whom works in two-hour shifts at the Aiken PetSmart location. Some have been with her organization for close to two decades. Happy Tales has partnered with the Aiken PetSmart store for 10 years and Joanne said that Store Manager Butch Hampton and his employees have been extremely supportive of her and her team.

Joanne only takes cats that are fully vaccinated and vetted, spay/neutered and parasite-free. She is strict about maintaining her strong reputation of providing only clean and healthy felines. In addition, before any adoption is approved, she visits the prospect’s home to ensure they are good, responsible pet owners.

With the shelter now at full capacity in the cat adoption facility and with its cat condos filled with kittens, the partnership with Happy Tales could not have come at a better time.

“We are doing this to save feline lives,” Joanne said. I know the County can be overwhelmed with the huge number of homeless cats coming in, so we need to get them good homes as fast as possible.”

The County shelter, located at 333 Wire Road, currently has some great black cats and kittens available for adoption, including: Muffit, Layth, Corey, Collette, Draco, Keifer, Jamison and Jet. At the shelter, they are $35 (half the price of a dog adoption), which includes all vaccinations, spay/neuter and microchip.

For more information about our new partnership with Happy Tales, please go to www.fotasaiken.org and www.happytalesadoptions.com.

Their lives are in our hands…

Adoption, Cats, Dogs, Events, News, Volunteer, Volunteers

Young FOTAS Volunteers Making a Difference at County Animal Shelter

Posted on by Angel Hartline
21
Sep

By Bob Gordon, FOTAS Communications Director and Volunteer

On Diana Haltiwanger‘s tenth birthday, she did something unusual to celebrate the big day. She took her birthday money as well as food, leashes, toys and other treats to the Aiken County Animal Shelter and personally delivered the generous donation to FOTAS.

“I just love animals,” Diana said, “and I thought it might help make a difference in their lives.”

Diana’s selfless gesture is just one example of children steadily becoming a force in fulfilling the altruistic goals of FOTAS and the County Shelter.

Although the majority of community members who support the shelter are retirees and other adults, more kids are getting involved in assisting the orphaned dogs and cats at 333 Wire Road. Some children donate their time by participating in FOTAS events like the Dog Ears Reading Program, Dog Day Crafternoons, Woofstock, and other fundraisers. Others get involved through clubs, Scouts, and their schools (prime examples are the South Aiken High School Chapter of the Serteen Club and the Aiken High NJROTC). And some kids just decide to become FOTAS volunteers on their own.

Volunteer Holly Heiens became a volunteer after she did a report on shelter animals for school last year. Ever since learning more about their hardships, the driven 10-year-old has donated her time to animals in need.

“When Holly wants something, she goes after it,” said her mother, Kari, who volunteers with her daughter every Saturday. Kari said that even though there are lots of social events and parties on Saturdays, they work around them so she and her daughter can meet their weekly commitment to the shelter animals.

“It isn’t really hard work when you are there to help the animals and brighten their day,” Holly said. “It’s more like fun work.”

Noah Jacobs is another junior volunteer who juggles a number of responsibilities. Sports, school and hanging out with his friends are important to the 10-year-old, but he spends as much time as he can at the shelter with his mom, Kathy. The Jacobs family also fosters shelter animals at their home, helping them get prepped for adoption.

“I talk to my friends about it. I think more kids should volunteer,” Noah said. “Some of my friends are nervous about volunteering but they shouldn’t be. Even the big dogs are nice.”

Alex Robinson helps out at the shelter every weekend with his father, William, and sometimes his grandfather, Charles. One of the reasons the 12-year-old volunteers at the shelter is because he loves dogs but can’t own one where he lives.

“It has taught Alex responsibility,” William said. “I am impressed how quickly he picked up on what to do at the shelter. Overall, it’s been a very positive experience for him and we’ve met a lot of great people there.”

The County Shelter is always looking for more young volunteers to help out and work with the animals. Volunteers under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. If you are interested in volunteering and making a difference, please contact FOTAS at (803) 514-4313 or volunteer@angelhartlinedesigns.com.

Their lives are in our hands.

 

Adoption, Dogs, News, Volunteer

Overpopulation, abandoned animals and the miracle of Poppy

Posted on by Angel Hartline
09
Sep

 

By Joanna D. Samson, FOTAS Vice President

When Aiken County Animal Control picked up Poppy roaming a County road on the blistering hot Tuesday after the July 4th holiday, she was thirsty, stressed from the heat, and very, very pregnant. A finely boned, black lab cross, she was collarless with a string tied around her neck – some wretched owner’s pathetic and cruel attempt to tie her to a stationary object and abandon her to the elements.

There are so many things wrong with this story, I don’t know where to start. I’m stunned that someone would abandon a pregnant mama dog in the heat of summer rather than take responsibility for the dog they should have spayed in the first place – that a family pet could be abandoned with such callous disregard, like litter tossed out on a road.

Do I sound angry and indignant? I am.

Poppy was one of 50, that’s right, 50, animals taken into the Aiken County Animal Shelter that Tuesday – a heartbreaking record for a single day, even in the summer. And despite FOTAS and the County’s notable successes over the past two years to find forever homes for more animals through special programs, increased adoptions and transfers to no-kill sister rescue agencies in other parts of the Country, the euthanasia rate will never be reduced to acceptable levels until every citizen, every friend, every family member, every neighbor spays and neuters their pets.

We have a responsibility to care for these animals, individually and as a community. They cannot take care of themselves. FOTAS Fix-a-Pet and FOTAS’ Lenny’s Brigade program (our trap-neuter-release program for community cats) have been in overdrive this year, especially during these long, hot summer months. We are particularly grateful to Dr. Holly Woltz (Veterinary Services), Dr. Cindy Brown (Aiken Animal Hospital), and Dr. Charles Groover (Aiken Veterinary Clinic) for their much-needed assistance with our spay/neuter programs. We couldn’t do this without them.

FOTAS desperately needs your help to continue to provide this much-needed service at the current rates; through July, we organized and paid for the spay/neutering of 349 pets and community cats, and every week we are barraged with requests for spay/neuter help. Please take a moment to donate to the cause either through the FOTAS website – www.fotasaiken.org – or mail a check to POB 2207, Aiken SC 29802.

As it turns out, Poppy was one of the lucky ones. She was so pregnant, the Shelter staff and FOTAS moved quickly to get her into a foster home, calling the Conger-Wolcotts (who, by the way, had been pressed into puppy-birthing foster service non-stop for 6 months) for help. One week later, Poppy gave birth to 9 puppies. Next week, those 8-week old puppies will be transferred and placed in their forever homes. Poppy, who is heartworm positive, will remain in foster care while FOTAS funds her treatment and finds her a loving, responsible owner. Her days of neglect are over.

Please help. Their lives are in our hands.

 

Adoption, News, Volunteer, Volunteers

Local Volunteers Are the Lifeblood of Aiken County Animal Shelter

Posted on by Angel Hartline
09
Sep

 

By Bob Gordon, FOTAS Communications Director and Volunteer

The power of volunteering cannot be overstated. Not only is it rewarding and uplifting to the people donating their time for a good cause, but it also makes it possible for organizations to achieve more than they possibly could through their limited budgets and staff.

Nowhere is this truer than at the Aiken County Animal Shelter.

“Volunteers are our lifeblood,” said Nanci Santos, FOTAS volunteer coordinator. “We are so very grateful for the wonderful core group of volunteers that return daily or on committed days to walk dogs, socialize the animals, and act as reception desk ambassadors.”

Besides the daily tasks of walking the dogs and manning the front desk, volunteers also help with the FOTAS transfer program, manage and promote special events, help maintain the shelter grounds , aid with general administrative duties, assist with FOTAS spay/neuter programs and foster dogs and puppies.

Susie and Wally Huiet are a couple that volunteers for multiple shelter duties: dog walking, fostering and helping with the transfer program. Susie also takes photos of the dogs available for adoption and posts them on social media.

“When you give your time and your love to these dogs and enable them to be adopted or selected for a rescue transport, it is a great feeling,” Susie said.  “Every dog you can get adopted or rescued really means you are saving two lives, because one goes onto a new home and another is able to leave the intake building and get their chance on the adoption floor.”

Paula Neuroth has been juggling a number of volunteer responsibilities for years. She and her husband, Rod, have been fostering puppies and their mothers at their Aiken home since 2010. Paula also helps manage and coordinate FOTAS Fix-a-Pet, a spay/neuter program financed through private donations.

“There never will be a big enough staff at the shelter because of budget restrictions,” Paula explained. “But we as volunteers can provide support that helps the shelter achieve its goals and fill the gaps, and FOTAS helps fund programs that otherwise could not be realized.”

Peggy Babineau works the front desk every Monday afternoon, greeting and assisting shelter visitors with their adoption needs. She and her daughter, Becca, also foster new dogs each week, getting them socialized and more prepared for their eventual forever homes.

“Volunteering is rewarding beyond words,” Peggy said. “You can get attached to the dogs in your care. But you just have to focus on the goal of getting them ready to leave for a better life.”

As a result of the dedicated efforts of all our volunteers, FOTAS and the County are saving the lives of more animals than any time in the shelter’s past. But every day is a challenge and more help is always needed. If you are interested in volunteering and making a difference, please contact FOTAS at (803) 514-4313 or volunteer@angelhartlinedesigns.com.

Their lives are in our hands.

 

 

Adoption, Cats, Dogs, News, Volunteer

Help! They’re coming out of our ears!

Posted on by Angel Hartline
17
Jun

By Joanna D. Samson, FOTAS Vice President

It’s summer time at the Aiken County Animal Shelter, and we’re swamped with dogs, cats, puppies! So many puppies! A hundred kittens! Seriously.

The County Shelter and FOTAS need your help… desperately. Many of our dedicated volunteers have gone away for the summer, leaving us critically shorthanded. The kennels in the adoption pod are full and the intake wing is backed up with animals, waiting for space to open up on the adoption floor.

We need volunteers to walk the dogs, play with the cats, fuss with the kittens, entertain the puppies, groom the dogs, help out at the front desk.

Last week there were only 3 volunteers to walk 35 dogs – many of whom wait to so their business outside.

Also, we need folks to foster so we can move the dogs out of the shelter. If you are up for a summer of squishy, adorable puppy-love, you can foster mamma dogs and little puppies.

Not into long-term commitment? You can foster an adult dog or dogs scheduled for transfer and let them chill out in a home environment. (For every dog you foster, another one moves to the adoption floor, saving two for one.)

We are also trying a new Foster for a Weekend program for true commitment phobes – just to get the animals some love and personal attention for the weekend and give you a taste of what you’re missing.

Call us today and we will get you started. Call the FOTAS hotline at 803-514-4313 or email us at info@angelhartlinedesigns.com.

But most of all, we need you to adopt, adopt, adopt. These sweet animals deserve a second chance, and you can give it to them. Take advantage of this month’s Touch of Gray adoption special – ½ price for any cat or kitten with even a single gray hair in their coat.

Thank you, and God Bless. Their lives are in our hands.

Adoption, Dogs, Events, Volunteer

CHILDREN AND DOGS, READING TOGETHER

Posted on by Angel Hartline
12
Jun

31 August 2014

CHILDREN AND DOGS, READING TOGETHER

By Ellie Joos, FOTAS On-Site Program Coordinator 

A serious child sits on the kennel floor with a book in his hands, and a floppy-eared puppy sits attentively by his side with a look on its face that says, “Tell me a story, I’m all ears.”

This will be the happy scene on Wednesday, September 3, 2014, at the Aiken County Animal Shelter when FOTAS, in proud partnership with the ABBE Regional Library System, launches the “Dog Ears” reading program.

Like many shelters and libraries nationwide, the Shelter and the County Library recognize the joy and magic that happens when eager children read out loud to shelter animals who crave and need loving human attention.

What a fabulous idea!

Dog Ear-type reading programs have been studied by several prominent veterinary schools, including the University of California Davis’ School of Veterinary Medicine and the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University.

UC Davis reported that reading fluency improved as much as 30%, with 75% of the parents reporting that their children read aloud more frequently and with greater confidence.

The Cummings School compared reading programs where children read to dogs with reading programs where children read to people.

And guess what?  The Cummings study concluded that children who read to dogs gained in reading ability and had a more positive attitude toward reading all together, and that the children who read to people showed no significant improvement in ability or attitude.

How can we explain that?

Animals make wonderful reading companions. They listen attentively, allowing the child to read at his or her own pace and in their own words.  As a result, kids improve their reading skills in a non-judgmental, stress-free environment.

And, as the child is learning and building self-esteem, the shelter dogs and cats bask in the sounds of a sweet, soothing voice.  The experience calms and relaxes the animals, making them a more adoptable prospect.

How cool is that?

The first “Dog Ears” reading session will take place from 1pm to 3pm at the County Shelter at 333 Wire Road.

Jennie Beck, the Children’s Services Coordinator from the ABBE Regional Library System, will train FOTAS volunteers to serve as reading assistants for the children during each 20 minute reading session.

Children age 5 and over are invited to attend. They will be given a choice of age-appropriate books selected by Jennie and her staff to read to one of the dogs or cats living in the Shelter.

Then each child will sit with a volunteer companion and his or her selected animal companion at a designated quiet spot on the grounds of the Shelter.

This first session does not require advance registration.

The “Dog Ears” reading program is one of several new on-site events that are taking place at the shelter and coordinated by FOTAS volunteers with support from the new shelter manager, Martha Chadwick, and her staff.

There are so many loving and lovely adoptable animals at the County Shelter that need love, attention and most of all, a new place to call home.

Events like the Dog Ears reading program, birthday parties, doggie reunions, and other programs now in the planning stages are bringing together the County Shelter, other County agencies and the community to give these animals a second chance.

For further information about “Dog Ears” or other events, please contact 803-514-4313   or    info@FOTASAiken.org

 

NIKKI    American Bulldog, female, 10 mos., 39 lbs — $70

HECTOR   Domestic short hair, male, 3 yrs, 11 lbs — $35

Adoption, Dogs, Events, Volunteer

Sunny Day and a Gathering of Shelter Success Stories

Posted on by Angel Hartline
11
Jun

By Eleanor Joos and Joanna Dunn Samson

Earlier this month, FOTAS hosted its 1st Annual Dog Alumni Social at the new Aiken County Animal Shelter, and oh boy, what a turnout!

There was Indy, adopted from the shelter 14 years ago, who looks like she hasn’t aged a bit – maybe she had a little work done at the groomers?

There was Morris, a lab mix who was the first dog from the County shelter rescued and trained by Jerry Lyda of Veterans K9 Solutions.  A total party animal at the shelter (he never met a ball he didn’t love), Morris is now the dedicated service dog for veteran Michael.

And how about Glory and Josie?  Totally misunderstood in their shelter days (bulldog crosses just look like the baddest girls on the block) – they are now loving and devoted family members with their humans Caiden and Judy, proving once again, just how wrong and unfortunate those old stereotypes are.

It was great to see little Jax, a terrier mix with boundless energy who literally bounced off the walls as a shelter resident.  Well, guess what?  Crazy little Jax ain’t so crazy anymore – he has calmed down and blossomed under the expert care and love of Dr. Sybil Davis.  Hey Jax, you’re looking mighty dapper in that bow tie.

Then there was Princess, always the most stylish girl in the room, strutting her stuff with her humans Carol and Jim and looking oh so fashion-forward in her ruffled collar.

Sweet girl Pollyanna is the same sweet girl she always was, living the good life and doting on her human David.  That David is a lucky man.

And let’s not forget Parker, even handsomer now than the day he left the shelter thanks to the love and care of his human Pixie, who continues to swoon over his good looks and charming disposition.

These were just a few of the happy canine alumni who spent a few hours visiting the new shelter, enjoying Thea’s homemade doggie cookies and muffins, having their photos taken by talented photographers Janice Freeland and Pam Eckelbarger, getting a quick manicure and pedicure from the vet techs from Veterinary Services, and adding their “Paw” Hancock to commemorative certificates.

Veterans K9 Solutions, which trains dogs and volunteers at the shelter three times a week, was also present to give training tips and demonstrations.

By all accounts, the day was a great success thanks to scores of FOTAS volunteers (to whom we are eternally grateful for this and all they do), good weather and lots of willing participants having a good time.  Even better, 7 dogs and 3 cats found new homes that day.

The greatest success of the day, however, wasn’t just a function of the sunny day, fun-filled activities, raffles, tours, adoptions and shopping opportunities.

Rather, it was the overwhelming affirmation of just how wonderful, how satisfying, how loving a pet adopted from the Aiken County Animal Shelter can be.

We see these successes all the time, year after year.  A responsible pet owner adopts a lost, homeless animal and an enduring bond is created that sustains not only the adopted pet, but its adopted family as well.

Ask any human who found their loving friend and companion at the County Shelter; they will tell you just how lucky they are to have that animal in their life.

Shelter animals make the greatest pets.  Adopt your next pet from the County Shelter – their lives are in our hands.

Contact info@angelhartlinedesigns.com or visit FOTAS on line at www.fotasaiken.org or call 803-514-4313

ROXY – ONLY $35
LAB RETRIEVER MIX – FEMALE – 5 YEARS OLD – 57 LBS.

 

NATHAN – ONLY $17
DOMESTIC SHORT HAIR – MALE – 1 YEAR OLD – 7.5 LBS.

News, Volunteer

The Eagles Have Arrived!

Posted on by Angel Hartline

By Edie Hubler, FOTAS Director

THAT SATURDAY MORNING AS I WALKED MY DOGS MEG AND ZEUS, I COULD FEEL A SLIGHT BREEZE AND NOTICED THE HUMIDITY HAD DROPPED SOMEWHAT.  AT MID-MORNING, I ARRIVED AT THE ANIMAL SHELTER, SAW THE GROUP AT WORK, COULD HEAR THEIR PICK-AXES AND SEE THEIR SWEAT.  THEY WERE DILIGENT IN THE TASK AT HAND.  I WAS GLAD THE WEATHER HAD SOFTENED SOMEWHAT FOR THEM.

THEY WERE CLEARING SOME PATHS IN THE TREES TO BUILD WALKING TRAILSS FOR THE VOLUNTEERS AND ADOPTABLE DOGS – 500 FEET OF TRAILS TO BE EXACT.  I KNEW THEY WERE A GOD-SEND.  SEVERAL OF THE FOTAS VOLUNTEERS WHO WERE WALKING DOGS COMMENTED THAT THEY WERE SO HAPPY TO SEE THIS FOTAS PLAN COME TO FRUITION.

THE “THEY” IN THIS ARTICLE ARE SOME OF THE BOY SCOUTS FROM TROOP 115 OF ST. MARY HELP OF CHRISTIANS CHURCH.  ONE OF THEIR MEMBERS, WHIT BABINEAU, IS WORKING TOWARD HIS EAGLE SCOUT DESIGNATION, THE HIGHEST BOY SCOUT ACHIEVEMENT.  HE IS 15 YEARS OLD, JUST FINISHED HIS FRESHMAN YEAR AT AIKEN HIGH SCHOOL, AND HAS BEEN INVOLVED IN SCOUTING SINCE HE WAS 5 YEARS OLD.  WHIT, SOME OF THE OTHER SCOUTS IN HIS TROOP, HIS DAD (DAVID BABINEAU, THE COMMITTEE CHAIR) AND THE TROOP LEADER (RICK KITCHENS) WERE AMONG THE WORKERS.  THERE ARE 12 SCOUTS IN TROOP 115, AND 6 ARE ACTIVELY WORKING TO BECOME EAGLE SCOUTS.  THE SCOUT MUST PLAN, ORGANIZE, LEAD AND MANAGE THE PROJECT FOR THE BENEFIT OF ANY RELIGIOUS INSTITUTION, SCHOOL OR THE COMMUNITY — WHICH DEMONSTRATES BOTH LEADERSHIP AND A COMMITMENT TO DUTY.  WHIT CHOSE COMMUNITY FOR HIS PROJECT AND THE AIKEN COUNTY ANIMAL SHELTER IS THE RECIPIENT OF HIS EFFORTS.  HE CHOSE THE SHELTER BECAUSE HIS FAMILY HAS ALWAYS RESCUED DOGS (THEY CURRENTLY HAVE 4 DOGS), HORSES (THEY CURRENTLY HAVE 4 BUT HAVE HAD AS MANY AS 10), AND A SNAKE, WHOSE NAME IS SLICK.  THIS PROJECT IS ONE OF THE LAST THINGS HE NEEDS TO COMPLETE TO BECOME AN EAGLE SCOUT.  HE AND HIS SCOUT COMRADES WILL ALSO BE BUILDING A BENCH IN THE NEXT WEEK OR SO TO BE PLACED ON THE WALKING TRAILS IN THE TREES (FOTAS WILL BE PROVIDING THE MATERIALS.)

I’VE NO DOUBT THESE EAGLE SCOUT CANDIDATES WILL BE SUCCESSFUL.  THE EAGLE SCOUT ACHIEVEMENT BEGAN IN 1911, AND SINCE THAT TIME MANY WELL-KNOWN PEOPLE HAVE ACHIEVED THIS GOAL INCLUDING:

NEIL ARMSTRONG, ASTRONAUT, FIRST MAN ON THE MOON

MICHAEL BLOOMBURG, FORMER MAYOR OF NY

BILL BRADLEY, PRO BASKETBALL STAR & U.S. SENATOR FROM NJ

GERALD FORD, U.S. PRESIDENT (1ST EAGLE TO BE PRESIDENT OF THE  UNITED STATES)

WILLARD MARRIOTT, JR. (PRESIDENT OF MARRIOTT CORP.)

RICK PERRY (GOVERNOR OF TX)

STEVEN SPIELBERG (MOVIE PRODUCER)

SAM WALTON (FOUNDER OF WAL-MART)

ELMO R. ZUMWALT, JR. (ADMIRAL, CHIEF OF NAVAL OPERATIONS)

THE BABINEAU FAMILY (WHIT, HIS SISTER BECCA, DAVID, HIS DAD, AND PEGGY, HIS MOM) HAS ALSO BECOME A GREAT SUPPORTER OF FOTAS AND THE COUNTY SHELTER — THEY ARE OUR NEWEST FOSTER FAMILY, AND ARE CURRENTLY FOSTERING BOBBY.  DAVID SAYS BOBBY IS SPOILED, BUT IS WELL BEHAVED AND WILL MAKE A GREAT PET FOR SOMEONE.

BACK TO THE WALKING TRAILS … ON THE MONDAY FOLLOWING THEIR COMPLETION, I WAS CONTACTED BY SEVERAL OF THE VOLUNTEERS.  THEY COULDN’T SAY ENOUGH POSITIVE COMMENTS ABOUT HOW WONDERFUL THESE TRAILS ARE, HOW MUCH THE DOGS ARE ENJOYING THEM AND ASKED THAT I THANK WHIT AND HIS “ASSISTANTS.”

WELL WHIT, HERE IS A PUBLIC SHOUT OUT  TO YOU AND YOUR SCOUT TROOP.  THE DOGS THANK YOU, THE VOLUNTEERS THANK YOU, FOTAS THANKS YOU, AND THE AIKEN COUNTY ANIMAL SHELTER THANKS YOU.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, EMAIL INFO@FOTASAIKEN.ORG OR VISIT WWW.FOTASAIKEN.ORG

FOTAS Volunteers work with the AIKEN COUNTY ANIMAL SHELTER, 333 Wire Road.  For more information, contact “info@angelhartlinedesigns.com” or visit FOTAS on line at www.fotasaiken.org.

 

HALF PRICE ADOPTION SPECIALS THROUGH JULY 28, 2014

DOGS $35     AND     CATS $17

 

AIKEN COUNTY SHELTER “PETS OF THE WEEK!” 

**All adoption fees include:  spay/neuter, heartworm test, all shots, worming, and microchip.

 

BEAR       LAB RETRIEVER, MALE, 1 YR OLD, 56 LBS.  ONLY $35 

GARFIELD  DOMESTIC SHORT HAIR — MALE — KITTEN  ONLY $17

Adoption, Cats, Dogs, Volunteer

War Stories and the Heartbreaking Sounds of Surrendered Animals

Posted on by Angel Hartline
09
Jun

By Joanna Dunn Samson, FOTAS Director

Summer is a hard time for the Aiken County Animal Shelter. Aside from the beastly heat, the number of animals at the shelter skyrockets during the summer.

This summer is no exception. Last Wednesday, by 3:00 in the afternoon, eight surrendered animals were lined up in crates outside the intake building waiting for a space to open up. It was 95 degrees outside.

Inside, up to 5 dogs are housed in one kennel run in the intake wing because the intake numbers are so high. The shelter accepted 534 animals in may, and the June numbers will be equally as dismal.

Where do they come from? From the County, the City, Edgefield county, occasionally private rescue agencies already filled to capacity, but primarily, they come from private citizens. In May alone, 322 animals were citizen-surrendered—twice as many as in the winter months.

Why so many surrenders this time of year? Are you ready for this?

Vacations! Can you believe it? There are people in this world who choose to surrender their pets to the county shelter when they go on vacation—people who consign their confused and trusting pets to the stress of a shelter environment and an uncertain future—rather than make proper arrangements for their care.

I am haunted by this callous disregard for the welfare of helpless animals.

No question, the solution to this gross overcrowding is to reduce overpopulation through a rigorous spay/neuter program.

Experts estimate that 75% of the pet population must be spayed/neutered in order to see a significant reduction in intake numbers. For that reason, fotas focuses its spay/neuter activities in Wagener, which is a county hot spot for overpopulation, and will continue to do so until we see a difference in the numbers.

Moreover, the county allocates $30,000 for low cost spay/neuter vouchers, and FOTAS supplements that program as well. FOTAS has also raised approximately $20,000 for spay/neuter services through its Woofstock festival and the SPCA’s twilight walk.

In the past 18 months, FOTAS paid the SPCA – Albrecht Center approximately $20,000 to spay and neuter 292 citizen-owned cats and dogs and 238 community cats in its state-of-the-art clinic.

Is it enough? Of course not—it’s never enough. But here’s the thing.

Someone has to be responsible for the 4800 unwanted animals that end up at the county shelter each year, and that someone is the county, with the help of FOTAS.

The county shelter does not have the luxury of refusing to accept an animal because it doesn’t have enough room. Paid for with taxpayer dollars, it has a legal obligation to accept all comers. Quite frankly, it feels like sweeping back the ocean with a broom.

Although the County and FOTAS are making great strides in saving more animals and reducing the euthanasia rate, until rampant overpopulation is checked and the appalling intake numbers come down, our goal of never having to euthanize another adoptable animal is out of reach.

How can you help?

Volunteer at the shelter.

Foster dogs and puppies until they can be weaned and rehomed.

Make a tax-free donation to the cause at www.Fotasaiken.Org.

Most of all: adopt one of the deserving animals in the adoption wing. For every animal you adopt, you save two lives—the pet you adopted and the pet that can be moved to the adoption floor from intake.

Plus, if you adopt before July 28, adoption fees have been reduced by half —$35 for dogs and $17 for cats—so come on over.

PETS OF THE WEEK:

Gina American Bulldog—female, 2 yrs old, 38 lbs. Only $35 

Clark Catahoula Leopoard Dog—male, 2 yrs old, 45 lbs. Only $35