Category Archives: Volunteer

Adoption, News, Volunteer

The numbers don’t lie: life improves for shelter animals

Posted on by Angel Hartline
04
Dec

By Joanna D. Samson, FOTAS Vice President

Prior to 2009, a trip to the Aiken County Animal Shelter was a death sentence for the unfortunate animals consigned to the shelter by their owners or animal control. Intake numbers often soared to 6000 or more each year, which meant that at any given time, 210 animals resided in the tiny dark and outdated shelter designed to hold 100.

The annual euthanasia rate hovered consistently around 95%.

In 2009, FOTAS was formed to provide the County with financial support and volunteers to produce a better outcome for the shelter animals. Things began to improve.

In 2009 and 2010, the euthanasia rate dropped to 89% and 85%, respectively.

In 2011 and 2012, the euthanasia rate dropped again to 75%.

Thanks to the combined commitment and efforts of the County and FOTAS, the new shelter opened its doors in early 2013. Things really improved for the County’s homeless animals.

In 2013, the euthanasia rate dropped again to 71%.

In 2014, the euthanasia rate dropped to a remarkable and record-breaking 54%.

During the first ten months of this year, 2015, the overall euthanasia rate has dropped to 40% – that’s right… 40%!! In January and August, the monthly rates dropped to an all-time low of 25%.

That’s real progress: a 95% euthanasia rate to 40% in 5 years. It is not an accident.

Modern shelter management, dedicated animal control, and FOTAS’ continued support, have made the difference.

Shelter Manager Martha Chadwick has reformed the standard operating procedures at the shelter consistent with industry standards to ensure proper, uniform and accountable care for the animals.

Shelter vet Dr. Lisa Levy has established proper medical protocol to make certain the animals are inoculated, fed, treated, spayed and neutered.

Shelter employees are cross-trained (thanks to funding from FOTAS) to maximize productivity and flexibility on the job – essential to a high-volume public shelter with limited staffing resources.

FOTAS volunteers walk and socialize the animals virtually every day, and FOTAS volunteer trainer Suzy Cohen trains volunteers and works with the animals as needed, making them more attractive adoption prospects.

FOTAS volunteers provide much needed administrative support and organize on-site and off-site events and fundraisers.

FOTAS, working with shelter staff, organized and paid incurred expenses for the transfer of 718 animals this year alone, primarily to no-kill rescue partners in the north.

Although annual intake numbers persist in the 4400-5000 range and will continue to do so until every citizen spays or neuters their pets, FOTAS has paid for the spay/neuter of more animals than any other organization in the County: 476 pets and community cats through October of this year, for a total of 1411 since 2013.

Is the shelter perfect? By no means. Can it be improved? Of course. But by every metric (except intake, which is beyond our control) the County, FOTAS and you, the supporting public, have significantly improved the condition of and the outcome for the County’s homeless animals.

Now that’s something to be thankful for this holiday week.

God Bless you and your family.

Their lives are in our hands.

Adoption, Cats, Dogs, Foster, News, Volunteer

The art of fostering and letting go

Posted on by Angel Hartline
25
Nov

By Joanna Dunn Samson, FOTAS Vice President

Oddly enough, when I ask dog-loving folks with the means and opportunity to be a short-term foster for the Aiken County Animal Shelter and they refuse, it’s generally not because of the inconvenience of babysitting a canine guest, or the costs (there are none – FOTAS pays if necessary), or the uncertainty of introducing an unknown dog into the family.

What worries them the most about being a foster is how they will feel about letting them go when the time comes. How can I, the thinking goes, care for this dog in my home and then send him back into the shelter system – it breaks my heart!

Okay. I understand, but here’s the flaw in that thinking: it’s not about you – it’s about the dog, and for that dog, the couple of days he spends with your family means the world.

And here’s the other thing: you have to let them go! They are already spoken for! A foster’s job is to simply help that dog transition from the hectic pace of a public shelter to their ultimate forever homes.

“When we clear a dog for transfer,” says Jennifer Miller, President of FOTAS, “we move it as quickly as possible to a foster home where they can de-compress from shelter life with lots of attention, exercise and rest. In addition, that frees up space for another dog to be moved to the adoption floor. So you see, fostering helps two dogs find their home.”

Hunter and Albert were surrendered to the Shelter by their owner. The dogs were so bonded we believe they must have been together for most of their lives. Despite their unfortunate circumstances – having a home one day and being abandoned the next at a crowded public shelter with a chance of being euthanized – they were well mannered and quiet. Still, no one adopted them locally.

So FOTAS networked Hunter and Albert to one of its terrific transfer partners in New Hampshire, who were delighted to take them. In the meantime, FOTAS arranged for the two dogs to leave the Shelter and stay with one of its experienced foster families, the Urbens.

“Hunter and Albert were true gentlemen,” says Toni, “affectionate, willing and attentive – the perfect guests. They are poster children for forgiveness, hope and the dream of a grand future. I prayed some kind soul would spare them the pain of separation and adopt them both.”

Someone did. Four days ago, a big-hearted family in Rhode Island adopted them both, describing them as “big loves” and the “sun and moon” of their lives. We can all breath a sigh of relief. Hunter and Albert are finally home.

There you have it – that’s how you let them go . . . right into the arms of the people who will love them forever, freeing you up to foster one more hopeful canine soul on their way to dog bliss.

Be a foster. They need you. We need you. Call the shelter today (803) 642-1537 or call the FOTAS Hotline (803-514-4313) and join the FOTAS foster team.

Their lives are in our hands.

Hunter and Albert – home at last. This is why you foster.

 

 

Dogs, Volunteer

Babysit our orphans this holiday season

Posted on by Angel Hartline
11
Nov

By Joanna Dunn Samson, FOTAS Vice President

The Thanksgiving Day holiday is just around the corner, and no matter how much we might complain about large family gatherings and way too much food, the alternative – being alone on that day – is, for most of us, unbearable.

The animals at the Aiken County Animal Shelter have a particularly hard time over the holidays. In addition to being homeless, bewildered and confined to a kennel, the shelter is closed from Thursday through Sunday with minimal staff to feed and water and maybe a brief walk in the morning one or two days – weather, schedules and available volunteers permitting. That means that for four days, there are no afternoon walks, no opportunity to escape the monotony of their kennels, play, blow off a little steam and bask in the attention and love of a human.

It doesn’t have to be that way. FOTAS and the County Shelter are launching their annual “Take Them All Home for the Holidays” program, in which qualified families volunteer to babysit adoptable, orphan dogs over the Thanksgiving Day (and Christmas Day) weekends. Here’s how it works.

First, contact the County Shelter and fill out a foster application, or download the application on www.fotasaiken.org and fax it back to the Shelter. Shelter staff will review your application to make certain you have a home with a safe area for your weekend guests and the time and ability to give the animals attention and exercise during their stay. It is not necessary to keep your canine guests in your home: a warm outside shelter or a garage will suffice – they won’t mind. Plus, it won’t cost you a thing but time. FOTAS will provide you with food and a crate and blankets, if necessary.

Then FOTAS and shelter staff will match a dog to your accommodations and wishes (you might consider babysitting two if you plan to keep them in a shelter outside of the house so they will keep each other company). You would pick them up at the shelter on Wednesday afternoon (November 25th) by 5 and bring them back on Monday morning (November 30th).

There are so many reasons to babysit one of our orphans for the holidays. The dogs get a break from the stress of shelter life. They get lots of human contact and affection. Your experience with your ward in a home situation helps us better understand them. All of these things make the dogs calmer and more adoptable so they can find their forever homes.

Or, maybe you have been considering a first dog or adding an additional dog to your home, so this would be a perfect opportunity to assess how a new canine family member will mesh with your family life and schedule without any obligation past the holidays.

Sure, it might be hard to take your holiday guest back to the shelter on Monday morning, but the short-term and long term-advantages for the dog are huge. You can make a difference in that dog’s life.

Don’t let them sit alone this holiday season. Call us at 803-513-4313 or the Shelter at 803-642-1537 and get the process started. You won’t be sorry.

Their lives are in our hands.

 

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