Category Archives: Volunteers

2020, Adoption, donations, FOTAS, Have a Heart, Save a Heart, Home-to-Home adoption program, News, Spay/Neuter, TNR Program, Transfer, Volunteers, Where your donations go, Where your donations go

FOTAS and 11 Years of Progress at the Aiken County Animal Shelter

Posted on by Bob Gordon
30
Jul

On July 29, 2009, the South Carolina Secretary of State officially approved FOTAS as a charitable nonprofit organization dedicated to the care of the homeless, abandoned, and abused animals consigned to the County Shelter, kicking off the beginning of an extraordinary public/private partnership with the county and a new, comprehensive approach to caring for homeless animals. It was a massive undertaking. At the time, more than 6,000 animals a year passed through the doors of the county’s tiny, antiquated shelter. Only 5% made it out alive.

FOTAS helps fund the TNR program, which has been so effective in curbing community cat overpopulation in the Aiken County

All of that has changed in the past 11 years. With the opening of the new shelter in 2014, the FOTAS/county partnership solidified and blossomed. FOTAS volunteers are an integral part of the shelter’s operations (it is estimated that FOTAS volunteers provide the equivalent of ten full-time positions). FOTAS donations supplement the shelter’s budget and programs and provide supplies such as leashes, toys, flea and tick prevention, and medicine for heartworm positive dogs. FOTAS has created a network of transfer partners in other parts of the country (where kennels are empty because everyone fixes their pets) where we send dogs (and pay the incurred transport costs) who could not find homes locally. The transfer program saves thousands of animals every year.

We also attack the problem of overpopulation of homeless pets. FOTAS supplements the county’s spay/neuter financial assistance program for county residents who need it, as well as funds to support the TNR (Trap Neuter Return) program to address the problems of community cats. We hire a mobile spay/neuter van to go to hot-spot areas around the county (the FIDO Fix-a-Pet program) to provide free spay/neuter surgeries for citizens who need financial assistance.

Tiffy is adopted following mouth surgery. This poor kitten was rescued after being thrown from a moving car.

Our Home-to-Home program allows folks who can no longer care for their pets to use the power of our social media to find loving homes without subjecting their beloved pets to the trauma of surrender to the shelter (it’s been a huge success during the COVID crisis!) FOTAS works with Animal Control to provide dog houses and humane runners for dogs who are tethered to chains, as well as dog food and other supplies to help folks in a bind.

Biz and Eddie Mann adopted Snowflake (now named Keaton) from the ACAS in July.

FOTAS also helps with the improvement of the physical facilities at the shelter. In addition to funding the medical wellness and isolation pod for animals with curable infectious ailments, plans are currently underway for a building that will house two, much needed adoption rooms and a training area.

In 2017, FOTAS was one of ten (out of 14,000) charitable organizations to be awarded the Angel Award by the Secretary of State, which recognizes the most efficient and effective nonprofits in the state. Plus, for the second year in a row, FOTAS and our signature event, Woofstock, received the Aiken Standard Choice Best of Aiken Award.

We have managed to do all of this with only one paid staff member and an army of volunteers. Has it worked? You bet it has. For the past two years, FOTAS and the county achieved their goal of not having to euthanize any adoptable pet.

None of this would have been possible without you, the generous Aiken community, who have donated your time and money and welcomed shelter animals into your hearts and homes.

Thank you and God Bless. Stay safe.


–By Joanna D. Samson, FOTAS Vice President

2020, Adoption, Children, Dogs, fostering, FOTAS, Junior FOTAS, News, Volunteers

Job Shadow Day at the Shelter with Logan Heath

Posted on by Bob Gordon
06
May

One of my favorite programs offered within the Aiken County School System is Job Shadow Day. Students are encouraged to follow an adult at work to learn first-hand what they do each day. This was the first year that a local student asked to shadow me at the Aiken County Animal Shelter (ACAS). I was so excited!

Logan Heath prepares for his Shadow Day with FOTAS Programs Coordinator Kathy Jacobs.

Logan Heath, a member of our Junior FOTAS after-school program at Tall Pines STEM Academy, arrived at 8 a.m. and we had plenty to do. I explained that we needed to walk the shelter and take inventory. We had to visit all the new dogs and cats and start making plans for them. It also meant preparing them for foster homes, calling foster families, flea-treating dogs, bathing puppies and making sure all adoptable pets were walked and shown love.

I noticed Logan’s eyes get big when he saw a new mother dog and her puppies. He had never seen puppies that little before. The mother dog was so sweet and let me take out a puppy for Logan to hold. We then called super foster mom Girl Conger-Wolcott to come pick up this litter.

Next, we saw a new puppy that looked so sad all curled up in a bed. We called Betsy Holmes and asked if she would foster him. She immediately said yes and was on her way. Logan and I bathed the puppy, found some food and toys and got ready for Betsy to arrive. Logan asked if he could name the puppy Alex, so we did. It suited him!

Tall Pines STEM Academy student and Junior FOTAS Volunteer Logan Heath bonds with Derry.

Logan has a dog but no cats, so he really wanted to spend time with a kitty. We had a super snuggly cat that enjoyed playing and getting some couch time. We talked about how playing and getting human attention can help a pet be more adoptable and less fearful of new people.

We then went to the kennels to meet the adoptable dogs. He really wanted to walk a cute dog named Derry. When we put the leash on, she rolled over and smiled. I told Logan she is what we call “perfection on paws.” Derry and her puppies were found dumped on the side of the road. How could a dog go through so much and still be so sweet?

Logan said his grandmother was picking him up after we were done and she was looking for a canine companion. When his grandmother arrived, he asked if he could show her a dog. He walked into the kennel and got down on the ground with Derry. His grandmother asked why he thought she should adopt her and Logan said, “Because she is amazing.” Without hesitation, she replied, “Okay then, let’s bring her home.”

Logan and his grandmother, Kimberly Parker, adopt Derry — a dog that was found dumped on the side of the road with her puppies.

We are hoping to put all this social distancing behind us soon. We miss our Junior FOTAS volunteers! Young people like Logan make a huge difference in the lives of the shelter pets. We hope that children in Aiken County will stay connected with us by emailing lists of their favorite pet names, sending videos reading to their pets and submitting fun animal-themed pictures or videos that we can share with our Facebook followers. (Please send your submissions to info@FOTASAiken.org.)


— By Kathy Jacobs, FOTAS Programs Coordinator

2020, Adoption, Dogs, FOTAS, News, senior pets, SOCIAL MEDIA, surrendered pets, Volunteers

Power of Social Media Saves Bonded Senior Shelter Dogs

Posted on by Bob Gordon
03
Mar

A woman from Ohio saw two bonded, senior Beagle mix siblings, Benson and Aggie, posted on Facebook and, with a little help from some FOTAS friends, adopted them and had them in her home in less than 24 hours.

That’s the power of social media and a great example of how it saves homeless pets’ lives every day. When you share a FOTAS Facebook post or create your own post about a dog or cat available at the Aiken County Animal Shelter (ACAS), that pet’s face and description reaches more people than any advertisement or print media – and often results in a successful adoption.

Benson and Aggie make themselves at home.

For Benson and Aggie, their journey to a new home began when Martinez, GA resident Steve Wall saw Martha Anne Tudor’s Facebook post about the two dogs in need and decided to share it on one of his favorite Facebook community pages, called “I love my Beagle.” Cindy Lejeune of Cleveland, Ohio saw Steve’s post and commented that she missed her two late Beagles who had recently died from cancer less than two months apart. From there, Cindy contacted Steve on Facebook messenger and a dialogue began.

After communicating with Steve, Cindy wanted to learn more about the dogs, so she called the ACAS and talked to FOTAS volunteer Joanne Goble. Joanne answered all of Cindy’s questions and told her that the Benson and Aggie had been on the adoption floor for a long time. Joanne also explained that their previous owner had passed away and that’s how the poor senior dogs had ended up in the shelter.

Aggie & Benson were staff and volunteer favorites but they kept being overlooked by potential adopters until a woman in Ohio saw their picture and story on Facebook.

“Everyone was so helpful and friendly,” Cindy said. “But I wasn’t sure how I was going to get them here. To be honest, I was a little afraid of driving all the way to Aiken and back by myself.”

Then Steve Wall made a very generous offer. He said he could transport Benson and Aggie part of the way. If they met at Beckley, WV – the halfway point between Aiken and Cleveland – it would cut her trip in half.

Steve Wall and ACAS shelter dogs Benson & Aggie meet Cindy Lejeune in West Virginia.

“I told her we shouldn’t let 675 miles stop these dogs from finding a good home,” he said.

Cindy agreed and on Saturday, Feb. 22, Steve picked up Benson and Aggie for their ride to a forever home. Shelter staff members and FOTAS Program Coordinator Kathy Jacobs processed the dogs and got them ready, so Steve could pick them up first thing in the morning.

At 3:30 in the afternoon, Steve and the dogs met Cindy at a BP gas station in Beckley. Steve also passed along their paperwork, medical records and toys. By 8:30 p.m., Benson and Aggie were safe and sound in their new home.

“They’re such sweet dogs,” Cindy said. “Benson jumped up on the bed right away and made it clear he was sleeping there and Aggie, who’s a real sweetheart, slept with her head on my shoulder.”

–By Bob Gordon, FOTAS Communications Director

2019, Dogs, donations, Events, FOTAS, Fundraisers, Junior FOTAS, News, Volunteers

Educating Local Students Is Key to Helping Homeless Pets

Posted on by Bob Gordon
13
Jan

I am constantly blown away by the kindness of young people in our community, especially during the holiday season. Local students care deeply about the homeless animals at the Aiken County Animal Shelter (ACAS) and are eager to learn all they can to help them.

Matthew and Joy David visited the shelter with toy donations. They enjoyed their tour of the facility and met the homeless pets — and Santa Claus!

South Aiken Baptist students bring toys at Christmas
South Aiken Baptist Christian invited Shelter Manager Bobby Arthurs and I to bring dogs to their school in early December and speak to students about pet responsibility. We were later surprised by one of their teachers and her grandchildren who visited our shelter with many items to donate.

Aiken Elementary makes cat toys and organizes donation drive
Paula Simmons is a fabulous volunteer at the shelter. A retired teacher from Aiken County Public Schools, she has been instrumental in helping form a Junior FOTAS Club at the school. In December, Paula and I took adoptable hound mix JD to visit the students and they made toys for the shelter felines and organized a holiday donation drive for FOTAS.

Horse Creek Academy collect goodies for homeless pets
Horse Creek Academy Kindergarten teacher Jennifer Kelley adopted a dog, Cooper, from the ACAS three years ago. Since then, she has organized a kindergarten supply drive for FOTAS. All the kindergarten teachers allow me to come into their classrooms, meet their students and talk to them about the shelter. The children spend time with one of our shelter dogs before forming a line and walking the supplies out to the FOTAS van.

Junior FOTAS members from Tall Pines STEM Academy read to the adoptable dogs.

North Augusta High School delivers astounding amount of donations Students at North Augusta High School also collected items for shelter pets during this holiday season. We were overwhelmed by the amount of donations we received! Thank you to Amanda Jones and her amazing students for all their support!

Tall Pines Junior FOTAS team reads to ACAS dogs
Our Tall Pines Junior FOTAS Club is always busy collecting donations, helping with events and educating our community about spay/neuter, heartworm prevention and pet responsibility. Last month, the students read to shelter dogs. The dogs, stressed in their kennels, relaxed at the sound of the students’ voices. In January, these same kids are helping us make videos and public service announcements about our programs.

Kennedy Middle School adds FOTAS to mini course schedule
We are looking forward to our third year of being a part of the mini courses at Kennedy Middle School. In March, we meet once a week with students, discussing key animal advocacy topics. Vet techs, animal control officers and adoption staff will speak to students about working with homeless animals in our community.

Kindergartners from Horse Creek Academy greet the FOTAS van with donations.

We are grateful for the schools and educators who support the shelter and allow us to speak to their students about our programs. If you are involved with a school in Aiken County and would like us to come and speak to students about pet responsibility, please call us at (803) 514-4313 or send an email to info@fotasaiken.org.

Educating our young people is the only way we will ever solve our pet overpopulation problem and reduce animal neglect. Their voices are powerful and can influence so many!

— By Kathy Jacobs, FOTAS Programs Coordinator

2019, Dogs, FOTAS, News, Volunteer, Volunteers

A New Year’s Resolution to Satisfy the Soul

Posted on by Bob Gordon
31
Dec

When Joanne Goble’s husband of fifty plus years died, she knew she had to get out of the house and stop feeling sorry for herself. That “something,” she decided, should satisfy her lifelong love of dogs. She called the Aiken County Animal Shelter and signed up for a volunteer orientation class.

Joanne Goble cuddles mixed breed Glenda.

That was in early 2018. Today Joanne works with the dogs on the adoption floor, mans the front desk, helps the staff with clerical duties, fosters puppies—anything she can do to help, she does.

By the way, Joanne volunteers all day, five days a week. She is 82 years old.

Here’s the thing: for all the things Joanne does for the shelter, she gets so much more in return.

“There’s an inner peace,” says Joanne, “that comes from putting my energy into a dog and knowing I’m making a difference in his or her life—that I can help a confused, homeless animal find a home and a loving family. You can’t imagine what that means to me.”

I’ve been thinking a lot about Joanne’s story and her commitment to the shelter in these final days of 2019 as I prepare my list of New Year’s resolutions for 2020. I don’t know why I bother because the list is the same every year: exercise more, eat less, clean my closets, and organize the piles of papers on my desk. Moreover, I suspect that this year, like the years before, despite my initial enthusiasm, I will get distracted and my commitment will wane with each passing week, and by spring, all that will remain of my lofty intentions will be a nagging, low-level guilt.

Joanne with Charlie, a three-legged dog.

Why is that? I’m no psychologist, but I’m going to hazard a guess here: self-serving resolutions that only involve physical activity and busy work do not nourish the spirit and are too insubstantial to inspire meaningful, enduring change.

What if, then, like Joanne Goble, we were to resolve to engage in activities that demand commitment to others, to a cause greater than ourselves? Activities that make a difference in the lives of overworked shelter staff and homeless animals? Activities that call forth love and compassion to make an abandoned puppy feel safe, to comfort a scared, trembling dog, or to keep a motherless kitten warm? Based on the experience of Joanne and so many FOTAS volunteers, those resolutions might just be winners.

On Tuesday night, as the ball drops on Times Square and the party favors pop and confetti fills the air, why not usher in the new year with a resolution to make a difference? To exercise your heart, your humanity, your body, and your civic duty, and in the process, help save the lives of thousands of vulnerable animals?

Joanne and one of her favorite Pibbles relax and socialize on the shelter couch

“I can honestly say that volunteering at the county shelter has saved my life,” says Joanne. “I look forward every day to a new challenge and the fellowship with other FOTAS volunteers and shelter staff.”

Now is the time to resolve to join us in this important work—to satisfy your soul with good deeds. The shelter is packed, and we need male and female volunteers and short-term fosters.

Their lives are in our hands.

— By Joanna Dunn Samson, FOTAS Vice-President

PETS OF THE WEEK

CHIP: Carolina dog, male, 1 year old, tan, 32 pounds – $35

BELLE: Domestic Shorthair, female, 1 year old, orange Tabby, 6 pounds – $10 (Aiken PetSmart)

2019, Bully Dogs, Dogs, donations, Events, fostering, FOTAS, Fundraisers, News, surrendered pets, TNR Program, Volunteers

The Christmas Season of Kindness and Hope

Posted on by Bob Gordon
30
Dec

The good doctor was on his way to work in Augusta when he spotted two large bully dogs on the Aiken-Augusta Highway. Concerned about their safety on the busy, four-lane road, he pulled over and coaxed the dogs—who were healthy, well-behaved, and in good shape—into his car. Figuring they had to be someone’s pets, the doctor turned around and headed for the Aiken County Animal Shelter.

A young volunteer reads to a shelter dog to help socialize him and keep him company.

Bobby Arthurs, the shelter manager, was on site when the doctor arrived with the dogs. He agreed with his assessment that the dogs were well-cared for, so he scanned them for a microchip. Turns out, they were microchipped, and in short order, Bobby had identified the owner and a contact number. The owner, who was at work, was both alarmed his beloved dogs had escaped their yard and relieved they were safe.

Wait—the story gets better. The good doctor offered to drive the dogs to their owner even though he was late to work. First, he called the hospital; then he loaded the dogs into his car (again) and drove back to Aiken to reunite the dogs with the owner.

We often fill these pages with stories of hard luck and sadness—distressed, baffled dogs surrendered to the shelter by their owners or dumped on some county road—and we are often pleading for help to relieve overcrowding at the shelter or to save a particularly special dog. But today I want to celebrate the many acts of kindness and sacrifice, both large and small, that make it possible for FOTAS and the shelter to save thousands of dogs every year.

Dasher was fostered by the Simons family during the Christmas holiday, and shortly after he was adopted to a good home.

Whether it’s a volunteer making calls for one little lost dog, or Bobby Arthurs organizing a pre-dawn pickup to feature adoptable animals on the local news at 6 a.m., or the shelter adoption coordinator giving up a day off during the busy holiday season, or FOTAS volunteers taking dogs to a special event on a hot summer day, or someone who fosters a hard–to-place dog who has been on the adoption floor for a long time, or school children who pool their allowances to buy much-needed supplies for the shelter, or kind citizens who bring in community cats for TNR or adopt senior dogs or foster medical-needs dogs or the folks who bring in wishlist donations on their own time. . . the amount of effort expended to save these animals breathtaking.

FOTAS volunteers bring shelter dogs to USC Aiken Pet-a-Pup event.

What is Christmas but the season of good will and hope?

Here’s to hoping for the day that all pets are fixed, no dogs are tethered to logging chains, no animals are dumped by the side of the road, no boxes of abandoned puppies and kitties are dropped off at the shelter, and every pet is a cared-for, cherished family member.

Thank you and God bless you and your family this Christmas season.

By the way, if the Christmas spirit moves you to adopt your next pet, now’s the time!

Their lives are in our hands.

— By Joanna D. Samson, FOTAS Vice-President

BY THE NUMBERS

The Aiken County Animal Shelter has greatly reduced and waived adoption fees through Jan. 1. The shelter is full, so now is the perfect time to adopt a dog or cat.

PETS OF THE WEEK

TANNER: Retriever mix, male, 1-1/2 years old, 73 pounds – $35

BIRDIE: Domestic Shorthair cat, female, 2 years old, 14 pounds – $10

2019, awards, Board of Directors, Cats, Dogs, Donate, Events, FOTAS, News, Shelter staff, Spay/Neuter, Uncategorized, Volunteers

It’s a Party! FOTAS Celebrates Ten Years of Saving Lives

Posted on by Bob Gordon
28
Oct

On Saturday, November 2nd, FOTAS will host a party at the Aiken County Animal Shelter to celebrate its tenth anniversary partnering with the county and the shelter to save lives.

What a ride it’s been. In 2009, a few dedicated and concerned citizens banded together to form FOTAS in response to the dismal conditions at the old shelter and the bleak prospects for any animal unlucky enough to pass through its doors. At the time, a trip to the county shelter was a death sentence—91% of the 6,000 animals at the shelter were euthanized every year. Very few made it out alive.

Destiny, a 3- month-old kitten available for adoption, is ready to celebrate FOTAS’s 10th year.

The turnabout at the county shelter since 2009 is nothing short of spectacular. Since the formation of FOTAS, the euthanasia rate has dropped steadily each year, reaching a historic low of 6% in 2018, saving every adoptable animal. It’s a remarkable story of partnership, determination, commitment, and community involvement and support.

In fact, the South Carolina Secretary of State selected FOTAS as one of the ten organizations (out of thousands!) to receive the Angel Award, which recognizes the most efficient and effective charities in the state.

There are so many people to celebrate for this astonishing success:

The FOTAS volunteers, who work on bookkeeping, social media, special fundraising events, and FOTAS Fix-a-Pet; who organize and work on special fundraising and on-site events; who foster mamma dogs and cats and all their progeny, who care for animals designated for transfer; who shuffle animals to off-site adoption events; who walk the dogs, love up the cats, work with play groups, and show animals to potential adopters—the dramatic and steady increase in the Shelter’s live release rate since 2009 is directly related to their efforts to make the animals more adoptable

Paige Bayne, Director of Aiken County Code Enforcement, and the beloved Bobby Arthurs, Chief Animal Control Officer and Shelter Manager, who directly oversee and manage the Shelter operations with kind, thoughtful and dedicated attention to the welfare of the animals.

Blue, a handsome young mixed breed, can be adopted at the Aiken County Animal Shelter.

The County Shelter staff—the intake administrators, adoption coordinators, vet techs, kennel techs and custodians—who make certain that all of those animals are properly documented and cared for with compassion and efficiency.

Dr. Lisa Levy, the Shelter Vet, whose medical prowess and big heart has saved the lives of hundreds of animals, and Dr. Mike Wells, who performs spay/neuter surgery on community cats for the TNR program.

The County Council and the County Administration for being the best public partners—ever—and working with FOTAS to save every adoptable animal.

And last but not least, you, the Aiken community, who year after year have supported our efforts with enthusiasm and generosity. You have designated the Shelter as your community shelter, and we could not be prouder.

Join us at the county shelter this Saturday, November 2nd, from 10:00 to 1:00 for a joyful celebration of our shared success in making the county shelter a model of public responsibility to our animals. There will be lots of free food and activities for adults, children, and their four-legged friends. Bring your party hat, and we’ll see you there.

Their lives are in our hands.

— By Joanna D. Samson, FOTAS Vice President

2019, Dogs, Events, Fundraisers, News, Uncategorized, Volunteers

Playing Fore the Pets Golf Tourney Develops into Biggest FOTAS Fundraiser

Posted on by Bob Gordon
24
Sep

We are looking forward to our Sixth Annual Playing Fore the Pets golf tournament at The Reserve Club at Woodside Plantation tomorrow, Monday September 23. More than 200 players are expected to participate, and we are grateful to them and our event sponsors for helping us to raise funds for the Aiken County Animal Shelter and its homeless pets in need.

The planning that takes place behind the scenes for this important fundraising event starts in April, when the committee gets together to divide up duties, discuss changes and propose additions to make the tournament even better than the previous year. This is followed by monthly update meetings to review our progress.

The golf ball drop contest is a fun draw, and the winner receives a $1,000 check!

The FOTAS Golf Tournament premiered in 2014 with only four volunteers. Sandy and Ross Staiger chaired the event, bringing their ideas and direction from a similar tournament they started and ran in Wolfeboro, NH for seven years. They brought the Helicopter Ball Drop to Aiken to accompany this golf event, which has been a huge success. Selling and keeping track of 1,000 ball drop tickets is quite a task, but FOTAS volunteers and friends were more than up to the challenge.

Today, our committee has grown to 13 people. Karen Loughran, now in charge of coordinating the Helicopter Ball Drop, and Sharon Johnson, promotion coordinator, have been with the committee for five years. Corri McCorkle, Cindie Davidson, Marylou Kling and Sharon have been helping to gather the great gift certificates and gifts from the business community that we pull together for our wonderful raffle gift baskets. Six new members, Marianne Malloy, Fran Warner, Monique Gilbert, Pam Patron, Linda Samoranski, and Debbie Schroeder along with Connie Jarzmik, a member of 3 years, have been charged with speaking to the business community about the shelter’s mission, asking for their support in the form of TEE Sponsorships.

Over 100 wonderful businesses and private donors have stepped up to support this event. Our top Eagle Sponsors — Milton Ruben Toyota, Affordable Quality Marble and Granite, HESS Travel, and Lorac Design Group – are valuable supporters of the animals and this tournament. LongHorn Steakhouse is providing participating golfers with lunch for the fifth year in a row.

As we move forward to hosting our sixth golf tournament, we can honestly say we are blessed to have our loyal donors, new business partners along with the loyal and new golfers participating in this event. An additional 40 volunteers help out on the course the day of the tourney.

Adoptable dog SANDI enjoyed spending time with the tournament participants.

Our plans are to make this year’s golf tournament the best fundraising event of the year by making everyone aware of how important the work is for the animals in need that enter our shelter.

FOTAS is instrumental in saving lives and provides the Aiken community and the animals with such a vital service. The volunteers of FOTAS are able to work miracles thanks to you, our loyal advocates, who provide the financial fuel that allows us to promote proper pet care, take in medically neglected pets, provide them with the treatment and recovery they need and, most importantly, find unwanted pets the loving homes they deserve.

— By Sandy and Ross Staiger, FOTAS Golf Tournament Chairs

PETS OF THE WEEK

TIFFANY
Mixed breed, female, 3-1/2 years old, brindle/white, 45 pounds – $35

ZADIE
Domestic Shorthair, female, 1 year old, white Calico, 7.5 pounds – $10

2019, animal abuse, Dogs, FOTAS, News, Training, Volunteer, Volunteers

Volunteers Teach Homeless Pets about Love and Acceptance

Posted on by Bob Gordon
17
Sep

This week, I had two people tell me they can’t volunteer because the idea of witnessing the injured, neglected and abused animals who need homes would be too much for them to handle.

I told them we take a more positive approach and embrace the opportunity to greet these pets in need. Because on the day we meet them, we know their lives are about to get so much better! It is an honorable mission to help them.

Senior dog JESSICA gets some love and attention from FOTAS Volunteer Nicole Simons.

When a dog or cat arrives at the shelter emaciated, ill, neglected or abused, staff and volunteers greet them with love and make them comfortable. Now that they are with us, it’s game time! Time for them to get well and start their new life of love, happiness and never knowing hunger or loneliness again. It’s a gift to be part of a team that can turn their lives around.

Almost immediately after they arrive, we are planning what is best for these homeless pets. Do they need a rescue or a foster? Do they need a quiet home or would an active family best suit their needs? Would another cat or dog give them comfort or are they best as an only pet?

When we pull into the parking lot first thing in the morning, we see tails wagging and cats running up to the feline facility windows to meow their “hellos”. They love us, and we love them. These animals don’t think about past experiences and we don’t focus on them either. Each day we are one day closer to finding them a happy, loving forever home.

MEADOW is a volunteer and staff favorite.

Take Meadow, a white furred, 6-year-old mixed breed. She’s endured a rough past and growled at us when she first arrived. She was beyond scared. But Karen DeCamp, one of our devoted volunteer trainers, showed Meadow love and she rapidly improved. She learned how great it is to be loved and is now the gentlest dog on the adoption floor! Meadow dances around and greets people who visit her kennel. She is ready to be adopted and your new best friend.

FOTAS Volunteer Jeri Wesner is one of our most dedicated dog walkers and I love seeing her when she meets a new animal. She always smiles brightly and tells the new dog, “It’s your lucky day!” Jeri has helped change so many dogs’ lives with her patience and positive attitude. She understands that we’re here to give these unwanted pets a second chance at a good life.

MEADOW was scared and growled at everybody when she first arrived at the shelter. But now she’s the sweetest dog on the adoption floor!

So, please don’t say that you can’t volunteer because it would be too heartbreaking. Dogs and cats aren’t like us. They forgive, bounce back and have the potential to give so much love to their future adopters.

Yes, we see kittens thrown from cars, dogs left tied to trees in the woods, puppies sick from neglect — you name it. But you need to see the silver lining. These animals are now safe and out of danger. We have the ability to make their lives better and find them homes. And when we do, it’s so rewarding!

As a volunteer, you teach these pets what love is and they quickly absorb the lesson! They forgive, they forget. Help be part of their future happiness. Volunteer and invest your time in these animals.

Their lives are in our hands.

— By Kathy Jacobs, FOTAS Program Director

BY THE NUMBERS
The Aiken County Animal Shelter has already taken in nearly 200 strays and surrendered pets this month. Please spay and neuter your pets.

2019, Bully Dogs, Dogs, Foster, fostering, FOTAS, News, Shelter staff, Uncategorized, Volunteers

Sick Puppy Saved Through FOTAS/ACAS Teamwork

Posted on by Bob Gordon
03
Sep

Brindle and white mixed breed Tiffany arrived at the Aiken County Animal Shelter (ACAS) with three puppies that were barely one week old. We had no foster volunteers available, so the pups had to stay at the shelter and endure the loud barking of a nearly full intake area.

Tiffany was a great mother and very protective of her pups. We learned by walking her that she is a sweet, loving girl but just a little shy around people she doesn’t know. Her three pups were weaned and put into foster. They were fat and ready. However, one pup suddenly stopped eating. Still wagging his tail and begging to be petted, the little one just would not eat, even he was hand fed.

TIFFANY, the puppy’s mama, is still waiting for someone to adopt her from the ACAS.

When the puppy started to weaken, the foster brought him back to the shelter for medical attention. He was slowly deteriorating but tests didn’t reveal any underlying reason for his refusal to eat. He yearned for human interaction but looked hollow, which is very unusual. Dr. Levy and her team gave him fluids and kept him warm with a heat lamp. But he still would not eat.

The medical staff kept him under intense observation for days and days. I personally was not optimistic about his chances. But then he somehow managed to eat a small amount of baby food and drink a bit of puppy formula. Even though the odds for survival were still not in his favor, I asked to take the puppy home and foster him.

The puppy was still so fragile but when I gave him some chicken and broth, he lapped at it. It was so rewarding to see him eat! The little guy cries whenever I put him down. He’s still eating and now even runs and plays. He chases my dogs, bites my fingers, barks for attention. Things are finally looking up for this cutie, but he has a long way to go.

TIFFANY’S puppy would not eat but his strong drive to live, extra human attention and good medical care saved him.

His mom, Tiffany, is still with us at the shelter and available for adoption. The poor girl has spent nearly two months at the shelter and still has no forever home. But thanks to her foster dad Kelly, at least she gets to go to a quiet house each night and sleep in bed with a person who cares.

FOTAS and the Aiken County Animal Shelter work well together. The staff strives hard to give the best medical care and comfort to those that come to them, with FOTAS purchasing any supplemental medicines and equipment needed. Volunteers and foster families make such a difference with the needed follow-up care and attention.

Tiffany and her pups were saved, but the ACAS shelter has so many other animals waiting for homes. When you receive more than 500 homeless pets a month, it can become overwhelming and we need volunteers to help.

Please join us and be part of our life-saving team. There is nothing more rewarding!

Their lives are in our hands.

–– By Kathy Jacobs, FOTAS Program Director

BY THE NUMBERS
The Aiken County Animal Shelter took in 509 strays and surrendered pets from Aug. 1 to 29. This marks an unprecedented fourth month in a row the shelter has taken in 500 plus unwanted animals in 2019. Please adopt!

PETS OF THE WEEK


JESSICA
Shepherd mix, female, 11 years old, 50 pounds – $35

WYNTER
Domestic Shorthair, female, 3 months old, white and black, 2 pounds – $10