By Joanna Dunn Samson, FOTAS Vice President

One sunny Sunday morning last year (March 2nd to be exact), Chief Animal Control Officer Bobby Arthurs and a group of FOTAS volunteers walked the adoptable dogs from the appallingly outdated old shelter to the newly constructed state-of-the-art shelter one block south on Wire Road.

It was an extraordinary scene – one long line of happy dogs pulling smiling volunteers across the lawn to their spacious new kennels. Although I knew in my head the dogs were happy because they were out on a walk and feeling our joy, in my heart I imagine they knew their prospects had just taken a major turn for the better.

They were right. The next morning, the shelter opened to the public and almost immediately Brooke, Jacob and Charlotte Jones adopted a border collie mix named Debbie and made her a part of their family. Since then, FOTAS and shelter staff have been moving animals on to new homes at record rates.

This month marks the first anniversary of the new Aiken County Animal Shelter. In the past year, 2255 shelter animals were successfully re-homed. Adoptions increased 38% from the previous year. Transfers to other no-kill shelters  (part of a network of sister agencies developed by FOTAS) increased an astounding 63%. In fact, since the new shelter opened, virtually all the animals moved to the adoption floor have found homes thanks to the dedication of FOTAS volunteers and County staff.

What’s more, the number of FOTAS volunteers has soared to over 225 civic-minded citizens because the open, cheerful public areas and the landscaped, fenced-in play yards (another FOTAS contribution) make time spent at the shelter a pleasure. FOTAS volunteers worked an estimated 14,000 hours last year (the equivalent of 7 full-time positions) and have become indispensable partners with County staff.

In addition, FOTAS has invested $150,000 over the past year for the continuing needs of the new shelter, ranging from large ticket items like a new FOTAS van for transfers and off-site events to more routine items such as leashes, collars and grooming supplies.

Finally, FOTAS has invested $35,000 in eliminating the source of many of the problems at the County shelter – overpopulation of unwanted pets. To date, FOTAS has fixed nearly 950 citizen-owned pets and community cats.

By any measure, this first year at the new shelter has been a success, perhaps evidenced most notably by this fact: in the past year, the euthanasia rate dropped from 71% to 54%. In the past two months, the euthanasia rate dropped in January to a monthly record low of 25% and in February to 35%. Now, that’s progress.

There is still so much to do. Intake numbers are still disturbingly high, especially in the summer months. High intake means more volunteer manpower is needed to compliment the efforts of County staff. We need to continue to supplement the County’s financial resources to properly care for all these animals.

The sustained generosity and commitment of the Aiken community is essential for FOTAS to continue this important work. Together we made a difference in the past year, and together we will soldier on in the future to achieve our mission – to never euthanize another adoptable animal. Their lives are truly in our hands.

Thank you and God bless for your enduring and profound kindness.

PETS OF THE WEEK

BURKHARD — Male, German Shepherd, 4 years old, 74 lbs — $70

SCOOBY — Male, Domestic Medium Hair, 3 years old, 8.2 lbs. — $35

By Joanna Dunn Samson, FOTAS Vice President

It’s Wednesday at the Aiken County Animal Shelter. The lunch break is over, and the doors have been opened to the public for the afternoon. There are a few moments of peace and quiet before the inevitable wave of shelter activity rolls in like gangbusters.

A man brings the bed, collars, leashes, toys, food and food bowls of his beloved, recently deceased dog to the shelter as a donation. A woman stops by to check about a lost Chihuahua. The phone rings. Another woman and her daughter have returned to adopt Mira, a sweet lab cross. Adoption Coordinator Annette van der Walt fills out the adoption paperwork and arranges for Mira to be micro-chipped. A young man fills out the forms for a spay/neuter voucher and asks to see some puppies. The phone rings again. A woman stops by to look at a German shepherd newly released to the adoption floor. A family drops off 10 boxes of dog biscuits as a donation. A FOTAS Board member drops by to discuss a potential fundraiser with Shelter Manager Martha Chadwick. A man walks into the lobby with a cat in a crate to be surrendered to the shelter. The phone continues to ring.

In the middle of it all – the staff, the customers, the phones, the dogs, the cats – Pat Ludwig and Paul Tallent, the FOTAS volunteers on desk duty, take it all in stride with a smile and an offer to help everyone who walks through the door. They are unflappable.

“We do a little of everything,” says Pat, who has been manning the front desk on Wednesday afternoons with Paul for about a year. “We answer phones, take folks back to the adoption area, help Annette with paperwork if she’s backed up, answer questions. All it takes is a little patience and a willingness to listen.”

“Plus,” says Paul with an easy smile and a twinkle in his eye, “a sense of humor always helps.”

Paul and Pat are two of a group of committed FOTAS volunteers who work the desk in the front lobby.  According to Annette van der Walt, the front desk volunteers play a crucial role.

“They are on the front lines – the first face the public encounters when they walk through the door. Their demeanor and presentation sets the tone in the lobby during those busy times,” says Annette, “so good people skills are a must.”

FOTAS volunteers Pat and Paul enjoy their time at the shelter. “I like being busy,” says Paul, “and I enjoy working with staff and other volunteers and especially with the people who come to the shelter looking to adopt. Nothing makes me happier than to see a happy person taking some lucky animal home to be loved and cherished.”

Pat agrees. “To see an animal and a person bond right in front of our eyes and go home full of hope and excitement, now that’s special. It always makes my day.”

FOTAS needs more volunteers to serve as ambassadors of the shelter. If you have ever considered helping us with this important work, now is the time. Call us at (803) 514-4313 or email us at info@angelhartlinedesigns.com. You’ll be glad you did.

Their lives are in our hands.

BY THE NUMBERS

February 2015

Total received=279 dogs and cats

Total adopted/transferred-=235 dogs and cats

Total euthanized 102 dogs and cats

Eutho rate-=37% lowest record to date for a normal February! Yay for the new shelter facility and staff

PETS OF THE WEEK

SYDNEY      Male, Beagle — 2 yrs old — 39 lbs — $70.00

BLUE     Male, Domestic Short Hair — 1 yr old — 7 lbs —  $35.00

By Joanna Dunn Samson, FOTAS Director

2014 has been an incredible year, and we at FOTAS have much to be thankful for and many thanks to give.

Thanks to Aiken County for its commitment to save the lives of thousands of homeless animals and reduce rampant overpopulation of unwanted dogs and cats. The strength of its commitment and the success of our partnership is evidenced by the new, state-of-the-art public animal shelter on Wire Road that opened in March, giving all those abandoned, abused and unwanted dogs and cats another chance to love and be loved by responsible owners.

Thanks to the Aiken Community for its extraordinary generosity of spirit. The community’s financial support has made it possible for FOTAS to supplement the County’s resources and its ability to provide the best possible care for shelter animals, increase adoptions and transfers, provide spay/neuter financial assistance to County citizens in need, and attack the problem of overpopulation of unwanted animals.

Thanks to all 242 FOTAS volunteers who make the work of FOTAS possible – everything from manning the front desk, walking and training dogs (91 volunteers walked dogs during the last 3 months), working special events and fundraisers, fostering dogs, organizing transfers, manning off-site adoption events, working on publicity, social media and financial record and bookkeeping responsibilities, and coordinating FOTAS-Fix-a-Pet and Lenny’s Brigade animal pick-ups, surgeries and returns.

It’s almost impossible to fully express our gratitude for all the support, commitment and generosity we have received in this daunting effort, so we will let the results speak for themselves.

As of the end of October, the shelter has seen a 14% reduction in intake, a 43% increase in adoptions and transfers, and (hallelujah!) a 34% reduction in euthanasia rates. By the end of 2014, FOTAS will have organized and funded 32% more spay/neuter surgeries than it did in 2013.

That’s a big, big deal. We and all of the animals you have helped save in the past 10 months say, “From the bottom of our hearts – thank you.”

But there is still so much to do. Although the percentages have improved, they represent unacceptably high numbers: the County still had to euthanize 2133 cats and dogs so far this year.

There is a way you can help us continue our work and express your gratitude and love for the people and organizations who have made a difference in your life: purchase a personalized tribute plaque to be hung inside the public area of the County Shelter, or a personalized paving stone to be installed on the walk outside the main entrance.

Bill and Caroline Simonson honored their dog Chen with this message: “Our big boy, companion & protector, thank you for bringing such joy into our lives.”

Mike & Jody Amacher honored the memory of their dog Baxter with this message: “In memory of our happy-go-lucky boy with a warm and loving heart!”

The tribute plaques and honor pavers make terrific and unique holiday gifts. They can be purchased through January 31, 2015 at www.FOTASAiken.org, or contact us by email at info@FOTASAiken.org for more information.

Also, through January 3rd, you can adopt a dog for just $35 and a cat for only $10.  What a bargain for a fully inoculated, micro-chipped and spayed/neutered pet!

Adopt and give the gift of love and the security of a home to a four-legged friend this year.  Remember, their lives are in our hands.

BY THE NUMBERS

PETS OF THE WEEK

ROMEO   American bull dog, male, 1 year old, 36 lbs,  $35.00

MOLLY   Domestic medium hair, female, adult    $10.00