More pets are coming into the shelter than are being adopted out. Despite finding homes for more than 70 dogs and cats last week, the Aiken County Animal Shelter’s 84 kennels were full again by Monday afternoon. These are tough times at 333 Wire Road. When the shelter is this full, it puts stress on everyone – especially the homeless pets who reside here.
Upon arriving first thing in the morning, you can hear the dogs screaming and howling because they have to relieve themselves so badly. Some dogs are doubled up in kennels and barely able to move. The staff and volunteers rush to get the housebroken dogs out first, which causes the dogs who are still waiting their turn to bark even louder.
We have a line out the door every weekday with people bringing in strays and surrenders. These animals are scared, reactive, and a number of them are sick or injured. With so many pets needing care and nurturing, we don’t have enough staff or volunteers to give each dog suitable attention.
The shelter wants to continue saving all adoptable pets, but we can’t do it alone. The community has to step up, too.
Here are some ways you can help:
Spay/neuter your pets. The only way we are going to solve the pet overpopulation problem is by fixing dogs and cats before they can reproduce. If you live in Aiken County and are in financial need, you can obtain a voucher to fix your pet at the Aiken County Government Building in the Code Enforcement office.
Take in found pets until the shelter has vacancies. If you find a dog or cat, check to see if it has a microchip. If it does not, please consider temporarily taking the homeless pet into your home.
Be a responsible pet owner. Don’t let your dogs wander off your property. Don’t chain them to a tree. If you move, make provisions to take your pets with you. Don’t dump your pets if you can no longer care for them. Treat your pets like family, not another possession that can be discarded or replaced on a whim. If you need help with resources such as pet food, or assistance rehoming your pet, please contact the shelter.
Foster, adopt or take a dog out on a date. The more dogs we can get out of the shelter, even for a brief time, the better. The dogs benefit from the socializing and freedom from the stress and noise they experience in their kennels.
Donate food, money and/or your time. There are many ways to support FOTAS. You can walk dogs, socialize cats or help at events. Or you can donate funds, pet food and other needed materials to the shelter. Every little bit helps.
Spread the word on social media. When you share a FOTAS Facebook or Instagram post or create your own post about a dog or cat available at the Aiken County Animal Shelter, that pet’s face and description reaches more people than any advertisement or print media – and often results in a successful adoption.
The shelter is a resource – not just a place to stash homeless dogs and cats. Let’s work together to save adoptable pets and give them a second chance at a good life.
Their lives are in our hands.
By Bob Gordon, FOTAS Communications Director
