Our intake is currently sky high. Shelter staff members are exhausted, the dogs are super stressed, the mood is not great at the shelter. When there are fifty plus dogs available for adoption and another fifty on stray hold, the adoptable dogs have to be pretty cute to attract an adopter. The thing is, the dogs that often get overlooked are usually the ones that give the most love, do everything they can to please their people and are the most loyal.
Nine-year-old Jax is a skinny 42 pounds (way underweight but he is getting the best food now) and his ears are scarred from fly bites. This boy was found as a stray. Jax did have a microchip but unfortunately the original owner said they gave him away eight years ago. Poor buddy! Did I mention his limp? He must have been hit by a car or injured somehow, so he sometimes holds his rear leg up when walking. Poor Jax doesn’t have much “curb appeal.” However, if you want a dog that is loving, grateful and will absolutely love you forever – this is the dog. He has a kind personality, walks awesomely on leash and appears housetrained. When walking Jax, he will bump your hand with his nose to get you to pet him; and when you do, he softens completely. He is so sweet! Who will be his hero?
Kai is only a year old and the luckiest dog to be alive! His owner surrendered him after a venomous snake bit the poor dog. Kai’s face swelled to twice its size and was this way for a week before Animal Control was contacted. Once in our care, he was given the treatment he needed. Kai was suffering and shut down. Although still recovering, Kai is peppy, happy and snuggly now! We can’t walk by him without him saying hello, a cute little bark with his tail wagging. Kai will be looking for a forever home soon.
One of our volunteers, Casey, found Parker. The poor dog was wandering the streets with a laceration on his neck. When looking closer, Casey saw the imprint of some kind of harness. Parker’s neck had an open wound where it cut into his skin. This dog walked up to her and was as sweet as can be! He is now healing and the friendliest dog ever. Parker smiles all the time, never stops wagging his tail and is home ready!
We are so grateful for the Aiken County shelter staff members and the animal control officers who receive call after call regarding lost, neglected and unwanted pets. We are also thankful for the shelter’s veterinary team for the care given to these homeless pets when time is so limited. We are extremely grateful for our FOTAS volunteers and donors who help give comfort and love to each pet.
We need homes for these pets. The shelter is not a home. Maybe you have room for another? Help us help them.
Their lives are in our hands.
by Kathy Cagle, FOTAS Programs Coordinator
