For six months, this senior white cat was on her own, braving the elements and foraging for food. Luckily, a kind neighbor eventually noticed her wandering outside and fed the hungry feline. But the neighbor was allergic to cats and couldn’t keep her; so when the temperatures started dropping in mid-November, they brought Snowball to the Aiken County Animal Shelter.

When Snowball first arrived, she was scared and did not want any attention. She was clearly confused, upset and not ready to trust again. We put her in a cat condo located in the front lobby, where she remained quiet and glued to her bed. Staff and volunteers periodically visited her and pet her. She allowed people to stroke her fur briefly but then, in a moment of uncertainty, she gently swatted their hand away. It was heartbreaking to see her so sad and distressed.

We moved Snowball to our cat facility – a building that features two big rooms, where cats can run around, play and perch on tall cat trees. When temperatures are milder, the facility also allows the cats to relax in an enclosed, outdoor “catio”. The combination of Snowball enjoying more living space and receiving consistent human affection broke her out of her despair. She now loves it when people visit her and purrs happily when petted. She’s ready to find her forever home.

So, if you are looking for a wonderful kitty to keep you company, make an appointment to visit Snowball. Despite having so much love to give, senior cats like her are often the last to get adopted. However, they make great pets because they understand what it means to be rescued and are most thankful for a second chance at a good life. Senior cats also are already litter box trained and less likely to misbehave. They love to relax as much as you do and make great couch companions! Snowball is happiest when she is napping with you or perched by the window, watching what’s going on outside.

If you would like to adopt Snowball for only $10, please make an appointment to see her by calling the Aiken County Animal Shelter, 803.642.1537 and choose option #5. Or send a short email to info@FOTASAiken.org.

Their lives are in our hands.

— By Bob Gordon, FOTAS Communications Director

Magnolia was left in the woods to die
Recently, a beautiful German Shepherd was rescued from certain death when kids playing in the woods found her tied to a tree. The collar around her neck was embedded into her skin and she was weak from lack of food and water. The kids alerted their parents, who immediately called Aiken County Animal Enforcement. Officer Patrick Miller brought the injured Shepherd to the Aiken County Animal Shelter, where she could be cared for and treated for her deep neck wounds.

The shelter’s veterinarian, Dr. Lisa Levy, had to surgically remove dead tissue to close the deep gash in her neck. The sweet dog was named Magnolia and quickly became a staff favorite. As soon as she was healthy enough, Magnolia was moved to the adoption floor. She was adopted to a young Smyrna, GA woman who drove 185 miles to get her.

“We go on a lot of walks and Magnolia likes to just chill and cuddle when we’re home,” said Rachel Zeisel. “She’s my girl.”

Lois arrived too weak to walk
A starving, seven-year-old hound mix was rescued by Animal Enforcement Officer Mark Graham. He had to carry her into his truck because she was so weak. She had so little muscle in her hip muscles due to lack of nutrition and exercise, she could not walk on her own. Based on pressure sores on her body, this poor dog was likely chained and slept on concrete.

The staff named her Lois and started her on a diet of at least three meals per day. She now has a soft bed in her kennel and is able to stand on her own. Lois is making great progress. But the wounds from her abuse are still healing, so she’s not quite ready for adoption.

If you see animal neglect or abuse, call the authorities
If you see something, say something. Call your local animal control agency as soon as possible if you witness suspected cruelty to animals. If you live in Aiken, call (803) 502.9000, extension 3704. Or email enforcement@aikencountysc.gov.

Document the case as well as you can with dates, times, specific details and, if possible, video footage and photographs from a cell phone. All of these things can help appropriate agencies during an investigation they do of the suspected cruelty.

Their lives are in our hands.

— By Bob Gordon, FOTAS Communications Director

I am an optimist by heart, but my heart tells me that no animal deserves the kind of abuse or neglect that these animals have suffered. 

I knew that on Friday, two mother dogs, each with large litters of puppies, had been brought in after being abandoned. I hadn’t been at the shelter two hours on Monday before an animal control officer picked up four beautiful Retriever-mix pups found wandering in the street—two of those puppies’ ears had been hacked off before they were dumped on the street. They were shaking and cowering, afraid to be touched at first. But like all puppies, they responded quickly with a little kindness and soft touches.

Dogs are so much more forgiving than people, aren’t they? 

Later in the day, a man surrendered five dogs to the shelter and informed the intake receptionist he was bringing in five more the next day! Our intake was full, so the staff had to ‘double up’ the kennels. One of the dogs was so scared, it could not stop vomiting while two younger ones huddled in a corner, shaking and terrified, trying to disappear. We gave them all a toy, a meal and lots of fresh water. Staff and volunteers tried to comfort them, calm them down, but there was only so much they could do before moving on to take care of all the other animals in the shelter.

While we were caring for those animals, three more dogs with four puppies were picked up at a local park where they had been dumped; all were hungry and thirsty and covered with fleas. Then, one of the animal control officers came rushing in with a lovely senior dog with a mangled leg. She had been hit by a car.

As if this day couldn’t get any worse, a brown Shepherd arrived with an injured leg and paws burned and raw from the hot pavement. He was covered with fleas and smelled of his own urine.  I brought him a soft bed, but all he wanted was to be held and comforted.

The list goes on and on: the sweet Lab with a broken paw; the big teddy bear-looking dog whose tail had been cut off; the adult dog with horribly chopped-off ears; scores of sick, tiny kittens with runny noses…

Unbelievable, and so unnecessary. These animals are victims of insensitive people who don’t fix or care for their pets and dump the responsibility for their care on the rest of us — the taxpayers.

Why is it important to foster a pet for a week? To donate time or money?  To adopt from the shelter?  Because these animals deserve it. They need you. We need you.

Their lives are in our hands.

– By Kathy Jacobs, FOTAS Programs Director

By the Numbers

July 1 to July 25: The Shelter received 434 strays and surrendered pets.