Tag Archives: Bully Dog

2019, adopter feedback, Adoption, Bully Dogs, Chained dogs, Dogs, FOTAS, News, Pibbles

The Dog I Didn’t Want Might Just Be My Favorite

Posted on by Bob Gordon
11
Nov

The oldest of our three dogs, Yoda, died in August from cancer. My wife, Jennifer, wanted to honor Yoda’s memory by adopting another dog from the shelter. I was against the idea. Our other two dogs (Beethoven and Buster) are great dogs, best buddies with established routines, and our pet ownership experience was on autopilot. Why rock the boat?

MEADOW lived on a chain and was neglected before joining the Miller household.

We own a horse farm and allow our dogs to roam free. The dogs are well trained to stay within the boundaries of our property. A new dog would mean training those boundaries all over again, training it to be compatible with the horses, and introducing it to Beethoven and Buster—who I feared, even though they are the sweetest dogs, could develop a pack mentality and give a new dog problems.

I gave Jennifer all the excuses I could to avoid adopting another dog. She wasn’t buying it. Not only was she insistent that she wanted to adopt another dog, she wanted to adopt one that had been on the adoption floor the longest. Great! I was losing the battle.

Then one afternoon, Jennifer informed me she had found that dog and wanted me to go to the shelter to meet her. Her? A female dog? With our two boys? “Meadow,” said Jennifer. “She’s everyone’s favorite dog at the shelter.” Yeah, right.

Off we went to the shelter, and I met Meadow, a six-year-old, white pit bull mix, who was heartworm positive. She had lived outside on a chain most of her life and was obviously overbred as evidenced by the six hanging nipples. Housebroken? Working on it. Basic obedience? A work in progress.

Bruno gives his new sister, MEADOW, her daily grooming — these two instantly bonded.

Jennifer had found her perfect unwanted dog.

I relented and we took Meadow home. The introduction to the other two dogs was okay; they didn’t kill her. The next day, Susie Cohen, shelter dog trainer extraordinaire, came to our home to assess the situation. When our alpha dog, Beethoven, raised his hackles, Susie was worried. But both Buster and Beethoven began to accept her, and we breathed a sigh of relief.

Next, we took Meadow to the barn on a leash to test her reaction to horses. We introduced her to our horse, Bruno, and Meadow sat down in front of him, intensely curious. Then the most amazing thing happened. Bruno bowed his head, sniffed her, and began to lick her all over, the way horses groom each other. Meadow sat still and savored his affection. It was precious. They were in love!

MEADOW (center) gets cozy on the bed with her new canine siblings, Buster and Beethoven.

Soon, Meadow fit right in with our family. She is the boss of the boys and we don’t need to leash her anymore. Her manners and her housebreaking continue to improve, and she has discovered our soft, cushy furniture – plus she sleeps in our bed with Beethoven and Buster. She also is a great athlete, as evidenced by the time she jumped on the counter, grabbed a plateful of people cookies, and threw it to the floor. All three dogs wolfed down ten cookies before we could intervene. Every day she becomes a happier, more well-adjusted dog.

Don’t tell Beethoven and Buster, but I think Meadow is now my favorite. Go figure.

— By Peter Miller, FOTAS Volunteer

BY THE NUMBERS
Monday, November 11 is Veterans Day. FOTAS sponsors (pays for) Aiken County Animal Shelter adoptions year-round for U.S. veterans and active military personnel.

PETS OF THE WEEK

SYDNI
Lab mix, female, 3 years old, black w/white, 65 pounds – $35

SIMBA
Domestic Shorthair kitten, male, 2 months old, bronze Tabby, 2 pounds – $10

2019, Adoption, Bully Dogs, Dogs, Foster, fostering, FOTAS, News, Pibbles, surrendered pets

The Struggles of Our Friend, Vegas the ‘Pittopotamus’

Posted on by Bob Gordon
08
Apr

by Kathy Jacobs, FOTAS Program Director

Some dogs at the shelter just can’t seem to catch a break.

Take our friend,Vegas. He was a shelter favorite, often referred to as a “pittopotamus” as he clearly had not missed many meals. He would lay quietly in his kennel, no wagging, looking solemn. Very little curb appeal to those looking to adopt. But once he got outside, he would run, play with toys and enjoy himself as much as any of the other dogs in play group.

Vegas gets ready for a snooze while staying with a foster volunteer.

Vegas was adopted and returned two times. We learned from both adoptions that Vegas needed to be an only pet. Like many children, he just couldn’t share his new owner’s attention with other pets. He longed for love.

Since the poor guy was so depressed after his second adoption wasn’t successful, a volunteer started taking him home at night. We learned that Vegas was even more awesome of a dog than we thought! Great in the house, a total couch potato.

After being overlooked for what seemed an eternity, a man came looking for a dog for his family. He fell in love with Vegas immediately! He took Vegas home to meet his wife and children. What a success! The family came to visit after a few weeks to show us how good Vegas looked. The kids just loved him! Vegas was now going to the dog park almost daily, sleeping in bed with them and having what appeared to be the best time!

Vegas is still looking for the right home.

It was perfect until the family had to move. They looked and looked for a home where Vegas could live with them, but all had lease restrictions. Poor Vegas has a label on him, and his breed is restricted.

The family tried to re-home him using our Home to Home program as they did not want to bring him back to the shelter. Unfortunately, they eventually did have to move and Vegas is now back on the adoption floor at 333 Wire Road. Do you want to see a sad dog? Come visit him.

It is very unfortunate that because of his breed, Vegas lost the best home he had ever known. Many of the dogs in shelters are those that have been labeled aggressive breeds — German Shepherds, Chow Chows, Akitas, and Bully mixes. But these are some of the most loving and intelligent dogs available! They are so loyal and most of our bully breeds just want to be close to people and touch them.

Vegas would make the perfect only pet for a young couple or a great companion for an older person. He’d also make a great family dog. He is just a wonderful dog who deserves better and we are all very sad to see him back and feeling so hopeless. Please spread the word and help us get him a good home.

Their lives are in our hands.

BY THE NUMBERS
On April 1, the Aiken County Animal Shelter launched extended adoption hours. The new hours are: Mon, Wed. and Fri. – 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Tues. and Thurs. – 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.; and Sat. – 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

PETS OF THE WEEK

GIBBS
Mixed breed, male, 4 years old, blue gray, 70 pounds – $35

ZAC
Domestic Shorthair kitten, male, 2 months old, tan & black Tabby, 2 pounds – $10

2018, Adoption, Bully Dogs, Chained dogs, Dogs, FOTAS, News, Pibbles

Sweet Rosetta and Polo Deserve Loving Homes of their Own

Posted on by Bob Gordon
06
Nov

Rosetta is on a couch, stretched out on her back with her eyes closed as FOTAS Volunteer John Berk simultaneously texts on his phone and rubs her chest. She opens her eyes briefly to gaze up at him, clearly appreciative of the special attention. “You’re a good girl,” Berk says quietly. Rosetta shuts her eyes again and her face breaks into a goofy grin. Seeing the stocky dog’s trademark smile, accentuated by her long tongue hanging to the side, causes Berk to chuckle.

Rosetta is housebroken, gets along with most other dogs and cats, and is a lovable character. She deserves a great forever home.

“I don’t know why she hasn’t been adopted,” he says. “She loves people, especially children, and gets along with most dogs and cats. She walks like a dream on a leash and one of here favorite activities is to go on a car ride.” She’s also housebroken and likes to cuddle with people, sometimes falling asleep in their arms.

Despite all her terrific attributes, Rosetta has been on the adoption floor, waiting for a forever home, longer than any other animal at the Aiken County Animal Shelter (ACAS) .

When she arrived at the shelter as a stray, Rosetta barely had any fur due to a skin infection. She showed other physical signs of neglect – underweight, flea bitten and raw elbows that were likely caused by long stretches of having to lay and sleep on a hard, rough surface like concrete.

But somehow, she’s maintained her upbeat personality and love for life. No matter how many times visitors pass her over to adopt other dogs, the 5-year-old, 48-pound sweetheart never quits walking up to the front of her kennel to greet new people. Sometimes she pushes the left side of her head against the door, inviting them to rub her ears and neck. Her skin infection is cured and her sleek black and brindle coat has completely filled in, so she looks fantastic. Still, no one has adopted her.

With more than 400 strays and surrendered pets arriving at the shelter so far this month, some great dogs are bound to get lost in the crowd – but Rosetta is long overdue to find a home.

Polo was rescued from a life of neglect and needs a good home.

Another dog who has been at the shelter too long and urgently needs a good home is Polo. This friendly, 3-year-old, 50-pound mixed breed was rescued from a brutal life in which he spent most of his time on a short chain with no shelter and little food and water.

Rosetta is a clothes hound who loves kids and belly rubs.

But after working with FOTAS Foster Yvonne Brookes, he is doing wonderfully and quickly learning to be patient and respectful.

He’s already housebroken, walks great on a leash and sits on command. Polo would do best in a home that has a fenced in yard because he’s athletic and loves to run. He’s super sweet but would do best as an only pet.

Both Rosetta and Polo have been sponsored by generous FOTAS donors, so their adoptions are paid for – please consider adding one of these special dogs to your family.

Their lives are in our hands.

 

— by Bob Gordon, FOTAS Communications Director

 

Pets of the Week

BOSCO: Domestic shorthair kitten, male, black, 3 months old, 2.5 pounds – $10


TEDDY: Mixed breed, male, brindle, 4-1/2 years old, 44 pounds – $35

 

2018, animal abuse, Bully Dogs, Chained dogs, County Animal Control, County animal laws, County tethering ordinance, FOTAS, News, Pibbles

Life after Chains

Posted on by Bob Gordon
01
Oct

Skye, Queenie, King and Polo: what do these dogs have in common? They are all pit-crosses. They were skinny and dirty, their coats scruffy. None had been spayed or neutered. The females were bred indiscriminately; how many times is anyone’s guess. Three of them tested positive for heartworms.

Volunteer Judy Kolb spends quality time with Queenie.

All four dogs were chained to stationary objects in a bare dirt yard, 24/7, with no relief from the elements. Their movements are clumsy and unsteady because they could only move so far on their short chains. All of the dogs were starved for human attention.

It’s a miserable existence, attached to a chain every second of every day for your entire life, pacing through your own waste. Dogs are social animals. They thrive in a pack, whether it be a pack of humans or a pack of dogs or a combination of both. A tethered dog with limited contact to people or other animals suffers from loneliness. They are often frustrated by their inability to interact with the other dogs just outside their reach. That isolation expresses itself in a dull, lifeless, dispirited dog; sometimes it results in intolerance to other dogs.

Tethered dogs are often uncoordinated or become physically impaired because, without an opportunity to run and play, their muscles never develop.

Polo, now available for adoption, was one of the neglected dogs rescued and brought to the County Shelter.

Sadly, many tethered dogs die on their chains—choked or trapped by the tangled teether and unable to reach shelter or water, if it’s even available.

Skye, Queenie, King and Polo have been rescued by Aiken County Animal Control. At the shelter, they are receiving, perhaps for the first time in their short lives, medical treatment, two meals a day, toys, treats, and a clean and protected place to sleep.

They are also getting lots of human attention. They love that. Their tails wag and their eyes shine every time staff and volunteers offer a kind word, a walk, a snuggle and a hug, a lap to lay their head on. We love that, too.

Skye gets some love from FOTAS Volunteer Karen Loughran before going on a walk with Volunteer Sharon Johnson.

Dr. Levy has released Skye, Queenie and Polo for adoption; King will be available once he gains a little weight. FOTAS will pay for heartworm treatments for those that need it. We work with them every day on their canine socialization skills. We can say without equivocation that these dogs are incredibly grateful and affectionate, capable of loving and being loved by humans.

Yes, chaining a dog to a fixed object all their life without access to shelter, clean water, medical treatment, and companionship (both human and canine) is cruel, yet most of the people who chain their dogs are not cruel. Maybe they lack resources, maybe it’s all they’ve ever known. There’s help for those folks — FOTAS provides animal control officers with humane runners and swivel/stakes to help them take their dogs off the chains.

For the others—the cruel and grossly negligent—that’s a matter for the animal control officers. It is illegal in Aiken County to tether dogs to stationary objects with chains all the time, but animal control can only save those animals if they know about it, so speak up! (County Animal Control: (803) 642-1537) Cruelty tips from the public can be kept confidential.

Help us take those dogs off the chains. Their lives are in our hands.

— By Joanna Dunn Samson, Vice President of FOTAS

Bully Dogs, Doggie Day Out, Dogs, essay, FOTAS, News, Pibbles, Uncategorized, Volunteer, Volunteers

Love Is in the Air at the Aiken County Animal Shelter

Posted on by Bob Gordon
24
Sep

Sandra Procter, one of FOTAS’s first volunteers, was walking her favorite dog, Stanley, on the Aiken County Animal Shelter’s trails this week. She stopped to pet Stanley and praise him for his good behavior.

As she enjoyed this warm moment with the young Retriever mix, Sandra looked around her and saw something that really touched her – four other volunteers enjoying similar quiet moments with shelter dogs.

Kathy Jacobs calms an excitable, young Pibble.

Jeff Martin had Choco on the trail and was petting and reassuring the handsome Doberman mix; Jeff’s wife, Bonnie, was hugging sweet Bulldog mix, Princess; and Jackie Edel was sitting on a bench, loving on petite Beagle mix, Suzette. Meanwhile, John Berk was gently loading Carter, a red Shepherd mix, into his car for a “Doggie Day Out” to Starbucks. No one was actually walking; they were each giving their shelter dogs some quiet time, love and affection – helping them to learn trust.

Often people think they can’t walk dogs because it will be too physically demanding. There are some dogs that do need a lot of exercise and time to run, but so many others would much rather sit with a person on a bench or a couch, and be loved. Hours are spent in their kennels each day, some only getting out for half an hour. They are lonely. Dogs are companion pets, “man’s best friend”.  They crave love from people.

Our shelter cats also need volunteers to sit with them, pet them, talk to them. There is nothing better than bringing a book and sitting on the bench in the cat facility. Within minutes, you will have furry friends curling up with you.

FOTAS Volunteer Joanne Goble enjoys some quiet time with sweet Charlie, a special needs, three-legged dog.

Joanne Goble came to us as a new volunteer. She had trouble getting some of the more excitable and larger dogs out of their kennels. But other volunteers were happy to help get the dogs out for her if she would just pet the lonely animals and spend time with them. Joanne is a great dog walker but an even better dog lover. She also gives the best

Volunteer John Berk and Kromer.

belly rubs, according to Charlie, a senior three-legged dog who would much rather sit by Joanne on the couch than take a long walk on the trails.

“Being at the shelter walking the dogs and interacting with the other volunteers has helped me more than anything else since my husband’s death in February,” Joanne said. “I just need to know my size limitations on which dogs I should walk.”

“All I would say to a prospective volunteer is, for me, being at the shelter makes everything right with the world,” she added.

Dogs and cats give us just as much love as we give them. If you are struggling with stress, anxiety, loss or just feeling lonely, you will benefit from spending time with shelter pets. Hug a dog or a cat, spend time interacting with a pet and you will both feel so much better!

Their lives are in our hands.

— By Kathy Jacobs, FOTAS Program Director

 

By the Numbers

The County Shelter received 493 strays and surrendered pets during the month of August.  In the first five days of September, the shelter received 52 animals.

Pets of the Week

CASS
Domestic Medium haired cat, female, 4 years old, 14 pounds – $10 (available at Aiken PetSmart store)

 

PRINCESS
American Bulldog mix, female, 4 years old, 47 pounds – $35

2018, Adoption, Bully Dogs, Dogs, essay, FOTAS, News, Pibbles

Mason Is Mostly a Gentleman, Partly a Rascal and All Love

Posted on by Angel Hartline
08
Jul

Hi! I’m Mason, a resident at the Aiken County Animal Shelter. Actually I’ve been here a very long time, and that’s a bad spot to be in, particularly now that summer’s here and the shelter is packed. Last month, 545 animals came in to the shelter. 545! That makes me mad, all those homeless dogs, cats, puppies and kittens.

Jeez, people, can you fix your animals already? This is ridiculous!

Mason playing with his best pal, Chevy.

Sorry, I digress. Like I said, I’ve been here a long time, and although I’ve never in my whole life had two great meals a day, a safe place to sleep, someone like that nice Doc Levy to keep me healthy, and lots of great pals who call me Mason the Magnificent (seriously, I never even had a name before!), I need to find a home—pronto!—so the shelter can take care of all those other deserving animals.

Plus, I admit it. With all the heat and noise and barking, I get a bit cranky from time to time, and maybe it’s my imagination, but I think my volunteer friends look really sad when they look at me. Whoa. That makes me nervous.

So, I decided it was time to take things into my own paws, maybe post my profile and handsome mug on one of those doggie relationship sites, like DogMatch.com or CanineCuddle.com. I recruited my really great chum Kathy Jacobs (the FOTAS Program Director) to help me write just the right words to convince someone to adopt a big, squishy lovebug like me.

Kathy and I sat out on a bench in the shade with a few treats for brain power and kicked around some ideas. I thought something like “Meet Mason the Magnificent—a beast in the

“They call me Mason the Magnificent but you can call me Superdog for short.”

kitchen!” or “Looking for a friend to share meaningful roll in dead squirrel” would be catchy intros, but Kathy kyboshed those ideas right out of the gate.

“Change my password to hamsburger…”

Then I posed for some photos—this way and that, front, back, sideways—to catch my best side, maybe make my head look a little less square. But here’s the thing: I gotta square head, plain and simple. A handsome square head, if I say so myself, but no way I look like some retriever or lab-mix.

Finally, after lots of back and forth, here’s what we came up with:

Hey all you hungry-for-canine love folks, if you’re looking for a two-year old hunk-a-hunk of burning love, I’m your guy.

If you’re the kind of person that likes romantic walks, cuddling on the couch, and a great pal to ride in the car with you, I’m your guy.

 If you’re looking for a pal who’s housebroken, healthy, walks on a leash, and knows basic commands, I’m your guy.

By the way, did I mention that adopting me will cost you NOTHING nada, zip, thanks to the generosity of my great pal, Thomas Baker, who is sponsoring my adoption fee?

Oh, and Kathy says to make sure to tell you I have to get out of the shelter–soon. I hope that doesn’t mean what I think it does.

So please, come to the county shelter and take me home, for FREE, as soon as you can! You won’t be sorry.

My life is in your hands.

— By Joanna D. Samson, FOTAS Vice President

 

By the Numbers

July Summer Adoption Special: dogs and puppies $35, cats and kittens just $10.
 July 1 – 5: The Aiken County Animal Shelter received 71 strays and surrendered pets.

 

 

Pets of the Week

ELAINE: Retriever mix, female, 3 years old, yellow, 52 pounds– $35

 

EDISON: Domestic Shorthair, male, 3 months old, black & white Tabby, 1.7 pounds – $10

 

awards, Bully Dogs, Demodex, Dogs, essay, Foster, FOTAS, injured animals, News, Volunteers

Two FOTAS Family Members Honored as Heroes

Posted on by Angel Hartline
01
Jul

The American Red Cross honored FOTAS fosters Becca Babineau and Chenoa Shields with its local hero award for “going above and beyond the line of duty to save lives and serve others.” The two women were presented with their awards with other citizens who showed extraordinary courage to rescue and change lives for the better.

Becca Babinea with demodex foster dog Max.

Becca, who will be a senior in high school next year, was honored by the Aiken Red Cross for the work she does with her family, fostering and nurturing Aiken County Animal Shelter (ACAS) dogs in preparation for adoption. Becca works closely with her mother, Peggy, to help restore the health and confidence of canines with severe skin conditions and other physical ailments.

Becca Babineau (center) receives the Red Cross Hero Award with the support of (l to r): Betty Ryberg, Paige Bayne, Jennifer Miller, her parents Dave and Peggy Babineau, Bobby Arthurs and Dr. Lisa Levy.

“I was pretty surprised when I heard that I had won this award and I’m very appreciative of the recognition,” Becca said. “I enjoy working with the dogs because I can do it in our home where everything is very relaxed and it’s rewarding to see the progress they make.”

Becca has helped foster about 160 dogs in four years. Canines that stood out to Becca included Max and Nellie, who were suffering from severe demodectic mange, a skin condition that is often worsened by stress. When she and Peggy brought the dogs home from the ACAS, they were nearly furless. But once they felt safe and received the one-on-one socialization needed, their medication kicked in and they regained their beautiful, thick coats.

Chenoa Shields, with the support of her husband, Jason Aumick, was honored for fostering and helping place more than 50 homeless dogs.

Becca also has fostered dogs injured in car accidents and even one recovering from gunshot wounds.

Chenoa with Katie, a dog she adopted from the ACAS.

Chenoa, also a long-time FOTAS foster of ACAS dogs, received the Augusta Area Red Cross Hero Award for saving and placing homeless dogs in forever homes. Since 2015, Chenoa has helped save 51 shelter dogs by taking them into her Evans, GA home and treating their physical and emotional wounds. She often adopts the dogs and then places them by carefully screening potential adopters until she’s sure they can provide good homes. Sometimes she even delivers the dogs herself, driving as far as 850 miles in a single day, all while working fulltime as a program analyst at the Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center.

“I started offering to deliver my fosters to their forever homes because the joy on the adopter’s face upon first meeting their new dog is priceless!” Chenoa said. “I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”

Congratulations to these wonderful women who have done so much for homeless animals. We are proud and lucky to have you on our FOTAS team!

Their lives are in our hands.

— by Bob Gordon, FOTAS Director of Communications

By the Numbers

The adoption fee for cats and kittens is being waived ($0) through July 3rd

 

 

Pets of the Week


CHURCHILL: Mixed breed, male, 9 years old, 52 pounds – $35


LILLY: Domestic Shorthair, female, 2 years old, 6 pounds – $0 through July 3

 

 

2018, Bully Dogs, Donate, essay, FOTAS, News, Pibbles

Dads and Dogs: A Rewarding and Healthy Combination

Posted on by Angel Hartline
11
Jun

With Father’s Day just one week away, it’s time to think about his gift. What do you think he’d like this year? Another tie? Probably not. More cologne? No way. A shirt? A book? A coffee cup with “World’s Greatest Dad”? Boring, boring and OMG, what are you thinking?

Big Dogs available for just $30 starting this Thursday include Mason and Chevy, two strays that weigh 57 and 72 pounds, respectively.
Big Dogs available for just $30 starting this Thursday include Mason and Chevy, two strays that weigh 57 and 72 pounds, respectively.

Instead, how about giving him a shelter pet that needs a home? Bring him to the Aiken County Animal Shelter (ACAS) and let him select a dog or cat to adopt. Not only are pets great companions, but they’re also good for his health. Research suggests that owning a pet reduces stress, drops blood pressure and even lowers cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Dog owners also exercise more because they

Goliath is as sweet as he is handsome.
Goliath is as sweet as he is handsome.

walk and play with their canine. If dad is more of a cat guy, scientists say that the purring of a feline reduces anxiety and its frequency creates a vibration that has the power to help heal bones, tendons and muscles. Ever hear of a tie or mug doing that?

And here’s an added incentive to take your dad to the shelter to get a pet: The FOTAS “Big Dog for Your Big Daddy” Adoption Special. From Thursday, June 14 through Saturday, June 16, all dogs 30 pounds or more will be available for only $30! (Cats and kittens are just $10 all month.)

The shelter has many wonderful big dogs available for dad, including:

Chevy: Nicknamed “Tank” by the Shelter staff, 2-year-old, mixed breed Chevy arrived as a stray with his buddy, Mason. Tipping the scale at 73 pounds, this boy is a true joy to be around and will make a great couch buddy for any dad.

Oscar arrived at the shelter with Bert and Grover.
Oscar arrived at the shelter with Bert and Grover.

Grover is still looking for a forever home.
Grover is still looking for a forever home.

Bert is a big cutie-pie.
Bert is a big cutie-pie.

Mason: Chevy’s BFF, 4-year-old Mason has expressive eyes and a good heart. He loves fetching balls and other toys, as well as rolling around in the grass. This 56-pound boy is starting to get a little depressed that no one has adopted him yet.

Goliath: A strikingly handsome mixed breed, 2-year-old Goliath loves to take car rides. Surrendered because his owners could not afford him, Goliath is 58 pounds of muscle and sweetness.

Preston is a big, happy boy.
Preston is a big, happy boy.

Grover, Oscar and Bert: These three mixed breed dogs are brothers and arrived at the Shelter as strays. They are just a year old and very athletic. Bert is white with black markings and both Grover and Bert are black and brindle. Grover is 72 pounds, Bert is 66 pounds and Oscar is the “runt” at 65 pounds.

Preston: Two years old and 57 pounds, Preston is a happy, playful mixed breed who was picked up and brought to the shelter as a stray. He gets along with most other dogs and is a staff and volunteer favorite.

Adopting a pet is exhilarating, rewarding and gratifying. Whether dad wants a big dog or a tiny kitten, the shelter has a furry friend for him. This Father’s Day, give your dad a present that he not only will love, but also will love him back — unconditionally!

Their lives are in our hands.

— by Bob Gordon, FOTAS Director of Communications

 


saveapetlogo

Pets of the Week

RAY RAY

RAY RAY POTWRetriever mix, female, 3 years old, 39 pounds – $35

 

KATHI

BREE POTWDomestic Shorthair kitten, female, 1-1/2 months old, orange Tabby, 1.3 pounds – $10

2018, Bully Dogs, Dogs, essay, FOTAS, injured animals, News, Pibbles, Spay/Neuter, surrendered pets

Intake Numbers Already Skyrocketing! Please Spay/Neuter Your Pets

Posted on by Angel Hartline
03
Jun

Yikes! It’s that time of year again. While the rest of the world dons shorts and sunblock, cranks up the grill for a family cookout, and settles into the sleepy rhythm of long summer days, intake at the Aiken County Animal Shelter is soaring—yes, soaring! Last month, the shelter took in 545 additional animals.

puppies on intake may 2018 (3)Think about it … 545 animals. Do the math—that’s more than 17 animals coming into the shelter every single day. And as good as we are at hustling and finding our animals homes locally or in sister shelters up north, we can’t re-home 17 animals every day. We just can’t; the number is too big. Quite frankly, it feels like sweeping back the ocean with a broom, especially during the summer months.

Petunia arrived at the shelter injured and scared. But after being fostered, she's strong and confident enough to be adopted.
Petunia arrived at the shelter injured and scared. But after being fostered, she’s strong and confident enough to be adopted.

Why does this happen?

There really is only one cause: irresponsible pet owners. People who won’t spay and neuter their animals and abandon their unwanted litters of puppies and kittens year after year, and people who surrender their pets to the shelter when they go on vacation rather than make proper arrangements for their care.

In either case, those pet owners make the rest of us pay for their failure to do the right thing because the shelter is funded through your tax dollars. It’s inexcusable. There is financial assistance available for folks who can’t afford the cost of fixing their pet. Also, surely with a little thought and planning, an owner could find someone—a family member, friend, neighbor—who would be willing to care for their pets while they vacation. Seriously.

How can you help?

Right now, we need someone to care for a single puppy or a single kitten for another week until they can get their final shots and be put up for adoption. Because they are babies with no litter-mates, these little fluff-muffins needs some extra TLC.

Second, will someone please, please adopt our newest miracle girl, the beautiful Petunia? Animal control picked up Petunia from the side of the road. She had been hit by a car and was so badly injured, her lung was protruding from her ribs. She was rushed back to the shelter, where Dr. Levy performed her surgical magic. Then she was sent to foster-care to recover. Now, Petunia is a ready to go home. This is one happy, happy girl. She will make someone a fabulous pet.

Petunia goes on a walk with adopted dog, Benny the Beagle.
Petunia goes on a walk with adopted dog, Benny the Beagle.

There are other ways you can help, and we really do need your help.

Volunteer, make a tax-free donation to the cause at www.fotasaiken.org, or become a foster family. Want an even shorter-term bit of canine-love? Take one of our great dogs out for the day or the weekend—they love and appreciate a little time away from the busy shelter.

Finally, please, please, please spay or neuter your animals, and talk your friends and family and your neighbors into spaying and neutering theirs. If you or they cannot afford the cost, you may be eligible for County or FOTAS financial assistance.

Call us at (803) 514-4313 or email us at info@fotasaiken.com and see how you can get involved.

Their lives are in our hands.

 — By Joanna Dunn Samson, FOTAS Vice President

 

paw_print_heart_stickers-r368b69be3802466f8feff0ba57adc012_v9w0n_8byvr_512By the Numbers

In the month of May, the Aiken County Animal Shelter received 545 stray animals and surrendered pets.

 


saveapetlogo

Pets of the Week

 

MAVERICK

MAVERICK POTW JUNE 3 2018Mixed breed, male, 5 years old, tan & white, 46 pounds – $35

 

THOR

THOR POTW JUNE 3RD 2018Domestic Shorthair, male, 2 months old, Orange Tabby, 1.3 pounds – $10

 

animal abuse, Bully Dogs, Dogs, essay, FOTAS, injured animals, News, Pibbles, Uncategorized

A Challenge Named Biscuit

Posted on by Angel Hartline
09
Apr

I recently faced my most challenging case since I started working at the shelter.

Biscuit was a “neighborhood dog.” The woman who brought him in said he showed up every few days and she would feed him. She had not seen him for three days when he showed up that Tuesday morning. She called the shelter in distress thinking he had been shot in the head. When she brought him in, I examined him and determined he had not been shot but had been attacked by another dog.

Volunteer Anne Morgan gives Biscuit some couch time.
Volunteer Anne Morgan gives Biscuit some couch time.

His wounds were extensive. The damage to his right ear was so severe that the entire ear flap, as well as a large area of skin around the ear, had actually died. Infection had also set in giving off a terrible odor. I have been in practice for more than 30 years and very little can still gross me out. But this smell was so bad, we had to keep the doors to the clinic open to let in fresh air. Through all of this, Biscuit sat on the exam table wagging his tail. I wasn’t sure I could save him, but I was going to try.

Surgery was challenging. All the dead tissue needed to be removed, leaving a huge open area that was extremely difficult to suture closed. I was able to close most of it, but it remained to be seen how it would heal. We kept him on antibiotics to fight the infection, and over a period of about three weeks the wound did heal! It wasn’t pretty, but it healed.

Biscuit lost an ear when he was attacked by a dog.
Biscuit lost an ear when he was attacked by a dog.

Biscuit was adopted by an Aiken family and now has a canine brother named Bear.
Biscuit was adopted by an Aiken family and now has a canine brother named Bear.

During Biscuit’s recovery, we noticed that he held his right rear leg out to the side and limped a little. X-rays revealed that he had an old fracture of his femur just above the knee that had not been treated and therefore didn’t heal properly. There was also some degeneration of his hip joint. These injuries are consistent with being hit by a car. Unfortunately, he also tested positive for heartworms, an all too common occurrence for strays in our area.

One thing that stood out to me about Biscuit is that when he came into the shelter he was already neutered. That means he belonged to someone. At some point he was somebody’s dog. How did he end up like this? Was he lost? Was he abandoned? Did someone try to find him?

Through it all, Biscuit has shown an amazing spirit. He loves everyone, is ecstatic when we pet, or even better, scratch him, and his tail never stops wagging. He may not be the prettiest to look at, but he is truly one of my favorite dogs ever to come into the shelter. He deserves a great home, and we will do everything we can to find it for him.

Epilogue: Shortly after Dr. Levy submitted this column, Biscuit was adopted by an Aiken family. He is enjoying a fresh start at his new home with a small poodle mix named Bear. As with all adopted heartworm positive County Shelter dogs, FOTAS is paying for Biscuit’s treatment through its “Have a Heart, Save a Heart” program.

 – By Dr. Lisa Levy, ACAS Veterinarian

paw_print_heart_stickers-r368b69be3802466f8feff0ba57adc012_v9w0n_8byvr_512Pets of the Week

RavenRAVEN: Terrier mix, female, 1 year old, 21 pounds – $35

 

OREO POTW APRIL 8OREO: Domestic Shorthair, declawed, female, 9 years old, 8 pounds – $10