Tag Archives: "Can I Crash on Your Couch?" foster program

2020, Can I Crash on Your Couch? Program, coronavirus crisis, DOGGIE DATES, Doggie Day Out, Dogs, FOTAS, News, Volunteer, Volunteers

Pure Bliss: Take a Shelter Dog on a Short Field Trip or Sleepover

Posted on by Bob Gordon
28
Aug

Pure bliss. That is what a shelter dog feels when he gets a chance to spend time away from the shelter for a night, a weekend or even just a couple of hours.

So, three years ago we launched the FOTAS Doggie Days Out program, which allows citizens to take a dog from the Aiken County Animal Shelter (ACAS) for a few hours to go for a walk, a trip to the park or another exciting activity. The program is especially beneficial to dogs who are anxious or suffering from kennel stress.

Shelter dog COLT enjoys some deep sleep while crashing on a volunteer’s bed.

“It’s a fabulous program because the dogs get to go on an adventure with you and they get excited by the new sites and smells,” said Valarie Trapp, a local teacher who has taken many different ACAS dogs out this summer. “It’s also a great way to help socialize the dogs — by nurturing, loving and getting to know them.”

“Doggie dating” at the shelter also helps promote the dogs and expose them to a larger audience. Adam Poore and his mom come to the shelter every Friday to take a dog out for a few hours. When Adam walks them or stops by a restaurant to buy them a snack, he takes photos and makes short videos of the experience. One of his videos of handsome, gray and white Harrison was posted on the FOTAS Facebook page and caught the eye of Ashley Harris, who adopted the sweet dog.

“Some people might be apprehensive about spending time with the shelter animals because they think it will make them feel bad when they bring them back,” Poore said. “But it doesn’t make you feel bad; it makes you feel really good. With your help, these dogs have gotten away from the shelter noise, enjoyed a snack and had a good time.”

Wendy Hirsch enjoyed her first doggie date last week and posted photos of her time with older dog Graham on Facebook.

“I like the fact that it is so easy to sign up,” Hirsch said. “You just complete a one-page form, the staff makes a copy of your driver’s license, and you take the dog out for a trip downtown, Citizens Park or just a calming car ride.”

WYNONA enjoys some couch time after a Doggie Day Out with FOTAS Volunteer Valarie Trapp.

This year, FOTAS introduced a program that allows citizens to take a shelter dog home overnight or for a weekend. With this “Can I Crash on Your Couch?” program, shelter dogs get to spend time in a real home so they can get much-needed sleep and one-on-one attention. A shelter, no matter how nice, can be a stressful place with barking and other environmental elements making it difficult for pets to sleep. When a shelter dog returns from an overnight, he is full of joy. This experience helps them become better prepared for their future family.

If you would like to participate in the Doggie Day Out and/or Can I Crash on Your Couch? programs, please call the ACAS at (803) 642-1537, option #5, or send an email to info@fotasaiken.com. Or just stop by the shelter, 333 Wire Road, and we’ll get you started!

Our homeless dogs will be waiting for you.

Their lives are in our hands.

.
— By Bob Gordon, FOTAS Communications Director


2020, Can I Crash on Your Couch? Program, DOGGIE DATES, Doggie Day Out, Dogs, FOTAS, kennel stress, News

Give a Dog a Short Break from Shelter Noise, Stress

Posted on by Bob Gordon
06
Jul

Scrappy, a lovable and social dog, exhibited a new behavior that worried us at the Aiken County Animal Shelter (ACAS). This dog, who loves people, stopped coming to us in the play yard. We called him but he just ran away and sat as far from us as possible. You can imagine how this would make a potential adopter feel (totally unwanted). But then the volunteers and staff realized Scrappy wasn’t being anti-social at all. He just didn’t want to go back in his kennel. He was tired of watching and waiting for his turn as other dogs played in the grass and fetched tennis balls. So, he was trying to dodge us!

The Williams family takes adoptable dog ACE for a Doggie Day Out on July 4th.

I decided that he needed time away. So, I walked to the gate closest to my car and said “Scrappy, car ride!” He ignored me until I started my car and opened the door. He got excited and ran to me. We drove around and he lay down on the back seat, still holding the tennis ball in his mouth. He relaxed and dropped the ball, put his head down and closed his eyes. How sad! He was exhausted from the stress at the shelter (loud barking, trucks and cars in the parking lots, kennel doors closing).

Scrappy woke up when we pulled up to McDonald’s for a treat. Between us, I don’t think our amazing veterinary team would appreciate me getting him chicken nuggets. But would a couple of nuggets really be that big of a deal? I explained to Scrappy that what happens in my car stays in my car – and no throwing up the evidence. I laughed, he drooled.

When we got back to the shelter, he happily went to his kennel to drink some water and take a nap. What only took me a half hour made his entire day better! Now when he sees my car, he pulls me to the door. I can’t give him junk food every time, so we go to Citizens Park for a quick walk or a car ride with the windows down. The point is, he doesn’t care where we go. He just wants one-on-one time away from the shelter.

We call this our Doggie Days Out program and we are asking you to try it. If you live in Aiken County, call the ACAS to make an appointment to pick up a dog, (803) 642-1537, ext. 5. When you arrive to pick up the dog, we have a super short form to fill out.

Adoptable dog SCRAPPY enjoys a Doggie Day Out.

Even better, how about a Doggie Night Out, also known as “Can I Crash on Your Couch?” You can borrow a shelter dog for an overnight and let them catch up on real sleep. It is so rewarding! If you don’t have a pet or you don’t have time for one, this is perfect! All it takes is completing an application and we will give you a flea-free, sweet, and grateful dog.

Please take an hour out of your week, or even a night, and make a shelter dog happy!

Their lives are in our hands.


— By Kathy Jacobs, FOTAS Programs Coordinator

2020, Adoption, Bully Dogs, Can I Crash on Your Couch? Program, Doggie Day Out, Dogs, fostering, FOTAS, kennel stress, News

County Animal Shelter Dog Jay Shares His Adoption Story

Posted on by Bob Gordon
05
Feb

My name is Jay. I was recently adopted from the Aiken County Animal Shelter and have a story to tell.

I never wanted to end up at the shelter but, when it happened, I had no choice. The shelter isn’t such a bad place; it’s clean and healthy. I got food, shelter and medical care. The people were nice, too… but it still isn’t the same as being in a real home.

Jay in his shelter kennel before being adopted.

I was hoping for a short stay but became concerned when I saw other dogs getting adopted while I was still stuck in the shelter. I’m a good dog but have a big, wide head and was concerned that people who passed by my kennel weren’t giving me a second look.

I got stressed out as day after day passed and I was still stuck at the shelter. Even though volunteers came and walked us every day, I admit that I got anxious from being in my kennel and my behavior was starting to concern some people.

Just when I was feeling my lowest, this great guy named Kelly took me to his home for a weekend. It turns out he travels for his work during the week but takes a dog longing for companionship, like me, home for weekends. We took car rides, chilled out, watched TV and I got used to his comfortable couches. He told me I was becoming a couch potato, whatever that means.

Then it happened. A family came to the shelter looking to adopt a dog and they chose me! The staff called Kelly and he rushed to the shelter and met this family, the Martins, as they were filling out the adoption papers. He bragged about me to them and offered to drive me to their home and help me settle in with them to make sure everything was cool.

After Kelly left their home, the Martins called the shelter to tell them that they took me outside and I immediately did my business and then went into the house and hopped up on one of their comfortable couches. It took a few days for us to get to know each other but they are great owners (with great couches). I have everything I need.

Jay, aka Max, loves his new family and home.

They changed my name to Max and I kind of like it. I heard Mrs. Martin say that I keep them entertained and it was great to bring laughter back into their home. I am now definitely a part of their family.

I have Kelly to thank for my new, wonderful life and FOTAS is fortunate to have him as a volunteer.

I understand that after Kelly left the Martin home that first night, he went right back to the shelter. Why? To bring Gabriel home, Kelly’s next doggie overnight buddy.

Please consider volunteering like Kelly and participating in our “Can I Crash on Your Couch?” program. You can take home a shelter dog in need for a sleepover, giving him extra TLC and much-needed relaxation. The dog will be so grateful for a break from the daily stress of an institutional environment. Call (803) 514-4313 for more information.

— By Jay aka Max, Ex-shelter Dog