Tag Archives: cats

Adoption, Cats, FOTAS, Volunteer

Injured and abused cats get second chance after successful surgeries

Posted on by Angel Hartline
16
Jun

by Dr. Lisa Levy, ACAS Veterinarian

This month, we’ve already taken in more than 300 strays and surrendered animals at the County Animal Shelter. Last month, we took in more than 500. When you receive this many animals, some are certain to be injured or abused, and May was a rough month for kitties. We had several special needs cats come through our doors.

First was Rose. Rose came in just as I was leaving for the day. She was listless, weak and her back end was covered in pus. On examination, it was determined that she had a severe uterine infection, also known as pyometra. These animals get very sick as the uterus fills with pus and causes them to become toxic. The only treatment is surgery to remove the uterus. But obviously there is great risk to doing surgery on a patient that is so ill.

After I graduated from veterinary school, my first boss had a saying that has stuck with me. He said, “Never let the sun set on a pyometra.” What he meant is that surgery needs to be done immediately because they will be sicker in the morning. So, I put my scrubs back on and immediately did the surgery. She made it through anesthesia and we gave her fluid therapy and antibiotics, although I had little hope that she would make it through the night. But when we came in the next morning, she was sitting up in her cage! She got stronger each day and showed us a gentle, loving personality that wasn’t evident when she was so sick.

Stump is a kitty who was brought in by a couple who found him tied to a tree. His tail was gone (either cut off by someone or possibly ripped off by a dog) and he had exposed bone sticking out of a mound of raw, infected tissue about two inches in diameter. My first thought was, “I can’t fix this.” But amazingly, once the bad tissue and bone was trimmed away, there was enough skin left to close the wound. Now the big question was would there be nerve damage that might interfere with his ability to urinate and defecate? The next morning, there was no urine in his litter box and he was straining and not able to defecate. We put him on kitty laxatives and within two days he was going on his own.

Aimee came into the shelter with a rear leg that was severely deformed. It had been broken at some point and healed without being set properly. She was unable to bend at the knee and the lower part of the leg pointed in the wrong direction. Unfortunately, there was no way to fix the leg, so we amputated it. Aimee adjusted beautifully since she really couldn’t use the leg before the surgery, and is doing terrific!

It was a trying month but all three cats were adopted and are doing extremely well. Great outcomes like these are why we – the entire shelter staff and volunteers – do what we do.

Next Week: How these special needs cats are making a difference in their adopters’ lives.Caption: Stump arrived at the Shelter with his tail cut or ripped off, but he is doing great following surgery.

Pets of the Week

POTW JUNE 18 CHIANNAH
CHIANNAH: Retriever/Terrier mix, female, 2 years old, brown and white, 48 pounds – $35.00
TEASPOON POTW JUNE 18
TEASPOON: Domestic shorthair cat, male, 9 months old, black/gray Tabby, 7.5 pounds – $10.00

      

BY THE NUMBERS

May 1- 31:  580 dogs and cats were received by the County Shelter.

June Adoption Special:  Cats $10.00 and Dogs $35.00

Cats, Dogs, FOTAS, Volunteer

Touched by an angel at the Aiken County Animal Shelter

Posted on by Angel Hartline
12
Jun

By Joanna D. Samson, FOTAS Vice President

It is May 24th as I write this article, only three weeks into the month of May, and a heart-breaking, record number of animals—480 to be exact—have been consigned to the Aiken County Animal Shelter.

You read that correctly; your eyes are not playing tricks on you—480 dogs, cats, puppies and kittens in the first three weeks of May.

Do the math; I did. Every single day the Shelter was open this month (21 operating days), 22-23 animals were consigned to the Shelter. That’s hard to fathom—there is no way to find local homes for or transfer out that many animals on top of the ones that are already there. Supply far exceeds demand. It’s like sweeping back the ocean with a broom.

A shelter is a stressful place for an animal under any circumstances, but the stress level in a crowded shelter is even worse for these unfortunate animals who are there through no fault of their own. They need lots of help to manage their stress levels until we can find them a home.

That’s why volunteers like the indomitable Nanci Santos are so important.

Nanci has been a FOTAS volunteer for a long time. She has never wavered in her commitment. You can find her at the Shelter every day, seven days a week, without fail. Even a serious health condition some years back did not deter Nanci—unable to walk dogs, she organized and conducted orientations for new volunteers until she had the physical strength to pick up the leash again.

Today, she touches every dog, literally. After the morning walks, Nanci folds and arranges blankets in all the kennel beds so the dogs will be comfortable. She cleans up any messes.

She gives every dog an appropriate toy, making certain that, say, a determined chewer is given an indestructible rope toy and a dainty licker gets a nice squeak toy. That’s how good she is—she figures it out for every one of them.

Nanci’s compassion and intuition have made her invaluable in working with shy, anxious and fearful dogs whose contact with humans has been either non-existent or just plain bad.

“It’s not unusual for Nanci to sit for hours on the floor of a kennel working with a terrified dog, speaking softly, coaxing it to take a treat,” says Kathy Jacobs, the FOTAS Program Director. “Two days later, I’ll find her sitting on a bench in a quiet place, that very same dog curled up in her lap – it could be 15 pounds or 50 pounds—it doesn’t matter. In the end, every dog, no matter how scared, climbs into Nanci’s lap, so to speak. She transforms them.”

Ralph Waldo Emerson once wrote: “To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded.” Thousands of canine lives have breathed easier because of Nanci Santos. Her success is immeasurable.

The Shelter needs your help all the time, but particularly in the summer months when intake skyrockets and folks go on vacation. Please volunteer, foster, or donate; call the FOTAS hotline (803-514-4313) or email info@angelhartlinedesigns.com and start making a difference today.

Their lives are in our hands.

 

Nanci Santos, FOTAS volunteer, with one of the dogs at the Aiken County Animal Shelter
Nanci Santos, FOTAS volunteer, with one of the dogs at the Aiken County Animal Shelter
Adoption, Dogs, Foster, FOTAS, Spay/Neuter, Volunteer

Honor National Pet Month by adopting a loving animal in need

Posted on by Angel Hartline
19
May

by Bob Gordon, FOTAS Director of Communications

 

This has been a tough month at the County Animal Shelter. In just the first 18 days of May, 376 homeless animals have been received by the facility at 333 Wire Road.

Yes, you read that right. We’re only slightly past the halfway point of the month and the shelter is already packed full of animals surrendered by owners or picked up as strays. If this pace keeps up, the Shelter will receive more than 700 homeless animals by month’s end.

The County Shelter urgently needs adopters, fosters and volunteers to help offset this flood of homeless animals. It is also vital for all County citizens to get their pets spayed/neutered to reduce such an overpopulation of dogs and cats. County vouchers for these surgeries are available at the Shelter, 333 Wire Road.

Ironically, May is National Pet Month, an annual celebration of the benefits that pets bring to our lives and a time to reflect on what we can do to make their lives better. While far from being in a celebratory mood due to the latest intake numbers, we can take the National Pet Month’s goals to heart by finding these unwanted animals loving forever homes.

Let’s start by shining a spotlight on three special dogs up for adoption – a trio of truly sweet souls who need a break in life. These animals, through no fault of their own, have suffered especially difficult pasts and yet remain full of joy and affection for people. Two of them come from cruelty cases.

These dogs – all housebroken – are looking for, and deserve, loving homes where they can be the only canine:

CLAUS: This handsome, brindle and white Terrier mix is a very calm boy who loves people but prefers his humans all to himself. He’s just two years old and is described by volunteers as a “cuddle bug” because he will make an ideal couch companion for anyone looking for a dog to snuggle with while reading or watching television.

LUCIE: High-energy Lucie is a super sweet, outgoing Terrier/Boxer mix who has so much love to give! She adores people – so much so, she tries to hug every friendly human she meets. She’s also a terrific athlete. Lucie was found as a stray shortly after having puppies that were never found. She’s only two years old and has expressive eyes that dominate her pretty face.

HAYDEN: Like Claus, this 5-year-old likes to relax and is extremely affectionate – but also enjoys long walks and is great on a leash. His looks stand out because he has one brown and one blue eye. As far as getting along with other dogs, Hayden is very selective. If you already own a dog, you’ll need to bring him/her to the shelter for a “meet and greet” to see how they get along with Hayden. However, this warmhearted Hound mix would be ideal as the only dog in your family.

Please come visit these three dogs in need and all the other terrific animals available for adoption at the County Shelter! Remember, all animals are half price this month – dogs $35, and cats $15.

Their lives are in our hands.

 

Claus enjoys some one-on-one time with FOTAS Volunteer and Canine Coach Darling Rios.
Claus enjoys some one-on-one time with FOTAS Volunteer and Canine Coach Darling Rios.
Hayden, wearing an e-collar so he doesn’t lick at his stitches, visits front desk volunteer Joyce Egge.
Hayden, wearing an e-collar so he doesn’t lick at his stitches, visits front desk volunteer Joyce Egge.
Cats, Foster, FOTAS

Fostering kittens more rewarding than volunteer ever imagined

Posted on by Angel Hartline
17
May

by Bob Gordon, FOTAS Director of Communications
Debbie Snyder arrived at the Aiken County Animal Shelter (ACAS) carrying cans of puppy formula. She’d read on the FOTAS Facebook page that the shelter was running low and needed donations. Being a dog lover and owner, she often did her part to drop off food, treats and other goodies for the canines waiting to be adopted.

But on this day, she would not leave empty-handed.

“When I got there, (FOTAS Programs Coordinator) Kathy Jacobs asked me if I’d ever fostered kittens,” Debbie said. “I told her I wasn’t really a cat person and I didn’t know much about them, but if it would save their lives, I’d give it a shot.”

The kittens in question had been found and brought to the shelter by a good Samaritan but their mother was nowhere in sight and they needed continuous bottle feeding and care. Debbie took the newborn foster kittens home and what started out as an act of kindness, gradually became a rewarding personal journey for the retired lawyer.

“From the moment I got home, I set up a warm spot for them and let my two yellow Labs smell them and they quickly got very comfortable with the kittens,” Debbie said. “Over the next seven weeks, the three little guys went from being completely helpless to very affectionate, and it’s been wonderful watching their personalities develop.”

In the beginning, taking care of the kittens was a bit challenging. They had to be bottle fed every few hours and needed help with elimination. Debbie would patiently massage their bottoms and tummies until they pooped and peed. But after about three weeks, they could eliminate on their own and at five weeks old, they started sleeping through the night and could be fed kitten food mixed with water in a bowl. It was about this time that Debbie named her three fosters: The fuzzy, black one became Edward and the two Tabbies were christened Ben and Keith.

Today, the three brothers are nearly two months old, healthy and happy, and running and playing in Debbie’s home. They love playing with her large Labs and are so comfortable around them, they’ll sometimes climb on top of them. In a typical fostering situation, the kittens would be ready to head back to the shelter for adoption. But Debbie became so smitten with the cuties, she adopted them herself. The ailing orphan kittens, who were fighting for survival, now have a forever home and an owner who is committed to giving them love and care throughout their lives.

“I’m so glad I decided to foster them,” she said. “If you have the time to do it and love animals, I think you should try it. FOTAS provides terrific guidance on what needs to be done and is always available if you need support or have any questions.”

Many kittens and puppies ,along with dogs and cats, are currently being received at the shelter, and FOTAS is in urgent need of foster homes. If you can help foster shelter animals at your home, or are interested in volunteering in other ways, please email info@angelhartlinedesigns.com.

Their lives are in our hands.

debbie snyder kittens

FOTAS Volunteer Debbie Snyder at home with her three foster kittens.
FOTAS Volunteer Debbie Snyder at home with her three foster kittens.
Adoption, Cats, Dogs, Foster, FOTAS, Volunteer

Katy finds home, becomes foster mama to other shelter dogs and kittens

Posted on by Angel Hartline
04
May

by Joanna D. Samson, FOTAS Vice President
“Heaven works on favor. If it worked on merit, you would stay out and your dog would go in”
Mark Twain

Why Katy had not been adopted was a puzzle to those of us who knew her. The pretty, 2-year-old, black and white short-haired Collie cross was a real lady—calm, self-possessed and dignified. She didn’t bark in her cage. She was sociable with people, children and other dogs. She was smart. She was house-broken; in fact, she waited patiently every morning until a volunteer came to take her for her walk, to rather than “do her business” in her kennel.

Katy was, in all respects, a darn-near perfect dog.

Yet somehow, by May of 2016, Katy held the unfortunate distinction of being the dog who had been on the adoption floor the longest. Those of us who loved her (FOTAS volunteers and Shelter staff) began to fret, not because she had been taking up precious space at the Shelter for too long, but because we could see that the stress of shelter life was taking its toll on her. You could see the sadness in her eyes, and who could blame her? No matter how polite and composed she was, potential adopters walked right by her, choosing silly, unruly cute dogs instead. It was discouraging.

When Katy became short-tempered and intolerant in the daily dog play-group, we shifted into FOTAS overdrive to get her out of the Shelter. Enter Chenoa Shields, an Augusta resident who fosters puppies and hard-to-place dogs in the greater CSRA. Chenoa had come to the Shelter to observe our newly enacted play-group program, and we took the opportunity to chat her up about our love of Katy and our concern for her well-being. Chenoa could see Katy’s many virtues, and even though she had witnessed Katy’s increasingly short temper in play-group, she agreed to take her as a private foster if Katy could get along with Chenoa’s two Pugs.

She could. Katy was the kind lady we knew she could be, treating the much smaller, affable, energetic little Pug Yasmeen with playful tenderness. Katy went home with Chenoa as a foster until we could find her a home.

She is still there today.

Why? Because everyone fell in love. Katy fell in love with Chenoa, Yasmeen, and even Chenoa’s dog-selective Pug, Layla – and they fell in love with her.

Moreover, Katy turns out to be the perfect mama dog for Chenoa’s fosters, and to date, Katy has fostered 22 puppies and underdogs and (are you ready for this?) four kittens.

Here’s the takeaway. When you find a dog you like at the Shelter, but you are not certain she is the right dog because she seems anxious, distant or timid, remember this: shelter life is stressful for even the calmest, most affectionate dogs. We’ve placed thousands over the years, and we can say with virtual certainty that a safe place, companionship and love turns every dog into a loyal friend and companion.

They just need someone, like you, to give them a chance.

Their lives are in our hands.

 

Katie & Yasmeen

Adoption, Cats, Dogs, Foster, FOTAS, Volunteer

Volunteering: Fun, rewarding and a great way to get in shape

Posted on by Angel Hartline
26
Feb

by Bob Gordon, FOTAS Director of Communications

It’s 5:30 p.m. and the County Animal Shelter has been closed for a half hour, but FOTAS Volunteer Karen Brady has some unfinished business. She is concerned about one of the dogs, Monica, who is having anxiety issues, so she’s taking her home to foster. As Karen opens the door of the 5-year-old, black beagle’s kennel, Monica bursts out and into Karen’s arms.
“She’s going to be a happy girl, tonight,” Karen says. “She’ll be able to run around with my dogs and sniff all the new smells. It will be a good change for her.”

Karen started volunteering at the shelter last spring and is often the last member of the FOTAS team to leave at the end of the day. She moved to Aiken from Montana about a year ago, when she retired from a successful career as an ecologist and soil scientist for the USDA. Karen grew up around animals in Denver and currently has three adopted dogs of her own.

Since joining FOTAS, Karen has gained a reputation as a model volunteer. She not only comes in to walk and socialize the dogs six days a week, but also fosters puppies at home (with the help of her daughter, Genny) and takes shelter dogs to off-site FOTAS adoption events. She is supportive to her fellow volunteers, great with animals and helpful to those who visit the shelter to adopt a pet.

“I do this work for the animals but I also love the social activity,” she said. “Everyone here is very nice and has it in their hearts to do good where they can. I think that’s why I keep coming here. We have a really good team and have a lot of fun.” Karen noted that sometimes volunteers have get-togethers on the weekend or meet for lunch after the shelter work is done.

Besides the social advantages, Karen listed other benefits of volunteering at the shelter:
Great exercise. Karen has lost 10 pounds since becoming a volunteer and a colleague of hers has lost 40 pounds from walking the dogs. “It’s cheaper and a lot more fun than joining a gym and walking on a treadmill,” Karen said.
Animal education. If you like dogs and/or cats, you get the chance to see a wide variety of breeds and learn how to treat and care for animals with different personalities. “You also get an education about how these animals find homes and how much is done for them while they’re here,” Karen said.
Rewarding adoptions. “It’s so exciting when your fosters get forever homes,” she said. “Sometimes you miss them a bit, but you’ve reached your goal. You’ve given them a second chance!”
The shelter always needs more people to foster and volunteer and the population of unwanted and stray animals increases in the spring. So, if you are interested in becoming a FOTAS volunteer, please email info@FotasAiken.org or call the FOTAS hotline, (803) 514-4313.
“Give it a try,” Karen said. “It’s a blast and never boring or routine. And when we have more people, the teamwork is better and we can give more quality time to the animals.”
Their lives are in our hands.

 

The photo above is of FOTAS Volunteer Karen Brady spending time with adoptable shelter dogs Iago (left) and Octavia in one of the facility’s play yards.

Adoption, Cats, FOTAS, Volunteer

The love of a cat

Posted on by Angel Hartline
20
Feb

By Joanna D. Samson, FOTAS Vice-President

“What greater gift than the love of a cat.”
Charles Dickens

“Cats are smarter than dogs. You could never get eight cats to pull a sled through the snow.”
Jeff Valdez, television writer and producer

As much as I love my shelter dogs, Maggie and Jack (and I do love them a lot), 35 years ago I had a pet who was so special that, to this day, the thought of her makes me weep.

Poo Cat was a tuxedo cat of advanced years who appeared on my doorstep one bitterly cold December day in 1978 when I was cramming for exams. She quickly settled in and made herself at home, crouching on the table and playing with my pencils while I read, perching on the toilet each morning as I dried my hair, and curling up on the pillow next to me while I slept. Poo Cat was the best friend and companion I could have asked for in those trying times. She asked for little and gave so much.

I love cats, so if cats have gotten short shrift in this column over the past years, it’s only because all of those big and small goofy, funny, friendly, lovable dogs that pass through the Aiken County Animal Shelter take up so much time and energy. They really need our companionship. They crave our attention—all the time.

Cats, on the other hand—eh, not so much. They spend their days quietly surveying the world around them. They don’t ask for much – a little food, a little water, a warm place to sleep and a cuddle from time to time.

Which is why cats make ideal companions for people who work, people who live alone, and people who don’t have the time, space or facilities to care for a dog. They are self-sufficient. They don’t need to be walked three times a day. Give them a barn, and they’ll control the rodent population and live a happy, productive life. Playful and kind, they make great pets for children.

No wonder cats are the most popular pets in the world.

Until recently, hundreds of cats were received at the shelter. Of the adoptable domestic cats, very few are microchipped, and on average, less than 1% of the cats at the Shelter are claimed by their owners. Many of the cats received at the Shelter are feral and unadoptable. As a result, sadly, more cats are euthanized than dogs.

But here’s the good news: through aggressive adoption pricing and the implementation of the County’s new TNR (Trap-Neuter-Return) program, in January, for the first time ever, the live release rate for cats hit a record high of 93%: of the 79 received, 37 were adopted, 34 were TNR’d, and 3 returned to their owners.
From experience, we know these numbers will skyrocket in the spring and summer months because cats are particularly and prolifically fertile, but still, it’s a start.

Here’s more good news. During the month of February, you can adopt a fully spayed/neutered, wormed and inoculated cat or kitten for only $7. What are you waiting for?

Their lives are in our hands.

Adoption, Cats, Dogs, FOTAS, Volunteer

Dear Valentine

Posted on by Angel Hartline
04
Feb

By Joanna D. Samson, Vice President, FOTAS

“How do I love thee? Let me count the ways . . .”
William Shakespeare

Although I am certain Willie the Shake did not write the 43rd Sonnet for his dog, I am equally certain that most of us with canine or feline friends could rattle off their virtues without hesitation.

They keep you company, follow you around, sleep with you. They make you laugh. They walk with you. They comfort you when you’re sad. Rescued animals know you saved them. They are forever grateful.

In return, we overlook the hair; the drooling; the smell; the muddy paws; the cost of food, clothing, medical care, treats (so many treats); the occasional mistake in the house; and the small dead rodents left on the porch as an expression of their appreciation.

It’s a small price to pay, don’t you think?

Yesterday, I asked a couple of friends and their rescued pets to tell me what they love about each other.

Ellie Joos, about her 14-year-old tabby cat: “I love it when Sheba hops on the bed, curls up next to me, and purrs like a freight train (if only it wasn’t 3:30 in the morning!)”

Sheba: “I love to sit on the counter and watch Ellie. I’ve trained her well; she always feeds me on time.”

Kathy Jacobs, about her retriever mix: “Sherman’s got issues: he’s overweight, in bad health and not the smartest bulb in the pack. But I love it when he sits on my lap (all 75 pounds of him) and lays back like a big baby.”

Sherman: “I’m insecure. I love Kathy to baby me.”

Peter Miller, about he and Jennifer’s St. Bernard mix and pit mix: “Buster and Beethovan give me the same crazy, frantic, joyous greeting at the door whether I’ve been gone 20 minutes or five days. I love that.”

Buster and Beethoven: “We love it when the man yells, ‘Naptime!’ and we all pile on the bed.”

Heather Wiseman, about their 10-year-old bird dog: “Missy has the craziest eyebrows; they go every which way. We love to play with them, make them stick up in a Mohawk.”

Missy: “The world’s a scary place. I love them for protecting me from birds, puppies, and loud noises.”

Uma Seaman, about her 3-year-old shepherd mix: “Izzy loves people—when she meets someone new, she bows and puts both paws over her eyes, like she’s flirting.”

Izzy: “I love it when she calls, ‘Snuggle-muggle!’ and I get to roll around like crazy on the bed.”

Edie Hubler, about Zeus and Meg: “When I walk them, I love to watch their little fannies just bobbing along, side by side – happy as clams.”

Meg and Zeus: “We love to watch her all day long. We think she’s a goddess.”

The Aiken County Animal Shelter is celebrating Valentine’s Day every day through February 14th: you can adopt your next canine Valentine for only $14 and your feline Valentine for only $7. Your new Valentine will be fixed and fully inoculated.

And of course, your new Valentine will come home full of love and devotion. It will be the beginning of a romance that will last a long, long time.

What a deal.

Their lives are in our hands.

Adoption, Cats, Dogs, FOTAS, Volunteer

Mom and son add something special to FOTAS volunteer team

Posted on by Angel Hartline
04
Feb

by Bob Gordon, FOTAS Director of Communications

The first thing you notice about Derek DeMio is how open and friendly he is, even with total strangers. The 26-year-old makes a habit of greeting everyone he comes across, and if he hasn’t met you yet, he will introduce himself and offer his hand to shake on a new friendship.

Derek’s good manners undoubtedly come from a solid upbringing by his mother, Susan Walker. But it’s more than just the result of great parenting. He loves people and they tend to return the favor. He has a natural ability to connect with others and his positive outlook is not only appreciated by the staff and fellow volunteers, but also by the animals.

“Derek and I love to volunteer at this wonderful shelter,” Susan said. “He loves the dogs so much and they respond to him in a special way. The staff and volunteers are all wonderful and being here is always a great experience for both of us.”

Today Derek and his mom have been walking the dogs, changing their kennel blankets and playing with most of the 16 puppies that have recently been added to the adoption floor. Like nearly all the volunteers and staff members, Derek gets attached to the underdogs – animals that take the longest time to get adopted. His latest favorites are Hilde, a pretty, 5-year-old Retriever mix who has been on the adoption floor the longest of all the current residents, and Shelby, a sweet, 3-year-old Retriever/Terrier mix. Earlier this morning, Shelby got some needed nurturing from Derek, resting her head on his chest and wagging her tail as he stroked her shiny, brown coat.

When Derek and Susan are not volunteering at the shelter, she works as a registered nurse while he is hoping to find a job soon through a special needs work program. Derek, who has Downs Syndrome, was just notified that he is eligible for job placement and expects to get hired soon. Before moving to Aiken from Connecticut six months ago, he worked for the Coast Guard Academy and several restaurants. But Derek always finds time to volunteer and said he won’t stop helping out at the shelter once he starts a new job. He would miss the animals too much, as well as the great feeling he gets when he sees them getting adopted to loving homes.

“The companionship and friendships we’ve made here – it’s been a morale booster for us,” Susan said. “Plus the education we are getting by being here…learning so much about how to handle and take care of these animals.”

“It’s a wonderful therapy just be with a dog or hold a cat, she added. “There is a connection – a bond – there. It definitely makes your heart smile.”

If you are interested in joining the FOTAS volunteer team, please contact us at 803.514.4313 or volunteer@angelhartlinedesigns.com.

Their lives are in our hands…

 

Derek and his mom, Susan Walker, volunteer at the shelter twice a week and help socialize shelter animals like Miss Kitty, a 2-year-old tuxedo cat who needs a home.
Derek and his mom, Susan Walker, volunteer at the shelter twice a week and help socialize shelter animals like Miss Kitty, a 2-year-old tuxedo cat who needs a home.
Adoption, Cats, FOTAS

Son’s memory lives on through Roger the Shelter cat

Posted on by Angel Hartline
04
Feb

by Martha Anne Tudor

There’s a lot of talk in animal shelters about cats and dogs needing rescue. But we all know theirs aren’t the only lives saved through adoption. The power of animals to connect with humans in transforming and powerful ways is well-known by anyone who’s spent time with them.

The adoption last month of a cat named Roger, however, was especially moving and significant.

Hundreds of homeless animals come through the Aiken County Animal Shelter’s doors every month. Like every other animal there, Roger was hoping this wasn’t the end of the line – that someone would want him and give him a future.

Roger had never known life outside the shelter. He was born there last spring. A striking gray tabby with white patches, no one understood why he got passed by for several weeks. He was sweet, cuddly, and everything a kitty should be.

So shelter volunteers decided to feature Roger in a Facebook post, hoping that, with time, his plight might catch someone’s attention. It took only 50 minutes for Daniel Thomas Perry Jr.’s mom, Wendy Wahl, to see Roger’s post from her home in Key Largo.

She sent the post to Daniel, a 30-year-old known as much for this athleticism as his intelligence. He was a certified scuba instructor and technical diver who’d captained private yachts in Florida and the Bahamas. Daniel loved travel, languages and cyber technology, and enjoyed playing computer games he’d written. He’d recently begun school in Augusta to learn more about programming. He lived alone but wanted a pet.

When Daniel saw Roger’s post, he fell in love and canceled his weekend travel plans so he could go adopt him.

Wendy got this text shortly after Daniel brought Roger home:

“He is soft like the finest silk, loves belly rubs, tummy kisses, answers to his name and follows you around and sticks to you like glue. I am in love with this beautiful kitty. He has stolen my heart.”

That was a Tuesday. Daniel communicated with Wendy a lot the next three days, sharing pictures and videos of Roger, and getting advice about cats. Wendy ordered a cat-tree to be delivered.

“He’s perfect.” Daniel texted her. “I can’t wait for you to meet him.”

But that Saturday night, Daniel was found dead in his home, Roger by his side. There are no answers yet as to cause of death, but Wendy reached through unimaginable grief to tell a shelter volunteer the vital role Roger had in Daniel’s last days and to say Roger would have a home the rest of his life.

“Daniel loved that cat, and because of Roger, Daniel didn’t die alone,” said Wendy, who’s now given Roger a middle name – Thomas – like her son’s.

“It brings me comfort that Roger was with Daniel and loved him through his transition from this life. It makes Roger very dear to my heart that he served such a special purpose.”

Roger Thomas was listed as a survivor in Daniel’s obituary.