Tag Archives: Doggie Day Out

2021, Can I Crash on Your Couch? Program, DOGGIE DATES, Doggie Day Out, Dogs, FOTAS, kennel stress, News, Volunteer, Volunteers

Doggie Days Out: Win-Win Program for Four-Legged and Two-Legged!

Posted on by Bob Gordon
03
Mar

When FOTAS and the Aiken County Animal Shelter launched our Doggie Days Out Program, we had no idea just how beneficial it would be for the dogs. Turns out to be great for the volunteers as well!

Shelter dogs can shut down due to kennel stress. Some will cower in a corner, some will spin in circles, others will bark and jump. It is hard to watch a pet suffer in this way. This is why Doggie Days Out, away from the shelter are so important.

Promotional flyer/ad for Doggie Day Out.

We have a growing number of Aiken County residents who are taking advantage of this program. They take a dog for an hour or two, or even overnight. Many are former dog owners; others just enjoy the company during this pandemic.

“When I started volunteering at FOTAS, I came over weekly to walk your sweet doggies. Then I read your article about taking one home for the afternoon and I have loved this. I have noticed such a difference since I have started taking one home with me for a few hours. Our time together is invaluable for both of us. I get my personal doggie fix and they get undivided attention from us versus sharing us with other dogs.

“Also, having a chance to walk and play outside of their typical environment relaxes them and allows them to unwind. Many times, after walking them, I will let them run freely through my house and they seem to love this new freedom, away from their cage. I really have noticed such a difference in each of the sweet doggies after we have shared an afternoon. Their constant licks tell me that they have enjoyed the afternoon as much as I have and yet when we get back, they are always happy to see shelter staff. I have had my special doggie fix for the week and look forward to next week.” – Frère Miller

Laura Nearhoof returns to the shelter with Uki, who has since been adopted. The Doggie Days Out program is vital to reducing kennel stress and socializing dogs, making them better prepared for their forever homes.

“The best part about a Doggie Day Out is watching the dog and its behavior. We always start with a walk around the pond and then go back to our house, take their leash off and watch them run around in our fenced yard. From the time we pick them up to the time we bring them back, we get to see the dogs come out of their shell and enjoy just being a dog. We have had a couple that started off timid but by the time we took them back they couldn’t give us enough hugs and licks. We had to put our 17-year-old dachshund down in May of 2020 and, for now, are just not ready to commit fulltime to another dog. Doggie Days Out is helping us and we take joy in knowing we are helping the dogs socialize, feel loved, and find their forever home. If anyone asks if taking a dog for a walk or for an overnight is worth it, I would say it’s 1,000% worth it.” –Michael and Laura Nearhoof

We would love to see our dogs get more time away from the shelter. If you are interested, please call FOTAS, (803) 514-4313 or email us at info@fotasaiken.org. It is very easy to set up a pickup and drop off time. We will select a dog that fits with the activity you choose.

Their lives are in our hands.

— By Kathy Jacobs, FOTAS Programs Coordinator

2021, Adoption, Bully Dogs, Chained dogs, Dogs, FOTAS, News, Pibbles, SOCIAL MEDIA

Hilde: One Special Shelter Dog Who Finally Found Her Dream Home

Posted on by Bob Gordon
26
Jan

In the seven years since the new Aiken County Animal Shelter opened, thousands and thousands of dogs have passed through its doors. Dogs of every shape, size, age, condition, breed, and mix of breeds—we’ve seen them all. So, it’s unusual for a particular dog to be indelibly imprinted into my mind (other than my own beloved rescues), but there is one—a beautiful blonde, golden-eyed, pit bull mix named Hilde, who first came to the shelter in 2016.

Hilde and her big, goofy smile.

Hilde was a volunteer and staff favorite, a 55-pound, people-lover with a big, goofy smile. Yet, by the end of January 2017, she held the unfortunate distinction of being the longest canine resident at the shelter. It was a mystery why someone hadn’t scooped up this bundle of love, but day after day, potential adopters walked past her kennel without a second look. After a while, the inevitable stress of shelter life took its toll on Hilde; the light began to fade from her eyes.

FOTAS leaped into action. We initiated Doggie Day Out for Hilde (a program still in effect today), packed her in a car, took her downtown, and paraded her through stores and coffee shops. We wrote about her and marketed her on social media. She spent weekend Doggie Overnights with Kelly, one of our volunteers.

Hilde being loved on by one of her little peeps.

Finally, our efforts paid off. A young family came to the shelter specifically to meet her, fell in love, and adopted her. For months, the family sent us photos of Hilde and the kids, snuggled up on the couch, stretched out on the bed. We were thrilled and relieved. Hilde had a home.

Imagine our horror when, a year later, the Lexington County Animal Shelter notified the shelter (thanks to her microchip) that Hilde had been picked up as a stray—weak, starving, flea-bitten, and terrified. One of the staff immediately hopped in the van to pick her up. When she saw her old friends at the shelter, her tail thumped with joy. We cried—shocked by her condition and profoundly touched by her recognition.

What happened? We never found out. Her “dream” family was not responsive to our calls. Time to start over. First order of business: get Hilde healthy. Second, find her a forever home—this time for real.

It took some time, but Hilde’s a survivor. She got lots of medical attention, exercise, and affection, plus weekends off with her pal, Kelly. When she was ready, we wrote another article about her. Enter Kathy and Greg Bowman. It was a match meant to be.

Hilde shares her toys with her human sister.

But Kathy’s daughter? Not so much. She was worried. A pit bull mix? Would her kids—Kathy’s grandkids—be safe? It didn’t take long to convince her of Hilde’s inherent gentleness and her love for people, particularly children. She witnessed it firsthand: her kids loving on an ecstatic Hilde, snuggled up together on the bed, napping happily away, romping through the yard.

Finally, after all these years and misadventures, Hilde has found her forever home. She deserves it. She even has her own Instagram page: Hilde the Rescue Dog. Check it out!

Godspeed, Hilde. Godspeed.

Their lives are in our hands.

–By Joanna D. Samson, FOTAS Vice President

Hilde fast asleep on Christmas day 2019
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

2019, Adoption, Bully Dogs, DOGGIE DATES, Dogs, Foster, fostering, FOTAS, News, Pibbles, Training, Volunteers

Doggie Dates and Sleepovers Help Shelter Pets Relax, Find Forever Homes

Posted on by Bob Gordon
04
Jun

Did you know you can go on dates with dogs who are waiting to be adopted at the Aiken County Animal Shelter (ACAS)? You can! If you live in the County, FOTAS has a program that allows you to take homeless dogs out for an hour or two, on a day-long field trip or even overnight.

And the dogs love it. Getting out of the shelter for even a short car ride can work wonders to reduce their stress, build trust and boost their confidence.

“The biggest value of the Doggie Days Out and sleepovers is how they reduce the dogs’ anxiety,” said FOTAS volunteer Kelly Meyers, who often takes ACAS dogs home for the weekend. “Currently I’m working with Bastian, and he goes from amped up to chilled out as soon as he gets in my car. The experience gives them a break from the stress of shelter life and a chance to decompress. “

BASTIAN, a terrific 7-year-old Retriever mix currently available for adoption at the County Animal Shelter, enjoys some down time at Kelly Meyers’ house. The time away from the shelter helps make dogs more confident and ensures more successful adoptions.

The experience also provides staff and volunteers with critical information about the dog’s personality traits, strengths and weaknesses. Is the dog housebroken? Does he get along with cats? Is he friendly to strangers? Answers to such questions provide key data for successfully matching them with potential adopters.

“It’s good to give these dogs some quiet time, so I take them on walks downtown or bring them to a local horse farm,” said FOTAS Volunteer Donna Dring. “Sometimes I take them for a walk in the woods or bring them to my home for an hour just to unwind and get some sleep.”

Going on a doggie date or hosting a doggie sleepover can also give citizens greater insight about a dog they are interested in adopting. Marti Healy recently took black Lab mix Cooper home for a sleepover to see how he would mesh with her pets. Her dog, Quincy, became quick friends with Cooper but her cat, Tuppence, didn’t fare as well. The feline liked Cooper but he couldn’t help himself from chasing her around the house.

LADY, who has since been adopted to a great home, enjoys some cuddling with FOTAS Volunteer Donna Dring during a Doggie Day Out.

Although Healy was disappointed Cooper wasn’t the right match for her family, she was thankful for the experience.

“Getting the chance to see how Cooper got along with my animals in a relaxed setting was a huge help,” she said. “I would have felt bad if I had adopted him and then had to take him back.” Her experience also let the shelter know that Cooper bonds well with other dogs but needs to find a home without kitties.

In the summer, the need for doggie daters is at its greatest because thousands of animals are received during the hot months, the shelter is usually at capacity and we are short on volunteers as some go on vacation. When citizens take these homeless pets on walks or field trips, it’s greatly therapeutic for them, especially the dogs who are shy or scared.

If you would like to take an ACAS dog on a date, please come to the shelter, located at 333 Wire Road, and we’ll set you up. All you need is your driver’s license and a love for dogs.

Their lives are in our hands.

— By Bob Gordon, FOTAS Communications Director

PETS OF THE WEEK

BOLT
Mixed breed, male, 3 years old, 42 pounds – $35

JADA
Domestic Longhair, female, 2 months old, 1.5 pounds – $10

2019, Doggie Day Out, fostering, FOTAS, News, Training, Volunteer, Volunteers

Couple Fosters Shelter Dogs, Prepares them for Good Homes

Posted on by Bob Gordon
08
Jan

When Yvonne and Colin Brookes moved to Aiken from the UK two years ago, they didn’t think they’d have any dogs in their home. They planned to make frequent trips back to the UK to visit family and friends across the pond, so owning pets wasn’t practical.

But for a couple not used to life without animals, this was a difficult adjustment. Yvonne spent most of her life as a professional horse trainer and rider in North Yorkshire, England and at one time she and Colin owned six horses, two dogs and two cats. Shortly before moving to Aiken, their last dog, a Jack Russell named Bernie, passed away at the age of 18.

“It was very hard not having a pet but then we heard about FOTAS and attended their Woofstock festival – and we discovered a way to spend time with animals and at the same time help dogs in need,” Yvonne said.

They started by walking dogs and spending time with them on the shelter grounds. Then Yvonne began to take dogs on “Doggie Days Out,” a FOTAS program that allows people to take shelter canines for short trips to the park, downtown or even just for a car ride. Yvonne was taking so many dogs on days out that a separate sign-out sheet was created for her.

Finally, Yvonne and Colin took in a puppy, Tyler, for about a week to help the 5-month-old Hound get used to people and experience what living in a house is like before being placed in his forever home.

“The fear we had initially was getting too attached to the dogs,” Yvonne explained. “We had never fostered before and in the past, any animal in our home was considered a member of the family. But once we took the approach that these dogs were just with us for a little while and already destined to be someone else’s pet, it became an extremely rewarding experience.”

Yvonne Brookes takes shelter dog Zeus on a walk downtown to help socialize him. Such special attention and training helped prepare Zeus for his forever home.

After Tyler, the couple fostered a young Lab mix Carlos. Then came Mac, Maverick, Celeste, Polo and Zeus. All were dogs needing socialization and training. Retriever Celeste was shy but bloomed into a confident canine under the two-week tutelage of Yvonne.

Polo, a chain dog, learned better manners and how to walk well on a leash. Zeus, a large Rhodesian Ridgeback, who was anxious and bit at his leash when being walked, became a well-behaved, calmer dog.

“I would tell anyone who’s thinking of fostering, give it a go,” Yvonne said. “It really helps these animals. It helps them find homes and raises the likelihood of a successful adoption. Sometimes it’s just a matter of teaching these animals that they can be loved.”

Their lives are in our hands.

— By Bob Gordon, FOTAS Communications Director

By the Numbers
On the first  two days of the new year, the County Animal Shelter took in 58 strays and surrendered pets.

 

Pets of the Week
PHILO
Mixed breed, male, 3 years old, brindle/white, 48 pounds – $35

CLARA
Domestic Shorthair cat, female, 1 year old, tortoiseshell, 8 pounds – $10

Adoption, Bully Dogs, Dogs, essay

Hidden gems still waiting for forever homes at animal shelter

Posted on by Angel Hartline
19
Mar

Kane is smart and athletic.
Kane is smart and athletic.

(Note: Since this post was published, most of these dogs have been adopted. As of March 19, the only dogs still available are Callista and Kane.)

The Aiken County Animal Shelter (ACAS) has five wonderful dogs – Bain, Callista, Kane, Marcelle and Rallie – who need loving homes as soon as possible.

These dogs are favorites of the staff and volunteers, yet they still wait to be adopted. They watch the animals around them get selected and wonder why no one has chosen them.

We wonder, too.  After all, Kane is the most handsome dog on the adoption floor. Bain and Marcella are the sweetest. Rallie is a lovable, goofy guy and Callista shakes her whole butt when she wags her tail to greet visitors.

We consider these five dogs hidden gems – animals that are special and have loads of love to offer a person or family. Each of them is sponsored, which means their adoptions fees have already been paid by FOTAS donors. They are $0 if you can provide them with a loving home.

  • Bain loves people and is great with children, plus he’s housebroken. He also rides well in a car and is a great athlete. If you have no other pets, please consider adopting this 4-year-old Retriever mix.
  • Callista has a lot of energy and loves to play outside, but her favorite activity is laying her head on your lap while you stroke under her neck and chin. This mixed breed, brindle beauty is just 1 year old and weighs 44 pounds.
  • Kane is 1-1/2 years old and about 50 pounds of love and energy. He’s a Terrier/Boxer mix who’s housebroken, very athletic and extremely intelligent — but needs an owner who can spend time with him. He would love to be your jogging buddy or play fetch with you!
  • Marcelle looks like a puppy and is just as cuddly. But she is 1-1/2 years old and has good leash manners. She’s very playful and likes to get her belly rubbed.
  • Rallie snuggles, sits on command, and wants to be your pal. He arrived at the shelter with wounds on his back, but they’re healing fast. Rallie is 1 year old, 57 pounds and housebroken. He loves people but doesn’t like other dogs, so needs to be the only pet in your family.

Callista is sweet and has a lot of energy.
Callista is sweet and has a lot of energy.

Come to 333 Wire Road in Aiken and go on a Doggie Day Out with one of these fantastic dogs. Get to know them by taking them to the park or downtown for an hour or two. They love the one-on-one interaction and the time away from being in a shelter, and you just might fall in love and give an extraordinary dog the home he/she deserves.

Their lives are in our hands.

 – by Bob Gordon, FOTAS Director of Communications

dog_paw_print_heart_notepads-r22f45a827e9b4626b52cbabfd1c7f8b4_amb08_8byvr_512

Pets of the Week

ARTEMIS
potw artemis 031818Dachshund mix, male, 1 year old, tri-color, 20 pounds – $35

 

COREY
potw corey 0318Domestic Shorthair declawed cat, male, 1 year old, gray & white Tabby, 11 pounds – $10