Tag Archives: dogs

2019, animal abuse, Dogs, Foster, fostering, FOTAS, injured animals, neglected pets, News, Spay/Neuter

Good Samaritans rescue discarded, distressed puppies

Posted on by Bob Gordon
10
Jun

On Friday, May 31, Lisa Brucchi walked out of her Windsor home into the blistering heat to check her mailbox. She was expecting an important letter from her mom and was eager to see if it had arrived. But as she walked up to her mailbox, she noticed a box on the ground. At first, she thought someone had just left some garbage there but as she got closer, she saw someone had done something much worse. Inside the box were nine puppies covered in their own feces and urine, panting heavily and crying for help.

“When I saw them, I just burst out crying and didn’t know what to do,” Brucchi said. “How could someone leave them out there like that?”

Nine overheated puppies were rescued by a nice couple and are recovering and being fostered back to health by a FOTAS volunteer.

She got them into the cool air conditioning of her home and called her fiancé, Glen Morrow. They brought the distressed pups to the Aiken County Animal Shelter (ACAS), where they were put into some cool water to bring their temperature down. At first, the 3-week-old pups couldn’t open their eyes and their tongues were hanging out, but they slowly came around.

After the veterinary staff fully examined and treated them, a FOTAS foster took them into her home for extra care and monitoring. Being so young, the puppies aren’t quite out of the woods. But their prognosis is good – and Brucchi and Morrow’s quick actions are the reason they have a chance of surviving and living happy lives.

The same afternoon these nine pups were fighting for life in the hot sun, another good Samaritan, Tristan Stone, was driving to a business meeting when he saw two puppies walking along the side of the road. The pups looked confused and were nearly furless from mange. Stone took them to the ACAS and was informed that someone had reported eight puppies in the same area. He volunteered to go back and spotted three more – these were in better shape and from the same litter.

Stone’s girlfriend, Hannah Williams, met him at the Shelter and she volunteered to foster the five pups until they recover and gain strength. They are about 3 months old and look like Beagle/Retriever mixes. Thanks to this caring couple, these babies are getting healthy and will be adopted in no time.

One of the nine pups abandoned in a box on a scorching day recovers after a cool bath.

The shelter received these 14 puppies in just a one-hour period. On the same day, it received 27 other strays and surrendered animals. This was during a short Memorial Day week in which the shelter took in 126 homeless pets.

Please spay/neuter your pets. If you live in Aiken County and need financial assistance, you can get vouchers at the ACAS, located at 333 Wire Road. If you can help us foster, please call the FOTAS hotline, (803) 514-4313. Also note our new adoption hours: 11:00 to 5:00 Monday, Wednesday and Friday; 11:00 to 7:00 on Tuesday and Thursday; and 11:00 to 4:30 on Saturday.

Their lives are in our hands.

— By Bob Gordon, FOTAS Communications Director

BY THE NUMBERS
In the first week of June, the ACAS received more than 150 strays and surrendered pets. This follows receiving 519 homeless pets during the month of May.

PETS OF THE WEEK

LUKE
Mixed breed, male, 3 years old, brindle, 57 pounds – $35

BROOKE
Domestic Shorthair female, 2 years old, orange Tabby, 6 pounds – $10

2019, Cats, Dogs, Events, FOTAS, News, Spay/Neuter, Training

Teaching Children Well about Training and Responsible Pet Care

Posted on by Bob Gordon
06
May

By Kathy Jacobs, FOTAS Program Director

Educating our children is essential for promoting better pet care and reducing the number of homeless dogs and cats.

Last week, Dog Trainer Susi Cohen and I were invited to Oakwood Windsor Elementary School to share what we do to support the Aiken County Animal Shelter (ACAS). Susi, a trainer with the Palmetto Dog Club who volunteers her services to FOTAS, brought Holly, a young Retriever mix, to demonstrate basic dog training to the children. She explained that just as teachers use positive reinforcement with students, dog owners need to do the same with their pets.

The students pet Holly, an Aiken County Animal Shelter Dog that was available for adoption.

When young Holly jumped up for attention, Susi explained that the best way to handle this overzealous behavior is to redirect her and praise her when she returns to standing on all fours. She stressed that you should never call your dog a “bad dog”. There are no bad dogs, just dogs that didn’t receive the training that they so desperately need.

One little boy had a great question. He said he understood it was not proper to call his dog bad but asked if it was okay to tell his dog, “No,” when it was misbehaving. Susi smiled and agreed that you must correct your dog, but it’s important to find a specific way to say it. Maybe tell your dog “Off” instead of “No”. She explained that yelling at your dog doesn’t help either; just simply praise your pet when she does what you want her to do. Dogs love attention and they love to please. Training provides both offerings for your pet.

So many of the dogs that come into the shelter are one to two years old. The behavioral reasons people give for surrendering them are typically because they are “too high energy”, “destructive” and/or “too much responsibility.” But if you train them properly, you can avoid these issues. Susi and Karen DeCamp, another wonderful trainer with Palmetto Dog Club, meet and work with people who are struggling with their pet’s conduct. Often, they can provide simple training tips to fix such unwanted behavior, which helps keep many dogs in their homes and out of the shelter.

During her visit to Oakwood Windsor Elementary School, Susi Cohen demonstrates some training techniques with shelter dog Holly.

I also brought a foster kitten to visit with the students. The students were surprised when I told them how many dogs and cats are taken in by the shelter each year. One boy said, “My dog just had 12 puppies, but three died.” Another little girl said her cat had kittens up in the attic and one had a lot of medical issues. I explained to them that Aiken County and FOTAS offer help in these situations. We have spay/neuter vouchers available at the shelter that greatly reduce the cost of this important surgery. It is a simple procedure that will ensure their dog or cat won’t have any more litters.

Going to the schools is always so rewarding. Not only do the shelter animals enjoy spending time with the students and vice versa, but teaching children about animal welfare and responsible pet ownership today paves the way for a better tomorrow.

Their lives are in our hands.

PETS OF THE WEEK

DREI
Hound mix, male, 1-1/2 years old, tan & white, 58 pounds, amputated left front leg – $35

Three-legged dog DREI

JACKSON
Domestic Medium Hair, male, 2 years old, black, 8.8 pounds – $10

JACKSON
2019, Children, Dogs, Donate, Events, FOTAS, Fundraisers, News, Woofstock

Calling all Basset Hounds, Come Race at Woofstock!

Posted on by Bob Gordon
29
Apr

By Denise Parmentier, FOTAS volunteer

This Saturday, plan to attend Woofstock Doggie Derby Day 2019, FOTAS’s annual family festival featuring the famous Doxie Derby.

Denise gives TUCKER a pep talk before his next big race.

This year’s event, scheduled to take place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Citizens Park, will offer many dog contests, including “Animal’s Got Talent,” a best trick competition being judged by Simon Growl and Heidi Groom; best kisser; best costume; and best dog/owner look alikes. There’s also going to be kids races, pet related business vendors, balloon creations, face painting, great food, music and other fun activities for the whole family.

TUCKER has surprising speed for a Basset Hound

The festival kicks off with a cavalcade of adoptable canines and a parade of dogs that have been adopted from the Aiken County Animal Shelter over the years.

But the event I’m most looking forward to is a dog race – more specifically, the Basset Hound competition. If you like to laugh, you’re going to love witnessing these adorable, short-legged Basset Hounds with marshmallow feet hilariously race each other down a grass track.

Basset Hound racing mania struck me in the early ‘80s. I was introduced to this “sport of kings” by Jerri Caswell at her Annual San Diego Basset Hound Picnic. The first event was the Basset-to-Owner race and it was about the funniest thing I’d ever seen. Bassets running to the right, Bassets to the left, Bassets going down the course in the wrong direction, and some just stopping to socialize or sniff in the middle of the field! We laughed till we cried, and I knew instantly that someday I would put on a Basset Hound Race.

TUCKER is a two-time winner of Woofstock’s large breed dog race, and this year he’s competing against other Bassets.

Enter Aiken, a perfect place for a Basset Hound race –it’s such a horse friendly, dog-loving town! I saw an ad in the Aiken Standard for Woofstock and the FOTAS Doxie Derby. I wanted to run my Basset Hound, Tucker, with them, but he was too big to race with those little wiener Dachshunds. The crowd watched and laughed as the funny little sausage dogs ran down the 75-foot course.

But I didn’t give up hope of racing Tucker and was pleased to discover the following year’s Woofstock featured a large breed dog race. Despite the fact that Tucker was only 12-inches tall with 5-inch legs, he went face to face with German Shepherds and Border Collies. With a look of determination, he ran his heart out and won the race by a nose!

The next year we entered the large dog race again, never expecting to repeat that performance, but Tucker won again! Then, year three drew a whole new assortment of large, athletic dogs. Tucker finished fourth … maybe.

But on May 4, Tucker will finally get to race dogs of his own breed. He will compete against ten of his best Basset Hound buddies. I can’t wait to see these dogs “sprint” to the finish line and watch the hilarity ensue.

If you have a Basset Hound and would like to race in this year’s “Hush Puppy Handicap” please come to Woofstock early and register your dog for the big contest. Tucker welcomes the competition!

PETS OF THE WEEK

HATCH
Retriever mix, male, 6 years old, black/blue, 50 pounds – $35

J. LO
Domestic Shorthair, female, 1 year old, brn & orange Manx, 6 pounds – $10

2019, Adoption, Dogs, FOTAS, News, senior pets

To Love and Be Loved by a Shelter Dog

Posted on by Bob Gordon
05
Mar

Maggie wakes me up every morning. First, she nudges me with a paw—poke, pause, poke, pause. I groan, pull the covers over my face. She is resolute. Poke, poke, pause. She stretches her long, muscular body next to mine, licks my hand, sniffs the sheet over my face, nibbles my hair. I wave her away. She pants in my ear. Finally, I lower the sheet and open one eye. She thumps her tail and gives me that lopsided dog smile, exposing one long canine tooth on the right side of her mouth. I laugh. She lays her head on my chest and I stroke her head. What a way to start the day.

That’s how it’s been almost every morning since the day I brought her home from the Aiken County Animal Shelter nine years ago this week. She has been my constant companion, my best friend, and in the way of best friends, we know each other so well.

She is a voracious eater but manages to leave that one tiny pill licked clean in the bottom of the bowl. She hates thunder and fireworks and trembles violently at the veterinarian’s office. She loves to ride in the car and walk in the Hitchcock Woods. She’s tolerant of other dogs, cautious with new people, and detests cats and squirrels. She chases rabbits in her dreams.

She sulks when I leave the house, chases her tail in celebration when I come home, and snuggles close when I’m sad. She has nursed me through four major surgeries, countless respiratory infections and colds, unfortunate horse-related accidents, Lyme’s disease, and bad haircuts. We binge-watched 20 seasons of Law & Order: SVU together. That’s a true friend.

Maggie was three-years-old when I brought her home, which makes her 12 today—that’s 69 in dog years. She’s a sturdy little thing, rarely sick, but now the red fur on her muzzle is gray. Her eyes are cloudy with cataracts, and she’s a little deaf. She climbs the stairs slowly, one at a time. She’s growing old, and absent some unexpected tragedy or illness, I’m going to outlive her—that’s just a biological fact.

The only love you’ll ever regret is the love you never gave. The best way to get over losing a pet is to adopt and save a new one, like sweet Porter.

A lump forms in my throat when I think about it. Silly, really, to fret about the future, and if my pal Maggie could talk, she would tell me to knock it off, enjoy each moment as it comes—our moments—right here, right now. Dogs are wise that way.

When the time does come for Maggie to journey to the Rainbow Bridge, I’ll be deeply, profoundly sad—a small price to pay for a decade of joy and companionship. I will honor her memory by loving another abandoned shelter dog when I’m ready. I take comfort in knowing she will be waiting for me at the Rainbow Bridge when it’s my time to make that journey.

Maybe you’re uncertain about bringing home a shelter dog. Maybe you think you’d like to adopt a senior dog, but you are afraid your time with that dog will be too short. If so, Maggie and I say to you: the only love you’ll ever regret is the love you never gave.

Don’t wait—your new best friend is waiting for you at the County Shelter.

Their lives are in our hands.

— By Joanna Samson, FOTAS Vice-President

By the Numbers
The Aiken County Animal Shelter received 335 strays and surrendered pets during the month of February, bringing the total to 727 animals so far this year, or about 12 per day.

Pets of the Week
PORTER
Mixed breed, male, 3 years old, black with white, 55 pounds – $35

PRINCESS
Domestic Shorthair cat, female, 11 years old, gray tiger Tabby, 12 pounds – $10

2019, Adoption, Bully Dogs, Cats, Dogs, FOTAS, News, surrendered pets, Volunteer

Dog Cries Real Tears When Owner Leaves him at Shelter

Posted on by Bob Gordon
25
Feb

A few weeks ago, I was finishing up some paperwork at the shelter and saw a handsome Labrador mix sitting quietly, looking up at his owner. She was surrendering him. The dog looked so sad and confused. His owner seemed upset as well.

Sookie is a beautiful, declawed Calico available for adoption at the Aiken County Animal Shelter.

One of the veterinary assistants tried to soothe the dog, but he just shook and refused to leave his owner’s side. A kennel tech came in and picked him up, all 50 pounds, and carried him to medical. I followed as my heart was now invested.

Then I saw something that I had not witnessed before, something that I will never forget. The black Lab had tears in his eyes, with some trickling down his face. His cheeks were puffing in and out and his breathing was rapid. I was stunned. It was like watching a child be taken from his parents. He was heartbroken.

Later, I went and sat with him in his kennel. He already had a fluffy blanket that someone had kindly donated and a toy that some local children had made for shelter dogs. He was just sad. I held him and he snuggled close, desperately seeking comfort.

When he was moved to the adoption floor, this dog, Hank, stole the hearts of all the volunteers! He is the most charming boy and you can see how incredibly loving he is when you look into his big eyes. Unfortunately, potential adopters have passed Hank by for other dogs and he has been on the adoption floor for weeks. He still smiles when visitors arrive but when they leave, he gets depressed. We are desperate to find handsome Hank a new forever home where he can be happy and loved.

Labrador mix Hank cried when he was separated from his owner, but he’s eager to find a new home.

Not long after Hank arrived, a lovely, 13-year-old Calico cat was surrendered as well. Being in a house all her life, it was a very frightening experience for her to come to the shelter. Staff and volunteers worry about her as so many people overlook older pets to adopt a kitten or young cat.

Sookie sat quietly in her kennel at first but allowed us to hold her. When we put her in the lobby for adoption, the declawed feline became fearful and confused – even sometimes hissing at people. This is not because she is a mean cat; she just doesn’t know what is going on and misses her home and family. We are working with her and hoping to earn her trust, but hoping even more that someone will come rescue Sookie and give her the home she deserves.

Please understand that sometimes it is necessary for a pet to be surrendered; it may be the only option for someone. But these animals need comfort and love. It is extremely confusing and scary for them to enter the shelter with all the loud barking, meowing, strange surroundings…all the different smells, the new people.

Please consider volunteering with us to help these wonderful animals, either at the Aiken County Animal Shelter or by fostering them at your home. You can also help by donating to FOTAS so we can purchase the blankets, toys, collars, flea treatments and other items needed to give these animals some comfort. To volunteer, stop by the shelter at 333 Wire Road in Aiken or contact FOTAS at (803) 514-4313 or info@angelhartlinedesigns.com.

Their lives are in our hands.

— By Kathy Jacobs, FOTAS Program Director

2019, animal abuse, Bully Dogs, Chained dogs, Dogs, FOTAS, injured animals, neglected pets, News, Uncategorized

Abused and neglected dogs show true love and forgiveness

Posted on by Bob Gordon
11
Feb

When you volunteer at the shelter, you learn a lot about forgiveness. Dogs and cats come to us injured, neglected and abused – yet, they forgive. These are animals who have never known love but are desperate to provide it.

Recently, two particular dogs have stolen my heart.

Despite being neglected and locked to a chain most of his life, Walter is one of the sweetest, most loving dogs on the adoption floor.

James arrived at the Aiken County Animal Shelter (ACAS) with scars all over his body. He had been attacked by dogs and he lay frozen with his eyes wide with fear. James had been found as a stray and was limping and covered in cuts, some needing to be stitched. When one of the trainers who helps evaluate the dogs put a leash on him to walk him, the terrified dog started to roll like an alligator biting at the leash. It was frightening and painful to watch. We gave him a bed and a meal and hoped for the best.

For two days Darling Rios, one of our canine coaches, sat with him, hand fed him and spoke softly to him. She then started leash walking him. This time, he just held the leash in his mouth while walking, almost for security.
After a week, James was allowing Darling to hug him and we introduced him to dogs and other people. The first time I walked him, he was hesitant because he didn’t know if I was going to hurt him. Luckily, after only a short time, he was sitting at my feet and thumping his tail.

James arrived at the shelter bleeding and terrified, but he’s now ready to love again.

This wonderful dog is now calm and enjoys sitting with people and watching the other shelter dogs. No one ever came looking for James, but he has forgiven. He is ready to love someone with all his heart, and we are doing all we can to help him find someone who will love him the same.

Walter was brought in with a severe injury. His neck was wounded from a chain that dug into his skin. Dr. Levy, the shelter’s veterinarian, treated him and he is healing fast! This poor dog lived his life on a chain that restricted his activity, keeping him from people and being nurtured.

We worried he would be aggressive. Little did we know that in a few days, after love from volunteers and staff members, he would be walking on leash, licking all visitors, playing with other dogs and acting like a family pet! He is embracing life again and now waits for his forever home where he will give his new family all of his heart.

The special thing about these dogs is their ability to love. If you purchase a puppy, you will get a cute, loving pet. However, if you adopt a dog that has never known love and you show them kindness, you will receive the most amazing gift ever! These are pets who are quick to bond, and they appreciate their owners in a special way. I promise you will never regret taking the time to show kindness to one of these pets. There is a connection that takes place, and it will change you both forever.

Please don’t pass by a dog or cat that has a few scars, a few gray hairs, or one that hides in the back of their kennel. Stop, talk to them softly and treat them with kindness. You may find they’re the missing piece to your heart.

Their lives are in our hands.

— By Kathy Jacobs, FOTAS Program Director

2018, Adoption, Dogs, essay, FOTAS, News

Surrendered Pets Desperately Want to Be Home for Christmas

Posted on by Bob Gordon
17
Dec

With more than 1,000 strays and surrendered pets arriving at the shelter over the last two and a half months, there are going to be adoptable animals who get lost in the crowd and take longer to find their forever homes.

Zeus is an amazing athlete and loves to play fetch.

But here are three hidden gems who will make wonderful companions for you and your family. All of these dogs were surrendered by owners facing dark times. These people gave up their dogs for such reasons as financial loss and personal health issues. One owner had to move into special care housing that prohibits pets.

Hoppy has a lot of energy and is very affectionate!

Difficult situations all – but ones these dogs don’t understand. All they know is that they were at home, loved and happy – and then suddenly a car ride turned into a nightmare when they were left in an animal shelter with strangers.

If you’re looking to add a dog to your home, please take a look at these adoptable candidates. They have already proven to be terrific pets. Now, they just want a second chance at a good life with another person or family.

Hoppy: This 5-year-old Boston Terrier mix is happiest when he’s running and playing, but also will sit patiently while you stroke him under his chin and behind his ears. Hoppy tends to jump a lot when he’s on a leash, so he’s not the ideal dog for a family with young children. But he’s a terrific pet for people who are active and want a dog to match their lifestyle. Hoppy is available to an approved home for no charge – his adoption fee has been paid for by FOTAS.

Theia’s adoption fee has been sponsored and paid for by Coldwell Banker Realtor Erika Ramsey.

Theia: When you visit Theia, you’re likely to see her with a Nylabone in her mouth. She picks it up and shows it off to anyone who stops by her kennel. This gorgeous Pibble is 2 years old and 57 pounds. She loves people but doesn’t like to share, so she must be the only dog you own. If you can provide her with a loving home, Theia’s adoption fee will be waived. She’s been sponsored by a FOTAS donor.

Zeus: Such a regal dog! Zeus is a Rottweiler/Boxer mix with magnetic eyes – one light and one dark. He’s 1-1/2 years old and 83 pounds. One of the most athletic dogs ever to grace the shelter, Zeus needs a home with a fenced-in yard that will allow him to run and play. He’s very smart and will make a great companion for the right home. Zeus is available for $0 – his adoption fee has been paid for by a generous FOTAS sponsor.

Stop by and see these wonderful dogs and the many other animals who need homes. The County Animal Shelter is located at 333 Wire Road in Aiken. You can also call the Shelter at (803) 642-1537 and speak to a staff member or volunteer. They’d be happy to answer any questions and help you find a pet!

Their lives are in our hands.

— By Bob Gordon, FOTAS Communications Director

2018, Adoption, Dogs, essay, FOTAS, microchipping, News

Reunited by a Microchip — Eight Years Later!

Posted on by Bob Gordon
12
Dec

This is a story with a happy ending, one that spans eight years, six states, and a dog named Beanie.

In 2010, the Wilson* family found a hungry and scared shepherd puppy on the side of the road. They took her home, fed her, and cleaned her up. They actively searched for her owners, but no one claimed her. After some time had passed, they named her Beanie, took her to the vet, had her vaccinated and microchipped, and found her a home with a couple who lived up north.

This past October, Kate Wilson, who now lives in Delaware with her family, was contacted by the Aiken County Animal Shelter. Beanie had been picked up as a stray by animal control officers, who found the Wilson’s contact information through their original microchip registration.

A microchip is only the size of a grain of rice but it can be the lifeline to your pet.

The Wilsons were stunned. How could this have happened? Certain that Beanie was just lost and not abandoned, they searched for the family who had adopted her, but the contact numbers from eight years before were disconnected. Then they posted Beanie’s information on “lost pet” sites all over social media, but by the end of the shelter’s mandatory “stray” hold period, no one had claimed her.

In the meantime, the Wilson family couldn’t stop thinking about Beanie. The decision to rehome her eight years before had been a hard one. At the time, they already had family pets as well as another stray puppy they were trying to place, so when they found Beanie what they thought was the perfect home, they reluctantly let her go, but they never forgot about her.

I spoke and texted with Kate often during the week Beanie was held at the shelter. Both Kate and her husband had come to see the hand of God in this unexpected reappearance of Beanie in their life, and they made the decision to bring her home—so long as she was kid-friendly and could get along with their other two dogs. We tested Beanie at the shelter with both children and other dogs and she passed with flying colors—the sweetest dog ever! We arranged for Beanie to catch a ride north with one of our transfers, and Kate met the truck on the side of the road at 3 a.m. to pick her up and take her home.

The reunion was magic. Beanie was happy to see Kate and her husband, and she bonded immediately with the children and the two dogs. She even sleeps with their little pug, who can be prickly with other dogs. “It’s like she’s always been here,” says Kate, “part of the family—like she never left.”

Beanie’s microchip helped her find a forever home and two canine BFFs.

Meant to be? Hand of God? Works for me.

There are so many lessons to be learned from this story, but here’s the most important: microchips are an inexpensive, effective way to keep your pet safe when the worst happens and they get lost—all you have to do is keep your microchip contact information current. Microchips can be inserted quickly and painlessly by your vet or a local clinic.

Beanie was lucky; her microchip got her home. Will your pet be that lucky?

Their lives are in our hands.

*Name changed at the family’s request.

— by Kathy Jacobs, FOTAS Program Director

 

 

By the Numbers

Over the last two months (Oct 1 to Dec. 5), the County Animal Shelter has taken in 927 strays and surrendered pets! Please spay/neuter your dogs and cats.

 

Pets of the Week

JACKS: Shepherd mix, male, 2 years old, white, 80 pounds – $35

 

FROST: Domestic Shorthair kitten, male, 2 months old, orange and white Tabby, 1.7 pounds – $10

 

 

 

2018, Adoption, Doggy Treadmill, Dogs, essay, FOTAS, Junior FOTAS, News, Training, Volunteers

Doggy Treadmill Works Wonders at the County Shelter

Posted on by Bob Gordon
19
Nov

Working out on the treadmill helped TORI build back her confidence.

When someone suggested to FOTAS a few months ago that using a doggy treadmill at the Aiken County Animal Shelter would help our shy, scared dogs and overly-energetic dogs to adapt faster, I was skeptical. But when I spoke with Susi Cohen, an amazing dog trainer who helps us with behavioral issues, she was all for it.

So we thought, why not? If it can help us save more dogs, let’s give it a try.

Susi located (and FOTAS paid for) a canine treadmill and trained seven volunteers how to work with the dogs on the treadmill. Besides being great fun, I was stunned at the results.

For example, Tori, one of our shyest dogs (and the longest resident on the adoption floor) cautiously stepped on the treadmill, lured by a treat. Susi started the equipment slowly. At first, Tori stumbled, then she walked, but she still wouldn’t make eye contact. As we increased the speed, she had to focus, and then she relaxed. Amazing! She was engaged; she was responding to praise, to us. She was becoming … a pet!

HANK, now adopted, was one of the first Shelter dogs to use the doggy treadmill.

Or take Nero, who was admitted to the shelter with a collar embedded in his neck. For two weeks, he sat motionless in his kennel, unresponsive, unable to make eye contact. After a bit, he attached to one of our intake volunteers (she is a dog whisperer—they all fall for her eventually), who was able to coax him out of his shell. Once he took that step, he emerged as a high-energy bull in a china shop—pulled on the leash, distracted by dogs, squirrels, you name it. He was a happy boy, probably for the first time in his short life.

Junior FOTAS students meet and read to NERO during their recent visit to the Animal Shelter.

Could time on the treadmill help big Nero calm down and focus on us? I wasn’t certain. Nero started working on the treadmill on Monday, and I missed his first three sessions. On Thursday morning, I took him for a walk first thing (he’s housebroken—he waits), and Whoa! What a difference!

Nero and I had just started on our walk when Pat, a friend and volunteer, stopped me to chit-chat. As we were talking, Nero sat patiently on my foot. He didn’t pull. He didn’t bark. He just sat, relaxed and behaved. I was floored! I walked him straight into the lobby and announced the amazing transformation in this dog thanks to the treadmill, the volunteers, and lots of praise.

This past Saturday, after our Junior FOTAS group finished reading to the dogs (our Dog Ears Reading Program), I brought Nero out to meet the kids. They all ran to him and hugged him, and he rolled into their arms, gentle and snuggly. I have to confess, I cried.

Nero and Tori still need a forever home (they are such great dogs now!) All of us — FOTAS volunteers and shelter staff—are so grateful for our generous supporters that make it possible to purchase tools, like the treadmill, that help transform a scared, abandoned dog into a pet. We are also grateful for the dedicated volunteers that convince those lost and unloved animals that humans aren’t so bad, so that one day they will be able to return that love to a new family in a forever home.

Their lives are in our hands.

— By Kathy Jacobs, FOTAS Program Coordinator

 

By the Numbers
From Nov 1 to 15, the Aiken County Shelter received more than 200 stray animals and surrendered pets.

 

Pets of the Week
SKYE
Retriever mix, female, 2 years old, tan, 58 pounds – $0 (adoption fee paid for by FOTAS donor)

 

GIBLET
 Domestic Shorthair, male, 2 months old, gray Tabby, 1.5 pounds – $10

2018, Adoption, Cats, Dogs, FOTAS, kittens, News, Spay/Neuter, surrendered pets

Please, Please, Spay or Neuter Your Pet!

Posted on by Bob Gordon
06
Nov

Last month, 512 animals were taken in to the Aiken County Animal Shelter. More than 500 strays and surrendered pets in October!

It never happens this time of year. We can’t explain it. To tell you the truth, it blows our minds and keeps us up at night. But there it is: after a summer of unexpectedly horrible intake numbers (like that day at the end of July when 44 animals were surrendered in four hours!), fall is shaping up to be just as bad.

Snoopy is athletic and handsome. Just one of more than 500 animals that arrived at the Shelter as a stray or surrendered pet.

Most of these animals did nothing wrong. They were victims of owners who brought them into this world and then washed their hands of them, leaving the rest of us to pay for their neglect.

There is only one way to reduce the shockingly high number of homeless and abandoned animals: every pet in Aiken County must be spayed or neutered. It’s good for the animals and good for the community. Here’s why.

Your pet will live longer. Spayed and neutered animals have significantly less health problems than their unfixed counterparts. By the way, it is not true that pets get fat and lazy as a result of spaying and neutering—only a bad diet and lack of exercise will do that.

Spayed and neutered animals are less likely to roam. That means they are less likely to catch diseases from other animals, get lost, fight with other dogs, or get hit by a car (85% of dogs hit by cars are unaltered).

Spaying your female before she is 6 months old means you can avoid the messy, noisy heat cycles that typically occur twice a year. It also means you can avoid the messy, noisy, smelly crowd of male dogs or cats hanging out in your yard while your pet is in heat.

Neutering your dog decreases potentially aggressive behavior to other animals and people. Particularly children, who are by far the most frequent victims of dog bites.

Your cat or dog will be a better pet. Fixing your pet eliminates unpleasant spraying and marking in your yard, on your rug, on your furniture.

Bueller is such a sweet Pibble. He gets along with people, loves kids and likes other dogs. He’s just not a fan of cats.

Fixing your dog will not make him less protective. Dogs are naturally protective by nature, particularly if you love and feed them.

Fixing your pet is cheaper for the community as a whole. Public shelters are funded by taxpayer dollars. If everyone fixes their pets, the number of homeless and abandoned animals at the shelter will be dramatically reduced, as will the amount of public funds needed to care for those animals.

Moreover, the cost to spay or neuter your pet has never been more affordable. Aiken County has a voucher program, supplemented by FOTAS, to provide low-cost spay/neuter services to residents who need financial assistance. The vouchers are distributed at the County Shelter at 333 Wire Road.

Eddie is a 3-month-old orange Tabby who loves to be held.

Make arrangements to spay or neuter your animal today. Convince your neighbors, friends and family to spay and neuter their pets, too.

There are so many loving, deserving animals in the Shelter that need a home. Why bring even more animals into the world to be dumped in the shelter, or worse, on the side of the road?

Their lives are in our hands.

 

 

— by Joanna D. Samson, Vice-President, FOTAS