Tag Archives: FOTAS

Adoption, Events, News, Volunteers

Celebrating My Community Brigade

Posted on by Angel Hartline

03 August 2014

Celebrating My Community Brigade

By Edie Hubler, FOTAS Director

Charmed by the Aiken community after a short visit here in 2005, I returned several months later to purchase a lot in Cedar Creek for my future move.  The lure of this area brought me sooner that I had expected and in 2007 Aiken became my home.  Goodbye Maryland, miss you, but I love it here.

Like many residents of Aiken, I became involved in volunteering with various organizations, but in 2011 I found a calling to get involved with FOTAS.  I helped with fundraising and chaired two highly successful events for FOTAS.   My involvement was just to be assistance to the organization, but in 2013 I joined the FOTAS Board.  Having had many pets prior to this, I thought my pet ownership days were over as I travel a lot and am also very busy here in Aiken.  Guess what — I adopted two County Shelter animals, Meg (a terrier mix, the poster “child” for several FOTAS Woofstocks) and Zeus (a shih tzu).  These two abandoned animals caught my heart, and here we are.

Many of my neighbors also support FOTAS.  Some are devoted dog socializers and go to the Shelter four days a week (one became FOTAS’ very first volunteer in 2009.)  Others help in many many other ways.  It occurred to me recently just how involved the Cedar Creek community is supporting FOTAS and volunteering at the County Shelter itself.

There are about 1200 residents in Cedar Creek (in a little over 600 homes.)  Many are retired and many still work (both full and part-time.)  Like Aiken itself, this is a very involved and giving community.  Recently I reviewed the FOTAS supporter list and was surprised that over 100 of them are Cedar Creek residents.  Not only do they go to the Shelter to walk the dogs and socialize the cats, they staff the front desk, do administrative and database tasks, chair and volunteer at special events (both on-site and off-site), participate in the short-term foster program, take photographs of the animals, help with publicity, donate towels and toys for the animals, generously donate money that helps FOTAS supplement the limited resources of the County Shelter, make peanut butter/green bean treats for the dogs, as well as issue spay/neuter vouchers for those in need.   Some residents have had parties where they asked the attendees to bring donations for FOTAS instead of hostess gifts.  The Cedar Creek Ladies Club, a group of about 100 residents, has donated large amounts of money to FOTAS — we have honored them with a bench in their name at the new Shelter which we purchased from some of the funds they have donated.

You know, I wish I knew the number of County Shelter animals that the residents of this fine community have adopted. This is a large number I’m sure — I often see them walking their dogs when I am walking mine, and enjoy their stories about how Shelter pets have enriched their lives, become their best friends and make the best pets around!

So, I am celebrating what a great community I live in and what a great community “brigade” my Cedar Creek neighbors are.  Thank you for all you do and have done for FOTAS and the County Shelter.

If you have a soft spot in your heart for our abandoned furry friends, please consider becoming a volunteer and supporter of FOTAS.  We are especially in need of dog walkers right now.  These beautiful souls can’t wait for human contact and for a daily much-needed outside break from their Shelter kennels.

Here’s a great idea!  Maybe you could rally your own neighbors and create a community brigade as well to help FOTAS and the Aiken County Animal Shelter.  This work is rewarding and you’ll make some new friends also.

Contact us at 803-514-4313 or info@FOTASAiken.org

And last, but most important — please adopt a wonderful animal from the County Shelter.  Remember, their lives are in our hands.

ANDREW      American Bulldog mix … 2 1/2 yrs old … 50 lbs … $35

HENDERSON    Domestic short hair …. 2 1/2 yrs old … 14 lbs … $17

Adoption, Cats, Dogs, News

Adopting a Pet from the Aiken County Shelter: All Joy & Little Risk

Posted on by Angel Hartline
12
Jun

01 August 2014

Adopting a Pet from the Aiken County Shelter: All Joy & Little Risk

By Joanna Dunn Samson

Like most people, I’ve made some pretty stupid decisions in my 60 years, but the smartest decision I ever made, right up there with becoming Mrs. David Samson, was to rescue our beloved dogs from a shelter.

Since 1996, David and I have adopted five dogs. Without exception all five were and are extraordinary pets.  Each of them enriched our lives in ways we could not have foreseen when we brought them home.

Were we just lucky to find five great dogs?

No. Thanks to dedicated FOTAS volunteers, trainers and staff at the Aiken County Animal Shelter, luck had very little to do with it.

An animal typically spends at least 10 days in intake at the County shelter before being moved to the adoption floor, so by the time it is adopted, volunteers, trainers and staff have had plenty of time to evaluate its temperament and disposition.

They can often even tell whether a dog is housebroken by its behavior in the kennel. For example, does it do its business in the outside kennel or wait until a volunteer takes it for its walk?  In addition, if the animal was surrendered, the owner may have provided some reliable background information.

So the perceived risk of adopting a shelter animal – that is, you don’t know what you are getting when you adopt a pet from the shelter – is unfounded.  FOTAS Volunteers and County staff are well acquainted with the nature of an animal by the time it is ready for adoption.

There are so many reasons why your next pet should come from the County shelter.

First and foremost, it’s the right thing to do.

Thousands of unwanted animals wind up in the County shelter every year, and although we try, we can’t save them all.  Until the wretched overpopulation of unwanted animals is reduced by programs like FOTAS’ Fix-a-Pet, we, the community, are their only hope for a happy, healthy life.

Second, it’s a great bargain, especially until August 9.  For $35 for a dog and $17 for a cat, your new pet will be spayed or neutered, microchipped, dewormed and vaccinated.

Third, there are dogs and cats of all shapes, colors and sizes at the shelter, so you have a wide variety from which to choose.  Once you’ve narrowed down the possibilities, you can spend however much time you need getting to know the dogs in the large fenced-in play areas. (Don’t be put off by their excitement; shelter dogs love human company.)

If you are looking for a fluffy feline, you can visit with them in the Cat Colony House built by FOTAS, where adoptable cats are free to move around or go outside to a fenced in area to play on the climbing stations.

Finally, my husband believes that shelter animals are grateful because they know in their heart of hearts you saved them, which results in extraordinary devotion to their rescuers.  I have to agree.

Their lives are in our hands.

Come on down to the new Aiken County Animal Shelter and adopt your next pet.  You won’t be sorry.

 

Adoption, Cats, Events

FOTAS Receives $2,500 from Purina Cat Chow

Posted on by Angel Hartline
11
Jun

29 July 2014

FOTAS Receives $2,500 from Purina Cat Chow

As publicized in the “Aiken Standard” on July 17, 2014, FOTAS is the recipient of a $2,500 donation from Purina Cat Chow’s Building Better Lives program to support future cat adoptions after winning a nationwide promotion by Purina Cat Chow.  Read about it here!

http://www.aikenstandard.com/article/20140717/AIK0101/140719392/0/SEARCH&slId=9

 

Adoption, Cats, Dogs, Events

Pooches & Popsicles

Posted on by Angel Hartline
11
Jun

29 July 2014

Pooches & Popsicles

Saturday, July 26 FOTAS held their first party for kids called Pooches & Popsicles.  A short follow-up story appears in  the “Aiken Standard” .  The children had an opportunity to play with the dogs and cats and made doggie treats also.
http://www.aikenstandard.com/article/20140728/AIK0101/140729421/0/SEARCH&slId=1

Much fun was had by all.

 

Adoption, Dogs, Heartworms, News

Adopting a Healthy Heartworm Positive Dog: A Talk With the Doctor

Posted on by Angel Hartline
11
Jun

 

By Joanna Dunn Samson

You’ve decided it’s time to adopt a dog. You pack up the kids and head over to the new Aiken County Animal Shelter to check out some prospects.

A volunteer introduces you to Duke, a 35-pound, black and tan border collie/shepherd cross. Duke is frisky, alert and well-behaved. He loves attention. He loves his bath. He walks quietly on a leash.

Duke’s perfect, you think, but there’s one thing that worries you.

Duke is heartworm positive (HWP).

You need not worry. Duke is a healthy dog with Stage 1 heartworm infection, which can be treated with proper care. As a result, pursuant to a new County/FOTAS initiative, Duke is eligible for adoption and FOTAS will pay for the first six months of treatment when he is adopted.

I asked Dr. Charlie Timmerman, a well-respected veterinarian in Aiken County for over 30 years and a FOTAS Board member, about heartworms and the new County/FOTAS initiative.

CT: Heartworms, which are prevalent in South Carolina, are parasites that live in the heart and lungs. Left untreated, the worms can increase in numbers and fill the heart chambers, interfering with the heart’s ability to pump blood to the body and ultimately causing congestive heart failure.

JDS: How is the disease transmitted?

CT: By mosquitos that have fed on an infected dog; the mosquito then transmits the microfilaria, or the larva, to the next dog it bites.

JDS: Does a dog bitten by an infected mosquito get sick right away?

CT: No, it takes the microfilaria 6-7 months to become an adult and move into the heart. The time for a dog to develop heartworm disease varies with every dog, and not every dog will develop heartworm disease!!! That’s why early diagnosis and treatment is so important.

JDS: How can you tell if a dog is infected?

CT: Through a blood test that checks for the presence of adult worms. If it’s positive, then you do a second test to determine if there is microfilaria in the blood stream. Some dogs only have adult worms and no microfilaria.

A dog that tests positive for infection, who is otherwise healthy and shows no clinical signs of disease, could be in the very early stages of infection. They are as healthy as any of the other adoptable dogs at the County shelter.

JDS: How do you treat early-stage heartworm infection?

CT: We endorse the “slow-kill” method of treatment, which is more affordable and easier for the dog than the “fast-kill” method.

First we administer antibiotics, which weakens the adult worms and makes them easier to kill. Then the dogs are put on Heartguard, a monthly preventative, which keeps them from getting more heartworms and “slowly kills” the worms and any microfilaria.

JDS: If someone adopts a healthy HWP dog from the County, does FOTAS help pay for the treatment?

CT: Yes.  FOTAS issues a voucher for the doxycycline and six months of Heartguard, which is accepted by six participating veterinarians in the County.

It’s a great deal, because every dog in South Carolina should be on monthly heartworm prevention anyway, so it’s one less expense for the owner.

This is all good news. Like Duke, there are many loving, healthy dogs at the County Shelter that just happen to test positive for heartworms.

Thru August 9th, if you adopt a HWP dog, the adoption fee is reduced to $35 and you get the first 6 months of Heartguard free.

That’s a win-win for everyone.

So come on, why don’t you take Duke home today?

Here are the Shelter’s  received, saved and euthanasia stats for the month of June 2014.

DOGS                   CATS                        TOTAL

Received                                                      300                        268                          568

Re-Homed (adopted/transferred)                   65                          80 (best ever)        215

Euthanized                                                     43                        292                          435

 

DUKE — Male, shepherd/collie mix — 1.5 years old —  $35

 

Rosa – Female, calico — 4 yrs old — 7.5 lbs — $17

Tags

Adoption, Cats, Dogs

Wild with Love

Posted on by Angel Hartline
11
Jun

“Wild” Dogs — Much Love

20 July 2014

 

By Joanna Dunn Samson, FOTAS Director

Are you under the impression that dogs that come from a shelter are wild?  Really?  Let me introduce you to some of the “wild” dogs at the Aiken County Shelter.

Take 3 year-old Sweetie, a favorite among the volunteers and staff because she lives up to her name.  A beautiful brown and white, 38 pound bulldog/terrier cross, Sweetie’s sole purpose in life is to please a human and cuddle up on the couch.

 

Sweetie

There’s Booker, a four year-old boxer mix with such an exceptional temperament, our trainers believe he’d make a wonderful service dog.  With darn near perfect leash manners, Booker is a pleasure to take for walks on the newly created trails around the shelter.  He loves playing ball and he loves children, and he particularly loves playing ball with children.  By the way, did I mention Booker is house-trained?

How about Iffy, a leggy, one year-old mixed breed with a stunning brindle coat?  Iffy loves people.  She gets so excited when people approach her kennel that she wags her tail against the wall so hard it bleeds: a condition our shelter vet calls “Happy Tail.”  Affectionate and sweet, Iffy will make some lucky human a very devoted pet.

 

Then there’s Lokey, another boxer/terrier cross with beautiful white markings on her face and a shiny black coat.  Two years old and the perfect medium size (38 pounds), Kathy Jacobs and her son Noah (FOTAS volunteers) take Lokey out to play ball every time they come to the shelter.  Lokey is playful, intelligent and willing to learn.  She just needs a human to take care of, fuss over and love.

 

Are these dogs wild?  You bet they are – they are wild with love.

Jay Lyda of Southern K9 Solutions and Veterans K9 Solutions comes to the shelter three mornings a week to work with the volunteers and the dogs on basic obedience skills, like leash training.

“Most of these dogs have never been obedience trained,” says Jay, “yet without exception, every one of them are eager and willing to please, even in the generally stressful environment of a crowded shelter.”

In fact, according to national surveys, 95% of dogs surrendered to shelters have never had any obedience training, which along with lack of exercise, accounts for the majority of behavioral problems that cause an owner to surrender a dog in the first place.

Continues Jay, “A dog does not know how to be a good family member without proper instruction.  Like a child, they need to be taught basic manners.  Any dog can be trained with a little patience and commitment, and the payoff is huge.  Training stimulates their brain, helps them focus, and provides an outlet for their energy.”

He is so right.  We see it all the time at the shelter.  Even the most unruly dogs become attractive adoption prospects after a little leash training, attention and exercise provided by dedicated FOTAS volunteers and trainers like Jay, Susi Cohen of Palmetto Dog Club and Nancy Webster, and the payoff has been huge.  In 2013, more County shelter animals were adopted and rehomed last year than from any other rescue facility in the CSRA.

That’s a remarkable and well-earned achievement, but we desperately need the community’s help to keep it going.

We need more volunteers to work with the animals, especially during these hot summer months when intake numbers are heartbreakingly high.

We need financial donations to enable FOTAS to continue to supplement the County’s resources to provide the best possible care for these animals.

But most of all, we need responsible owners to adopt their next pet from the Aiken County Animal Shelter, and now through August 9th, adoption prices have been cut in half.

For only $35.00 for a dog and $17.00 for a cat, your new pet will be vaccinated, wormed, microchipped and spayed or neutered. Now that’s a bargain.

Please don’t wait.  Reach out today.  Their lives are in our hands.

 

BOOKER — Male, Boxer mix — 4 years old — 63 lbs — $35

EDWIN – Male, tabby kitten — 6 wks old — 1.6 lbs — $17

Adoption, Dogs, Events, Volunteer

Sunny Day and a Gathering of Shelter Success Stories

Posted on by Angel Hartline
11
Jun

By Eleanor Joos and Joanna Dunn Samson

Earlier this month, FOTAS hosted its 1st Annual Dog Alumni Social at the new Aiken County Animal Shelter, and oh boy, what a turnout!

There was Indy, adopted from the shelter 14 years ago, who looks like she hasn’t aged a bit – maybe she had a little work done at the groomers?

There was Morris, a lab mix who was the first dog from the County shelter rescued and trained by Jerry Lyda of Veterans K9 Solutions.  A total party animal at the shelter (he never met a ball he didn’t love), Morris is now the dedicated service dog for veteran Michael.

And how about Glory and Josie?  Totally misunderstood in their shelter days (bulldog crosses just look like the baddest girls on the block) – they are now loving and devoted family members with their humans Caiden and Judy, proving once again, just how wrong and unfortunate those old stereotypes are.

It was great to see little Jax, a terrier mix with boundless energy who literally bounced off the walls as a shelter resident.  Well, guess what?  Crazy little Jax ain’t so crazy anymore – he has calmed down and blossomed under the expert care and love of Dr. Sybil Davis.  Hey Jax, you’re looking mighty dapper in that bow tie.

Then there was Princess, always the most stylish girl in the room, strutting her stuff with her humans Carol and Jim and looking oh so fashion-forward in her ruffled collar.

Sweet girl Pollyanna is the same sweet girl she always was, living the good life and doting on her human David.  That David is a lucky man.

And let’s not forget Parker, even handsomer now than the day he left the shelter thanks to the love and care of his human Pixie, who continues to swoon over his good looks and charming disposition.

These were just a few of the happy canine alumni who spent a few hours visiting the new shelter, enjoying Thea’s homemade doggie cookies and muffins, having their photos taken by talented photographers Janice Freeland and Pam Eckelbarger, getting a quick manicure and pedicure from the vet techs from Veterinary Services, and adding their “Paw” Hancock to commemorative certificates.

Veterans K9 Solutions, which trains dogs and volunteers at the shelter three times a week, was also present to give training tips and demonstrations.

By all accounts, the day was a great success thanks to scores of FOTAS volunteers (to whom we are eternally grateful for this and all they do), good weather and lots of willing participants having a good time.  Even better, 7 dogs and 3 cats found new homes that day.

The greatest success of the day, however, wasn’t just a function of the sunny day, fun-filled activities, raffles, tours, adoptions and shopping opportunities.

Rather, it was the overwhelming affirmation of just how wonderful, how satisfying, how loving a pet adopted from the Aiken County Animal Shelter can be.

We see these successes all the time, year after year.  A responsible pet owner adopts a lost, homeless animal and an enduring bond is created that sustains not only the adopted pet, but its adopted family as well.

Ask any human who found their loving friend and companion at the County Shelter; they will tell you just how lucky they are to have that animal in their life.

Shelter animals make the greatest pets.  Adopt your next pet from the County Shelter – their lives are in our hands.

Contact info@angelhartlinedesigns.com or visit FOTAS on line at www.fotasaiken.org or call 803-514-4313

ROXY – ONLY $35
LAB RETRIEVER MIX – FEMALE – 5 YEARS OLD – 57 LBS.

 

NATHAN – ONLY $17
DOMESTIC SHORT HAIR – MALE – 1 YEAR OLD – 7.5 LBS.

News, Volunteer

The Eagles Have Arrived!

Posted on by Angel Hartline

By Edie Hubler, FOTAS Director

THAT SATURDAY MORNING AS I WALKED MY DOGS MEG AND ZEUS, I COULD FEEL A SLIGHT BREEZE AND NOTICED THE HUMIDITY HAD DROPPED SOMEWHAT.  AT MID-MORNING, I ARRIVED AT THE ANIMAL SHELTER, SAW THE GROUP AT WORK, COULD HEAR THEIR PICK-AXES AND SEE THEIR SWEAT.  THEY WERE DILIGENT IN THE TASK AT HAND.  I WAS GLAD THE WEATHER HAD SOFTENED SOMEWHAT FOR THEM.

THEY WERE CLEARING SOME PATHS IN THE TREES TO BUILD WALKING TRAILSS FOR THE VOLUNTEERS AND ADOPTABLE DOGS – 500 FEET OF TRAILS TO BE EXACT.  I KNEW THEY WERE A GOD-SEND.  SEVERAL OF THE FOTAS VOLUNTEERS WHO WERE WALKING DOGS COMMENTED THAT THEY WERE SO HAPPY TO SEE THIS FOTAS PLAN COME TO FRUITION.

THE “THEY” IN THIS ARTICLE ARE SOME OF THE BOY SCOUTS FROM TROOP 115 OF ST. MARY HELP OF CHRISTIANS CHURCH.  ONE OF THEIR MEMBERS, WHIT BABINEAU, IS WORKING TOWARD HIS EAGLE SCOUT DESIGNATION, THE HIGHEST BOY SCOUT ACHIEVEMENT.  HE IS 15 YEARS OLD, JUST FINISHED HIS FRESHMAN YEAR AT AIKEN HIGH SCHOOL, AND HAS BEEN INVOLVED IN SCOUTING SINCE HE WAS 5 YEARS OLD.  WHIT, SOME OF THE OTHER SCOUTS IN HIS TROOP, HIS DAD (DAVID BABINEAU, THE COMMITTEE CHAIR) AND THE TROOP LEADER (RICK KITCHENS) WERE AMONG THE WORKERS.  THERE ARE 12 SCOUTS IN TROOP 115, AND 6 ARE ACTIVELY WORKING TO BECOME EAGLE SCOUTS.  THE SCOUT MUST PLAN, ORGANIZE, LEAD AND MANAGE THE PROJECT FOR THE BENEFIT OF ANY RELIGIOUS INSTITUTION, SCHOOL OR THE COMMUNITY — WHICH DEMONSTRATES BOTH LEADERSHIP AND A COMMITMENT TO DUTY.  WHIT CHOSE COMMUNITY FOR HIS PROJECT AND THE AIKEN COUNTY ANIMAL SHELTER IS THE RECIPIENT OF HIS EFFORTS.  HE CHOSE THE SHELTER BECAUSE HIS FAMILY HAS ALWAYS RESCUED DOGS (THEY CURRENTLY HAVE 4 DOGS), HORSES (THEY CURRENTLY HAVE 4 BUT HAVE HAD AS MANY AS 10), AND A SNAKE, WHOSE NAME IS SLICK.  THIS PROJECT IS ONE OF THE LAST THINGS HE NEEDS TO COMPLETE TO BECOME AN EAGLE SCOUT.  HE AND HIS SCOUT COMRADES WILL ALSO BE BUILDING A BENCH IN THE NEXT WEEK OR SO TO BE PLACED ON THE WALKING TRAILS IN THE TREES (FOTAS WILL BE PROVIDING THE MATERIALS.)

I’VE NO DOUBT THESE EAGLE SCOUT CANDIDATES WILL BE SUCCESSFUL.  THE EAGLE SCOUT ACHIEVEMENT BEGAN IN 1911, AND SINCE THAT TIME MANY WELL-KNOWN PEOPLE HAVE ACHIEVED THIS GOAL INCLUDING:

NEIL ARMSTRONG, ASTRONAUT, FIRST MAN ON THE MOON

MICHAEL BLOOMBURG, FORMER MAYOR OF NY

BILL BRADLEY, PRO BASKETBALL STAR & U.S. SENATOR FROM NJ

GERALD FORD, U.S. PRESIDENT (1ST EAGLE TO BE PRESIDENT OF THE  UNITED STATES)

WILLARD MARRIOTT, JR. (PRESIDENT OF MARRIOTT CORP.)

RICK PERRY (GOVERNOR OF TX)

STEVEN SPIELBERG (MOVIE PRODUCER)

SAM WALTON (FOUNDER OF WAL-MART)

ELMO R. ZUMWALT, JR. (ADMIRAL, CHIEF OF NAVAL OPERATIONS)

THE BABINEAU FAMILY (WHIT, HIS SISTER BECCA, DAVID, HIS DAD, AND PEGGY, HIS MOM) HAS ALSO BECOME A GREAT SUPPORTER OF FOTAS AND THE COUNTY SHELTER — THEY ARE OUR NEWEST FOSTER FAMILY, AND ARE CURRENTLY FOSTERING BOBBY.  DAVID SAYS BOBBY IS SPOILED, BUT IS WELL BEHAVED AND WILL MAKE A GREAT PET FOR SOMEONE.

BACK TO THE WALKING TRAILS … ON THE MONDAY FOLLOWING THEIR COMPLETION, I WAS CONTACTED BY SEVERAL OF THE VOLUNTEERS.  THEY COULDN’T SAY ENOUGH POSITIVE COMMENTS ABOUT HOW WONDERFUL THESE TRAILS ARE, HOW MUCH THE DOGS ARE ENJOYING THEM AND ASKED THAT I THANK WHIT AND HIS “ASSISTANTS.”

WELL WHIT, HERE IS A PUBLIC SHOUT OUT  TO YOU AND YOUR SCOUT TROOP.  THE DOGS THANK YOU, THE VOLUNTEERS THANK YOU, FOTAS THANKS YOU, AND THE AIKEN COUNTY ANIMAL SHELTER THANKS YOU.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, EMAIL INFO@FOTASAIKEN.ORG OR VISIT WWW.FOTASAIKEN.ORG

FOTAS Volunteers work with the AIKEN COUNTY ANIMAL SHELTER, 333 Wire Road.  For more information, contact “info@angelhartlinedesigns.com” or visit FOTAS on line at www.fotasaiken.org.

 

HALF PRICE ADOPTION SPECIALS THROUGH JULY 28, 2014

DOGS $35     AND     CATS $17

 

AIKEN COUNTY SHELTER “PETS OF THE WEEK!” 

**All adoption fees include:  spay/neuter, heartworm test, all shots, worming, and microchip.

 

BEAR       LAB RETRIEVER, MALE, 1 YR OLD, 56 LBS.  ONLY $35 

GARFIELD  DOMESTIC SHORT HAIR — MALE — KITTEN  ONLY $17

Adoption, Cats, Dogs, Volunteer

War Stories and the Heartbreaking Sounds of Surrendered Animals

Posted on by Angel Hartline
09
Jun

By Joanna Dunn Samson, FOTAS Director

Summer is a hard time for the Aiken County Animal Shelter. Aside from the beastly heat, the number of animals at the shelter skyrockets during the summer.

This summer is no exception. Last Wednesday, by 3:00 in the afternoon, eight surrendered animals were lined up in crates outside the intake building waiting for a space to open up. It was 95 degrees outside.

Inside, up to 5 dogs are housed in one kennel run in the intake wing because the intake numbers are so high. The shelter accepted 534 animals in may, and the June numbers will be equally as dismal.

Where do they come from? From the County, the City, Edgefield county, occasionally private rescue agencies already filled to capacity, but primarily, they come from private citizens. In May alone, 322 animals were citizen-surrendered—twice as many as in the winter months.

Why so many surrenders this time of year? Are you ready for this?

Vacations! Can you believe it? There are people in this world who choose to surrender their pets to the county shelter when they go on vacation—people who consign their confused and trusting pets to the stress of a shelter environment and an uncertain future—rather than make proper arrangements for their care.

I am haunted by this callous disregard for the welfare of helpless animals.

No question, the solution to this gross overcrowding is to reduce overpopulation through a rigorous spay/neuter program.

Experts estimate that 75% of the pet population must be spayed/neutered in order to see a significant reduction in intake numbers. For that reason, fotas focuses its spay/neuter activities in Wagener, which is a county hot spot for overpopulation, and will continue to do so until we see a difference in the numbers.

Moreover, the county allocates $30,000 for low cost spay/neuter vouchers, and FOTAS supplements that program as well. FOTAS has also raised approximately $20,000 for spay/neuter services through its Woofstock festival and the SPCA’s twilight walk.

In the past 18 months, FOTAS paid the SPCA – Albrecht Center approximately $20,000 to spay and neuter 292 citizen-owned cats and dogs and 238 community cats in its state-of-the-art clinic.

Is it enough? Of course not—it’s never enough. But here’s the thing.

Someone has to be responsible for the 4800 unwanted animals that end up at the county shelter each year, and that someone is the county, with the help of FOTAS.

The county shelter does not have the luxury of refusing to accept an animal because it doesn’t have enough room. Paid for with taxpayer dollars, it has a legal obligation to accept all comers. Quite frankly, it feels like sweeping back the ocean with a broom.

Although the County and FOTAS are making great strides in saving more animals and reducing the euthanasia rate, until rampant overpopulation is checked and the appalling intake numbers come down, our goal of never having to euthanize another adoptable animal is out of reach.

How can you help?

Volunteer at the shelter.

Foster dogs and puppies until they can be weaned and rehomed.

Make a tax-free donation to the cause at www.Fotasaiken.Org.

Most of all: adopt one of the deserving animals in the adoption wing. For every animal you adopt, you save two lives—the pet you adopted and the pet that can be moved to the adoption floor from intake.

Plus, if you adopt before July 28, adoption fees have been reduced by half —$35 for dogs and $17 for cats—so come on over.

PETS OF THE WEEK:

Gina American Bulldog—female, 2 yrs old, 38 lbs. Only $35 

Clark Catahoula Leopoard Dog—male, 2 yrs old, 45 lbs. Only $35

Events, News

Joyous Smiles, Giggles, and Coos

Posted on by Angel Hartline
09
Jun

By Ellie Joos, FOTAS Volunteer

Bright eyes and lots of smiles were the order of the day at the new Aiken County Animal Shelter one recent Saturday. Eight young children from Helping Hands of Aiken were visiting.  Sharon Reeves and I, both FOTAS volunteers, had the pleasure of hosting this wonderful group. There is nothing like a rolly polly puppy or a sweet and fluffy kitten to delight a child.

Our young visitors, ages 6 through 12, toured the new dog adoption wing and the “cat house”.  My group sat on the floor of the cat building playing with several of the fluffy kittens, taking turns holding and cuddling with them. The children all agreed, Tiffany was their favorite, though really they liked them all. Next we moved on to the dog adoption building and even the most timid child wanted to feed treats to the dogs in their kennels. One curious young boy wondered how the dogs ended up in the shelter. I explained that many were found wandering the streets and that the FOTAS volunteers here love them, care for them, and play with them. Not knowing what the particular situation is for each of these children, Sharon and I knew we needed to be gentle in our approach.

The children were terrific listeners and as part of the introduction to the dogs, I told the m that we needed to clean our hands in between touching each dog. They were so good and reminded me of this often as we moved from one dog pod to the other!

Next it was puppy time, and the children sat on a bench as I took a bundle of fur from her kennel to spend quality kid time. One by one, each child held the puppy, while cooing and cuddling. We picked out a sweet dog that needed a little walk. In this case, we selected one of my favorites, Sky, a boxer mix that has one brown eye and one blue eye.  We took her out on her leash and she enjoyed showing them how she sits patiently waiting for her treats.

My group then joined Sharon’s group in the conference room for what else but animal crackers and apple juice. I’m sure the children would have liked if one or two of the animals could have joined us for this snack. A number of children wanted to know if they could help volunteer too.  I had brought a book from home, Go Dog, Go, and one little girl volunteered to read it to the others while they enjoyed their goodies.

As the children left the shelter to return to their residence, I couldn’t help but feeling how great it was to have this new clean, welcoming County Animal Shelter for events like this, to see how a furry animal can make a difference in a child’s day.

Now that the new shelter is up and running, we are planning other events that will expand our visibility and mission of FOTAS. Our next event will be a Doggie Alumni Social on June 28th, from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm. Did you adopt a dog from the shelter? Join us for a few hours of socializing, playing, treats and a commemorative photo. To RSVP, check out our web site www.FOTASAiken.org  for all of the details or call 803-514-4313.

About Helping Hands:  Helping Hands is a 501 (c) 3 nonprofit organization with the mission of enriching the quality of life and well-being of children, youth and families in need through a continuum of residential and community-based services in order to improve their health, independent living skills, educational outcomes, and/or resilience.

FOTAS Volunteers work with the AIKEN COUNTY ANIMAL SHELTER, 333 Wire Road.  For more information, contact “info@angelhartlinedesigns.com” or visit FOTAS on line at www.fotasaiken.org.

 

AIKEN COUNTY ANIMAL SHELTER:  “BY THE NUMBERS”

FOUR MONTH COMPARISON 2013 – 2014

                           JAN. 2014 – APR. 2014        JAN. 2013 – APR. 2013

Received                      1088 dogs & cats                  1352 dogs & cats

Adopted/Transferred     572 dogs & cats                     528 dogs & cats

Euthanized                    616 dogs & cats                     834 dogs & cats

 

AIKEN COUNTY SHELTER “PETS OF THE WEEK!” 

**All adoption fees include:  spay/neuter, heartworm test, all shots, worming, and microchip.

LOKI – ROTTWEILER MIX, MALE, 1 YR OLD, 37 LBS.  ONLY $70

DORA – DOMESTIC MEDIUM HAIR — FEMALE KITTEN   ONLY $35