Tag Archives: News

2023, shelter construction

PAWS Building at ACAS
Animal Shelter’s New Building

Posted on by Angel Hartline

By Pam Gleason, The Aiken Horse

The Aiken County Animal Shelter will soon have a new building devoted to adoption, humane education and dog socialization. The new PAWS building (“Primary learning, Adoption Wellness and Socialization”) is under construction now and is expected to be completed sometime in January. The project was initiated by Friends of the Animal Shelter Aiken (FOTAS) which raised the majority of the funds for the building. In addition to rooms for meet and greets, education, dog training and indoor activities, the PAWS building will also house a cat colony room with an attached outdoor “catio.”

“This building is something that we have wanted since day one, but when the shelter was built, we did not have the money to do it,” said Jennifer Miller, who is the founder and president of FOTAS. FOTAS works together with the Aiken County Animal Shelter in a public/private partnership that has gained national recognition as a model for how open admission shelters in high intake areas can save lives and improve animal welfare. FOTAS was founded in 2009 and its efforts have been multi-pronged. They have included fundraising to construct a new shelter, supplementing local adoptions and organizing and implementing a transport program to allow Aiken County animals to be adopted in other parts of the country. They also promote and fund spay and neuter, heartworm treatment and much more. FOTAS’s efforts have been successful, taking the shelter’s euthanasia rate of over 90% in 2008 to a save rate of over 90% today. In fact, at the end of its first ten years, FOTAS accomplished its original mission: never again having to euthanize an adoptable cat or dog for space.

New PAWS building nears completion

These days, FOTAS has expanded its mission: the goal now is to make the shelter a resource, rather than a destination. The idea is that the shelter will be able to provide the tools necessary to ensure that animals that have homes can stay in them; that those that need new homes can find them; and that affordable and accessible spay and neuter services will bring a halt to the longstanding pet overpopulation problem in the county and beyond.

According to Jennifer Miller, the new building will be a valuable asset to accomplish that mission. One major thing that it will do is to provide a quiet and private place for prospective adopters to meet an animal that they are interested in.

“Say Mrs. Jones sees a dog she wants to adopt,” said Jennifer. “If we take that dog out to the play yard, the dog is going to be excited, it’s going to be running around, sniffing the grass, and Mrs. Jones is going to think ‘that dog doesn’t like me,’ and the adoption isn’t going to happen.” The new building will have two comfortable rooms with furnishings provided by Folly, a shop in downtown Aiken, where adopters can get to know dogs in a home-like setting without noise and distractions.

The main part of the PAWS building will consist of a large open room that can be used for dog socialization and training sessions which are an important enrichment activity for shelter animals, as well as a way to make them more adoptable.

“The more skill sets the dogs have, the easier they are to find homes for,” said Jennifer, noting that everything they do is geared toward reducing an animal’s length of stay at the shelter. The big room will also be used for indoor play groups during inclement weather, and it has been designed to facilitate meet and greets between a prospective adopter’s resident dog and a shelter dog to make sure that the animals get along before an adoption takes place.

Perhaps most important, the new building will provide a convenient place for humane education and for the Junior FOTAS program, which has grown immensely in the past few years. “We are doing something with the schools every week,” said Jennifer. “We teach them about heartworm prevention, spay neuter, humane care. We have the Dog Ears Reading program, where the kids read to the dogs in their kennels. But until now, we haven’t had a place to run other programs in the shelter. So this new building will be a learning center.

“At the shelter, it can seem like taking a broom and sweeping back the ocean,” continued Jennifer. “We had over 4,700 animals come in here last year. That’s down from about 6,000 years ago, but it’s still too much. And we ask, how do we prevent animals from having to come in here? So we have spay and neuter and TNR [trap-neuter-return] for cats. We help low income people keep their pets with a monthly community pet food drive. We work with animal control to get animals in the county off chains. And when we talk about the shelter becoming a resource and not a destination, that’s out future. And the way we are going to get there is with the kids, so the junior programs are really important.”

Seed money for the new PAWS building came from two major legacy gifts, with additional donations from members of the community and a commitment from the county. Most of the money that FOTAS raises goes towards its programs – transfer, heartworm treatment and prevention, spay and neuter and so on. Donations are always appreciated. The other major need for FOTAS is always more volunteers and fosters.

“We are so appreciative of our volunteers. We couldn’t do any of this without them,” said Jennifer. “We are just so lucky to have them. But we could always use more volunteers and fosters. If you take a dog in foster I always say you are saving two lives: the one you are fostering and another one at the shelter who gets to move onto the adoption floor. If you want to come to walk a shelter dog, there are no barriers – you have an orientation and then you can come whenever you like. Animals live in the present. If you can make one dog’s present happy for 15 minutes, that’s a good thing.”

For more information on FOTAS or to volunteer, foster or adopt, visit fotasaiken.org.

2022, Adoption, Dogs, FOTAS, kennel stress, News, Pibbles, Shelter staff, SOCIAL MEDIA, Volunteers

Longest shelter resident Christopher finds his dream home

Posted on by Bob Gordon
18
Jan

Christopher had us worried. The two-year-old, 66-pound, mixed breed known for his soulful eyes, mahogany brindle coat and sweet personality was showing signs of kennel stress. He was sleeping too much during the day, refusing to greet visitors and seemed to be sinking into depression.

Christopher: loved by everyone including volunteers.


You couldn’t blame him for losing hope. As a huge favorite of the staff and volunteers, we had promoted him endlessly on our Facebook and Instagram pages, illustrating his calm and loving disposition with videos and photos. There were videos of him chasing tennis balls, getting his chest and tummy rubbed as well as photos of him hugging volunteers and cuddling staff members.

Volunteers Jen Jotblad and Kathy Samaha each shot their own special videos, expressing why they thought he would make a wonderful pet. Samaha took Christopher home for a weekend to give him a break from the noisy shelter. So did Olga and Nicole Simons. Just about every FOTAS volunteer spent extra time walking him or giving him cuddles. Jotblad put extra time into teaching him commands and enrolled him in her dog training class for volunteers. We even had a “Christopher Day” on Nov. 13 to try to attract prospective adopters. No one on our team was going to give up on this special dog.

Still, more weeks passed and no one was calling about Christopher. By far the longest resident of the shelter, he was growing tired of waiting and hardly any prospects were coming to visit him.

Then, on Dec. 3, George Straub and his family walked into the shelter lobby and asked to see Christopher.

“We saw Christopher on the FOTAS page and fell in love,” said Elizabeth Farthing, George’s significant other. “When we met him, he walked directly to my 9-year-old daughter, Rae-Ann, and then George. We spent months trying to find the perfect addition to our family. We contacted so many people and other shelters about dogs and for one reason or another, none worked out. But with Christopher, we felt like it was just meant to be. He knew we couldn’t leave there without him.”

Christopher gets selected!

Now Christopher has a real home and loving family as well as a new name, Glock. He follows Elizabeth everywhere and she considers him a “Velcro dog who loves to cuddle.” Glock spends most of the day with Rae-Ann during her home schooling and sleeps on 17-year-old Chase’s bed most nights. When the family is at the dinner table talking or playing board games, Glock puts his head in George’s lap.

“I’m glad other people passed on him because I love him to death,” George said.

The shelter is full now and there are many hidden gems, like Christopher. So, please visit the Aiken County Animal Shelter, 333 Wire Road, and visit our homeless dogs and cats in need. To see all the pets available, go to FOTASAiken.org. Dogs are $35 and cats and kittens are only $10.

— By Bob Gordon, FOTAS Communications Director

Christopher is loved in his new home.
2022, Dogs, Foster, fostering, FOTAS, kennel stress, News, Volunteers

Fostering saves lives, helps homeless pets get adopted

Posted on by Bob Gordon
17
Jan

When you put a leash on Little Bit, he wouldn’t move. The 28-pound, tan Terrier mix just shook and gazed up at you with a forlorn look on his face. The poor dog was overwhelmed with being on the Aiken County Animal Shelter’s adoption floor and just wanted to curl up in his kennel and be left alone.

After a couple of days, Little Bit began to trust the staff and volunteers enough to walk a short distance before stopping and resisting the leash, his eyes pleading to be picked up and carried back to his kennel. Each day, he was progressing – but very slowly.

Little Bit gets comfy before going home.

Despite Little Bit’s shyness and poor leash etiquette, visitors to the shelter began asking to see him. His smaller size and cute looks drew potential adopters. However, when he backed away or flinched when they tried to pet him, they either asked to see a different dog or left the shelter disappointed.

Then Rob and Stacy Wagner took Little Bit home to foster him during the four-day Christmas break. This time, the change of environment did him good. Being away from the noise and stress of the shelter helped him to relax and build confidence. He was a new dog when he returned to the shelter on Dec. 27, walking on his leash with confidence, greeting people and looking so happy! The result of his newfound poise and self-confidence? Little Bit was adopted that day.

Crypto is another dog who benefitted from fostering over the holiday break. Yvonne and Colin Brookes took the 48-pound mixed breed home and used the four days to help him decompress and learn to wait, sit and offer his paw on command. Like many of our fosters, Yvonne posted photos and videos of Crypto’s training and other activities on social media. Such promotion of shelter dogs thriving in a home often helps them get adopted.

“Crypto’s been at the shelter for so long…he keeps getting overlooked yet he’s a huge softy and lives for cuddles,” Yvonne posted on her Facebook page. “He is perfectly housebroken, sleeps in his crate all night long, and loves car rides and woodland walks. He is a very quick learner and just wants to please.” Since returning from his fostering experience, Crypto is in higher spirits and doing well. He can be adopted to a loving home for just $35.

Crypto loving life with his foster mom, Yvonne Brookes.

If you live in Aiken County and would like to become a FOTAS foster, please email info@fotasaiken.org or call us at (803) 514-4313. Or just stop by the shelter, 333 Wire Road in Aiken. It is easy to sign up and get paired with a shelter dog!

Their lives are in our hands.

— By Bob Gordon, FOTAS Communications Director

2019, fostering, FOTAS, News, Shelter staff

The Extraordinary Staff at the Aiken County Animal Shelter

Posted on by Bob Gordon
18
Mar

By Joanna D. Samson, FOTAS Vice President

It’s so rare these days to find someone who does what they love and loves what they do, except at the county shelter, where all of the staff falls into that category. They work hard, and in their free time they foster, they educate, and they love.

Dr. Lisa Levy (left) and vet assistant Lyn Irilli tend to a stray dog.

Hillary Clark-Kulis is the shelter’s adoption coordinator. Along with the huge responsibility of finding homes for many animals, she also takes them home to foster. During kitten season you will most likely find on Hillary’s desk a crate filled with tiny kittens under a heat lamp. Aside from being patient and kind, she also educates the public about kitten-care for abandoned babies.

Amanda Kaminski and Bob Gordon are adoption counselors. Amanda recently fostered an injured dog that needed a foster home to recover. Bob has adopted four cats of his own, yet he spreads the word on social media about the needs of the shelter and responsible pet ownership.

Rachel McGee, the assistant administrator, organizes the county’s community cat program, shelter intake, and helping citizens find lost pets. She and Hope Reese, the shelter’s office assistant, distribute traps and educate citizens about community cats.

Rachel McGee counsels a man who found a stray dog.

They also work with citizens who want to rehome their pets, and they have been known to pick up strays.

Betty Erikson is a vet assistant that works in the medical clinic. She spends her days in the clinic assisting with spay/neuter, medicating shelter animals, and helping sick and displaced pets, and she fosters litters of kittens at home. Betty and Lyn Irilli often come in after hours to help animals picked up by animal control that need medical attention.

Thanks to Dr. Levy, the shelter’s record for saving severely injured animals is outstanding. She has also adopted a three-legged dog that she saved and a heartworm-positive Pibble that she treated.

Randy Bush helps socialize dogs waiting to be moved to the adoption floor.

Randy Bush, head kennel technician, is a phenomenal caretaker for both dogs and cats. Earlier this year, he adopted Stone, a feral cat that lived on the shelter property, when it got sick. Although Stone may never be able to return to his freewheeling, roaming days, thanks to Randy, he is turning into a pretty nice house kitty.

Brandon Fulmer, also a kennel tech, fell in love with and adopted a sweet Pibble who was overlooked on the adoption floor because of her scarred body and a severe underbite. Jennie Wilson, who cares for the

Bob Gordon get some computer assistance from Mason.

cats, cleaning and making sure they all have warm blankets, toys, and a clean litter box, fostered and then adopted a kitten in need of lots of TLC. Peggy Babineau has fostered so many dogs with extra medical needs that we’ve lost count.

Hillary Clark-Kulis (right) accepts a sizable donation from the Aiken Newcomer’s Club.

Marissa Acosta and Chase Byers spend extra time going kennel to kennel to give the dogs some extra attention, particularly the most misunderstood. They work with the dogs that first come in, and at the end of the day, they make sure everyone has blankets, toys and the proper food.

Bobby Arthurs, the shelter manager, is a chihuahua whisperer and animal lover. Bobby does anything and everything to help the abandoned, neglected animals that are consigned to the shelter.

The shelter staff is phenomenal. Aiken County and the shelter residents are so lucky to have them.

Their lives are in their hands.

Pets of the Week

SEYMOUR
Mixed breed, male, 8 years old, white and tan, 47 pounds – $35

DANE
Domestic Medium Hair, male, 11 months old, orange and white Tabby, 6.5 pounds – $10

2019, animal abuse, Cats, County Animal Control, Dogs, FOTAS, injured animals, kittens, neglected pets, News, Spay/Neuter, surrendered pets, TNR Program, Uncategorized

Save Lives and Stop Needless Suffering by Fixing your Pets

Posted on by Bob Gordon
18
Feb

When people talk about our chronic dog and cat overpopulation problem, they usually focus on the overwhelming numbers – and rightfully so. Millions of pets lose their lives each year because people don’t spay/neuter their animals.

Stray dog Thaddeus arrived at the shelter with a gunshot wound so severe, his right back leg was turned to powder and had to be amputated.

Puppies and kittens will soon be pouring into the County Shelter because some citizens are not getting their pets spayed/neutered.

In fact, the Aiken County Animal Shelter (ACAS) takes in approximately 125 unwanted animals per week during the summer months. When you do the math, the total number of animals coming into the shelter is staggering and the only solution to the problem is spaying and neutering your pets.

It’s really easy and inexpensive to get your pets fixed now, thanks to the County’s spay/neuter voucher program and FOTAS’s Fix-a-Pet program. The SPCA Albrecht Center clinic and participating local veterinarians accept these vouchers, available at the County Shelter, which reduces the cost of fixing your pet to $15 or less.

Wagener, a young stray cat arrived at the shelter in severe pain because her birth canal was too small, and she couldn’t deliver her kittens. She was saved but some of her babies died inside her.

FOTAS and the County also offer a Trap, Neuter & Return (TNR) program for feral and community cats that is helping to reduce feline overpopulation in the area. Cats must be brought to the shelter in a trap, which you can borrow from the ACAS. Trapped cats can be brought to the shelter at 333 Wire Road in Aiken on Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday mornings at 8 a.m. and picked up later the same day. Call the ACAS for more information, (803) 642-1537.

Mama dog Angeline was scared and exhausted when she was brought in with her starving puppies.

Last year, Aiken County and FOTAS paid for the spay/neuter of 1,287 pets owned by citizens in financial need and 1,099 community/feral cats.

Yellow Retriever Angeline and her starving puppies were brought to the ACAS by an animal control officer. The mama dog was suffering and freezing to keep her puppies alive. Exhausted and ribs visible, Angeline was afraid of human touch but she and her pups are now recovering with the care of FOTAS foster volunteers.

February is National Spay/Neuter Awareness Month, an ideal time to encourage people to have their pets sterilized before the spring and summer months, when there is a rampant overproduction of puppies and kittens. It’s also a time to recognize one other aspect of this issue: needless suffering. These animals not only are filling our shelters but when wandering on their own, searching for mates and food, they also can face horrible and painful consequences.

Thaddeus is a stray who was shot while homeless and searching for food.

So, we’re asking you to help us do better this year. Let’s spread the word about the importance of spay/neuter to our family, friends, acquaintances and even strangers.

Also, please join us in thanking the folks who are helping to fight this animal overpopulation battle. We thank the Aiken County Council for its support of the vital Spay/neuter voucher program; Code Enforcement Director Paige Bayne for the awesome management of the County Spay/Neuter voucher program; The ACAS vet clinic for their TNR work; and our FOTAS TNR veterinarian partners, Aiken Animal Hospital, Aiken Veterinary Clinic, Silver Bluff Veterinary Clinic and Veterinary Services of Aiken.

Their lives are in our hands.

— By Bob Gordon, FOTAS Communications Director

By the Numbers
So far this month (Feb 1-15), the Aiken County Shelter has taken in 176 strays and surrendered pets.


Pets of the Week
REESE
Catahoula Leopard dog mix, male, 1 year old, 57 pounds – $35

WILLY
Domestic shorthair cat, male, 3 years old, 12 pounds – $10

2019, Adoption, Bully Dogs, Dogs, Donate, FOTAS, Have a Heart, Save a Heart, Heartworms, News, Uncategorized

Biscuit is Heartworm Free and Living the Good Life

Posted on by Bob Gordon
04
Feb

It is uplifting to see how happy Biscuit is now that he has a home with a family that loves him. This sweet 9-year-old mixed breed is one of those special dogs you never forget. In fact, Dr. Lisa Levy, the Aiken County Animal Shelter’s (ACAS) Veterinarian, said Biscuit is one of her favorite dogs to ever come into the shelter.

Biscuit gets a hug at home from young Trace, one of his four new human siblings.

Biscuit arrived at the ACAS with a severe wound to his head. The gash was terribly infected, and his recovery was in doubt. But Dr. Levy was able to stitch the wound closed and clear the infection with antibiotics. Throughout the long process, Biscuit wagged his tail and displayed an amazing spirit.

He was adopted by the Gallardo family in April and in late December, Biscuit reached another milestone well worth celebrating – he tested negative for heartworms. Thanks to FOTAS funding his treatment, Biscuit is now completely heartworm free.

“Biscuit is doing great,” said Brenda Gallardo, who teaches at Warrenville Elementary School. “He gets along with our other dogs, he likes to be loved on and he wants to be with everybody. He’s also taken over our couch in the TV room.”

Unfortunately, heartworm infection is common in this area. The warmer weather makes dogs more susceptible to getting bitten by mosquitos and the infection getting transferred into their bloodstream and heart. It’s easily prevented with prescribed monthly chewable pills, but you only have to miss one month to make your dog vulnerable to infection. Heartworm disease is very curable but the medication for treating it is not cheap. That’s why it’s such a godsend to have FOTAS funding the treatment for every heartworm positive dog on the adoption floor.

Biscuit gets adopted and starts his new, better life with the Gallardo family.

In 2017 and 2018, FOTAS saved 470 heartworm positive dogs by funding their treatments. In the past, these dogs, adoptable and otherwise healthy, would have been euthanized because the County didn’t have the funds to treat them.

But since FOTAS started its “Have a Heart, Save a Heart” program two years ago, the community has donated enough money for every heartworm positive dog at the shelter to be saved and treated.

“We weren’t hesitant at all to adopt a heartworm positive dog like Biscuit,” Brenda said. “There was no stress or difficulties because the shelter staff made it easy and explained everything.”

“Biscuit is such a great dog and so loving with the kids – I wouldn’t hesitate to do it all over again,” she added.

For more information on heartworm treatment, please go to fotasaiken.org. You can also donate to the FOTAS “Have a Heart, Save a Heart” Fund to help treat heartworm positive dogs at the ACAS.

Their lives are in our hands.

— By Bob Gordon, FOTAS Communications Director

 

By the Numbers
In 2017 and 2018, FOTAS saved 470 heartworm positive dogs by funding their treatment.


Pets of the WeekUNO
Retriever/Hound mix, male, 7 years old, 48 pounds – $35

GRAVY
Domestic longhair kitten, male, 9 months old, 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

2018, Foster, FOTAS, News, Pibbles, Training, Volunteer, Volunteers

Volunteering at the Animal Shelter: What’s in it for You?

Posted on by Bob Gordon
01
Jan

Rain or shine, hot or cold, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year! In some way, shape or form, FOTAS volunteers are helping to find homes for the more than 5,000 animals taken in annually by the Aiken County Animal Shelter!

Volunteer John Berk socializes Kromer on the Shelter couch.

Let me count the ways you can help at this special place: fostering, walking, socializing animals, front desk reception, publicity, fundraising, assisting at special events, and much more. You’re never too old to sit quietly in the sunshine with a scared or lonely dog by your side, or too young to cuddle a kitten under the watchful eyes of a parent. Seeing a dog run, play and chase toys in the play yard often results in the transfer of that same energy, enthusiasm and sense of well-being to the humans watching.

Nanci Santos, a longtime volunteer, says, “Sitting with a dog on the couch, watching the cars go by gives us both a sense of peace and love – feelings that flow both ways.”

Always present and often our comedy relief, Volunteer John Berk loves to take pets for a doggy day out – walking in Hitchcock Woods, sipping coffee at his favorite downtown watering hole, or home for a weekend of up close and personal attention. An ex avid golfer John claims that, “Surely there is more joy in walking a dog than missing a three-foot putt!”

Dana Hollon, who is at the Shelter every Saturday, says “the animals’ antics make me happy; they make me laugh!”

Bill Carter, another dog walking volunteer, explains, “I know they relieve my stress and I like to think I relieve theirs.”

Front desk and lobby volunteers also find great satisfaction and challenge in helping visitors. These valuable folks greet everyone who walks through the door and match personalities — human, canine, and feline. Watching folks walk out the door and back to their car having adopted the perfect pet is so rewarding! My belief is that the pet finds you, not the reverse.

Volunteer Nanci Santos cuddles a Beagle mix after their long walk.

Major off-site fundraisers such as Woofstock and the FOTAS Playing Fore the Pets Annual Golf Tournament require months of behind the scenes preparation but result in community camaraderie, solidarity and raising funds. All of the donations go to the shelter animals who need spay/neutering, medical treatment, food and so much more.

If none of the above roles have your name on it, how about the simple enticement of happy people, smiling faces, teamwork, and the chance to meet and make new friends. Where else can you choose your own hours, be your own boss, and experience great job satisfaction?

So, consider volunteering at the Aiken County Animal Shelter among your New Year’s resolutions and come to 333 Wire Road or go online and fill out a FOTAS volunteer application. Orientation sessions are scheduled at convenient intervals and last about an hour and a half. After that, you’re good to go.

Welcome to the world of FOTAS volunteers – there’s a lot in it for you!

 

— By Jan Barker, FOTAS Volunteer Trainer

 


By the Numbers
Since October 1, the County Animal Shelter has taken in 1,125 strays and surrendered pets.

 

 Pets of the Week

WYATT: Boxer mix, male, 3 years old, brown/rust, 53 pounds – $35

 

CEE CEE: Domestic Shorthair cat, female, 1-1/2 years old, black & white, 6.5 pounds – $10

 

2018, Adoption, Cats, Chained dogs, community cats, County animal laws, County tethering ordinance, Dogs, Donate, donations, Foster, FOTAS, Fundraisers, Heartworms, News, PetSmart cats, Pibbles, Spay/Neuter, Stray hold requirements, surrendered pets, TNR Program, Volunteer, Volunteers

The Christmas Spirit of Gratitude and Charity

Posted on by Bob Gordon
24
Dec

The Christmas season is upon us. It’s a time of festivity, bright lights, family, goodwill, and faith. It’s also a time to count our blessings. As we at FOTAS look back over the past nine years, it’s also a time to reflect upon our profound gratitude for our friends and supporters in the Aiken community.

FOTAS Volunteer John Berk with Cleo, who was adopted to a good home this year.

We’ve come a long way together. With your help, we successfully lobbied the County Council to build a new shelter and partnered with the county to raise money to fund the architectural design and construction-ready plans.

Once the new shelter opened in early 2014, we recruited and trained an army of volunteers to work at the shelter, performing the equivalent of eight to 10 full-time jobs. We funded training programs for county personnel. We developed and funded exciting new programs with the county to increase adoption rates. We created a network of transfer partners in the northeast that take animals we can’t adopt locally, along with a system of foster care for dogs and cats who have been accepted for transfer or have special needs. We also supplement adoption fees for military personnel and veterans.

LUCY gets some lovin’ from young FOTAS volunteers.

We provided fencing to create exercise yards, bought a new van to move animals locally to outside adoption events, and installed a storage shed. We pay for toys, blankets, treats, flea and tick meds, cat condos, a doggie treadmill to rehabilitate and socialize dogs, and humane runners for folks who need to take their dogs off of chains.

We funded the construction of an isolation pod to separate shelter animals with temporary infectious diseases, as well as a host of necessary medical equipment and supplies. Through this assistance, we’ve made it possible for sick and injured animals to have a second chance. A total of 450 heartworm positive dogs have been saved through our funding. We also pay for outside veterinarian services when necessary.

FOTAS PetSmart Volunteer Twylia with feline Mabel.

Our funding has made it possible to attack overpopulation of pets at the source. Last year, the county and FOTAS paid for the spay/neuter of over 1,300 citizen-owned pets and 1,120 community feral/cats.

Has all this effort made a difference? You bet it has. In 2009, the old county shelter often took in more than 6,000 animals a year; only 5% made it out alive. This year, the shelter will have taken in 4,200 animals, and 90% were saved. Hands down, FOTAS and the county save more animals than any other rescue agencies in the country.

It couldn’t have happened without a lot of hard work, dedication, and support from you, the Aiken community.

Adopted dog HILDE in her forever home December 2018.

We and Aiken’s homeless animals are blessed to have your support.

But there is still so much to do. In the last two months, a whopping 1,000 animals were surrendered to the shelter. Please consider an end-of-the-year donation to FOTAS, either by mail to FOTAS, PO Box 2207, Aiken SC 29802 or online at FOTASAiken.org.

By the way, since FOTAS was recognized by South Carolina as one of the 10 most efficient and effective charity “Angels” in the state, you can be certain that your hard-earned dollars are spent on our mission.

Thank you and God bless your family this Christmas season.

Their lives are in our hands.

 

— By Joanna D. Samson, FOTAS Vice-President

 

By the Numbers
Since October 1, the County Animal Shelter has taken in well over 1,000 strays and surrendered pets. Please spay/neuter your dogs and cats.
 
Pets of the Week
ANGIE: Retriever mix, female, 3 years old, brindle and white, 50 pounds – $35

 

BEE BEE: Domestic Shorthair cat, female, 1-1/2 years old, black and white, 6.5 pounds – $10
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