Tag Archives: News

Adoption, Cats, Dogs, News

The extra mile

Posted on by Angel Hartline
12
Jun

18 January 2015

The extra mile

By Joanna Dunn Samson, FOTAS Director

In late November, a tired and emaciated Pomeranian was picked up on the side of the road by a good Samaritan and turned into the Aiken County Animal Shelter. The tiny black dog was scrawny and frightened; her coat matted and crusted with dirt. She was examined by Dr. Levy, the Shelter Vet, and in addition to being malnourished, dirty and generally roughed up from her experience as a stray, several of her back teeth were broken.

Plus, she was no spring chicken – at least 10 by Dr. Levy’s calculations – making her medical prognosis and ultimate adoptability even more uncertain.

Betty Erickson and Sandy Larsen, the two experienced staff on duty, cleaned and fed her before setting her up on a soft blanket in a kennel in the medical suite. She was warm and safe.

The plight of the little dog plagued Betty. The dog was too sweet, too trusting and too old to have been on her own very long – she must have been someone’s pet. So Betty checked the online lost and found websites for the local area.

She hit pay dirt on AikenPetsReunited.com, where she discovered a notice for a lost black Pomeranian named Tori who had been missing since late September. Squinting at the tiny image on the screen, Betty thought, “Yeah, add a little weight and a shiny coat, that could be Tori!”

Betty called the owner’s number and left a message on voice mail. When she hadn’t heard back by closing time, she called again. This time, a breathless Darlene Tarvin answered the phone.

“I was so excited,” says Darlene, “I just knew it had to be my Tori! I had been frantic with worry for two months.”

The next morning, Darlene and her husband Charles were at the door when the shelter opened, and to everyone’s delight and relief, Darlene was reunited with her beloved Tori. There wasn’t a dry eye in the house.

Tori was lucky, not every story ends this well, but it’s not for lack of trying. The amazing shelter staff and FOTAS volunteers always go that extra mile.

Whether it’s Betty making calls on behalf of one little lost dog, or Sandy Larsen organizing a pre-dawn pickup to feature adoptable animals on the local news at 6 a.m., or Annette Van Der Walt, the shelter adoption coordinator, giving up a day off (without pay) during the busy holiday season, or FOTAS volunteers like Girl and Caroline Conger taking shelter dogs to a special event on a rainy Saturday, or Ray Eckenrode fostering a hard–to-place dog whose time is running out, or Toni and Gary Urben mounting special appeals to the Aiken equestrian community to find a deserving dog a home – the amount of effort expended to place these unfortunate animals is nothing short of breathtaking.

And here’s the good news – it’s working. Last month a record number of animals, 262 to be exact, were adopted from or transferred out of the shelter, thanks in large measure to the success of our heartworm positive, transfer, foster and off-site adoption programs and the depth of commitment by staff and volunteers.

Back at the Tarvin home, the amazing little Tori (who, as it turns out, is actually 14) is safe and sound and dearly loved.

“She’s been my constant companion since she was 6-weeks-old,” says Darlene, “I was heartbroken when she was lost, but my kids, my grandkids, my husband – we never stopped searching. I never gave up hope.” She pauses. “It’s a miracle.”

Yes, it is – a miracle made possible by love, resolve and commitment.

BY THE NUMBERS

December stats 2014

Total dogs and cats received – 458

Total dogs and cats adopted/transferred –  262

Totals dogs and cats euthanized – 184

Percent euthanized- 41%

PETS OF THE WEEK

SARA    Female, retriever mix, 1 years old, 44 lbs — $70

ANJA    Female, tortoiseshell, 3 years old, 8.3 lbs — $35

Adoption, Cats, Dogs, News, Volunteers

New Year’s resolutions worth keeping

Posted on by Angel Hartline
12
Jun

11 January 2015

New Year’s resolutions worth keeping

By Joanna Dunn Samson, FOTAS Director

Every New Year’s Eve since I turned 40, I have resolved to launch a rigorous exercise program in the upcoming year. Now that I am 60, it doesn’t seem like such a lofty goal as much as a practical necessity, but somehow the commitment wanes as January turns into February turns into March turns into . . . well, you get the picture.

I am not alone –“ exercising more” is a common New Year’s resolution, so why is it also the one so quickly abandoned with such minimal guilt? I’m no psychologist, but I’m going to hazard a guess here: resolutions that involve tending only to the physical body are perhaps too shallow to be taken seriously.

What if, then, we were to resolve to exercise in a way that satisfies both body and soul, makes homeless animals happy and saves lives at the same time?  Based on the experience of our FOTAS volunteers, those resolutions might just be winners.

Susan Hilderbrand began volunteering at the old Aiken County Animal Shelter in 2008, the year before FOTAS was founded. At first she played and walked with the animals. Now, twice a week, Susan takes pictures of the shelter residents, talks to volunteers and staff about their personalities, gathers some data such as age, weight, gender, and uploads this information to PetFinder, a national database for animal adoptions, and to the County shelter’s website.

“I love taking those photos,” says Susan. “I can help find these animals a forever home by expanding the potential pool of adopters, which is so satisfying. Some of my friends say, ‘How can you go there two times a week, every week, and see all those poor animals?’ And I say, ‘How can I not?

She continues. “Plus, the new shelter is such a bright and welcoming place, it’s a pleasure to spend time there with the animals, the other volunteers and the County staff, who are just plain wonderful.”

Kathy Jacobs and her 9-year-old son Noah have been walking and playing with the shelter dogs since last May.

“It’s something I always wanted to do,” says Kathy, “but I wasn’t sure I could. I was afraid I’d be too upset seeing all those homeless dogs. I was wrong. It’s so easy to make them happy and so rewarding when they finally go home with that special someone.

I spend a lot of time hugging the dogs. These animals have been abandoned or abused or alone for so long, I feel like it’s my and Noah’s job to teach them how to be loved.”

In addition, this year Noah performed odd jobs around the house between Thanksgiving and Christmas and donated the money to FOTAS. Talk about dedication.

Karen Peck began volunteering for FOTAS at the County shelter 4 years ago as part of a Walk a Hound, Lose a Pound Program. Since then, in addition to walking the dogs, she baths, grooms, takes photos of the animals for FOTAS social media and assists with transfers. Karen injured her leg last year, so now she works the front desk, greets visitors, helps with adoption counseling, and performs the thankless job of filling out paperwork for adoptions and transfers.

Karen and her family have also fostered over 50 dogs in the last 18 months. “I love fostering,” she says, “We get to care for and love them for a short time knowing they’re already spoken for. It’s magic.”

So there you have it. These FOTAS volunteers and their colleagues in the FOTAS volunteer army, exercise their bodies, exercise their hearts, exercise their humanity, and exercise their civic duty, and in the process, saved the lives of hundreds of the County’s most vulnerable animals.

Proof positive that resolutions involving a commitment of body and soul are the most enduring.

Make your resolutions count this year; join us in this important work. Their lives are in our hands.

BY THE NUMBERS

162 dogs and cats adopted during the “No Place Like Home” adoption special Nov. 29, 2014 – Jan. 3, 2015

PETS OF THE WEEK

DARYL     Male, Shepherd mix, 9 months old, 44 lbs — $70

PIPPA   Female, Domestic short hair, 1 1/2 years old — $35

Adoption, Events, News

A good day at Fox Nation

Posted on by Angel Hartline
12
Jun

05 January 2015

A good day at Fox Nation

By Joanna Dunn Samson, FOTAS Director

The horse trailers started rumbling down the dirt road around 8:30 on Monday morning, December 29th, to attend the Fifth Annual FOTAS Hunter Pace held at the Fox Nation, a magnificent 1300-acre farm in Windsor owned by Sarah and Jim Wildasin. Despite a cloudy day with occasional drizzle, by noon 24 teams totaling 62 riders had signed up, tacked up, mounted up and taken off on a picturesque 6-mile course through verdant meadows and groves of stately pines.

Also in attendance were four residents of the Aiken County Animal Shelter: Duke, a happy, yellow lab cross; Charlie, an affectionate, scruffy-haired gray terrier; Robert, a quiet, low-key, black coon hound cross with brown markings; and Rusty, a 35-pound, pretty 8-month-old female of indeterminate breeding with an affectionate and exuberant personality. They were escorted around Fox Nation all morning by long-time FOTAS volunteers and supporters: Girl, Randy and Caroline Wolcott and Elizabeth, Kelsey, Bennett and Celia van Liew.

“What a place!” said Duke, lying on his back and squirming ecstatically on the grass. “Is this heaven or what?”

“Oh yes,” said Rusty, wagging her tail furiously and ogling the crowd. “And look at all these people! So many people! Oh my, oh, my – this could be my day. Maybe someone will take me home! I’m so excited I can hardly stand it!”

Charlie moved closer to Caroline. “Did you see all those gigantic horses with those huge hooves? They don’t make me nervous, though, not one bit.  No, siree. Well . . . maybe it would be safer . . . Hey! Caroline! Down here! Down here!” he barked, jumping up and dophotos courtesy of Barry Koster Photographywn. “Pick me up, will ya? I really need a cuddle.”

“No worries, little guy,” said Robert, “you’re totally safe. This Pace was planned by crackerjack FOTAS supporters – Sarah and Jim Wildasin, Melanie Oldham and Gina Salatino. They’re total pros.”

“Uh huh.” said Duke, leaning against Randy’s leg for a possible scratch behind the ear. “Know what else? Nigel and Jim built 31 jumps built around the property, and on each jump is a snazzy sign made by Wendy Gutfarb with the name of a sponsor and a photo of one of the Shelter alumni – how cool is that?”

Charlie peered down at them from Caroline’s arms, “What? Horses jump? Oh dear, those hooves . . .” He shivered and buried his head in Caroline’s sweater.

“Huh,” said Robert, sniffing the grass for varmints, “that’s twice as many sponsors as last year. The community has really rallied around this event – big time.”

“Oh yes!” said Rusty, “and all the money they make here goes directly to help all us animals at the shelter, you know, with medicine, supplies, leashes – where would we be without leashes for our walks? ”

“Whoa! A life without walks? Too awful to imagine,” said Duke, with a vigorous shake and a roll in the grass for good measure.

“For sure,” said Robert. “I’d like to tell all those volunteers and organizers and the whole darn community how grateful we are for everything they do for us!”

“Us, too!” they all agreed and wagged their tails with ebullient enthusiasm.

It was a great day for everyone.

Betsey Minton and Ann Kinney won first place in the First Flight Division. Tom and Caitlin Tiernes and Scout and Paris Beddington blew everyone out of the water with the fastest course time. Betty Alexander, Douglas Berry, Sue Sisco and Jean Bickley took home the Third Flight first place ribbons.

Charlie found his true love at the Pace and went directly to his forever home. Duke and Robert were adopted the next day and in a loving home by New Year’s Eve.

The beautiful Rusty is still waiting at the Shelter for someone to take her home.

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

Happy New Year and God Bless.

PETS OF THE WEEK

RUSTY     Female, mixed breed, 8 months old, 40 lbs — $70

FRECKLES   Female, Calico, 2 years old, 7.6 lbs — $35

Adoption, Dogs, News

Love, forgiveness and a second chance in the New Year

Posted on by Angel Hartline
12
Jun

28 December 2014

Love, forgiveness and a second chance in the New Year

By Joanna Dunn Samson, FOTAS Director

“No matter how dark the night, morning always comes. And our journey begins anew.”

Anonymous

Harley graduated from the School of Hard Knocks. A bull terrier cross with a dark brindle coat and a white chest, Harley spent most of his short unhappy life in the yard of a house full of crack addicts and drunks. He was abused, malnourished and had never been to a veterinarian. He survived by keeping his head down and steering clear of trouble.

A kindly neighbor took pity on Harley and fed and cared for him whenever he could, but he did not have the wherewithal to care for him on a permanent basis. Eventually another neighbor called County Animal Control because Harley was scrounging for food in neighborhood trashcans.

I was surprised to hear how easy it was for the Animal Control officer to catch Harley – his experience with the human race had been, for the most part, miserable. Yet Harley never showed an ounce of aggression. He came to the officer quietly and jumped willingly into the truck.

The FOTAS volunteers and staff at the Aiken County Animal Shelter were impressed with Harley’s kind nature, especially in light of his appalling physical condition. He was scrawny and showed scars of repeated physical abuse. Fortunately, a full examination by Dr. Levy revealed that other than testing positive for early stage heartworm disease (which was 100% treatable), there was nothing wrong with Harley that couldn’t be cured with love, consistent care and a good diet.

FOTAS volunteers were so taken with Harley that they called upon Toni and Gary Urben, one of their most experienced foster families, to care for Harley at their home until he could be appropriately placed. The Urbens agreed, and in short order, Toni was in love.

“I’ve fostered a lot of dogs over the years,” said Toni, “and I never, ever had a dog this special, this kind. He listened; he sat at my feet; he walked at my side. He is an extraordinary dog. We desperately wanted to keep him, but we just couldn’t. It was killing me.”

“But I knew one thing: Harley was not leaving us until he had the perfect home.”

And so it was. After a week or so of appeals to the Aiken community, John and Lisa Mitchell responded to an email sent out to the Aiken Hounds membership. The Mitchells drove over to the Urben’s house to meet Harley, and they, too, were hopelessly smitten by his quiet good nature. Harley was going home with them.

And so he did. In fact, Harley bonded with their son and became a beloved member of

the family so quickly, they couldn’t bear to part with him over the holidays. So they packed Harley into the car and headed west to California to visit their children and grandchildren for Christmas. Harley goes where they go. Period.

Harley is an extraordinary soul. We can learn much from Harley about hardship, forgiveness and love, qualities we mere mortals strive for but rarely accomplish with such perfect grace as this remarkable dog.

There is a remarkable, perfect dog or cat waiting for you at the Aiken County Animal Shelter.  Please don’t wait: their lives are in our hands.

Happy New Year and God Bless from all of us in the FOTAS community.

Adoption, Cats, Dogs, Fundraisers, News, Volunteers

FOTAS community: making a difference for homeless animals

Posted on by Angel Hartline
12
Jun

21 December 2014

FOTAS Community: making a difference for homeless animals

By Joanna D. Samson, FOTAS Director

What makes the Aiken County Animal Shelter a true community shelter?

It’s not just because it’s owned and operated by a public body and funded through taxpayer dollars. It’s not just because it’s obligated by law to serve all of Aiken County, which is 50 times larger than the City of Aiken (1071 square miles versus 21) and serves a population almost 5 times larger than the City’s.  It’s also not just because the County shelter is legally obligated to accept and care for all County strays, all County and City owner-surrenders – a whopping average intake of 400 dogs and cats per month.

Those are the legal technicalities that define the basic nature of the County shelter, but to me, it is a community shelter because the Aiken community itself has claimed the County shelter as its own. It is the heart that makes the shelter tick, the force that breathes life into the daunting task of caring for thousands of homeless and abandoned animals every year.

That’s why the Friends of the Aiken County Animal Shelter (FOTAS) was created in 2009 – to marshal the private resources of the Aiken community to supplement and support the County shelter’s limited budgetary and operational needs.

FOTAS formed an army of committed community volunteers, who perform the jobs equivalent of 9-10 paid staff positions. Volunteers organize, coordinate and implement transfers to no-kill sister agencies in other parts of the country, on-site events such as Woofstock, the Dog Ears Reading Program, puppy socials and off-site adoption events. They recruit and support local citizens to privately foster animals in their homes.FOTAS volunteers developed and manage a website and social media to keep the community informed. They create and run fundraising community events like Play Fore the Dogs, Broadway Sings for the Pets, and the FOTAS Hunter Pace. They coordinate spay/neuter services through FOTAS Fix-a-Pet and Lenny’s Brigade. They love-up the cats and walk the dogs at the shelter 6 days a week and on holidays. They work with and train difficult-to-place dogs. They write thank-you notes, make phone calls, keep the books and greet visitors at the shelter.Because FOTAS is an all-volunteer organization funded solely by private donations, virtually every dollar contributed to FOTAS is used to improve the lives of and outcomes for the County’s homeless animals.

In addition to funding improvements to the shelter itself (play yards with appropriate drainage and irrigation, a separate feline facility with a hot water heater, stainless steel kennels with guillotine doors, surgical equipment, etc.), FOTAS dollars also fund essential needs (heartworm medicine, flea and tick treatments, toys, leashes, collars, supplies for foster families, vet clinics for pets and citizens in need, an off-site adoption van and the like) and the programmatic costs of transfer and spay/neuter.

Here’s the good news: all this effort and support is making a difference.

In the last 23 months, FOTAS organized and funded the spay/neuter surgeries of 859 dogs and cats and transferred 1339 dogs to sister agencies. As of the end of November, there has been a 14% reduction in shelter intake and a 43% increase in adoptions and transfers over 2013. The average monthly euthanasia rate has dropped from 90+% in pre-FOTAS years to 55%. That’s huge.

This Christmas, make your holiday gifts count: donate to FOTAS to save a life in honor of your family and friends. A $45 gift will fix a pet cat and $80 a dog. A $75 gift will treat a heartworm positive dog. A $90 gift will help FOTAS fund the transfer of an animal to a no-kill facility and a forever home.

Seriously, does Dad really need a new tie? Call us at 803-514-4313 or email us at info@angelhartlinedesigns.com to discuss the possibilities.

And don’t forget to take advantage of our special Holiday adoption rates until January 3rd ($35 for dogs and $10 for cats).

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and God Bless you and your family.

BY THE NUMBERS

January 2013 through November 2014:

1339 dogs/cats— FOTAS worked with the Shelter and transferred these animals to partner rescues/shelters ( this is in ADDITION to local adoptions from the County Shelter )

876 pets & community cats were spayed/neutered, organized and paid for by FOTAS ( this is in ADDITION to those animals spayed/neutered through the County’s voucher program )

 

 

Adoption, Dogs, News

Preparing to go Home for the Holidays

Posted on by Angel Hartline
12
Jun

14 December 2014

Preparing to go Home for the Holidays

By Joanna Dunn Samson, FOTAS Director

I was snoozing in the sun after breakfast in my outdoor kennel when I heard a door open. I cocked my head. Could it be my friend Ellie coming to take me for my morning walk? It was! I could tell by the squeak of her shoes on the floor, particularly on that one side.  Is that one of my very favorite sounds in the world? You bet, because Ellie is one of my very favorite people. Champion ear-scratcher, that Ellie.

I jumped up and gave myself a gigantic shake  – no sleeping on the job for this guy. What job, I’m not sure, something to do with Christmas and fostering.  Christmas I know about, it’s my very favorite holiday, but fostering? No clue, really, but if it involves Christmas, hey, I’m in.

I wanted to show Ellie I’m always ready for action. I squeezed through the door to my inside kennel to sit in perfect attention, because that’s what a good dog does, and Ellie always tells me I’m a good dog.

All us dogs here at the Aiken County Animal Shelter are working hard with our volunteers to be the very best dogs so we can spend Christmas with a family, in a home, rather than here in the shelter. Don’t get me wrong, the shelter is a great place thanks to Ellie and my pals, Angus and Buster and Amber and Fluffy, but there aren’t any kids to play with, or cookie crumbs to clean off the floor, or treats hanging in a sock above the fireplace – all things that make Christmas second to none among holidays, in my experience, except for maybe Thanksgiving on account of that exciting incident with the turkey carcass when I was a puppy, but that’s old news now.

“Zeus,” said Ellie, reaching for the leash clipped to the kennel door “look at you! What a good boy you are.” Music to my ears; I’m top-notch in the good boy category. I demonstrate my very best whole body wag, the one that starts with my tail, moves through my body and ends at my head – a specialty of mine.

Did I pant with excitement? Of course! Did I drool? Just the tiniest bit, not worth mentioning, really.

Ellie and I went for a walk around the property, me doing my best leash walking ever despite all the smells and all the action in the play yard.  I see my pal Angus playing in the yard with . . . Whoa! Is that Buster? It is! What a sight! Buster is a handsome fellow, a little smaller than me, but when he came to the shelter, he was terrified of everyone. Now look at him; those volunteers are the greatest.

Ellie and I took a break on the bench out front next to the parking lot.  My pals Amber and Fluffy stopped by with their volunteers, so we had a fast little romp-around. I was delighted to meet a sweet little blond girl walking into the shelter with her mother – that’s always occasion for the whole-body wag.

After all the excitement died down, I laid my head on Ellie’s lap for a nice head scratch, right behind the ears. Did I mention Ellie’s a champion ear-scratcher? After awhile, I lay down on the grass, sun on my face, and watched the cars go by.

As I dozed off, I had one of my very best thoughts: just maybe one of those cars will take me home for Christmas.

Take advantage of the Holiday Adoption Special: $35 for dogs and $10 for cats, or call the Shelter to learn how you can foster Zeus and his friends this Christmas season.

Their lives are in our hands.

Adoption, Events, News

The Season of Giving Begins

Posted on by Angel Hartline
12
Jun

07 December 2014

The Season of Giving Begins

By Edie Hubler, FOTAS Director

The little brown and white hound dog named Mae sat at perfect attention in her kennel at the new Aiken County Animal Shelter and looked up at Jeri Barrett, the owner of Herbal Solutions, with earnest brown eyes. “Like she was saying,” says Jeri, “’Please, I’ll be a good girl.’ ”

Jeri wasn’t looking for a dog – Herbal Solutions was an exhibitor at the FOTAS Woofstock Festival and she was touring the new facility – but she was touched by the hopeful Mae sitting quietly in her kennel. She called the shelter on Monday and was relieved and delighted to find that Mae had been adopted.

The memory of Mae plagued Jeri, and although she was already a veteran supporter of FOTAS – Herbal Solutions had been a frequent exhibitor at Woofstock and Jeri has donated dozens of “thunder shirts” over the years to calm anxious shelter residents – she wanted to do more.

Jeri came up with a $10,000 idea. She would recruit other Aiken businesses to sell paper dog or cat ornaments for $1.00 to hang on a special Christmas tree in the store, and all the proceeds would be donated to FOTAS.

All she needed was enough good citizens and customers to buy 10,000 paper ornaments and some willing Aiken businesses to participate.

Jeri began to call other local businesses, and in short order, she had recruited Susan Boland, Vic and Sheri Scarborough of Downtown Dog (who have been extraordinarily generous to FOTAS since they opened last year), Gaye Cain of Aiken Antique Mall, Jay Watts of Family Pharmacy, Dr. Kim Hammond-Beyer of Hammond-Beyer Health Center, Dana Hall of Security Federal Bank, Edie Conway of Riverfront Antiques Mall, and Philip Martin of Powerhouse Pet Resort.

“Hang One for FOTAS” was born.

Here’s how it works.  Visit any of these businesses during December, donate $1.00 and hang a paper dog, cat or horse in honor of someone you love.  Even better, buy 5 ornaments: the tree will be adorned more quickly, more money will go to the County’s abandoned, abused and neglected animals, and your karma will brighten a notch on the enlightenment scale.

The money will help FOTAS acquire some of the items on the Shelter Wish List: an enclosed fenced in play area for vulnerable puppies, a stainless steel wash tub and a pet dryer for the intake wing, a cat condo for the main lobby, a curtain system to shield the outdoor kennels from rain and wind – all items that keep the animals healthy and make them more adoptable.

There are so many animals to keep healthy – so many that need a new home and a second chance.

Fortunately for them, there are special people in the world like Jeri – people who expend their time, energy and personal capital to help helpless animals.

It seems like a hard lift and a lot of paper animal ornaments, but Jeri is confident the $10,000 goal will be met. “I learned something very valuable from this experience,” said Jeri. “The Aiken business community is so generous; all I had to do was ask for help.”

The season of giving has begun. Stop by one of these businesses and buy an ornament (or 2 or 5) to support FOTAS.

Better yet, come to the County Shelter and take advantage of our ½ price Holiday Adoption Special, and bring home an early Christmas present for your family.

BY THE NUMBERS

 

January/14 – October/14                                                         January/13 – October/13

Total dogs/cats received = 3821                           Total dogs/cats received = 4446

Total dogs/cats adopted/transferred = 1826         Total dogs/cats adopted/transferred = 1274

Total dogs/cats euthanized = 2133                          Total dogs/cats euthanized = 3274

Adoption, News, Volunteers

Giving Thanks

Posted on by Angel Hartline
12
Jun

30 November 2014

GIVING THANKS

By Joanna Dunn Samson, FOTAS Director

2014 has been an incredible year, and we at FOTAS have much to be thankful for and many thanks to give.

Thanks to Aiken County for its commitment to save the lives of thousands of homeless animals and reduce rampant overpopulation of unwanted dogs and cats. The strength of its commitment and the success of our partnership is evidenced by the new, state-of-the-art public animal shelter on Wire Road that opened in March, giving all those abandoned, abused and unwanted dogs and cats another chance to love and be loved by responsible owners.

Thanks to the Aiken Community for its extraordinary generosity of spirit. The community’s financial support has made it possible for FOTAS to supplement the County’s resources and its ability to provide the best possible care for shelter animals, increase adoptions and transfers, provide spay/neuter financial assistance to County citizens in need, and attack the problem of overpopulation of unwanted animals.

Thanks to all 242 FOTAS volunteers who make the work of FOTAS possible – everything from manning the front desk, walking and training dogs (91 volunteers walked dogs during the last 3 months), working special events and fundraisers, fostering dogs, organizing transfers, manning off-site adoption events, working on publicity, social media and financial record and bookkeeping responsibilities, and coordinating FOTAS-Fix-a-Pet and Lenny’s Brigade animal pick-ups, surgeries and returns.

It’s almost impossible to fully express our gratitude for all the support, commitment and generosity we have received in this daunting effort, so we will let the results speak for themselves.

As of the end of October, the shelter has seen a 14% reduction in intake, a 43% increase in adoptions and transfers, and (hallelujah!) a 34% reduction in euthanasia rates. By the end of 2014, FOTAS will have organized and funded 32% more spay/neuter surgeries than it did in 2013.

That’s a big, big deal. We and all of the animals you have helped save in the past 10 months say, “From the bottom of our hearts – thank you.”

But there is still so much to do. Although the percentages have improved, they represent unacceptably high numbers: the County still had to euthanize 2133 cats and dogs so far this year.

There is a way you can help us continue our work and express your gratitude and love for the people and organizations who have made a difference in your life: purchase a personalized tribute plaque to be hung inside the public area of the County Shelter, or a personalized paving stone to be installed on the walk outside the main entrance.

Bill and Caroline Simonson honored their dog Chen with this message: “Our big boy, companion & protector, thank you for bringing such joy into our lives.”

Mike & Jody Amacher honored the memory of their dog Baxter with this message: “In memory of our happy-go-lucky boy with a warm and loving heart!”

The tribute plaques and honor pavers make terrific and unique holiday gifts. They can be purchased through January 31, 2015 at www.FOTASAiken.org, or contact us by email at info@FOTASAiken.org for more information.

Also, through January 3rd, you can adopt a dog for just $35 and a cat for only $10.  What a bargain for a fully inoculated, micro-chipped and spayed/neutered pet!

Adopt and give the gift of love and the security of a home to a four-legged friend this year.  Remember, their lives are in our hands.

BY THE NUMBERS

Oct. 2013 Oct. 2014
Total animals received: 467 381
Total animals rehomed: 134 181
Total animals euthanized: 364 228

 

PETS OF THE WEEK

ROMEO   American bull dog, male, 1 year old, 36 lbs,  $35.00

MOLLY   Domestic medium hair, female, adult    $10.00

Adoption, Cats, Dogs, News

Walking the Walk

Posted on by Angel Hartline
12
Jun

23 November 2014

Walking the Walk

By Joanna Dunn Samson, FOTAS Director

Over the past 5 years, the Aiken County and FOTAS have partnered in a quest to make the lives and prospects of the County’s homeless and abandoned animals better. It’s a public/private partnership that works.

Everybody wins: the County, the citizens, the taxpayers and, of course, the animals.

What makes the County/FOTAS partnership so formidable?  The commitment of the animal-lovers who work in County government, that’s what.

They don’t just talk the talk – they walk the walk.

The commitment starts at the top. When County Administrator Clay Killian, his wife Carrie and his granddaughter Hailey attended the Grand Opening of the new Aiken County Animal Shelter last March, Hailey became crazy smitten with a lab-cross puppy on the adoption floor.

They didn’t need another dog; they already had Daisy, a 14-year-old rescue.  Hailey “laid it on thick,” according to Carrie, but it didn’t take much to persuade Clay, who also fell for the pup on sight.  They took her home that day, and now Zoie sleeps in Hailey’s room each night.

Assistant County Administrator Brian Sanders, his wife Erica and their two children share their home with two rescues dogs.  Josie, their first, was a neighbor’s dog and a determined escape artist.  When Animal Control picked up Josie, the neighbor decided he’d had enough and was not going to claim her.  Brian and his family, who had returned the dog so many times they had become attached, drove to the shelter immediately and brought her home.

Special circumstances, right?  They already knew Josie.  It was easy. They didn’t need another dog.

Ha!  Love trumps practicality every time.  On Christmas Eve, the family lost their hearts to a puppy fostered by Father Grant Wiseman and his family.  That’s how the Sanders’ became a two rescue-dog family.

Barbara Strait, who works for Assistant County Administrator Andy Merriman, visited the shelter last February after her beloved Chihuahua died.  She wanted another Chihuahua.  As she ambled through the Adoption Wing, she made eye contact with a quiet, timid little pit bull named LucyLou, and it was love at first sight.  LucyLou, definitely not a Chihuahua, went home with Barbara.

P.S.: Barbara went back to the shelter later to find that Chihuahua, but she came home instead with a little black dachshund named Amber.

What’s that saying?  Man plans and Cupid laughs? Jayne Smith in Public Works adopted a little black and white terrier puppy named Patches, who Jayne renamed “Chase” because he chases her all over the house. Chase has a black dot on his head, like an on/off switch, says Jayne, that doesn’t work so well. Bobby Arthurs, the Chief Animal Control Officer, and his wife Lisa have adopted 3 Chihuahuas from the shelter that they were fostering, despite a hard and fast rule that they would never, ever adopt a dog they were fostering.Annette van der Walt, the shelter Adoption Coordinator, has adopted 3 dogs and 4 cats and fosters special needs dogs.

Sandy Larson, the Senior Vet Assistant, also has adopted 3 dogs and 1 cat from the shelter.  One of the three is Lucy, who Sandy fostered until her puppies weaned. When the time came to take her back, Sandy just couldn’t do it.  Lucy stayed.

And of course, there’s Dr. Lisa Levy, the County’s vet, who fell in love with and adopted an abused three-legged dog named Trinity.

I am profoundly touched by the love and generosity of spirit of these folks: they opened their homes and hearts to unfortunate, abandoned animals.

As we move into this season of thanking, sharing and giving, we ask that you join them. There are so many loving dogs and cats at the Aiken County Animal Shelter that need a new home.

They need you.

Come on over.  Their lives are in our hands.

BY THE NUMBERS

OCTOBER 2014 statistics:

FOTAS organized the transfer of 59 dogs & cats to partner rescues, as well as numerous local adoptions were completed

FOTAS’ Fix-a-Pet and Lenny’s Brigade programs paid for 80 spay/neuter surgeries of local pets and community cats at the SPCA

PETS OF THE WEEK

ANGELINA     Female, Lab mix, 2 years old, 46 lbs      $70

AMMO     Male, Domestic Short Hair        $10

Adoption, Cats, News

Fantabulous felines

Posted on by Angel Hartline
12
Jun

16 November 2014

Fantabulous Felines

By Joanna Dunn Samson, FOTAS Director

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

Charles Dickens

I love cats, I really do – so if cats have gotten short shrift in this column over the past year, it’s only because I am obsessed these days with my beloved shelter dogs and constant companions, Maggie and Jack.

Actually, my very first animal loves were cats.

When I was in grade school, a long, white cat named Gussie kept my sister April and I company when our mother was at work, stretching out on the couch between us while we muddled through our homework.

There was Nicky, a big yellow tabby who terrorized my mother into feeding him into obesity because he tackled her ankles when she walked through the kitchen.

My heart of hearts was Poo Cat, a tuxedo cat of advanced years who appeared on my doorstep one bitterly cold December day in 1978 while I was cramming for law school exams.  She quickly made herself at home, settling on the table and playing with my pencils while I read, perching on the toilet each morning as I dried my hair, and curling up on the pillow next to me while I slept. To this day, the thought of Poo Cat makes me weep.

Personable, affectionate and mysterious, it is no wonder cats are the most popular pets in the world.  They were considered sacred in ancient Egypt and revered as exalted souls in various ancient religions.  In Norse mythology, the goddess of beauty, love and fertility, Freyja, traveled the skies in a chariot drawn by two cats.

Pam Borger, who recently adopted Bubba, a white and gray cat with emerald eyes, from the Aiken County Animal Shelter, has been a cat lover all her life.

“Cats are so easy,” says Pam. “They are meticulously clean, affectionate and low maintenance – you don’t have to walk them three times a day or spend weeks house-training them. You don’t have to take them to obedience school.

Plus, cats are less needy than dogs – more independent, happy to be with you, but perfectly content without you.”

“You think they’re as smart as dogs?” I ask.

Pam laughs.  “I once read a quote by Jeff Valdez [a popular television writer and producer]?  He said, ‘Cats are smarter than dogs. You can’t get eight cats to pull a sled through snow.’”

Think about it; he has a point.  Plus, cats make ideal companions for people who don’t have room or outside facilities for a dog, people who work, and people who live alone. Cats are terrific pets for children – playful, kind and non-aggressive.

Thousands of cats and kittens pass through the doors of the Aiken County Animal Shelter every year.  In fact, cats and kittens make up the majority of animals at the shelter at any given time, which means, sadly, more adoptable cats are euthanized each year than dogs.

But here’s the good news: it also means you will have lots of choices when you decide it’s time to bring one of these regal creatures into your home and heart.

Here’s more good news.  During the month of November, you can adopt a fully spayed/neutered, wormed and inoculated cat or kitten for only $10.

That’s a small price to pay for so much love; just ask Julie Seremak and her newly adopted kitten, Gretchen.

BY THE NUMBERS

On Nov. 12, FOTAS’s Fix-A- Pet program organized the pick-ups of 28 pets and funded their surgeries.

On Nov. 11, FOTAS organized the transfer of 11 dogs, three on the “urgent” list, to a northern partner humane society.

PETS OF THE WEEK

Peppermint—  Female, Terrier mix — 2 years old — 23 lbs  — $70.00

Crunch —  Male, Domestic Short Hair adult cat — $10.00