Tag Archives: News

Adoption, News, Volunteer, Volunteers

Local Volunteers Are the Lifeblood of Aiken County Animal Shelter

Posted on by Angel Hartline
09
Sep

 

By Bob Gordon, FOTAS Communications Director and Volunteer

The power of volunteering cannot be overstated. Not only is it rewarding and uplifting to the people donating their time for a good cause, but it also makes it possible for organizations to achieve more than they possibly could through their limited budgets and staff.

Nowhere is this truer than at the Aiken County Animal Shelter.

“Volunteers are our lifeblood,” said Nanci Santos, FOTAS volunteer coordinator. “We are so very grateful for the wonderful core group of volunteers that return daily or on committed days to walk dogs, socialize the animals, and act as reception desk ambassadors.”

Besides the daily tasks of walking the dogs and manning the front desk, volunteers also help with the FOTAS transfer program, manage and promote special events, help maintain the shelter grounds , aid with general administrative duties, assist with FOTAS spay/neuter programs and foster dogs and puppies.

Susie and Wally Huiet are a couple that volunteers for multiple shelter duties: dog walking, fostering and helping with the transfer program. Susie also takes photos of the dogs available for adoption and posts them on social media.

“When you give your time and your love to these dogs and enable them to be adopted or selected for a rescue transport, it is a great feeling,” Susie said.  “Every dog you can get adopted or rescued really means you are saving two lives, because one goes onto a new home and another is able to leave the intake building and get their chance on the adoption floor.”

Paula Neuroth has been juggling a number of volunteer responsibilities for years. She and her husband, Rod, have been fostering puppies and their mothers at their Aiken home since 2010. Paula also helps manage and coordinate FOTAS Fix-a-Pet, a spay/neuter program financed through private donations.

“There never will be a big enough staff at the shelter because of budget restrictions,” Paula explained. “But we as volunteers can provide support that helps the shelter achieve its goals and fill the gaps, and FOTAS helps fund programs that otherwise could not be realized.”

Peggy Babineau works the front desk every Monday afternoon, greeting and assisting shelter visitors with their adoption needs. She and her daughter, Becca, also foster new dogs each week, getting them socialized and more prepared for their eventual forever homes.

“Volunteering is rewarding beyond words,” Peggy said. “You can get attached to the dogs in your care. But you just have to focus on the goal of getting them ready to leave for a better life.”

As a result of the dedicated efforts of all our volunteers, FOTAS and the County are saving the lives of more animals than any time in the shelter’s past. But every day is a challenge and more help is always needed. If you are interested in volunteering and making a difference, please contact FOTAS at (803) 514-4313 or volunteer@angelhartlinedesigns.com.

Their lives are in our hands.

 

 

Adoption, Cats, Dogs, News

There’s Nothing Like Puppy Love and Now You Can Get Two for One

Posted on by Angel Hartline
25
Aug

 

By Bob Gordon, FOTAS Volunteer and Communications Director

“Happiness is a warm puppy.”  ― Charles M. Schulz

There is nothing cuter or more loving than a puppy. Everything is new and exciting for pups, their eyes wide with curiosity, their tails perpetually wagging, and their hearts filled with unconditional love.

Like all infants, puppies also demand a lot of time, work and responsibility. But the reward of watching them grow and develop into adults is well worth the extra effort and expense.

Currently, the Aiken County Animal Shelter is nearly overrun by canine cuties that need forever homes. Witnessing the despair of such innocent, defenseless animals that have been picked up as strays or surrendered by their owners is heartbreaking. The solution to this crisis is not easy but it starts with getting pets spayed or neutered and finding homes for as many of them as possible.

That’s why FOTAS and the County Shelter just launched its first ever “Puppy Love 2 for 1” promotion. With this first ever offer, if you adopt a puppy at regular price ($70), you can get a second puppy from the same litter for free. This promotion, valid through Aug. 31, is not only a good deal but also boosts the chances for siblings to be adopted together to the same forever home. The adoption fee includes worming, vaccinations, neutering/spaying and micro-chipping.

A look at some of the available litters:

Leroy, Tabitha, Vicky and Tonya. These nearly identical brown Retriever mix pups are a sight to see when they play together. Leroy is easiest to spot with his white back, chest and feet. But his sisters look like they could be identical triplets. Tabitha has a white chest and some white on her nose; Vicky just has white on her chest; and Tonya is slightly darker than the others. All are sweet and highly capable of licking you to death.

Marissa, Monique, Nora, Rambo, Marco and Roman. This retriever/collie mix brood likes to stick together. The adorable family is just 10 weeks old, with all of them black or chocolate in color with white chests.

Jasmine, Zooey and Chester. These Shepherd mix siblings are still getting used to their new surroundings. Jasmine is caramel brown with white on her chest; Zooey is brown and black with slashes of white on her neck; and Chester is a little darker than his sisters with nearly equal black and tan markings.

Other puppies available include Allison, a white Hound mix who has a deep affection for tennis balls; Cletus, a feisty, tan Shepherd mix; Hershey, a sweet-faced, chocolate brown Retriever mix; and Arthur, a tan Labrador Retriever mix, who loves to play tug of war (and usually wins).

So come visit the shelter and find a warm puppy or two to adopt. The more puppies that find homes, the more new candidates we can move to the adoption floor, and the better our chances of giving them all a wonderful, long life.

Their lives are in our hands.

 

Adoption, Cats, Dogs

The ACAS Code Red dogs: How are they doing in their new homes?

Posted on by Angel Hartline
25
Aug

By Bob Gordon, FOTAS Communications Director and Volunteer

In mid-July, the Aiken County Animal Shelter FOTAS put out a Code Red for seven dogs that were at risk of being euthanized because of the extraordinarily high intake and consequent overcrowding at the shelter. FOTAS quickly dispersed a desperate plea for help, leveraging its network of social and traditional media.

The community responded big-time. The first group of dogs in danger – Alana, Boomer, Breese, Butch, Fallon, Mack and Roberta were adopted into loving homes before the deadline. When more dogs were scheduled to be euthanized later in the week, they too were swiftly adopted by kindhearted community members.

Many of the dogs at risk were Pit Bull mixes – sweet, sweet dogs too often overlooked because of the stigma attached to their breed.

“What was so great about the response to our Code Red alert, is that when people saw the pictures of the dogs in danger on social media, they didn’t see breed; they only saw a sweet dog in a perilous situation that needed a home,” said FOTAS President Jennifer Miller.

So, how are these Code Red dogs doing in their new digs? We followed up with some of the new owners to find out.

Alana and Milo: Brittany Starks of Wagener adopted Alana and then came back for Milo.

“Milo likes to sleep on the couch while we watch TV, and loves to lick my son Cole’s face all the time,” Brittany said. “Alana enjoys playing more and thinks every stuffed ani-mal in the house is hers.”  Both Milo and Alana sleep in the bed while Brittany’s husband is stationed in Germany.

Butch: Amber Boone’s seven year-old son, Jaxson, fell in love with big Butch immedi-ately. He had been asking for a dog for some time, and when Amber saw the photo of the white and tan Pit Bull mix on Facebook and on the news, she knew the time was right. “Butch has brought a lot of joy to our family,” Amber said.

Roberta: Yvette Caballero of Batesburg saw Roberta on her Facebook news feed and had to go see her. “I saw the Code Red online and kept looking at her pictures,” Yvette said. “She looked so happy; the thought of her being put down was awful. I have a pond so it just seemed like it was meant to be. Roberta puts a smile on my face every day when I get home from work. She’s a great dog…I’m so happy I was able to give this baby a home.”

Thanks to Brittany, Amber and Yvette – as well as the adopters of all the Code Red dogs and other at risk canines – amazing animals were given a second chance to have wonder-ful, full lives. But the shelter remains full and the challenge continues. There are many more lovable dogs currently on the adoption floor – like Rory, Austin, Allison and Trixie – who need forever homes.  Please come visit the shelter today and adopt one of them as a furry companion.

Their lives are in our hands.

Adoption, Cats, Dogs, News

Love your pet? Then fix your pet!

Posted on by Angel Hartline
04
Aug

By Joanna D. Samson, FOTAS Vice President. 

What do Lucy, Skye, Olivia, Zeus, Roberta, Harley, Andrew, Bane, Butch, Zach, Dante, Buster, Milo, Brees, Leroy, Triscit, Biscuit, Snowhite, Alberta, Rowdy, Axel, Rory, Destiny, and Tamara have in common?

Other than being canines who ended up at the Aiken County Animal Shelter through no fault of their own, they are energetic, muscular, sleek, barrel-chested, short-snouted, square-headed people-pleasers with big goofy smiles, long tongues and irresistible urges to chase balls and curl up next to their humans on a couch to watch Living Dead reruns.

In short, they are all pit bulls or pit bull crosses.

They are also all lucky, because most of these dogs have found homes and humans to adore. However, because they are pit bullish, they spent a longer time in the shelter than their cute, fluffy, floppy-eared shelter mates – a seriously perilous position in a public shelter with limited space.

And in the County shelter, like other public shelters around the country, many of their brethren are not so lucky. Pit bulls are deemed unadoptable and euthanized at much higher rates than other breeds before they even get to the adoption floor.

Yet often the very people who are attracted to pit bulls refuse to spay or neuter their pets. They say it is cruel and unnatural to take away their manhood or breeding capacity.

Really? In my book, it is unspeakably cruel and unnatural to bring pit bull puppies into the world when there are thousands upon thousands of deserving, homeless pits across the country who are likely to be killed without ever having known the love of a responsible human. Really.

The truth is, in an animal-rich environment like Aiken, it’s impossible to adopt your way out of this problem. Last year in the County alone, excluding the City, 4500 animals passed through the shelter and 50% of those were euthanized. Those are grim numbers.

The only way to meaningfully reduce the euthanasia rate is to reduce the intake rate, and the only way to reduce the intake rate is to eliminate the overpopulation of unwanted animals, and the only way to reduce overpopulation is for every citizen, and their families, and their friends to spay and neuter their animals. Period.

There are no legitimate reasons not to spay and neuter your pets. Research has proved that animals who are “fixed” live healthier, longer lives, are easier to control and make better family-members.

What’s more, you don’t need to breed your dog so your children can experience the “miracle of birth” – you can foster one of our many pregnant mamas. You and your children will get to experience the joy of birthing and caring for the puppies, FOTAS will provide food and medical supplies, and when the puppies have been weaned, you can hand them over to be sent to their new homes knowing you have done a great deed.

Spaying or neutering your pet has never been easier or more affordable. Plus you may be eligible for financial assistance through the County or City voucher program or FOTAS Fix-a-Pet.

Call us today at (803) 514-4313, and we’ll help you get it done.

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

PETS OF THE WEEK

TIA   Female, Hound, 1 year old, 32 lbs — $70.00

EMMA   Female, Domestic short hair, adult   — $9.00

Adoption, Dogs, News

The Aiken County Animal Shelter, FOTAS and the Code Red dogs thank you

Posted on by Angel Hartline
30
Jul

 

By Joanna D. Samson, FOTAS VP

Once again, the Aiken community has responded to our cries for help.

As the temperatures soared to triple digits, so did the intake numbers at the County Shelter – to a dismal degree not experienced in years. In June the number of homeless, orphaned and abandoned animals topped at 625 animals, and July promises to be equally bad. In fact, in a single hot day after the 4th of July holiday, the shelter took in 50 animals.

The dogs were crowded 2-3 in a run in the Intake Wing, and the shelter was forced to consider something it has not had to face since the new shelter has been open – euthanizing animals who had been on the adoption floor the longest to make room for other adoptable animals from Intake.

“It is heartbreaking,” says Jennifer Miller, the President of FOTAS. “We had hoped those days were over.”

To those of you who follow this column, it will come as no surprise that the Code Red dogs – the dogs that had been on the adoption floor the longest – were all what we call “pibbles”, that is bully breed or pit bull crosses. Every one of them was a volunteer favorite: sweet lab/bull dog Alana with the soft brown eyes and white stripe down her nose; the handsome, muscular black and white Mack; the playful brindle Brees with two white front socks and maybe the world’s longest tongue; beautiful, ice cream-loving Roberta; magnificent little Milo with the hopeful eyes; big ol’ beautiful Butch.

“The bully breeds are saddled with a bad reputation,” says Miller, “primarily because of disreputable owners. There is nothing inherently dangerous about these dogs; they are devoted people lovers. Cesar Millan says ‘A breed is like a suit of clothes, it doesn’t tell you anything about the dog inside.’”

And here’s the thing about the pibbles at the Aiken County Animal Shelter – by the time they make it to the adoption floor, they have been observed by shelter staff for up to 10 days (or longer when the adoption floor is full) and have passed a rigorous temperament test. Moreover, once they are on the adoption floor, the volunteers or trainers work with them every day. Since these breeds take longer to adopt than other breeds, staff and volunteers have had longer to work with them and assess their behavior. Point being, we know they are safe dogs.

The good news is that thanks to the Aiken Standard and the community, by the end of the week, Alana, Milo, Brees, Mack, Roberta, Zach and all of the other Code Red dogs had found forever homes.

The bad news is, our collective job is not done – there are so many more lovable, deserving pibbles on the adoption floor, like Destiny, Rhett, Bane, Gigi and Joshua, who need good homes, not to mention those animals in the Intake Wing just waiting for a chance to move to the adoption floor.

Please don’t wait. Come and adopt one today, before they become Code Red dogs. Plus, for every dog adopted, another dog from Intake gets a chance to move to the adoption floor and find its forever home. That’s two lives for one, folks. How great is that?

Their lives are in our hands.

 

 

Adoption, Cats, News

Why you need a barn cat and why you should get one at the County Shelter (for free!)

Posted on by Angel Hartline
22
Jul

By Joanna D. Samson, FOTAS Vice President

Barns and stables are natural habitat for rats and mice – lots of food sources from grain bins and accidental spillage around the prep and feeding areas. That, coupled with lots of water and places to nest, equals Disney Land for rodents.

But despite the adorable mice portrayed in Disney movies, mice are highly destructive disease carriers. QC Supply, a company that specializes in home and farm supplies, estimates that just two mice can munch their way through four pounds of grain in six months and deposit 18,000 droppings. Mice contaminate food sources and can be the source of serious, even life-threatening, diseases. They gnaw their way through insulation and electrical wires (think fire hazard) and burrow holes around and through the foundation.

But wait, you say, I rarely see mice in my barn. Ha! When Hurricane Agnes dumped 10 inches of rain in the Roanoke Valley in June of 1972, I spent a frenzied morning helping with the evacuation of 18 anxious horses from a friend’s barn. By the time I pulled myself through chest-high water raging through the runway to pull out the last horse, there were thousands – no exaggeration – thousands of squealing, terrified, panicked rodents lining the tops of every stall door and level space above the water level. And this was at a barn with no rodent problem.

So if you have a barn, you have mice, and if you have mice, you need a cat. Natural born hunters, cats have been used for rodent control since the day cave men decided storing grain was less dangerous than killing dinosaurs for dinner. For a cat, hunting is a finely tuned survival instinct genetically coded in their DNA. For anyone who has ever had a kitten attack their feet in the dead of night, you know what I mean.

Barn cats can be great companions, too. A beautiful, fearless calico cat lived at Foxchase Stables who, besides systematically dispatching everything that scurried, also walked you to the paddock, hopped on your lap in the tack room for a good cuddle, and chased off the dogs that dared to pester her. Much loved by all of us, she lived a long and productive life in that barn

The Aiken County Animal Shelter has cats – lots of cats – A TRAGIC AMOUNT OF CATS. In the month of June, 353 cats were received at the shelter, and 315 cats were euthanized. That’s an 89% euthanasia rate for cats if you’re counting, which we are. These numbers keep me up at night.

From now until the end of July, the Aiken County Animal Shelter is GIVING AWAY adult, already spayed/neutered cats, so there has never been a better time to implement a time-honored, tried and true rodent control system on your property. Don’t need a mouser? That’s okay. Now is the perfect time to bring home a couple of adorable, virtually self-sufficient companions who will curl up with you on the couch to watch Law and Order reruns and will never, ever need you to take them for a walk in the rain.

Please don’t wait. Their time is running out.

 

Adoption, News

Feeling the Heat at the County Animal Shelter

Posted on by Angel Hartline
16
Jul

By Joanna Dunn Samson, FOTAS Vice President

It’s hot. It’s humid. We’re short on volunteers and long – very long – on animals. Intake is crazy high. The shelter is packed full of dogs, dogs and more dogs and loads of adorable puppies, not to mention a gazillion cats and a bajillion kittens.

The Aiken County Animal Shelter needs your help.

Last Tuesday was a particularly awful day. 50 animals were admitted to the shelter, including one very pregnant momma named Poppy who needs to go into foster care to birth her puppies. Unfortunately, all of our existing fosters have been pressed into service for months without a break. We need new fosters.

As if all this wasn’t sad enough, last Friday Zach, a very handsome volunteer favorite who was adopted last Valentine’s Day, was brought back to the shelter because the owner is moving. Zach is confused, and we are heartbroken. He’s such a good boy.

So, yes – the only way to bring down these intake numbers and the euthanasia rate is for everyone to spay and neuter their animals, but that’s a long-term proposition.

In the meantime, the County shelter, paid for by taxpayer dollars, cannot refuse to accept an animal because there isn’t enough room. That means the County, with the help of FOTAS, is responsible for the care and disposition of the 5000 unwanted animals that wind up in the County shelter each year. Dedicated shelter staff and FOTAS volunteers are working feverishly to take care of all of these animals. It is exhausting work.

You can help. How?

First and foremost, adopt one of these deserving animals, who, through no fault of their own, have ended up in the shelter, homeless and bewildered. They need someone to love. They need you.

How about this for an incentive? Through the end of the month, the shelter is waiving adoption fees for already fixed adult cats. You can take home a fully vaccinated, microchipped, spayed or neutered adult feline friend for free until July 31st. Please, they need a good home, perhaps a mousing job in a barn. Don’t wait. Their time is running out – fast.

Help the County and FOTAS take care of the animals. Volunteer at the shelter, or make a tax-free donation to the cause at www.fotasaiken.org.

Become a short-term foster for dogs selected for transfer or a long-term foster for mamma dogs and their puppies until they are weaned and rehomed. Remember, for every animal you adopt or foster, you save two lives – the pet you adopted and the pet that can be moved to the adoption floor from Intake.

Most of all: spay or neuter your animals. Talk your friends and family into spaying and neutering theirs. If you or they cannot afford the cost to spay/neuter, you may be eligible for a County voucher or FOTAS Fix-a-Pet financial assistance.

Call us at (803) 514-4313 or email us at info@angelhartlinedesigns.com and see how you can get involved. You won’t be sorry.

Their lives are in our hands.

BY THE NUMBERS

For the month of June, FOTAS working with the Shelter to supplement local adoptions, organized and paid expenses for the transport to rescue partners of 102 dogs and cats who will now have “forever” homes.

Adoption, Dogs, News

Heroes and friends: FOTAS and the SPCA build another fence

Posted on by Angel Hartline
14
Jul

By Joanna D. Samson, FOTAS Vice President

The Fourth of July holiday is a time to celebrate heroism – not only the monumental heroism of the colonial Americans who risked their lives and freedom to protect liberty and the pursuit of happiness for generations to come, but the day-to-day heroism of everyday citizens who make a difference in the lives of the people around them. People whose hearts radiate kindness and for whom compassion trumps self-interest. People whose natural instinct is to protect the weak and the vulnerable at any cost. People like Scott Tyler.

Scott lives with his wife Amanda, his three children and three dogs in Beech Island in southwest Aiken County. We first met Scott in the fall of 2014, when he set about to save a little bull terrier cross with a dark brindle coat and white chest named Harley, who had lived most of his short, unhappy life abused and neglected by drunks and crack addicts. Harley’s disposition was so sweet and his situation so desperate that Scott began feeding and providing shelter to Harley even though his resources were scant.

“It’s tough,” says Scott, who attributes his extraordinary tender-heartedness to a life-long love of animals and his 7 years of service as an army combat medic. “My wife Amanda and I work hard to take care of our three kids and there’s not a lot extra, but I say to my wife, ‘If we don’t do it, who will?’ The truth is, neither one of us can bear to see anything suffer, so we bite the bullet and do what we can.”

As a result of Scott’s care and concern, Harley was rescued by the Aiken County Animal Shelter and FOTAS and lives today with his forever family, cherished and loved.

Harley is just one of the many dogs that have come under Scott’s protection. Over the years, he has provided food, water and shelter to numerous strays, abandoned puppies, and neglected neighborhood dogs and networked to find them homes with responsible owners. Just last year, Scott was picking up supplies from the County Shelter at the same time a bereft woman was about to surrender a little 3-year-old maltese to Animal Control. Scott intervened, and now little Ma-Ma shares canine honors in the Tyler household with Cody and Polly. And so it goes.

Last Saturday, volunteers gathered at the Tyler’s home to fence-in a large play area for the dogs in the back yard as part the Fences for Fido program sponsored jointly by FOTAS and the SPCA-Albrecht Center, which will make it easier for the family to protect and contain their dogs and any other dogs lucky enough to encounter Scott in their time of need – a fitting tribute for a man who asks himself on a regular basis: “What kind of person would I be if I don’t help? What would that say about me?”

Now that’s a question only a hero would ask.

Be a hero yourself. Come to the Aiken Animal Shelter and adopt your next best friend, or volunteer, or be a foster family. We need you. They need you.

Their lives are in our hands.

Adoption, Cats, Dogs, News

At the Aiken County Shelter: puppies, kittens and kids – oh my!

Posted on by Angel Hartline
29
Jun

6/22/15 By Ellie Joos, FOTAS Director and On-site Event Coordinator

What’s way more fun than a barrel of monkeys? Puppies and kitties and kids, that’s what! And we had them in spades over the past several weeks when the Aiken County Animal Shelter hosted a birthday party and a visit from a group of twelve 4 and 5-year olds from the First Baptist Church Aiken Day Camp.

Abby Callis and seven friends celebrated her 10th birthday at the Shelter, complete with lots of gifts and a delicious cake shaped like a fluffy dog. Her guests brought presents for our an-imal residents, too – special homemade treats made from peanut butter and green beans, along with a great selection of toys. Abby’s and her family’s thoughtfulness included a sur-prise for the first family that came to the shelter that day and adopted a dog (the Toole fam-ily from Beech Island.) To Christina & Emily Toole’s delight, the Callis family had assembled a huge bowl filled with treats and toys for their new puppy that Abby proudly presented on behalf of her friends and family.

We started the party with a brief introduction to the shelter and our volunteers. We showed them how the volunteers socialize the dogs and cats to help them learn basic obe-dience skills and manners so they can adapt more quickly in their new homes. Many of the children said they want to volunteer too some day. Nothing would make us happier.

After the introduction, Maggie, Linda, and Sharon, our amazing volunteers, worked with the girls to make toys made from old t-shirts. Then they filled small plastic cups with pumpkin, which was frozen for an afternoon snack for the dogs.

The real fun began – play time with the puppies and kittens! The kids were split into smaller groups, and needless to say, by the time the girls were done, we had a bunch of very tired puppies and kittens.

Birthday cake and ice pops completed the morning’s activities. The cake shaped and deco-rated like a fluffy dog was a huge hit. To top off the event, our birthday girl adopted an adorable kitten named Smokey and one of her friends adopted a sweet and loveable older cat.

Next up was a morning visit from the First Baptist Church Aiken day camp group of 4 and 5 year olds, accompanied by Margaret Campbell and a huge basket of treats and toys. Earlier that morning, prior to their arrival, our volunteers were busy walking dogs, bathing kittens, and preparing the puppy pen. Most of the children had not been to the shelter before and they were wowed by all of our adorable residents. The children squealed with delight at the puppies, who chased the toys with wild abandon and gave the kids lots of big kisses. The kittens also provided lively entertainment in a room full of children, toys, and our great volunteer Pat.

Sound like fun? It was. Call us at (803) 514-4313 to plan your next birthday party or event. Call us to volunteer. Come by and adopt your new best friend.

Their lives are in our hands.

BY THE NUMBERS
May 2015
Total Dogs and cats received = 525
Total dogs and cats adopted /transferred = 216
Total dogs and cats returned to owner = 19
Total dogs and cats euthanized = 217
Euthanasia Rate- = 41%

PETS OF THE WEEK

SULA Female, terrier mix — 10 months old, 16 lbs $70

GARFUNKEL Male, tabby — 8 weeks old $17.50

Adoption, Cats, Dogs, News, Volunteer

Help! They’re coming out of our ears!

Posted on by Angel Hartline
17
Jun

By Joanna D. Samson, FOTAS Vice President

It’s summer time at the Aiken County Animal Shelter, and we’re swamped with dogs, cats, puppies! So many puppies! A hundred kittens! Seriously.

The County Shelter and FOTAS need your help… desperately. Many of our dedicated volunteers have gone away for the summer, leaving us critically shorthanded. The kennels in the adoption pod are full and the intake wing is backed up with animals, waiting for space to open up on the adoption floor.

We need volunteers to walk the dogs, play with the cats, fuss with the kittens, entertain the puppies, groom the dogs, help out at the front desk.

Last week there were only 3 volunteers to walk 35 dogs – many of whom wait to so their business outside.

Also, we need folks to foster so we can move the dogs out of the shelter. If you are up for a summer of squishy, adorable puppy-love, you can foster mamma dogs and little puppies.

Not into long-term commitment? You can foster an adult dog or dogs scheduled for transfer and let them chill out in a home environment. (For every dog you foster, another one moves to the adoption floor, saving two for one.)

We are also trying a new Foster for a Weekend program for true commitment phobes – just to get the animals some love and personal attention for the weekend and give you a taste of what you’re missing.

Call us today and we will get you started. Call the FOTAS hotline at 803-514-4313 or email us at info@angelhartlinedesigns.com.

But most of all, we need you to adopt, adopt, adopt. These sweet animals deserve a second chance, and you can give it to them. Take advantage of this month’s Touch of Gray adoption special – ½ price for any cat or kitten with even a single gray hair in their coat.

Thank you, and God Bless. Their lives are in our hands.