From The Aiken Standard
Friends of the Animal Shelter (FOTAS) was created with the mission of improving the quality of life for Aiken County's shelter animals, and its hard work is paying off.
Late last week, shelter dogs experienced a taste of freedom with the completion of a new, much larger dog run, and volunteers were greeted yesterday with two new picnic tables. A new 4,000-square-foot dog run was built conjoining with the former run.
"It is a healthier place for the animals to get out and walk with the volunteers," said Bobby Arthurs, chief enforcement officer. "There is more playing area. ... In return, it makes the animals friendlier and more adoptable."
Late last week, shelter dogs experienced a taste of freedom with the completion of a new, much larger dog run, and volunteers were greeted yesterday with two new picnic tables. A new 4,000-square-foot dog run was built conjoining with the former run.
"It is a healthier place for the animals to get out and walk with the volunteers," said Bobby Arthurs, chief enforcement officer. "There is more playing area. ... In return, it makes the animals friendlier and more adoptable."
"This was done through donations from the community and the help of Boyd Fencing," said Jennifer Miller, FOTAS board member. "An expansion by the County is much needed. There are only 13 adoptable kennels for the nearly 500 to 600 animals brought into the shelter each month. The dog run helps until the shelter can get the expansion. FOTAS is a nonprofit volunteer organization that supports the programs at the Aiken County Animal Shelter. Its mission is to improve the quality of life for Aiken County's shelter animals, increase pet adoption and to reduce the rate of euthanasia."
The shelter has seen significant changes through the introduction of a volunteer program in August of last year. The volunteers directly increase the quality of life for the animals.
"The volunteer program is the best thing we could have done here at the shelter. The animals are in such a confined space, and the interaction with the volunteers helps," Arthurs said. "Compared to a year ago, the animals are much healthier. Getting out to play helps keep them nice and sassy and adoptable."
Before the interaction with volunteers, the animals often spent a month in confined spaces with little interaction. Arthurs has noticed a significant increase in the spirits of the animals, and this helps in the adoption process. In fact, adoptions are up since the inception of the volunteer program.
Friends Caroline Simonson and Denise Tarangelo decided in November to volunteer at the shelter and have found rewards they never anticipated.
"I gained insight into different aspects of my life," Simonson said. "I just love doing it. I come home, and my husband says my face is glowing. I see the change in the dogs, and seeing them adopted is such a joy. We put in love; some of the dogs don't even know what its like to have their tummies rubbed."
Tarangelo was never a dog person and had never had a pet until a few months ago.
"I get a lot of satisfaction from walking the dogs and especially when the dogs bond with me," Tarangelo said. "I took home a dog that bonded with me and became a first-time dog owner. Sometimes we are lucky enough to be here when they are adopted. We do need more male volunteers. Some of the dogs are too big and powerful for us to walk; but now with the new run, they can be off the leash and play. We enjoy walking on the trail, and the dogs love it because it is sandy and quiet."
"We still need more volunteers," Arthurs said.
Volunteers are needed no matter the length of time. Some volunteers visit the shelter for one hour a week while others are available on a daily basis; however, there are days no volunteers are available to interact with the animals. Any amount of time is welcomed, as are donations of money, treats, food, blankets and more.
In addition to volunteer programs, foster programs are also available. Anyone interested in adopting, fostering or volunteering should call the Aiken County Animal Shelter at 642-1537. The shelter is located at 411 Wire Road. Donations may be mailed to Friends of the Animal Shelter, P.O. Box 2207, Aiken, SC 29802.
Contact Rachel Johnson at rjohnson@aikenstandard.com.
The shelter has seen significant changes through the introduction of a volunteer program in August of last year. The volunteers directly increase the quality of life for the animals.
"The volunteer program is the best thing we could have done here at the shelter. The animals are in such a confined space, and the interaction with the volunteers helps," Arthurs said. "Compared to a year ago, the animals are much healthier. Getting out to play helps keep them nice and sassy and adoptable."
Before the interaction with volunteers, the animals often spent a month in confined spaces with little interaction. Arthurs has noticed a significant increase in the spirits of the animals, and this helps in the adoption process. In fact, adoptions are up since the inception of the volunteer program.
Friends Caroline Simonson and Denise Tarangelo decided in November to volunteer at the shelter and have found rewards they never anticipated.
"I gained insight into different aspects of my life," Simonson said. "I just love doing it. I come home, and my husband says my face is glowing. I see the change in the dogs, and seeing them adopted is such a joy. We put in love; some of the dogs don't even know what its like to have their tummies rubbed."
Tarangelo was never a dog person and had never had a pet until a few months ago.
"I get a lot of satisfaction from walking the dogs and especially when the dogs bond with me," Tarangelo said. "I took home a dog that bonded with me and became a first-time dog owner. Sometimes we are lucky enough to be here when they are adopted. We do need more male volunteers. Some of the dogs are too big and powerful for us to walk; but now with the new run, they can be off the leash and play. We enjoy walking on the trail, and the dogs love it because it is sandy and quiet."
"We still need more volunteers," Arthurs said.
Volunteers are needed no matter the length of time. Some volunteers visit the shelter for one hour a week while others are available on a daily basis; however, there are days no volunteers are available to interact with the animals. Any amount of time is welcomed, as are donations of money, treats, food, blankets and more.
In addition to volunteer programs, foster programs are also available. Anyone interested in adopting, fostering or volunteering should call the Aiken County Animal Shelter at 642-1537. The shelter is located at 411 Wire Road. Donations may be mailed to Friends of the Animal Shelter, P.O. Box 2207, Aiken, SC 29802.
Contact Rachel Johnson at rjohnson@aikenstandard.com.
