Happy 2nd Birthday, FOTAS

From The Aiken Standard
Submitted Article

To fully appreciate this two-year milestone, go back to the winter of 2008-09 when County Council changed and added representatives on the Aiken County Animal Control Advisory Committee, one of many committees responsible for making policy recommendations to Council.

The change in AC3 membership surfaced the tension between animal control, county government's fundamental obligation to the public and animal advocacy, and the public's concern for how that obligation is executed.

What was apparent was that while the City of Aiken had made some significant advances in both animal control and advocacy in their partnership with the Aiken SPCA, the County Animal Shelter had vanished into the oblivion of inattention. Dogs and cats either picked up or dropped off were being euthanized, with the rate well over 90 percent.

At the urging of the Deputy County Administrator, Todd Glover, FOTAS was formed by three members of the AC3 and incorporated on July 29, 2009. FOTAS' mission is to improve the quality of life for our county shelter animals and to reduce the euthanasia rate by promoting responsible pet adoption and spay/neuter.

Before the advent of FOTAS, there was no practical way for the community to help the shelter financially. Donations would end up in the general fund and require an allocation to be used by the shelter, a cumbersome process at best.

Since FOTAS began and received 501(c) 3 status, more than $123,000 were raised through varied fundraisers. Our volunteers held Applebee's breakfasts, equestrian events, golf tournaments and, most recently, Woofstock Festival. Community groups have raised and donated thousands of dollars, and you can find our envelopes and brochures with merchants around town and the county.

FOTAS has improved quality of life at our community shelter. We have a core of dedicated volunteers who walk the dogs and cuddle the cats, train newcomers and help match the right dog with the right home. FOTAS built C.A.T.S., the cat colony for adoptable cats at the shelter. We funded the repair of the autoclave and purchased two cage banks for post-surgical patients.

FOTAS has also helped expand the foster home roster and continues to invest in medications and supplies for our animals in foster care.

Most importantly, FOTAS has engendered one of the most collaborative and productive relationships between a community and its government, from the officers and shelter staff, through public works, to the Administrator's Office and County Council. Our partnership secured a new round of revenue for capital projects which helps foresee a shelter in which we can all take pride, and an agreement with Council that will fast track the plans for that most essential facility. The county's voucher program for spay/neuter is well established and our adoptions and transfers out of state are slowly growing.

We are just beginning. We need to raise another $20,000 right away and then gear up for the unfunded needs of the new shelter. Join us in making year three the best ever!

FOTAS volunteers work with the Aiken County Animal Shelter, 411 Wire Road. For more information, email info@fotasaiken.org or visit www.fotasaiken.org.