A New-merical Look at the Aiken County Animal Shelter

In the summer of 2010, when FOTAS added county shelter stories to the Standard’s regular columns, it was suggested that county shelter statistics appear in a side-bar called, “By the Numbers,” serving as a wake-up call to a community largely unaware of the dire circumstances located right next door to the other shelter, Aiken SPCA.

The Numbers, typically the weekly numbers straight from the county shelter records, show how many cats and dogs come into the shelter, the number adopted, and those euthanized.  It is heartbreaking.  People have complained.  Some say they can’t look.  But no one who reads the column can say they had no idea.

In their accountability to the tax-payers, Aiken County amasses a huge amount of data about their operations, and the shelter is no exception.  Since FOTAS began partnering with Aiken County, the figures have taken on new significance.  More than tracking a heartbreaking problem, we can now determine if we are truly making a difference, not just in the heart-warming anecdotal way, but in beginning to get our arms around a problem no community should be willing to tolerate.

The fiscal year for the county begins on July 1 and ends on June 30 each year.  FOTAS operationally began in February, FY09, with a transfer of dogs to Massachusetts. 

Beginning in FY09, with calls received at the shelter (with one phone line and one dispatcher), the change over the last three fiscal years has been minimal.  There were 5,909 in FY09; 5,626 in FY10; and, 5,641 in FY11, averaging by year 468 to 492 calls per month.

Animals received at the shelter: 5,283 in FY09, 5,275 in FY10, and 5,313 in FY11.  These figures are especially frustrating because there are numerous popular and low-cost spay/neuter options, and no-cost programs that are used to the maximum; but at the county shelter no animal can be turned away, and they come.

The picture brightens with a trend in the county’s euthanasia rate, thanks to three programs which rely entirely on FOTAS supporters and the volunteers who work with shelter staff: shelter adoptions, foster care, and the transfer program.

A core group of FOTAS volunteers go regularly to the shelter. The dogs get out of their cages; learn to walk on a leash and simple commands, which makes them much easier to place in forever homes.  The cats teach the humans what they need; they’re cats after all.

The county euthanasia rate for FY09 was over 91% and in FY11 it was under 75%.  This figure derives from the 26% increase in the number of cats and dogs adopted or transferred.  We are growing our transfer program.  In FY11 82% of the dogs transferred were sent to our partners out of state.

Education and aggressive spay/neuter programs are essential.  So is an adequate shelter that keeps our animals healthy and invites more of the community to participate in any way they can. 

You can help.  Donate. Volunteer.  Adopt a shelter pet.  No adoptable animal should have to die.

FOTAS Volunteers work with the AIKEN COUNTY ANIMAL SHELTER, 411 Wire Road.  For more information, contact “info@fotasaiken.org” or visit FOTAS on line at www.fotasaiken.org

Aiken County Animal Shelter:  “By the Numbers”

Animals Received FY11:  5,283

Dogs adopted: 585

Cats adopted: 184

Animals transferred: 322 

Dogs euthanized: 1,974

Cats euthanized: 2,001

Aiken County Shelter “Pets of the Week” 

BUBBA Bull terrier mix. 

An affectionate sweetheart! 18 mos. 47 lbs.  

$70 includes shots, neuter, microchip.

TIGGY 8 years young and sweet as can be!  

 $35.00 and she’s yours to cuddle.