Birgit’s Max is 13 years old now and his age marks the time since
Birgit began rescuing animals in Aiken County.
Molly’s Militia had Max when Birgit adopted him. She brought him home to her husband and two
other dogs, and then started fostering dogs herself.
Birgit spent eight years fostering dogs for Molly’s. She fostered adult dogs, and puppies, dogs
with behavioral issues, dogs and puppies with health problems. Some were not adoptable and stayed on; some
didn’t make it and broke her heart.
After eight years Birgit took a badly needed break, but she couldn’t
stay away. When she started fostering
again, she would help the SPCA some, but mainly worked with the Aiken County
Animal Shelter.
“My heart has always been with the Aiken County Shelter,”
she said, “At times I had as many as 20 dogs!
So when FOTAS started their volunteer program with the County Shelter, it
was natural to get on board.”
When asked how many dogs have come through her home, she
doesn’t know; she’s lost count. She had
to stop doing the puppies because she could no longer handle the emotional devastation
of parvo losses.
But Birgit still specializes in the tough cases: the skinny
ones from neglect or abandonment, those heartworm positive, the sick ones, and
abuse cases with trust issues.
“Gosh, people aren’t perfect,” she says, “But they expect
animals to be.”
Birgit currently has eight permanent resident dogs, along
with horses she doesn’t ride, cats, her foster cases, and a husband who gives
her the support she needs to do what she does which is love and care for them
all.
“If you have a partner,” she advises, “They have to be
supportive or it won’t work. You really need
the support.”
Since joining up with FOTAS three years ago, Birgit has
become the captain of the FOTAS adoption events. Once a month she loads the kennels and
crates, table, sign boards, and bin of leashes, treats, bowls, food, water,
newspapers, towels and toys, the donation jar, envelopes and brochures into her truck and heads out to the county
shelter.
She picks the dogs, puppies, cats and/or kittens for the
event, loads them and their paperwork, and heads for Petsmart. By 10am she is set up in the store where she
and her assistants will stay until 3pm, hoping for a good home for their
charges.
This month, Birgit will be heading a special FOTAS adoption
event sponsored by Brusters Ice Cream in front of Publix on Whiskey Road, July 28th from 11 to 3pm.
Herbie Brown, the FOTAS Rescue Waggin’ will be there with
adoptable dogs. Brusters will pay the
adoption fee for the first adoption.
They will also provide a free ice cream cone and “doggie sundae” for
every adoption that day.
Come on out. Learn about
volunteering, fostering, adoptions and transfers. Eat some ice cream. Meet Birgit, who says of her role in it all,
“It’s what I do; it’s part of me.” She’s
a star.
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”
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| STRIPE - 1yr, boxer mix. The volunteers adore this guy! Your best buddy for $70 |
DELILAH, tortoise tabby & SAMSON, golden boy – 5 yrs. They love each other and hope to stay together. Only $35
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