Sunday, January 27, 2013

Teamwork Puts Spay/Neuter Front and Center in Aiken County


On November 30th, 2012, a FOTAS volunteer was approached about spaying a “neighborhood dog” by a gentleman from Perry.  Of course, the dog was already pregnant.
“Do you want to lose the pups?” asked the volunteer.
With a pained expression, the man assured the volunteer that they would likely find homes for the pups.  The woman bit her tongue and handed the man her card. 
The call came six weeks later.  There were eight puppies; only one had been adopted.  It took three days to recover the others from under an abandoned building they called home.  In the process, one of the young men who helped in the capture asked if he could add six pups he had at home.  Their mother had died.
Arriving at the County Shelter with the 13 pups, the volunteer was told that all the foster homes were full and there were 35 puppies back in the shelter pens. 
The lucky 13 were wormed, given their shots, and went home with the volunteer to be fostered until they could be transferred up north.  The fate of the other 35 was far less promising.
Two mother dogs, 14 puppies, let’s say half are female and that each has seven pups.  If half of those are female, and they have pups, in one more generation there will be 1,715 dogs, most of which will be unwanted, lead short miserable lives, and continue to breed.
We cannot impound, rescue, foster, adopt or transfer our way out of this reality.  Fortunately, a magnificent confluence of events offers a better option. 
It began last August when FOTAS launched our first targeted spay/neuter assistance program (SNAP) in Wagener with a tiny grant from Pawmetto Lifeline in Columbia.  When those funds ran out, the Aiken SPCA picked up the program, and by December 1st we had spayed and neutered 160+ cats and dogs.
A couple of weeks ago, FOTAS and Aiken County Animal Control presented the SNAP model to Mayor CH Williams in Burnettown, one of the county’s trouble spots for unwanted animals.  Like the Wagener Mayor, Mayor Williams was enthusiastic about the program, and eagerly offered his office and staff to assist.
This week, the SPCA Albrecht Center for Animal Welfare opened its new clinic with the potential to perform 18,000 spay/neuter surgeries a year.
FOTAS has already identified an area coordinator for the Burnettown program.  Stacey Fincher, owner of Palmetto Pups in Warrenville, has offered everything short of doing the surgeries herself to bring this badly needed service to the Valley.  (Information will be released in February for the start-up in March.)
Gary Willoughby, in his column last Tuesday, arrived at the same point we do here: we need your support to realize the potential of the incredible opportunity.
 The missing piece is money. You can donate to FOTAS-SNAP or the SPCA spay and neuter fund. Or, if you have the skills, help FOTAS apply for grant funding for SNAP and Lennie’s Brigade, our feral cat project.
Together, we can see that no adoptable pet has to die unloved.
  
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”


January 14 thru 20, 2013  

Received: 87 dogs and 34 cats
Adopted:  6 dogs and 5 cats
Put down:  20 dogs and 43 cats

Aiken County Shelter “Pets of the Week!” 

 


ANSEL- 1 yr.  American Bull Terrier mix.  This guy is even sweeter than he looks. $70 is a deal!
RAGGEDY ANN 1 yr. This colorful calico kitty delights to purr for you!  Only $35                              


 














*All adoption fees include: Spay/Neuter, heartworm test, all shots, worming, and microchip.


Tuesday, January 22, 2013

County Council and FOTAS Celebrate with a Big Check and a Unanimous Decision


On Tuesday evening, with the County Council meeting about to begin, half a dozen FOTAS volunteers passed around a small piece of pale blue paper before handing it, ceremoniously, to Assistant County Administrator, Andy Merriman.  It was the largest check FOTAS had ever written and probably the largest check most of them had ever seen.  
January 15th 2013 marked a huge milestone for the FOTAS/County partnership.  And the presentation of a $125,000 check to Council that night, in front of a packed chamber audience, was only one symbol of the accomplishments to date. 
FOTAS Officers, Joya DeStefano, MaryLou Welch, Jeniffer Miller with Council Members Kathy Rawls and Ronnie Young present a check for $125,000 to the Aiken County Council.
 In the summer of 2011, following the renewal of the one-cent sales tax that assured at least one million dollars for a new public animal shelter, FOTAS entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Aiken County to pay “up to $100,000”  towards the architectural and engineering (A&E) plans for a new County Shelter.
As the needs assessments unfolded, it became clear that both figures were going to fall short of the funds needed for each purpose.  By the end of the year, County Council began closing the gap with another half-million dollar allocation.  In return, FOTAS ramped up its outreach, and the Aiken County community helped FOTAS triple the previous year’s revenue.
Last year, the perfect architectural firm was hired and the initial images of “The Dream” began to emerge: a simple, practical, appealing design that would support our community’s commitments to the public and our animals.
The building is designed to take present fiscal realities into consideration without undermining the potential for future improvements.  A&E for such proactive thinking cost a little more, and FOTAS elected to cover the difference.
The mood in the room on Tuesday took all of the good will into account.  Chairman Young expressed heartfelt appreciation of FOTAS hard work and achievements.
Councilman Singer reflected back over ten years to dysfunctional committees and Council’s frustration at being unable to effectively address an obvious need.  He commended the previous Assistant County Administator, Todd Glover, for helping FOTAS to emerge as the animal advocacy partner to Animal Services that the Animal Control Advisory Committee was never intended to be.
Lawana McKensie remarked that while FOTAS is saving tax-payer dollars, they are helping look out for God’s creatures.  She credited FOTAS with, “The wrong numbers…going down, and the right numbers… going up,” and encouraged everyone to adopt a shelter pet.
Council’s newest member, Andrew Siders, commended FOTAS volunteers’ passionate commitment and reminded listeners that they are all members of our Aiken County community.
The incredible progress of the celebrated partnership was then further honored with a unanimous decision by County Council to hire the contractor for our New Aiken County Animal Shelter.  We anticipate groundbreaking next month.
When Councilwoman Rawls notified FOTAS of the Council’s action, she said, “After the meeting several people from the audience came to me and said what a great thing you are doing for the county.  (Usually people come up to me after a meeting to complain.)”
What a grand and Blessed adventure!  

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”


Week of Jan. 7-13: “Puppy Season” and a hoarder busted with sick cats!     

Received:  66 dogs and 78 cats!       
Adopted:  11 dogs and 2 cats
Put down:  27 dogs and 59 cats! 

Aiken County Shelter: "Pets of the Week!"

SPUDS – 8 mos. and 30lbs. He is a favorite of the volunteers.  Take him home for $70.
OREOAdult male.  What a face with big green eyes!  Purr-fect companion for $35

*All adoption fees include: Spay/Neuter, heartworm test, all shots, worming, and microchip.


Saturday, January 12, 2013

FOTAS Grows the Board for “The Year of the Shelter”

The FOTAS board opened its first meeting of 2013 welcoming Councilwoman Kathy Rawls, the New Shelter’s greatest champion, and FOTAS’ biggest advocate on County Council.  She joined the board as an ex-officio member adding renewed life to the partnership we have built with the county over three-and-a-half years.  

Kathy’s quiet humility belies her confidence and competence as a fiercely dedicated public servant.  She is the lynch-pin between FOTAS’ vision and Aiken County’s resolve to see the New County Shelter become a reality.  County Council will soon hire the building’s contractor.
Following that good news, board spirits were further buoyed by the year-end financial report.  Not only has FOTAS more than tripled its revenue each year for the last three years, we are well on our way to reaching the mid-point milestone of our “Capital Campaign.”
2013 is a year dedicated to raising over half a million dollars for the new shelter. The money will pay for nearly everything that is not concrete or steel.  These essentials will help assure that our community shelter can care for the animals, support its staff, and inspire the gratitude and involvement of the public it serves. 
Last Monday, the six board members addressed the challenge of raising the necessary funds, while expressing sincere gratitude for every contribution, no matter the size.
There will be so many ways for the public: individuals, families, clubs, businesses to help, and then see themselves, or those they love, immortalized in the new building project. The Capital Campaign Committee anxiously anticipates the ground breaking ceremony, perhaps as early as next month.
Money is only one indicator of our progress.  Look at “The Numbers.”  Intake is down, and transfers and adoptions are up.  With County Animal Control, FOTAS has continued to grow our Transfer Program and the targeted spay/neuter assistance program, SNAP.  We are working to expand our foster-care for puppies and transfer candidates, and are recruiting more volunteers to work with the adoptable pets.
FOTAS will launch our “Year of the Shelter” with two new board members.  FOTAS is proud to welcome Charlie Timmerman and Edie Hubler.
A practicing vet in Aiken for nearly 43 years, if you haven’t heard of Charlie Timmerman, you must not be around pets. Raised on a South Carolina cattle farm, the way he learned to feel about animals is, “You are a part of them, and they are a part of you.” With FOTAS, Dr. Charlie will continue to give his mind new places to feed and his heart new places to care.
Edie is an organizer.  After 25 years with IBM, and another 16 in real estate, she “retired’ to Aiken and started volunteering.  Edie toured the county shelter and knew she had to get involved.  This year she led the Woofstock Festival and doubled its revenue. 
FOTAS is an all-volunteer organization.  The dedication of our volunteers is incredible; ask anyone.  Among other things, we are helping our county build a new animal shelter.  Join us. We are a great team to be part of!

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:  PROGRESS “By the Numbers”

                                          2011    ->     2012   
Intake
5,317
4,745
-572
Adopted
762
839
+77
Transferred
355
704
+349
Euthanized
3,973
3,564
-409

 Aiken County Shelter “Pets of the Week!”
CAREN4yrs. Her eyes are as golden as her fur – she is solid gold! Only $35

 
                           
BEN – 3 YRS. Bulldog mix.  “Gentle Ben” is what he is.  Take him home for $70




 
       

 

*All adoption fees include: Spay/Neuter, heartworm test, all shots, worming, and microchip.

 

Sunday, January 6, 2013

Our New County Vet is a GIFT to FOTAS’ Work

Country music bounced off the cinder block walls in the “surgical closet” at the Aiken County Shelter the day we went to meet the “new” county veterinarian (who actually started the last week in October). 
The assembly line for the surgeries that she performed began outside in the all-purpose laundry/prep/recovery/bathing/over-flow room, then into the “medications closet ,” where the next subject was anesthetized then swapped for the just-neutered patient on the table in front of Dr. Kim Smart.
Dark brown hair flowing around her shoulders, hands moving with efficient confidence over the patch of animal visible through the surgical drape, she said that she’s a “hometown girl,” when asked to talk about herself. 
Kim Smart, DVM, grew up in an animal–loving family in Monetta, graduated from Clemson and then the University of Georgia in Athens.  “She’s a local farm girl,” said an old colleague who used to meet teenager Kim in New Holland and ride her to the veterinary clinic in Aiken.
Kim still does surgeries at that same clinic where she helped out in high school and then worked summers through college.  A charming fact is that her now renowned surgical competence began as the teenager who passed out cold at the first surgery she witnessed, hitting her head on the floor, and ending up in the emergency room.
It seems like Dr. Smart has dedicated herself to every spay/neuter opportunity that has presented itself in the county: “SOS,” ”Spay Day USA,” CSRA Lifesavers, a local clinic and the county shelter, and her exceptional surgical skills are the result.  Everyone we spoke to remarked on her speed, skill and confidence.
The shelter staff continues to be happy to work with Kim.  She drops in to the shelter every day and does a walk-through.  And even though she has her own horses, dogs, cats, and 11-year-old daughter, a large animal practice, work with Lifesavers, the vet’s office and the county shelter, “She is willing to stop and talk to the person with a sick puppy…offer advice.  She doesn’t fuss about the work load,” said one of the staff.
“She came in and didn’t change a lot,” they said, “If it’s not broke, let’s not fix it, was her approach.” 
Other folks who have known and worked with Kim for years speak repeatedly of her compassion, also her confidence, and her logical pragmatic approach.  She can be in the thick of a crisis or a complicated problem and make good choices, the kind that reassure and inspire confidence.
What better way to embark on “The Year of the Shelter,” than with a county veterinarian of Kim Smart’s caliber?  She has seen the plans for the new shelter, and in her typically understated manner remarked that it will be “..a definite help all around—for the animals and mankind.”
FOTAS is delighted to welcome Doctor Kim as an integral part of our mission to support County Services to our communities and our homeless animals.  Please give generously to this cause.
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”

December 24th thru 30th  

Received: 50 dogs and 9 cats
Adopted: 6 dogs and 5 cats
Euthanized: 14 dogs and 6 cats
Aiken County Shelter “Pets of the Week!”
RAMSEY – 8 mos. Boxer mix.  So sweet you can walk him with your pinky! $70.
                                     
MACBETHadult female tabby.  Purrfect pet for the new year! Only $35*All adoption fees include: Spay/Neuter, heartworm test, all shots, worming, and microchip.