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!”

CAREN – 4yrs. 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.