Community Cats Inspire a Community Effort

Early April, a lovely calico cat wandered into a vacant farm and purred her greeting to the farm-sitter.  He could not take her with him when he had to leave, so he called FOTAS.

One FOTAS volunteer took the cat to a local vet to be tested for feline viruses and, as she was pregnant, scheduled her to be spayed Monday morning.  It was Friday, so a second (dogless) volunteer agreed to foster the cat for the weekend, but that night the cat had five kittens.  So the very excellent momma cat and her babies were accommodated in a third person’s guest cottage for seven weeks. 

They named momma cat Nona, and several FOTAS people provided food, litter, toys and company for the feline family.  A second local vet agreed to place and “fix” the five kittens.  Last week Nona found a loving home on an occupied farm.  That’s one way FOTAS brings the community together to make a difference.

Now that summer is in full swing abandoned animals will overwhelm the already overcrowded County Shelter.  So it is opportune to celebrate Lenny’s Brigade and the volunteers who created it as our Month-of-the-Cat points to another need.

Founded by two cat-lovers: Kathy, a retired veterinary cat specialist, and Carol, a retired accountant with a passion for spay/neuter as the best response to animal overpopulation, Lenny’s Brigade extends FOTAS’ Spay/Neuter Assistance Program (SNAP) beyond household pets to stewards of community cats.

 Lenny’s Brigade (named for a stray kitten that didn’t make it, a symbol of too many like him), is a trap-spay/neuter project directed at cat-lovers whose hearts are bigger than their pocketbooks when it comes to stray cats.  Founded in the fall of 2012, Lenny’s Brigade goes where called to help people get the cat colonies they are supporting under control.

The SPCA Albrecht Center also partners with Lenny’s Brigade, providing surgical services and even surgical facilities for Kathy to use when available.  Carol carefully researched trap performance and funded 20 traps, for which she has also sewn covers to help trapped cats remain sane. 

As word traveled, grateful clients have called on Lenny’s Brigade: the owner of the Wagener Feed Store; the New Ellenton Post Office; an elderly man with Parkinson’s who loves every cat that wanders in and is overwhelmed as they multiply; the kindly woman who rescued her neighbors’ abandoned pregnant cat.  She placed the first two litters, but finds there is no place for the third.

Volunteers, too, have responded to the need.  They help identify colonies, or with trapping, or transporting.  There are even vet tech volunteers helping Kathy with surgeries.

Lenny’s Brigade is currently seeking contacts in Warrenville and Gloverville.  They would also love to hear from any other cat advocate groups in Aiken County. 

Lenny’s Brigade “Community Cat” Hot-line is: (803) 507-6315.  If you, or someone you know, are a “Community Cat Ally” call Lenny’s Brigade and you can help make a difference, too.

Our progress shows in “The Numbers” – take a look.

tagline:  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”

We are Making a Difference!

May	2012	2013
Intake	613	510
Adoptions	61	74
Transfers	47	55
Put Down	558/91%	412/81%

Aiken County Shelter “Pets of the Week!” 

 

 

FELIX – Adult tabby. This guy is purr-fect! $35

DIXIE – 1 yr. boxer.  Affectionate, smart and ready to go home with you!  $70  

 

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

Dear Friends and Supporters of Our County Shelter

We have a lot to celebrate right now, all because of you.  Think about it.

When we gave the FATZ manager a check to cover the 193 breakfasts we put out together last Saturday, he said, “You are the only breakfast we do in June.” 

We have you to thank for that distinction.  After all the benefit breakfasts we have celebrated together, it is almost like a family reunion.  We received notes and checks from those who would have liked to be there, but were on vacation along with most of Aiken!

Take a drive up Wire Road to the corner of May Royal and see the emergent outlines of the new Aiken County Animal Shelter on our lovely wooded lot.  All three wings are framed and there’s a roof on the adoption wing.  The floors will be poured next month.  It’s not hard to imagine how fine a facility it will be, thanks to you.  There is still time to immortalize an animal-loving loved one, or beloved pet, with your contributions.

You are the citizens of Aiken County, with friends and loved ones all over the state, the country, and even the world.  You know how important it is to you to have a community shelter that can serve the public and still provide for the helpless creatures that fall into its care.

Our elected officials have heard you, too.  County Council continues to join us in support of an adequately furnished, adequately funded, and adequately staffed facility in which we can all take pride.  The partnership between FOTAS and the county continues strengthen as we join our commitments and combine our resources to do the right thing right, so we only have to do it once.

It is because of you that the FOTAS Spay/Neuter Assistance Program (SNAP) continues to move forward.  Our partnership with the SPCA Albrecht Center and County Animal Services continues its work in the Valley and Wagener.  As funds become available we hope to expand to other centers throughout the county.  So far, hundreds of pets and feral cats have been altered, resulting in thousands fewer unwanted kittens and puppies.

Yes, dear friends and supporters, we can take pride in how far we have come, but please, please do not think we can afford to rest.  Not yet.

For instance, we were so elated last week at the turn-out for the FATZ breakfast for the shelter Catz.  Tipz were abundant, though no catz were adopted.  Then we found out that, while we breakfasted, 31 cats came into the shelter!  The cat intake was one hundred just last week!  Please spread the word: “9 Lives for $9,” adult cats are $9 this week only.

Please continue your support of the “Fit, Furnish, and Finish” fund for the new shelter.  Please help SNAP continue to grow.  Please give and give some more to our community shelter programs: adoption readiness, foster care, fundraising, and spay-neuter.  Together we can make a huge difference.  Thanks to you; because of you!

tagline:  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”

June 10^th thru 16^th, 2013

Brought in:  74 dogs and 100 cats!!

Adopted:  16 dogs and 2 cats 

Put down:    49 dogs and 79 cats!

CALLIE – 1 yr.  Soft and cuddly muted beauty, a lot of kitty for only $9 this week.

Aiken County Shelter “Pets of the Week!” 

SOPHIE – 1.5 yr. shepherd mix.  As sweet as she is lovely! A special deal at half price: $35  

 

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

Shelter Continues Cats June Jamboree with 9 Lives for $9

There are many more than nine reasons you might be healthier when sharing your life with cats, and for $9 you can become part of a nationwide life-saving movement.

Adopt a feline friend from the Aiken County Shelter during the special “9 Lives for $9” event and become part of something big taking place across the country.

If you missed them yesterday at the FATZ benefit breakfast for the shelter cats, come meet the adoptable cats and adolescent kittens, 9 months or older, available in C.A.T.S. (Cats at the Shelter) adoption colony.  Friday begins a 9-day promotion from June 21 to June 29th across the United States, supported by national animal welfare organization Best Friends Animal Society with some funding from PetSmartCharities^®.

As part of the month long adopt-a-shelter-cat jamboree, FOTAS volunteers will also be at Petsmart on Whiskey Road on Saturday, June 22^nd, with our adoptable cats (and dogs, too!)

Aiken County always offers cats for $35, half the normal $70 adoption fee, but for this event they are making it even easier for people to meet the fabulous felines ready to go home. For just $9, you can save a cat who could end up saving you.

Research has supported the claims of many health-related benefits to having a cat as part of your household and family, such as:

•       Reduced blood pressure
•       Lower triglycerides, cholesterol, risk of cardiovascular disease and reduced risk of heart attack and stroke
•       Improved immune function, decrease chance of developing allergies and help prevent asthma in children
•       Reduced loneliness, stress, anxiety, depression and generally improved mood
•       Fewer health care visits, and a better, longer life!

Every day 9,000 animals are killed in shelters across the country simply because they don’t have responsible loving homes. Although FOTAS efforts to rehome our shelter pets and promote the many benefits of spay/neuter are making steady gains (see “Comparing Numbers” Chart), we have a good ways to go.

When you adopt a cat (or two) you save their lives, but your life is also better. If laughter is good medicine, cats can provide a daily dose with their comic antics, or just by snuggling up and letting you know everything’s going to be okay.

This 9 Lives for $9 adoption event is part of Best Friends Animal Society’s national mission of No More Homeless Pets®, which aims to end the killing of dogs and cats in America’s shelters. FOTAS is a participating member of the No More Homeless Pets® Network, a program of Best Friends Animal Society, offers help and support to animal rescue groups that save lives in their communities.

Of course, not everyone can or should add a feline family member.  If you are unable to provide a home for a deserving cat, perhaps you could help by donating your time at C.A.T.S, help us identify more foster homes for kittens (and puppies!), or make a generous donation to FOTAS that will help us continue to improve the condition of their innocent lives.  Thank you.

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:  “Comparing Numbers”

May 2012 vs. May 2013 

Look at our PROGRESS	2012		2013
	Cats	Dogs	Cats	Dogs
Animal Intake	282	331	251	259
Rescued	26	80	21	108
Euthanized	294	264	248	164

Aiken County Shelter “Pets of the Week!” 

 

STORM – 5 yrs.  Handsome, affectionate with big adoring green eyes!
Friday he’ll be only $9 now $35 

ALEXANDRIA - 1 yr. shepherd mix.  A unique beauty and a sweetie!
Have her for only $70      

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