FOTAS Aiken Pawprints

Repeatedly Homeless, a Shelter Dog Now Helps the Homeless

2012-03-03T10:00:00.000-05:00

Everyone was pulling for Porsha. The poor dog just couldn’t catch abreak.

Originally, she had come in as a stray, an odd looking oneat that. Everything about Porsha saidgorgeous husky: the thick coat and full tail, the pointed ears, her intelligentgaze and perpetual grin; everything, that is, but her legs. The short, slightly splayed legs said herdaddy must have been a basset hound.

PORSHA

Unique, affectionate and intelligent, Porsha was adopted. A year or so later, her new familysurrendered her back to the county shelter. This time she attracted an elderly woman with a fenced in yard. Dissatisfied with her new accommodations,Porsha dug her way out under the fence enough times to end up back at theshelter.

Porsha’s fourth home didn’t last an hour. A woman picked her, paid her fee, and tookher home, only to be told by the husband to bring Porsha back to theshelter.

Poor Porsha. The staff and volunteers at the Aiken CountyShelter began the push. Last Sunday, shewas Pet-of-the-Week for our column. Early Mondaymorning Porsha went on TV. All day longher fans waited for the call to come. Nothing.

When Porsha started showing signs of Kennel cough, thesituation got tense. Kennel cough is anair-born virus, easily treated like a common cold; however, it can infect anentire kennel population that breathes the same air. It might have been Porsha’s deathsentence.

Then late Tuesday afternoon, a family from the Garden CityRescue Mission in Augusta came to the shelter. They were not looking for a dog; they were looking for Porsha. Keith, husband to Ansley and father toMcKensie, 15, and Brant, age 8, had seen Porsha on TV and decided that she wasthe one. He wanted her for the 45 to 60men who come through the shelter every day.

The idea came from a conversation with the psychologist whoconsults to the program. It has beenfound that dogs can help people in distress to open up and trust. Caring for a dog, a creature totally dependenton humans for their well-being, can lead to the badly needed life managementskills that may be absent in the homeless.

Last Tuesday, Porsha went home wagging and grinning with hernew guardians to a place where her experiences with homelessness could be anasset. Porsha had found more than ahome; she had a job.

When we called a couple of days later, Porsha was being fed,bathed, and cared for by the men at Garden City Rescue Mission.

“We are already seeingpositive results,” Keith said. Hismission started three-and-a-half years ago on the streets of Atlanta. Now in Augusta, he runs the men’s divisiondownstairs, while his wife oversees the women and children upstairs. And thecommunity has a dog named Porsha.

“This has been an amazing journey,” Keith said. We know.

“In as much as you have done it unto the least ofthese…”

Contribute what you can.

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

Aiken County Animal Shelter: “By theNumbers”

For the week Feb. 20^ththru 26^th 2012

Received: 50 dogsand 19 cats

Adoptions: 13dogs and 7 cats

Euthanized: 27dogs and 18 cats

Aiken County Shelter “Pets of the Week”


SKIPPY-4yr.male tabby with green eyes. Eager to purr for you! Only $35


BLAKE– 1-2 yr. Sweet, sweet boy		$70 includes neuter, microchip and all shots

Pit Bull Rescue Happens One Very Lucky Dog at a Time

2012-03-01T14:56:00.001-05:00

We planned tofeature our boy “Shady,” Pet-of-the-Week for January 15^th when hehad already been in the shelter for a month. Now the middle of February, the volunteers who regularly work with ourcounty shelter dogs were getting nervous about Shady’s prospects.

Two weeks after featuringShady as POTW, June Bug, another Pit-mix,was up. Both were brought in as strays;both dogs had been passed over again and again; and, both dogs were beloved byevery volunteer who worked with them.

Like too many abandoneddogs needing another chance, June Bug and Shady were additionally handicapped bythe excessive number of Pit-mixes who find themselves at our sorely inadequateCounty Shelter.

SHADY

JUNE BUG

Problemsplacing Pit Bulls and Pit-mixes extend well beyond our county. Even our rescue partners, locally and upnorth, will often stipulate “No Pit Bulls” in their transfer guidelines. So these marvelous, affectionate, intelligentcreatures languish in an over-crowded facility, stressing our

county staff and worryingthe FOTAS volunteers silly.

Sometimes a little magic or a few well-placed miracles happen, oftenwhen we need them most. This time, someonemet someone who happened to mention something, and a few calls later we had newrescue partner accessible to our transport angel, Mark. On February 11^th , 19 Aiken CountyShelter dogs went north. One of them wasJune Bug.

Ten days later, our new rescue partner forwarded the followingmessage:

I wanted to take a minute tothank you and your amazing staff for all that you do. We have beenvisiting the Animal League for over 11 years now. My first adoption tookplace in March of 2001… You worked with me and matched me with a Boxer/German Shepherdpuppy...Three years ago on St. Patrick’s Day, I fell in love immediately with aPlott Hound/Pit Bull named "Aintso." Again your staff workedwith us to ensure he was a perfect fit...and he was. Just this pastSaturday, after a year of looking for another dog to complete our family, wemet "June Bug." It took us no more than 5 minutes to see shewas the missing piece we had been searching for… We can't thank youenough for loving these dogs until they find forever homes like ours.

Sincerely,

June Bug’s New Family

Last Thursday another 14 dogs went north to the same rescue. One was Shady. Perhaps June Bug’s love story paved the way, ormaybe it was this heartfelt plea:

“We would be so grateful if you would please consider taking Shady onthe transfer this Thursday as well. You have our word that you will love him asmuch as we do. All our

volunteers have begged me to ask you to please take this dog…sospecial and so appreciative of any attention that comes his way…”

County dogs have less than 7 chances in 100 of being saved by atransfer up north. Most of the dogs putdown last week were unwanted, sick puppies. Please adopt shelter dogs and promote spay/neuter.

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

Aiken County Animal Shelter: “By theNumbers”

For the week Feb. 13^ththru 19^th 2012

Received: 57 dogsand 12 cats

Adoptions: 6 dogsand 4 cats

Euthanized: 54dogs and 9 cats

Aiken County Shelter “Pets of the Week”

PORSHA - 4.5 yrs Husky/Basset gal.

Love this treasure but lap your fencing. She prefers company or will dig. $38.

BOOTS – 1 yr. Male. A purr-fect love. $20

Espresso, now Bauer, a Love Story

2012-02-12T14:37:00.000-05:00

This story began early January in the dirt at the end of atwo-foot chain. The young officerresponding to the call scooped the brindle bundle of bones with pleading eyes intohis truck.

When the officer delivered the starved creature to theshelter, he insisted that every effort be made to save him.

They named him Espresso. He tested negative for heartworm. Too weak to eat, he was fed a liquid diet, then canned food, before hecould eat the kibble. In less than threeweeks he went from 13 to over 38 pounds.

When he made it onto the adoption floor, Espresso became adarling of the FOTAS volunteers; but, even with his survival story, being apit-mix made him one of way too many of his kind.

Our love story continues witha couple of remarkable women we’ll call “Carla” and “Erin,” who met last summerthrough Facebook and a dog who needed a home. Carla lives with her many dogs, two horses and a husband in Aiken County, but she has worked in rescue for over thirty years across two hemispheres. Erin, new to rescue, lives with her husbandand four dogs in New England.

“Erin’s Dogs” was founded four years ago following a crisisand the heartbreak resulting from her own ignorance of how to incorporate anotherrescue dog into her home. When consulted,the local SPCA’s response was, “Bring the dog in and we’ll temperament test her. If she fails, she will have to be put down.”Not an option.

With professional affiliates, Erin’s Rescue dedicates itselfto the guidance and support families need when looking to successfully adopt a dog. It addresses three basic concerns: the kindof dog sought; placing the right dog in the right home; and, follow-up afterthe dogs are placed. Once an Erin’s Dog,always an Erin’s Dog.

Carla worksthe Aiken County end of their rescue partnership. It began last summer when a FOTAS 30-dogtransfer to Connecticut fell through and she stepped in with the connection to Erin. Now Carla volunteers regularly, knows andtakes stunning photos of adoptable dogs, pulls, vets and ships many of them toErin.

Sincehappenstance put Carla, Erin and FOTAS together in July, over 120 dogs havebeen rescued and placed in successful, appropriate, supported families as oneof “Erin’s Dogs.”

Ultimately, Carlapulled Espresso for Erin’s Dogs, and last Wednesday Espresso went home with hisnew family.

Erin’s note thataccompanied the photo of the event read: “Good ThingsHappen Because People Make Them Happen. Espresso (now Bauer) is cuddled up with his family. That kidin the middle? Yup. That'd be his best friend.”

Thursday morning , Espresso/Bauer’s new “mom” wrote, “…He had the cutest sad face when our teenager walked out the doorfor school. This little guy has so much love to give, and we have just as muchin return!”

Now the Love Story really begins.

Happy Valentine’s Day from FOTAS!

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

Aiken County Animal Shelter: “By theNumbers”

Dogs Saved withRescue Partners in 2011:

In Aiken County: 75

In South Carolina: 12

Out-of-State: 368(approx.)

TOTAL: 455

Aiken County Shelter “Pets of the Week”

WOODY – Chow-shepherd mix,

1 yr. 42 lbs. Gentle and friendly, a perfectLove for Valentine’s Day.

HALF PRICE SPECIAL! $35

CHECKERS -

A friendly gal about 1 y ear old and weighing9.1 lbs.

Has a beautiful coat and has been spayed. $20!

A New-merical Look at the Aiken County Animal Shelter

2012-02-03T13:39:00.004-05:00

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

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

In their accountability to the tax-payers, Aiken Countyamasses a huge amount of data about their operations, and the shelter is noexception. Since FOTAS began partneringwith 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 theheart-warming anecdotal way, but in beginning to get our arms around a problemno community should be willing to tolerate.

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

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

Animals received at the shelter: 5,283 in FY09, 5,275 inFY10, and 5,313 in FY11. These figuresare especially frustrating because there are numerous popular and low-cost spay/neuteroptions, and no-cost programs that are used to the maximum; but at the countyshelter no animal can be turned away, and they come.

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

A core group of FOTAS volunteers go regularly to theshelter. The dogs get out of their cages; learn to walk on a leash and simplecommands, 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 FY11it was under 75%. This figure derivesfrom the 26% increase in the number of cats and dogs adopted ortransferred. We are growing our transferprogram. In FY11 82% of the dogstransferred were sent to our partners out of state.

Education and aggressive spay/neuter programs areessential. So is an adequate shelterthat keeps our animals healthy and invites more of the community to participatein any way they can.

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

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

AikenCounty Animal Shelter: “By the Numbers”

AnimalsReceived FY11: 5,283

Dogs adopted: 585

Cats adopted: 184

Animalstransferred: 322

Dogs euthanized:1,974

Cats euthanized:2,001

AikenCounty 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.

The Shelter’s New Hire is a Cat Lady and Much More

2012-01-26T18:34:00.000-05:00

Before Jesse, cats waiting to go from quarantine into “C.A.T.S.,” the shelter’s adoptable cat colony, would get sick and be euthanized. Jesse Marie Falcon was chosen to fill the only new position authorized in Aiken County last year, Custodian/Adoption Counselor at the Aiken County Shelter, bringing the full-time shelter staff to four, plus two inmates. She started on September 20th.

“I’ve always loved animals,” she says, “When I was younger (she’s 22), I wanted to be a veterinarian, until I learned how long you gotta go to school.” She has an easy laugh. Now she hopes to return to Aiken Tech for its vet tech certificate.

“I love cats. Well, I love dogs and cats, but I’m mainly a cat person.” Jesse lives with 5 neutered male cats, a “talkative” female cat, a 4-month-old Rotty-mix pup from the shelter who thinks she’s a cat, her 6-year-old son, and her boyfriend.

When asked the difference between a cat person and dog person, she says, “Cats like me better…we connect more.” She thinks again and laughs, “Cats are more mature than dogs.”

Jesse’s path to her current position was almost as miraculous as the fact that it was created. She had done community service for a DUI at the shelter and impressed the Chief and Senior Vet Tech with her performance. When the position came available she had been looking for work for over 8 months.
“It was bad,” Jesse says, “not even McDonald’s would call me back.”

Not so many of the shelter cats are getting sick anymore, now that they are under Jesse’s care. The “Cat Closet,” or quarantine room where the cats are held for a minimum of 5 days, was given a deep cleaning and she maintains it and its residents. She also cleans the office and C.A.T.S., and shows any animal to people looking to adopt.

Jesse sees all the court cases: cats near death, so thin and weak they have to be fed a liquid diet, then canned food. One was finally adopted, she recalls, as if it were another miracle.

Twenty-six were recently confiscated from a hoarder.

“When they came in they were too weak to clean themselves, like they’d given up. You couldn’t get near most of them,” Jesse says, “You can touch them now. They’re not coughing, and their eyes aren’t all gooey.” Sadly, unless adopted, they still will die.

According to Jesse, the black cats in C.A.T.S. are the most loving, even more than the calicoes and tabbies, but some people…

“They see them and say, ‘Ooh, I gotta leave!’ and walk right out again,” she says.

Nick and Chief, jet black with big green eyes, unrelated “twins” that only Jesse can distinguish, take turns in her lap.

“I love this job; I really do,” she says stroking one of them, “its way better than any job I ever had.”

Jesse is a blessing to our shelter. You can thank her by adopting a cat; better yet, make it two.

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

Aiken County Animal Shelter: “By theNumbers”

“Cat Stats” for 2011

Total Cats Received: 2,169 (approx.)

Average inC.A.T.S. colony: 20

Adoptions: 142 cats

Euthanized: 2,019cats (93%)

Aiken County Shelter “Pets of the Week”

JUNE BUG

This Lab/Terrier is adoll. 2 yrs and 39lbs of pure love. $70 includes shots, neuter, microchip.

CHLOE

Gorgeouspeach Persian mix.

10 yrs young andalready spayed, she’ll settle in with a grateful purr.

FOTAS Introduces a Trailer Named ‘Herbie Brown‘

2012-01-21T12:44:00.001-05:00

Herbie Brown’s story began three years ago this month with thefirst transfer of Aiken County Shelter dogs to a no-kill shelter in New England. Since then, Mark Choper and the drivers forFairway Horse Transport have helped FOTAS save literally hundreds of dogs whoprobably would have joined our County Shelter’s heart-breaking euthaniasiastatistics.

Neither words of praise nor appreciation can do justice to howMark’s business has blessed our homeless animals at the County Shelter throughrescue and huge food donations. The onlydown side to his service to our cause is that the transfers are necessarilytied to transporting horses, making coordination with our partners a nightmare.

That’s where the FOTAS magic stepped in.

A couple of volunteers dreamed of a feasible way to travelwith their too-many dogs. The dreaminvolved an old Airstream trailer, light enough to be easily pulled by an SUV,and reliable for providing HVAC for the family pack at any destination. For years the project languished as afantasy.

Then the complications of coordination and scheduling forthe growing transfer program pushed a transfer vehicle to the front of theFOTAS wish list, and FOTAS miracles began to happen.

“Weren’t you looking for an Airstream?” the email read. The ’69, already gutted, was on Craig’s Listin Georgia for $3,500. While trying tomake that deal work, a ’78 Airstream Land Yacht appeared in Lexington, SC for$3,000, and this deal almost made itself.

“My uncle loved this trailer. It’s been everywhere,” theseller said, “He eventually lived in it until a few months before he died.”Then he added, “And he liked to help people.” And so, for $3,050, Herb Brown’s nephew repacked the bearings, replacedthe power converter, delivered the RV to the County Shelter, and threw in a$300 stabilizer hitch.

Herbie Brown, the future FOTAS transport trailer, was nosooner parked next to C.A.T.S. (the cat colony at the shelter) then FOTASreceived a magnificently generous grant from a private donor specifically forour transfer program. The grant willfund the acquisition and refitting of our vehicles and pay enough of ourtransport expenses to firmly establish the program. And we have added two more rescue partners.

If that isn’t pure magic, what is?

Unfortunately, withoutaggressive spay/ neuter, micro-chipping and heartworm prevention, there arenever going to be enough Mark Chopers or Herbie Browns, beyond our adoptions,to assure that no adoptable dog has to die. There are not enough miracles or magic for that.

Under current intake numbers, a reasonable projection saysthat the FOTAS transfer program may increase a dog’s chances of surviving byabout 13%, not good odds. Put anotherway, we can transfer about 3 of the 22 who will be put down.

2012 could be a landmarkyear for our shelter. We need volunteersto prepare dogs for future transports and new homes, and for events andfundraisers. Believe in miracles. Make a difference. Join us!

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

Aiken County Animal Shelter: “By theNumbers”

For Jan. 9^th thru 15^th 2012

Received: 59 dogsand 26 cats

Adoptions: 6 dogsand 2 cats

Euthanized: 29dogs and 17 cats

Aiken County Shelter “Pets of theWeek”

POOKIE – Staffordshire terrier mix, 1yr.

Soft as a bunny and sweet as akitten!

Loves to run.

$70 includes shots, neuter, microchip.


GRIS – 4yrs.Male. Neutered,declawed, and affectionate. A purrfectcompanion for $20.

Three is a Charm at the FOTAS Hunter Pace

2012-01-12T19:55:00.000-05:00

Itwas the third year that Three Runs Plantation donated its magnificentequestrian amenities to host the FOTAS Hunter Pace 2012, and the turnout by theevent’s 100+ riders was surpassed only by the 111 local businesses who donatedto our first Hunter Pace Silent Auction, and the Red Pepper Grill’s ability toput out a delicious lunch for 250 people, and Nanci’s Cedar Creek neighbors whodelivered 250 gorgeous cupcakes for dessert to her porch.

“Itis just amazing how a community can give,” said Edie, FOTAS Chairwoman of theSilent Auction, “And it is not easy in this economic climate. Businessesare hurting.”

Trueenough, but random acts of generosity must ease the pain, because 111contributions were assembled into 79 auction items by a remarkable team of fourwomen, all from the Cedar Creek community.

Two Sandras, Janet and Edie began in lateOctober with a list, divided among them, of where to solicit in the area. But by early November their “Let’s go do this,” was replaced by “How are wegoing to do this?” Then a couple of things turned the project around.

Oneof the Sandras is part of a team of Cedar Creek volunteers, the heart of theCounty Shelter Volunteers Program, who work with the dogs and puppies four daysa week. Sandra is driven by the first-hand experience with the Shelter’sheart wrenching need.

“She’dgo back again and again and whine,” Edie said with clear admiration forSandra’s tenacity. The donations started rolling in.

Thena local estate planner offered a complete estate planning package worth about$2,000. “That was when I started to think more positively,” she said.

Therewas the business owner on the phone who launched into a tirade about how thecounty shelter had cost him a dog, then turned around and donated a beautifultable fan. At another site, a patron of the business being solicitedheard the pitch and reached into her pocket offering the eight dollars andchange she had with apologies that she couldn’t afford more.

Withthe holidays upon her, Edie cleared auction items from her dining room table toserve 16 people for Thanksgiving, and again and more for Christmas, then layawake nights worrying about the auction’s presentation.

TheCedar Creek Property Owners Association was to loan six tables that turned intoten. And when the question arose as to how to display the artworkdonated, someone suggested the Aiken Historical Museum, and the Museum camethrough with the screens for the display.

“Presentation is everything,” Edie says, andtook responsibility for the artful bid sheets and the resourceful displays,often using tissue covered Clementine crates to elevate items.

TheSilent Auction made thousands of dollars for our County Shelter. TheHunter Pace and luncheon made thousands more. And to make the occasioneven more perfect, FOTAS volunteers helped 6 dogs and 3 cats get adopted atPetsmart and at the Shelter. What a great day for our communityshelter!

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

Aiken County Animal Shelter: “By theNumbers”

For Jan. 2^nd thru 8^th  2012

Received: 38 dogsand 14 cats

Adoptions: 13dogs and 2 cats

Euthanized: 21dogs and 23 cats

Compare to Same Week 2011

Received: 66 dogs and 43 cats

Adoptions: 10 dogs and 0 cats

Euthanized: 33 dogs and 30 cats

MIA – 3 yr old spayed female tabby

A cuddler with an endearingpurr.

$35 includes shots, spay,microchip.

Aiken County Shelter “Pets of the Week”

SHADY – 2-yr-old pit-mix.

This lovable guy will help you meet peopleeverywhere you go!

He’s a charmer.

$70 includes shots, neuter, microchip.

Regarding Persons of the Year 2011 and a Community for 2012

2012-01-08T17:38:00.000-05:00

In selecting “The Officer” as the 2011 Person of the Year, the Aiken Standard’s New Year’s wish was“that 2012 can be a year of healing and a year of growing.”

The wish specifically acknowledges a community and a family stunned bytragedy and deep in mourning; and, as such, FOTAS will take this opportunity tolend our collective voice to that hope, and support to the Richardson family.

“Public Safety,” is often a blessing and a benefit that we take forgranted, like the sun that lights and warms or the air that cools and sustainsus, until it is not there.

In our work with Aiken County AnimalServices, FOTAS volunteers have the opportunity to learn how our Animal ControlOfficers work to protect the two-legged and four-legged citizens of ourcommunity. These agents are on call 24/7assuring public safety and animal welfare to the best of their ability. None of us would want to witness, norintervene in, some of the tragic circumstances they encounter. To each Officer we would like to extend ourheartfelt appreciation for the challenging job they undertake on ourbehalf.

Thethree women honored as a Team by the nomination for Person of the Year werecollectively astounded, and individually deeply honored to be singled out forsuch recognition.

As founders and board members of Friends of the Animal Shelter, Inc.,they have worked hard to forge their team and to establish a public charity asdeeply dedicated to its professed mission as FOTAS has become. “FOTAS, Making a Difference,” is what thelogo says, making a difference in the lives of thousands of animals and inhundreds of humans who are directly and indirectly their guardians here inAiken County.

There is nothing quite as powerful as an opportunity recognized, seizedand exploited, especially when it can improve the lives of an entire community.

FOTAS was an idea whose time had come. The founders were the right people present at the right time, but withoutthe nascent desire throughout our community to make a badly needed change,nothing could have happened. Leadership is an initiative that inspiresfollowership.

Our Chief Animal Control Officer Bobby Arthurs continues to look forways to improve Aiken County Animal Services, through the ethic and efficacy ofhis officers and his shelter staff. Their ideas and initiatives routinely surface for expanding spay/neuter,maintaining useful records, enabling public safety and cooperation, and forsaving as many animals as they possibly can, in an environment never intendedfor such a lofty purpose.

Resultsare what accrue to an unprecedented Public-Private Partnership. The founders of FOTAS set the stage for acommunity that professed to be animal-loving to live up to its self-image;hence, FOTAS volunteers and donors to the cause continue to grow, and our AikenCounty government could not be more supportive.

AikenCounty will see its new shelter in the year to come; and thus the year of“healing and growing’ will, in part, manifest.

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

Aiken County Animal Shelter: “By theNumbers”

For Dec. 26^th thru Jan. 1^st 2012

Dogs taken in: 44

Cats taken in: 15

Dogs adopted: 3

Cats adopted: 7

Dogs euthanized: 13

Cats euthanized: 7

Aiken County Shelter “Pets of the Week”

DASHER – 3-yr-old handsome shepherd mix

a big boy whowants to be a loyal companion.

$70 includes shots, neuter, microchip.

SAMANTHA – 3 yrs old, part-Siamese beauty.

Big blue eyes say, “Love me.” $35 includes shots, spay, microchip.

New Year's Wish From FOTAS!

2011-12-31T12:11:00.000-05:00

Here are our 2012 wishes for YOU.

May you ALWAYS make the right move

May your cup runneth over with love

MAY YOU ALWAYS FIND SHELTER FROM ANY STORM

May you remain good looking and looking good.

May you find the perfect diet for your body and your soul.

May you find perfect balance in the company you keep.

May you have as much fun as you can before someone makes you stop.

May the worst thing that happens to you come in slobbery pink and furry TAN.

May you manage to MAKE time for Time Out!

May all the new folks you meet be interesting and kind.

May you always know when to walk away... And when to RUN!

AND MAY YOUR FRIENDS & FAMILY ALWAYS BRING YOU JOY

May this time only hold good health, peace, prosperity and happiness for YOU and your loved ones and continue in the New Year 2012!

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

FOTAS Resolutions for a Healthy Happy New Year

2011-12-31T11:51:00.000-05:00

FOTAS wishes everyone a very Happy NewYear, especially our dedicated volunteers and generous supporters. What wehave accomplished so far is astounding.

Expect news in upcoming weeks: plans for our New County Shelter; miraculousblessings to advance our Transfer Program; along with heart-warming andheart-wrenching tales from day-to-day operations.

Today, in the spirit of the New Year, we address a seasonal subjectwhose benefits multiply when undertaken. We speak, of course, of exercise.

Who doesn’t begin the New Year hoping to fit into last year’spants? Who doesn’t celebrate with firmresolve to improve on or rectify the past? And what’s one of New Year’s most common resolutions? Lose weight and get healthy.

To that end, FOTAS recommends the following step-by-step program:

Adoptone of our wonderful dogs at the Aiken County Animal Shelter. Research shows that people who have a dog arehealthier and happier than those not so fortunate. (Hurry down! Half-Price specialhas been extended through 1/7!)

2. Outfityour companion with a comfortable collar or harness, and leash. Other considerations for those with specialneeds to follow below.

3. Set outdaily for parts known and unknown (new sights and sniffs are good for thebrain); and,

4. Repeatoften and reap the health benefits: physical, emotional, and social (you willmeet other happy people on routine walks).

There are modifications one can make to this simple regimen. For instance, if you already have a rescued dogyou can skip step one. Or, for double benefits,you might consider heading out to the County Shelter, walking your dog, and thentaking one of our not-so-fortunate residents out for a walk as well.

If you do not have a dog of your own, and prefer to maintain yourdog-free status, there are 17 cages full of adoptable dogs who will improvetheir chances of a successful home if they develop the good citizen skillsrequired to walk on a leash. You couldhelp make that difference in their lives.

If you are new to this approach to improving physical and mentalhealth, there are volunteer coordinators on site at the County Shelter everyMonday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday morning to assist you in a successfulbeginning.

For those who have special needs pets ordesire to perfect this fitness art, Sunday the 8^th Sybil Davis, DVM,of Aiken Pet Fitness & Rehab will offer a Pet Fitness Seminar. “Learnhow to keep your dog strong and fit through all life stages.” To sign up, or for info, call 803-226-0012 ore-mail info@petfitnessandrehab.com.

On Saturday the 7^ththe third annual FOTAS Hunter Pace will be at Three Runs Plantation accompaniedby a luncheon for non-equestrians, too. See “HUNTER PACE” on our

website. Additionally, some of our special pets willbe available at Petsmart for the last day of our half-price special. Bigweekend.

If none of this suits, may we suggest you adopt a very fine cat? Join FOTAS in 2012 having the best year ever!

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

Aiken County Animal Shelter: “By theNumbers”

For Dec. 19^th thru 25^th

Dogs taken in: 29

Cats taken in: 8

Dogs adopted: 12

Cats adopted: 4

Dogs euthanized: 21

Cats euthanized: 47

Aiken County Shelter “Pets of the Week”

ALFIE 2-year old Pitt

Alreadya sweetie,

this guy is going to be gorgeous in a loving home.

One week only ½PRICE!


CHIEF – Young adult This picture says it all. He’s a love looking for a lap. Start his year right for only $35!

A Purr-fect Bush Christmas Has No Indoor Tree

2011-12-22T11:32:00.000-05:00

If Christmas is a time for giving peace and love specialattention, then it is Christmas all year at the home of Fran and Don Bush.

Many may already know Fran from Booklovers Bookstore, located inCountry Square at the corner of Huntsman and Hitchcock Parkway. Others may know Don because he repairedsomething that seemed irreparable, like he did for FOTAS after the wind blewour tailgate tent to smithereens at the Woofstock Festival.

Fran has a donation box on her checkout counter at the store andlately, instead of her usual fundraising for the Aiken County Shelter, she israising money for a family of fostered cats left to starve in a vacated rental. Only two happy healthy youngsters remain tobe adopted, “Socks” and “Half-and-Half.” Neutered and spayed, respectively,they’ve had all their shots. You can’tfind a better cat than one that had its start at the Bush home.

There, at the Booklovers’ collection box, the conversation startedabout the 4-unit condominium that Don built for the dogs and cats currently inresidence at their homestead.

TheBushes have four dogs, all rescued. Donbuilt the condo for thirteen-year-old Betsy, with two dog apartments on thefirst floor, and two

cat condos on the second floor. There is a thermostat for the radiator between the dog apartments and thespace is lit beyond the clear entrance flap so the dogs can see if they aregoing to have a roommate before entering.

Jingles, a handsome yellow shepherd who now has his own cat, wasone of four pups who were almost road kill. Fran turned them in to the county, then went back and adopted Jingles. His siblings went north on FOTAS’ firsttransfer.

Fran found “My Lady,” a chow-collie mix, at the countyshelter. My Lady was a starving strayrescued with one remaining pup. Fran lookedto fill a recent vacancy and My Lady chose her. A week later, she returned for My Lady’s pup, Tippy.

The open space around their home offers sanctuary for cats livingamong dogs and birds living among cats; the bird feeders high on PVC poles, andthe cat shelter/feeders fenced off from the dogs.

The screened porch off the back has heat lamps for the cat sofathat was once a swing, and additional shelters for security and felinereflection.

Don can watch the cats cavort from his computer desk and act asdoorman for entries and exits. A 5-foot catpole he designed is in the center of the living room surrounded by boxes catsadopted, a sofa to leap onto, and a couple of soft chairs which humans can employto create a useful lap.

Cats in desperate need have a way of finding Fran and Don. They come deathly sick, starved, found huddledin wheel wells, left to die in empty houses, and find sanctuary. Like all rescued pets, they know a lovinghome is a blessing.

Our county pets are half-price until New Year’s Eve! Merry Christmas!

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

Aiken County Animal Shelter: “By theNumbers”

For Dec. 12^th thru 18^th

Dogs taken in: 46

Cats taken in: 23

Dogs adopted: 11

Cats adopted: 3

Dogs euthanized: 45

Cats euthanized: 28

Aiken County Shelter “Pets of the Week”

ELMO

Young adult male who would love

a forever home for the New Year.

One week only ½ PRICE!

MR CLAUS

Mr. Claus can bless your home before the New Year for only $35

Thank You, Todd Glover, FOTAS Members and Aiken County Council

2011-12-15T15:48:00.000-05:00

This week, in the midst of a season where we strive to rememberPeace, Joy, Generosity and Hope for a better tomorrow, FOTAS would like toacknowledge and appreciate our Aiken County Council and one of its exemplarypublic servants, Todd Glover.

Without Todd Glover there would be no FOTAS; without FOTAS there would be nocommunity-wide, concerted effort to address the dismal conditions at our countyshelter; and without the first class public-private partnership that hasemerged between Friends of the Animal Shelter, Inc. and Aiken County Governmentthe miracle of Tuesday night’s decision would never have happened, but it did.

Three years ago Todd Gloversaw the opportunity for a nonprofit organization to address the need for animaladvocacy in the County Animal Services Department. He also knew where those interested could find a model forjust such a venture. Three membersof the Aiken County Animal Control Advisory Committee (AC3) stepped up to thechallenge and FOTAS was born. ToddGlover continued to work closely with FOTAS building a strong bridge between the County and the community around animaladvocacy.

This month Todd is going to leave Aiken County Government for the position of City Manager of North Augusta, awell-deserved career advancement, and one lucky town.

Last June, FOTAS and Aiken County entered into a formal Memorandumof Understanding (MOU) regarding the initial phase and funding for our newshelter. FOTAS would provide $100kfor the architectural and engineering plans if the county would make $1mavailable in 2012.

The last half of this year has been full of research, reports,proposals, rebuttals, rejections, and a boatload of frustration for all of usinvested in the outcome. But awise man once said, “If it was easy, we’d already have done it.”

In any community venture there are always stakeholders, and rarelyare their interests totally compatible; “never” may be more accurate. The new Aiken County Animal Shelter buildingprogram is certainly no exception.

Space does not allow us to acknowledge all of the people whopulled off our latest miracle, especially in the last few weeks when it seemedlike we not only were going to lose Todd Glover, but that we had hit anotherimpasse with County Council and the additional funding we knew was imperative,but a special nod should go out to Council Chairman, Ronnie Young, CouncilwomanKathy Rawls, Councilman, Charles Barton who know their county, and to ErnieWolf form the AC3 and FOTAS who is never at a loss for a better idea.

On Tuesday night, the Aikencounty Council gave Todd Glover the perfect going-away gift as they unanimouslyapproved an additional $500,000 to be added to the million already committedfor a new county animal shelter. The additional money puts Aiken County well

within reach of a shelter adequate to our needs and in which wecan all take pride.

Now, for an even Merrier Christmas, why not bring home one of ourvery special half-price pets? They’re waiting.

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

Aiken County Animal Shelter: “By the Numbers”

For Dec. 5^th thru 11^th

Dogs taken in: 105

Cats taken in: 40

Dogs adopted: 17

Cats adopted: 8

Dogs euthanized: 66

Cats euthanized: 28

Aiken County Shelter “Pets of the Week”

STING

3yrs. He is such a good boy and would love a forever home forChristmas.

½ PRICE!

ELF

Beautiful green-eyed boy offers a big fluffycuddle.

Half price thru theholidays.

Desperate for Puppy & Dog Food

2011-12-15T15:00:00.000-05:00

This week only! Pedigree Dog/Puppy food at PUBLIX By 1 Get 1 Free 3.5 or 4.4 lbs Aiken County Animal Shelter could really use that extra bag!!

The Aiken County Animal Shelter Desperately needs adult dog and puppy food, especially the puppy food! All corporate food donations stopped. Please grab a bag the next time you are out & bring it by the shelter. hey feed Pedigree. However, they will take what you want to give... no holistic brands please. THANKS EVERYONE!!! They really need our help!

Make a Big Difference in a Little Life by Fostering

2011-12-08T15:51:00.001-05:00

Once upon a seaside dawn a silver-haired man, deep inthought, was walking a long stretch of beach when he noticed a young woman offin the distance. She appeared tobe dancing as she reached down, picked up something from the sand, and hurledit out beyond the breakers into the sea. As he approached her, she repeated the act again and again with curiousdetermination.

Then he saw the multitude of starfish that had washed up onthe shore. One by one, the youngwoman was throwing them back into the water.

“What are you doing?” he asked in amazement.

“I can’t leave them here,” she replied, “The sun will be upsoon and they will all die.”

“But there are miles of them along the beach! You cannot possibly make a meaningfuldifference,” the old man chided.

Without speaking, the young woman reached down, picked upanother starfish and threw it way out into the dark undulating ocean. Then she turned and looked squarely atthe old man.

“It made a difference to that one,” she replied, andreturned to her task.

The old man stood for a moment and then walked on, pickingup starfish and tossing them into the sea.

Puppies andkittens come by the box load to our Aiken County Shelter. Already overcrowded with open sewagedrains and horrid ventilation, there is no way to keep these tiny innocentshealthy.

The chance tosave our pups to be adopted, or shipped out to no-kill shelters, requires thatthey be placed in foster care until they are 4 to 8 weeks older and immunizedagainst the most life-threatening diseases.

Fostering can betruly rewarding according to our current foster families:

"Two bags ofdog food for endless entertainment."

“Fostering doesthe heart good!”

“It is a way ofappreciating God’s miracles.”

“Often abandonedwithout a mother, puppies sometimes died, but they had been held and pamperedlike the most precious creature in the world. They knew love.”

Please considerbecoming a puppy foster parent (4 to 8 weeks), or a short-term (5 to 10 days)foster home. Our short-term careis for dogs already approved for transfers who are taking up precious kennelspace while waiting for their rides up north to no-kill shelters.

Tobecome a foster parent for dogs or cats, please fill out a Foster Care Form,fax it to the shelter: 803-643-4006, or fill oneout right there at 411 Wire Rd. Youwill be contacted for a site evaluation by an Animal Control officer to

simply confirm your ability to provide a safe environment.

If you are ready to commit to a forever home for a new pet for theholidays, beginning tomorrow the Aiken County Shelter will be offering anend-of-year half-price special on all adoptions.

Please join FOTAS this holiday season in making a difference inAiken County, one innocent creature, one helpless litter, one bag of Pedigree,or one shelter improvement at a time. God bless you.

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

Aiken County Animal Shelter: “By the Numbers”

For Nov. 28^th thru Dec. 4^th

Dogs taken in: 77

Cats taken in: 20

Dogs adopted: 9

Cats adopted: 5

Dogs euthanized: 60

Cats euthanized: 24

Aiken County Shelter “Pets of the Week”

MARCO – with his pal Maggie, just itching for a run in the woods! Two for the price of one!

PUMPKIN - avery handsome gentle boy to warm your lap this winter for only $17.50.

New Ways and Good Reasons to Give to FOTAS for the Holidays

2011-12-04T07:00:00.000-05:00

“There is no place like home for the holidays” is our themefor the holiday season this year, borrowed from the popular Christmas song originallyperformed by Perry Como in 1954.

The greatest joy that comes from working with our AikenCounty Animal Shelter is when we place a dog or cat in just the right forever home. Our vision is that one day everyadoptable animal that comes through the shelter finds itself home for the holidays. It is possible, likely even, if we continuecoming together to address the animal control problems we currently face.

Aggressive spay/neuter policies that incent responsible petownership will reduce the numbers coming in; and creating an adequate, humaneshelter environment, one that invites community involvement, will assure thatas many animals as possible go out healthy to happy homes.

With your help FOTAS can continue its work withAiken County Government to create that future for County Animal Services, thecommunity it serves, and our homeless pets. This year we are proud to offer many convenient ways to makea tax-deductible

donation that will move us ever closer to realizing thatvision.

You can always make a donation by mailing a check to ourP.O. Box 2207 in Aiken, 29801. Oryou will see our “Home for the Holidays” envelope holders going up at manylocal businesses. Pick up a FOTASholiday remittance envelope and fill in the inside flap. We will send a card telling the peopleyou designate that a donation has been made in their name. Here is the latest list of oursupporters who have the display:

Aiken Saddlery

Aiken Veterinary Services

Silver Bluff Animal Hospital

Aiken Veterinary Clinic

Aiken Animal Hospital

Southern Equine

Chesterfield Hair Salon

Bone-i-fide Bakery

True Value Hardware

Booklovers Bookstore

TLC Pharmacy

Tractor Supply

Cheveaux Hair Salon

Red Pepper Café

Auto Tech

Visitors Bureau in the Holley Building

Magnolia Café

Tea Garden Gifts

Aiken Antique Mall

Aiken Public Library

Aiken Dry Goods

Boots, Bridles & Britches

Imports Plus

Automotive Work Bench

Ronnie’s Trailer and Hitch

Cold Creek Nurseries

Wagner Town Hall

West Tire & Oil-Wagner

Tyler Brothers-Wagner

Donations can also be made on our website: www.fotasaiken.org. Click on “donate” and choose to make aone-time contribution, or you can make monthly payments securely throughPaypal.

And finally, as this tax year draws to a close, those blessed with appreciated stock,who are considering the advantages of donating stock instead of cash, ourbrokerage account is ready to help with the transaction. Please contact us at info@fotasaiken.org with any questions.

Of course, if you would prefer to contribute something otherthan money, the shelter has an ongoing wish list of items that itwelcomes. On the FOTASwebsite, under About the Shelter, is a list of many items of varied cost, allgreatly appreciated by the shelter staff.

There is no place like home for the holidays, or anytime,really. But for the shelter catsand dogs that have no home, their lives are in our hands. Let’s not let them down.

FOTAS Volunteerswork 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”

For November 21^st thru 27^th

Dogs taken in: 38

Cats taken in: 22

Dogs adopted: 11

Cats adopted: 1

Dogs euthanized: 25

Cats euthanized: 26

What Does Thankful Mean?

2011-11-26T12:09:00.001-05:00

Nine dogs were gathered in a large sunlit room onThanksgiving Day: Ziggy, a big blackLabrador; Zoe Peach, also Lab, yellow and huge; Percy a chubby panda; Pippi,nervous-nellie of poodle extraction; Peedee, a ditch-dog, one blue, one browneye, and peanut brown coat full of dinks and scars; Rudy, blond shaggy sheepdog;then the babies, three-legged Nemo and Dora the intrepid Beagle, both fourmonths old and rambunctious; and finally, old man Snoopy, one day out of theshelter with dreams of a forever home.

The dogs’ human guardians had taken them for a good run andgone to the Thanksgiving Day Blessing for another special pack of canines withan important job in that very sacred place called Hitchcock Woods.

Ziggy started it when he gave a big rumbling sigh as hestretched long on the bed and said, “I wonder what it all means, thanks-giving? Or Blessing?”

Zoe, too lazy to lift her head, her stomach full of breakfastand no treats in the offing, just heaved a big bored sigh, as if to say, “Whocares?”

Eight years earlier, Ziggy, then Zoe, had come as tinypuppies straight from their mothers to the home they now shared. But the other seven dogs all looked at Ziggyin wonder, then at each other with knowing.

Pippi and Percy were thinking of how they had been leftoutdoors until their coats matted and bleached in the southern heat holding fleasand filth next to their tormented skin.

“I give thanks for the groomer, even if she makes me smellfunny. A good roll takes care of that!”Pippi said, she and Percy trying to forget the meaning of neglect.

“You would have to know what real hunger is,” saidPeedee. He had been found in the road,all eyes, bones and vermin. The hair hadnever returned to the places where the ticks had been detached. He had to learn how to eat like a dog whocould count on another meal.

“I remember the way her eyes lit up when she saw me in theshelter cage,” mused Rudy, a dreamy romantic. “The concrete tormented my bad hips. Now blessed means a good doctor.”

“Me, too!” cried Nemo. A birth defect had deprived him of a left foreleg. “I give thanks for beingspecial and blessed with all the help I needed.”

“I almost died!” squealed Dora, who had been a tiny sickorphan abandoned at the shelter, passed into foster care, then severely injured. Her battle with pneumonia had lasted morethan a month.

Snoopywas quiet. He had just been brought fromthe shelter the day before. He knew thesoftness of the bed. The food wasplentiful and good. It was quiet. He could go out whenever he needed. The smellof the Woods still filled his brain.

“Thanksgiving means being grateful for this home,” he toldZiggy, “And I pray you never lose it. Itis you all who are blessed.”

FOTASVolunteers 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 theNumbers”

For Nov. 14^th thru 20^th

Dogs taken in: 58

Cats taken in: 19

Dogs adopted: 12

Cats adopted: 2

Dogs euthanized: 22

Cats euthanized: 18

Aiken County Shelter “Pets of the Week”

SNOW – What a perfect addition to the holidays. Snow! Only $20 and he’s yours!

JEWEL – 6 YRS. Ablue-and-brown-eyed special pet who had to be left behind in a move. Please give her back a loving home.

FOTAS at Applebee’s is More than Breakfast

2011-11-18T10:12:00.001-05:00

Sometimes bad breaks are the best indicator of how goodthings truly are. Here’s how FOTAS’ 4^th Annual Applebee’s Benefit Breakfast started out.

The dishwasher had broken down the night before and threesinks of tepid water: one detergent, one disinfectant, one rinse, waited forthe volunteer who was to assure clean utensils and plates for all 250 breakfastswe hoped to turn out.

We knew from experience that Applebee’s could not producecoffee in the volume that our patronage required, but when a well-meaningvolunteer said that she had a “big” coffee urn, no one thought to clarify whatshe meant by “big.” For a familyof four, her urn was big.

We had a new manager running the show who had done exactlyone of these events before. He wascongenial as he poured batter on the grill, making up breakfast plates with aneasy confidence: scoop of scrambled eggs, two strips of bacon, and two generouspancakes. He even told thevolunteer who knew we would get slammed at about 8:45 to relax and enjoyherself, like he had everything under control.

Applebee’s provided the food, facilities, and 2.5 people whoworked the restaurant business for a living, and they don’t normally servebreakfast. Of the 15 FOTASvolunteers who showed up to set up tables, scoop butter, make coffee, poursyrup, bus tables, take tickets, sell tickets, sell hats, shirts and reallycool bumper stickers that read,“My Dog Digs Aiken,” serve hundreds of breakfasts, and wash the dishes, one wasa restaurant professional. ThankGod.

The dishwasher repair guy showed up and got the machineworking. The young manager learnedto take help where it was offered. When the crowd arrived, the customers learned to yield to the bigpicture as they waited, and waited, and waited for what is, in all honesty amediocre breakfast as breakfasts go, but the genesis for such a grand, specialoccasion.

We estimated that between 200 and 250 people would come out. We served 285 breakfasts thatmorning. By 10 o’clock we were outof food. It was fantastic.

We owe a debt of gratitude to every single person who boughtour tickets, came and waited to eat, who helped to plan and execute the event,who promoted it as something worth supporting, and to Applebee’s, who haveopened their kitchen and their restaurant to us for four years and helped usbuild a following.

This year, we want to give special recognition to two of ourhunt clubs, Aiken Hounds and Why Worry Hounds. Saturday morning hunts have their own rituals and customs,and these clubs modified theirs to come out in support of the FOTAS breakfast.

The group from Philanthropic EducationalOpportunities (P.E.O.) sought us out to reserve their usual long table and they kept their members cyclingthrough all morning.

We mobilized our Aiken community around a cause, made the bestuse of resources, and addressed the need. Let’s apply this gift to our County Shelter.

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

Aiken County Animal Shelter: “By the Numbers”

For Nov. 7^th thru 13^th

Dogs taken in: 71

Cats taken in: 18

Dogs adopted: 16

Cats adopted: 3

Dogs euthanized: 36

Cats euthanized: 8

Aiken County Shelter “Pets of the Week”

SNOOPY

HEFTY

Like the Blind Men and the Elephant

2011-11-10T17:02:00.001-05:00

There is an old teachingtale about four blind men who encountered an elephant. The first blind man clasped theelephant’s trunk and declared, “Why an elephant is just like a fire hose!”

The second blind man,running his hands around the elephant’s leg said, “How wrong you are! An elephant is just like a tree!”

“Fools!” exclaimed the thirdblind man patting his hands along the animal’s broad side, “An elephant is verylike a wall.”

And of course the blind manholding the tail was absolutely certain that an elephant was best compared to arope.

This allegory offers aperspective on the problems of animal control, animal welfare, and animaladvocacy in Aiken County. This isnot to suggest that we are blind to the issues, but that our convictions aboutsolutions are determined by where we focus our attention.

No one can deny thatuncontrolled and irresponsible breeding is the primary source of thousands ofunwanted dogs and cats who arrive at the Aiken County Animal Shelter everyyear. It makes an aggressivespay/neuter program seem the obvious solution.

An unaltered pair of dogscan produce more than 67,000 offspring in 6 years and for cats the numbers morethan double. This suggests thatspay/neuter, though absolutely essential, is far from sufficient to handle ouroverpopulation problems. Theunwanted litters of puppies and kittens, with and without their mothers, willarrive at our county shelter into the foreseeable future. To give any of them a chance at a goodlife, we have to keep them healthy; our current facility’s holding area cannot.

Economic downturns can causesurges in intake for our County Animal Services. Witness the young man who’d lost his job and had to leavethe area suddenly. He sobbed as hesurrendered his dogs; one he’d had since he was a child. Shouldn’t we be able to assure belovedpets a better chance for a new home? But adoption space is so limited.

FOTAS is proud of thepublic/private partnership that defines our relationship with Aiken CountyGovernment, Public Works and Animal Services. Together we have forged an incredible team. To reduce intake we subsidize andpromote spay/neuter throughout the county. To promote adoptions we recruit volunteers to work with theshelter animals and match them with the right homes. Together we identify and approve foster homes for kittensand puppies. We hold communityevents to raise money and educate the public about the need for all of theabove.

FOTAS and Aiken County areworking together to provide the public and our animals with an adequateshelter. If we get it right, withaggressive spay/neuter, it should be the last county shelter we’ll need. Long term we will reduce intake. Short term we will increase adoptionsfrom an attractive humane environment.

We need foster homes. We need volunteers. We need money. We needn’t argue about the elephant;but if he’s homeless, we need to provide him the best care we can.

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

Aiken County Animal Shelter: “By the Numbers”

For October 31^st thru Nov. 6^th

Dogs taken in: 48

Cats taken in: 22

Dogs adopted: 7

Cats adopted: 1

Dogs euthanized: 65

Cats euthanized: 50

Aiken County Shelter “Pets of the Week”

HAPPY – Border Collie mix. 6yrs

LUCKY- Young adult

Gentle, intelligent, ready to go for a run! Only $35!

Big green eyes and lots of love. Ready to go home. Only $35

What Does Fall Steeplechase Tell Us About Aiken?

2011-11-06T15:59:00.002-05:00

The volunteers who set up the site that evening fended offpessimism about the next day’s weather: a front was bringing clouds, rain, andmuscular chilly winds. That thesun visited, and the wind only teased, felt like a special blessing on Aiken’sFall Steeplechase.

FOTAS was honored to be among the many nonprofits at the event who serve theAiken Community. We pulled out allstops to make our presence entertaining and informative for all who stopped by.

The stars of our attraction were the six dogs available foradoption: Luke, Zoe, Zena , Alf, Boots and Roxie. Volunteers were assisted by Serteens to showcase the examplesof the great dogs available at our County Shelter. As each dog delighted another family, played with a child,or wooed a young couple, we prayed that it might find its forever home. Those dogs were super ambassadors for waytoo many adoptable dogs and cats left behind.

Tiny tots passing by found a line-up of stickponies hitched on the rail waiting for an opportunity for a romp or arace. Bigger kids showed theirskill at the bean bag toss loaned and supervised by Larry who awarded tiny gold and silvertrophy cups to the contestants.

Under the tent we offered Halloween candy, FOTAS T-shirts, hats,and our special new bumper stickers that proclaim, “My Dog Digs Aiken.” Halloween is over, but we still haveshirts, hats and bumper stickers. The shirts will be reduced through the holidays. Contact us for more info.

Steeplechase is one of Aiken’s signature events for fall andspring. Fall Steeplechase, thoughsmaller than the Spring, offers all the splendor and excitement of horses andhorse races, carriage parades, big hats, tailgate parties and a grand celebrationof a community that loves and appreciates its animals. The 2011 event was no exception.

If you missed it, we have been blessed with anotherexceptional volunteer who went home and put together a couple of upbeat videosthat tell it all. The videos areon our website under “News and Events” and on YouTube, “Aiken FallSteeplechase.” Thank you, Linda! (View Video Here )

But we need to go beyond the day to see the truesignificance of this event for our cause and our community. For instance, in the week since Steeplechaseone individual brought in 19 dogs, all of them sick with parvo, a deadly virus. On another day the same week, another 24dogs were surrendered by citizens.

Over 20 years ago our shelter was built to hold 100 dogs forup to five days. If 43 dogs aresurrendered in two days it pushes a doubly overcrowded facility to euthanize inone week almost as many dogs as it was originally intended to hold. And forget keeping them healthy.

As Steeplechase reflects our relationship with our animals,so does the Aiken County Animal Shelter. It begs the question, who are we going to be?

Join us. Morethan sun and gentle winds will bless your work.

Aiken County Animal Shelter: “By the Numbers”

For October 24^th thru 31^st

Dogs taken in: 77

Cats taken in: 36

Dogs adopted: 10

Cats adopted: 1

Dogs euthanized: 87

Cats euthanized: 52

Aiken County Shelter “Pets of the Week”

EARL – Young adult yellow tabby.

Purrfect companion who doesn’t need to be walked!

ZENA – 2 yrs. Shepherd-Chow mix.

A pleasure to leash walk and a heartof gold.

Lisa is One in a Million and We Have Her at Our County Shelter

2011-10-27T18:04:00.000-04:00

“First, you need to know how hard itis to find a vet tech who will work in an animal shelter,” was Sandy Larsen’sresponse to the question about Lisa’s first three months at the Aiken CountyShelter. Sandy has been a shelter vet tech for 30 years.

Sandy was frank about the reason;it’s all the animals that they have to euthanized. Then of course theyhave to work most weekends, and the nature of that work has a component ofunremitting chaos.

Lisa Temples started her job as theother veterinary technician with the County Shelter the beginning ofAugust.

Lisa represents another example ofthe magic at work among those who have taken on the challenge of creatingan Aiken County Animal Services Department that represents the pride andresponsibility we take in our community. In addition to an adequateshelter facility, that means people who are willing and able to do one of themost emotionally stressful jobs any animal-lover could imagine.

Lisa has been around animals herwhole life. Her grandfather raised beagles and her family had emus, andother exotic critters. She and her husband have two dogs.

In her interview, Lisa was askedabout her attitude towards euthanasia, a responsibility that came with theposition. She had been working at a nursing facility while getting hervet tech certification, so she was no stranger to death, but now she was goingto be its agent.

She couldn’t like it, but she coulddo it, was her response.

Lisa was also willing to drive the20 miles to work from Leesville every day. She’d ruffled feathers at aprevious job for being early, so it is no surprise that she will be in theparking lot at 7:45 ready to begin work at 8:00.

Lisa is not all that interested intalking about herself, but she has a wonderful way with the public. People who get her on the phone can sense that they have someone on the otherend of the line who is prepared to help. Just last week her boss, BobbyArthurs, got a letter of commendation and appreciation for just suchservice.

Jan, the dispatcher notices thatLisa is always busy. When she finishes one task, she immediately looksfor something else to do, even if it was something from which one of herco-workers was pulled away.

Sandy says that for the first timein her working memory she feels like she can go away on vacation, because Lisais there. That is after being in the job for three months, in a countyfacility that is too small to serve even the most basic of its functionseffectively.

Lisa Temples is everything we needand more than we deserve under current working conditions. With hercontribution to an esprit de corps among the staff, which is miraculous in thatenvironment, one can only imagine how it will be in an adequate facility.

FOTAS invites you to join the team.

FOTAS Volunteers work with the AIKEN COUNTY ANIMAL SHELTER to help the abandoned animals from Aiken and Edgefield Counties in SC, 411 WireRoad. For more information,contact “info@fotasaiken.org” or visit FOTAS on line at www.fotasaiken.org.

Aiken County Animal Shelter: “By the Numbers”

For October 17^th thru 23^rd

Dogs taken in: 79

Cats taken in: 38

Dogs adopted: 11

Cats adopted: 0

Dogs euthanized: 54

Cats euthanized: 42

Aiken County Shelter “Pets of the Week”

BRAVO

3 yrs old charming gentleman.

Only $35 includes shots & microchip.

DUTCHESS

Bassett 1yr, 40 lbs.

Sweet and gentle.

Top 10 Spay/Neuter Myths

2011-10-24T19:13:00.000-04:00

Reprint from the ARFF Website (Animal Rights Foundation of Florida)

Top 10 Spay/Neuter Myths

10. Spaying/neutering my dog or cat will change her/his personality.
Spaying or neutering your animal will make him/her less frustrated and more tranquil. Two changes for the better!

9. Spaying/neutering my animal will make her/him fat and lazy.
Too much food and not enough exercise will cause weight gain, spaying/neutering will not!

8. A female dog should have at least one litter for health reasons.
There is just no scientific evidence to back this claim. Instead, the research shows that spaying your dog/cat greatly reduces the risk of uterine and ovarian cancer and uterine infection, which are common occurrences in unspayed females.

7. I couldn’t look my animal in the eye if I had her/him spayed/neutered.
Your animal will be able to look you in the eyes for a lot longer if she/he is spayed/neutered. Spayed/neutered animals on average live longer!

6. It’s not natural.
Maybe. But, the bigger concern has to be the hundreds of thousands of animals being killed at shelters because there simply are not enough homes for all of them. Think birth control v. killing unwanted puppies and kittens.

5. My dog/cat is so cute and unique; there should be more of her/him.
Animal shelters are full of cute and unique dogs and cats, most with only a few days left to live. If you think you can help find homes for animals, PLEASE, volunteer with your local shelter and help find homes for those who are already here.

4. I want the children to witness the miracle of birth.
There are many excellent videos on the subject that won’t result in adding yet another litter to the existing population of homeless dogs and cats in our community.

3. We will find homes for all the puppies/kittens.
Do you really know where your animal’s offspring are? And the offspring’s offspring are? The current companion animal overpopulation crises demands that we halt the breeding of dogs and cats until we can find homes for those who are already here.

2. My dog/cat doesn’t run loose, so she/he doesn’t need to be fixed.
Murphy’s Law says otherwise— anything that can go wrong will. Please don’t let your dog or cat be a possible number in the companion animal overpopulation equation. Be certain. Spay/neuter.

1. Just one litter won’t hurt.
An unaltered female dog, her mate, and all of their puppies and their puppies puppies, if none are ever spayed or neutered, add up to 16 dogs in 1 year; 128 in 2 years; 512 in 3 years; 2,048 in 4 years; 12,288 in 5 years; and 67,000 in 6 years (similar numbers apply to cats.)

(information from SpayUSA.).

Dog Up for Adoption at Shelter Wins Aiken's Buck-a-Like Contest

2011-10-24T12:17:00.000-04:00

From The Aiken Standard
By HALEY HUGHES - Staff writer

Border collie mix Bandit is the winner of the Buck-a-Like contest, which was promoted by the month-long Aiken Wild Read program.

The contest sought a dog who most resembles Buck, the protagonist in Jack London's "Call of the Wild," a domesticated canine who is stolen from his owner and trained as a sled dog. Buck, a St. Bernard/Scots shepherd mix, learns to draw on the primitive instincts of his ancestors to become the dominant dog in the sledding pack. At the end of the book, Buck answers the "call of the wild" by joining a wolf pack.

Bandit was nominated by veterinarian Sybil Davis, who owns Aiken Pet Fitness & Rehabilitation, after she read about the contest.

"Bandit, like Buck, is part herding dog and possibly St. Bernard. He is thick boned, strong, with a wide head and an alert, intelligent expression. He, too, has come on hard times. He is a fun dog who is maintaining his love and trust for people," Davis wrote.

Bandit was picked up as a stray and, as of Friday, was available for adoption at the Aiken County Animal Shelter. He is neutered, vaccinated and micro-chipped.

"He is high-energy, very intelligent," said Friends of the Animal Shelter (FOTAS) Vice President Mary Lou Welch. "He is very representative of all the beautiful dogs out there FOTAS supports."
The winning $50 cash prize was donated to FOTAS, which promotes successful adoptions and spay/neuter, coordinates fundraising and raises awareness for the homeless animals at the Aiken County Animal Shelter.

Bandit's new owners will receive a copy of "Call of the Wild."

"Bandit opens the door for a lot of other animals," said Bobby Arthurs, chief enforcement officer with Aiken County Animal Control.

The Aiken Woman's Club and the Aiken County Public Library partnered with several community leaders and organizations in Aiken Wild Read. Based on the National Endowment for the Arts nationwide program, The Big Read, this month has been full of activities, events, public readings and the Buck-a-Like contest.

Bandit's adoption fee is $35. He walks well on a leash and should be only pet in the household, Arthurs said.

For more information on Bandit, call 642-1537 or visit the shelter at 411 Wire Road.

With FOTAS, All-Volunteer Means Business

2011-10-19T18:32:00.001-04:00

Oh, FOTAS, how far we have come! In June of 2009 a few of us held a benefit breakfast for theAiken County Animal Shelter. Westood in parking lots, sold tickets and made out-of-town friends buy them forbookmarks. We raised over $2,700,our symbolic beginning.

Two years later FOTAS, now a 501c3 public charity, committedto raise $100,000 to partner with Aiken County on a badly needed shelterexpansion project, a momentous undertaking for all concerned. The first phase of the comprehensiveneeds assessment study has been completed and is now under County Councilreview.

Concurrent with working on the shelter expansion project, wehave ongoing program commitments. Shelter volunteers see that the dogs get out of their cages at leastonce a day, six days a week. Thedogs learn that someone cares, to walk on a leash and play well with others. And our kitties need attention every day, especiallyafternoons. Our volunteers alsowork with local vets and council representatives in the very important work offunding and promoting spay and neuter programs.

In two years FOTAS volunteers saved hundreds of county dogs throughour transfer program with northern no-kill shelters. Each occasion for a transfer requires many volunteer hours findingshelters, assuring dogs are selected, approved, spayed/neutered, fostered, and shippedhealthy.

FOTAS’ foster homes offer most abandoned litters of puppiesand kittens their only chance to survive the unavoidable contamination andafflictions of shelter life. Weare blessed with too few of these angels-of-mercy and pray for more all thetime.

The money FOTAS raises makes everything else possible. Every fundraiser is conceived andimplemented by volunteers including our signature Woofstock Festival. Our equestrians hold hunter-paces; ourgolfers do golf tournaments. Also,through their good works numerous civic organizations generously make FOTAStheir beneficiary on behalf of the Aiken County Shelter.

We appreciate all the people throughout the county who findour displays or read this newspaper* and send a donation to FOTAS’ P.O. Box2207, Aiken, 29802. Now you can evenmake one-time or monthly donations on our website.

Being an allvolunteer organization, every dollar is spent directly on shelter needs. Since that first breakfast FOTAS hasprovided the county shelter with: numerous supplies; shelter and flooring forthe overflow pens, a large-dog play area, a unique adoptable cat and kitten facility,post-surgery and cat-intake stainless cage banks, and the committed $100k forthe needs analysis and shelter expansion design.

FOTAS volunteers have also: designed and run our website, database, blogs, broadcastemails, brochures and accounting system. Volunteers secured our 501c3 status, report to the state and IRS, do thebanking and issue honorariums and thank-yous. And the leadership that keeps it all running isall-volunteer.

FOTAS is a membership organization. If you care about our county shelter andits animals we hope you will join us. Make any kind of meaningful contribution and you’re in.

*The Aiken Standard posts these BLOG post articles each week.

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

Aiken County Animal Shelter: “By the Numbers”

For October 10^th thru 16^th

Dogs taken in: 56

Cats taken in: 40

Total: 96

Dogs adopted: 15

Cats adopted: 1

Total: 16

Dogs euthanized: 33

Cats euthanized: 41

Total: 74

Effective Projects Begin with the End in Mind

2011-10-15T13:45:00.001-04:00

When you read or hear about “The Shelter,” think, “AikenCounty Animal Shelter.” It islocated right next door to the Aiken SPCA on Wire Road. There is a big beautiful sign at the entrance,donated by a FOTAS member, which belies the fact that the facility tucked outof sight at the end of the gravel driveway is a public embarrassment.

These 5000 square feet on a concrete slab are the soleaccommodations for 5,400 unwanted animals in a year, and the employees who workfor Aiken County Animal Services must accept them all.

Three years ago more than 95% were euthanized. As of June 30, 2011, our euthanasiarate was down to 72%. That’s lessthan 3,900. We have accomplishedthis much progress due to the monumental efforts of a stellar public-privatepartnership between our FOTAS volunteers, members and Aiken County government.

The heartbreaking reality is that without anadequate facility this may be the best we can do.

Of course, extensive affordable spay/neuter is essential tosolve this problem. Numerousongoing, public and private, educational and subsidy programs are trying toaddress it from that end. But, inthe mean time, what about the present and foreseeable reality?

Our community shelter was built to house 100 animals morethan 20 year ago. In those same 20years, Jackson County Oregon, FOTAS’ partnership model, has virtuallyeliminated the need to euthanize an adoptable pet. In those same 20 years, shelter management and sheltermedicine has made a giant leap forward, because communities realize that theiressence is reflected in how they treat their animals.

These innocents, who add so much to so many lives; who areso dependent on us for their well-being, have committed no crime. They die not because they have failedus, but because we have failed them.

Studies show that if provided with an adequate shelterenvironment, community involvement, awareness, and adoptions go up, and intakegoes down.

What is a satisfactory shelter environment? One with adequate space, wastemanagement and healthy air to accommodate requisite length of stay forpopulation demands; one that does not cause the citizens who pay for it torecoil in horror and disgust. Ourshelter is none of the above.

For a nominal fee this summer, FOTAS retained a nationallyrecognized shelter expert to do a professional needs-assessment. Recognizing that funds are severelylimited, he evaluated options and made recommendations to County Council. His report is currently underconsideration.

While county government seeks the most efficient andeffective ways to fulfill its animal control obligations to the public, FOTASis stewarding our animal advocacy initiatives.

It is a good and solid partnership. While we envision a desirable futurefor our animals, all our feet are firmly planted in reality. We are all Aiken County and “TheShelter” is our community shelter. What we deserve is a healthy, humane, happy environment that one daywill never have to euthanize an adoptable pet. You can help this dream come true.

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

Aiken County Animal Shelter: “By the Numbers”

For October 3^rd thru 9^th

Dogs taken in: 55

Cats taken in: 43

Dogs adopted: 12

Cats adopted: 0

Dogs euthanized: 60

Cats euthanized: 28

LETTER: More needs to be done at shelter

2011-10-14T11:42:00.000-04:00

From The Aiken Standard
Submitted Letter to the Editor
By CAROLYN KLOTZBAUGH

Aiken County has a severe problem with the number of surrendered and stray animals who end up at the county shelter. Last year, the Aiken County took in 5,400 unwanted animals they it is required by law to care for and house. Most of the animals were adoptable, most were euthanized.

There is no single answer to this overwhelming problem. It needs to be a multi-pronged approach that tackles the problem on many levels.

The County must quickly start the new shelter project. Today, healthy, adoptable animals brought in to the shelter get sick because of disease ridden air, overcrowding and improper waste management. Not every animal can be saved, but the shelter must deal with an enormous number every day who need to be accounted for and humanely treated. The critical issue is providing adequate and humane housing.

An adequate shelter also must provide a positive environment for people who want to come and adopt. The smell, the noise and the overall depressing, overcrowded conditions keep most people away.

Everyone recognizes that spay and neuter is the long-term answer to the overpopulation population. State and county-wide programs must both educate and encourage people to take responsibility for their pets. The County budgets $30,000 a year to provide affordable spay and neuter services, but this cannot meet the demand. Think of the possibilities if concerned citizens would engage with the private sector to raise money for spay and neuter.