How can we improve our community? Try joining a few hundred fellow citizens at
a grand film party on April 13 or at a huge dog festival the following day.
On Friday, 13 April, FOTAS’ rescue partner, Equine Rescue of
Aiken, will be hosting two viewings of the Sundance Film Festival’s
award-winning documentary, “Buck” at Aiken Center for the Arts.
The film’s subject, Buck Brannaman, is a horse whisperer,
said to be the inspiration for the main character in the book, The Horse Whisperer. "Horses… fill in places we're not capable
of filling ourselves,” he says, “They've given people a new hope, a new lease
on life…" That is, if they have the
chance.
Spread across 80 acres of
rolling hills, Haven Hills Farm is the home of Equine Rescue since 2006, and dedicated
to providing a safe haven for horses, and more recently dogs and puppies, who
have been victims of abuse, neglect or abandonment. Once rehabilitated, responsible forever homes
are sought for those who are
eligible. The rest live out their days at Haven Hills.
Equine Rescue takes the horses from Aiken City and County
animal control. Often the least
adoptable and most expensive cases, according to the philosophy of Equine
Rescue, “They still need a chance.”
So do many of the people who come to the Rescue, like those
doing community service, veterans
needing to heal, passionate volunteers, or even the bereft widower who recalls
the solace of equus and being useful.
Feed and hay alone cost Equine Rescue nearly $2,300 a
week. Add routine care: vet, dental, farrier,
then emergency vet services, meds, fly spray, grooming supplies, halters and lead
lines, and there is an opportunity. We
get to give back to the animals that give our Aiken County community so much, our
horses.
On April 13th, the afternoon showing of “Buck” is
complimentary, including popcorn, with the opportunity to donate to Equine
Rescue. The evening show will host a
party with wine, sumptuous hors d’oeuvres, dessert, and a silent auction, all
for $20, and more opportunities to donate to a wonderful program. Check their website for more info: www.aikenequinerescue.com.
From now until that auspicious Friday, FOTAS will also be
recruiting for “Team FOTAS Aiken.” If our team is one of the “Top 5” rescues participating in Pawmetto
Lifeline’s amazing festival, “Bark to the Park,” we can win thousands of
dollars in essential free spay/neuter
services for our Aiken County voucher program.
Bark to the Park is a blast
for dog lovers, but if you’d rather not have that much fun you can be
a “virtual” participant and still help us win. (Click here to join TEAM “FOTASAIKEN COUNTY”)
For those focused on animal welfare, the ways we can improve
our community are simple: Rescue to adequate facilities; Adopt to responsible
homes; and, Educate the community to prevent the neglect and abuse that often
comes from unwanted animals. The answers
are simple to articulate, but costly to implement. Join us by contributing what you can.
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”
For the MONTH of FEBRUARY 2012
Animals Received:
315
Returned to
Owners: 22 (7%)
Adoptions: 50 dogs and 20 cats
Transfers: 68 (7 to SPCA)
Euthanized: 205 (65%)
Aiken County Shelter “Pets of the Week”
 |
| RANGER
2yrs. 60
lbs. Walks well on a leash and wants to
be your new best friend.
|
 |
| MOLLY
1yr. Gorgeous, purr-fect
gal! $20
|
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Your comments and input are always welcome. We appreciate any suggestions or thoughts that will help FOTAS with their goal to help the Aiken County Animal Shelter become a happy, healthy place that never has to euthanize an adoptable pet.