Look what a Community that Cares can Do!

Aiken County Animal Control Services has 4 animal control officers, 2 veterinary technicians, 1 dispatcher, 1 custodian and 1 chief enforcement officer.  These 9 employees are responsible for protecting the public from the hazards or nuisance posed by animals at large.  Animal control staff has an additional obligation to protect domestic animals from abuse and neglect. 

Aiken County is approximately 110 square miles, much of it rural.  Aiken County Animal Shelter is 5,000 square feet, not nearly half the size needed to support all the living things it must house in the execution of its mission; not the staff, or the volunteers, the public or the four-legged residents.  And Aiken County Animal Control is obligated to take every single unwanted dog or cat that comes through its door and keep them, hopefully healthy, for at least 5 days.

Four years ago, before Friends of the Animal Shelter (FOTAS) organized, the County Shelter euthanasia rate was above 90%.  For the first quarter of 2012, the average euthanasia rate is 59%!  Yes, it will explode in a couple of months when breeding season kicks in for all the unspayed and unneutered cats and dogs, and when some people decide that it is easier to surrender their dog to the shelter so they can go on vacation than to make arrangements for its care.  Shelter staff and volunteers find it astounding and heartbreaking how often this occurs.  But for now, we can celebrate a huge victory, especially for all the incredible pets in good loving homes who would not be there without people who decided to get involved.

Where do are these people come from?  The simple answer is everywhere.  Take the woman who saved up one hundred one-dollar bills.  The first time she achieved $100, she left it as credit at Aiken Saddlery and the shelter got a bunch of new leashes and collars.  Just recently the anonymous benefactor hit the mark again and donated 100 dollar bills neatly wrapped in an envelope. 

Then there are the children.  Our County Administrator’s granddaughter, Hailey, wants to spend every free moment volunteering at the shelter, and when she has a birthday, her gifts are donations for the dogs and cats.  Our Editor for the Aiken Standard’s son, Parker, and the Daniel’s kids, too, have had “Giving Parties” on behalf of the animals at the County Shelter.  These kids are still in elementary school.  It’s exciting to think of the kind of citizens they will become.

Retirees and local businesses have come forward as sponsors for FOTAS events, and as contributors to many of our projects: the cat colony, Cats at the Shelter ( AKA “C. A.T.S.” ), the overflow pens, the big dog play yard and shade hut, the vetting of design specialists for a new shelter, and most recently, the conversion of “Herbie Brown,” from a ’79 Airstream Landyacht to FOTAS’ new Dog Rescue Waggin’.

 

Aiken County, keep it up and one day we will never have to euthanize an adoptable pet!

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 March 2012

Received: 222 dogs and 111 cats

Adoptions:  59 dogs and 24 cats

Transfers:  56 dogs

Euthanized:  110 dogs and 89 cats

Aiken County Animal Shelter Pets of the Week

BUDDY – 1.5 yr chocolate lab mix.  

 Silky and delightful to play with. $70 is a DEAL!

PRETTY – Amazing markings and a sweet disposition, all her purrs can be yours for only $35