The middle of a ten-acre tree farm, well off the paved road,
is the perfect place for a resourceful pair of animal lovers like Don and Fran. And the animals that need them the most seem
to somehow find their way to this unique sanctuary, especially cats.
Anyone who shares their life with an assortment of animals
with complicated pasts will recognize the magic and mystery of Fran and Don’s
latest experience among their four-legged friends.
The story begins a few months ago with a friendly,
semi-feral, charcoal gray tomcat. He had
been captured and confined in a shelter where he contracted a feline upper
respiratory infection.
Had it been the County Shelter, he would have been
euthanized. Instead, he spent six weeks
quarantined in a cage. At the end of his
confinement, the gray cat was so traumatized he was deemed unadoptable, so he
ended up with Fran and Don.
The gray tom arrived terrified and angry. He did not fight with the other cats; he hid
from them. He would not allow Don or
Fran to touch him. He hid. They named him Gray Ghost for the way he would
vanish into the bathroom or under the bed.
“Little Mama” cat was another miracle of survival in
residence. She had been abandoned for
two weeks with five kittens in a vacated rental the previous summer. Dehydrated and emaciated, she had given
everything she had to her babies, and the vet didn’t think she would make
it. Don and Fran nursed her with the
baby food they fed the kittens and she gradually recovered.
Little Mama, afraid of being shut in the house, preferred
living outdoors and coming in if she chose.
Then, when it seemed like she’d stayed out for weeks, one night she came
in and stayed all night.
It was during that rare visit, while Fran and her little
granddaughter stroked Little Mama, that Fran felt inspired to explain to the cat
about Gray Ghost.
“He’s had a rough time,” she said, “He’s still so
frightened. Can you talk to him? Tell him he’s home now… that he can trust
us…”
The next morning, the gray tomcat lay curled in Don’s
recliner. As Fran approached, he was
wary but didn’t run. He let her pet
him. Then he let Don pet him. During the day, he wandered around the house
in the open. He accepted treats and
curled close by Fran in a window seat.
He allowed Don and Fran many more pets.
That night he lay on the sofa next to their granddaughter and rubbed
himself into her small hand. True story.
There are so many beautiful cats and kittens waiting for
their own miracle at our County Shelter cat colony, C.A.T.S. They are half-price, and a pleasure to visit
on their screened-in porches.
On Saturday, the 16th, FOTAS’ benefit breakfast
for our cats at FATZ Café will feature Herbie Brown and adoptable kitties,
prizes, and pancakes. Why not make some
half-price magic of your own?
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
20 dogs and
puppies now in foster homes- please considering fostering and help us help
more!
Aiken County Shelter “Pets of the Week”
All Pets Half-Price thru July 7th!!
 | |
| LITTLE BUSTER – 2 yrs, 15 lbs. This little guy will fit into any lifestyle. Wants your love. Only $35. |
 |
JINX is a 3 year old handsome male
kitty. He is neutered and ready for his forever home. $35.
|
All adoption fees include: Spay/Neuter, heartworm test, all
shots, worming, and microchip!
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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.