Sunday, August 11, 2013

How One Woman Got a Whole Community Involved

--> -->By Joya Jiménez DiStefano
Ellen came to Aiken from California and, needing a temporary place to stay rented a house from one of the founders and CEO of FOTAS.  During her six months in residence, Ellen learned of the needs at the Aiken County Shelter and decided to volunteer.
Ellen’s horses were boarded with Lanni, so Ellen recruited Lanni to help.  The two women learned that Tuesdays and Thursdays were under-staffed with volunteers willing to walk and work with dogs that otherwise would stay in their crowded cages another day.
The women chose Thursday mornings to go out to the shelter and walk dogs, play with dogs, exercise dogs, and help the dogs become more adoptable in a forever home.  Soon another friend, Judy, joined them and the trio made Thursdays their faithful commitment. 
The women arrive at the shelter and begin with the dogs in the inner pens.  These cages are half the size of the ones on the outer wall and have no access to the outside.  The inside cages often have two or three dogs packed together all desperate to get out and get some exercise.  The Thursday trio tries to make sure all the dogs are walked, but at the very least the ones in the interior cages.
When they finish, the three women go out to lunch.  This was their Thursday ritual until March, when Ellen, Lanni, and Judy attended the groundbreaking ceremony and saw the brochure for FOTAS’ fundraising campaign for the new county shelter.
The three women had something new to talk about at their next lunch.  They lived in a horse community.  Most of the residents either have dogs and cats or, at the very least, are animal lovers at heart.  Why not approach the Homeowners Association and see if they would be willing to circulate a plea for donations?
Ellen drafted a letter and submitted it to the HOA for Three Runs Plantation, who not only agreed to have it go out, but edited it and circulated it to their entire membership. 
Quickly, a number of checks came in, but not as many as Ellen had hoped.  They waited six weeks, and sent out a reminder.  To date, twenty-two households have participated and raised a total of $1,325. 
“There were checks from people who don’t even live here,” said Ellen, “From Rhode Island, New Jersey, and Greenville.”
The Three Runs Plantation community will be honored with a tribute plaque on the wall of the new shelter because of three residents who never miss a Thursday volunteering.
This is an example of the magic that will not only see the new Aiken County Animal Shelter become a reality, but that will inspire and invigorate the community involvement necessary to realize the vision to never ever have to euthanize an adoptable pet.
Ellen is hooked.  A couple of weeks ago she helped transfer a dozen dogs to Chesterfield, South Carolina and the connection to their forever homes. 
Perhaps you can help, too.  If not you, who?
 
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Retired organizational problem-solver and radical educator, Joya is an Artist, Servant Leader, and co-founder of FOTAS, Inc.
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”


July 29nd thru August 4th, 2013

Brought in:  54 dogs and 60 cats!!
Adopted:  6 dogs and 4 cats 
Put down:    49 dogs and 60 cats!

Aiken County Shelter “Pets of the Week!” 

 

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JOHNNY – Lab/terrier.  Young adult.  25 lbs.  This guy is loving fun!  Yours for only $70

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GROVER tabby kitten.  A sweetheart that needs your lap.  Only $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.