It All Comes Together Through Chaos, Magic, and Spay/Neuter

It is sometimes called the “Butterfly Effect.”  Coming from chaos theory, it suggests that small changes can provoke huge outcomes: a butterfly fans its wings in Brazil and causes a tornado in Texas.  In FOTAS we call it magic, the kind that comes from seizing the opportunity to do a good thing.

Take the volunteer who saw what she thought was a cruelty case, reported it to County Animal Control, and to FOTAS.  Turned out that a family with disabled sons was down on their luck and loved their pets, especially the already challenged young men.  Calls were made; donations and small grants secured, and all of the pets were vaccinated and spayed or neutered at the Aiken SPCA. 

That’s only one family, but potentially hundreds fewer unwanted cats and dogs.  The effect ripples out…

Last winter one of our regular volunteers received a notice from Pawmetto Lifeline in Columbia about a new opportunity they were exploring to expand spay/neuter services in the midlands.  FOTAS could compete as a rescue organization to win a sizeable spay/neuter grant by raising funds for the huge fundraiser, “Bark to the Park” in Columbia.

The opportunity ignited enthusiasm in our volunteers and supporters across the United States and even to England.  The dollars poured in to Team FOTAS Aiken County, and we won!  In May, Pawmetto Lifeline notified FOTAS that the grant would apply to Pawmetto Lifeline’s brand new clinic for spay/neuter.

FOTAS decided to apply the grant to a targeted area in Aiken County, one closest to Columbia.  Last Wednesday, a pilot project began in the Wagener district, including Salley, Perry, New Holland and Kitchings Mill.  If it proves successful, the program will be adjusted and replicated in other targeted communities throughout Aiken County.

Unwanted cats and dogs are heartbreaking for anyone who cares about animals.  Their brief miserable lives sometimes end humanely, but always tragically.  Even well-loved pets that are not altered must endure their bodies’ incessant demand to breed without relief, and the health risk-factors that accompany it.

They are also costly.  Aiken County Animal Shelter alone receives over 5,000 unwanted cats and dogs every year.  Nearly 4,000 die there.  And that does not include the cities of Aiken or North Augusta or all the puppies, kittens, dogs and cats that are road kill, hawk bait or shot for being a nuisance.

Comprehensive spay/neuter is essential to the solution.

On Wednesday morning Wagener Town Hall opened its doors to an onslaught of people who are eager to have their pets altered.  FOTAS “Targeted SNAP” (Spay Neuter Assistance Program) is a pilot program which will run through the middle of October.  The first 75 animals (approx) are guaranteed the surgery for as little as $7 per pet.  The remainder of applicants will determine follow-on efforts.

FOTAS plans to partner with Aiken County Animal Control, the Aiken SPCA, and the Wagener community to develop an ongoing program, for Wagener, as well as other targeted communities in Aiken County.

Make your donations to FOTAS SNAP.  

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 July 23 - 29, 2012       

Received:  49 dogs and 57 cats

Adopted:  8 dogs, 7 cats

Euthanized: 38 dogs and 14 cats

 

 Aiken County Shelter “Pets of the Week” are HALF PRICE*!

 

*All adoption fees include: Spay/Neuter, heartworm test, all shots, worming, and microchip and dogs are half price thru 9/8/12!

FIFI – Four month old female tabby.  She is as interested in being your doll as she looks. $35

 

CHLOE – 6yrs, Staffordshire Terrier mix.  She is a happy, affectionate gal and a great pet.   $35!

 

Help Us Win Free Spay/Neuter at Bark to the Park!

There are so many wonderful ways to do A Very Good Thing, but you only have six days left to pick one.  

Friends of the Animal Shelter-Aiken (FOTAS) was founded to help our Aiken County Animal Shelter become a community-centered, community supported facility with programs in which we could all take pride.  We had no idea what a huge project this initiative would become.  With the county, FOTAS is finally stewarding the building of a new shelter.  With our rescue partners and dedicated volunteers, we are expanding adoptions and transfers of our homeless pets.

 

Now, through Pawmetto Lifeline’s Bark to the Park on Saturday, TEAM FOTAS Aiken County can make a huge contribution to the County Spay/Neuter Voucher Program and help us promote  spay/neuter in the most hard to reach areas of the county.

We are counting on your support to achieve one of the top five fundraising spots for area rescues for this event.  There are several ways to help, but whichever one you choose, be certain to note that you are supporting TEAM FOTAS Aiken County:
 

Go to the FOTAS website or to this link: www.supportprojectpet.com/goto/FOTAS 

From there you have the option to:

1.     Join the team ($25/$15 under 12)

2.     Support an individual walker (any amount)

3.     Donate to the team or an individual walker for any amount.

You may write us a check and note that it is for Bark to the Park and we will submit it in your name.  It is tax deductible. If you join the team you can be a “virtual walker” or join us at Finlay Park in Columbia. Just be sure that you make it very clear that you are supporting FOTAS at Bark to the Park.  We want every dollar to count.

Herby Brown, our “new” Dog Rescue Waggin’, will be making his debut at the FOTAS booth.  A 1979 converted Airstream trailer, he has been an amazing collaborative project in the making.  We will have our county dogs available for adoption sporting their new “Adopt Me” vests.

We hope you will come out with your family and your dogs.  The walk and the festival are a blast for dog lovers.  It is barely an hour away.  Directions are available on line or contact FOTAS for more information.

If you do plan to attend, be sure to tell them when you register that you are supporting Team FOTAS Aiken County!  If you are donating, supporting a walker or participating as a virtual walker, be sure to do it as a supporter of Team FOTAS!

Finally, you can help Equine Rescue of Aiken by attending their spectacular spring fundraiser, “Buck the Film,” on Friday, April 13.  There will be a matinee and an evening showing which is accompanied by a party and silent auction. Tickets and information are available on line at  www.aikenequinerescue.com

Have a very good time doing a very good thing: Support Team FOTAS at Bark to the Park and Equine Rescue at Buck the Film.  Happy Easter!  

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

P.S. Come to the Bark to the Park Festival on Sat. APril 14th from 11 to 3 pm $10 for adults, $5 for children 5-12 yrs. Place FOTAS on your entrance waiver to show support for the Aiken County Animal Shelter and help us win free spay and neuter vouchers for Aiken County Animals.

Aiken County Animal Shelter:  “By the Numbers”

For the Week of March 26th thru April 1st 2012

Received: 36 dogs and 26 cats

Adoptions:  15 dogs and 9 cats

Euthanized:  45 dogs and 15 cats

Aiken County Animal Shelter Pets of the Week

TRIXIE – 1+ yr. Gets on great with everyone 

and loves to retrieve a ball!

 

ZENA – 3 yrs.  A sweet little gal who loves her window ledge in the sunlight 

 

Save April 13th and 14th for Community Rescue and Improve our Community

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 13^th, 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