Children are Perceptive and Caring!

Through the Eyes of a Child

By Joanna Dunn Samson, FOTAS Director

as seen in the "Aiken Standard" 4-27-14 edition

Eavesdrop on any group of world-weary adults bemoaning the state of modern youth, and you will likely hear something like this: “Kids these days!  They’re spoiled and lazy.  All they care about is video games, Facebook, selfies, and hanging out.”

If you happen to be one of those folks fretting about our future generation - fret no more: I have good news.  Aiken kids do care about making the world a better place. 

How do I know this?

I have had the honor of reading the essays submitted for consideration in Meg’s Essay Contest, a contest sponsored by FOTAS as part of the Woofstock festivities and open to local students in Grades 1-5. 

FOTAS asked contestants to respond to questions developed for each age group.  

Six-year-old Luke Vincent wrote the winning response to the Grade 1 & 2 question.  “My pet is my best friend  . . . because she is so cute and pretty!” he writes about his cat.  “She is so silly and lazy,” he adds.  

I love that.  He loves his cat despite her faults; he loves her unconditionally.

Fourth grader Reece McCarthy writes, “I think we should have a dog because when you are sad, they help and lick you . . . and,” he continues, “since I am a boy, you can play soccer with them.”  

This last addition impresses me.  No rational parent can deny the benefit of allowing a young boy the opportunity to blow off steam and develop his physical coordination at the same time?

Another 4^th grader winner, Hope Dyches, takes a worldly approach.  “[Even though] . . . we already have 9 dogs, . . . there are so many at the shelter that need loving homes,” she writes, appealing to her parent’s obvious commitment to helping the shelter’s thousands of homeless animals.

She shrewdly points out how adopting another pet will aid her development and benefit her parents:  “If you let me adopt it . . . I will be well behaved and keep my room clean.”

Nine dogs already!!??  God bless her - not only is Hope a smart, strategic thinker, she is gutsy.

5^th grader Reagan Houck writes an impressively researched and sophisticated response to why spay/neuter is important to the Aiken community. She dispels the myths (the pet will get fat and lazy, the procedure is too expensive), and highlights the health advantages (happier, stress-free pets who are content to stay home).

She cites statistics: 150,000 animals a year end up homeless, and this startling fact – one cat’s offspring can produce 2,072,514 kittens over 8 years!

She appeals to our emotions: “Nobody likes seeing a poor cat or dog in the street because they are homeless.  They need a home, too.”

Hubert Humphrey once said:

Every child is an adventure into a better life – an opportunity to change the old pattern and make it new.

This year’s winners of Meg’s Essay Contest - Luke, Reece, Hope and Reagan demonstrate the wisdom of that observation. 

I, for one, am happy and relieved to leave our collective future and the future of Aiken County’s homeless, abandoned and neglected animals in their hands.

The winners of Meg’s Essay Contest will be the student judges for the Woofstock Dog Contests (Best Kisser, Best Trick, Best Costume, Best Hairdo/Non-Hairdo, Best Singer/Talker/Howler) at Woofstock on May 3rd at the new community shelter (10:30 - 3:00, at 333 Wire Road.)  Bring your family, enter your dogs and join the fun.  See you there.

FOTAS Volunteers work with the AIKEN COUNTY ANIMAL SHELTER, 333 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”

Apr. 13, 2014 - Apr. 19, 2014

30 dogs and 10 cats  SAVED

Year to Date:  

255 terrific pets   SAVED

THANK YOU AIKEN COUNTY COMMUNITY!

Aiken County Shelter “Pets of the Week!” 

**All adoption fees include:  spay/neuter, heartworm test, all shots, worming, and microchip.

LEOPOLD   American bulldog, male, 1 1/2 yrs old, 59 lbs.  Only $70 

SPUG  Domestic short hair -- male -- 5 yrs old, 14 lbs  Only $35

Children Offer Advice about Our Homeless Puppies and Kittens

Last summer, as the Woofstock Festival approached, as images of the new Aiken County Shelter appeared, and as FOTAS kicked off its first community-based SNAP (Spay/Neuter Assistance Program), we invited elementary school children to write an essay for prizes. 

In the Essay Contest flyers, Meg, the Woofstock Festival mascot, posed the question, “What can we do about all the unwanted puppies and kittens?”  Children were given until October 1^st to submit their reply.  Here are some highlights:

“We just adopted a fun loving puppy.  That has given me more time to learn about dogs and how wonderful they are... I think it would a good idea if the FOTAS picked out some dogs that were calm.  Then the dogs could go stay at a nursing home for a while because it is helpful for lonely people to have a dog to love.

The more the dogs go out in the community the more people would see and want to adopt them.”  Sophia, age 9, 4^th grade.

“I think what you should do about the animals is try to get them adopted.  I know that’s obvious, but you should try various locations at the same and at different times…I think what you’re doing is the best!  It’s what I want to do when I grow up.”  Sofia, age 11, 6^th grade.

“I’ve been to an animal shelter.  I think that the animals need more space to run and play.  They also need more food…  They also need toys to play with.  I hope they get everything they need from a family that loves and cares for them.”  Christian, age 7,  2^ndgrade.

“I got a kitten at the animal shelter… He likes to play with me.  He is cuddly.  I think people should get kittens and cats, because cats and kittens are fun.”  Noah, age 7, 2^ndgrade.

I think we should give the puppies to the farmers around Aiken…  The farmers can train the puppies early because, you know, the puppies are very trainable.  I think the farmers would be very happy to know that they are going to get a working-dog.” Sydney, age 10, 5^thgrade.

“…I love animals and I hate to see them on the streets and/or abandoned.  Also, I don’t like seeing them in the kennels… So I would love if people could help in two ways.  1. Donate to the FOTAS so if anything is wrong with the animals, they can fix them. 2. Adopt the animals.  My family adopted their dogs.  Abby, age 10, 5^thgrade.

“When someone adopts a dog or a kitten show them other cats or dogs that get along good and like each other.  Or you could offer foster before someone thinks about adopting so they know how the dog behaves so they won’t get returned.  Also you can get the cats and dogs spayed and neutered.” Macy, age 9, 4^thgrade.

Out of the mouths of babes, insights on responsible pet ownership and the many joys rescued animals can bring.  Happy New Year to all!

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”

November  2012 vs  2011 

Received	306	369
Adopted	60	72
Transferred	47	36
Euthanized	229	288

 Aiken County Shelter “Pets of the Week!”

All adoptions ½ price through tomorrow, 12/31!

AMBER – 2 yrs. 46 lbs. Boxer mix.  Not just beautiful, but sweet too! 

This long time resident is Still only $35!                           

CHAD – 2yrs. 39 lbs. American Bull Dog mix.  This guy is a sweetheart!  Start the year with a great best friend.

 

 

 

*All adoption fees include: Spay/Neuter, heartworm test, all shots, worming, and microchip.

Woofstock Festival Begins with a Challenge to Youngsters

“Out of the mouths of babes…” says scripture, and we are counting on the children for their wisdom for a very special event.

If you are the parent, grandparent, guardian or role-model of an elementary school-aged child, FOTAS has a wonderful opportunity for you to share with your youngster: help him or her enter “Meg’s Essay Contest.”

Meg is a little brindle terrier who was rescued from the Aiken County Animal Shelter last April.  Her owner is Edie who is in charge of FOTAS’ Woofstock Festival 2012.  The Essay contest honors our County Shelter’s lucky dogs and cats.

The Essay Contest intends to put children in grades 1 through 6 in charge of addressing a key question at the heart of this year’s Woofstock festivities.

Meg’s Essay question for the children to ponder is, “What can we do about all the unwanted puppies and kittens in Aiken County?” 

Last year 5011 unwanted, neglected or abused dogs and cats were received at our county shelter; 3,808 or 76% died there.  As awful as that number is to confront, over the last five years it is down almost 20%.

Let’s ask the children: “What can we do about all the unwanted puppies and kittens?”  Talk to them.  Help them ponder, and write about an answer. 

On November 10^th FOTAS will hold our second Woofstock Festival, “Mutts & Music.”  The organizers have pulled out all the stops in providing a celebration of families and their pets. 

Woofstock is also an essential fund-raiser for FOTAS’ partnership with the county in providing a new county animal shelter, one that is adequate to the humane treatment of its homeless animals, and to the participation of communities bent on reducing those numbers.

The Woofstock Festival of Mutts & Music promises fun activities for all ages: music by 93.9 BobFM, Tony B. of WKSX 92.7 FM, and 4 Cats in the Doghouse.  There will be contests, demonstrations, a Mutt Strut Parade, vendors, crafters, food by the Willcox, Papa John’s, Coach T’s, Papa Russ’ Bar-B-Que, and Brusters.  And we are just getting started.

The Essay Contest will be judged in three “flights:” grades 1 & 2, 3 & 4, and 5 & 6.  Entries must be made on the Official Essay Contest form.  Here are the Rules and how to get a form if you do not already have one:

ESSAY CONTEST RULES

Essays must be received by FOTAS no later than Monday, October 1, 2012.

Contest is open to students in grades 1 - 6.

One winner will be selected from each “flight:” Grades 1-2, 3-4, 5-6.

Each winner will be awarded:

• Chance to co-judge the dog contests at Woofstock (best trick, best kisser & best costume)
• iTunes $10 gift card
• A commemorative Woofstock t-shirt
• 2 free tickets to the Woofstock Festival

Essays must be written on the official form.

To get yours:

Call  803-522-0471 or email woofstock@fotasaiken.org and request one be sent.

Go to the FOTAS website and the Woofstock Tab has everything!

FOTAS wants to hear what the children are saying.   

See you at Woofstock: Mutts & Music 2012!

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”

  August 27^th thru September 2^nd  

  Received: 57 dogs and 43 cats

Adopted: 6 dogs and 3 cats

Put down: 50 dogs and 24 cats

 

Aiken County Shelter “Pets of the Week!” So much LOVE for so little!

ELMER FUDDAmerican Bulldog mix 3 yrs. 51 lbs.   
Super-friendly and great to walk on a leash!  $70 includes everything but the love!

NUGGET –  14-week male tabby.  Cute as a bug that purrs!  $35 for kitty, purr-FREE!

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