FOTAS Gives Thanks for Many Things

This year, Friends of the Animal Shelter have much for which we can be grateful.

We are deeply indebted to individuals, families, neighborhoods, schools, clubs, and communities throughout Aiken County who have given generously of their time and money to help the animals at the County Shelter. 

We are grateful for our local business community’s ongoing support.  Talent, expertise, professional services and resources, and dollars have been invested over and over in our cause.

FOTAS is a 100% volunteer organization, and we are so very grateful for that spirit which moves our volunteers to go out to the shelter day after day, week after week, to assure our adoptable dogs get the attention and exercise they need; to spend time with the cats and kittens; so our homeless pets can be seen as potentially great family members.

Our volunteers plan and execute fund-raisers like Woofstock, Breakfast at FATZ, the FOTAS Hunter Pace at Three Runs Plantation, golf tournaments, and special “giving parties.”  We have clubs like Future Farmers, Girl Scouts, Serteens and NJROTC who dedicate themselves to advancing the FOTAS Mission to help provide a Community Shelter in which we can all take pride.  We are so thankful for all they do.

We have a state-of-the-art website because of a volunteer.  We have broadcast email capabilities, keeping our membership 1000-strong up to date on our progress, special needs, and involvement opportunities – all because of a volunteer. 

We are blessed with rarely talented volunteers who understand database management, how to maintain financial accounts, how to recruit and organize the right help at the right time, and those who can appreciate contributions in just the right way.

We are profoundly grateful for the volunteers who take on litter after litter of abandoned puppies and kittens, who find transfer partners at no-kill shelters, and who see that some very lucky dogs and cats find their way to forever homes.

We have volunteers who are developing targeted spay/neuter programs across the county, who make the calls, who help the owners, rescuers, businesses do the right thing and spay/neuter as many dogs and cats as they can in their communities.  We are so very thankful for all their combined efforts.

We are blessed with county staff and county officials who have joined us in one of the finest public-private partnerships ever seen in creating a better community.  For the officers in the field and shelter staff dealing with daily heartbreak, to county administration and officials determined to find the optimal combination of resources and outcomes, we are thankful.

Perhaps there is nothing for which we in the FOTAS family can be more grateful than the miraculous creatures whose cause we champion day in and day out, our pets.  Dog lover or cat lover, we know the loyalty, affection, entertainment they bring us. 

If we let them, our pets can teach us about tolerance, patience, forgiveness, honesty, and love.  We are thankful always for them, and the opportunity to live up to their image of us.   

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 12^th thru 18^th   

Received: 37 dogs and 46 cats!

Adopted: 8 dogs and 1 cats

Euthanized: 48 dogs and 22 cats

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

TIGER – +/-1 yr, 34 lbs, He has stripes.  He is great on a leash.  Super friendly and only $35

 

SHADOW – Golden boy.  3 months old. Lovely, quiet personality. Purr-fect gentleman! $35

 

NJROTC Unit were the Stars of the FOTAS Benefit Breakfast at FATZ

Last Saturday, FOTAS held its fourth annual benefit breakfast, an occasion marked by many firsts.  It was our first-time event with FATZ Café, having outgrown our original partner, Applebee’s. 

We had adoptable animals from our county shelter on site for the first time, thanks to Herbie Brown, our Rescue Waggin.  A cat and two kittens found new homes.  With great community support, we sold more merchandise, and raised more money than any previous benefit breakfast.

And most significantly, we were honored to work side by side with the NJROTC Unit (Navy Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps) from Aiken High.

If you Google “NJROTC,” here’s a bit of what their website will tell you about the program:

The NJROTC accredited curriculum emphasizes citizenship and leadership development, as well as our maritime heritage… seamanship, navigation and meteorology.  Classroom instruction is augmented throughout the year by … community service, academic, athletic, drill and orienteering competitions…, marksmanship sports training, and physical fitness training.

What does the NJROTC program do?

• Promotes Patriotism
• Develops informed and responsible citizens
• Develops respect for constructed authority
• Develops leadership potential
• Promotes high school completion
• Promotes higher education
• Promotes community service
• Develops a high degree of personal honor, self-reliance, individual discipline and leadership…

The service and work ethic s developed in the NJROTC program’s participants were in evidence at the FOTAS breakfast.

Commander Negron is understandably proud of the performance of his young people, and he clearly enjoys his role in their development as the unit’s commander at Aiken High.  He has led both rifle teams and academic teams to win state championships, but last Saturday they were Aiken County Animal Shelter champions.

In selecting rising senior Bobby Arthurs as the unit’s executive officer for 2012-13, Commander Negron said, "This year, he was my go-to guy for all big community service activities, as well being a platoon commander."  No surprise to find young Arthurs leading the unit serving the FOTAS breakfast.

Bobby started his freshman year looking for a way out of gym class, which participation in the NJROTC program affords.  Now he has his eyes on the Marines and the Citadel.

Valery, a rising sophomore, was recruited in the 8^th grade by a couple of High School cadets.  She likes the teamwork, skill building and the way the program gets them involved in serving their community.  She loved fund-raising for the shelter.

Here’s the thing - next year, when we settle in at our brand new, fine and final Aiken County Animal Shelter on its rolling wooded lot, FOTAS  sees an opportunity to do much more than rescue lots and lots of homeless pets. 

We are building a public place that beckons, a place that can deepen the character and enhance the quality of the Aiken County communities it exists to serve.  Animals do make us human.  Humble, practical and creative, our new public shelter will inspire the best in us, much like those magnificent young people with the NJROTC at Aiken High.

  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”

June 11^th thru 17^th

Received:   84 dogs & 19 cats

Adopted:     4 dogs & 13 cats

Euthanized:  33 dogs & 19 cats

 Aiken County Shelter “Pets of the Week” 

XENA and WEBSTER - darling, inseparable, loving, year-old siblings.  These two are truly better than one!   Half-price at $35 each  

WEBSTER

XENA

 

COCONUT  - Cuddly male kitten who will purr for you.  Yours for 

only $35! 

 

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

 

 

A Tale of Two Cats and a Breakfast at FATZ

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 16^th, 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 7^th!!

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!

 

So Many Ways to Serve an Extraordinary Community

Last Saturday, a FOTAS contingent of volunteers and seven adoptable dogs waited at the intersection of Sumter and Park while the entire Memorial Day Parade passed by.  It was the official debut of Herbie Brown, our Rescue Waggin’, and we waited to fall in line and bring up the rear of the parade.

FOTAS was honored to be invited to follow such a venerable procession and remember the soldiers’ sacrifices in protecting our communities.

The silver pickup that pulled Herbie Brown was loaned by Justine for the occasion.  The four dog (and one cat) tunes blasting from the truck’s CD player were assembled by Meg and Scott.  “Who Let the Dogs Out..UNH!” 

Two youths, Alexander and Tavian, volunteered to be the FOTAS mascots.  “You ain’t nuttin’ but a hound dog…”  It was too hot for them to wear the paper maché heads, so the boys sported the mascot shirts and held signs advertising “FOTAS’ Breakfast at FATZ for the County Shelter Cats (and Dogs),”  while the mascot heads bobbled on the ends of the cooler handles.  “…You can show me how to walk the dog…”  And the music played on. 

It was hot that afternoon, so the marching dogs (with volunteer) had to be cycled in and out of the air-conditioned cab, and on and off the back of the truck, or carried in arms.  The effort paid off: Meco, Tator-Tot and Wiggles were adopted. 

We still have some kinks to work out in Herbie Brown’s air conditioning, but it will be up and running by June 16^th.  He will be the “Kitty Caboose” at the FOTAS Breakfast at FATZ Café with a load of adoptable kittens and cats.

This is the fourth year that FOTAS will hold a benefit breakfast.  It is the first year at FATZCafé.  We are forever grateful to Applebee’s for their support in the past, but the growing community interest in the annual event demands a bigger venue.  We hope you will come out. 

Tickets are selling fast.  Pick them up at Bone-i-Fide Bakery, Aiken Saddlery, or email us at info@fotasaiken.org and we will see that you get what you need.  We also have no-show donation “bookmarks,” if you want to support the cause, but can’t make the date.  There will be a drawing from the numbers sold for a fun prize.  The winning ticket number will be announced on our website on the 16^th.

What better way to honor our soldiers’ service than to build communities in which we take pride?  FOTAS believes that how we care for our animals is one reflection of those communities.

The county shelter is currently overrun with unwanted litters, with and without their mothers.  The adoption section has been expanded, but there has been a sudden blow to the custodial capabilities with maternity leave and turnover. 

We are recruiting volunteers to help clean the adoption pens between 8 and 10 am.  If you can help in this time of need, please call the shelter: 642-1537.  Your shelter needs you!

  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”

Fairway Horse Transport has transferred over 1,300 Aiken County dogs in 4 years, for free.

The Aiken County Animal Shelter euthanasia rate was 86% in April!

CONGO Adorable and friendly Half Price only $35

Aiken County Shelter “Pets of the Week”  Half-Price Special goes until July 7^th!

 

 

AVIS one of many cats and kittens. Every size age and color. Litters are coming in faster than we can handle!

 

There are Many Ways and Many Reasons to Participate

Let’s start with some really fabulous news: April 2012, FOTAS volunteers, County Shelter staff and rescue partners working together saved 132 dogs and cats through adoptions and transfers to no-kill shelters.  The bad news is that the euthanasia rate was still 86% for the month.

FOTAS, as the non-profit animal advocacy and fund-raising arm for Aiken County Animal Services, is working nonstop to involve the entire county in a three-pronged approach to addressing this problem:  community awareness of animal issues; providing an adequate, healthy, humane county shelter; and, animal population control through spay/neuter.

Rescuing 132 animals in a single month is a signature achievement, but when nearly 400 animals are coming through the door, it can feel like Sisyphus pushing that proverbial rock up the hill only to have it roll back and his struggle to repeat.  Sisyphus was condemned to this futility for eternity; FOTAS believes there are realistic remedies for our pets, that is, if enough of us care.

Shortly, we will officially launch a capital campaign to raise the approximate half-million dollars still needed to build our new county shelter.  We are going to pull out all the stops over the next year or two to make this happen, because this is our best last chance to do this right. 

FOTAS foresees the opportunity for everyone throughout the county to have a stake in this venture, and to leave a lasting legacy far into the future: just who we are, and what we stand for, when it comes to responsibility and compassion for our animals.  As we seek to enroll Aiken County citizens in making a contribution, FOTAS endeavors will be hard to miss.

On Saturday, May 26^th, we march in the Memorial Day Parade.  Herbie Brown, our community designed, magnificently renovated ’79 Airstream Landyacht, recently converted into a climate- controlled Animal Rescue Waggin’, will be making his Aiken debut.  Herbie will be the centerpiece of FOTAS’ demonstration of appreciation for our fallen veterans, accompanied by seven special adoptable dogs from our county shelter with their volunteer handlers. 

Three weeks later, on June 16^th, Herbie will be the “Kitten Caboose,” full of adoptable kittens at FOTAS’ first “Breakfast at FATZ for the County Shelter Cats.”  Tickets are already on sale through our volunteer network, at the Aiken County Shelter, Bone-i-Fide Bakery and Aiken Saddlery.  We even have commemorative no-show “bookmarks” for our fans who can’t make it to FATZ’ yummy breakfast.

The breakfast is dedicated to our cats, because on November 10^th the second annual Woofstock Festival will feature the dogs in a community celebration full of surprises, and bigger and better than ever.  Stay tuned.

In between events, we will be present in other meaningful ways: adoption days, our annual meeting, and Steeplechase in the fall.  It all brings us closer to our vision: Aiken County Animal Shelter never has to euthanize an adoptable pet. 

We are counting on your support.  Volunteer.  Walk dogs.  Raise money.  Foster puppies, kittens, or transfer candidates (short term).  Promote spay/neuter.  Join us.  

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 April 2012  

Dogs taken in: 243

Cats taken in: 141

Dogs adopted: 70

Cats adopted: 31

Dogs euthanized: 204

Cats euthanized: 125

Aiken County Shelter “Pets of the Week”

DOOLITTLE – 2 yrs. This boy is a beauty and 

so affectionate for only $35!

WIGGLES – 5 year old boxer mix, another  loving dog longing for a home