Saturday at FATZ a Day for Our CATZ!

Last year, 1,682 cats died at the Aiken County Shelter, and it is “kitten season” again, which means that there are babies everywhere, nearly all unwanted.  A very few will be lucky and find good homes, but most of them will die; some humanely at the shelter, but the rest will meet sad ugly deaths.

A couple of summers ago, FOTAS helped establish C.A.T.S., an adoptable cat and kitten colony at the County Shelter.  It is really a lovely place where cat-lovers, young and old, can go and spend time with loving cats that truly deserve forever homes.

The shelter welcomes volunteers who might brush them, have a game of chase-the-toy, or just sit and quietly offer affection: a butt-scratch, a behind-the- ear-rub, soft talk, and receive a contented purr of appreciation in return.

Sit on the benches in two indoor cat dorms or go around back to their outdoor patios.  Both offer climbing trees, scratching poles and toys galore.  There are hidey-holes and rafters for the more reticent cats who might love a job in a barn helping to control the rodent masses.  C.A.T.S. is a lovely, welcoming place.

Joan, recently widowed, found solace with the cats after her husband’s passing. She identifies as a “dog person,” but is no longer stable enough on her feet to walk most dogs so she volunteers in C.A.T.S..   She found it surprisingly comforting to have the adult cats come to her wanting to be petted.  “Kittens are fun,” she says, “But they don’t stay put.”

So Joan comes every week now to spend time with the cats.  “There may be four or five kittens in various and sundry positions using me as a climbing post,” she says, “Not on my head, though; I don’t let them climb on my head.” She laughs.  She plans to bring her own folding chair and spend more time.  She recommends that chairs be added when C.A.T.S. moves to the new shelter site.

The cost of relocating C.A.T.S. is a FOTAS commitment.  And there are other immediate needs, like food, toys, kitty litter and spay/neuter funds.  A healthy cat environment needs places to play and things to play with.  It should be interesting, stimulating, safe and clean.  Providing such an environment takes resources: money, time, knowledge and care.

Next Saturday, FOTAS will be hosting our annual benefit Breakfast at FATZ for the County Shelter Catz.  This year it is a component of our “Fit, Furnish and Finish” Fundraising campaign for the New County Shelter.  Herbie Brown will be at FATZ with a sample of our adoptable cats and kittens.  We will be selling our signature hats and t-shirts, recruiting volunteers and foster homes, and answering any questions you may have about our programs. 

Tickets are $7.  Buy them at the door, on line under “Events,” or call 803-514-4313. $5 commemorative tickets are available for those who can’t make it.

We hope to see you there, perhaps in a chair beside Joan, or with a new cat 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”

May 27^th thru June 2^nd, 2013

Brought in:  44 dogs and 46 cats

Adopted:  7 dogs and 6 cats 

Put down:    26 dogs and 20 cats!

Aiken County Shelter “Pets of the Week!” 

BENJAMIN - 3 yrs. Hound mix.  This guy is a joy of a boy!  Yours for only $70  

 

BABY GIRL –1 yr.  Black, black, black, with golden eyes!   Only $35

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

Puppy Tales for the Holidays

Last month, the Wiseman family took a very pregnant, lovely yellow Lab named Annie home to have her puppies, who the Wisemans would then foster as their umpteenth litter.  Annie had seven healthy puppies on Election Day: a chocolate, a yellow, a chocolate, a yellow…and then three dusty brown adorable mutts.

Two Saturdays later, right after another foster home agreed to take three litters to her farm, a family brought eight crying motherless puppies to the County Shelter.  The puppies had not eaten for two days while their people waited for the mother dog to return.  No mother dog leaves her babies for two days, not if she can return.

Shelter staff and FOTAS volunteers fed the starving babies immediately, while thinking what could be done to save them. 

One of the volunteers present was another veteran foster parent and recalled that the Wiseman puppies were about the same age as the orphans.  The Wisemans agreed to add the eight motherless puppies to the seven they already had, hoping that they could persuade Annie to feed all fifteen.

When the new batch arrived, each ball of fur was rubbed with bedding from Annie’s own litter and placed in their own puppy pen.  Heather Wiseman sat on the floor and gently called to Annie, knowing she would come to her.  That’s all it took.

For two weeks the mother dog has nursed her seven and then the batch of eight, seven of which are girls.  The Wisemans have supervised and supported and supplemented Annie’s care.  The fifteen puppies are fat, healthy, affectionate and playful.  Those that are not adopted in Aiken County, will probably find a new home up north for Christmas.

Meanwhile, out in Windsor a small chestnut stray is raising her litter of eight in a drain pipe.  She has moved the pups many times trying to avoid human interference.  Time is running out to give any of them a chance at a good life in a caring home.  Likely, their lives will be short and as miserable as their deaths.

Last weekend, Herbie Brown, the ’79 Airstream that FOTAS converted into a Rescue
Waggin’, was parked on Church Street in Wagener waiting to be decorated for the Christmas parade the next day.

A car pulled up, and the driver, an older gentleman asked about the FOTAS Spay/Neuter Assistance Program that had been running monthly in Wagener since the beginning of August.

“I live in Perry,” he said, “And there’s this neighborhood dog.  She goes from house to house and everybody feeds her.  Well,” he went on, “She’s pregnant.” 

He wants to let her have her puppies.  He believes they will find homes, and then they’ll get the mother spayed.  And who will spay and neuter the puppies?  He shrugged and smiled.

Please support Spay/Neuter. Please, remember that a Christmas puppy needs your love and care for at least another dozen Christmases. Please support FOTAS in any way you can: donate (warm blankets!), foster, adopt, or volunteer. 

And have a wonderful Christmas and Happy Chanukah!

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.or

Aiken County Animal Shelter:  “By the Numbers”

November 19^th thru 25^th  

Received: __ dogs and __ cats

Adopted: __ dogs and __ cats

Euthanized: __ dogs and __ cats

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

PAISLEY – 2yrs. Sweet American Bull Terrier mix.  Gorgeous boy.  $70

SPARKY – 8 yr. Apricot pretty boy.  $35

              

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

FOTAS Begins Year Four with an Annual Meeting and Celebration

On August 18^th, FOTAS celebrated its volunteers, accomplishments, and its vision for the future at our third annual meeting for members.  The meeting highlights are worth sharing for those who wonder what we have been up to.

The 2012 FOTAS Annual Meeting was billed as a “Potluck Snack Celebration,” and nearly forty stalwart members braved the midday heat on the grounds of the County Shelter.

Borrowed tailgate tents were pitched in front of Herby Brown, the 1979 Airstream converted to FOTAS’ signature Rescue Waggin’, and the podium was the ramp to C.A.T.S. (Cats at the Shelter), a lovely adoptable cat colony, another FOTAS contribution to the County Shelter.

Three tables covered with food, iced beverages in coolers below, entertained the attendees until the meeting was called to order. 

The FOTAS treasurer report was an appropriate launch to the meeting/celebration: FOTAS has no debt, and no real overhead as an all-volunteer organization.  This allows all of the money raised, after expenses, to directly benefit the county’s homeless animals.

In addition to Herby and C.A.T.S., here are some additional ways FOTAS has invested over $75,000 in the county Shelter to date:

·       Commercial Laundry Equipment

·       Large dog Play Yard

·       Stainless Steel Cage Banks for surgical recovery

·       Grooming tub and table

·       Platform Scale

·       Renovated the Autoclave for surgeries

·       Toys, treats, food, flea & tick treatments and shampoo

·       Kennel decks and Kuranda beds to get the dogs off the concrete

FOTAS has also raised enough money to fulfill its commitment to the County in the MOU for the new shelter construction: the county makes the funds for the building a priority and FOTAS pays for the Architectural and Engineering costs.

 FOTAS has over 1000 members and roughly 75 active volunteers with both lists still growing. Our volunteers realize FOTAS’ mission by:

·       Making shelter animals more adoptable with training, exercise and TLC;

·       Fostering mamas and puppies or kittens, babies without mamas, and special needs cases;

·       Organizing and staffing fundraisers like our benefit breakfasts, golf tournament, Hunter Pace, Giving Parties, and, of course the grand event: Woofstock Festival of Mutts and Music (to be augmented this year by better weather, a Mutt Strut and, we hope, another Motorcycle Ride-to-Woofstock on 11/10/12);

·       Staffing adoption events at Petsmart and local businesses;

·       Establishing and expanding our Spay Neuter Assistance Program (SNAP) to target local communities; and,

·       Maintaining our database, website, social media, thank-you-note and canister program, and writing this column.

In short, FOTAS is volunteers and donors.

The meeting ended with the introduction of two new board members, Frank Townsend and Joanna Dunn Samson, our own banker and lawyer to help steward our growing pains. 

FOTAS’ mission is, in part, to help the Aiken County Animal Shelter be a healthy, happy place where no adoptable pet has to go to die. 

Last year 5,011 unwanted animals came into our shelter, FOTAS helped the county shelter save 1,652 or 33%.  Now that’s worth celebrating.

  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”

FY 11-12	City of Aiken	Aiken County
Imp. Dogs/Cats	656	5,011
Ret. to Owner	143	307
Trans /adopted	159	1,345
Euthanized	376	3,808

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

MAY – Lab mix, 42 lbs. A real doll and your new best friend for only $35!

KINDLE – Baby male Siamese mix.  He’s a rare beauty for only $35

 

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