All Kindnesses, Whether they are Large or Small, Count for our County Animal Shelter

Large or Small, All Kindnesses Count for our County Animal Shelter

by Edie Hubler, FOTAS Board of Directors

as seen in the Aiken Standard on Jan. 12, 2014

I’m at a loss for words.  For those of you who know me, you are probably chuckling.  For me to be at a loss for words is a miracle.  But really, I just can’t say enough about you -- the members of the Aiken community.

This past holiday season has reinforced in my mind just how much you, the Aiken community, is embracing your County Animal Shelter (which is currently located at 311Wire Road and soon to relocate to a brand new shelter at 333 Wire Road).   From donations to volunteering to adoptions to running fundraisers to organizing transfers of adoptable animals to shelters up north, FOTAS and the County Shelter couldn’t do it without your support.  

As a member of the board of the Aiken Newcomers’ Club, I am so touched that although earlier in 2013 they purchased a tribute plaque to be placed in the lobby area of the new shelter, once again they generously donated funds for the Spay/Neuter effort spearheaded by FOTAS. 

I attended Carol & Rich Stamm and Dean & Jenny Spiro’s 4th annual New Year’s Day party in Cedar Creek.  The invitation to the party said this:  “No hostess gifts please, but if you must, consider donating to FOTAS or our furry friends at the County Animal Shelter.”  I was overwhelmed when I saw over $200 in monetary donations as well as many bags of food on their front porch.

Beth Barranco’s parents, Connie & Stan Bryant of North Augusta, wanted only gifts for the County Animal Shelter for their Christmas presents.  As you can see from the photo of Connie, Santa listened.  Connie & Stan delivered their “gifts” to the Shelter on Monday, Dec. 30.

This generosity will feed many animals in the Shelter in the months to come.

I staffed the FOTAS table at the 4th Annual FOTAS Hunter Pace fundraiser on Dec. 30.  Hosted by Sarah & Jim Wildasin at their Fox Nation equestrian center in Windsor and organized by Gina Salatino and Melanie Oldham, I marveled as I watched the train of horse trailers pull into the farm and 91 riders embark on the hunter pace course in which jumps were sponsored by local businesses and individuals, as were the bag lunches for the weary riders. The funds raised at this event will go a long way in helping FOTAS meet the needs of the Shelter, find homes for many of its animals, and fund spay/neuter surgeries of pets in Aiken County.

Why are these events and acts of kindness important to celebrate?  Because the Aiken County Animal Shelter is our community shelter – we are all responsible for the fate of the County’s unfortunate animals if we are ever to achieve the FOTAS goal of never having to euthanize another adoptable animal.  

Simply put, without our collective help and generosity, many innocent animals will die needlessly again this year, and the next and the next after that.

Please know that your help and contributions are a godsend.  Together, we can all make a difference.  Contact us at www.FOTASAiken.org or 803-514-4313.

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”

Dec. 30, 2014 - Jan. 4, 2014

15 dogs and 2 cats adopted

Year to Date:  

17 terrific pets adopted

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.

HOWARD   Lab/retriever mix,  male, 

1 yr old, 48 lbs  Only $70 

SIMON  COWELL  Domestic short hair -- male -- 7 yrs old, 10 lbs  Only $35

The Community that Cares

The Community that Cares

By Joanna Dunn Samson, FOTAS Board of Directors

as seen in the "Aiken Standard" on 12/29/13

When Amelia Overstreet turned 9, she asked the guests to her birthday party to bring donations for FOTAS and the County Shelter instead of birthday gifts for her.  They responded with enthusiasm, bringing all sorts of pet food, toys, kitty litter and grooming products.

When Amelia and her twin sisters, Sophia and Olivia, delivered this generous bounty to the Aiken County Animal Shelter this month, they were proud and excited.  When asked why she made this noble sacrifice, she said, “I have lots of toys and I wanted the dogs and cats at the shelter to have a lot of toys and food too.”

Amelia’s thoughtful act of generosity is extraordinary, but then again, Amelia and her sisters are children of Aiken, and Aiken is a community of big-hearted folks who love their animals.  

Here are just a few examples of community contributions to the cause during this holiday season:

Sara Wildasin is hosting the 4^th Annual Winter Hunter Pace on December 30 at her 1200-acre farm, Fox Nation for the benefit of FOTAS.

For the second year, Sybil Davis, a local veterinarian, and Brittani Croft, an accomplished photographer, held a Photos for FOTAS fundraiser.

Holly Woltz, also a local veterinarian, delivered boxes full of pet toys, leashes, and blankets solicited from her clients to the shelter.

Kelly Paint and Body on York Street offer car washes in exchange for donations to FOTAS.

Beth Barranco, wife of Aiken Public Safety Chief Charles Barranco, has designated FOTAS as one of the 12 Charities of Christmas on her Facebook page.

HealthSource Chiropractic and Progressive Rehab offered new patients a comprehensive initial visit in exchange for donations to the shelter.

And on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, scores of dedicated volunteers came to the shelter to walk dogs and play with the cats from 8 a.m. – 11 a.m., making it possible for those animals to receive human love and attention on the days when the shelter is closed for the holidays.

The Aiken community’s stunning generosity to FOTAS and the County Shelter has not been limited to special times or holidays. 

Donations to FOTAS in the past year have made it possible for FOTAS to purchase all of the cages, kennels and equipment needs for the new County Shelter scheduled to open in the first quarter of next year.

FOTAS was able to fund the spay/neuter of 388 pets owned by folks in the community.

Through the efforts of our volunteers and foster families and the growth of our adoption and transfer programs, FOTAS helped the County Shelter save and re-home 1581 animals during Fiscal Year 2013.

There is still so much to do.  The County’s intake numbers (almost 4800 in FY2013) are dismal.  Until the overpopulation of dogs and cats is checked through wide-spread acceptance of a robust spay/neuter program, those numbers will remain unacceptably high.

We at FOTAS are grateful and humbled by the continuous commitment of the citizens of Aiken and Aiken County to improve the welfare of the unfortunate animals that end up in the shelter system.  We are also grateful to have developed such a cooperative public/private partnership with the County.

From all of us at FOTAS to all of you, thank you.  We wish you and your families all the best health and happiness in the New Year.

May God bless.

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”

Dec. 16 - Dec. 21, 2013

 

17 dogs and 11 cats adopted

Year to Date:  

722 terrific pets adopted

THANK YOU AIKEN COUNTY COMMUNITY!

Aiken County Shelter “Pets of the Week!”

Holiday special prices thru Jan. 4 -- Shelter closed Jan. 1

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

WILLIE     American Bulldog/Shepherd mix, male, 2 yrs old, 61 lbs  Only $35

TONYA    Siamese, female, 10 yrs old, 6.8 lbs    Only $20