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 

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.