Rocking, Rolling and Riding at Woofstock!

Rocking, Rolling and Riding at Woofstock!

By Joanna Dunn Samson

as seen in the "Aiken Standard", April 20, 2014 issue

Where can you load up your kids, dress up your dog, paint your face and rock to the tunes of Jason the DJ and the live music of the fabulous 4 Cats in the Doghouse?

You can do that at the Woofstock Dogs, Cats and Music festival to be held on Saturday, May 3^rd on the grounds of the brand spanking new Aiken County Animal Shelter.

And where can you take your family to marvel at the obedience and the agility of the canine species at the Obedience and Agility Demonstration performed by the Palmetto Dog Club? 

Woofstock, that’s where.

Where can you show off your bordering-on border collie’s best tricks, your sort-of shih tzu’s gorgeous hairdo, your doubtful dachshund’s adorable smooching behavior, or your howling hound’s talking ability?

Uh huh - that would be Woofstock.

But wait!  There’s more!

Where in the world can you adopt the sweetest, most grateful, beautiful black dog for $33 or black cat for $13?  Or get a rabies vaccination for only $5 and an annual Heartworm test for only $15? 

Yep, you got it: Woofstock.

This will be third year FOTAS has organized The Woofstock Dogs, Cats and Music Festival, only this year, FOTAS has moved the festival to the new Aiken County Animal Shelter at 333 Wire Road.  It is an amazing place to take the whole family and your beloved canine friends for a carefree day of music, mindless fun and a few yucks. 

Although the festival starts at 10:30 at the shelter, the festivities actually start earlier with the Ride to Woofstock - a benefit motorcycle ride that starts at the Aiken County Public Works parking lot on May Royal Drive across from the Shelter at 9:30, proceeds to the Wagener town square and ends back at the Shelter.  

Two years ago, over 50 motorcyclists joined the procession for the 50 mile round trip in one long, rumbling, magnificent line.  It was a spectacle to behold, and this year’s ride promises to be even more impressive.  For more information on how to participate in the Ride to Woofstock, either with a real bike or a “pretend/virtual” bike team, call the FOTAS hotline: 803-514-4313.

And here’s the thing: not only will you and your family be having a grand time on a beautiful spring day (fingers crossed on the weather), you will be benefitting the County’s thousands of homeless and abandoned animals.  

Proceeds from the Woofstock Festival will be used by FOTAS to assist the County in its dauntless task of taking care of those animals.  Proceeds from the Ride to Woofstock will be used to prevent more unwanted animals from being brought into this world – that money will support the FOTAS Fix-a-Pet Program and Lenny’s Brigade.

I’m excited.  On Saturday, May 3^rd, I plan to gussy-up my terrier Jack (if he can take some time off from the important work of excavating my garden in search of moles) and my dutiful Maggie (if she feels she can temporarily abandon her duties of guarding the property from the blasted neighborhood cat), pack them into the truck along with my husband, and head on over to the Shelter for the day.

Aside from the pure fun of it all, I plan to take advantage of the $5 rabies shots and $15 Heartworm tests that will be available during the festival.  I intend to use the hefty chunk of change I will save by availing myself of these services to buy more flowers for my garden and a bottle of wine for my neighbors, who are, no doubt, a little weary of Maggie’s endless pursuit of the blasted cat.

See you at the Festival.  While you are there, take a tour of the new community animal shelter.  It’s awesome.

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. 7, 2014 - Apr. 12, 2014

7 dogs and 0 cats adopted

Year to Date:  

215 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.

OLIVIA   Boxer, female, 2 yrs old, 40 lbs.  Only $70 

HEATHER  Domestic short hair -- Female -- 8 weeks old, 8 lbs  Only $35

JOIN THE RIDE -- SAVE SOME LIVES

Join The Ride ... Save Some Lives

By Edie Hubler, FOTAS Director

As seen in the "Aiken Standard" 4-6-14 issue

If my dog Zeus only had a thumb, he’d hijack a Harley, strap his pal Meg on the back, and tour around with the wind whipping his long, silky hair.  But alas for Zeus (and good for all the other drivers on the road), he cannot drive a motorcycle.

But you can -- along with Hailey, M.Y. and Hope, three young Aiken girls who are passionate about saving as many adoptable animals that they can.

They have joined the FOTAS Ride to Woofstock campaign to raise funds for the FOTAS’ Fix-A-Pet spay/neuter program, which will provide financial assistance for those community citizens who may need a little help.  This year’s Woofstock Dogs, Cats & Music Festival will be held at the new Aiken County Animal Shelter on May 3rd.  

Hailey, M.Y. and Hope aren’t actually riding motorcycles to Woofstock (although other FOTAS supporters will be); instead, they will be “virtual” riders.  Here are their stories.

Hailey Ardis is the granddaughter of Clay and Carrie Killian, who regularly walks dogs with her grandma at the County Shelter.  Nine year-old Hailey put a blue wig on her uncle’s willing dog, snapped a photo and formed Hailey’s Goal for the Animals.  Hailey’s original fundraising goal was $300, which she surpassed quickly.  She has continued to raise money, even donating some of her allowance.  

Four year-old M.Y., the daughter of a friend of Linda Soyars’  (a long-time FOTAS volunteer), decorated her tricycle, corralled her dogs Coco & Yuke for a photo op and formed her own virtual riding team, M.Y. Groovy Riders.  She also has reached her goal, but willingly accepts more donations to her team effort.

M.Y. and her dogs Coco and Yuke, getting ready for their Ride to Woofstock for Spay/Neuter

Nine year-old Hope Dyches frequently walks dogs and socializes cats at the Aiken County Animal Shelter with her aunt, Rebecca Reindl.  In fact, I see her at every FOTAS event -- that’s how much she cares.  Her team is called Hopes Friends & Family.  Her goal is lofty -- $1,000 is her “hope”.  

Through the efforts of Hailey, M.Y., Hope and a score of other volunteers, FOTAS hopes to raise $20,000 for the FOTAS Fix-a-Pet spay/neuter program.  Solving the County’s enormous unwanted pet population through spay/neuter is a long-term proposition – most experts agree it takes at least 10 years to see a significant drop in those numbers – so FOTAS is increasing its resources dedicated to that effort.  In the meantime, we will be working feverishly to adopt out to the growing Aiken community as many adoptable pets as possible.

Join the “Ride to Woofstock.”  You can do it on your own or with a team.  You can ride for real or you can ride “virtually.”  You can sign up with an existing team, like Hailey’s Goal for the Animals, M.Y.’s Groovy Riders, or Hope’s Friends & Family.

Plus, if you and your riding team raise at least $300, you will be eligible to win an iPAD mini.  This is easy, folks. 

Challenge yourself!  See how far you can go and how much you can raise.  

Remember, it’s not what you ride, it’s what you ride for.  Ride on, my friends, ride on.

Visit  www.FOTASAiken.org or www.crowdrise.com/Woofstock2014-AikenSC for all the details. Or you can contact FOTAS at 803-514-4313.

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”

Mar. 24, 2014 - Mar. 29, 2014

16 dogs and 1 cat adopted

Year to Date:  

146 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.

OLIVIA   Boxer,  female, 2 yrs old, 40 lbs  Only $70 

CLARK  Domestic long hair -- male -- 3 yrs. old, 11 lbs  Only $35

The Morning After

By Joanna Samson, FOTAS Director

as seen in the Aiken Standard 3-30-14 issue

By all accounts, the Grand Opening Ceremony for the new Aiken County Animal Shelter on Sunday was a great success.  

Over 300 people attended the celebration. Six dogs and one cat went home with their new families.  Even the weather complied: by 2:00 the rain had stopped and the temperature had risen.

It was a wonderful day, and I was honored to be a part of it.

Now that it’s over, the difficult and frustrating work of dealing with the County’s overpopulation of unwanted animals must continue.  The stakes are high.

Here are the grim, cold facts:  In the last fiscal year, 4794 abandoned animals passed through the County shelter’s doors. The County and FOTAS were able to save 1581 of those animals.

Do the math, folks:  67% of the animals that came to the shelter had to be euthanized, many of which would have made someone a great pet.  And although 67% is a significant improvement over the 90 – 95% numbers of the past, it is still a dismal number.

“I am worried,” says Annette van der Walt, the County’s Adoption Coordinator, “that people think because we have this brand new facility the overall picture is rosier.  It’s not.  Yes, it’s a healthier environment; yes, adoptions and transfers have gone up, but the intake numbers are so much higher than the adoption/transfer rates.”  She shakes her head.  “That’s heartbreaking.”

In the 45 minutes I was at the shelter last Tuesday, a woman surrendered a lively Jack Russell cross because she was, well . . . too lively.

Then, a man surrendered 15 puppies from two separate litters.  When Sandy Larsen offered the man an opportunity to participate in the County’s low cost spay/neuter program, he dismissed her with a shrug and left.  No doubt, he’ll be back one day in the future with another 15 puppies for which the County and FOTAS will have to find homes.

“It’s been a hard day,” said Brandon Anceume, one of the kind custodians, staring glumly at the intake papers on the desk.  “They just keep coming in.” 

Is spay/neuter the answer?  Yes, it is.  But here’s another cold, hard fact: most experts believe it will take 10 years of a rigorous spay/neuter program to see a dramatic drop in the local intake numbers.

We just can’t wait 10 years!

Today, the County and FOTAS are still obligated, both legally and morally, to care and find a home for those 4800 animals.  

What can we do now?   You are the answer.  Adopt!  Adopt!  Adopt!

Thinking of getting a kitten for your kids?  Adopt from the County shelter.

Thinking of adding a new dog after your beloved canine companion has passed?  Adopt from the County shelter.  

Thinking of adding another dog or cat to your family?  Adopt from the County shelter.  

And now that the adoption experience at the new shelter is peaceful and upbeat, there is no reason to go anywhere else.  Please take advantage of the ½ price adoption special in effect until the end of this month.  Cats are $20 and dogs are $35.

Every time you adopt from the County shelter, you save the life of one of those 4800 unwanted animals, and that, my friends, brings us one animal closer to our goal of never having to euthanize another adoptable animal in Aiken County.

at the grand opening last week, Linda Boatright adopts Tom Brady,
with FOTAS volunteer Bob Gordon and Shelter Chief Bobby Arthurs

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”

Mar. 18, 2014 - Mar. 23, 2014

15 dogs and 4 cats adopted

Year to Date:  

129 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.

ANDY   Shepherd mix,  male, 10 mos. old, 72 lbs  Only $35 

GABLE  Domestic long hair -- male -- 8 mos. old, 5.5 lbs  Only $20

It's Best to Target One Area at a Time

Targeting One Area at a Time

By Edie Hubler, FOTAS Board of Directors

as seen in the "Aiken Standard " on Feb. 2, 2014

Patches is a 2-year old stray calico cat who lives in the woods behind Mrs. Smith’s house in Aiken.  Life is mostly good for Patches.  She plays in the woods, lies in the sun and sleeps under an old outbuilding when it’s raining.  Kindly Mrs. Smith sets out a bowl of cat food each day and Patches is never hungry.  Her days get stressful, however, when she has a litter of kittens to take care of because almost all of them are killed by hawks, dogs, disease and accidents.  There is nothing she can do about it.  One day, Mrs. Smith puts Patches’ daily bowl of cat food in a shiny wire box.  Patches has no idea why but she trusts Mrs. Smith and goes in the box to eat.  Suddenly the door of the box slams shut and Patches is trapped and scared.  Someone covers the box and takes it away.  She is terrified and sure she will never see her home again.  The next day Patches is brought back to Mrs. Smith’s back yard and let out of the box.  She doesn’t remember exactly what happened and her belly is really sore but otherwise she is ready to have some dinner and go lie in the sun—glad to be home.  She doesn’t know it but she’ll never have to worry about taking care of kittens again.

Not all of Aiken County’s stray cats are so fortunate, but FOTAS has spearheaded an effort to reduce our community cats  through  FOTAS’ Lenny’s Brigade Program.  In 2013,  FOTAS funded spay/neuter surgeries of 152 “community cats” through our Lenny’s Brigade volunteers, who trapped and brought them to surgery at the SPCA low cost spay/neuter clinic , and then released them in approved areas.  Dr. Kathy Bissell, who leads  FOTAS’ Lenny’s Brigade, stated “In the reality of the 21^st century, any reputable animal control or animal welfare group--private or public--that wants to decrease euthanasia rates on the cat side of the equation MUST embrace TNR (trap,neuter, release) for un-homed cats in their community.”

FOTAS also is leading  an effort to reduce our homeless dog and cat pet population through our FOTAS FIX a Pet program.  In 2013, FOTAS organized and funded 227 citizen owned pet cat and dog surgeries plus organized many pick ups in the county to get these animals to the surgery clinic at the SPCA.  

This year, from our FOTAS donations and fund raisers, we will continue and expand our targeted FOTAS Fix a Pet outreach.  FOTAS is committed to reducing the number of unwanted  pets  in our County  and thus reduce the number of animals coming into our shelter.

Last month,  Colleen Timmerman, Dr. Kathy Bissell and Carol Miller started planning this year’s FOTAS Fix a Pet program.  We will identify and prioritize specific hotspots in the County and concentrate its resources primarily on one hotspot at a time in order of priority. Once the population is under control in a targeted area, it will move it's concentration to the next area.

“It is a known fact that unless 75% of the dog and cat population in a specific area are spayed or neutered, you’ll never stop the unwanted  strays,”  says Dr. Charlie Timmerman, FOTAS Board member and local veterinarian. “ We’ll be starting with Wagner and moving on to other hot spots  in the County that have rampant unwanted  breeding,” says Colleen Timmerman, FOTAS Fix a Pet Chairperson, who will be working with Vicki Wright and Dottie Gantt, who work tirelessly in facilitating the spay/neutering of so many animals in need.  Our first pick up date in Wagner will be February 18.  For more information call 803-645-4021.

Please consider volunteering and/or making a donation to FOTAS’s Spay/Neuter programs..  Together we can stop pet overpopulation in Aiken County.  Having received over 4700 dogs and cats at our shelter last year, we need your help. www.fotasaiken.org or call 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”

County Shelter Fiscal Year 2013

Received:  4794 dogs and cats

Re-Homed:  1581

Euthanized:  3381

Aiken County Shelter “Pets of the Week!” 

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

SYLVESTER STALLONE   Bull terrier,  male, 1 1/2 yrs old, 62 lbs  Only $70 

PRINCE WILLIAM  Orange tabby -- male -- 3 yrs. old, 8 lbs  Only $35

Test Before Investing Love in Cats

by Joya DiStefano

One lunch hour, an elderly couple brought a lovely young cat to the County Shelter.  She had been dumped on their property and the woman had “been giving her a few scraps.”  When they realized the cat was pregnant, with heavy hearts they brought her in. The shelter was closed.

A FOTAS volunteer offered a county crate, intending to surrender the cat when staff reappeared. She lifted the delicate, pewter-gray cat, the cat purred, touched her heart, and went, instead, to the SPCA Albrecht Center clinic to be “combo-tested” for feline leukemia virus (FeLV) and feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV). 

The test was negative; the cat charmed the SPCA staff, went home with the FOTAS volunteer and that night bore six kittens in a walk-in closet.  In a couple of weeks, six lovely, healthy kittens will be available for adoption to loving homes.

If the test were positive for either virus, the FOTAS volunteer would have had the cat euthanized. Why?  Because a cat carrying either virus will eventually (a few months or few years) have its immune system severely compromised, get deathly sick, likely run up huge vet bills and die a horrible death.  It will contaminate its offspring, and any other cat that it eats with, plays with, spits on, fights with, or shares a litter box or turf with.  FeLV one of the most commonly diagnosed causes of disease and death in domestic cats.  FIV’s ravages are usually felt later in life, but that does not make the financial or emotional damage any easier to bear.

All over Aiken County people are taking pity on cats that show up at their door and “giving them scraps,” or buying 20-pound bags of cat food.  Next they have a “community cat colony” out of control, and quite possibly some, or all, of those cats are carrying one of these lethal viruses.

Smart, independent, affectionate and entertaining, cats make fabulous additions to any household.  They are fairly easy to maintain, don’t eat a lot, don’t make much noise and do not need to be walked.

On the other hand, cats can react badly to overcrowding, sharing litter pans, or boredom.  Like all sentient beings, they need mental stimulation and physical exercise, or they may present avoidable behavior and health issues.

Unwanted litters are everywhere.  The lucky ones end up in a shelter, or a local vet’s office, where they are tested, the healthy ones vaccinated, adopted, spayed or neutered.  These are highly recommended as places to go to adopt a cat. For a nominal fee, you get a healthy animal that is not going to reproduce or spread illness to the community or other pets.

At times, like the gray mama cat, our next pet finds us unbidden.  Please, if you rescue cats, kittens, or support a cat colony, get them tested, spayed and neutered.  FOTAS can help.  Call the Lenny’s Brigade hotline (803) 507-6315, and we will help you find the best options and resources for our feline friends.  Please test before you invest your love.

Retired organizational problem-solver and radical educator, Joya is an artist, Servant Leader, and co-founder of FOTAS, Inc.

Aiken County Animal Shelter:  “By the Numbers”

August 12^th thru 18^th 2013

Received:       39 dogs and 34 cats

Adopted:         7 dogs and 5 cats

Aiken County Shelter “Pets of the Week!” 

HERBERT

ALBERT

HERBERT and ALBERT -  Neutered, declawed and very best friends.  They would like to remain together, if possible. $70 for the pair. 

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