It All Comes Together Through Chaos, Magic, and Spay/Neuter

It is sometimes called the “Butterfly Effect.”  Coming from chaos theory, it suggests that small changes can provoke huge outcomes: a butterfly fans its wings in Brazil and causes a tornado in Texas.  In FOTAS we call it magic, the kind that comes from seizing the opportunity to do a good thing.

Take the volunteer who saw what she thought was a cruelty case, reported it to County Animal Control, and to FOTAS.  Turned out that a family with disabled sons was down on their luck and loved their pets, especially the already challenged young men.  Calls were made; donations and small grants secured, and all of the pets were vaccinated and spayed or neutered at the Aiken SPCA. 

That’s only one family, but potentially hundreds fewer unwanted cats and dogs.  The effect ripples out…

Last winter one of our regular volunteers received a notice from Pawmetto Lifeline in Columbia about a new opportunity they were exploring to expand spay/neuter services in the midlands.  FOTAS could compete as a rescue organization to win a sizeable spay/neuter grant by raising funds for the huge fundraiser, “Bark to the Park” in Columbia.

The opportunity ignited enthusiasm in our volunteers and supporters across the United States and even to England.  The dollars poured in to Team FOTAS Aiken County, and we won!  In May, Pawmetto Lifeline notified FOTAS that the grant would apply to Pawmetto Lifeline’s brand new clinic for spay/neuter.

FOTAS decided to apply the grant to a targeted area in Aiken County, one closest to Columbia.  Last Wednesday, a pilot project began in the Wagener district, including Salley, Perry, New Holland and Kitchings Mill.  If it proves successful, the program will be adjusted and replicated in other targeted communities throughout Aiken County.

Unwanted cats and dogs are heartbreaking for anyone who cares about animals.  Their brief miserable lives sometimes end humanely, but always tragically.  Even well-loved pets that are not altered must endure their bodies’ incessant demand to breed without relief, and the health risk-factors that accompany it.

They are also costly.  Aiken County Animal Shelter alone receives over 5,000 unwanted cats and dogs every year.  Nearly 4,000 die there.  And that does not include the cities of Aiken or North Augusta or all the puppies, kittens, dogs and cats that are road kill, hawk bait or shot for being a nuisance.

Comprehensive spay/neuter is essential to the solution.

On Wednesday morning Wagener Town Hall opened its doors to an onslaught of people who are eager to have their pets altered.  FOTAS “Targeted SNAP” (Spay Neuter Assistance Program) is a pilot program which will run through the middle of October.  The first 75 animals (approx) are guaranteed the surgery for as little as $7 per pet.  The remainder of applicants will determine follow-on efforts.

FOTAS plans to partner with Aiken County Animal Control, the Aiken SPCA, and the Wagener community to develop an ongoing program, for Wagener, as well as other targeted communities in Aiken County.

Make your donations to FOTAS SNAP.  

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 July 23 - 29, 2012       

Received:  49 dogs and 57 cats

Adopted:  8 dogs, 7 cats

Euthanized: 38 dogs and 14 cats

 

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

 

*All adoption fees include: Spay/Neuter, heartworm test, all shots, worming, and microchip and dogs are half price thru 9/8/12!

FIFI – Four month old female tabby.  She is as interested in being your doll as she looks. $35

 

CHLOE – 6yrs, Staffordshire Terrier mix.  She is a happy, affectionate gal and a great pet.   $35!

 

Lucky Trip Pays His Good Fortune Forward

Pull up to Equine Rescue of Aiken’s barn, and you may be greeted by Trip.  He’s shaped like a pointer only black with brindle and brown lights in his shiny coat.  And it’s not just the tail and grin that welcome you; his entire slender frame wags with excitement.  Trip’s greeting is so enthusiastic that you may not notice that he is missing a leg.

Trip was originally named Trigger.  He arrived as a puppy more than a year ago in a North Augusta neighborhood and soon came to rely on the neighborhood for his care.  When a car mangled his hind leg, Trigger’s owners tried to deny he was theirs, then provided no care.

The neighbor Trigger turned to for help three days later, raw bone protruding from his infected leg, knew she was moving to an apartment, knew her Chihuahuas would hate him, and she spent thousands to save him anyway.  Ultimately, unable to place him, she surrendered him to the Aiken County Shelter.

The FOTAS volunteers adored Trigger.  Why not?  He is affectionate, intelligent, eager to please, and easily one of the happiest dogs alive.

Meanwhile, the mission at Equine Rescue had evolved to encompass rehabilitation.  And under Jim and Debbie’s expansive definitions of care, the mission not only included rescued horses, but puppies, dogs, cats, kittens and people, especially disabled veterans.

Months earlier, Jim had queried FOTAS about a three-legged dog to help with the veterans.  Then there was the injured puppy that needed a leg amputated.  That baby didn’t make it out of surgery.  Then Debbie said no more dogs.  Then their rescue dog named Tilly started showing aggression towards the horses.  And then there was Trigger needing a home. 

FOTAS arranged the swap, Trigger for Tilly, who was transferred up north.  Trigger went to the farm, Jim made a joke (you will have to ask Jim) and “Trigger” became “Trip.”

Jim and Debbie were a bit concerned about how their very insecure Great Dane, Kelso, was going to handle Trip.  Kelso is very attached to Debbie and, therefore, quite protective.  The other eight canine members of the family sniffed Trip’s stump, offered their condolences and moved on.  Kelso decided it was time to have a very best friend and Trip fit the bill. 

When thunder and lightning portend the end of Kelso’s world, he turns to Trip, and Trip to him.

Trip has been at Equine Rescue for about a month now and you would think he founded the program.  His upbeat presence is everywhere: surveying the Shetland ponies learning to trust, supervising the volunteers tacking up to ride, checking that the eleven 5-week-old terrier-mix puppies found in an abandoned house are okay, and assuring that Jim doesn’t need him for something else.

Would you like to help? Trip wants to be certified as a therapy dog.  The puppies all need a home, as do a momma cat and her three kittens (check Equine Rescue of Aiken’s website for pictures).

Please, Support Animal Rescue.

  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 July 16 – 22, 2012       

Received:  93 dogs, 52 cats, 1 chicken, and 1 possum
Adopted:  9 dogs, 6 cats
 Euthanized: 52 dogs and 52 cats

Aiken County Shelter “Pets of the Week”

CAPER – 2 Yrs. Shepherd mix.  He is just as smart as he looks.  Great dog for $35!

CRUNCHER – Baby male tabby.  He will grow up to be the prince of your mansion! $35 

 

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

FOTAS Celebrates Our “Animal Nut” and an Adoption Event

Birgit’s Max is 13 years old now and his age marks the time since Birgit began rescuing animals in Aiken County.  Molly’s Militia had Max when Birgit adopted him.  She brought him home to her husband and two other dogs, and then started fostering dogs herself.

Birgit spent eight years fostering dogs for Molly’s.  She fostered adult dogs, and puppies, dogs with behavioral issues, dogs and puppies with health problems.  Some were not adoptable and stayed on; some didn’t make it and broke her heart. 

After eight years Birgit took a badly needed break, but she couldn’t stay away.  When she started fostering again, she would help the SPCA some, but mainly worked with the Aiken County Animal Shelter. 

“My heart has always been with the Aiken County Shelter,” she said, “At times I had as many as 20 dogs!  So when FOTAS started their volunteer program with the County Shelter, it was natural to get on board.”

When asked how many dogs have come through her home, she doesn’t know; she’s lost count.  She had to stop doing the puppies because she could no longer handle the emotional devastation of parvo losses.

But Birgit still specializes in the tough cases: the skinny ones from neglect or abandonment, those heartworm positive, the sick ones, and abuse cases with trust issues.

“Gosh, people aren’t perfect,” she says, “But they expect animals to be.” 

Birgit currently has eight permanent resident dogs, along with horses she doesn’t ride, cats, her foster cases, and a husband who gives her the support she needs to do what she does which is love and care for them all.

“If you have a partner,” she advises, “They have to be supportive or it won’t work.  You really need the support.”

Since joining up with FOTAS three years ago, Birgit has become the captain of the FOTAS adoption events.  Once a month she loads the kennels and crates, table, sign boards, and bin of leashes, treats, bowls, food, water, newspapers, towels and toys, the donation jar, envelopes and brochures into  her truck and heads out to the county shelter. 

She picks the dogs, puppies, cats and/or kittens for the event, loads them and their paperwork, and heads for Petsmart.  By 10am she is set up in the store where she and her assistants will stay until 3pm, hoping for a good home for their charges.

This month, Birgit will be heading a special FOTAS adoption event sponsored by Brusters Ice Cream in front of Publix on Whiskey Road,  July 28^th from  11 to 3pm.

Herbie Brown, the FOTAS Rescue Waggin’ will be there with adoptable dogs.  Brusters will pay the adoption fee for the first adoption.  They will also provide a free ice cream cone and “doggie sundae” for every adoption that day.

Come on out.  Learn about volunteering, fostering, adoptions and transfers.  Eat some ice cream.  Meet Birgit, who says of her role in it all, “It’s what I do; it’s part of me.”  She’s a star.  

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”

STRIPE - 1yr, boxer mix.  The volunteers adore this guy!  Your best buddy for $70

 



DELILAH, tortoise tabby & SAMSON, golden boy – 5 yrs.  They love each other and hope to stay together. Only $35