Try Out Animal Shelter Website

From The Aiken Standard

 By HALEY HUGHES - Staff writer - email:hhughes@aikenstandard.com

Friends of the Aiken County Animal Shelter (FOTAS) now has its own website, and it's up and running.

Feb. 14 was the official launch date for www.fotasaiken.org, which allows users to check on a number of things pertaining to the shelter, such as animal adoptions and fostering, volunteer opportunities, news and upcoming events.

As of Wednesday, the website's hit counter was at nearly 1,200.

Lorrie Sullivan, who created the website, got involved when a FOTAS member contacted her about donating a number of leather dog leads, which Sullivan makes by hand.

"The shelter was one of those places I tried to avoid because it's heartbreaking and I have a house full as it is," she said. "I knew if I went there, I'd bring something home."

But when Sullivan was at the shelter to drop off the leads, she realized a need.

"I decided I could do a website and clerical work from home. I am not a professional website designer, but I felt comfortable enough to say I could do it," she said.

Users visiting the website can learn more about volunteer opportunities - either by walking and socializing animals kept at the shelter, performing clerical work and participating in community outreach events - post to the message board and check out what is coming up by viewing the events calendar. For instance, the shelter is offering a "Two Fur One" adoption special in which animal lovers can adopt two pets for the price of one - typically $70 - or adopt one animal for half price.

There is also a donation page on which users can enter in their credit card information and make a charitable donation to help further the FOTAS mission of improving the quality of life for shelter animals and reducing the euthanasia rate by promoting successful pet adoptions and helping to prevent unwanted and abused cats and dogs.

"The website is growing into something that's exciting," Sullivan said.

Pups Enjoy Shelter's Larger Dog Run

From The Aiken Standard

Friends of the Animal Shelter (FOTAS) was created with the mission of improving the quality of life for Aiken County's shelter animals, and its hard work is paying off.

Late last week, shelter dogs experienced a taste of freedom with the completion of a new, much larger dog run, and volunteers were greeted yesterday with two new picnic tables. A new 4,000-square-foot dog run was built conjoining with the former run.

"It is a healthier place for the animals to get out and walk with the volunteers," said Bobby Arthurs, chief enforcement officer. "There is more playing area. ... In return, it makes the animals friendlier and more adoptable."

"This was done through donations from the community and the help of Boyd Fencing," said Jennifer Miller, FOTAS board member. "An expansion by the County is much needed. There are only 13 adoptable kennels for the nearly 500 to 600 animals brought into the shelter each month. The dog run helps until the shelter can get the expansion. FOTAS is a nonprofit volunteer organization that supports the programs at the Aiken County Animal Shelter. Its mission is to improve the quality of life for Aiken County's shelter animals, increase pet adoption and to reduce the rate of euthanasia."

The shelter has seen significant changes through the introduction of a volunteer program in August of last year. The volunteers directly increase the quality of life for the animals.

"The volunteer program is the best thing we could have done here at the shelter. The animals are in such a confined space, and the interaction with the volunteers helps," Arthurs said. "Compared to a year ago, the animals are much healthier. Getting out to play helps keep them nice and sassy and adoptable."

Before the interaction with volunteers, the animals often spent a month in confined spaces with little interaction. Arthurs has noticed a significant increase in the spirits of the animals, and this helps in the adoption process. In fact, adoptions are up since the inception of the volunteer program.

Friends Caroline Simonson and Denise Tarangelo decided in November to volunteer at the shelter and have found rewards they never anticipated.

"I gained insight into different aspects of my life," Simonson said. "I just love doing it. I come home, and my husband says my face is glowing. I see the change in the dogs, and seeing them adopted is such a joy. We put in love; some of the dogs don't even know what its like to have their tummies rubbed."

Tarangelo was never a dog person and had never had a pet until a few months ago.

"I get a lot of satisfaction from walking the dogs and especially when the dogs bond with me," Tarangelo said. "I took home a dog that bonded with me and became a first-time dog owner. Sometimes we are lucky enough to be here when they are adopted. We do need more male volunteers. Some of the dogs are too big and powerful for us to walk; but now with the new run, they can be off the leash and play. We enjoy walking on the trail, and the dogs love it because it is sandy and quiet."

"We still need more volunteers," Arthurs said.

Volunteers are needed no matter the length of time. Some volunteers visit the shelter for one hour a week while others are available on a daily basis; however, there are days no volunteers are available to interact with the animals. Any amount of time is welcomed, as are donations of money, treats, food, blankets and more.

In addition to volunteer programs, foster programs are also available. Anyone interested in adopting, fostering or volunteering should call the Aiken County Animal Shelter at 642-1537. The shelter is located at 411 Wire Road. Donations may be mailed to Friends of the Animal Shelter, P.O. Box 2207, Aiken, SC 29802.

Contact Rachel Johnson at rjohnson@aikenstandard.com.

More shelters interested in dog transport agreements

From The Aiken Standard:

By HALEY HUGHES - Staff writer - email:hhughes@aikenstandard.com

 

More transfer agreements between the Aiken County Animal Shelter and no-kill shelters across the country are in the mix.

Early last year, the Aiken County Animal Shelter reached an agreement with the Northeast Humane Society in Salem, Mass., to transfer dogs from Aiken to Massachusetts, where they have a greater chance of being adopted. They may have otherwise been euthanized in Aiken due to space limitations and overcrowding at the shelter.

Now, more shelters up north are interested in getting involved.

A resolution passed through Aiken County Council last week that will clear the red tape from the process.

It provides that the County shelter and the other designated shelter will enter into a one-year agreement for the purpose of placing animals in qualified homes. Neither party will be charged any fees in the process. At the end of one year, the parties will either terminate the agreement or continue with it.

"We won't have to go Council every time we want to do a transfer. It is now a blanket agreement, and all we have to do is fill in the blanks," said Todd Glover, assistant County administrator.

Previously, dogs heading to Massachusetts were transported in an insulated, closed-stall trailer normally used for shipping show horses. The dogs had food and water and arrived safely each time. Staff at the Northeast Humane Society reported they were adopted quickly.

Shelters in the northern part of the United States report they see more demand for adoptable dogs and cats, said Jennifer Miller with Friends of the Aiken County Animal Shelter (FOTAS).

"The reason why northern shelters can take some of our pets is they have aggressive spay/neuter programs," Miller said.

The County Shelter has its own spay/neuter program. It is popular but vouchers go fast, and there is still a large population of stray animals roaming the County.

FOTAS was formed in 2009 to raise support and awareness for the animal shelter. The group's mission is "to improve quality of life for shelter animals, increase pet adoption and prevent unwanted and mistreated pets."

Miller said an agreement with Buddy Dog Humane Society in Sudbury, Mass., is in the works.

According to its website, Buddy Dog Humane Society "accepts homeless dogs and cats, in good health and of friendly disposition, which could, without our help, be destroyed. These animals find refuge at our shelter and can depend on becoming someone's forever friend. There is no time limit on their stay."

"Friends of the Aiken County Animal Shelter (FOTAS) has been really aggressive with this and other initiatives," Glover said. "They are very passionate about it."