Waiting is hardest part.
Since the beginning of 2008, well more than 1,000 animals have been adopted from the Aiken SPCA.
Dogs and cats joined their new families. We’ve seen pot-bellied pigs be born onsite, each finding loving new homes. Countless birds, rabbits, guinea pigs, goats, a Nile monitor lizard and even a chinchilla attracted someone’s attention and were adopted from us.
During that time period, a few animals never quite drew anyone’s attention and have spent this time at the shelter. The great part of working for a group that keeps all adoptable pets until they are adopted, without time limits, is that you really get the opportunity to know them, to work with the shy ones, heal the heartworm-positive ones and socialize the ones who are scared and don’t show well in a shelter.
The downside is that occasionally a great dog or cat will spend too much of its life waiting each and every day, hoping today will be their lucky day. The competition is intense, as the SPCA is always receiving cute kittens and puppies in the shelter. Even adult dogs, if they are really small, will barely stay long enough for us to give them a medical check and a name.
Big Boy is a victim of what I like to call the “last of his litter” syndrome. He’s a hound mix who has been at the shelter for the vast majority of his life. He and his brothers were city strays who were never claimed. As you can imagine, they were cute hound puppies, and the others were quickly adopted. Big Boy just never drew anyone’s attention and soon grew into a big, goofy dog with floppy ears. He’s spent more than a year at the shelter, sometimes going to an off-site adoption event to show him off and being seen six days a week by potential volunteers, without capturing anyone’s heart enough to take him home. Full Story..
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Aiken gives and gives and gives
Aiken is an amazing town. We have lobsters, dogs and tricycles walking for good causes. We have men in high heels drawing attention to the plight of domestic abuse. There are dinners for people in blue jeans and tuxedos to give money to children in abusive situations. Owners of mansions and elaborate barns open their doors to the curious – again raising money for various causes. We seem to give and give and give.
It is well known that cancer is the second leading cause of human death in the United States. But what many people don’t realize is that it’s the leading cause of death in pets over the age of 2. Our 10th Paws for Cancer Walk was held this past Saturday and it was a wonderful morning of celebration – honoring and remembering those two and four-legged members of our families who have battled cancer. We have become family over the years – welcoming each other, sharing stories and drawing strength together to fight this horrible disease.
This year we raised (and are still collecting!) $12,000 – bringing to a total nearly $100,000 given to the American Cancer Society. We could never accomplish alone what we are doing together. This money is spent on research to find the cures for your kidney cancer, your bone cancer and many other types. It is truly a gift that keeps on giving.
Thank you to the dogs, cat and humans who walked the walk. Thank you to our corporate sponsors, Venture Group 115, Signworks, City of Aiken bloodhounds, SPCA, Jae-Mar-S Academy, Mixon Signs, Bone-i-Fide Bakery, Nanci Racki and Laura Janecek and all the other volunteers. The Paws for Cancer Walk is made possible because you volunteer. Because of you, people facing cancer have more reason to hope through every step of their cancer journey.
Dr. Holly Woltz
Aiken
Aiken is fine place to live
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Equine Rescue of Aiken has helped 150 horses.
Equine Rescue of Aiken has given hope to horses in need by providing them with a second chance.
In the last 1¬½ years, the 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization, has seen approximately 150 horses find new homes after being rehabilitated; many of the horses had been neglected, abandoned and abused.
A Champagne and Ice Party was held at Bridle Creek Equestrian Community April 23, and Equine Rescue of Aiken’s Larkin Steele wanted to thank the community for its support.
The party is to be an annual event, she said. She appreciated the support and the passion the organizers and volunteers put into the event and their commitment to helping Equine Rescue of Aiken.
“It was really nice because Dineen Daniels is just an amazing woman,” said Steele. “We had a full house; we had a great group of people. Everyone really enjoyed the event and came out to help the rescue, and that really filled up my heart. There are very few people who would do what Dineen Daniels, Tracey Turner and Michael and Luke Tokaruk have done and for two years in a row. They’ve been staunch supporters of the rescue. They have no idea of how much of a difference they make.”
The facility is in need of continued financial support, and the community’s response to the event was heartwarming, said Steele.
“We’re pretty much on our own, and at some point I’d like to see the facility be self-sufficient through donations and government and federal grants,” said Steele. “The fact that so many people showed up meant a lot and that the event was at the last minute, the support from the community was really appreciated.”
The rescue is still in need of volunteers, she said.
For more information about Equine Rescue of Aiken, visit www.aikenequinerescue.com or call 643-1850.
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Not every dog can get a ride to Mass.
The hard truth of the Aiken County Animal Shelter’s transfer agreement with a no-kill shelter in Massachusetts is that not every dog gets to go.
The new program with the Northeast Animal Shelter in Salem, Mass., is working very well, but there are no promises that every dog surrendered to or picked up by the County shelter will make the trip up north. The number of dogs to make the journey is agreed upon ahead of time, and though the transfers have been averaging two a month, that may not always be the case.
“People are calling and they’re automatically assuming their animal is going to get transferred,” said Bobby Arthurs, chief law enforcement officer with Aiken County Animal Control. “We have an over-abundance of animals and I can’t make any promises. We’re always over-crowded.”
But, even with that in mind, shelter staff can’t help but be overjoyed with the progress made so far. Full Story.
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Great News as the County approves dog trip!
Dogs who might otherwise be euthanized here can get a new lease on life in Massachusetts with a resolution Aiken County Council approved Tuesday.
The resolution officially establishes an agreement between Aiken County and the Northeast Animal Shelter in Salem, Mass. for the transfer of animals for the purpose of placing them in qualified homes.
Earlier this month, 13 dogs from the Aiken County Animal Shelter were transported to the shelter in a horse trailer equipped with a video feed, warm hay for the dogs to nestle in and buckets of water to keep them hydrated during the 1,000 mile trip. Full story.
Dogs get new lease on life in New England.
With Gretchen’s time nearing the end, her last chance was a ride to Massachusetts. Her last chance has become a new life.
Gretchen was one of the 13 dogs the Aiken County Animal Control shelter shipped to a no-kill shelter in Massachusetts through a partnership between the two shelters and a horse transport company.
Now, at least 10 of the dogs already have new homes in just a little more than a week.
Betty Bilton, director for the Northeast Animal Shelter, in Salem, Mass., said the animals arrived Feb. 4, after a 1,000-mile trek courtesy of Fairway Horse Transport. Full Story.
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Trip gives dogs a second chance at life
Thirteen dogs at the Aiken County Animal Control shelter got a new lease on life Tuesday, as well as a ride to Massachusetts.
A horse transport company that had delivered horses to Aiken let the pooches tag along on the 1,000 mile journey to Salem, Mass., where they will await adoption at a no-kill facility, the Northeast Animal Shelter.
Bobby Arthurs, chief enforcement officer for Aiken County, said moving the 13 dogs would free up additional space for other adoptable animals, as well as save these dogs’ lives.
Full Story!
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Break the chain that confines, restrains dog
By GARY WILLOUGHBY Aiken SPCA executive director If you are reading this article, you’re likely an animal lover who treats your pet like a member of the family. You feel that your dogs enjoy the fresh air outside, like you do. When the weather is nice, they want to be outside to play, get exercise and maybe chase a squirrel that is brave enough to hop in the backyard.Full Story!
Some pets are not quite ready…
Foster care has some parallels for cats and dogs. At the Aiken SPCA and at other animal shelters, we take in lots of animals who aren’t ready for “prime time” just yet. Like in sports, there are a wide variety of reasons why. Some dogs come in testing heartworm positive. Their previous owner didn’t spend the money to purchase monthly preventive from their veterinarian and now the dog has a disease that will be fatal, if left untreated.
For the full story.