Donating To FOTAS

Have a Heart, Save a Heart

Many dogs who arrive at the Aiken County Animal Shelter are Heartworm Positive (HWP) but otherwise very healthy. This condition is very treatable. Heartworm treatment can be extremely costly ($250 – $2500).

Adoptable HWP dogs are available for adoption at the Aiken County Animal Shelter through FOTAS’ “Have a Heart, Save a Heart” Fund. FOTAS offers financial assistance for the basic treatments of heartworms. This policy moves us one step closer toward FOTAS’ goal of never having to euthanize an adoptable pet at the County Shelter.

If you would like to help treat a dog for heartworms, please make a donation to FOTAS’ “Have a Heart, Save a Heart” Fund.

Foster Care Program

FOTAS and the County have established a short term and a longer term Foster Care program where volunteers foster adoptable animals outside of the shelter environment. The Foster Care system not only ensures the animals are raised in a healthy environment, it frees up limited space in the shelter for other adoptable animals.

Short term fosters usually involve the care of an animal that is scheduled to be transferred to no-kill shelters in other parts of the country or for whom an adoption is pending, typically 5-10 days. Foster families who care for moms and pups/kittens usually do so until the pups/kittens are properly weaned from the mother, roughly 12 weeks from the date of birth.

FOTAS provides food and medical care to the dogs being fostered if necessary.

If you would like to provide care to our foster pets, please make a donation to FOTAS’ “Foster Care” program.

Transfer Program

FOTAS and the County have developed a network of no-kill rescue facilities in other regions of the Country that are willing and able to take the County’s shelter dogs, puppies, cats & kittens and place them in forever homes. FOTAS organizes and funds the transport of the transfer animals to the other rescue facilities as needed.

The Transfer Program has proven to be an important aspect in our ability to save more animals. From 2010 through 2021, FOTAS and the County arranged for the transfer of 10,785 animals to no-kill rescue facilities in other regions of the country.

If you would like to help us save more pets by transferring shelter animals to other facilities, please make a donation to FOTAS’ “Transfer Program”.

Fido Off-the-Chain

FOTAS’ Fido Off the Chain program is a very important program for many dogs living in Aiken County.In 2017, Aiken Countypassed an anti-tethering and chaining ordinance. FOTAS, working with Aiken County Animal Control Officers, gives citizens, who have a financial need and who have their dogs on chains, a humane alternative.FOTAS supplies citizens with runners and other humane mediums to house their dogs. FOTAS supplies shelters such as dog houses when needed as well. FOTAS’ Fido Off the Chain program is funded solely through donations of monies and supplies and both are most appreciated.

If you would like to help to keep our local dogs off chains, please make a donation to FOTAS’ “Fido Off-the-Chain” Fund.

IN HONOR / IN MEMORY

In Honor or In Memory donations are perfect ways to recognize a friend, loved one, organization, or special pet. We will send a note to the recipient describing your thoughtful donation on their behalf. These donations make wonderful birthday and holiday presents, which demonstrate not only your love, but also your commitment to care for the County’s abandoned, neglected and homeless animals.

Your donation may be made by check or through our online donation portal by credit or debit card. Please be certain to tell us the name of the person or pet, whether it is “in memory of,” “in honor of,” or “on the occasion of” plus the name and address of the person to whom we will send a notice of your gift.

Checks should be made payable to FOTAS and mailed to P.O. Box 2207, Aiken, SC 29802.