Or crow, or yip, or bark, or meow … any communication was just fine. FOTAS sponsored its third Woofstock event last week… the day was perfect and so was the crowd.
At 10:30 am on Saturday, May 3, we turned the new Aiken County Animal Shelter into a festival of which to be proud. Many hands went into making this another memorable event, so allow me, as the Chairwoman, to howl about it.
Heather Wiseman was my co-chair, and special she is. She rounded up her friends and sent them out on the streets soliciting business sponsorships. The Aiken business community was generous with their support, and we can’t thank them enough.
Carole Stamm is a true friend — I twisted her arm, so she couldn’t say no. She headed up the Ride to Woofstock for Spay/Neuter fundraiser, which was part of the overall Woofstock umbrella. I’m proud to say that with Carole’s leadership, we raised 70% of our goal.
Ellie Joos, a devoted Shelter volunteer dog walker, was the Publicity chair and she did a fabulous job. In addition, Bob Gordon, another Shelter volunteer, coordinated publicity with the media.
The Woofstock music was fabulous. For the 3rd time, Scott Ferguson and his 4 Cats in the Dog House played live music during the afternoon. Jason Shaffer of JRS Entertainment created the play list together with his dad, Bob, who DJ’d the morning music.
Palmetto Dog Club Agility Demonstration
Kudos to Brad Williams, a strong FOTAS and Shelter supporter, who was the “sound man,” and despite a late night at the Lobster Race on Friday evening — he had arrived at the Shelter bright and early. Because of his technical expertise, the Palmetto Dog Club had sound for the agility and obedience demonstrations, as did our emcee and announcer, Mike Gibbons.
And speaking of the dog contests, our student judges (Hope Dyches, Reagan Houck, and Reece McCarthy), adult judges (December Clark of Barkmart, Nancy Webster of Dog Days Workshop, Sybil Davis DVM, and County Council Members Ronnie Young, LaWana McKenzie, Kathy Rawls, Andrew Siders, and Scott Singer), and Dog Contest facilitator Dottie Gantt took their jobs very seriously — tough to select the 1st and 2nd place winners, but they did a stupendous job.
A long line of exhibitors presented their wares to the festive crowd. Thanks to Aiken Balloons, Aiken Dry Goods, Aiken Pet Fitness & Rehab, Barkmart, Equine Rescue of Aiken, Hair of the Dog, Herbal Solutions, Hollow Creek Animal Hospital, Lap of Love, Sweet Ambrosia Farm, Veterinary Services of Aiken and Wyatt’s Bed & Biscuit. Our food vendors were also a hit — Bruster’s Ice Cream of North Augusta and Coach T’s Diner.
And last, but most importantly, the many FOTAS volunteers who help us at the shelter, as well as at special events came through again: Pam Blades Eckelbarger, photographer; Sue Erwin, EMT; Valorie Vance and Susan Hamlin’s South Aiken High School SERTEENS; Donna Eisenhart’s Silver Bluff High School National Honor Society members; LCDR Tony Negron’s South Aiken High School NJROTCcadets. Their assistance was invaluable.
And on behalf of all the dogs and cats who were adopted that day into FURever homes — woof woof, meow meow – (that’s “thank you” in animal speak, by the way). A bunch of their furry friends are waiting at the shelter for someone like you to come and take them home, so hurry on down.
