That's very tough for them. Pets surrendered to the Aiken County Animal Shelter by their owners are struggling to make sense of their situation. Their system is shocked when they suddenly find themselves in a strange place with strangers and other scared and confused animals. One moment they are safe and comfortable at home with their favorite humans. The next moment they are taken on a leash to a kennel, unaware of their fate.
While some surrendered pets quickly adapt to their new surroundings, many go through a period of mourning and are initially unable to accept their new reality.
Dixie, a 10-year-old Caucasian mongrel who was recently surrendered to her owner, barks weakly at visitors when she is in her kennel. She is scared and upset to be here and expresses her discomfort to anyone who will listen. However, once she is out of the kennel, Dixie calms down and becomes more social both with people and other dogs. She is also slowly getting used to her life at the shelter and we are confident that she will be a great canine companion once she finds a new home.
Most dogs and cats are surrendered not because there is something wrong with the pet, but because the owner's circumstances have changed. In some cases, people can no longer afford to care for their pets. You need to move, and your new home won't accept pets. Or you end up not having time to spend with them. Sometimes the owner dies and the pet is surrendered to a shelter by a family member or friend.
That's what happened to 7-year-old Jalapeno. The owner of this handsome black and white mutt passed away suddenly and he had nowhere else to go. When he first arrived at the shelter, he was depressed and vocal in his kennel. However, once he got to know the volunteers and staff, he began to relax and adjust to his new surroundings. He is ready to find his forever home.
Pets surrendered to their owners may become anxious about being left at a shelter, and may become silent or violent, making them unsuitable for adoption.
Stevie, a cute 1-year-old white and brindle retriever mix, was abandoned by his owner. She was rescued by Aiken County Animal Law Enforcement Officers and taken to the shelter. Stevie was so frightened when she first arrived that she was shaking uncontrollably, but she has steadily gained her confidence and is now going out for walks and cuddling with the volunteers. She is ready to find a new and better home.
We understand that life happens and it can be overwhelming, especially during difficult times, but there are also alternatives to letting go of your pet. Instead of locking your pet in a noisy, overcrowded shelter, try our Home to Home program, available for free on our website, fotasaiken.org. Or ask a family member or close friend if they can help.
If you cannot afford to feed your pet due to personal financial hardship, FOTAS will host a community pet food drive-thru once a month for Aiken residents in need. The next pet food drive-thru event is Saturday morning, April 13th.
Their lives are in our hands.
