Animal Shelter group requests additional funds

A presentation by Aiken County's Friends of the Animal Shelter (FOTAS) detailed some "vital needs" at the shelter to County Council's Development Committee.

FOTAS members gave a PowerPoint presentation to the committee Tuesday and to a standing-room-only audience that highlighted the shelter's role in the community and what steps the nonprofit group thinks need to be made to improve conditions at the shelter, lessen the number of animals euthanized and help reduce the number of stray animals roaming the county.

FOTAS member Joya DiStefano said that in June 1990 - when the shelter was built - animal control officers were dispatched to 200 calls, and 100 animals ended up at the shelter. In June 2009, officers were dispatched to 588 calls, and 665 animals ended up at the shelter. The shelter has not significantly expanded over the course of that time period despite the increase in numbers.

DiStefano said it surprises her that a community like Aiken that is so friendly to horses and hounds doesn't take much notice of the Aiken County Animal Shelter.

"I don't think that's who we are. It is amazing for us to be willing to tolerate the status quo at the shelter," she said. "Nine out of 10 animals are euthanized."

Pictures showed cats living in cages, dogs peering from behind the fencing of their cages, chipping paint and fly strips hanging from ceilings.

"We hear that people want to volunteer, but they don't want to go to the shelter because it breaks their hearts," DiStefano said. "We are looking for a shelter that people are attracted to."

Progress is being made, however. The shelter has instituted a volunteer and foster program. FOTAS was established. A new industrial washer and dryer units were donated, as was a commercial washtub, and the pet spay or neuter voucher program has proved to be popular among County residents.

There is still work to be done, FOTAS members said.

The group asked the committee to consider recommending that funds provided for the County's spay or neuter voucher program be increased to $60,000 from $30,000 to "incentivize responsible pet ownership." Representatives also asked for $1 million for a shelter expansion.

"People cry foul because it's their tax money, but think of it as an investment," DiStefano said.

"We are looking at getting money for the shelter," Councilwoman Kathy Rawls said. "We know how bad things are. We appreciate all the things you have done to improve the situation."