The year 2008 will be remembered for a lot of things that still sting. The mortgage crisis, record high gas prices, bankruptcy and the housing bubble bursting. Most of us couldn't wait for 2009 to get here, in hopes of better times ahead.
While times are tough, thanks to the supporters, volunteers, board of directors and staff members, the Aiken SPCA had a banner year. One of the best things was an increase in adoptions. Six-hundred-sixty-three dogs, cats, pigs, birds and rabbits found new homes. That accounted for 41 more than in 2007, even in these tough economic times.
One-hundred-fifty-four animals who came in as City of Aiken strays were reunited with their owners in 2008. That is an increase from the 93 the year before. More people are microchipping their pets and putting collars with identification on their dogs, as well.
We set a new personal best with 2,142 spay and neuter surgeries in 2008. That was an increase of several hundred over 2007 surgeries. These procedures are the first line of defense in the efforts to reduce the number of unwanted litters of kittens and puppies that fill up area shelters.
A big help in increasing our surgery numbers was the new program started by the Aiken County Council. In the spring, it began the County voucher program, providing financial assistance for low-cost surgeries for pets of County residents who had previously felt it was unaffordable to have their animals altered. In the nine months the program was in place in 2008, the Aiken SPCA performed nearly 300 of these surgeries, which should help greatly to reduce the number of future stray dogs and cats turned in to Aiken County Animal Control.
In 2008, the SPCA partnered with Aiken County, Barnwell County and the town of Ridge Spring animal control departments to set up transfer agreements with these groups to bring over adoptable animals from them any time the shelter has space.
The SPCA opened a second thrift store in North Augusta, began selling donated items on eBay and saw a new record amount of sales in its downtown Aiken thrift store. Funds from the thrift stores provide direct care for the shelter animals waiting to be adopted. Without the help of the thrift store income, the shelter would not be able to operate.
The SPCA continued to build strong partnerships with other animal welfare groups, such as Molly's Militia, Humane Society of Laurens County, All God's Creatures, Pet Helpers, CSRA Humane Society and the Humane Society of McCormick County. By working together, the groups can get more animals adopted, spayed and neutered and share their experiences for the improvement of all.
The SPCA added new special events like the House and Barn tour and Paws for a Cause. These, along with Westmuttster and Helter Skelter, dog washes, chili cook-offs, riding clinics and other special projects are vitally important in generating the funds needed to keep the shelter open. They also give a chance to meet the community, adopt more animals, have reunions with the ones saved and interact with all of the great pet lovers in the CSRA.
Times are tough, but the shelter could not succeed without help from you. On behalf of everyone associated with the Aiken SPCA, we'd like to extend our sincere thanks for your efforts to help improve the lives of homeless pets in the CSRA. We hope for even bigger and better things in 2009 and beyond. As always, if you'd like a new addition to your family, visit us Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 401 Wire Road, call us at 648-6863 or visit www.aikenspca.org.
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