Aiken Shelters Waive Dog Adoption Fees for Nationwide Event

AIKEN, S.C. – The Friends of the Animal Shelter (FOTAS) and the SPCA Albrecht Center are eliminating dog adoption fees from Friday until September 30 as part of the nationwide Empty the Shelters event. FOTAS is located on Wire Road, while the SPCA Albrecht Center is on Willow Run Road.

Kathy Cagle, programs coordinator at FOTAS, noted that adoptions have significantly slowed since Labor Day and the beginning of the school year, even as the intake of animals has risen sharply. "What’s happened after Labor Day and with school starting, adoptions have slowed down immensely. But our intake is booming. I mean, it’s just through the roof," Cagle explained.

She emphasized the urgent need for homes for the pets, stating that the shelter is running out of space for incoming animals. "We’re just desperate for homes. So right now we’re putting dogs in crates. We have no place to put them when they’re coming in. So we’re in dire need of adoptions," Cagle added.

Currently, the two shelters have 88 animals available for adoption, with more arriving on a daily basis.