Volunteer Katherine Hooks & Adoptions Coordinator Janice Emerson show off a few of the newest additions to the Fairfield County Animal Adoption Center.
There are a number of agencies in Fairfield County to help humans, but not so for our four-legged friends. Fairfield County does have one very well-run organization, however, and the Fairfield County Animal Adoption Center is in urgent need of a new puppy house in order to keep the puppies separated from the larger dogs (Don’t worry: The cats have their own cat cottage, where 25 ready-for-adoption cats are now living).
In order to raise enough money for the puppy house, a fund raiser is being held Saturday, Dec. 8 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the center, located at 1678 US Highway 321 Business N. behind the new Midlands Tech campus. This is a wonderful opportunity to adopt a rescue pet for Christmas or give a donation to help them reach their goal of $1,000. There will be gifts for sale at great prices for that last minute Christmas shopping for both men and women. There will also be an Angel tree, raffle prizes, bake sale, a lunch of hotdog, chips and soda for only $3 and vendors from Rock Hill and Charlotte. The event is sponsored by Doris Macomson of Blind Dog Bed & Bone Rescue in Rock Hill.
I recently met with Janice Emerson, who is Adoptions Coordinator at the Adoption Center in Winnsboro. Emerson has been with the facility since its dedication in May of 2009. This is a very caring woman who loves and cares for the animals. There are 10 kennels for housing large dogs and there are 11 dogs currently being housed there. In addition, there was a litter of nine puppies, most of which were leaving this week for their forever homes, some as far away as Kentucky. The cats and dogs are transported by paid drivers who pick up and deliver the animals all up and down the east coast. All the animals are well cared for, have their shots, are spayed and neutered, fed twice a day, exercised and treated for heartworm and parvo disease.
There are two employees at the Winnsboro center and several volunteers. The volunteers are mostly students who come to work after school. I was very impressed with the pristine condition of this center. The floor was being washed by a young man as I was there and there was no animal odor. A few of the dogs were waiting to be seen by a veterinarian, one to have a tumor removed and another to have his leg set. Emerson praised the work of David Brown (not to be confused with County Councilman Brown) who runs the shelter, for his compassion and there has been less euthanizing since he has been there.
If you would like to help the puppies get their own place or help with surgery costs for any of the animals, we will look for you at the Save a Shelter Pet event this Saturday. They also accept donations of dog and cat toys, feeding and water bowls and bags of dog food. If you are unable to attend this event but would like to make a monetary donation, please make a check payable to Fairfield County Animal Adoption Center and mail to Post Office box 60, Winnsboro, S.C. 29180.