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Veterans can adopt dogs and cats for free at County Animal Shelter in January

Aiken Standard - 1/9/2017

Jan. 08--Veterans and anyone still active in the military can take advantage of a special offer this month.

With the help of a generous donor, the Aiken County Animal Shelter and the Friends of the Animal Shelter, or FOTAS, are offering them the opportunity to adopt dogs and cats for free.

"Veterans protect our country, and some of them have made big sacrifices for us," said FOTAS Communications Director Bob Gordon. "We support our troops and we want to thank them for their service."

Veterans usually get a half-price discount on adoption fees, but a donor, who wants to remain anonymous, is paying for the other half in January.

The donor hasn't set a limit on the number of adopted animals for which the funds will be provided, Gordon said.

The standard fees are $70 for dogs and $35 for cats.

All animals are up to date on their vaccinations and have been spayed and neutered. They also have been microchipped.

FOTAS and the Animal Shelter work closely with Jerry Lyda of Veterans K9 Solutions. Based in Evans, Ga., the nonprofit rescues shelter dogs and trains them to become service dogs for veterans.

Gordon said that FOTAS would help veterans who are interested in service dogs get in contact with Lyda.

"He helps select dogs that are suitable for veterans who are suffering from PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) or just need the support of a calm dog," Gordon said. "Not all veterans need service dogs. Some of them just want a companion. But for those who do need them, service dogs can really make a huge difference for them."

The Animal Shelter is at 333 Wire Road. For more information, call FOTAS at 803-514-4313 or the Animal Shelter at 803-642-1537.

Dede Biles is a general assignment reporter for the Aiken Standard and has been with the newspaper since January 2013. A native of Concord, N.C, she graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

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