March 11, 2025
By: Sarah A. Neikam, SPCA Albrecht Center Marketing Director
Not long ago, an animal shelter was simply a holding place for stray or surrendered animals. Dogs and cats were housed in kennels or cages, provided with food and water, and awaited one of two outcomes—adoption for the lucky ones or humane euthanasia for the rest. While sheltering was often better than life on the streets, little was done to change the fate of most animals.
Today, the landscape of animal welfare has transformed. Shelters have become places of rehabilitation, education, and lifesaving efforts. Increased public awareness of adoption, spay/neuter programs, microchipping, fostering, and lost pet services has paved the way for better outcomes. Shelters now focus not only on housing animals but also on finding them the right homes based on their needs and behavior. This approach results in more satisfied adopters and happier pets who are more likely to remain in their homes for their lifetime.
At the SPCA Albrecht Center for Animal Welfare, we have implemented several innovative programs to give every animal in our care the best chance at a happy, healthy life.
Every day, our staff and volunteers organize Playgroups for adoptable dogs in our Paws ‘n Play Recreation Yard. By matching dogs based on temperament and play style, we help them develop social skills, learn basic commands like “sit,” and establish positive routines. These sessions not only improve behavior but also increase their adoptability.
Fostering plays a crucial role in reducing shelter overcrowding and improving animals’ mental well-being. Temporary homes give animals a more relaxed environment with more individual attention where they can thrive. Foster families provide valuable insight into an animal’s personality, making it easier for adoption staff to find the perfect permanent home.
Our Open Adoptions approach removes unnecessary restrictions that often hinder animals from finding homes. Instead of rigid criteria, we focus on understanding potential adopters’ lifestyles and needs to match them with the right pet. This approach creates a welcoming, non-judgmental experience while ensuring animals are placed in homes where they will succeed.
Not all cats are suited for traditional adoption—many thrive outdoors as community cats. The Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) program humanely traps, sterilizes, vaccinates, and returns these cats to their outdoor homes, preventing overpopulation while improving their health. Ear-tipping (a universal sign of a TNR cat) signals to the community that the cat has been cared for and does not need to be re-trapped.
One of the best ways to keep animals out of shelters is Reunification with their owners. Every incoming animal at our shelter is scanned for a microchip, and our team actively searches for lost pet listings. We also carefully watch postings on the Aiken Pets Reunited Facebook page, helping owners reconnect with their missing pets as quickly as possible.
Veterinary Care is essential for shelter pets, and we’re fortunate to have a full-service Veterinary Care Center on-site. Our veterinary team provides immediate medical attention, vaccinations, and spay/neuter services to prepare animals for adoption. Affordable wellness services for the public also help prevent pet overpopulation and keep more pets in their homes.
Thanks to these initiatives, in 2024, we provided lifesaving care to 1,412 animals. Here’s how those numbers break down: 1,152 adoptions, 106 pets reunited with their owners, 29 transfers to partner shelters for immediate adoption, and 125 community cats spayed/neutered and returned through TNR.
Our success would not be possible without the dedication of our staff, volunteers, and the pet-loving community that supports us. Every foster home, donation, supply drive, and adoption play a role in saving lives. Together, we are creating a brighter future for pets in Aiken and beyond.
If you’re not already involved in our lifesaving mission, join us! Visit LetLoveLive.org or meet us in person at 199 Willow Run Rd, in Aiken SC.
Sarah Neikam is the Marketing Director for the SPCA Albrecht Center in Aiken, SC. She has been with the organization since 2012, holding various roles including Volunteer Coordinator and Director of Operations & HR. A Certified Animal Welfare Administrator as of 2022, Sarah is a passionate advocate for animal welfare. She resides in Aiken with her husband, Tom, and several beloved cats.
