AIKEN --- The Aiken County Animal Shelter on Wire Road is on a mission to make its presence known to the community.

"They know about the SPCA," said Bobby Arthurs, referring to the Aiken Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, "but they don't know about the Aiken County Animal Shelter. We want to let people know that we provide adoption here at the shelter, too."

To do that, the shelter, which Mr. Arthurs oversees, is holding its first Family Fun Day for the community from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday.

The free three-hour party will have a variety of events, including an animal presentation by Whit Gibbons, of the Savannah River Ecology Lab; demonstrations from the Palmetto Dog Club; door prizes; free food and drinks clowns making animal-shape balloons; and an opportunity for kids to show off their favorite stuffed animal in a contest.

"It's turning out to be a pretty large event," Mr. Arthurs said. "A lot of folks have been calling about it."

In the midst of all the fun, the county will educate the public about its spay-and-neuter program and its foster care program.

"The thing I'm worried about right now is the parking, which is a good problem to have," the animal control enforcement officer said.

The shelter takes in about 600 animals a month Because of limited space, most of those animals have to be put down.

"We just think (the event) is a great way to educate the public about spay and neutering, and a lot of people don't know that we're here or where we're located," Mr. Arthurs said.

The animal shelter is next door to the Aiken SPCA on Wire Road.

Reach Michelle Guffey at (803) 648-1395, ext. 110, or michelle.guffey@augustachronicle.com.