News : FOTSI bracelets give members a chance to explain what FOTSI means

Regina Malaska made many bracelets for pet lovers to raise awareness of needs at Animal Shelter.

The FOTSI bracelets use approximately 17 buttons each, says Regina Malaska.

Pet lovers can now buy bracelets to show their love for their cat or dog (or other beloved animal).

A few months ago, Regina Malaska, one of the volunteers of the Friends of the Shelter, Inc (FOTSI) saw a friend, Maria Davis, wearing a bracelet made from buttons and blocks with letters.

She immediately thought that bracelets like that would be a good way for animal lovers to show their appreciation for their pets. It also, she thought, could help raise awareness for the Vinton Animal Shelter and FOTSI, the organization that seeks to raise funds and organize volunteers for the shelter.

SInce then, Malaska and Davis have made countless bracelets, using buttons and small beads with letters on them. The bracelets contain such phrases as "I ♥ My Cat" and many other messages.

Malaska, however, says her favorite one is the one that reads FOTSI. That way, she says, when people ask, she can tell them what FOTSI stands for and how they can help the Friends of the Shelter, Inc., to help animals.

Malaska is selling the bracelets to those interested. The cost is $2 per bracelet or $5 per personalized bracelets (which can have your pets name on them.) They may soon also be available at some local stores. For now, to order one, email malaska at rlmalaska@hotmail.com.