We're saying the same thing, I just didn't make myself clear.

The AKC is just a registration service. What I meant is that the breed clubs, like the National version of the Boxer club, the Doberman club, the Chihuahua club, Aussie whatever, need to not only promote but require responsible breeding and then push their agenda publicly. That is, don't buy dogs that haven't been health tested, don't get an Aussie where one of the parents hasn't been finished either in the ring or in the field, don't buy a dog from a guy who has both parents on site. Right now everybody thinks AKC papers is the be all end all. Breed clubs need to advance a more comprehensive message. For the sake of the dogs they need to lead and right now they aren't.

I see more Dobermans out there that barely look like Dobermans except for the markings. The latest soul I transported, who also overnighted here had a ridiculously short snout, was undersized and had a hinky temperment. I'm sure her parents weren't health tested and the propensity for this poor little soul to develop or carry DCM, Wobblers, bum hips or any of the other plethora of health issues that plague the breed are huge. I have a friend who has finished a bunch of dogs but hasn't bred because he's been doing the research to breed out the health issues that plague the breed. That's what breeding dogs is all about. Betterment of the breed. And that's the message that the dog clubs (and by dog club I mean breed club) have to do.

And don't misunderstand me. I have two trainwreck rescues here. Rita is undersized, snipe nosed and kind of not right in the head. The only time that dog was at peace was after she killed a rat. Bubba has IBD and has classic Doberman OCD. His toes curl some kind of funky, his gait is not the kind of gay it's supposed to be and he blew his coat 18 months ago and all of the salmon oil in the world ain't bringing it back. And they both adore me and I would live in my truck before I would give them up.

[QUOTE=Diavolo;55011]We're saying the same thing, I just didn't make myself clear.

The AKC is just a registration service. What I meant is that the breed clubs, like the National version of the Boxer club, the Doberman club, the Chihuahua club, Aussie whatever, need to not only promote but require responsible breeding and then push their agenda publicly. That is, don't buy dogs that haven't been health tested, don't get an Aussie where one of the parents hasn't been finished either in the ring or in the field, don't buy a dog from a guy who has both parents on site. Right now everybody thinks AKC papers is the be all end all. Breed clubs need to advance a more comprehensive message. For the sake of the dogs they need to lead and right now they aren't.

I see more Dobermans out there that barely look like Dobermans except for the markings. The latest soul I transported, who also overnighted here had a ridiculously short snout, was undersized and had a hinky temperment. I'm sure her parents weren't health tested and the propensity for this poor little soul to develop or carry DCM, Wobblers, bum hips or any of the other plethora of health issues that plague the breed are huge. I have a friend who has finished a bunch of dogs but hasn't bred because he's been doing the research to breed out the health issues that plague the breed. That's what breeding dogs is all about. Betterment of the breed. And that's the message that the dog clubs (and by dog club I mean breed club) have to do.

And don't misunderstand me. I have two trainwreck rescues here. Rita is undersized, snipe nosed and kind of not right in the head. The only time that dog was at peace was after she killed a rat. Bubba has IBD and has classic Doberman OCD. His toes curl some kind of funky, his gait is not the kind of gay it's supposed to be and he blew his coat 18 months ago and all of the salmon oil in the world ain't bringing it back. And they both adore me and I would live in my truck before I would give them up.

diavolo - hi :)

i found this group while visiting the FB page of a wonder dobe rescue i worked with a while back helping DAZ. [lean on me dobe rescue = stellar group of humans! LOMDR is on the FB page below].

http://www.facebook.com/SaveDobermans?ref=mf

Diavolo, my sister has had dobie's most of her adult life. She doesn't have one now but had there been one at the pound when she went she would. She had a beautiful fawn dobie that used to jump up in her arms. All my nephews were raised around dobie's, riding them and doing all the pulling they do, never once did any one of those dogs nip or bite. I would not hesitate to take in a dobie if I was going to take in a new critter.


On another not here's to Mr. Weener :king: ...the rescued dog who rescued his mom from a fire in Whatcom county! :hangloose:
He's a dachsund, bet you couldn't guess that. :o

Check out the pic in my gallery. That says it all.

And props to Mr. Weener!

**Indiana Alert**
 

Running pen operations pit a pack of dogs against a single wild-caught
coyote or fox as a form of hunt training for the dogs. The coyote or fox has
nowhere to run and is mauled. With hunter's comprising less than 5% of
Indiana's population, we can be louder. Take action to stop this profoundly
cruel blood sport now. PHOTOS: http://www.coyoteinfo.typepad.com

================================================== ===========
CONTACT INFORMATION
================================================== ===========

EVERYONE, CONTACT:
Indiana Natural Resources Commission
Indiana Government Center North
100 N. Senate Avenue, Room N501 / Indianapolis, IN 46204-2200
fax: 317-233-2977
Jennifer Kane: 317-232-4699, jkane@nrc.in.gov
Sandra Jensen: 317-232-4229, sjensen@nrc.in.gov
contact form: http://www.in.gov/nrc/2351.htm

Office of Governor Mitch Daniels
200 W Washington St # 206 / Indianapolis, IN 46204-2731
ph: 317-232-4567; email: mdaniels@gov.in.gov
contact form: http://www.in.gov/gov/2631.htm

INDIANA RESIDENTS ONLY:
Attend and testify at the INRC hearing on 3/16/10 in Indianapolis where
Commissioners may opt to move forward with Citizen petitions and take action
via formal rulemaking procedures. We need a good showing at this hearing!

• Hearing Time: March 16, 2010 / 9:00am
• Place: Fort Harrison State Park Inn, Roosevelt Room / Indianapolis, IN
• More Info: http://www.in.gov./nrc/2354.htm

Go to this link to send an automated letter:
http://www.kinshipcircle.org/letter_library/letter_new2.asp?LetterID=1891&seriesfirst=true
CLICK BIG GREEN BUTTON THAT SAYS: EASY AUTO LETTER

Jesus. What's the difference between what they're doing and pit fighting? Nothing.

I agree.

I have a hard time grasping the type of person who could participate or watch any event like this.

Close to home
 

Hi Tommi.

You and your friend certainly have my support. From what I am understanding from your post the vet seems positive about the outcome.
I would keep my cat alive as long as he was still eating and drinking and would not suffer much... and I could afford the care.
My friend has lost two of her cats in the past two years. One very recently. It seems to me the animals as well as their caregivers seem to know when it is time for them to let go.
The cat is 13 so he has lived a long happy life should he have to be put to sleep.
I have seen with sick people as well as with animals, sometimes they need to be encouraged to leave this world knowing that is okay if need be.
Keep us up to date please.
Thanks.

George & Harry
 

Thank you............!
 

Thank you so much. It is hard, as she just had his brother put to sleep over the Holiday's. She knew and Choo Choo knew it was time. Dusty still has that bright sparkly look in his eyes, and wants to play and let me rub his ears while he almost stands on his head. So, tomorrow AM I;m taking the path report to the consult Vet Surgeon, for that 2nd opinion..she is out of town on duty for two months..so, I am his next of kin, the ex-officio kitty sitter and rock ...ugh. She is flying home over the weekend to see Dusty and see what the Vet has to say and --- well, to make some decisions..

Yep...sniff....

I think we are kinder to animals than we are to human beings.

Andrew

Hi, all you animal lovers!
This is pretty simple... Please ask ten friends to each ask a further ten today!
The Animal Rescue Site is having trouble getting enough people to click on it daily so they can meet their quota of getting FREE FOOD donated every day to abused and neglected animals. It takes less than a minute (about 15 seconds) to go to their site and click on the purple box 'fund food for animals for free'. This doesn't cost you a thing..
Their corporate sponsors/advertisers use the number of daily visits to donate food to abandoned/neglected animals in exchange for advertising.
Here's the web site! Please pass it along to people you know.
http://www.theanimalrescuesite.com/

Thanks!

My first poem I have ever written was when I was six.

When animals come close to me I start to wonder why?
People can not be more like them and come closer to eachother.

Your post made me want to share this Andrew.:cheer:

Harry needs to tell George that it's ok for him to go. And George will go. When Beauregard had cancer I knew he was in pretty bad shape when it was diagnosed. I had to work Monday and Tuesday but had the rest of the week off. I told him to wait for me Monday and Tuesday. When I got home Tuesday I told him it was ok to go when he needed to, I was going to stay with him. He woke me up at 3am in deep distress. He was drowning in the fluid the tumors in his lungs. We went to emergency and I had to put him down that night. It was either hospitalize him until he died or let him go. There was no recovery. The decision was easy or as easy as it could have been under the circumstances. My Xica knew I couldn't do it. She knew that Beau would take care of me so she took herself out of the game. I had a conversation on the phone with my Aunt earlier that day telling her every day was a blessing with that dog, she was a 15yo pit mix. She was gone when I got home that night. George needs to know that Harry will be ok with out him or he's just going to hang around fighting until he can't any more. And Harry might not be ok without George. And that might be why it's going the way it's going.

Wow, AtLast, this is so sad.

Harry may need to let George know that it is ok for him to go. I think that dogs, just like humans, hang on because they believe that their loved ones want them to.

I am not trying to be negative about your friend as I know he is suffering, but maybe the kindest thing he can do for George is to tell him that he can let go/take him to the vet and "let go"...(especially if George is suffering in any way).


Your mileage may vary,
Dapper.

Thanks for this thread.

Dusty, who has jaw cancer will let Deb-the-Ex, know when it is time. We talked to the Doc. about surgery, recurrence in a year, removal of 1/2 his jaw, stomach tube, etc and are not putting him through that.

Dusty has about another healthy month, the Vet estimated. So, he will let us know, and we are listening and watching, and won't let him suffer.

I'm sorry to hear this. I had thought that this type of cancer was not a good one. I hope for the best with Dusty, Deb and you.

A few years back I had a cat named Giz who was competely healthy until one day when he was 6 y/o he started to vomit. A vet visit put him in intensive care for a few days with complete kidney failure. His ultra sound showed scarred kidneys that they thought would recover but after sub-q's and meds for 3 months nothing was working. One day I came home and it was obvious that something had changed and I could tell that he had enough. I had lit a fire that night and he tried to walk into it. I called the vet and sat with Giz and said my good byes. The vet came to my house and we let him go as I held him in front of the warm fire. It was very calm and peaceful. I laid Giz down so the other animals could say their good byes and then the vet took him with her to be cremated.

I believe Giz gave me the opportunity to help him go in a peacefull way--it was much easier on me and I believe it was much easier on him as well.

Prayer For Animals
 

Hear our humble prayer, O God, for our friends the animals,
especially for animals who are suffering;
for animals that are overworked, underfed and cruelly treated;
for all wistful creatures in captivity that beat their wings against bars;
for any that are hunted or lost or deserted or frightened or hungry;
for all that must be put death.
We entreat for them all Thy mercy and pity,
and for those who deal with them we ask a heart of compassion
and gentle hands and kindly words.
Make us, ourselves, to be true friends to animals,
and so to share the blessings of the merciful.

Someone sent me this in an email
 

A RESCUER'S ANSWERING MACHINE:

Hello: You have reached ___-____, Rescue. Due to the
high volume of calls we have been receiving, please listen closely to
the following options and choose the one that best describes you or
your situation:

Press 1 if you have a 10-year-old dog and your 15-year-old son has
suddenly become allergic and you need to find the dog a new home
right away.

Press 2 if you are moving today and need to immediately place your
150 pound, 8-year-old dog.

Press 3 if you have three dogs, had a baby and want to get rid of
your dogs because you are the only person in the world to have a
baby and dogs at the same time.

Press 4 if you just got a brand new puppy and your old dog is having
problems adjusting so you want to get rid of the old one right away.

Press 5 if your little puppy has grown up and is no longer small and
cute and you want to trade it in for a new model.

Press 6 if you want an unpaid volunteer to come to your home TODAY
and pick up the dog you no longer want.

Press 7 if you have been feeding and caring for a "stray" for the
last three years, are moving and suddenly determine it's not your
dog.

Press 8 if your dog is sick and needs a vet but you need the money
for your vacation.

Press 9 if you are elderly and want to adopt a cute puppy who is not
active and is going to outlive you.

Press 10 if your relative has died and you don't want to care for
their elderly dog because it doesn't fit your lifestyle.

Press 11 if you are calling at 6 a.m. to make sure you wake me up
before I have to go to work so you can drop a dog off on your way
to work.
Press 12 to leave us an anonymous garbled message, letting us know
you have left a dog in our yard in the middle of January, which is
in fact, better than just leaving the dog with no message.

Press 13 if you are going to get angry because we are not going to
take your dog that you have had for fifteen years, because it is
not our responsibility.

Press 14 if you are going to threaten to take your ten year old dog
to be euthanized because I won't take it.

Press 15 if you're going to get angry because the volunteers had the
audacity to go on vacation and leave the dogs in care of a trusted
volunteer who is not authorized to take your personal pet.

Press 16 if you want one of our PERFECTLY trained, housebroken, kid
and cat friendly purebred dogs that we have an abundance of.

Press 17 if you want us to take your dog that has a slight
aggression problem, i.e.. has only bitten a few people and killed your
neighbor's cats.

Press 18 if you have already called once and been told we don't take
personal surrenders but thought you would get a different person this
time with a different answer.

Press 19 if you want us to use space that would go to a stray to
board your personal dog while you are on vacation, free of charge,
of course.

Press 20 if it is Christmas Eve or Easter morning and you want me to
deliver an eight week old puppy to your house by 6:30 am before
your kids wake up.

Press 21 if you have bought your children a duckling, chick or baby
bunny for Easter and it is now Christmas and no longer cute.

Press 22 if you want us to take your female dog who has already had
ten litters, but we can't spay her because she is pregnant again and
it is against your religion.

Press 23 if you're trying to make one of our younger volunteers feel
bad and take your personal pet off your hands.

Press 24 if your cat is biting and not using the litter box because it is declawed, but you are not willing to accept the responsibility
that the cat's behavior is altered because of your nice furniture.

Press 25 if your two year old male dog is marking all over your house
but you just haven't gotten around to having him neutered.

Press 26 if you previously had an outdoor only dog and are calling
because she is suddenly pregnant.

Press 27 if you have done "everything" to housebreak your dog and
have had no success but you don't want to crate the dog because it
is cruel.

Press 28 if you didn't listen to the message asking for an evening
phone number and you left your work number when all volunteers are
also working and you are angry because no one called you back.

Press 29 if you need a puppy immediately and cannot wait because
today is your daughter's birthday and you forgot when she was born.

Press 30 if your dog's coat doesn't match your new furniture and you
need a different color or breed.

Press 31 if your new love doesn't like your dog and you are too
stupid to get rid of the new friend (who will dump you in the next
month anyway) instead of the dog.

Press 32 if you went through all these 'options' and didn't hear
enough. This press will connect you to the sounds of tears being
shed by one of our volunteers who is holding a discarded old dog
while the vet mercifully frees him from a life of no medical care,
severe neglect and abuse..


:|

Most people think that its time for George to cross the rainbow bridge. I do not. Neither he nor Harry are willing to let go. While it is wearing on Harry and it might seem that George is on last threads of the cord that ties him to this earth, the practical matter is that George still wants Harry...and Harry wants George. I have put down many animals....because I adopt only old ones. No one else wants them and yet they are so loving and deserving of a home again...but, this shortens my time with them. Yes, but I will take any day with my beloved four leggeds than any time without them...

the time is probably close, and they will get their on their own. But what I hear and feel more loudly in your post, is your sorrow over the loss of your boy and how this is touching that part of you that continues to grieve.

I know that when any of my newfs get close to the final surrender, all the beloveds I have ever loved, are felt in my heart. I dont resist that grief...it is just a deep part of the love we shared..I hope I never stop feeling sorrow over those I lost...they made my heart grow bigger...and even as they pass, it opens my heart to continue to love...

blessings to George and Harry...and blessings to you too, ALH....

Cat
 

Sometimes it's gloomy here. It is hard to see this beautiful long haired black, alpha male getting skinny and loosing this fucking Cancer battle. He suns himself on the patio, and plays with the 6 month old kitten in the afternoon. I went to visit my boy yesterday and he wanted his ears rubbed, and to be brushed, just like I used to do for him........ Deb flew home tonight to spend the weekend with Dusty, and she leaves Sunday evening. She's deployed out of town till April 30. I don't think he is going to be able to survive that long.

Dusty saw his vet on Thursday for follow-up, had the last stitches out, and another long acting antibiotic.The first antibiotic he had 2 weeks ago really helped him , and he is eating and drinking really well again.

His jaw is more swollen. He sees a surgeon/onchologist who specializes in this type of cancer to see if there is anything that can be done.

One day at a time

http://www.sugarbane.com/wildlife.htm

http://www.opossum.org/

Are you rescuing opossums in another state?

:balloon:

It will be a month, maybe 3, maybe 6.

Not that I overdo things, but..I took Dusty for a 3rd opinion. We went to a Veterinary Surgical Hospital with a cancer wing... He saw an Oncologist/Surgeon that specializes in feline head and neck cancers. One doctor had recommended surgery. One doctor had said No surgery.

Gayle Donner, DVM was the most gentle , loving, caring woman,. She stroked Dusty as she examined him and he let her, jsut poke and prod jaw where the tumor is. She told him he was a brave boy. She held him tight and whisered, to me "Take him home take him to his Hospice."

I called the Ex who's out of town, and told her that I was taking him home and we would be his hospice care team. and her partner better be good to my boy..

I have unlimited visitation. I dropped him off at my old house, looked into his eyes, and saw the kitten we adopted 13 years ago.

some progress has been made with the AC Shelter. animals are being photographed, petfinder is being used, and rescue groups are contacted - none of which ever was or is presently being initiated/carried out by the AC Shelter! volunteers [the people who have been behind the movement for improvements at this shelter] are checking in with the shelter animals and pushing for all of these changes. at least we are getting somewhere, but it's still not enough-

here is a letter to a reporter who met with us months and months ago. i first met the reporter, "w", last year when he was at my address covering another story for my committee [of the humane society] .

note the way this county [where i reside] operates, sadly.


Hello W,

I am just following up again regarding the article about the X County Animal Control. The last time we spoke, you told me that you were still waiting on comment from the commissioners of from Animal Control. Were you able to reach them for comment?

I remember you saying that you would be able run the article even if we were not given a response. I'd like to move forward with writing the article even if we don't get comment from anyone-we can state the truth-that they did not respond. My guess is that if nobody has responded by this time, they will not respond ever.

I would be lying if I said the story is the exact same since our first discussion. We've made some progress, and I'd like to share all of that with you for an updated story.

Please update us on the progress of the article. We are very anxious for the public to know about this extremely important issue-the animals need everyone's support!

Thanks,


** W's response **

Hi ,

I haven't forgotten about this story. We're still working on the multi-part Progress section. I should be mostly finished with that after this week. Because of it, I haven't had time to work on the shelter story. I still need to talk with CH AC Officer and the commissioner. I do see that there's updates to the story, including a website and discussion of a community advisory board. The timing with Progress was incredibly bad, but I promise to publish something on this matter.

-W

on 3/15/10 9:23 AM

love little baby opossums!
 

[QUOTE=Kimbo;67093]Are you rescuing opossums in another state?

:balloon:

i how are you? i visited tennessee for three days recently. don't tempt me, kimbo ~

Quote:

Originally Posted by Semantics (Post 65771) A RESCUER'S ANSWERING MACHINE: Hello: You have reached ___-____, Rescue. Due to the high volume of calls we have been receiving, please listen closely to the following options and choose the one that best describes you or your situation: Press 1 if you have a 10-year-old dog and your 15-year-old son has suddenly become allergic and you need to find the dog a new home right away. Press 2 if you are moving today and need to immediately place your 150 pound, 8-year-old dog. Press 3 if you have three dogs, had a baby and want to get rid of your dogs because you are the only person in the world to have a baby and dogs at the same time. Press 4 if you just got a brand new puppy and your old dog is having problems adjusting so you want to get rid of the old one right away. Press 5 if your little puppy has grown up and is no longer small and cute and you want to trade it in for a new model. Press 6 if you want an unpaid volunteer to come to your home TODAY and pick up the dog you no longer want. Press 7 if you have been feeding and caring for a "stray" for the last three years, are moving and suddenly determine it's not your dog. Press 8 if your dog is sick and needs a vet but you need the money for your vacation. Press 9 if you are elderly and want to adopt a cute puppy who is not active and is going to outlive you. Press 10 if your relative has died and you don't want to care for their elderly dog because it doesn't fit your lifestyle. Press 11 if you are calling at 6 a.m. to make sure you wake me up before I have to go to work so you can drop a dog off on your way to work. Press 12 to leave us an anonymous garbled message, letting us know you have left a dog in our yard in the middle of January, which is in fact, better than just leaving the dog with no message. Press 13 if you are going to get angry because we are not going to take your dog that you have had for fifteen years, because it is not our responsibility. Press 14 if you are going to threaten to take your ten year old dog to be euthanized because I won't take it. Press 15 if you're going to get angry because the volunteers had the audacity to go on vacation and leave the dogs in care of a trusted volunteer who is not authorized to take your personal pet. Press 16 if you want one of our PERFECTLY trained, housebroken, kid and cat friendly purebred dogs that we have an abundance of. Press 17 if you want us to take your dog that has a slight aggression problem, i.e.. has only bitten a few people and killed your neighbor's cats. Press 18 if you have already called once and been told we don't take personal surrenders but thought you would get a different person this time with a different answer. Press 19 if you want us to use space that would go to a stray to board your personal dog while you are on vacation, free of charge, of course. Press 20 if it is Christmas Eve or Easter morning and you want me to deliver an eight week old puppy to your house by 6:30 am before your kids wake up. Press 21 if you have bought your children a duckling, chick or baby bunny for Easter and it is now Christmas and no longer cute. Press 22 if you want us to take your female dog who has already had ten litters, but we can't spay her because she is pregnant again and it is against your religion. Press 23 if you're trying to make one of our younger volunteers feel bad and take your personal pet off your hands. Press 24 if your cat is biting and not using the litter box because it is declawed, but you are not willing to accept the responsibility that the cat's behavior is altered because of your nice furniture. Press 25 if your two year old male dog is marking all over your house but you just haven't gotten around to having him neutered. Press 26 if you previously had an outdoor only dog and are calling because she is suddenly pregnant. Press 27 if you have done "everything" to housebreak your dog and have had no success but you don't want to crate the dog because it is cruel. Press 28 if you didn't listen to the message asking for an evening phone number and you left your work number when all volunteers are also working and you are angry because no one called you back. Press 29 if you need a puppy immediately and cannot wait because today is your daughter's birthday and you forgot when she was born. Press 30 if your dog's coat doesn't match your new furniture and you need a different color or breed. Press 31 if your new love doesn't like your dog and you are too stupid to get rid of the new friend (who will dump you in the next month anyway) instead of the dog. Press 32 if you went through all these 'options' and didn't hear enough. This press will connect you to the sounds of tears being shed by one of our volunteers who is holding a discarded old dog while the vet mercifully frees him from a life of no medical care, severe neglect and abuse.. :|

"]


This is FABULOUS!!!!! By any chance, do you have the Author for these creative (yet so accurate) 32 options?

I'd just love to pass it along to so many that have volunteered with me for years upon years however, would prefer to credit the proper person.

Thank you soooooooo very much for submitting this. I'm confident I'm not the only one that is well aware of all of the above excuses (in addition
to a few hundred others pathetic ones)


Just to reiterate something that can never be said enough, ya'll deserve so much credit for the time and love (and we all know this 'Volunteer' job requires personal $ $ $ from our own wallets) invested in whatever capacity you go out of your way to rescue our beloved fur babies.

YA'LL ROCK - THANK YOU

the article finally -
 

tammy, a member of my commitee was not exactly quoted the right way- and she is not amused today! anyway, i am going to post the article about the AC shelter. comments AC made about the humane society are not true. i do not mind the he-said-she-said aspects of the article so much [as other people on my team/the citizens face book page seem to mind], because i'm happy the story is out there finally. any mention of an Advisory Board was all i wanted to see, basically because it just makes sense to have one- and there will not be these kind of issues [plus a lot of ordinances can be changed to work in favour of the animals :)].

M = Chief Animal Control Officer of the Animal Control Shelter
RB = friend of M

my/our team = tammy, AL, JK, LN, DG.



today -

Animal lovers fighting like cats and dogs
Commissioners to help settle dispute

By W
D, IND- When the county opened its new animal shelter in 2008, it was supposed to be the reward for a years-long struggle to complete the project. Instead it’s turned into a battle between animal control and animal lovers.

AL & JK have started a Facebook page [exposing problems at X Animal Care & Control] After a few months, it has more than 400 fans.

Its creators and supporters have specific complaints about M, X County’s chief animal control officer, and how she runs the shelter. One is that she supposedly doesn’t allow volunteers to work there.

“There are people in the community who want to volunteer,” AL said. “Open your doors and let us volunteer at the shelter that we pay for.”

JK added, “When was the last time anyone begged their employer to work for free? That’s basically what we’re doing. We’re pleading to work for free.”

They also accuse animal control of not doing enough to get their animals adopted and treating them cruelly.

“None of the animals get names; they’re given a number,” AL said. “There are no bios because there are no volunteers to do it.”

Tammy G. claims to have been at the shelter on three occasions when they were spraying the cages with dogs in them. [the reporter left out a lot here] M, {CH AC O} admits they have to clean the pens with animals in them, but says they aren’t left soaking wet all day, like her retractors accuse her of doing. She also cleans the cages during business hours, so the public has the ability to see the process.

“I have nothing to hide, and if I felt like I was doing something inhumane to an animal, don’t you think the vets of this county would’ve stood up and said something a long time ago?” M said.

RB, who ran X Kennel for 30 years, organized an annual car show to help raise funds for a new shelter. He says the $80,000 the X County Humane Society donated to cover the facility’s architectural fees came with the stipulation that the county use a Fort Wayne firm to design the building. But RB says he and others raised concerns over the design, including that there wouldn’t be enough indoor/outdoor runs to move animals out of the cages while they were cleaned. Or that the pens didn’t go all the way to the ceiling, which meant an aggressive dog could potentially climb out. That latter aspect has since been changed.

“Everything we said has come true,” RB said. “The Humane Society shoves this building down our throats, and now they’re complaining about exactly what we told them would happen.”

M {CH AC O} says volunteers have always been welcome at the shelter.

“We used to have a great relationship with the Humane Society,” she said, and many volunteers came from there. But over time the relationship soured. Volunteer attendance would dwindle to nothing, then later M would get requests for volunteers again. Beth Farmer, a former president of the Humane Society, volunteered and did such a good job that M hired her.

“She was the only one who would show up,” M said.

Those complaints extend to what critics say are a lack of listings of the animals available for adoption at the shelter.

“I offered to put their animals (online),” said DG. “They said they don’t allow volunteers period because of liability reasons.”

Since then, however, a page for the shelter, with a listing of available animals, has gone live on the Pet Finder website. It can be found at petfinder.

M said she heard from three people volunteering to create such a website. The person who ultimately created it was the only one who came through, she added. M said she and her staff took photos of all their animals for use on the website. The shelter also prints information on their animals in local newspapers, including the X County F.

“I don’t know what more I can do, but I’m trying,” M said.

Because of this perceived lack of information, her critics say this county’s animal shelter has a too-high euthanasia rate. Some put it as high as 78 percent of the shelter’s animal population. M says when you remove owner-requested euthanasia, it’s more like 44 percent. M has served as an animal control officer for 20 years, and some of her detractors say she’s become too callous to do the work any longer.

“They’re under the impression I intentionally want to do this,” she said. “Do you know how depressing it is to get up every morning, come to work, and have someone bring a pet in to be put down or a stray brought in when there’s no more room? That is not a fun decision for any of my staff. It breaks our hearts. We don’t want to do that.” [she cries at county commissioner meetings or any time she is questioned about the job she is not doing!].

As LN sees it, “There are two functions going on here. There’s animal control, which is getting the strays off the streets. Running the shelter is a whole other ideal. This county has the animal control people running the shelter, and I believe they are two different things.”

County commissioners are set to vote on a resolution instituting an animal control advisory board at Tuesday’s meeting. If approved, it would be comprised of citizens appointed to one-year terms who would make recommendations on the animal shelter’s operation.
Perhaps that will bridge the gap between the two sides. Or maybe RB's advice should be followed:

“If the Humane Society thinks that building is so good, they need to buy it from the county,” he said. “We’ll take that money and build a building that’s usable for an animal shelter. It’s a nice building, but it’s just so impractical.”

Excellent work Belle. Your group has really made a dent rather quickly. I hope you get your advisory board!

On a sad note my Bella kitty is deteriorating. She's lost another 1 1/2 lbs. We've increased her thyroid pills and it seems that is prompting underlying kidney disease. She's happy and eating but she is losing coordination in her hips/back legs and is ill a lot. I may start subq's on her to help her with hydration. She is 14 y/o and my head butter and my fav (ssshhhhh that can't get out to the troops here).

today on NPR-
 

http://www.theotherendoftheleash.com/


dear kimbo, thank you for the message. i am saddened to read of your bella's declining health. may the sq's relieve some of her discomfort [and yours]. hang in there, friend.

belle

My lil' feral, Sweet Pea, has finally stepped over the line. It's been around 5 years that I've had her. She now will sit on the couch with me and has quit running everytime I move or open a door or ?? She actively seeks me out for lovin' and I've even picked her up again, although not for long. She will let me rub her head to toe and will let me rub her neck under her chin although still a bit reluctantly. I think she is now classified as semi-feral.

My Bella cat continues to lose weight..she is as frisky as ever and does her yard patrols as usual but she's not really stablizing and certainly not gaining in weight. Such a bummer.