PA: Humane Society takes a dog from a homeless man- and won't return him even after a court order to do so

To contact us Click HERE
Good Grief! Give the man his dog back! This man lost his home, his job, his wife and family, and now the HS takes his DOG!!! You have got to be kidding!
What are the buzz words the Human Society always uses to make the public think they were doing a "service"?- words like "cruelty", but more and more they are just STEALING people's pets! Is Baron REALLY better off in an over crowded shelter? I think not. Every day that dog is experiencing stress of being in in what amounts to JAIL- Give Thomas his dog back!!

At a federal hearing last week over the custody of on of its dogs,
by John Luciew

Humane Society of Harrisburg Area executive director Amy Kaunas testified that the shelter routinely houses an average of 200 dogs at any given time.

Miles Thomas, the formerly homeless owner of Baron the collie, has been battling the Humane Society for the return of his dog since July 26 when the agency's canine officer seized Baron from Thomas’ ventilated car as he lunched in Middletown. The animal agency said it took the dog as part of a cruelty investigation after receiving a call from Middletown police. Thomas, who was battling bouts of homelessness, was never charged and went to the Humane Society to recover Baron the next day, but was denied.

Last week, U.S. District Judge John E. Jones III halted a hearing on the custody of the dog and outlined a plan for co-adoption of the dog by Thomas and Steve Conklin with monitoring by the Humane Society for six months. After that, Thomas stood to regain full ownership of the 7-year-old collie.

However, Andrew Ostrowski, attorney for Thomas, said Wednesday that the Humane Society is balking over what Ostrowski called "slight modifications" in the adoption form requested by Conklin, who is housing the formerly-homeless Thomas and would be co-adopter of the dog. Baron remains at the shelter.

Bottle babies growing up

To contact us Click HERE
Remember the four little kittens brought into the last clinic? They went to a foster for Act V and were lovingly bottle fed for weeks.
Remember the even tinier lonely only that came in to Red Lake Rosie's Rescue a week or so later -- Autumn, now Baxter? He ended up with Feline Rescue at a foster home with another teeny tiny lonely only.
Of the group of four boys, the smaller tabby Moe and the Siamese-looking Simon have been neutered and adopted already! They are resting here after their surgery.
Orange Fezzik and the bigger tabby Larry are waiting for their adopters to appear.
FEZZIK
LARRY
Finally, Baxter and his buddy, Willy, have gained weight and started eating on their own so they are moving to another foster home. It will be another month or two before they are ready for adoption, but all is well.

What's Going on at the Robeson Co Animal Shelter in NC?

To contact us Click HERE
An online search turns up countless stories of neglect, cruelty and killings alleged to have taken place at Robeson County Animal Shelter in NC. As with all things posted on the net, you have to judge for yourself what seems credible to you. Stories include:

• 1997 video of pets being cruelly killed by shelter workers (Warning - graphic)
• After the lawsuit which followed the video, the shelter reportedly changed its ways. This posting details a 2010 eyewitness account indicating the shelter has not changed and is still inflicting unnecessary cruelty in the killing of pets.
• 2010 video depicting 73 empty kennels (out of 100) at the shelter yet a dog with a rescue waiting to pull her was killed
• Another lawsuit is currently being considered against the county by the same complainant as the previous case alleging similar acts of cruelty and neglect by the shelter.

The director of the county health department (responsible for shelter operations) recently sent a letter to a local paper in defense of the shelter. He ends the letter as follows:

There are three animal control officers and three employees at the shelter — with some contract assistance — who take care of the animal needs of a human population of nearly 130,000 people in the largest county in the state. They are typically stressed and stretched. By and large, they remain conscientious of their duty to the residents and the animals. The constant probing and prodding take away any satisfaction in the job.

Is it perfect? Absolutely not. It is good though, it adheres to all standards and licensure requirements, but it could be better. We continue to move toward that goal.

While the opposing sides are far apart, I'm sure most everyone will agree that working towards continued improvement is a worthwhile effort. I wonder if the shelter could make its practices more transparent to the public and thus reduce the perceived "probing and prodding" referred to in the letter. Public shelters should be accountable to the public to my mind. If there was more transparency in the sheltering world, it would go a long way toward reassuring the community that pets are being well cared for which is the main concern I think.

How about it Robeson County - could the shelter make itself more transparent to the public so that the community doesn't have to rely on internet postings for information on how the shelter cares for pets?

Note: There are numerous posts circulating indicating that ABC News is looking for eyewitness accounts for a story they are doing on the Robeson Co shelter. The posts provide the contact information for someone at ABC. I have contacted the person listed and she does not wish her name and contact info to be posted any further so please do not post it in the comments.

PA: Humane Society takes a dog from a homeless man- and won't return him even after a court order to do so

To contact us Click HERE
Good Grief! Give the man his dog back! This man lost his home, his job, his wife and family, and now the HS takes his DOG!!! You have got to be kidding!
What are the buzz words the Human Society always uses to make the public think they were doing a "service"?- words like "cruelty", but more and more they are just STEALING people's pets! Is Baron REALLY better off in an over crowded shelter? I think not. Every day that dog is experiencing stress of being in in what amounts to JAIL- Give Thomas his dog back!!

At a federal hearing last week over the custody of on of its dogs,
by John Luciew

Humane Society of Harrisburg Area executive director Amy Kaunas testified that the shelter routinely houses an average of 200 dogs at any given time.

Miles Thomas, the formerly homeless owner of Baron the collie, has been battling the Humane Society for the return of his dog since July 26 when the agency's canine officer seized Baron from Thomas’ ventilated car as he lunched in Middletown. The animal agency said it took the dog as part of a cruelty investigation after receiving a call from Middletown police. Thomas, who was battling bouts of homelessness, was never charged and went to the Humane Society to recover Baron the next day, but was denied.

Last week, U.S. District Judge John E. Jones III halted a hearing on the custody of the dog and outlined a plan for co-adoption of the dog by Thomas and Steve Conklin with monitoring by the Humane Society for six months. After that, Thomas stood to regain full ownership of the 7-year-old collie.

However, Andrew Ostrowski, attorney for Thomas, said Wednesday that the Humane Society is balking over what Ostrowski called "slight modifications" in the adoption form requested by Conklin, who is housing the formerly-homeless Thomas and would be co-adopter of the dog. Baron remains at the shelter.

Philadelphia, PA: Deaf Orange Tabby with CH

To contact us Click HERE



ELLI
Update 06/13/12:
Elli is spayed, UTD on vaccines and is tested negative for FIV/FeLV. DOB is 1/22/2008. Due to an unforeseen change in her owners' living situation, NAR welcomed Elli back into our care (as we would do with all of our adopted cats).  All grown up now, Elli is once again looking for her forever home. Elli keeps to herself, and would be fine as an only cat or with another gentle, laid-back cat.  She does not require any special care except regular brushing and lots of love. She has adapted well to her CH (Cerebullar Hypoplasia). 
For more information about Elli, adoption and her Cerebellar Hypoplasia, check here:
http://nar.rescuegroups.org/animals/detail?AnimalID=630770

Feather: Feral to Foster

To contact us Click HERE
In early March 2012, RLRR got a call that there was a very starving, mangey stray dog in a yard in Little Rock. Thankfully she was starving or she would never have been caught as she was a very frightened feral.
She became a resident in a kennel at Red Lake Rosie's Rescuse, but it looked like there was very little hope for this girl which we named Feather.
Thanks to a very compassionate person named John, who traveled all the way from the metro to help get her crated and take on the challenge to help Feather overcome her medical issues of demodex mange and her emotional problems which were even more severe.
The photos show Feather's progress over a period of eight months in John's care. She is mange free and is making little steps toward trust.
Because Feather is very social with the other animals, John used this as a bridge to develop trust with her.
I'll share more of Feather's story tomorrow.

Feather becomes a caregiver

To contact us Click HERE
On Thanksgiving we received a very special photo showing Feather and her little feline friend so very comfy as compared to the first time we saw her.

UPDATE FROM FEATHER'S FOSTER CAREGIVER, JOHN:

Back on August 29th, I was asked if I would bottle feed a little 10-day-old kitten that was brought up to a rural home uninjured by the family dog. Here is a picture of the little kitten perhaps a day after I got her.

Since she was ten days old, I gave her the name "Desi" which is similar to the word for ten in spanish. Desi was so tiny and I was concerned for her survival.

I had another foster momma with much larger kittens, so when I could, I placed Desi in the middle of these kittens as they slept so she could feel the warmth and heartbeat of other kittens.

Feather it really seems to me displayed her "mothering" instinct as she was right by my side whenever I bottle fed little Desi. She always wanted to lick the baby kitten and even wanted to "help" stimulate the baby's bottom to pee and poop. She was a great helper.

Desi did very well and blossomed into a lovely little kitten.

On October 12th, I received another 10-day-old orphan kitten that was the only survivor of her litter. This kitten was named L'il Bear before I got her. Feather responded the same way to this little one. I really think this was the mother in Feather coming out. She was always right there for the kittens. It was very cute to watch.

KAREN SAYS: It was a time to give thanks to the creator, and to all the fine people out there who rescue and support animal rescue. Feather is an example of "nothing is impossible" with love and patience.

Thank you, John, for this miraculous transformation.

What's Going on at the Robeson Co Animal Shelter in NC?

To contact us Click HERE
An online search turns up countless stories of neglect, cruelty and killings alleged to have taken place at Robeson County Animal Shelter in NC. As with all things posted on the net, you have to judge for yourself what seems credible to you. Stories include:

• 1997 video of pets being cruelly killed by shelter workers (Warning - graphic)
• After the lawsuit which followed the video, the shelter reportedly changed its ways. This posting details a 2010 eyewitness account indicating the shelter has not changed and is still inflicting unnecessary cruelty in the killing of pets.
• 2010 video depicting 73 empty kennels (out of 100) at the shelter yet a dog with a rescue waiting to pull her was killed
• Another lawsuit is currently being considered against the county by the same complainant as the previous case alleging similar acts of cruelty and neglect by the shelter.

The director of the county health department (responsible for shelter operations) recently sent a letter to a local paper in defense of the shelter. He ends the letter as follows:

There are three animal control officers and three employees at the shelter — with some contract assistance — who take care of the animal needs of a human population of nearly 130,000 people in the largest county in the state. They are typically stressed and stretched. By and large, they remain conscientious of their duty to the residents and the animals. The constant probing and prodding take away any satisfaction in the job.

Is it perfect? Absolutely not. It is good though, it adheres to all standards and licensure requirements, but it could be better. We continue to move toward that goal.

While the opposing sides are far apart, I'm sure most everyone will agree that working towards continued improvement is a worthwhile effort. I wonder if the shelter could make its practices more transparent to the public and thus reduce the perceived "probing and prodding" referred to in the letter. Public shelters should be accountable to the public to my mind. If there was more transparency in the sheltering world, it would go a long way toward reassuring the community that pets are being well cared for which is the main concern I think.

How about it Robeson County - could the shelter make itself more transparent to the public so that the community doesn't have to rely on internet postings for information on how the shelter cares for pets?

Note: There are numerous posts circulating indicating that ABC News is looking for eyewitness accounts for a story they are doing on the Robeson Co shelter. The posts provide the contact information for someone at ABC. I have contacted the person listed and she does not wish her name and contact info to be posted any further so please do not post it in the comments.

Carma's clinic memories: Susan

To contact us Click HERE
This is Susan, what a lovely child! She is in 3rd grade and she came to hold the kittens and play with the puppies. She was such a wonderful little one! She sat and visited with me as she held "Kirsten's Orphans". The one she is holding here is 'Simon', a siamese looking baby!
I asked what she would want to be when she grew up. She looked at me quite seriously and said, "I will be a random citizen!". I asked what a 'random citizen' would do? To which she was quick to reply, "Well...I would know when the great idea hit me!". What a breath of fresh air!!! I haven't had a child sit and talk to me without a cell phone for years!!!!! I hope that she will come back, she says that she will!! I won't forget her!

Carma

PA: Humane Society takes a dog from a homeless man- and won't return him even after a court order to do so

To contact us Click HERE
Good Grief! Give the man his dog back! This man lost his home, his job, his wife and family, and now the HS takes his DOG!!! You have got to be kidding!
What are the buzz words the Human Society always uses to make the public think they were doing a "service"?- words like "cruelty", but more and more they are just STEALING people's pets! Is Baron REALLY better off in an over crowded shelter? I think not. Every day that dog is experiencing stress of being in in what amounts to JAIL- Give Thomas his dog back!!

At a federal hearing last week over the custody of on of its dogs,
by John Luciew

Humane Society of Harrisburg Area executive director Amy Kaunas testified that the shelter routinely houses an average of 200 dogs at any given time.

Miles Thomas, the formerly homeless owner of Baron the collie, has been battling the Humane Society for the return of his dog since July 26 when the agency's canine officer seized Baron from Thomas’ ventilated car as he lunched in Middletown. The animal agency said it took the dog as part of a cruelty investigation after receiving a call from Middletown police. Thomas, who was battling bouts of homelessness, was never charged and went to the Humane Society to recover Baron the next day, but was denied.

Last week, U.S. District Judge John E. Jones III halted a hearing on the custody of the dog and outlined a plan for co-adoption of the dog by Thomas and Steve Conklin with monitoring by the Humane Society for six months. After that, Thomas stood to regain full ownership of the 7-year-old collie.

However, Andrew Ostrowski, attorney for Thomas, said Wednesday that the Humane Society is balking over what Ostrowski called "slight modifications" in the adoption form requested by Conklin, who is housing the formerly-homeless Thomas and would be co-adopter of the dog. Baron remains at the shelter.

Carma's clinic memories: Shaving the cat

To contact us Click HERE
A couple brought this cat into the October clinic. They were ready to surrender her....the husband was visibly upset because he loves this cat but could not control the matted coat. I was asked if I could clip the matted fur off. I replied "Yes...only if one of them would stay and help". Well....I reached into the kennel and the 'lovely little kitty' tried to kill me!!!! Her 'mother' said that she too was scared to try and get her out and hold her! So....Vet Maria volunteered to tranquilize our 'lovely little kitty'! Her first shot went into the 3 inch mat, attached to her back! The second shot hit paydirt and she was out within minutes!
Her name is BABY!!! She had a coat that was unbelievable! Her whole body was a mat! She must have been so uncomfortable, hurting with move she made. NO WONDER SHE WAS SO CRABBY!!! I quickly shaved her down, it took me about 30 minutes. I combed out her tail and tidied her feet. As I was shaping the fur around her head...she twitched!!!! That was enough for me!!! 'Nice kitty, kitty'!!!! She was telling me that SHE was still in control and I had better finish up fast!!!

Her Mom and Dad took her home in the kennel, which they returned the next day. They are going to bring her in for regular grooming! So....Baby and I will meet again! Hopefully she won't remember from time to time what I am doing to her!!! I think, if she could, she would try to find me.....I'm just not sure if she would thank me or torture me!!!
Carma

Carma's clinic memories: Susan

To contact us Click HERE
This is Susan, what a lovely child! She is in 3rd grade and she came to hold the kittens and play with the puppies. She was such a wonderful little one! She sat and visited with me as she held "Kirsten's Orphans". The one she is holding here is 'Simon', a siamese looking baby!
I asked what she would want to be when she grew up. She looked at me quite seriously and said, "I will be a random citizen!". I asked what a 'random citizen' would do? To which she was quick to reply, "Well...I would know when the great idea hit me!". What a breath of fresh air!!! I haven't had a child sit and talk to me without a cell phone for years!!!!! I hope that she will come back, she says that she will!! I won't forget her!

Carma

What's Going on at the Robeson Co Animal Shelter in NC?

To contact us Click HERE
An online search turns up countless stories of neglect, cruelty and killings alleged to have taken place at Robeson County Animal Shelter in NC. As with all things posted on the net, you have to judge for yourself what seems credible to you. Stories include:

• 1997 video of pets being cruelly killed by shelter workers (Warning - graphic)
• After the lawsuit which followed the video, the shelter reportedly changed its ways. This posting details a 2010 eyewitness account indicating the shelter has not changed and is still inflicting unnecessary cruelty in the killing of pets.
• 2010 video depicting 73 empty kennels (out of 100) at the shelter yet a dog with a rescue waiting to pull her was killed
• Another lawsuit is currently being considered against the county by the same complainant as the previous case alleging similar acts of cruelty and neglect by the shelter.

The director of the county health department (responsible for shelter operations) recently sent a letter to a local paper in defense of the shelter. He ends the letter as follows:

There are three animal control officers and three employees at the shelter — with some contract assistance — who take care of the animal needs of a human population of nearly 130,000 people in the largest county in the state. They are typically stressed and stretched. By and large, they remain conscientious of their duty to the residents and the animals. The constant probing and prodding take away any satisfaction in the job.

Is it perfect? Absolutely not. It is good though, it adheres to all standards and licensure requirements, but it could be better. We continue to move toward that goal.

While the opposing sides are far apart, I'm sure most everyone will agree that working towards continued improvement is a worthwhile effort. I wonder if the shelter could make its practices more transparent to the public and thus reduce the perceived "probing and prodding" referred to in the letter. Public shelters should be accountable to the public to my mind. If there was more transparency in the sheltering world, it would go a long way toward reassuring the community that pets are being well cared for which is the main concern I think.

How about it Robeson County - could the shelter make itself more transparent to the public so that the community doesn't have to rely on internet postings for information on how the shelter cares for pets?

Note: There are numerous posts circulating indicating that ABC News is looking for eyewitness accounts for a story they are doing on the Robeson Co shelter. The posts provide the contact information for someone at ABC. I have contacted the person listed and she does not wish her name and contact info to be posted any further so please do not post it in the comments.

PA: Humane Society takes a dog from a homeless man- and won't return him even after a court order to do so

To contact us Click HERE
Good Grief! Give the man his dog back! This man lost his home, his job, his wife and family, and now the HS takes his DOG!!! You have got to be kidding!
What are the buzz words the Human Society always uses to make the public think they were doing a "service"?- words like "cruelty", but more and more they are just STEALING people's pets! Is Baron REALLY better off in an over crowded shelter? I think not. Every day that dog is experiencing stress of being in in what amounts to JAIL- Give Thomas his dog back!!

At a federal hearing last week over the custody of on of its dogs,
by John Luciew

Humane Society of Harrisburg Area executive director Amy Kaunas testified that the shelter routinely houses an average of 200 dogs at any given time.

Miles Thomas, the formerly homeless owner of Baron the collie, has been battling the Humane Society for the return of his dog since July 26 when the agency's canine officer seized Baron from Thomas’ ventilated car as he lunched in Middletown. The animal agency said it took the dog as part of a cruelty investigation after receiving a call from Middletown police. Thomas, who was battling bouts of homelessness, was never charged and went to the Humane Society to recover Baron the next day, but was denied.

Last week, U.S. District Judge John E. Jones III halted a hearing on the custody of the dog and outlined a plan for co-adoption of the dog by Thomas and Steve Conklin with monitoring by the Humane Society for six months. After that, Thomas stood to regain full ownership of the 7-year-old collie.

However, Andrew Ostrowski, attorney for Thomas, said Wednesday that the Humane Society is balking over what Ostrowski called "slight modifications" in the adoption form requested by Conklin, who is housing the formerly-homeless Thomas and would be co-adopter of the dog. Baron remains at the shelter.

Carma's clinic memories: Shaving the cat

To contact us Click HERE
A couple brought this cat into the October clinic. They were ready to surrender her....the husband was visibly upset because he loves this cat but could not control the matted coat. I was asked if I could clip the matted fur off. I replied "Yes...only if one of them would stay and help". Well....I reached into the kennel and the 'lovely little kitty' tried to kill me!!!! Her 'mother' said that she too was scared to try and get her out and hold her! So....Vet Maria volunteered to tranquilize our 'lovely little kitty'! Her first shot went into the 3 inch mat, attached to her back! The second shot hit paydirt and she was out within minutes!
Her name is BABY!!! She had a coat that was unbelievable! Her whole body was a mat! She must have been so uncomfortable, hurting with move she made. NO WONDER SHE WAS SO CRABBY!!! I quickly shaved her down, it took me about 30 minutes. I combed out her tail and tidied her feet. As I was shaping the fur around her head...she twitched!!!! That was enough for me!!! 'Nice kitty, kitty'!!!! She was telling me that SHE was still in control and I had better finish up fast!!!

Her Mom and Dad took her home in the kennel, which they returned the next day. They are going to bring her in for regular grooming! So....Baby and I will meet again! Hopefully she won't remember from time to time what I am doing to her!!! I think, if she could, she would try to find me.....I'm just not sure if she would thank me or torture me!!!
Carma

Carma's clinic memories: Susan

To contact us Click HERE
This is Susan, what a lovely child! She is in 3rd grade and she came to hold the kittens and play with the puppies. She was such a wonderful little one! She sat and visited with me as she held "Kirsten's Orphans". The one she is holding here is 'Simon', a siamese looking baby!
I asked what she would want to be when she grew up. She looked at me quite seriously and said, "I will be a random citizen!". I asked what a 'random citizen' would do? To which she was quick to reply, "Well...I would know when the great idea hit me!". What a breath of fresh air!!! I haven't had a child sit and talk to me without a cell phone for years!!!!! I hope that she will come back, she says that she will!! I won't forget her!

Carma

What's Going on at the Robeson Co Animal Shelter in NC?

To contact us Click HERE
An online search turns up countless stories of neglect, cruelty and killings alleged to have taken place at Robeson County Animal Shelter in NC. As with all things posted on the net, you have to judge for yourself what seems credible to you. Stories include:

• 1997 video of pets being cruelly killed by shelter workers (Warning - graphic)
• After the lawsuit which followed the video, the shelter reportedly changed its ways. This posting details a 2010 eyewitness account indicating the shelter has not changed and is still inflicting unnecessary cruelty in the killing of pets.
• 2010 video depicting 73 empty kennels (out of 100) at the shelter yet a dog with a rescue waiting to pull her was killed
• Another lawsuit is currently being considered against the county by the same complainant as the previous case alleging similar acts of cruelty and neglect by the shelter.

The director of the county health department (responsible for shelter operations) recently sent a letter to a local paper in defense of the shelter. He ends the letter as follows:

There are three animal control officers and three employees at the shelter — with some contract assistance — who take care of the animal needs of a human population of nearly 130,000 people in the largest county in the state. They are typically stressed and stretched. By and large, they remain conscientious of their duty to the residents and the animals. The constant probing and prodding take away any satisfaction in the job.

Is it perfect? Absolutely not. It is good though, it adheres to all standards and licensure requirements, but it could be better. We continue to move toward that goal.

While the opposing sides are far apart, I'm sure most everyone will agree that working towards continued improvement is a worthwhile effort. I wonder if the shelter could make its practices more transparent to the public and thus reduce the perceived "probing and prodding" referred to in the letter. Public shelters should be accountable to the public to my mind. If there was more transparency in the sheltering world, it would go a long way toward reassuring the community that pets are being well cared for which is the main concern I think.

How about it Robeson County - could the shelter make itself more transparent to the public so that the community doesn't have to rely on internet postings for information on how the shelter cares for pets?

Note: There are numerous posts circulating indicating that ABC News is looking for eyewitness accounts for a story they are doing on the Robeson Co shelter. The posts provide the contact information for someone at ABC. I have contacted the person listed and she does not wish her name and contact info to be posted any further so please do not post it in the comments.

What's Going on at the Robeson Co Animal Shelter in NC?

To contact us Click HERE
An online search turns up countless stories of neglect, cruelty and killings alleged to have taken place at Robeson County Animal Shelter in NC. As with all things posted on the net, you have to judge for yourself what seems credible to you. Stories include:

• 1997 video of pets being cruelly killed by shelter workers (Warning - graphic)
• After the lawsuit which followed the video, the shelter reportedly changed its ways. This posting details a 2010 eyewitness account indicating the shelter has not changed and is still inflicting unnecessary cruelty in the killing of pets.
• 2010 video depicting 73 empty kennels (out of 100) at the shelter yet a dog with a rescue waiting to pull her was killed
• Another lawsuit is currently being considered against the county by the same complainant as the previous case alleging similar acts of cruelty and neglect by the shelter.

The director of the county health department (responsible for shelter operations) recently sent a letter to a local paper in defense of the shelter. He ends the letter as follows:

There are three animal control officers and three employees at the shelter — with some contract assistance — who take care of the animal needs of a human population of nearly 130,000 people in the largest county in the state. They are typically stressed and stretched. By and large, they remain conscientious of their duty to the residents and the animals. The constant probing and prodding take away any satisfaction in the job.

Is it perfect? Absolutely not. It is good though, it adheres to all standards and licensure requirements, but it could be better. We continue to move toward that goal.

While the opposing sides are far apart, I'm sure most everyone will agree that working towards continued improvement is a worthwhile effort. I wonder if the shelter could make its practices more transparent to the public and thus reduce the perceived "probing and prodding" referred to in the letter. Public shelters should be accountable to the public to my mind. If there was more transparency in the sheltering world, it would go a long way toward reassuring the community that pets are being well cared for which is the main concern I think.

How about it Robeson County - could the shelter make itself more transparent to the public so that the community doesn't have to rely on internet postings for information on how the shelter cares for pets?

Note: There are numerous posts circulating indicating that ABC News is looking for eyewitness accounts for a story they are doing on the Robeson Co shelter. The posts provide the contact information for someone at ABC. I have contacted the person listed and she does not wish her name and contact info to be posted any further so please do not post it in the comments.

PA: Humane Society takes a dog from a homeless man- and won't return him even after a court order to do so

To contact us Click HERE
Good Grief! Give the man his dog back! This man lost his home, his job, his wife and family, and now the HS takes his DOG!!! You have got to be kidding!
What are the buzz words the Human Society always uses to make the public think they were doing a "service"?- words like "cruelty", but more and more they are just STEALING people's pets! Is Baron REALLY better off in an over crowded shelter? I think not. Every day that dog is experiencing stress of being in in what amounts to JAIL- Give Thomas his dog back!!

At a federal hearing last week over the custody of on of its dogs,
by John Luciew

Humane Society of Harrisburg Area executive director Amy Kaunas testified that the shelter routinely houses an average of 200 dogs at any given time.

Miles Thomas, the formerly homeless owner of Baron the collie, has been battling the Humane Society for the return of his dog since July 26 when the agency's canine officer seized Baron from Thomas’ ventilated car as he lunched in Middletown. The animal agency said it took the dog as part of a cruelty investigation after receiving a call from Middletown police. Thomas, who was battling bouts of homelessness, was never charged and went to the Humane Society to recover Baron the next day, but was denied.

Last week, U.S. District Judge John E. Jones III halted a hearing on the custody of the dog and outlined a plan for co-adoption of the dog by Thomas and Steve Conklin with monitoring by the Humane Society for six months. After that, Thomas stood to regain full ownership of the 7-year-old collie.

However, Andrew Ostrowski, attorney for Thomas, said Wednesday that the Humane Society is balking over what Ostrowski called "slight modifications" in the adoption form requested by Conklin, who is housing the formerly-homeless Thomas and would be co-adopter of the dog. Baron remains at the shelter.

Carma's clinic memories: Shaving the cat

To contact us Click HERE
A couple brought this cat into the October clinic. They were ready to surrender her....the husband was visibly upset because he loves this cat but could not control the matted coat. I was asked if I could clip the matted fur off. I replied "Yes...only if one of them would stay and help". Well....I reached into the kennel and the 'lovely little kitty' tried to kill me!!!! Her 'mother' said that she too was scared to try and get her out and hold her! So....Vet Maria volunteered to tranquilize our 'lovely little kitty'! Her first shot went into the 3 inch mat, attached to her back! The second shot hit paydirt and she was out within minutes!
Her name is BABY!!! She had a coat that was unbelievable! Her whole body was a mat! She must have been so uncomfortable, hurting with move she made. NO WONDER SHE WAS SO CRABBY!!! I quickly shaved her down, it took me about 30 minutes. I combed out her tail and tidied her feet. As I was shaping the fur around her head...she twitched!!!! That was enough for me!!! 'Nice kitty, kitty'!!!! She was telling me that SHE was still in control and I had better finish up fast!!!

Her Mom and Dad took her home in the kennel, which they returned the next day. They are going to bring her in for regular grooming! So....Baby and I will meet again! Hopefully she won't remember from time to time what I am doing to her!!! I think, if she could, she would try to find me.....I'm just not sure if she would thank me or torture me!!!
Carma

Carma's clinic memories: Susan

To contact us Click HERE
This is Susan, what a lovely child! She is in 3rd grade and she came to hold the kittens and play with the puppies. She was such a wonderful little one! She sat and visited with me as she held "Kirsten's Orphans". The one she is holding here is 'Simon', a siamese looking baby!
I asked what she would want to be when she grew up. She looked at me quite seriously and said, "I will be a random citizen!". I asked what a 'random citizen' would do? To which she was quick to reply, "Well...I would know when the great idea hit me!". What a breath of fresh air!!! I haven't had a child sit and talk to me without a cell phone for years!!!!! I hope that she will come back, she says that she will!! I won't forget her!

Carma

Mamma Mia

To contact us Click HERE
Eleven months ago I first posted about Jewels (formerly Pearl, now Mia) on this blog.
She came into Red Lake Rosie's Rescue just days before Christmas, heavy with puppies, and barely made it to her foster home for All Dog Rescue before giving birth. She raised nine beautiful puppies that all found good homes and she found a wonderful home herself.
I haven't met this dog, but she always seems to have a serene happy expression in her photos. She certainly looks comfortable and relaxed!! You can search the blog to see several other posts about her and her pups and her new family.

What's Going on at the Robeson Co Animal Shelter in NC?

To contact us Click HERE
An online search turns up countless stories of neglect, cruelty and killings alleged to have taken place at Robeson County Animal Shelter in NC. As with all things posted on the net, you have to judge for yourself what seems credible to you. Stories include:

• 1997 video of pets being cruelly killed by shelter workers (Warning - graphic)
• After the lawsuit which followed the video, the shelter reportedly changed its ways. This posting details a 2010 eyewitness account indicating the shelter has not changed and is still inflicting unnecessary cruelty in the killing of pets.
• 2010 video depicting 73 empty kennels (out of 100) at the shelter yet a dog with a rescue waiting to pull her was killed
• Another lawsuit is currently being considered against the county by the same complainant as the previous case alleging similar acts of cruelty and neglect by the shelter.

The director of the county health department (responsible for shelter operations) recently sent a letter to a local paper in defense of the shelter. He ends the letter as follows:

There are three animal control officers and three employees at the shelter — with some contract assistance — who take care of the animal needs of a human population of nearly 130,000 people in the largest county in the state. They are typically stressed and stretched. By and large, they remain conscientious of their duty to the residents and the animals. The constant probing and prodding take away any satisfaction in the job.

Is it perfect? Absolutely not. It is good though, it adheres to all standards and licensure requirements, but it could be better. We continue to move toward that goal.

While the opposing sides are far apart, I'm sure most everyone will agree that working towards continued improvement is a worthwhile effort. I wonder if the shelter could make its practices more transparent to the public and thus reduce the perceived "probing and prodding" referred to in the letter. Public shelters should be accountable to the public to my mind. If there was more transparency in the sheltering world, it would go a long way toward reassuring the community that pets are being well cared for which is the main concern I think.

How about it Robeson County - could the shelter make itself more transparent to the public so that the community doesn't have to rely on internet postings for information on how the shelter cares for pets?

Note: There are numerous posts circulating indicating that ABC News is looking for eyewitness accounts for a story they are doing on the Robeson Co shelter. The posts provide the contact information for someone at ABC. I have contacted the person listed and she does not wish her name and contact info to be posted any further so please do not post it in the comments.

PA: Humane Society takes a dog from a homeless man- and won't return him even after a court order to do so

To contact us Click HERE
Good Grief! Give the man his dog back! This man lost his home, his job, his wife and family, and now the HS takes his DOG!!! You have got to be kidding!
What are the buzz words the Human Society always uses to make the public think they were doing a "service"?- words like "cruelty", but more and more they are just STEALING people's pets! Is Baron REALLY better off in an over crowded shelter? I think not. Every day that dog is experiencing stress of being in in what amounts to JAIL- Give Thomas his dog back!!

At a federal hearing last week over the custody of on of its dogs,
by John Luciew

Humane Society of Harrisburg Area executive director Amy Kaunas testified that the shelter routinely houses an average of 200 dogs at any given time.

Miles Thomas, the formerly homeless owner of Baron the collie, has been battling the Humane Society for the return of his dog since July 26 when the agency's canine officer seized Baron from Thomas’ ventilated car as he lunched in Middletown. The animal agency said it took the dog as part of a cruelty investigation after receiving a call from Middletown police. Thomas, who was battling bouts of homelessness, was never charged and went to the Humane Society to recover Baron the next day, but was denied.

Last week, U.S. District Judge John E. Jones III halted a hearing on the custody of the dog and outlined a plan for co-adoption of the dog by Thomas and Steve Conklin with monitoring by the Humane Society for six months. After that, Thomas stood to regain full ownership of the 7-year-old collie.

However, Andrew Ostrowski, attorney for Thomas, said Wednesday that the Humane Society is balking over what Ostrowski called "slight modifications" in the adoption form requested by Conklin, who is housing the formerly-homeless Thomas and would be co-adopter of the dog. Baron remains at the shelter.

Carma's clinic memories: Shaving the cat

To contact us Click HERE
A couple brought this cat into the October clinic. They were ready to surrender her....the husband was visibly upset because he loves this cat but could not control the matted coat. I was asked if I could clip the matted fur off. I replied "Yes...only if one of them would stay and help". Well....I reached into the kennel and the 'lovely little kitty' tried to kill me!!!! Her 'mother' said that she too was scared to try and get her out and hold her! So....Vet Maria volunteered to tranquilize our 'lovely little kitty'! Her first shot went into the 3 inch mat, attached to her back! The second shot hit paydirt and she was out within minutes!
Her name is BABY!!! She had a coat that was unbelievable! Her whole body was a mat! She must have been so uncomfortable, hurting with move she made. NO WONDER SHE WAS SO CRABBY!!! I quickly shaved her down, it took me about 30 minutes. I combed out her tail and tidied her feet. As I was shaping the fur around her head...she twitched!!!! That was enough for me!!! 'Nice kitty, kitty'!!!! She was telling me that SHE was still in control and I had better finish up fast!!!

Her Mom and Dad took her home in the kennel, which they returned the next day. They are going to bring her in for regular grooming! So....Baby and I will meet again! Hopefully she won't remember from time to time what I am doing to her!!! I think, if she could, she would try to find me.....I'm just not sure if she would thank me or torture me!!!
Carma

Carma's clinic memories: Susan

To contact us Click HERE
This is Susan, what a lovely child! She is in 3rd grade and she came to hold the kittens and play with the puppies. She was such a wonderful little one! She sat and visited with me as she held "Kirsten's Orphans". The one she is holding here is 'Simon', a siamese looking baby!
I asked what she would want to be when she grew up. She looked at me quite seriously and said, "I will be a random citizen!". I asked what a 'random citizen' would do? To which she was quick to reply, "Well...I would know when the great idea hit me!". What a breath of fresh air!!! I haven't had a child sit and talk to me without a cell phone for years!!!!! I hope that she will come back, she says that she will!! I won't forget her!

Carma

Zoey Josephine

To contact us Click HERE
This elegant tuxedo girl, known as Josephine and now Zoey, also came to Red Lake Rosie's Rescue and then travelled to foster care and adoption through All Dog Rescue.  Her loving family sent in several photos and commented on the first: "Here is a picture of Zoey from earlier today. She is sitting on her chair watching the squirrels out the window - one of her favorite pastimes. :)"
Zoey's family sent in some great pictures of their happy girl!