Extremely urgent. Please cross-post widely and distribute to media.
Teamwork saves half the Canine Angels dogs, but 80+ dogs still in need of urgent help
Dewy Rose, Georgia; Sept. 12 – When the Georgia Department of Agriculture ordered Canine Angels Rescue & Referral to close after over two years of investigation for animal cruelty and neglect, that left over 150 dogs and a dozen cats in danger of being euthanized as a result of Georgia’s over-burdened animal welfare resources. The operators of the rescue, Sue Wells and Lynette Rowe have been charged with thirteen counts each of animal cruelty and will go on trial next week.
“Many believe they started out with good intentions, but were overwhelmed by the number of animals in need in that area. It is a shame that they didn’t ask for help earlier and do a better job of networking,” said Jim Willis, the author and international animal advocate who in May assumed legal ownership of the dogs and has insisted on only no-kill solutions for them. Shortly thereafter, Kat 5, an animal disaster response team founded in the wake of Hurrican Katrina by Atlanta businessman Larry Roberts, Cassandra Koster and Susan Meyer joined the rescue effort. Koster then moved to the Canine Angels farm to manage the daily care of the animals and coordinate the adoption and placement effort. The majority of the funding for the operation has come from Roberts.
“They and the volunteers who have worked on the farm in 100-degree heat caring for the animals, and the cooperation from the Dept. of Ag and the county animal control allowed this to work,” Willis said. “But this rescue effort is far from over and we are under the gun to get all the dogs off the farm as soon as possible. The Dept. of Ag want us to wind this up, the volunteers are exhausted, the funds have been depleted with over $7,000 in vet costs still to pay, and most of all, the dogs just want to go home.”
The former operators of the rescue have required Kat 5 to lease the property. Willis said he is particularly worried about no-kill sanctuary situations for a dozen undersocialized dogs.
According to Kat5 ‘s Susan Meyer who is coordinating administration for the rescue effort, the dogs still need topical flea and tick treatment products, monthly heartworm protection products, and heartworm tests. There is still a critical need for volunteers to help out at the farm. Transportation is needed for groups of dogs who have offers of refuge with no-kill organizations in other states. Quality dog kibble, airline crates, bungee cords, and other supplies are needed and a complete list will be placed on the Canine Angels website, now being maintained by the rescuers.
Willis and Kat 5 volunteers urge anyone who can adopt, or any no-kill organization that can take a number of dogs to act quickly. Donations in any amount to fund the ongoing care and veterinary expenses for the animals are appreciated.
“None of us wants to face the reality after this superhuman effort, the thousands of manhours and dollars invested in trying to save all of them, that we might reach the endpoint with absolutely no place for some of the dogs to go,” Willis said. “We didn’t envision this effort as ‘no-kill’ in theory, but ‘no-kill’ in practice, and that includes true, spacious sanctuary solutions for the very few undersocialized dogs who can benefit by professional, hand-on attention.We can’t accept that they simply be ‘warehoused’ somewhere.”
For more information, see the site.
For a list and photos of the adoptable animals, follow this link.
To donate by check (designated 501(c)3 organization): Kat 5 Animal Rescue, Attn: Susan Meyer, 2807 Allen St. #790, Dallas, TX 75204
To donate through PayPal: kat5animalrescue@yahoo.com
To offer on-site volunteer assistance or corporate sponsorship, please call: 1-214-235-5530
To reach Kat 5 field officer Cassandra Koster on-site in GA: 1-740-972-6754
Follow this link to read a very recent Best Friends Network article on the situation.
