Ask Me Help Desk - "Shelter" in my area

"Shelter" in my area

So there is a "shelter" in my area. It is run by a girl that is about 20. She runs it out of her home and I knew one of her roomates so I went over there once. The cages were discusting and jam packed, he said it was just because they were getting a new caging system... cool. But now I have read on there Facebook wall about all the animals that have died there, and I think it is that she isn't giving them the care they need (if you look at the pictures the cages look pretty gross). And all the animals die around the same time, first a bunch of rabbits (5 or so), then 2 mice, then 2 ferrets. She posts it all on Facebook (if you'd like the link just PM me and I'll send it) when they die...

Im really concerned for the animals... now I don't know who to call since the humane society here doesn't deal with small animals (My mom called on my neighbour who let her rabbit run free around the neighbourhood and my mom almost ran it over, the refused to do anything)

Animal abuse? Call the police?

Call a vet to report it to him and ask for advice.

Call the Local SPCA office (Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals). I'm sur ethey will have something to say about it. Assuming you have those in Canada.

The only thing in my area that related to animal cruelty, that could do anything is the Humane Society, and Im just wondering if there was possibly another organization I could try contacting... The police already said I don't have enough evidence for them to get a warrant... I'd just like someone to go check it out and make sure its okay.

Call the Humane Society... they will care and know who to call. If they see it I'm sure they likely won't turn a blind eye to it. Or at least know who and where to apply pressure.

My mom called when my neighbours rabbit was running free, the didn't care because they only deal with cats and dogs. There is really no one around to call and check, I was more looking for somewhere I can report a "shelter"

I know what you are saying... the Humane Society deals with issues such as this... where animals are not treated humanely. Trust me... THEY will know exactly who to call and what they can and can't do.

No. WE HAVE CALLED ABOUT ISSUES LIKE THIS! They do nothing, recommend no one, the Humane Society out here is USELESS for issues like this. They don't deal with small animals and refuse to deal with them at all.

Ok... you didn't say you called them in this thread until now.

Um I never called about this but I have said I've called about issues like this.

In my original post

"now i dont know who to call since the humane society here doesnt deal with small animals (My mom called on my neighbour who let her rabbit run free around the neighbourhood and my mom almost ran it over, the refused to do anything)"

And my third post

"My mom called when my neighbours rabbit was running free, the didnt care because they only deal with cats and dogs."

Strange since they do deal with cats and dogs, as well as Rabbits etc in the USA. Basically anything with 4 legs or wings... Maybe not someone's pet cockroaches however.

What do they restrict themselves to up in The Great White North :D

Bison, Polar bears, Horses and Cattle? (thats an attempt at humour if its not obvious)

Haha. Yeah, there a sad excuse for a Humane Society they won't take any animal other than a cat or dog no matter what, there are little home run rescues that will rescue cats and dogs, but that's only by owner surrender... the funny part. Yes they do take live stock so the horses and cattle wasn't far off, yes they probably would take a bison if someone asked. Polar bear Im not sure.

Quote:

Originally Posted by smoothy

Strange since they do deal with cats and dogs, as well as Rabbits etc in the USA. Basicly anything with 4 legs or wings.....Maybe not someones pet cockroaches however.

What do they restrict themselves to up in The Great White North :D

Bison, Polar bears, Horses and Cattle? (thats an attempt at humour if its not obvious)

It is strange. Our humane society in Alberta takes every animals brought in. Last year they even had a pot bellied pig.

Dog, cats and rabbits are the ones that get brought in the most, but any animal that relinquished is accepted.

Emily, is there a humane society in a bigger town near you?

There is one that is three hours away, I don't know if they would really do anything. But I guess it wouldn't hurt to call and just see if they'd check in.

Im not 100% certain of anything, but for almost 10 animals to die in this "shelters" care while it has only been open since July of 2010, and those 10 are ones I have heard of since only December! I think something might be a little wrong...

I don't understand why the Humane Society won't help. I know that the one in Calgary has bunnies, hamsters, dogs, cats etc etc in it. Have you tried calling your town or city hall to see if they are breaking any zoning regulations? Health department? If that does not work try the media. I would just keep calling different people until I found someone that would listen and help.

Susan

Yes, but Calgary is a big city. I live in more of a town (Or a very small town). Someone called the city on them (I'm not to sure why though), and what she's doing is legal, since there is no limit on the number of small animals your allowed to have, so calling the city won't help. And I don't want to get the media involved, because what if she isn't doing anything wrong and its just coincidence these animals are dying?

Emily if you are very concerned then keep calling government agencies.. there are more laws involved than how many small animals a person can have. I have given my suggestion and that is all I can do. It is up to you what you do with the information given.

Susan

Weird cause I live in a SUPER small town and the SPCA and the humane society deal with any animal here. Someone even brought in their fish tank and we took it in. Can you send me the link to the fb page Emily?

I can only answer from US laws, but there are laws about "shelters" and laws about how animals have to be cared for, housed, and if they are operating a commercial business they have several licenses they have to have, along with property zoning and more

Call her in for hoarding. The police will investigate and then involve the humane society.

A lot of hoarders claim to be rescue. And a lot of the rescue hoarders can't afford to care for their animals properly and animals suffer.

That's what id do...

I just contacted a good friend at "Funds for Furry Friends" in MB, and she is going to contact this girl tomorrow morning. She also is a member of the Human Society in Emily's town.

Thank You Bella!
Is your friend going to keep you updated? If so, can you keep me updated?

Yup I'm on the phone with her right now, while she messages this girl. She's trying to set up a meeting. She's got the officer at the H.S involved now.

New Facebook Status:

Alyssa's Ark Small Animal Rescue had taken down my contact phone number due to some un-nerving phone calls. If you would like to contact me see the info for my email address.

Her comment to why:
Some people don't think so. I just got a call that there is a rumor going around that someone called animal control.

And her reason she shouldn't be called on:
I went to the city and asked if what I was doing was legal. They said it was as long as it didn't get out of hand. Everyone here always has, fresh food, clean water, and a clean cage. They all get attention and lots of love. There is no reason I should be shut down but it's still worrying.

If she's taking care of them properly, then no she won't be shut down. She looks legit as far as her funding goes, but what I find un nerving is the YouTube video with over 20 dead animals in it.

People have filed formal complaints against the HS and the SPCA in my area for years. Especially people who get rejected as pet owners. If you feel that there is something going on, you did the right thing.

I still say hoarder!

She may have said the right things and filled out the right paper work to become a rescue and be a funded rescue.. But if she isn't placing animals into homes and is claiming that she is cleaning cages, when they are not.. Aninals are dying left and right on her property.. I say HOARDER!

Also, not every rescue that is funded is a good rescue. There are plenty of bad rescues that are non-profit status that are aweful.

The Humane Society will determine if she is doing the right thing and if these animals indeed have fresh food and water with clean bedding.

Do you happen to know who she is funded through? If so, call them on her. If they Ok'd her status of rescue, a recheck will probably shut her down. Here in the US, we have PACFA... Agriculture-Colorado:Pet Animal Care Facilities Program... Maybe your country has something similar?

She may be knocking herself out as we speak to get her "rescue" in good shape in case she's inspected. I watched last season's TV show "Hoarders" and was amazed by all the excuses a hoarder can come up with. I truly believe she needs unannounced inspections.

Exactly if she has nothing to hide she'll be fine, but I find it weird she's worried she'll get shut down, if she is doing everything right then why worry?

And also... Im kind of confused, where does she get funding? All the money is donated from people and all the supplies are donated...

As far as I know, she isn't a legit "rescue", she has no certificates, nothing...

All I said was she looked legit as far as funding went, meaning she wasn't pocketing the money her self. All the donations go to a 3rd party, which mind you I haven't had time to check out, but I will do a little dogging tonight to find out about this 3rd party.

I don't know what her "shelter" looks like, but I know she isn't spaying or neutering her animals, which is a whole other can of worms...

Is she tax-exempt? Our cat shelter couldn't tell donors their donations were tax deductible until the shelter became tax exempt (which took a bit of work and legal help).

I wonder because of all of the deaths if the environmental health office in your area should be contacted?

Even if she is cleared of overcrowding, there may be a bacteria or virus on her premises that may affect other types of animals.

She doesn't know why any of the animals died. Except one, which was there ferret who died of pneumonia, which is usually caused by something else. Bella, did your friend say anything about a visit or are they waiting for my call?

Also, the "Shelter" is her living room. With dog kennels and cages all around the walls. There is no way there is not to many animals in there. The only animals spayed and neutered are the ones that come in that way, there ferrets also weren't UTD on shots (My mom called when we were looking for another one), now I say ferrets because as far as I know mice, guinea pigs, and rabbits don't need shots, but ferrets do.

They are waiting for your call. Don't worry Emily, you'll be okay. The initial call has been made, but when I made the call there wasn't much I could tell them from looking at a fb page. Obviously my friend has contacted the HS society, and someone must have called her already. I've received a few e mails today already, asking when you are going to call.

If you want some help on what to say, you can PM me and we can work out what you will say. Emily, right now there isn't much more I can do from NS, it's kind of in your hands.

Okay, I hate talking to people on the phone, I always feel like Im going to mess up...

How would I start the call? Like... Hi... haha.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Emily94

Okay, I hate talking to people on the phone, I always feel like Im going to mess up...

How would I start the call? Like... Hi... haha.

Emily, just say the same thing you did when you called the humane society. You made that call, so this one should be a breeze.

It's up to you to follow through on this now that you have the number and contact info you asked for.

My mom actually called the human society, not me.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Emily94

My mom actually called the human society, not me.

Then get your mom to make this call too.

Emily, this needs to be done by you or someone in your neighborhood. Bella can't make this call, she's not in Manitoba. It has to come from you. You're the one that started this thread asking what you can do about it. You've been given the number, you've been given the info, you now have someone to call, so it's time to do what you claimed you want to do. Make the call!

If Bella made the call there would be questions. She's not in Manitoba, so they'd wonder why she was questioning their practices. You're the one that is concerned about this. You're the one that asked us what you can do because you're the one that's seen what's been going on at that shelter. Bella told you, and she made a few calls already on your behalf. Now it's time for you to follow through. If you're really concerned, and really did want the info you asked for in this thread, then it's time to take the info you've been given and do something about it. It's a simple phone call. Time to be grownup and do it.

Bella also gave you an email you can write to.

There's really no excuse not to do this. If you don't, then I really have to wonder why you even started this thread.

No, I am wanting to call... but I really don't know what to say that's all.

Emily, you just say what you told us. It's not that hard. You're the one that started this thread asking for options. You've been given those options, now it's time to do what you claimed you wanted to do. Make the call, or write an email. You're the one that's seen what these animals are going through. This is up to you, and it's the right thing to do.

I know it's hard, but responsibility often is. It's time to do what you know is right.