Day 60 of this 60-Day Novena/Blog

"Seize this very minute; what you can do, or dream you can, begin it;
boldness has genius, power and magic in it."- Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

"Be bold, and mighty forces will come to your aid." - Basil King

Dear God, Our Lady, Angels, Spirit, St. Jude, and Anyone Else To Whom It May Concern:

When I heard about the plights of Ranger and then Bonnie two months ago, my commitment to do a 60-day novena and this blog on their collective behalf was the best I had. Even as that “best” seemed pretty damned lame, I have learned that the power of focused intent is not to be underestimated.*

I know that the minute the commitment kicks in, the journey of a thousand miles begins, and I have no idea where it's going to take me; but I'm assured it will transform me more than any Oprah make-over ever could. The blog and novena were not supposed to be about me; but just as "prayer does not change God, but changes the one who prays", I was probably the biggest beneficiary of my own efforts. I learned so much, I was touched by so many good people, and I was able to do a little good.

What I learned:

• The dreadful extent of companion animals euthanized in the United States, with estimates ranging from 3-9 million annually
• The work that is being done—by such stalwarts as Nathan Winograd, Mark Barone and Marina Dervan with An Act of Dog, No Kill Nation, No Kill Advocacy Center, Ryan Clinton, and many others—to make America a no-kill nation 
• The connection between domestic abuse and animal abuse and the many programs in place to save and foster the pets of domestic abuse victims—but so many more are needed.
• The very real problem of animal hoarding 
• How many pets are being surrendered due to economic problems and home loss, and what can be done to help
• Just as "all that glitters is not gold", all that says "save the animals" is not in the best interests of those animals. Sadly some rescues do not properly care for their animals, some animal hoarders set themselves up as 501(c)3 non-profit rescues, some "adopters" cruelly use dogs for bait in animal fighting rings, and some well-intentioned folks simply don't know what they're doing. We want to get these fur babies out of shelters and adopted or rescued—but we must do our due diligence in assuring that they are going to a better situation.
• How many truly wonderful, knowledgeable, competent, and compassionate people are working in animal rescue
• About the Fleet Feet Madison/Shelter From the Storm Sneakers and Leashes program, which I LOVE 
• That I can keep a commitment to do a post every day even when I'm on vacation
  
  
  In yesterday's post I enumerated just a few of the people I've gotten to know (most long-distance with hopes of making a big-honkin' road trip to meet them all in person) through doing this blog:
• Joe Skenesky of Joe's Animal House and the Carrollton, TX shelter
• Christy Masoner Spence, "ninja" animal rescuer
• Phyllis Allison of Sunflower Hill Animal Rescue in Terrell, TX
• Teresa Weldon of Four Paws and Hooves Animal Rescue in Springtown, TX [A sad, sad update:  May 2012 - Teresa was found to be a hoarder using rescue 501c3 status to support her sickness. Over 60 dogs in fair to untreatable condition taken from her place, including Ranger. He ultimately had to be euthanized.]
• Butch Cappel of Pets Are for Life (P.A.L.). 

Add to that list:

• Marina Dervan and Mark Barone of An Act of Dog
• Ryan Clinton, Texas appellate attorney and animal advocate
• Alexis Ziemann, runner and Shelter from the Storm volunteer (I do know her personally and happy for it)
• The people and their dogs I met in New York who so generously shared their stories

The tangible good that came from this (maybe):

• Getting to know Phyllis Allison of Sunflower Hill Rescue was not only a personal delight, inspiration, and education (the woman never stops learning about the latest research in veterinary medicine and animal care); but because of our acquaintanceship, I was able to call her about three dogs in the Carrollton shelter that had not been adopted or rescued and were close to death row. She saved them.
• Also inspired by Phyllis when I'd learned she'd fostered dogs for various people having economic and housing problems until they were in a position to re-home their pets, I called our local DCHS to see if they had any kind of fostering program for such issues. They replied they did not have the resources to administer such a program. But a couple weeks after my inquiry, I got an email from the DCHS volunteer coordinator saying they are ramping up a program to help keep pets in their homes by providing pet food and cat litter through food pantries for those people who are having problems providing for their family pets. Whether my inquiry prompted any of this, I don't know. I have made my volunteer services available for anything I can do to support it.
• After my Sneakers and Leashes post about running the 120-pound mastiff/St. Bernard mix Ziggy, he was adopted the following Saturday. He had been at the shelter for 7 months. Fleet Feet tweeted and shared my post on Facebook, so I don't know if the extra exposure helped Ziggy find his "furever" home or if it was just his time. Regardless, I loved my time with Ziggy and so glad to know he's home.
  
  Oddly, I don't know if this effort did anything for Bonnie and Ranger, but I hope with that amazing sixth sense that dogs possess, they knew they had a cheering section and that their guardian angels are watching out for them.  (Post script:  A few weeks after this post, Ranger was adopted and now has his own loving family with whom to run, play, and cuddle. Bonnie continues to be loved and get her treats at Sunflower Hill Rescue.) 
  
  
  
  God & Co., I cannot express how grateful I am for this whole experience. This is the final day of my 60-day commitment; and it's time to put closure to it, which makes me sad. I know it doesn't have to end, and I may continue to post now and then; and I will definitely continue my  rescue efforts. But it's also time to move on to other things. I close now with a dedication to the shelter animals who have so enriched my life over the years, and shared their love and enthusiasm so joyfully and unconditionally.
• Madison, Vizla mix, adopted in San Francisco 1989, the first dog my daughter Carrie and I adopted. 
• Dakota, in Sacramento 1991, the flat-coated retriever "foster" dog who never left.
• Murray (pictured in the top photo, back of the SUV, dog on the right), in Sacramento 1993, even at 8 months old big enough to be considered livestock and close to execution at the Sacramento County pound; I simply couldn't let that happen. BEST DOG EVER.
• Belistar "Bella" (pictured in her Montana Dogware coat), in Sacramento 1995, the greyhound track star who still loved to run but took her retirement very seriously.
• Bill, abandoned at the Sacramento SPCA 2001, volunteers named him "Murray", random friends who saw his picture,  name, and age of 8 (all identical to my Murray) kept calling to see if my Murray was okay—didn't think I wanted or needed another dog, but the Universe knew better.We had to rename him because it was too confusing having two Murrays, and the friends who had been the "voice of God" chose "Bill". (Pictured on the left side of the SUV picture at the top)
• Jazz, in Madison 2007 (pictured singing with the "Comeback Choir" and with Oreo), diva Treeing Walker Coonhound relinquished to the Dane County Humane Society at age 10 along with her pet cat Oreo (pictured with his pet dog Jazz), also 10. 

All of the others have passed, but Jazz and Oreo still wake us up in the morning so their pampering can begin.

God & Co, Dog & Co, Mighty Forces that came to my aid, I can only say "much obliged".
xo
Liz
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*Such biblical stories as the loaves and fishes, the oil lamps in the temple, the walls of Jericho, and David and Goliath are prime examples of the power of focused intent, while real-life via Hollywood has show-cased it with such offerings as Rudy and The Blind Side. Why is it that most real-life focused intent stories that make it to the Big Screen are about football players and not about determined bloggers and wannabe animal saviors?

Final "Official" Updates on Bonnie and Ranger

Dear God, Our Lady, Angels, Spirit, St. Jude, and Anyone Else To Whom It May Concern:

Since You don't seem to have much in the way of a calendar or watch, You may or may not be aware that today is Day 59 of my 60-day commitment to the novenas for Bonnie and Ranger and the daily posting on this blog.

Last night I got to talk with the ever-delightful Phyllis Allison of Sunflower Hill Rescue in Terrell, TX, where our girl Bonnie is residing. I apologize to readers that I don't have any updated photos of Bonnie, but You have to admit that the one we have is a good'un. As Phyllis says, "That girl is just so cute." Ms. Blue Eyes and Dumbo Ears.

It continues to be hot as Hades in Texas, and Bonnie continues to be on heartworm preventative, but not yet on to the heavy-duty (i.e., stressful but effective arsenic-based) treatment. The veterinarian has been waiting for more temperate weather that would be less physically stressful on Bonnie during the treatment, but now supplies of Immiticide, the only FDA-approved adulticide heartworm treatment, are not available for weeks and possibly months due to a manufacturing problem. (If you read the full article via the link, you can see that there are alternative treatments, so don't fear for Bonnie. She would be fine even on the preventative for quite some time.)

On a happier note, Bonnie is having a good time. She keeps a watch on everything and everyone, guarding "her" compound. She continues to squeak for treats. Above all, she is alive, and she is being treated with love and compassion. It will only be a matter of time before this sweetheart gets her full treatment and has her forever home.

Ranger, too, is doing well. He had been boarded at Pets are for Life (P.A.L.) in Burleson, TX since April. (I did two very positive posts on Butch Cappel of P.A.L.—The Man Who Bothered to Ask "Why?" and The Man With the Plan. At this point I will make an interruption of our "regularly scheduled programming" to make an apology to Butch. On the original version of this post, I took him and P.A.L. to task for not having Ranger vetted and neutered while he was boarded there. I am guilty of misunderstanding what P.A.L.'s and Butch's responsibilities were to Ranger, and that error further exacerbated by not going to the source and asking. I will not hash further details here, other than to offer my apologies for writing inaccurate and unflattering misinformation, as well as to thank Butch for contacting me with a kind and respectful attitude to set the record straight.)

Teresa Weldon [see 2012 update below] of Four Paws and Hooves Animal Rescue of Springtown, TX, knew Ranger had been boarded for  months and also of Christy's extreme health issues. On Monday August 8, Teresa transported Ranger to Springtown and had him vetted, neutered, and heartworm tested (negative!). Since his arrival at her shelter, Teresa has been seeing to it that Ranger is exercised so he's not so wound up, as well as taking him to adoption events. I emailed her yesterday for an update, and despite demands that would be daunting to most schedules, she took the time to respond:

"Ranger is such a good boy. He gets along with every body but does not care for the cats. He has never chased them but he lets them know he does not want them by his crate. We have been working on leash manners—once we got him a harness he has done 100% better. I have high hopes that he will be finding his 'furever' home soon. He gets so much attention at the adoption events."

Thank you, Teresa. (Post script:  A few weeks after this post, Ranger was adopted and now has his own loving family with whom to run, play, and cuddle.)


[A sad, sad update:  May 2012 - Teresa was found to be a hoarder using rescue 501c3 status to support her sickness. Over 60 dogs in fair to untreatable condition were taken from her place, including Ranger. Teresa lied about the care she provided for him, about taking him to adoption events, and about his adoption. He ultimately had to be euthanized.]

So there you have it. Bonnie and Ranger are not yet in their "furever" homes; but they have been saved from being euthanized, they have been rescued, and they continue to be cared for by loving, compassionate people. Bonnie and Ranger are particularly lucky to have crossed paths with those folks who literally made the difference of life and death for them—Joe Skenesky of Joe's Animal House and the Carrollton shelter, Christy Spence, Butch Cappel, Phyllis Allison, and Teresa Weldon. It has also been my great privilege to have met (via phone, email, and FB) and learned from each of these individuals. They have graciously and generously shared their time, their insights, and their compassion. God & Co, I am indeed blessed—and much obliged on my own behalf and that of Bonnie and Ranger.

xo
Liz

An Act of Dog: Wall of Shame, Portrait of Hope

“One death is a tragedy. A million deaths is just a statistic,” goes the old Stalin quote. It is easy for most to consider the statistics of an estimated 4-5 million shelter pets euthanized annually in the United States with a sigh and maybe “So sad,” before moving on to what's for lunch. Would it be so easy to dismiss if we had to look each animal  in the eyes and contemplate its fate?

Confronted with the portrait of a healthy-looking dog as adoring and adorable as the one at home or next door, to read its name, and the exact date it was euthanized for no good reason, could we as a nation continue to abide high-kill shelters? These are the questions that have prompted artist Mark Barone and conflict coach Marina Dervan to abandon lucrative careers for two years, establish the 501(c)3 non-profit, An Act of Dog, and create a project to raise public awareness and $20 million for no-kill shelters in America.

Barone is painting 12” X 12” portraits of 5500 unrescued shelter dogs—a conservative estimate of the number of dogs euthanized daily in U.S. shelters—with the name of the dog and date it was euthanized on each. The Mission on An Act of Dog website states it best:  “We are creating 5500 paintings of those individual dogs, whose loyal spirits were needlessly killed. No longer alive to be ‘man’s best friend,’ because we failed to be their best friend. And even though we have chosen to paint Dogs, our goal is that all animals in shelters, including Cats and Rabbits, will be saved.” When the portraits are completed, Dervan will organize the 5500 paintings in an exhibit, creating a wall 10 feet high and spanning the length of two football fields, along with a “dogumentary” about shelter animals and the deep emotional and physical impact of animals on humans.

The fund-raising will occur in two phases—sponsorship and ownership. In phase one, you can sponsor the painting of an individual dog, and your donation will provide paint materials, photography supplies, and website maintenance for the project. (Dervan and Barone are receiving no personal compensation from donations and are living off their savings while creating the portraits, exhibit, and “dogumentary”.) In the second phase, the portraits will be sold to raise the $20 million that will be donated to no-kill organizations for medical care, rehabilitation, and critical care of shelter animals.

Barone and Dervan started the project in Santa Fe, but relocated when Louisville, KY donated space that would accommodate the production phase. The location of the final exhibit—anticipated for summer 2013—has not yet been determined. Barone and Dervan are in talks with a dozen interested cities.

To learn more about An Act of Dog, see the video below, check out their website at http://www.anactofdog.com, and join their Facebook page. To experience a bit of the impact the upcoming An Act of Dog exhibit will have, go to the website where Mark Barone gets the pictures for his portraits http://www.dogsindanger.com. Look at a single picture. Look into those eyes. And then multiply that times 5500.
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All images by Mark Barone

Health Research Recognizes Animals and Their Sixth Sense

Most pet owners have had a dog or cat  offer comfort during a bout of the flu or other illness. Our pets just know when we are not feeling well, and their presence can sometimes be more healing than a prescription drug. There is now evidence in different branches of medicine that dogs and cats may be attuned to various diseases, and even death,  in ways that might benefit medical science.

A recent German study published in the European Respiratory Journal found that specially trained sniffer dogs of varying breeds had a 71% success rate in distinguishing between the breath samples of lung cancer patients and those of healthy participants. With lung cancer presenting few symptoms and unreliable diagnostics, early detection is usually by chance. The sniffer dogs offer promise of improved detection, but researchers say they will first need to identify specific detectable markers for the development of proper screening methods.

In July 2007 the New England Journal of Medicine published an essay by Dr. David Dosa (geriatrician and assistant professor of medicine at Brown University) about Oscar, a cat adopted by the staff of Steere House Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Providence, R.I. Oscar would "predict" the deaths of patients by curling up next to them during their final hours and staying with them until shortly after their passing. After staff noticed the precision of Oscar's visits to residents a few hours prior to death, they began calling family members when a patient was observed receiving Oscar's attention. Most families were grateful both for the final companionship Oscar provided their loved one, as well as the advance warning that allowed them to say good-bye.

Some epilepsy patients have seizure service dogs that can summon help, pull potentially dangerous objects away from the person's body, guide a person with partial seizure to avoid obstacles if still walking, and provide physical support. Other  dogs with more specialized training can alert an epileptic to a seizure anywhere from several seconds to 45 minutes prior to onset, allowing the person to get to a safe place. The dog alerts by altered behavior such as close eye contact, circling, pawing, and/or barking. There is no scientific evidence as to how dogs can anticipate a seizure, but some believe the dogs are able to smell chemical changes in the body.

Fleet Feet and Peppy Paws: Part Deux

Two weeks ago I posted about my first Fleet Feet/Shelter From the Storm run, and I am happy to report that the enormous, lovable, and amazing St. Bernard/mastiff mix Ziggy was adopted the following Saturday.  Yeaaaa!

Since I was returning from New York today, I didn't think I would get to do the scheduled SFTS run tonight; but an early flight made it possible, and I was thrilled to have the opportunity to participate again.

My first running partner of the evening was Duchess, a Rottweiler/German Shepherd mix. Her Petfinder profile describes her as a "heavy weight" that "could stand to lose a few pounds"; but I prefer to think of her as beautifully Rubinesque or in runner language, an "Athena". Duchess is friendly and gentle (although maybe not so much with little dogs—I was warned she's not overly fond of them so to be judicious with socializing), and she cozied right up to some pre-run belly-scratching and ear-rubbing. Then we got down to business, and the paws met the road. She kept up a steady pace, with a few sidetracks when the smells became so irresistible she simply had to investigate. As with all of the SFTS dogs, she seemed overjoyed to be outside. Upon returning from our delightful 2-mile jaunt, I regretfully bid my affectionate, agreeable companion adieu.

Bon Jovi, boy wonder dog, was next on the adventure list. This Yorkie/Shih Tzu mix is 100 pounds of spunk in a 10-pound body. No creature should be this adorable. Like Duchess, I'm not typically a big fan of little dogs, but Bon Jovi had me at "Arf." Alexis told me he reportedly would sprint for a very short time, then mellow to a more sedate pace. (Also like Duchess, I am a "Rubinesque Athena"; and I prefer to transport my bulk at a tempo that does not make my fat bounce.) The little sh... ummm... Shih Tzu never slowed down. As I gasped and wheezed (oh Ziggy, I so sympathize with you now!), while no doubt turning beet-red, Bon Jovi's tiny little feet churned in a blur, rocketing him down the sidewalk and setting new land speed records.  After 2 miles with Bon Jovi, I had had a great workout and was grateful to be back at SFTS without some dire cardiac event. Bon Jovi took a dainty lap of water and seemed ready for another run. Next time, sweet boy—although I hope your forever home whisks you away to happily ever after before then. Bon chance, Bon Jovi.

Pampering Your Pet In Manhattan

Canine Styles (4 locations in NYC)

This photo taken at:

59 Greenwich Avenue (At Seventh Avenue)

New York, New York

tel. (212) 352-8591

fax (212) 255-7952

Hours: 9-7 M-F;

10-7 Sat. and 12-6 Sun

Galileo: Transcoastal Canine on the Move—New York to California

My daughters and I met Galileo—Leo to his friends—as we were on our way to dinner on 56th Street in Manhattan. David, Leo's person, was letting him out of the car when I asked if I could photograph this beautiful boy. David kindly agreed to the photographs, as well as giving his time to share Leo's history as I plied him with questions. 

Leo is a 5-year-old chow/golden retriever mix that David adopted from a shelter in Yaphank, NY when Leo was 4 months old. It was difficult to get a good picture of Leo because he wanted to meet and greet all of us, share his joy, and release levels of energy that had him almost levitating. Even so, he was not jumpy, but exuded an aura of utter calm and centeredness. Leo, I believe, is actually a laughing Buddha in a dog coat. Even though the picture with the whirling tail doesn't show Leo's wonderful face, I love it for how it displays his energy.

Since Leo was adopted almost 5 years ago, he has resided with David in Long Island. They are now preparing for a big change with a cross-country move to Potter Valley in Northern California. David has friends there, and Leo has a canine friend waiting for him as well. Bon chance, David and Leo, as you embark on this adventure. And thank you both for sharing your time and your stories with us.

NYC: Dogs and Their People

I'm in New York for a few days so getting to know some of the dogs and their people. They are all wonderful!

Yesterday (Thurs 18 Aug 2011) in the hat section of the Lord and Taylor department store on Fifth Avenue, I met Titu, a beautiful black Pomeranian. Titu is a happy teddy bear, ready to party anywhere and with anyone. His owner let me hold him, and this picture is of the two of us.

This afternoon (Friday 19 Aug 2011) in Bryant Park, I met this handsome young man, Derrick, who was walking two also-fine-looking specimens, Duke and Coco. Derrick graciously allowed me to photograph the three of them.

Duke was a little shy at first, peeking out from under the park bench; but he was completely agreeable with having his ears scratched and  picture taken. Before long he came out to fully socialize.

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Coco was a love, immediately ready to be BFF. What a gorgeous and delightful senior dog. Thank you Derrick, Duke, and Coco for making a wonderful afternoon even better.

Animal Hoarding: Part 4: How Can I Help?

Part 1 of this series provided an overview of the problem of animal hoarding, and Part 2 addressed how to identify animal hoarding. Part 3 examined animal hoarding and the law. The fourth and final part of this series looks at what each of us can do to help the situation at an individual and community level.

If I think someone is an animal hoarder, how can I help?
If you are aware of a situation that may involve animal hoarding, here are some ways to help:

• First assess if it is hoarding. If someone has an unusual number of animals, but they are well cared for, it would not be considered hoarding. If the animals do not seem to be properly cared for, and you detect some or all of the characterists noted in Part 2: How to Identify a Hoarder, it probably is hoarding.
• If you are close to the person, talk to him or her about the problem. This will probably do little good because most hoarders are in deep denial that there is a problem. The hoarder will probably tell you that everything is fine. and the animals are loved and cared for.
• Call your local humane society, animal shelter, animal welfare group, veterinarian, or police department to initiate the process. You may not want to cause trouble for the object of your concern, but if he or she is hoarding animals, both the person and the animals are already in serious trouble. The sooner it is stopped, the better off all  concerned will be. Both the hoarder and the animals need help, and the animals may be at serious risk.
• Most hoarders have emotional and psychological issues, and typically do not have close human relationships. If the individual has friends or family, get them involved. Provide as much emotional support as possible for the hoarder, particularly as actions are taking to remove the animals and get help.
• Get social services, mental health agencies, or adult protective services involved, and  counseling for the hoarder. This is key since without counseling or similar help, the recidivism rate for hoarders is close to 100%. However, it might be difficult to accomplish this for someone who is in denial that there is a problem as most hoarders are.

How can I raise awareness of and deter hoarding in my community?

• Educate others about the misery involved in a hoarding situation through word of mouth and letters to the editor of your local newspaper. Animal hoarding has often been portrayed as an eccentricity—the elderly “cat lady.” The public needs to be made aware of the greater harm caused by animal hoarding.
• Lobby your state and local politicians to recognize hoarding as a serious issue and to enact legislation that gives power to citizens, animal control, law enforcement, and courts to legally address the problem with appropriate punishment and mandatory treatment.
• Alert the Animal Legal Defense Fund (ALDF) so they can track the case and offer professional assistance to local officials.
• Volunteer your time. When animals are removed from a hoarding situation, the burden on local shelters can be overwhelming. Volunteer your time to help clean cages, socialize animals, walk dogs, and perform other related tasks.

Animal Hoarding: Part 3: The Laws and Prosecution

Part 1 of this series provided an overview of the problem of animal hoarding, and Part 2 addressed how to identify animal hoarding. Part 3 examines animal hoarding and the law.

What are the laws around animal hoarding? Although the consequences of animal hoarding are covered implicitly under every state’s animal cruelty statutes, only two—Illinois and Hawaii—have laws that specifically define and address animal hoarding. Hoarding legislation has been introduced, but failed, in such states as Montana, New Mexico, and Vermont—with speculation that these did not gain traction due to lack of recognition of the severity of animal hoarding; the belief that such activity is adequately covered by animal cruelty laws; and that pet owners would perceive them as unnecessary forms of control.

Why is there so little incentive to prosecute animal hoarding?  With minimal legal definition for animal hoarding, courts that assign low priority to animal abuse cases, and lack of understanding of the severity of abuse in hoarding situations, it is little wonder that so few cases are prosecuted. Additionally, the rescued animals typically become the expense of the rescuer—and the cost of caring for scores of diseased, malnourished, and poorly socialized animals can be enough to bankrupt a community shelter.

Further disincentive occurs due to the difficulty of prosecuting such cases when they are brought to trial. Although hoarding cases exhibit characteristics of animal abuse, it is difficult to demonstrate intent to harm since hoarders are often emotionally and psychologically troubled, rather than criminally inclined.

Why is animal hoarding a community issue? Even when prosecution is successful in the courtroom, the ultimate outcome is seldom a win since recidivism among animal hoarders approaches 100%. A diagnosis for animal hoarding has not been established in the diagnostic manual used by psychologists (DSM-IV-TR), but symptoms show similarities to those of addicts and disordered personalities. Dr. Stephanie LaFarge, a psychologist with the ASPCA who specialized in human/animal relationships says, “Like many psychological conditions, the causes of animal hoarding are probably multiple and, therefore, assessment of emotions, behavior and thoughts must be multifaceted to point the way toward successful treatment. Key community agencies must work together to prevent animal hoarders from harming the large number of animals they gain control over.” LaFarge continues, “Social service agencies must collaborate with animal shelters and law enforcement to intervene to save the animals and then follow up with years of monitoring to prevent a recurrence. The general public needs to be educated to realize that the hoarder is not just a nice little old lady who 'loves too much.'”

One thing that is clear: prosecution alone will not change the behavior of animal hoarders.

Part 4, the final chapter in this series, addresses what you can do to deter animal hoarding activities at an individual level and in your community.

Animal Hoarding: Part 2: How to Identify a Hoarder

Part 1 of this series provided an overview of the problem of animal hoarding. Part 2 addresses how to identify animal hoarding.

Just because someone has a large number of animals does not mean that he or she is an animal hoarder. If the animals are well fed, live in a well-maintained environment, and get adequate exercise and veterinary care, this cannot be considered hoarding. Signs of a true hoarding situation include some combination of the following:

• Numerous animals, and the owner may not know exactly how many animals there are
• A home that is deteriorated, extremely cluttered, and unclean
• A strong smell of ammonia, with animal excretions on the floor
• Animals that give clear signs of distress, malnutrition, illness, and lack of socialization
• The individual is isolated from the community and is in a state of personal neglect.

Animal hoarders cover the spectrum of age, ethnicity, and gender; although the majority are women and over 60 years old. Most of them are in denial about the severity of the situation. Even with evidence of filth and animals in poor health or even dying, the hoarder is unable to comprehend the situation for what it is and will believe the animals are loved and cared for.

As mentioned in Part 1, an animal hoarder can also be extremely manipulative in deceiving others and persuasive in obtaining more animals. A case in point is that some hoarders pose as rescue groups and sanctuaries, even legally setting themselves up as 501(c)(3) not-for-profit rescue shelters. Some will claim breeder status. It behooves anyone facilitating animal rescue and adoption to carefully examine the credentials and home or facilities of any individual or group before giving over an animal.

According to the ASPCA, signs that a rescue group or shelter may involve hoarding:

• The group is unwilling to let visitors see the location where animals are kept. 
• The group will not disclose the number of animals in its care. 
• Little effort is made to adopt animals out.
• More animals are continually taken in, despite the poor condition of existing animals. 
• Legitimate shelters and rescue organizations are viewed as the enemy. 
• Animals may be received at a remote location (parking lot, street corner, etc.) rather than at the group's facilities.

Part 3 of this series examines animal hoarding and the law, and Part 4 offers suggestions on how you can help deter hoarding activities at an individual level and in your community.

Animal Hoarding: Part 1: What's the Problem?

Animal hoarding used to be regarded as a situation in which a well-intended rescuer got in too deep. With 900-2000 new cases occurring annually in the United States  (with records kept by the Animal Legal Defense Fund (ALDF) indicating that the number of reported hoarding cases has more than doubled)and an estimated quarter million animals impacted, it is coming to be understood as a disorder and an illness—as well as a criminal activity. Based on the number of animals affected and the degree and duration of their suffering, hoarding is the number one animal cruelty crisis facing companion animals in the United States.

Hoarding is not just about having too many animals. It also involves the inability to provide proper shelter, sanitation, veterinary care, and nutrition for those animals, which may result in illness, starvation, and even death. While animal hoarders usually think they are helping their animals and maintain that any home is better than letting an animal die, Dr. Randall Lockwood, ASPCA Senior Vice President, Forensic Sciences and Anti-cruelty Projects says, "Being kept by a hoarder is a slow kind of death for the animal. Actually, it can be a fate worse than death."

Unfortunately, hoarders like many addictive or disordered personalities, do not conveniently wear a badge or have a standard appearance as a tip-off to their proclivities. They usually appear intelligent and think they are helping their animals. In addition, many hoarders can be successfully manipulative in deceiving others to believe their situation is under control.
Part 2 of this series addresses how to identify animal hoarders, and Part 3 examines the legal issues around hoarding. Part 4 offers suggestions on how you can help at both an individual and community level. 

You Never Know Where Your Efforts Will Bloom

The churning rocks you feel in your gut will someday be the soil from which flowers will bloom.
Photo and Quote:  Author Susan Niz 

Today a beautiful example of an unexpected domino effect hit my inbox. Domino 1: It started when Christy Masoner Spence was exerting heroic efforts to rescue two dogs, Ranger and Bonnie; and their chances did not look great.

Domino 2: I am a busybody and control freak, and also a total moosh for animals. When I heard about Ranger and Bonnie, "deep in the heart of Texas" and 1200 miles away from my home in Madison, Wisconsin, there was absolutely nothing useful I could do to help; but I had to do something (see: "busy body" and "control freak" above). So I started a novena and this blog as a deal with God. This from someone non-Catholic and mostly non-religious, and since when did a blog change lives? Yup, those are about the most useless things pretty much anyone could think of in this situation—but it was all I had.

Domino 3: Several days into this venture, I called Phyllis Allison of Sunflower Hill Animal Rescue to get an update on Bonnie, I got that and a lot more. In our conversation, I learned about some of the people who were losing their homes and left with nowhere to keep their pets; and how she has been able to foster some of those pets until their owners got on their feet. It left me thinking, "Wow, how many people are not that lucky to know Phyllis? How many people at the worst economic and emotional time of their lives are also losing their pets because they don't have the resources or home to keep  them?"

Domino 4:  I emailed the director of Dane County Humane Society (DCHS—our local shelter, which is wonderful), asking if we have any kind of foster programs to help people in that situation. She later replied with regret that the resources are not available to administer that type of "owned animal foster program". (She did tell me about the SAAV program to temporarily foster pets for victims of abuse, which led me to do the 3-part Abuse Victims and Their Pets series.)

Domino 5: Today I received an email from the DCHS volunteer coordinator with the subject line "Recruiting: Help Keep Pets in Their Home", stating that they are seeking volunteers as they initiate a program that will provide pet food and supplies to economically stressed families and individuals who might not otherwise be able to keep their pets. I will paste in the email in its entirety at the conclusion of this post. It is not a foster program, but it is a giant first step in keeping pets with their families.

I don't know if my email to DCHS about the plight of economically stressed pet owners and asking what we could do for them made a difference. Maybe this domino is completely independent and would have fallen without any of the others. But the timing of this new program and my desire to be part of making a difference are such that I have to believe there was some connection—even if it was just some synchronistic energy or good juju to help midwife an idea whose time had come.

It is a reminder to do what you can with what you have, bloom where you're planted, and you never know where or how the seeds will turn up in full flower.

-------Forwarded Message -----
From: DCHS Volunteer Coordinator <pzehl@giveshelter.org>
To: Liz Zelandais <lizagna@yahoo.com>
Sent: Sunday, August 14, 2011 11:05 AM
Subject: Recruiting: help keep pets in their home

Dane County Humane Society is currently recruiting volunteers for a new program targeted at keeping pets in their home.  Hard economic times may result in tough choices regarding family pets for households that are struggling to stretch their limited resources.  Do you know of families that when faced with the choice of having to decide between purchasing pet food or providing for their families – made the heartbreaking decision to give up their family pet?  At a time when the unconditional love from their family pet is needed the most – some families are making this tragic decision.  Pets may be given to relatives or friends, surrendered to Dane County Humane Society (DCHS) or sadly in some cases abandoned.

To help families keep their pets at home, DCHS is partnering with Community Action Coalition of South Central WI (CAC) to help supply pet foods and cat litter to Dane County food pantries that participate in the DCHS Pet Food Bank pilot program. CAC will facilitate delivery and pickup of donation food barrels to participating businesses, and at the end of the food drive CAC will deliver them to DCHS.  As the county pet food bank administrator, DCHS will coordinate pet food drives and other business donations, warehouse the items and then deliver to participating food pantries.

In addition to collecting pet food and cat litter in food drives, DCHS is also hoping to enlist businesses that carry pet food and cat litter to contact us to pick up food they don’t want - ones nearing an expiration date, damaged packages and discontinued items.  These items would be transported to the DCHS pet food bank via DCHS volunteers whenever these items are available.

Future program expansion would include recruiting schools, businesses and organizations to host pet food drives to invite their employees or students to donate pet food and cat litter.

DCHS has very limited space for storage of pet food and cat litter, and will need to move the food and litter out as quickly as it comes in.  DCHS volunteers with their personal vehicles will play an integral role in being the transportation system to move the pet food and litter to the food pantries.  DCHS will request donations for pet food and cat litter that are 10 pounds in weight or less to make transport easier, and to reduce the space needed for display at participating food pantries.

Currently Dane County has approximately 50 food pantries that will be invited to enroll in the pilot program, although initial actual participation will be very limited.  Some factors that DCHS will take into consideration when selecting the initial food pantries is the number of clients they serve - their need for pet food and litter, the pantry location and our estimate of what we will collect in the food drives.

Currently to help move this pilot program to the next stage we need DCHS volunteers to contact local businesses to introduce them to our program.  This can be done from your home, and you will be supplied with a list of people/businesses to contact and a phone script.  If you have some spare time, during normal business hours please contact Patty Zehl, DCHS Volunteer Coordinator.

In the future we will need DCHS volunteers to:
  • Sort and shelve contributions in the DCHS garage
  • Pick up donations from local businesses with your personal vehicle
  • Deliver food and litter to participating Dane County food pantries with your personal vehicle
  • Identify and invite businesses and organizations to host employee pet food and cat litter drives

If you would like to participate in this pilot program to help keep pets in their homes, please contact me and let me know what you would like to do.

Patty Zehl
Volunteer Coordinator

Dane County Humane Society
608-838-0413 x 114

Novena and Ranger Update

Dear God, Our Lady, Angels, Spirit, St. Jude, and Anyone Else To Whom It May Concern:

Today is Day 47 of this novena, and Candles 31, 32, and 33 are sending the heat of passion and light of hope into the Universe on behalf of Christy, Ranger, and Bonnie.

Christy, as always, is upbeat even after too many doctors' appointments and not enough good news. She's dealing with enormous pain and having trouble walking. (Darlin' get the good drugs, and I hope you feel so much better.) Her future includes a date (i.e., surgery) with her oncologist to biopsy the tumor on her leg, more meetings with her pain management team and solutions that hopefully involve non-invasive processes (i.e., NOT surgery) on her spine. Dear God & Co., I have bronchitis right now, which is mildly annoying; and most of the time I am the healthiest ox around. Please help me be half the person that Christy is.  Put my focus on how I can help even a percentage of the creatures on your earth that Christy touches, whine significantly less, and be inspired by her example to use my health for more than getting muscle definition.

Bonnie continues to be in the good and loving hands of Phyllis at Sunflower Hill Rescue. And again, thank You (and Phyllis) for that.

There is such good news for Ranger. Teresa at Four Paws and Hooves Animal Rescue had him tranported from Pets are for Life (P.A.L.), where Christy had been having him boarded for four months. Teresa has had Ranger vetted and neutered, will keep him at her shelter, and will take Ranger to adoption events. He is now with Teresa and she reports:

"Thought we all could use some good news. Ranger is now vetted, HW- and microchipped. He is going to his first adoption event this weekend. He is the sweetest guy. He has not attempted to get out of the yard or his crate. Even with all the noise and commotion here, he stays calm. The best thing is he does GREAT with the other dogs (even the yappy Chihuahua's)."

Look at that picture. Yes, the one with the vicious pitbull putting the terrified-looking child at risk. That one. Is that one happy guy? Thank you God & Co. and Christy and Teresa for making it happen.

I am so very much obliged

xo
Liz