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Press Release: WFHS members help rescue 200 dogs from
Cazenovia ranch
For Immediate Release: Appleton, Wis., June 1,
2009
Vans loaded with empty animal carriers and
crates began to line up at the security checkpoint on the
grounds of Dane County Humane Society (DCHS) early Sunday
morning. The mission? To move two hundred dogs from temporary
quarters at DCHS to humane societies and animal shelters
throughout Wisconsin.
The dogs came to the Madison's animal shelter
on May 19 and 20 after a search warrant was served on a
property in Cazenovia, Wisconsin owned by Jennifer Petkus.
Under the direction of the Richland County Sheriff's
Department, over three hundred dogs were seized and taken to
Dane County Humane Society.
Working in partnership with Wisconsin Federated
Humane Societies and national humane organizations, Dane
County Humane Society processed each animal through an intake
procedure. Assisting in the efforts was the Humane Society of
the United States (HSUS), the American Society for the
Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) and the American
Humane Association (AHA).
A Veterinarian saw each animal as they arrived
at the tent city erected on the property of the Madison
shelter. Animals were given initial treatment for a multitude
of physical problems.
Tawana Hanamann, a staff member at Fox Valley
Humane Association in Appleton, volunteered for three days on
the site. She said, "I never saw so many rotten teeth, eye and
ear infections and matted coats in all my life. The condition
of some of these dogs was absolutely appalling. It's just
criminal to allow animals to get to this point."
Dr. Rick Lord, the staff Veterinarian for
Sheboygan County Humane Society was one of many state shelter
employees and Veterinarians who arrived on the scene to help.
"In my years of practice I've seen some pretty bad things, but
I've never seen so many dogs in one place in such bad shape.
Many of them were really suffering."
Dane County Humane Society shouldered the
responsibly for the dogs as the initial court documents were
filed. On Friday, May 29, 2009, Petkus signed over
approximately two hundred of the dogs to the shelter.
This action allowed Dane County Humane Society
to begin to move the dogs to other facilities. Wisconsin
Federated Humane Societies (WFHS), a statewide association for
animal shelters in Wisconsin, stepped in to help.
"The Federated was established in 1927, " said
Debby Lewis, WFHS President. "We've handled some large cases
in our history, but never anything like this. We knew it was
going to be a challenge but we also knew we could manage it."
And manage it they did.
Fourteen Wisconsin animal shelters took in the
two hundred homeless dogs on May 31, 2009. Assisting in the
transportation were members of the all-volunteer Badger Animal
Rescue Transportation Services (BRATS).
Lon Stetler, founding member of BRATS, said, "I
served in Viet Nam in 1968. The scene when I arrived at Dane
County Humane Society reminded me of a military MASH unit.
Everybody had a job to do and they were all doing it...and
well."
One by one, the vans pulled in and were loaded
by volunteers and members of the Emergency Animal Relief
Services (EARS). The dogs were made comfortable in crates and
kennels lined with blankets to prepare them for their trip to
their destination shelter.
In just six and a half hours, all two hundred
dogs were on their way to a new life.
The following Wisconsin animal shelters
participated in the rescue mission:
Adams-Friendship Adams County Humane Society
www.AdamsCountyHumaneSociety.org
Appleton Fox Valley Humane Association
www.FoxValleyPets.org
Eau Claire Eau Claire County Humane Association
www.ECCHA.org
Green Lake Green Lake Area Animal Shelter
www.GreenLakeAreaAnimalShelter.com
Juneau Dodge County Humane Society
www.DodgeCountyHumaneScoiety.org
La Crosse Coulee Region Humane Society
www.CouleeHumane.org
Madison Dane County Humane Society -
www.giveshelter.org
Menomonie Dunn County Humane Society -
www.DunnCountyHumaneSociety.org
Neillsville Clark County Humane Society -
www.cchs-petshelter.org
Oshkosh Oshkosh Area Humane Society
www.OAHS.org
Sheboygan Sheboygan County Humane Society
www.MySCHS.com
Slinger Washington County Humane Society
www.WashingtonCountyHumane.org
Waukesha Humane Animal Welfare Society
www.HAWSpets.org
Waupaca Humane Society of Waupaca County
www.WaupacaHumane.org
Wisconsin Federated Humane Societies has
started an emergency fund to help shelters cover some of the
costs for on-going treatment the dogs need prior to adoption.
Donations should be made directly to the participating
shelters or to:
Animal Care Emergency Fund
c/o WFHS
N115 Two Mile Road
Appleton, WI 54914
Over seventy dogs will remain at Dane County
Humane Society. Some are being held as part of the on-going
case against Petkus that may include felony animal abuse
charges.
But for the two hundred dogs that left Madison
to get a fresh start, Sunday was a very good day.
Contacts:
Wisconsin Federated Humane Societies
Deb Lewis President
N115
Two Mile
Road
Appleton, WI 54914
Phone 920-733-1717 Ext 101
E-mail:
deb.lewis@foxvalleypets.org
Dane
County Humane Society
Pam McCloud-Smith Executive Director
5132 Voges Road
Madison, WI 53718
Phone 608-838-0413 Ext 111
E-mail:
director@giveshelter.org
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Dear Friends and Members of Wisconsin Federated Humane
Societies,
2008
was an exciting year but it pales in comparison to what
your Federation has planned for 2009! Its shaping up to
be an incredible year and we wanted to make sure that
all of our friends and fellow animal advocates are
involved in the plans.
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April 30th is our Caregivers Seminar in
Wausau. Remember this is FREE to all WFHS
members! Our
registration brochure (PDF) is now available. Contact Dawn King at
gusking@charter.net for more details on the
seminar.
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October (dates to be announced) is our annual three
day Badger States Conference in Waukesha
hosted by Melanie Sobel and Lynn Olenick. Contact
Melanie at
msobel@madacc.com and Lynn at
lynn@hawspets.org for more details. Your
Federation promises another FABULOUS conference filled
with dynamic national and local speakers and current
hot topics.
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Want to stay in touch between conferences. Well we
have the answer. Email us at
lshinkan@foxvalleypets.org and well add you to
the newsletter and email alert list.
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WFHS
members can join our Shelter Support group hosted by
Chuck Wegner where we provide support and problem
solving skills to shelters in need. Our current group
meets quarterly around the northern portion of the
state. You can contact Chuck at
petshelter@email.com
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Keep up to date on the work of our legislative liaison
Eilene Ribbens working tirelessly to enact puppy-mill
legislation in our state by visiting
www.NoWisconsinPuppyMills.com
These are just a few of the things that are going on
during 2009. Make sure you watch our site to keep up to
date and in the loop. The WFHS is always looking for new
and energized board members. If you think you just might
be that person you can fill out an application found on
our board of directors page.
But to participate in any of these things you need to be
a member so to get started fill out a membership form
found on the
federations resources page and join a group of
passionate hardworking animal advocates who are making a
difference each day one animal at a time!
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| Wisconsin Federated Humane Societies,
Inc. provides education, training, information, support
and networking opportunities for organizations, agencies
and individuals dedicated to promoting and advancing
humane care, treatment and respect of all animals. |
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