Sweetheart Special in February! Adopt a "Sweetheart Set" (any 2 cats) for a reduced adoption fee of $75! With your sweetheart special, you and your sweetie also get rewarded- with a gift certificate to an area restaurant. Cats do better in pairs- adopt a Sweetheart Set to share your love with! :)
NEWS
Boone News Republican
Boone takes nearly 1/4 of dogs from Sac County raid
Volunteers, donations needed to help care for animals
Greg Eckstrom
Editor
It didn't matter that Sac County was several counties away, when Heidi Drees-White got the call earlier this week about the possibility of numerous animals being seized in the county and was asked if she could help out and take some at the Boone Area Humane Society, the answer was simple.
Boone Area Humane Society Executive Director Heidi Drees-White holds out her hand for some of the curious cocker spaniels removed from a breeding operation in Sac City. BAHS took 21 of the 88 total dogs removed.
"Of course," she said.
Drees-White, the Executive Director of the Boone Area Humane Society, is a former employee of the Animal Rescue League of Iowa, so when the state's cruelty intervention coordinator, Josh Colvin, calls her cell, she knows her kennels will soon be full.
She got the call Monday from Colvin, letting her know about a possible dog seizure and asking how many Boone could take. Additionally, she was asked if she could help out with the removal of the dogs - a task that she and her husband, Corey White, took on Wednesday.
In total, 88 dogs were removed from a shed that was no bigger than the society's break room - about 15 feet wide and 12 feet long. Cages were stacked three high, full of primarily cocker spaniels and Japanese chins.
This, Drees-White said, is the result of stricter regulations - a double-edged sword when it comes to cracking down on puppy mills.
As a result of legislation passed two years ago, often referred to as the "Puppy Mill Bill" which had more stringent requirements for keeping dogs for breeding, many former puppy breeders are now not able to renew their licenses under the new requirements, which include just enough space for the dogs to turn around in the cage.
Boone Area Humane Society Executive Director Heidi Drees-White pets one of the cocker spaniels removed from a residence in Sac County on Wednesday.
"When breeders lose their licenses, they have hundred...I haven't seen one with less than 50...dogs," Drees-White said. "They can't breed them or sell them legally, so they're suddenly sitting on hundreds of dogs. They can't afford to care for them and they can't afford to lose the money. It's a nasty Catch-22 going on right now."
As a result, often times the dogs will starve, unless Colvin and a crew of volunteers interject and remove the animals.
The Boone Area Humane Society took nearly 1/4 of the dogs removed, housing them three or four per spacious kennel which is more than 10 times bigger than what they were removed from.
"They like to be close to each other," Drees-White said in regards to putting three or four of them together in each kennel. "That's how they've been."
Now comes the difficult task of assessing, cleaning and socializing the dogs. When the dogs were removed Wednesday, that same day a veterinarian checked them over. There was matted hair, one had mange, nearly all the cocker spaniels had severe yeast infections and many had dry eye, or KCS.
"They're not the worst condition dogs I've ever seen, but their living conditions were horrendous," Drees-White said solemnly.
"These dogs, mostly Cocker Spaniels and Japanese Chins, had been living in deplorable conditions and have severe matting that was impacting their welfare," she said. "It will be a long road and a lot of love and patience to help these dogs become 'normal dogs.'"
Now comes the road to recovery. Yesterday morning, Drees-White gave her staff a pep talk, but even with an ambitious staff, it's going to take a lot of work to help clean up the dogs, not to mention the additional kennels they occupy.
The Humane Society is seeking volunteer help from anyone who has taken its volunteer orientation class. It is also in need of small-breed dog food, puppy pads and monetary donations for veterinary bills.
For those thinking about volunteering, Drees-White said that the dogs are not vicious in the least - most are timid and a couple are very friendly.
"Human touch was not something that was comfortable for them yet," her husband, Corey White, said. "They've probably had more human contact in the last 24 hours than they've had all their lives. When they were put in the cage, it was probably the last time they were handled."
The dogs will not yet be available for adoption, as the owner still needs to either voluntarily hand over custody to the shelters that removed the dogs, or be ordered by the courts to do so - a process that could take several weeks. In the meantime, the dogs will be groomed, socialized and cared for by the humane society, its staff and, hopefully, some generous volunteers.
**NEW** Barn Cat Adoption Program!
o If you are looking for cats for your farm, and are willing to take a few easy steps to provide for their care, we will provide you with spayed/neutered, vaccinated, microchipped barn cats for only $25! These cats are not house-cat material, but would be great for "rodent" control on your farm or acreage!
o
Ask about our "Black Cat" Special too! :) Upcoming Events
o February 8, IVMA Animal Abuse/Neglect Seminar 8am - 5pm @ISU
o February 13, Lobby Day (with IFHS) 10am - 1pm @ the Iowa State Capitol
o February 13, Tip Night at the Ranch 5-8pm @Pizza Ranch in Boone
o February 18, Nail Trim Clinic 1-3pm
o February 18, Orscheln's Adoption Event 10am-2pm, Boone
o March 3, Volunteer Orientation 1-3pm
o March 17, Nail Trim Clinic 1-3pm
o March 30, PAWTY 4 PAWS, Silent Auction, Raffle and Benefit, The Lodge at Seven Oaks, 7:30pm
Become a member of the Boone Area Humane Society. With your membership, you receive our quarterly newsletter "Animal Crackers" and you feel good about yourself knowing you are helping the homeless, abused or abandoned animals. Annual membership fees are: Family $30, Single $20, Business $75 or Patron $100.
WHO WE ARE
We are a non-profit organization whose purpose is ensuring the humane treatment of animals and providing animal welfare and control services to Boone, Boone County and surrounding communities. Last year, approximately 1,600 animals came through our shelter doors. We employ 2 full-time and 3 part-time people at our shelter but volunteers are a key part of the organization.
Our "BEST FRIENDS PET CEMETERY" is at 1313 Division Street, Boone. Call 515-432-6112 for rates on burial or private cremation
Adoption fees: $50 for a cat/kitten; $75 for a dog/puppy. Adoption fee includes spay/neuter of the animal before being adopted, initial distemper vaccination for cats, initial parvo/distemper vaccination for dogs, heartworm test for dogs, Feline Leukemia/FIV test for cats, microchip, leash for dogs, and pet carrier for cats. Fill out the application, and after a background check, approval, and your signing our adoption contract, your new pet may go home with you the next business day. Pets cannot be reserved over the phone.
VOLUNTEERING AND DONATIONS
Your donations are tax deductible and essential to our operation. Cleaning supplies, quality cat/dog food, toys are always needed. Volunteers are needed for wide variety of activities from fundraising to educational programs!
COME VISIT US!
On 16th Street, 2 blocks west of Division St. on the north side of Boone.
Boone Area Humane Society P.O. Box 495 228 W. 16th Street Boone IA 50036 Phone: (515) 432-6112 Email: bahs@bahs.us
