Yes, this is turning into a dog blog. If I do go back to blogging after I'm done with all this law school application, test taking madness then it will probably be mostly about dogs and/or animal law. I'm still ranting about politics, but I'm doing it more in my real life than on teh intertubes and I don't feel like I have anything substantive to add to the debate. But with the topic of dog rescue, or even animal law in general, I feel like there's actually an opportunity to educate and contribute something different or new to many people. I'm learning a lot of new information and ideas myself, so this could be a good place for me to process.
Those of you who are also my Facebook buddies know that I recently spent some time volunteering at the Secret Bunker where almost 500 dogs are being sheltered from the largest dog fighting bust in US history. What I saw was heartbreaking, inspiring, and uplifting all at once. Over two years ago, the Humane Society of Missouri (HSMO) initiated the investigation that eventually led to the arrest of 26 suspected dog fighters/abusers in six different states.
I encourage you to read the rest of HSMO's press release here. With the help of volunteers from around the country, HSMO has been housing and caring for the dogs since July. I was lucky enough to "meet" the founder of a wonderful rescue in an online bully breed rescue forum. Gale is a wonderful example of what rescue really should be about and has a lot to teach me about how rescue should be done. Gale and her rescue, Mutts-n-Stuff, has worked closely with HSMO in caring for the dogs at the Secret Bunker and will be one of the many groups trusted with finding foster and permanent homes for the adoptable dogs. I hope to provide a temporary foster home for at least one dog myself! A few weeks ago, a friend and I drove down to the secret location in the St. Louis area and spent two days cleaning crates, stuffing kongs, distributing treats, assisting with medical care, carrying around days old puppies, unfolding newspaper, washing bowls, emptying and filling buckets, and getting COVERED in poop and slobber. It was one of the most incredible, wonderful experiences of my life. I have volunteered at shelters before, but this was like nothing I had ever seen or done. Since I'm under a gag order, I can't discuss too much about it. But I can tell you how impressed we were with everything! The logistics involved with caring for these dogs is overwhelming. Around 300 dogs were seized in the raids... there are now almost 500 because of the HUNDREDS of puppies that have since been born. Imagine, if you can, what 500 dogs barking might sound like. It was mind-and-ear-blowing! The HSMO staff and volunteers were unbelievable, many of them having spent weeks and weeks working at the shelter without even a single day off. The physical and emotional toll of spending so much time caring for dogs that have been severely abused and/or neglected can be overwhelming for many rescue workers, but we barely heard a cross word from anyone. These are amazingly capable and dedicated people and I did not see a single thing that I thought could have been done better. HSMO has cared for these dogs in the best ways possible under the circumstances and restrictions placed on them. The whole operation was truly impressive.
Humane Society of Missouri
Mutts-n-Stuff
New Hope Pit Bull Rescue
Our Pack, Inc.
Faith's Hope Rescue
Bama Bully Rescue
Those of you who are also my Facebook buddies know that I recently spent some time volunteering at the Secret Bunker where almost 500 dogs are being sheltered from the largest dog fighting bust in US history. What I saw was heartbreaking, inspiring, and uplifting all at once. Over two years ago, the Humane Society of Missouri (HSMO) initiated the investigation that eventually led to the arrest of 26 suspected dog fighters/abusers in six different states.
Information from a 2008 dog fighting case investigated by members of the Humane Society of Missouri Animal Cruelty Task Force led to the involvement of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Missouri State Highway Patrol. Tim Rickey, director of the Humane Society of Missouri’s Animal Cruelty Task Force, and Kyle Held, Humane Society of Missouri animal cruelty investigator, spent countless hours providing consultation and dog rescue services throughout the ensuing multi-state investigation. At times, when other agencies had doubts about continuing the investigation, Rickey’s and Held’s unrelenting commitment to ending dog fighting kept the investigation alive.
On July 8, Rickey and the Humane Society of Missouri Animal Cruelty Task Force coordinated the crime-scene evidence gathering and animal rescue efforts in five states: Missouri, Illinois, Iowa, Texas, and Oklahoma. Dogs also were rescued in Nebraska, Arkansas and Mississippi. The multi-location evidence and animal recovery operation required professional animal rescuers and a variety of specialized animal transport vehicles from the Humane Society of Missouri as well as those from the ASPCA and Humane Society of the United States.
I encourage you to read the rest of HSMO's press release here. With the help of volunteers from around the country, HSMO has been housing and caring for the dogs since July. I was lucky enough to "meet" the founder of a wonderful rescue in an online bully breed rescue forum. Gale is a wonderful example of what rescue really should be about and has a lot to teach me about how rescue should be done. Gale and her rescue, Mutts-n-Stuff, has worked closely with HSMO in caring for the dogs at the Secret Bunker and will be one of the many groups trusted with finding foster and permanent homes for the adoptable dogs. I hope to provide a temporary foster home for at least one dog myself! A few weeks ago, a friend and I drove down to the secret location in the St. Louis area and spent two days cleaning crates, stuffing kongs, distributing treats, assisting with medical care, carrying around days old puppies, unfolding newspaper, washing bowls, emptying and filling buckets, and getting COVERED in poop and slobber. It was one of the most incredible, wonderful experiences of my life. I have volunteered at shelters before, but this was like nothing I had ever seen or done. Since I'm under a gag order, I can't discuss too much about it. But I can tell you how impressed we were with everything! The logistics involved with caring for these dogs is overwhelming. Around 300 dogs were seized in the raids... there are now almost 500 because of the HUNDREDS of puppies that have since been born. Imagine, if you can, what 500 dogs barking might sound like. It was mind-and-ear-blowing! The HSMO staff and volunteers were unbelievable, many of them having spent weeks and weeks working at the shelter without even a single day off. The physical and emotional toll of spending so much time caring for dogs that have been severely abused and/or neglected can be overwhelming for many rescue workers, but we barely heard a cross word from anyone. These are amazingly capable and dedicated people and I did not see a single thing that I thought could have been done better. HSMO has cared for these dogs in the best ways possible under the circumstances and restrictions placed on them. The whole operation was truly impressive.
I'd love to share more about the work and the dogs, and when the gag order is lifted I will. Guilty pleas are starting to come in, which means that some of the dogs will soon be on their way to finding homes. I want to recognize Mutts n Stuff for being such an effective, competent, caring, and trustworthy rescue. I've discovered that there is a dark side to rescue aside from the suffering and cruelty you see reflected in the fear in the dogs' eyes or the scars on their bodies. There are some people involved in rescue who do far more damage than good. Some of them care more about serving an agenda than serving the dogs. Some of them want the fame, glory, and recognition that come with being associated with a sensational story. They popularize ideas that are potentially harmful to the dogs and tear down other rescues and organizations that disagree with them. They suck up resources but deliver very little return on the investments made by the individuals and communities that trust them to use their funds in ways that will most benefit the dogs. But there are dozens and dozens of wonderful rescue groups that few people outside of their local areas have ever heard of, with incredible, inspiring people who will never be invited to appear on a talk show or be the subject of a major magazine's feature article. Please consider making a donation to one or more of these organizations to support the very difficult work that they do.
Humane Society of Missouri
Mutts-n-Stuff
New Hope Pit Bull Rescue
Our Pack, Inc.
Faith's Hope Rescue
Bama Bully Rescue
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