Ohio Folks - Please Read

[clara4457]

I used to be on this site a lot, but I haven't been on much in the last year or so. Some of the old timers might remember me. So for those of you who don’t know me - I am on the board of an animal rescue organization in Buffalo, NY. We are very committed to working mostly with animals from our area, but occasionally we have foster space available and take animals from Ohio, which is only a few hours away.

We were contacted by a group in Ohio that was desperate to move out dogs that were slated to be euthanized. We had some foster space available and agreed to take in four dogs, three black lab mixes and one hound. We were told that the dogs would come up fully vetted and spayed. One of our members spent her own money to drive down to pick up the dogs. When she got there, she found very sweet and friendly dogs which we were happy to take in, but they were not spayed. Not only that, but the people who contacted us asked us to pay an extra $60 for boarding fees since we couldn’t get the dogs until Saturday when euthanasia day was Thursday.

Here is my frustration. The same shelter that asks us to pay a $30 pull fee for unspayed animals adopts the dogs out for $60 to whomever, but they are at least spayed and vaccinated. Plus, they are willing to keep the dogs for however long it takes for the new guardian to pick up without charging a boarding fee. We would be happy to pay the adoption fee for a dog that is already spayed. In New York, it costs us between $150 - $200 to spay/neuter a dog, even with our rescue discount. Taking a dog from Ohio that costs us $30 to pull and another $200 to get spayed and vaccinated does not make fiscal sense. I hate to put a dollar sign on saving dogs, but paying for dogs is not something we can afford to do. We are a mixed breed rescue and our adoption fees are only $150. We are very willing to help our Ohio neighbors, but we cannot afford to take in out of area dogs that cost us more than we recover.

We would be happy to take dogs from the Ohio region when we have room, but we cannot take dogs that cost us so much money that we cannot afford to help our own area dogs. I’m about ready to put a kabash on taking in out of state dogs, but I hate to do that since we do have foster space available occasionally that would help save the life of a dog.

I’m hoping that some of you Ohio folks can give me some insight on how I can make this an easier process. Unfortunately, I cannot take the pit mixes as we only have a handful of foster homes that will take them and I really need to keep those free for area dogs, but we can usually take the lab mixes and shepherd mixes that seem to be in abundance in your area as long as they are good with other dogs. I have to say that I get a little frustrated with groups that are always posting about dogs that are on the euthanasia list but aren’t willing to work to make sure the dogs are already vetted and spay/neutered. A dog that is already vetted would be easier to move to rescue.

Are there any groups in the area that are willing to work with us? We aren’t a shelter, so we don’t have vets on staff, so fully vetted dogs are really a necessity for us.

This post is more about venting than anything else, but feel free to contact me directly if you have any advice.

Clara

[shais_mom]

where's the shelter located?
I'm not familiar with very rescue groups But
I'll keep my eyes and brain peeled.

[pitc9]

Hi!
Glad to see you back!
It's been quite a while!

You might remember Molly; she's been a member here for a long time.
She might be able to answer questions you have. She coordinates transports a lot too.
Send her a PM.

[clara4457]

Thanks - I forgot about Molly, I'll PM her.

I know there is a major dog over population problem in Ohio and we really want to help whenever we can. I guess we are looking for groups that are working to get dogs vetted and spayed/neutered prior to moving them out of state. There is a group in Kentucky that we work with that raises funds just for the purpose of having money to get animals vetted prior to adoption or rescue. I think it is real easy to send out emails to rescues and yahoo groups begging for help, but a lot harder to make an effort to raise money, contract with vets, foster, take care of sick animals, transport animals to vets, arrange adoption events, arrange low cost spay/neuter clinics, do behavior consults, etc. to make them more adoptable - all of which we do. And yes, we have moved dogs to breed specific rescue groups - fully vetted and ready for adoption.

My heart breaks a little more every time I get one of these emails, but unfortunately we can only do so much.

Like I said, I was venting earlier - I feel a little better now. We have an adoption event tomorrow and someone is coming out to meet Bobby, one of our pit mixes. He's such a sweetie and I really want him to find a great home.

Here's Bobby:

http://www.buffalohumane.rescuegroups.org/images/animals/s1213a246897m417513.jpg

[lizbud]

Hi Clara, I remember you very well & your first attempts to form a group
to help dogs find homes.I'm glad to hear that you have a functioning group
already. I don't think your group is being unreasonable in asking a pull, or pay/neuter fee be dropped since you took on the fostering & placement.

I hope Molly can work with you & answer questions, etc. Wishing you
all the best of luck.

[Cinder & Smoke]

Clara ~~




Where's the shelter located?

Asking again ...

WHERE is the problem shelter located?

WHO is the group controlling the dogs and the fees?

There's probably a number of Shelters in Ohio that would come close to
"giving away" dogs to properly identified "Recsues".

I've been the "Puller" about 4 times so far (5 if we count the Bowser Rescue http://petoftheday.com/i/our_smilies/smile.gif ) -
1 in Ohio, 4 in West Virginia, and 1 in PA .... (make it SIX - CINDER counts for
another West Virginia FurKid!)

ONLY 1 - my Cinder - came even "close" to being "as advertised" by the Rescue or Transport
coordinators. Without fail they "promise" the dog(s) are:
* Vetted - most haven't seen a Vet in their lives, let alone courtesy of the Shelter!
* Clean & bug free --- most were looking for their first bath - FLEAS? Just a "few"!
* "Shots" - with what, a shotgun?
* Rabies - yup, they need it - and sure didn't HAVE it!
* Health Certificates - new phrase for Bill of Sale
* "Travels well" - means it couldn't claw it's way out of the Dog Catcher's Truck
* Gets along with others - as long as there's a chain-link fence between them
* Good with Kids - we think ... it's never SEEN a lil kid that we know of.

And don't forget the Final Hidden Charge!
The good ole County Dawg LICENSE! - Usually to the tune of of $10 - $15.
Now remember - Fido is gonna be a "Resident" of their Fine County for the amout of
time it takes to drive 25 miles to the County Line ... NEVER to return ...
But, By GOLLIE, he's gonna have a LICENSE for the trip!

PRIZE Example - I picked up two 6-month old Australian Shepherds in Carroll County, Ohio ...
Estimated time to be in Carroll County - 1 more hour (at a Vet's for missing Rabies Shots) ...
Required Licenses were cheap - $10 each - but we didn't GET 'em ... they had
to MAIL 'em ... the two FurPups had been in their new CANADIAN Homes for three days
before their Carroll County, Ohio, license tags came to MY house! http://petoftheday.com/i/our_smilies/rolleyes.gif
Now the licenses were for 2-year old mixed German Shepherds ...
but HEY, they were cheap! http://petoftheday.com/i/our_smilies/rolleyes.gif

I shouldn't complain too much ... of all the Mutts I've pulled, even though they weren't
quite "as advertised" ... I never had one "refused" by thier final destination.
I've had to jump through some "HOOPS" to get Rabies shots on short notice;
but a LOTTA Vets go for a good Sob Story from an old Transporter! http://petoftheday.com/i/our_smilies/wink.gif

http://petoftheday.com/i/our_smilies/biggrin.gif

[clara4457]

Clara ~~



Asking again ...

WHERE is the problem shelter located?

WHO is the group controlling the dogs and the fees?

There's probably a number of Shelters in Ohio that would come close to
"giving away" dogs to properly identified "Recsues".




I wasn't the one that worked on coordinating pulling the dogs, I'm just the one that ended up paying the Bills :( , so I don't know the group, but the dogs came from Hardin County Dog pound. I also get emails (probably forwarded a 100 times) about Carroll County Dog pound "gassing tomorrow", and Lorain County "going to die tomorrow". Both ask for boarding fees to keep the dogs until they can be picked up, do no vetting or minimal vetting, BUT do require them to be licensed.(although they don't give the rabies shots). Frustrating to say the least.

I think these are good hearted souls that think they are doing good by spending hours emailing rescues and cross posting on groups, and they probably do save a few dogs that way. But they could save even more if they were spending their time raising money and working with vets in the area to make the dogs more adoptable or easier to move out to rescue (e.g. low cost spay/neutered, temperament tested, vaccinated, flea treated, wormed, etc.).

I'm calling Columbiana County Dog Pound this week. They are also asking for rescues, but they have a much better adoption policy (dogs are s/n, rabies, 5-way vac, flea treated) and you can also pay to have them heartworm tested, vaccinated for bordatella, wormed, and boosters if you want. If I can get them to "adopt" the animals to us for the regular adoption fee, it would actually be better for us financially. Our costs to s/n are between $150-$250 depending on size and gender.

We currently have some space available and we'll see if they're willing to work with us. Wish me luck!!

Clara

[shais_mom]

Hardin County is my "home" county and where my parents still live.
And its exactly what it says it is - a dog pound.
They haven't established a building yet for their Humane Society as far as I know so that's why the dogs aren't 'fixed' and vetted. B/c its a holding place for them before they PTS. :(
The humane society in my county (ran by a NUTBALL but nonetheless) (Wyandot) has a HOPE clinic where the dogs are spayed for like $30 or $40. Not for certain on that price but I know that when I took Kloe (cat) to there to get her spayed it was $25. I don't have the extra money or space in my hometo pull these dogs and get them "fixed" and then transport them to you - but if there is anything I can try to do let me know - I'd be willing to pull one or 2 of them altho I'm not sure I'd be able to afford the $120 right now. But I'd figger something out.
http://www.wyhumane.org/

[clara4457]

Thank you,

That is really sweet of you to offer. It is strange to me that the group that pulls dogs from that AC doesn't utilize the low cost spay/neuter clinic there. From the website, it sounds like there are no income limits for the low cost one, only the no-cost one. It would definitely make the animals more attractive to the out-of-state rescues and ultimately save more dogs. Most of us would pay the cost of the spay/neuter and vaccinations at a low cost clinic, if they would arrange to house the dog until we could get them on the weekends....

Anyway, thanks so much for the offer. I don't think we will be working with Hardin Co. Pound anymore, which is really a shame since all the dogs that came from there were so sweet and all got adopted quickly. I really feel sorry for those black lab mixes - you guys seem to have so many there and they rarely get adopted. The city shelter here sent a black lab mix to the SPCA and it got adopted within 2 days. :eek: Three of the four we took were black lab mixes and we must have had at least 20 applications on them.

Anyway, if you see a dog at the pound that needs rescued and have people willing to help with arranging low cost vetting, and holding for a few days until we can get there - let me know. We would be happy to send money for vetting ahead of time.

Clara


Hardin County is my "home" county and where my parents still live.
And its exactly what it says it is - a dog pound.
They haven't established a building yet for their Humane Society as far as I know so that's why the dogs aren't 'fixed' and vetted. B/c its a holding place for them before they PTS. :(
The humane society in my county (ran by a NUTBALL but nonetheless) (Wyandot) has a HOPE clinic where the dogs are spayed for like $30 or $40. Not for certain on that price but I know that when I took Kloe (cat) to there to get her spayed it was $25. I don't have the extra money or space in my hometo pull these dogs and get them "fixed" and then transport them to you - but if there is anything I can try to do let me know - I'd be willing to pull one or 2 of them altho I'm not sure I'd be able to afford the $120 right now. But I'd figger something out.
http://www.wyhumane.org/

[Cinder & Smoke]

I'm calling Columbiana County Dog Pound this week.
They are also asking for rescues, but they have a much better adoption policy (dogs are s/n, rabies, 5-way vac, flea treated) and you can also pay to have them heartworm tested, vaccinated for bordetella, wormed, and boosters if you want. If I can get them to "adopt" the animals to us for the regular adoption fee, it would actually be better for us financially. Our costs to s/n are between $150-$250 depending on size and gender.

We currently have some space available and
we'll see if they're willing to work with us. Wish me luck!!

Here's the Columbiana County Dog Pound web site via PetFinder.com:
http://west.petfinder.com/shelters/OH417.html

They say in part:
Adopting a Dog
If you find a dog that you are interested in adopting, please call the dog pound at 330-424-6663 or email. We will be happy to explain our simple adoption procedure and tell you what we can about the dogs. All dogs are spayed/neutered and given a rabies and a Duramune vaccination before leaving. Trips for vet work are scheduled each Monday and Thursday morning and you can pick up your new pet between 2 and 4:00 pm the same day. All dogs are $60.00. This includes an Ohio dog license. An additional package is available at the time of s/n for $40.00. It includes a heartworm check, worming, flea control, and booster vaccination. This is optional. Payment must be received before the dog can be scheduled for vet work. Often this means Western Union or overnight a Money Order or Cashier's check if you are not close enough to the pound to stop in. Bordetella is also available for an additional $10.00.

Columbiana County has an agreement with Angels for Animals, an Up-Scale
Animal Rescue and Educational Shelter, in Canfield, Ohio, to do Columbiana's Vet work. Columbiana Volunteers transport the critters to Angels' new, ultra Modern Shelter
and Vet Clinic, where Vets who are Angels STAFF Members do the exams
and spay/neuters.
After a couple hours in Recovery, the Volunteers return the critters to the Pound for pick-up
by the new owners. Only *rub* for a Rescue is that Columbiana County wants
CASH, Money Order, or Cashier's Check ONLY to be paid before the Vet work is done.
Dunno if they've heard of PayPal, but most Ohio County Treasurers are a bit anal about "modern" banking features.

Let me know if you need "local" help - I'm about 30 minutes from Columbiana County,
and about 20 minutes from Angels for Animals.

/s/ Phred

[shais_mom]

while I can't speak for Ohio as a whole but I can give my opinion on why Hardin County has so many dogs-
every year over Labor day they have
KENTON NATIONAL COON DOG TRIALS
If it attracted upscale people that trial their dogs it would be one thing but it doesn't. People from all over the world (yes world) have heard of this event. Some I'm sure are in it for the love of the trials but others are in it for money and if the dog doesn't win - its left. At the property -
A few years ago - the dog warden had picked up 30 stray dogs in the area - one week after the trials. It just disgusts me. That is where my Shaianne (greyhound) came from - she apparently didn't win and was let go. She didn't run fast enough for them - but she ran PLENTY fast enough for me when I was trying to catch her when she was making mad escapes.
I made it to the parking lot there once and saw a guy tie his coonhound to his golf cart and take off dragging the dog and laughing the entire time.
My dad had to physically hold me back- he said "Stace- he'll kick our A$$" - I said "NO I"m going to kick his A$$" - I went to the pickup and cried for about 10 min. And swore I would NEVER ever step foot on those grounds again.
The dogs that are left aren't microchipped or tagged so the people leaving them can't be held responsible.
I think that is why that county has soooo many coyote/dog mixes also.
*steps off soapbox*

[clara4457]

I know what you mean - one of the dogs we took from them was a Redbone Coonhound - beautiful dog and really sweet - but quite gun shy. We were told that she was probably dumped because of it. Fortunately, she is now living very happily in a town about an hour outside of Buffalo on 4 acres of land. We recently got an email from them at they are just enamored by her.

http://buffalohumane.org/images/LucyAdopted02.jpg

Isn't she beautiful??

Imagine coming to an event in another state and being so juvenile that you leave without your dog because it didn't win. Amazes me the stupidity of the human race. And we're supposed to be the superior race - yeah right. :confused: