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BTW, here is the snail mail addy:
Ms. Stevie Cote, President
Board of Directors
Dearborn Animal Shelter
P.O. Box 1943
Dearborn, MI 48120
Please mark it "Personal & Confidential" as the Angel of Death does occasionally pick up the mail.
Thanks guys!! I'll let you know what happens.
Well, I am now BANNED from volunteering at the shelter. I went there this afternoon and was stopped by Elaine as I walked in the door. She took me into the volunteer room saying "We have to talk".
She told me she knows about my letter written to Ms. Cote about her euthanizing cats. I told her that it has happened FAR more in the last few months, regardless of their policy. I also reminded her of Carrie, the 14 year old cat euthanized cuz "they needed the cage space and no one is doing to adopt an old cat". I went on about ringworm (the story is far too long to go into detail) and how it IS treatable yet she shows favoritism to dogs. She said that I badgered her staff with my phone calls. I told her that I simply called to get the information I needed and when asked why I was doing this, I simply told them. I badgered no one.
She told me that I "stole" a cat from another rescue organization (Eli) I told her that wasn't true. So, she said that I cannot be trusted and until the board decides whether to allow me to continue volunteering, I am no longer welcome.
What people DON'T know is that animals are being euthanized by uncertified vet techs there. The girl (I USED to call her my friend till she told Elaine exactly what I was planning to do) who took my friend Cathy's place (she's the certified Vet Tech who ran the nursery before quitting) is uncertified and runs the nursery. She has no "formal" training (certificate, license, etc) but was simply trained by Cathy for 2 weeks. She vaccinates animals, euthanizes them, etc. Everything a CERTIFIED vet tech does.
The Shelter Mgr, Heather, is the one who put down Carrie. I'm not sure she's certified either. But I think that the Director, Elaine, really is nervous about being so closely watched by the Board of Directors for fear they'll find out.
I would hate to have anything happen to the animals at the shelter for my "whistle blowing". But her Angel of Death act is definitely putting the cats at risk. And simply because SHE "suspects" they have ringworm. She claims that they were euthanized at the direction of the Medical Director, Dr. Cheryl Good. I know of NO veterinarian that would put down an animal for a virus that is so easily treatable, or without having a culture done first.
When I left, I told her that her actions are OBVIOUS that she doesn't care about the cats and definitely has something to hide, because the only ones that will be hurt by me not volunteering are the cats. I told her that she is the Angel of Death and needs to be stopped before anymore innocent animals are killed.
I am SO tempted to go to the tv stations and newspapers about this. But I'm thinking about the animals welfare.
Oh Donna, I'm sorry this is such an ordeal. I'm glad you wrote the letter, I just hope it finds it's way into the hands of those who need to see it. I find it interesting that you are the one that's banned when she is the one that is needle happy. It sounds to me like she is not only needle happy, but is "high" on the "power" she believes she has, over the animals and over you and other people there.
Please keep us updated, and it might not be a bad thing to write another letter explaining how banning you is only harming the cats, which is just further proof that she doesn't care about their well being and is only interested in her own personal motives. And if you do write another letter, don't tell anyone at the shelter to make sure it gets into the hands of those who need to see it.
Oh my God, what are these poor cats going to do without you? She will get them all. Maybe you should write a story to the paper and tip off the tv networks, surely there are networks that would love to get a hold of a story like this. Send in a couple of those pictures and see if you can get something going on.
I hope they get rid of the Elaine beast. I will keep my fingers crossed. I wished they had people like you running thes shelters instead of somebody playing God.
I am so sorry for everything:( . I am also very angry:mad:. Don't understand some peoples hearts at all. :confused:
I think that getting the public involved would really be good for the animals' welfare. That lady needs to be fired. How sad. :(Quote:
Originally posted by moosmom
I am SO tempted to go to the tv stations and newspapers about this. But I'm thinking about the animals welfare.
The first thing i would be doing is writing to PETA - those animals are treated inhumanely - and that euthanising animals that are otherwise healthy except for skin conditions is deplorable. Secondly, I am sure that the Veterinary Asociation would LOVE to know that animals are being euthanised by untrained people. Vet techs in Australia are NOT allowed to euthanise animals except in emergency situations. The drugs used can kill a human being if used incorrectly. Also if the dose is not big enough the cat may wake up. That to me is the sick part.
I would then get the newspapers and media involved - do you have a friend who can create a website for you? Do not use any defamitory statements but state your facts and get your voice out there. You certainly have my support and I am sure that there are other people out there who would support you as well.
It will certainly help the animals. It would also help you. By being banned from volunteering at a shelter that probably needs volunteers to me states that she does not know how to manage her staff let alone a shelter properly.
Please PLEASE do something to help the kitty's. Get word out and get that woman sacked!
Sorry for the long post but I needed to vent I am so angry at this.
BTW can the ASPCA investigate abuse in a shelter?
Bastetsmum,
I want so bad to blow the whistle. Some of the stuff I've said here most people are not aware of.
I know for a FACT that the girl running the nursery is NOT a certified Vet Tech because she told me the only training she got was when Cathy, the certified Vet Tech quit and tried to show her what she knows in two weeks, AND...I was in the nursery when this girl actually put a small kitten down (the kitten was barely alive and could not be saved).
Mugsy suggested I go to a board meeting and bring up all this stuff.
I can't sleep right now because my mind is racing about this whole damn incident. I can't do anything to help these cats by way of volunteering, and I also can't justify sitting back and keeping my mouth shut, letting this lady kill them "just because". :( :(
I just don't understand the hype over ringworm. My remaining two bottle babies also have ringworm, and guess what, they gave it to me too!!! BIG DEAL!!!! Even if it's left totally untreated, it goes away on its own. No, I don't have these kittens in with the rest of my cats, no need to start an itchy, hairless epidemic ... but my gosh, it's not fatal!!!! Most cats have been exposed to it at some point during their lives .... its just that most cats are immune to it as an adult ... it is more likely to affect young cats, kittens, or weakened immune system cats. Yes, they can be carriers, so how would you know? You could go to your neighbors house, and bring ringworm spores home on your shoes and clothing to your own cats, and never even know where they came from!!! So...... do we euthanize all cats????
STUPID WOMAN!!! :mad:
Moosmom,
I know it isn't my place, but I will say what is in my heart. You NEED to blow the whistle on the Dearborn Shelter. They are acting worse than a shelter here in Australia that was selling kittens for disection. The person who blew the whistle on that little scam said she would only ever work for the RSPCA who at least have morals.
Needless to say, if you don't blow the whistle those cats and kittens still will die. They won't have anyone there who cares enough to ring to find out how they are going or to actually TREAT the minor ailments. They don't have sufficient medical staff there to deal with major problems. What happens through lack of care if cat flu or worse goes through the shelter?
I think if you don't your conscience will get you. You are a great advocate of the human race to all creatures great and small. I couldn't possibly do what you are doing. Don't let the stupid woman win. Don't let *legalised* cruelty win. Worst of all don't let apathy win.
Thats my two cents worth, sorry if I sound mean. Do whats right for yourself and those cats and kittens. I am most definately behind you even if I am in Australia.
I've been up all night wrestling with my conscience. My volunteering days are over, that's for sure. I'm just afraid that my whistle blowing with shut the entire shelter down, and jeopardize the cat's lives. The shelter HAS done alot of good with the animals, via pet adoption days, fund raising, etc. But this thing with Elaine still bugs the hell out of me. I'm not sure what the policy is as far as employing uncertified staff.
I just don't know anymore :( I tried calling the President of the Board of Directors for over an hour this morning and the line was busy.
Do I "snitch" or just let it go??? :( :(
Donna,
If you voice your concerns, it is highly unlikely that the Board of Directors will not shut down the entire shelter (especially at Christmas time). I know that I have not weighed in before, but I have read all of your posts about the shelter and it breaks my heart.
Given that you are unable to help the animals from within the shelter, I think that it is time you helped them from the outside. And if that includes talking with the Chariman of the BoD, then so be it.
I wish you luck...
Cheryl
I finally got through at the number I was given. It turns out it was the number to the shelter!!! :eek: I immediately hung up.
I'm going to write another letter and see what happens and try to attend the next Board meeting. There's not much more I can do.
I have sent my letter (with Flames on it :)) in today!!!
marked personal and confidential to addressee only and
on the letter itself marked 'official letter of complaint'
Staci,
Thanks for the letter. I HOPE it will do some good. Elaine has tried to turn this around and make it about me, but it's not. It's about her needlessly killing cats.
Kim,
You're right, what IS the big deal about ringworm??? My kitten Marina Mar (RB, 2001) had it for 3 months! I isolated her and treated and and she was fine. What upsets me is I made it KNOWN that ANY cat suspected of having ringworm, to call me and I'd treat and foster them till they're well enough to be adopted. I guess that's not gonna happen now. :( I pray for the remaining cats at that shelter.
Maybe it is time you considered getting the press involved. Afterall Christmas is the season of sentiment... most people do not want to hear about cruel people this time of year and they may actually do something about it.
BTW, have you considered looking up the Chairman's home phone number on something like 411.com or verizon.com?