PS The Gazette needs to do their homework. There is a 17 page USDA report on the violations by Harold Buzz Powell, the Wyoming puppy mill operator. He is not out of the woods, yet.
What a shame that Goettel is complaining about $3000 raised to help a dog. The donors helped the family AND the dog. There are many groups and individuals who help humans. Not so many help animals. Animals have no voice. That is why we help them. People who care about animals don't want to see them suffer - some of us help cats and dogs; some of us choose not to eat meat; some of us don't like to see deer killed for eating plants. We are the minority and we do what we can to help animals and people who love them. We all have choices about who we want to help and how. Goettel has done good work to help flood victims and this one dog. She needs to stop giving black eyes to other people for their choices about who they choose to help. Trying to make people feel guilty will get her nowhere.
The idea of combining Linn county and Cedar Rapdis shelters was thoroughly reviewed by the animal control task force and rejected by a group of about 20 people comprised of county employees, city officials and employees and community volunteers. Cedar Rapids is already struggling to fund other non-profits in light of the recession and continued aftermath of the flood. i can't imagine any good time - but this is certainly a terrible time - to suggest that a non profit assume responsibility for the city's animals and enforcement. "If it aint broke, don't fix it". We are FINALLY moving in the right direction with our animal control and animal sheltering functions. The City should find savings other places.
It's heartbreaking to imagine these dogs getting a glimpse of love, care and medical attention...not to mention being called by a name instead of a number....and then having to return to neglectful, if not abusive, conditions. Imagine..."my puppy's parents were numbers 84 and 101". They are simply objects to earn BuzzBoy money. When they no longer produce, what happens to them? Tossed out of a car? Dumped in a ditch? Shot? We found an overbred black lab who had been dumped in a ditch once. She didn't know how to walk. The rescues had no vested interest in this. They spent their own money, time and put themselves at emotional risk to help these dogs. Bless them and shame on Buzz. and the judge who returned them. Wrong decision.
The puppies are the ones they take care of because those are the animals the public sees.
Ask to see the parents or where the adult dogs live.
Bless you for your work helping these dogs. Prayers that they don't go back and that the other canine victims are emancipated from Mr. Buzz.
A friend's dog has run away and he is desperately trying to find her. I hope she doesn't end up on your farm while she is trying to find her way home.
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Brainchild