07/27/2023
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With the permission and blessings of the property owner Pat and on behalf of her deceased husband who’s dream was to save dogs. He closed the kennel business and rented the complete kennel for rescues. As she stated, get the word out. The rescue is Canine Rescue of Pa.
I asked the previous question for a reason. By law, a no kill shelter/rescue can put down 10% of intakes and still be able to say no kill rescue. The public is given a false impression by rescues using no kill.
A local rescue is putting down a dog today because of bite history.
I personally have seen and observed their rescue kennel approx. 2 years ago to evaluate a dog who was to be euthanized. While waiting for the volunteer, I watch every dog over reactive to me and each other (this was outside). There was a puppy in the 2nd run and older small dog in the first….they were scared and overwhelmed.
Inside the kennel was worse, no privacy barrier between the runs, even the center walk way were only a few feet apart. I also noticed quite a few return dogs.
I met with the dog I was to observe and went for a walk thru a wooded area. I put her thru some exercises. Once back to the kennel, she was put into a long fenced in area. Just a long yard. Another dog was brought out and put into the adjoining yard. Then action or I should say reaction running started. Up and down the yard…all reactive running.
I put together a case file on her after talking to the ppl who were bitten, trying to get prior history from the rescue was almost impossible.
Her advocates even took her to UPenn to be evaluated by a vet behaviorist and paid for it.
Both my assessment and the vets were the same…she could be rehabbed once in a non reactive environment, change in medication, finding her triggers she could be adopted into the right home.
I then attended a board meeting where they were going to tell everyone that the dog needed to be euthanized even after 2 extensive evaluations from behaviorist. Trying to reason was impossible so I stepped up and said I would take her..this was the only way to save her. Almost 2 yrs later, she is leading a happy life with her trigger which we know.
Today another dog at the same rescue is at threat of being killed for the same reason. His handler wants to adopt him, the trainer would work with him but again….NO. Their excuse is liability and insurance.
No mention of liability or insurance was told to me when I took Daisy. This dog came to the rescue as a puppy because his owner used a shock collar on him and he reacted. This dog has been at the rescue learning and becoming more and more reactive. The rescue created this.
When I first became involved with the rescue, I have repeatedly said that the rescue is creating reactive dogs. I have volunteered several times to help create a less reactive environment and a way to help decompress the dogs. My offer was never taken up. I was also told by a couple volunteers that the rescue is not a rehab but placing dogs into homes. That’s so ridiculous…why do you think they are in shelters and rescues…they have issues. It was SO wrong, unfair and sometimes dangerous to place a dog into a home without evaluating and rehabilitation.
The almighty board is the only voice in the rescue and volunteers have no right to opinions. If you expressed them, you are accused of creating an hostile environment. This is what’s happening now. A volunteer who’s been with the rescue close to when it was created, one board member wants her out. This gentle woman is fighting to give this dog a chance to live as he has a home to go to. Many volunteers have resigned because of the board’s decision.
Interesting note, a dog being fostered by a board member who has a history of bites, bit a neighbor, went to court to fight not to be labeled “dangerous dog”. This dog isn’t being threatened of being put down.
In my many years working with dogs, I have never been so angry and hurting so badly for this dog. There is no reasoning with the board as they are the power. Power vs compassion…compassion lost.
There are a few in danger dogs in their facility.
So when donating money to a no kill, be sure to ask how many dogs were put down.
I’m so very, very sorry Crimson…humans have failed you.
