Deadly new policy for puppies and kittens in San Berdo – take action today!

Please read the below story from PetConnect.Us with an open heart and share with your friends and family to help make a difference and take action. From Laura Tonkin, the Director of PUP regarding this issue: “Some ask us why we pull from the Stockton and Merced California shelters. You just have to read this piece below and watch this video to understand. We go where the need is. That is what rescuers do. We still pull from our Washington shelters as this is our home, but we will not turn our backs on these dogs in other states. We just will not do that. We started working with the California rescuers that pull from the San Bernardino and Devore California shelters this past week. I look forward to building an even stronger relationship with these very dedicated folks.”

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The puppies in this photo are the tiny victims of the shelter’s deadly new policy.

We look at this box of tiny puppies, their eyes not even open yet, and we ooh and aah and delight in their cuteness and innocence. They are adorable, sweet, and have their whole lives ahead of them…or not. In reality their lives have already ended thanks to a cruel and inhumane policy recently put into place at the increasingly deadly San Bernardino City Shelter. In what could be called their most callous, hateful move to date, shelter supervisors have declared that they will no longer allow staff or volunteers to contact rescues to save underage puppies or kittens dumped at the shelter without their mothers. If a rescue is present at the time the babies are impounded the rescue can take them, but if no rescue is there the puppies or kittens will be taken to the back and immediately killed. Many shelters in Southern California have foster programs set up for bottle babies as well as underage puppies and kittens surrendered without their mothers. L.A. Animal Services sends regular emails asking for fosters to sign up for the many puppies and kittens in their care. There is no reason San Bernardino City Shelter can’t implement a similar program.

Maria Sanchez was in the shelter lobby on Saturday, 5/11, when this box of underage puppies (A446036) was surrendered by a young man. After taking photos and video, she spoke with Ryan Long, the kennel supervisor, and told him she was going to network for a rescue for the pups. Ryan told Maria not to bother; that she would be wasting her time. That’s when she learned of the new policy – and the deaths of the babies. Ryan and many of the other employees appear to be totally desensitized to the plights of the animals in the shelter. Perhaps staff members suffer from compassion fatigue as they seem to be without concern or care for the innocent lives they take each and every day.

If you are a rescuer willing to take in underage animals on short notice please try to convince the shelter to start a registry and please let me or Maria Sanchez know you are available. We can’t stand by and let the killing of tiny babies go on without putting up a fight.

The puppies in this below video are the tiny victims of the shelter’s deadly new policy:

How to take action

Don’t just get angry…take action! I encourage you to send emails to everyone on the list below …it’s the only way to affect change. Tomorrow I will post a sample letter, but please feel free to email on your own and don’t forget to copy everyone below on your email.

CONTACT INFO FOR SAN BERNARDINO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS:
Email: council@sbcity.org

CONTACT INFO FOR MAYOR:
Patrick J. Morris
Mayor
Email: morris_pat@sbcity.org

FYI: THE SAN BERNARDINO CITY POLICE DEPARTMENT OVERSEES THE ANIMAL SHELTER.

CONTACT INFO FOR CHIEF OF POLICE:
Robert Handy
Chief of Police
Email: handy_ro@sbcity.org

CONTACT INFO FOR CAPTAIN:
Raymond King
Captain
Email: king_ra@sbcity.org

CONTACT INFO FOR SERGEANT AFFRUNTI:
Ph# (909) 384-7228-(Office)
Ph# (909) 693-6339-(Cell)
Email: affrunti_ad@sbcity.org

CONTACT INFO FOR “TEMPORARY” OPERATIONS MANAGER:
Debi Shuker
Desk: 909-384-1304 ext 1515
Email: Shuker_De@sbcity.org

CONTACT INFO FOR SHELTER KENNEL SUPERVISOR:
Ryan Long
Cell Phone: (951) 538-6010
Email: Long_Ry@sbcity.org

 

Spring brings hope for rescued shelter dogs

This weekend we are excited to be doing another shelter sweep! These shelter sweeps bring dogs from high-kill shelters into our rescue organization and provide them with the chance of a new beginning! There will be a Pit Bull mix, Chihuahuas, Terriers and more! Each dog will be fully evaluated by a vet and given all necessary vaccinations before they are adopted. They should all be online soon to adopt!

More Facts and Benefits about Dog Rescue

According to the Humane Society of the US, “the public acquires only 14% of its pets from shelters; 48% get their pets as strays, from friends, from animal rescuers, 38% get their pets from breeders or pet stores.” I found some great benefits and facts about animal rescue from the blog Scratchings & Sniffings that I wanted to share. These really go to the heart of what we do, I invite you to comment below with your thoughts on the benefits of dog rescue:

• Rescue groups work with shelters and “pull” animals out of the animal shelter environment. Most rescues work with both no-kill and open admission shelters.
• After the rescue group has taken an animal out of a shelter, they work with a network of “foster” families who care for the animal in their homes until the pet is adopted.
• Rescue animals in foster care enjoy a more home-like environment, more time to find a new home, veterinary care, and often behavior modification or training.
• Many rescues are started because of love for a type of animal.

The above are just a few of the many benefits of dog rescue, please feel free to add you comments, we’d love to hear your thoughts!

 

August Shelter-Sweep…saving lives!

So technically the ball got rolling for our latest shelter sweep in early July, but we’re officially bringing these lucky dogs up to Washington this Saturday (still July, I know!). All of these dogs have been vetted, evaluated and have checked the “I want a forever home” on their PUP-lication!

They will soon be on Petfinder, but here is a preview of a few of the lucky dogs!

 

21…make that 34, Dogs to be Saved in Latest Shelter Sweep

PUP will be picking up 34 dogs from a Californian high-kill shelter in June. Here is a preview of the dogs we’ll be bringing up. They will soon all be up on Petfinder ready to adopt! As of now there will be about 10 puppies and we’ll have a mix of many different dogs.

 

New Transport from California brings licks of hope!

The following PUP dogs are coming on April 30th!

They are in need of foster homes and/or adoptive homes. They are all spayed or neutered, dental if needed, microchipped, flea treated, heartworm tested (negative) and wormed. They all come from high-kill shelters in California so come with the required health exam and health certificate. They have also been quarantined. More information will be available on Petfinder once they arrive here.

PUP was asked to help and we couldn’t say no to these guys or the shelter staff working hard to save them. The sooner we find homes for these furkids, the sooner we can save more. PUP works hard to help shelters in Washington and California. If you can help us help them, please complete a foster application (PUP provides everything for the foster dog) or adoption application. The links are found below.

• ENZO ~ Male terrier, 1.5 years
• AVA ~ Female Chihuahua, 1.5 years
• HOKU ~ Male Terrier mix, 1 year
• KUMO ~ Male Terrier, 2 years
• MOZZIE ~ Male Beagle, 2.5 years
• GANDALF ~ Male Chihuahua, Older male
• WINNIE ~ Female Chihuahua
• ELI ~ Male Chihuahua mix
• POPPY ~ Female Longhaired Chihuahua, 2 years
• MARCIE ~ Female Longhaired Chihuahua mix
• KOA ~ Male Jack Russell, 4.5 years
• KIMO ~ Male Scottie mix, 2.5 years
• PARIS ~ Female Terrier mix, 1 year
• MIKI ~ Female Schnauzer, 2 years
• DOX ~ Male Poodle, 1.5 years
• NINA ~ Female Chihuahua, 5.5 years
• YUKI ~ Male Chihuahua, 2 years
• FLYNN ~ Male Poodle, 2 years
• CARTER ~ Male Terrier, 1 year
• BOONE ~ Male Terrier, 1 year
• KOJI ~ White Terrier, 1.5 years
• HOWIE ~ Male Terrier mix

PUP Foster Volunteer Application

Word doc version
Text version

Complete and email to:
info@peopleunitedforpets.com

If you think you have room in your home and heart for one of these dogs and you reside within Washington, please go to our Adoption Information page. There you will find more information and be able to fill out an adoption application.

To see our dogs profiles as soon as we list them – follow us on Twitter! You can also become our fan on Facebook!

 

PUP Dog Rescue connects dogs with more than just happy homes

When Zoey was rescued by PUP Dog Rescue, it was unclear if her relationship with us would be that of hospice or hope. In spite of a fractured jaw, suspicious breast tumors and severe gum disease, PUP was certain they could make a difference in this little dog’s life. Coordinating with California shelters, we were able to save her from the fate of being destroyed. This older Chihuahua mix was likely worn down from overbreeding, malnourishment, lack of general veterinary care, and finally found herself in a shelter. But we saw a sweet dog who could flourish if “surrounded by people who placed her welfare and happiness at a very high level of importance.”

We (PUP Dog Rescue) is a non-profit and foster-only dog rescue from Issaquah WA, and makes it our mission to help homeless dogs connect with the right person or family so they can thrive as faithful companions. Today, because of generous donations we have received, Zoey is recovering from surgery to remove and diagnose multiple mammary tumors and extensive dental work around her injured jaw. Her depression has lifted and she’s now a “loving, gentle old lady who is just now beginning to enjoy and trust in the possibilities available to her.” Zoey will finally have the opportunity to enjoy the love of a caring family.

Being a foster-only organization, we place each rescue dog in a home which provides socialization, training, and a glimpse into their unique personalities. We feel it is “very important to make sure you find the right dog for your family, and personality and behavior play a big role in this.” Breeders often sell the book only for its cover, and unfortunately many of those dogs also find themselves in shelters because of poorly educated pet owners. According to the Humane Society, “purebreds account for about 25 to 30 percent of a shelter’s dog population.” Because of this, we’re a full disclosure adoption organization, and dedicated to educating the public and future owners about responsible pet ownership.

Zoey is a loving, gentle old lady who is just now beginning to enjoy and trust in the possibilities available to her.

When asked about Zoey’s remarkable recovery, her foster mother says “there’s a road to be traveled by every living being… [we] need to make that journey as best possible for dogs who’ve not known what [a good life] can be like.” Since this article has been written, Zoey has been adopted to a special family who will take care of her needs and appreciate all her special qualities.

How can you help? If you would like to support PUP Dog Rescues’ effort to rescue dogs from high-kill shelters, please visit our website and learn how you can donate to this cause. If you are interested in learning how you can adopt rescued small breed dogs from PUP visit Petfinder or email adopt@peopleunitedforpets.com.

Thanks to Issaquah KOMO for crossposting this story as well!