Warning . . . Heartless Rescue Group In Operation

[alejake]

This may be in the wrong forum, if so I hope the administrators will keep it intact and move it to its proper place.

But I want to warn you about one rescue group in Scottsdale, Arizona. I will post the article from the Arizona Republic, and let the article speak for itself. I have added a list of sponsors at the end of the article, and would hope that members follow their conscious but I have been contacting them and providing them with the article and informing them that I will not use their services as long as they form a partnership with the Arizona Golden Retriever Connection.

Read and think how you would be feeling in Ms. Williams place:
__________________________________________________ ______________

Dog Custody Battle Creates Uproar

Edythe Jensen
The Arizona Republic
Apr. 19, 2007 07:53 AM

Joanne Williams wants her aged golden retrievers back and can't understand why a local rescue group won't return them.

Her Chandler home is filled with photos of 9-year-old Dugan and 8-year-old Jake. Her eyes well with tears when she talks about the dogs she raised from puppies - and about the personal tragedy that led her to relinquish them.

Williams, 39, lost her only child last August five months into the pregnancy. There was a funeral and burial. Her relationship with the baby's father crumbled; she spiraled into severe depression. In October Williams contacted Arizona Golden Retriever Connection at the suggestion of a friend. By Dec. 2 and while she was under a doctor's care for post traumatic stress disorder, Williams gave up her pets to the group. advertisement

She immediately regretted the decision and three days later asked for them back. She said the group's president, Candy Ziemer of Scottsdale, agreed to return the dogs then changed her mind and stopped returning calls.

In desperation, Williams found the foster home where they were being kept and begged the woman, Phoenix resident Sheila Anderson, for Dugan and Jake. She refused.

Ziemer and Anderson declined to talk to The Arizona Republic, citing a lawsuit Williams filed in Maricopa County Superior Court in February to get her dogs back.

Representatives of three other rescue groups and Maricopa County Animal Care and Control say they are puzzled why aged pets wouldn't be returned to a caring owner after such a short time. Normal practice would be to give back the dogs so long as they hadn't been abused or neglected, representatives from each of the other groups said.

Letters from veterinarians submitted to the court said Williams took excellent care of her pets. She walked them daily and took them on special trips to dog parks and state hiking trails.

"I'm their mom; they need to come home," she said.

Arlene Blouch, of Phoenix, western regional representative for the Golden Retriever Club of America said she tried to intervene on Williams' behalf and convince the local group to return the dogs.

"I don't understand why they weren't returned, but we have no jurisdiction," she said, "I tried to talk to them and asked them to reconsider."

Stefany Smith, founder and executive director of Southwest German Shepherd Rescue in Phoenix, said it's difficult for aged dogs to adapt to new surroundings.

"Large breed dogs have an average lifespan of 10 to 12 years and it's not easy to place older dogs," she said. "I don't know the motivations of this rescue group, but unless they have a good reason for not returning (Williams') dogs, I don't understand it."

Brian Frederick, spokesman for Scottsdale-based Desert Labrador Retrieve Rescue, said his group has returned surrendered dogs to owners and even helped one deal with allergies.

Two officials from Maricopa County Care and Control said they were surprised the rescue group is refusing to return Dugan and Jake.

"If they have no proof of wrongdoing or abuse, I can't see why they wouldn't give the dogs back," said agency spokeswoman Aprille Hollis.

Linda Soto, county animal shelter division manager, said the county frequently returns dogs and cats to owners who surrender them so long as they pay minimal impound and surrender fees.

Williams said she offered to make a donation to the Arizona Golden Retriever Rescue Connection and has spent more than $14,000 on legal fees. Last month, Superior Court Judge Robert Miles declined to order immediate return of the dogs and no date has been set for trial.

A neighbor and former Arizona Golden Retriever Connection president Linda Arters is trying to help and has set up a Web site: www.bringhomeduganandjake.com.

"I can't believe people can be so cruel," said Arters, who is no longer a member of the rescue group.

Williams said she's grateful for the support.

"Dugan and Jake and I would walk along the green belt. We'd go to Desert Breeze Park and Ahwatukee and up to Scottsdale on the weekends. That was my life. It was their life," she said. "These past few months have been horrific."
__________________________________________________ ____________

The following business help sponsor this heartless group. Follow your conscious . . .

• Southpaw Fine Photos
• H & R Block
• Phelps Dodge Corporation (Debbie Ban)
• Stewart Title & Trust of Phoenix
• B&G Equipment Company
• Hills Pet Nutrition
• Rose America Corporation

[Jennicat]

When you sign over the dogs, there is a part in the contract saying 'HEY, no getting them back, unless you go through the adoption process again' (in most cases), SPECIFICALLY because of people like this.

Even though this is a "special case", we've had it happen to us, give the animal back, and later found out that the problem came up again, they were too embarrassed to come back to us, and dropped the animals at another rescue.

[_Lisa_]

Originally Posted by alejake

"I can't believe people can be so cruel," said Arters, who is no longer a member of the rescue group.

Exactly. I can't believe someone would give up their pets, no matter what rough times they're going through. I think its safe to say that, although her circumstance is "special", we've all had special circumstances & many of us would never consider giving up our pets-come hell or high water. Hopefully those animals will be cared for & comforted just as much as they need to be-they've been through a traumatic experience too.

[alejake]

Originally Posted by Jennicat

When you sign over the dogs, there is a part in the contract saying 'HEY, no getting them back, unless you go through the adoption process again' (in most cases), SPECIFICALLY because of people like this.

Even though this is a "special case", we've had it happen to us, give the animal back, and later found out that the problem came up again, they were too embarrassed to come back to us, and dropped the animals at another rescue.

Didn't you reasd the entire article? Especially this part: " . . . Representatives of three other rescue groups and Maricopa County Animal Care and Control say they are puzzled why aged pets wouldn't be returned to a caring owner after such a short time. Normal practice would be to give back the dogs so long as they hadn't been abused or neglected, representatives from each of the other groups said.

Letters from veterinarians submitted to the court said Williams took excellent care of her pets. She walked them daily and took them on special trips to dog parks and state hiking trails.

"I'm their mom; they need to come home," she said.

Arlene Blouch, of Phoenix, western regional representative for the Golden Retriever Club of America said she tried to intervene on Williams' behalf and convince the local group to return the dogs.

"I don't understand why they weren't returned, but we have no jurisdiction," she said, "I tried to talk to them and asked them to reconsider."

Stefany Smith, founder and executive director of Southwest German Shepherd Rescue in Phoenix, said it's difficult for aged dogs to adapt to new surroundings.

"Large breed dogs have an average lifespan of 10 to 12 years and it's not easy to place older dogs," she said. "I don't know the motivations of this rescue group, but unless they have a good reason for not returning (Williams') dogs, I don't understand it." . . .

And what is this " . . . . .SPECIFICALLY because of people like this. . . " You mean like heartbroken and sad, or just a mental case who should be punished becasue she made a bad decision while unders stress. Have some compassion. Imagine this happening to you. If your that compassionless and heartless I feel sorry for your pets.

[Jennicat]

Yep, I sure did read the article, but thanks for printing it again.

And when I said SPECIFICALLY BECAUSE OF PEOPLE LIKE THIS, I mean "people who are pressured to give up their animals by outside causes, or by their friends". We don't know if this woman has even completed treatment for the problem that caused her to give up the dogs in the first place.

I also appreciate your assumption that I have not been through similar difficulties, and that I mistreat my pets. Good for you! Maybe I'll stoop to insulting your animal care next since you don't agree with me!

[_Lisa_]

I hate how people come to message boards & don't bother to respect others' opinions, and to remember that personal attacks just detract the attention away from their original cause.

[alejake]

This story is about a woman who went through difficult times and made a mistake that under any other conditions would have been rectified by now. She has enough going on in her life without having to deal with trying to get her 'children' back.

If you don't feel her pain, I feel sorry for you. Why would you even reply to the initial post if only to put her down or to say . . . too bad. Hope those that don't have empathy with her plight never lose a pet under any conditions . . . Karma says you won't get much sympathy from others!

[alejake]

Originally Posted by _Lisa_

I hate how people come to message boards & don't bother to respect others' opinions, and to remember that personal attacks just detract the attention away from their original cause.

Funny . . . You don't seem to respect my opinion, . . . and that's OK, it's your right!

[Jennicat]

I respect your opinion, and I gave you mine. Hopefully my karma from saving dozens of homeless animals a year will cover one comment on a message board. We'll just have to see, hm?

I NEVER put her down, first of all. And second of all, I replied with my opinion because this is a discussion board. Not an "agree with everyone" board.

[_Lisa_]

Originally Posted by alejake

Funny . . . You don't seem to respect my opinion, . . . and that's OK, it's your right!

I never said that I didn't, its best not to assume.

Anyway, your opinion is your opinion & its a valid one at that. Don't let your opinion get lost in personal attacks against the posters who disagree with you or the situation you posted about. Its a message board, you'll have to get used to it.


I have sympathy for the woman who gave her dogs away, but no empathy whatsoever. I can't understand her actions, regardless of her "special" circumstances. People have been through worse & still not given away their pets. She made a mistake & now she has to live with the consequences to her actions. My main concern is that those dogs are in a loving home & well taken care of, regardless of who is the person taking care of them.

[bearlasmom]

hey guys,
i dont see why you have to go nasty about this story. Yes, its heart renching but you have to sit back and take several factors into consideration here. In all stories, there is black white and then the in between. Speaking from a legal standpoint i can see all three i guess.

There are severeal factors that have been missed in the story. 1. The woman had post tramatic stress when she turned in the animals.
2. She had reportedly just lost a baby and believe me, the loss of a child is not easy and it doesnt matter how many months you have been pregnant. Your life spirals and hormones rage. You no longer think clearly.

3. The story states that the dogs are Golden Retriever? Then why is there a statement from a German shepherd rescue.

4. The storie is from a blog, not a news paper, they are trying to raise funds for 'legal' costs to get the dogs back. Rescues, no matter where they are, have a 'no return' policy. If you are turning them over, then they have been signed over period. The owner is told this and the owner is also informed that once they sign the papers, they can not just take the dogs back. If we were to do this with our children, what then? Children? Pets? they are no different. They come into our lives, they are our responsibility, they are given to us with the knowledge that no matter what goes on in our life, we are responsible. Animals are not recyclable. They are not furniture, they do not have a bar code that states that they are overdue or returnable. We do not try this with our children and if we do surrender them NO MATTER WHAT THE REASON, we do not give them back without proving ourselves in a court of law that we are capable of taking them on again. Obviously the woman, no matter whether the story is real or not, had some havy things going on in her life and felt that she could not do the best by the dogs as she put it. Things do not suddenly change that much over night. Things do not go from desperate to celebratory over night. It is sad that the woman and these poor elderly animals are going thorugh this. Its sad that they are away from the only mom that they have known since they were small pups and are now elderly. It is sad that these poor angels have to deal with this at a time in their lives when they need the most stability. Elderly dogs need stability, love, time and the least amount of change. Their lives have been turned upside down and they are now embroiled in a law suit (supposedly). When we take on animals we take them on for life. we take them on as we would a child. Those who would trade them in because life is not perfect or because they have gone through changes are using a cop out to avoid facing the reality of life. If you go through a situation that is rough do you rid yourself of your children>? there is no difference between the animal that you take into your family or the child.

[_Lisa_]

Originally Posted by bearlasmom

hey guys,
i dont see why you have to go nasty about this story.

No one is getting nasty, we're just stating our opinions. Debating isn't nasty, its what happens on message boards when people disagree.

[sheltieluv]

Since she was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder at the time of her surrendering the dogs, can't she get them back that way? Isn't there some legal clause that a person has to be of sound mind to sign a legal contract?
Poor woman. She has my sympathy.

[Jennicat]

The page is also confusing. The "help us" page states that there's no agency that licenses nonprofits, which isn't true. You have to apply to the state for nonprofit status, as well as to the federal government. You can't just declare yourself nonprofit.

Another thing... the dogs aren't available on the rescue's site whom she claim has the dogs. There is a Jake, but he's only 13 months old and has been hit by a motorcycle. The dogs should be up for adoption if they were given up in December.

[buster-birdi]

Poor woman! I definatley cant realate but she does have my sympathy! It would hurt so much losing your elderly dogs like that! No matter what kind of state she is in its still hard to lose your beloved pets