Weekly Report for July 31, 2008

from Doll:

The grazers meet in the drive every morning for a new day. They wrestle and chit chat and then Alice and Phoenix break loose and run to the pond, the other girls and Cloud wander down to say 'hi' to arriving staff, tease buddies, and the like. When Billingsley and I head for the hill the crew joins us.

Yesterday, Phoenix discovered an old leg bone, a reminder that our sanctuary was once a cattle farm. She ran too fast for me to get a picture of her carrying it. When she laid it down Billingsley grabbed it and picked right up where she'd left off.

Phoenix is a busy girl. She makes certain Norman is still in his hideout until the chicken area gate is repaired. Norman's brothers don't like him so he's still under house protection.

Penny Lane is the beautiful and very sweet little red dapple who arrived the other day. It was very said, her guardian suffers from leukemia, her third bout with cancer, and she wanted to make certain Penny Lane would be well cared for. It happened to be her birthday and probably was a birthday present for her knowing she wouldn't have to worry about her Penny Lane.

Special and Awesome, the two puppies that turned up at Laure's house a few weeks back, are doing fantastic. They were in such bad shape when Lauren rescued them and we feared Awesome wouldn't make it. They are both doing terrific and will be headed to Denver on our next transport.

The kittens too are prospering. I did get alarmed today though when I heard sneezing - we'll just have to watch and see.

Kaleidoscope is a very unhappy cat. She hides form us and from the cats all day long. We haven't given her something to hide in because we were hoping she'd give in and join the other cats. That hasn't happened, so well have to try something else to make her more comfortable.

A hoarder just outside of Oakland, MS has many needy animals. After visiting I believe we can help them and her, too.

We're working on other cases and we'll share more when it's appropriate.

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Weekly Report for July 23, 2008

From Doll:

Hi Everyone. It's been another packed week of amazing highs and flat out 'oh no' moments.

Phillip and Hayden help Rodney become acquainted with his new pasture. Rodney was discovered blind and wandering on his own. We want to thank Kelly, her vet clinic and the Carthage sale barn for rescuing Rodney and seeking our guardianship for this really sweet horse.

Phoenix came to us a few months back - picked up off the side of he road by a good Samaritan. Phoenix was either scaled with hot liquid or had a caustic substance poured on him. His back and and the back of his next had open wounds that were not very old. Fortunately, he arrived when the doctors from Mississippi State were here doing spay/neuter surgeries and they were able to look at him and treat him right away. It's been a tough recovery for him, but as you can see in the photo, he's doing much better and enjoying his time with us.

A young woman who works at the Grenada Cinema rescued Liz from a breeder who planned to shoot her because Liz failed to breed. Liz arrived Sunday, emaciated and starving. She's delightful and bonding with her new run mates, Roscoe and Lance.

Dr. Abernathy was here Tuesday evening to address a deep puncture Rodney received to his chest before arriving. While he was cleaning the wound and determining if there was danger to the artery beneath it, our neighbor, Candy, rushed an injured cat to us. The cat's bulging eye had turned a sickening brown. Doc took her back to the clinic with him. Candice, as we now know her, lost her eye, but is really enjoying the perks of our cattery.

Sanctuary life is as replete with the dark realities of rescue as the joys we experience. Adam and his sisters Melody and Coconut arrived at the Sanctuary about a week ago. Upon arrivel, they seemed fine, but unfortunately all three broke with parovirus on Monday. Just hours before we were relishing their new lease on life. Now the gnawing sorrow of knowing their short lives are gravely imperiled is so sad. We will do whatever we can to pull them through this, but brace ourselves for the possibility that despite our efforts this insidious virus may take them.

We've been treating a group of sick kittens at the sanctuary and at the direction of our veterinarian, have tried a number of medications, but nothing seems to have helped.
What may simply be a cold can also be FIP, chlamyda or another virus altogether. Tests for these diseases conclude only that a cat has been exposed to them - not that the cat is suffering the effects, so we're back to basics here and just administered penicillin to the kittens who've not improved with the other medications prescribed.

A couple of days ago Lauren discovered two abandoned pups beneath her porch and brought them in to the Sanctuary. 'Awesome' and 'Special' are doing better, but their condition was so grave initially that we placed them in quarantine.

We're still seeking aid for the dogs and cats in jeopardy at the hoarders we've been alerted to and the numerous horses reported to be neglected. Please contact doll@idausa.org, if you can help.

Two local communities have asked us for help in establishing shelter and care for their stray animals. We've promised guidance if their officials are willing and committed to following through with building facilities and establishing policies for humane capture and care.

We've also been asked for help for five big cats we've known for many years. Their faithful guardian has run into hard times and has not garnered support for his efforts and will likely
turn over guardianship of them to a more stable environment. The response we've received thus far has been very promising.

You may remember Billingsley from a report a couple of weeks back. Until we can create a safer enclosure for him, he's staying in with the 'grazers'. Billingsley has a nasty habit of jumping, and easily clearing, every fence on the property. He needs his exercise, so I often accompany him and the group of grazers on evening walks and on this early evening walk, the sky was absolutely beautiful. It's a really pretty time of the year at Hope Sanctuary - my favorite time of the year. The walks are a good chance to take a break and spend some quiet time with the dogs and just enjoy the scenery - if only for a little while.

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Weekly Update for July 17, 2008

From Doll:

Dr. Bushby and his team of veterinary students visited on Friday, July 11th. His and his team managed to spay/neuter every unaltered animal with the exception of a few who are battling illness.

We had a litter of kittens arrive emaciated, with coccidia, upper respiratory and intestinal worms. Sadly, despite our best efforts and the efforts of the doctors at Veterinary Associates in Grenada, we lost three of the litter.

Pretty Girl, a very precious, shy dog who has graced us with her cautious affection for 10 years had her fatty tumor removed. It's the second time she's had surgery for the persistent growth. Everything went well and she's already almost fully recovered.

The Delta Today and Grenada Star features on Hope Sanctuary were terrific, but so far have not generated the funds we'd hoped they might. However, Dr. Holden, a retired veterinarian who we've worked with quite a bit over the years, did see the piece in the Grenada Star and made a very generous donation. Although retired, he remains very active and just returned from the Ukraine where he was working to help establish veterinary clinics in remote parts of the country. He is truly a compassionate human being.

Thank you to everyone who did call or donate in response to the two articles. We appreciate your support and encouragement.

As always, if you'd like to become a supporter of our work, please visit: https://secure.ga0.org/02/idadonations_project.

We are continuing to work on a animal hoarding case a few counties over. A woman and her wheelchair-bound son have about 70 dogs. Law enforcement have been working with us, but the process has been slow. We are in need of a place to move these dogs and funds for their care. Please do e-mail (doll@idausa.org) or call 662-237-0233, if you think you can help.

We've also received a call from law enforcement in another county about another hoarder. Details at the moment are still fuzzy, but we're told there are over 100 cats in and around the property. We'll give more details once we know more about the case.

I'm preparing for the AR2008 Conference, where I'll be one of the IDA presenters this year. My topics are: Running a Sanctuary, Engaging the Community, Conducting Investigations, Enforcing Protective Laws, and Abuse of Animal Companions. I love attending this conference and getting the chance to speak about these important issues. It's very empowering and I certainly hope I reach people and make them think about things they may not have considered before.

A dear friend of ours, Robin Rogers, helped out this weekend. She cleared the pig and dog buildings of bedding (hay) so they can be cleaned. The pigs, especially BJ, will want their hay back right away, but the dogs won't need it until it starts to turn cold in the Fall. BJ is very protective of his hay and tries to put it back as fast as you remove it. He gets so frustrated that he offers to take you on if you continue. He's really sweet, he just doesn't like anyone messing with his stuff.

I want to thank my staff for the days of pleasure working with them and seeing how sweet they are with the animals and the joy they take in the whimsical and intentional acts that never cease to amaze us.

Finally, a sad follow-up on Samuel, who we first mentioned in last week's report. Samuel was diagnosed with advanced demodectic mange. His feet had begun to swell and the bacterial infection and associated afflictions of the advanced stages of the parasitic infestation, coupled with his emaciated condition resulted in a little to no chance of recovery prognosis. After consultation with a couple of our veterinarians, it was decided the best thing to do was spare him any further suffering.

In the wake of the news about Samuel, Hope Sanctuary staff didn't have a happy morning. As we cared for the many animals who truly would have died without our intervention, we were able to do what folks must do to carry on - be thankful, say goodbye and not forget. Samuel will live on in our hearts and we are grateful for the brief time we shared with him.

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Weekly Update for July 7, 2008

From Doll:

We've had some really positive media coverage this week. Delta Today, which is a publication of Mississippi Power and is distributed to all their customers, gave us a center spread and the reporter did a really nice job. Also, Grenada's Daily Star newspaper came out yesterday to do a story about the state of the economy and the importance of providing help locally to those in need, be they human or non-human.

Unfortunately, we're receiving a higher than normal number of calls from people locally seeking help for abused, abandoned and neglected animals. We are doing our best to offer advice and help guide them to local resources, where there are any. We are working directly with several complainants to pursue the more egregious cases.

An example is a case right here at home in Carroll County. Today I asked for aid from the Carroll County Sheriff's Office with the neglect of an injured dog. A deputy agreed to speak to the animal's guardians and if they're unwilling or unable to afford veterinary care for her, they will be asked to surrender her to our custody.

We also received a visit from fellow rescuer Stephanie Ferguson, who brought us a juvenile dog (Samuel) ravaged by mange. The woman who found him didn't want him to go to the Winona Pound because she knew he'd be killed. The Pound is becoming notorious for their bad animal care practices and is once again overcrowded with pups and adults. We've called on the Mayor on several occasions to help get it cleaned up, but progress is slow.

Samuel is at Veterinary Associates in Grenada. We need to determine if he's suffering from Demodectic or Sarcoptic mange. If he's suffering from Sarcoptic mange, even as extensive as his sores are, we should be able to treat and cure him. However, if it's Demodectic mange, with an infection as bad as he has, we sadly may not be able to save him. We'll just have to wait for the results and as always, hope for the best.

Stephanie also brought a cat. The property owner where the cat showed up planned to shot her- an all too common occurrence in Mississippi. We asked Stephanie to run her to the Vet for a Feline Leukemia test. We've named her Stephanie in honor of her rescuer.

Linda and Peggy, sisters and owners of Two Sisters Cafe, also asked us to take a cat they found. They're big time 'cat people' and have rescued scores of cats and take very good care of them. We've offered to aid with placement through transport if we have room on one of our upcoming trips.

Yesterday, a Comcast employee rushed in to ask for help with a young dog he found on the road. Cody is now doing fine. He's very skinny, but that's something easily remedied here.

We also had a visit yesterday from a woman who came in with three pups she rescued from the side of the road. Sadly, one of their siblings had been struck and killed. A fate these three would no doubt have also suffered had she not acted. Coconut, Melody, and Adam are adorable and improving.

Nora, too, arrived yesterday. Terrified and covered with parasites, we bathed and inoculated her. Now more at ease, she met and played with Blueberry, Samantha and Susie.

Speaking of Susies, I awoke this morning to huge racket, one of our pigs, Susie, was strolling around in the dog area. She twisted her gate completely off it's hinges. Not satisfied with a stroll near the trees where there are no dogs, she was to face-to-face with several dog clans while several of our 'grazers' (dogs who roam free at the Sanctuary) trotted along with her. No one was hurt and with a little wrangling, Susie was back in the safety of her area.

Finally, we are happy to welcome Hayden to our crew. He is my weekend assistant. Keeping things in the family can be a good, or a not so good thing - in this case it's very good. Phillip and Lauren are siblings and Hayden is their cousin. Welcome Hayden.

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About Hope Sanctuary

In 1992, Doll Stanley, Northern California girl and In Defense of Animals (IDA) employee, was dispatched to Mississippi to investigate cases of companion animals turning up missing. We're talking about hundreds and hundreds of dogs and cats from all over Mississippi. What Doll's investigation turned up was horrifying. Several "entrepreneurs" were literally driving around the back roads of Mississippi and taking people's companion animals, then selling those animals to licensed USDA animal dealers who in turn were selling them to animal research facilities. It was as bad as it could get.

Doll, with the help of a team of people in IDA's home office, worked to identify these criminals, document their crimes and shut them down.

As Doll and IDA's work became known around Mississippi and people got to know her and understand her commitment and passion for helping animals, folks started coming to her with other stories about animals in need. Needing a place to house these animals seized from cruelty investigations and neglect cases, Hope Sanctuary was born.

What started as a somewhat brief trip to Mississippi to investigate missing companion animals has turned into a 15 year and counting crusade to help animals of all shapes and sizes all over Mississippi and other areas of the Deep South.

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