http://www.thepeterboroughexaminer.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=3451009
Several online members begin to consistently post donation requests on numerous Facebook animal forums. Of particular note is the animal advocacy group "Storm's Animal Allies", asking for donations that provide a link to the same donation page: http://www.gofundme.com/dnktk. The group head claims that she is not involved with the actual rescue of the 4 abandoned dogs, but only trying to aid in the raising of funds out of the goodness of her heart.
The initial information posted on Facebook initially started out describing a very urgent situation:
" dogs were rescued from Peterborough residence. Needs emergency vetting...These dogs were left for several weeks with no food or water, starving and living in their own feces. Infections, swollen anals, swollen ear canals, worms, excreting socks, and so much more that I dare not say ,,,,it would need sensoring...PLEASE HELP...THEY NEED EMERGENCY ARE IMMEDIATELY...We have nofunds left ,,Please make a donation."
Concerned animal lovers began to make paypal and online money transfers in a desperate attempt to save the lives of these animals. The dollars raised on the particular go fund me account mentioned above reached $310 within two days. However, the more questions that were asked over the following days, the more the story changed. Once people could see that there was concern over the legitimacy of the postings, donations came to a halt(at least on the one go fund me account that was found).
Since people began asking which vet was invovled in the animal's care, I decided to call the vet office they claimed the animals were presently at; Brimley Lawrence Clinic. The secretary had no idea what I was talking about and even put me on hold to ask around for more information. Again, nothing.
The version from Storm's Allies then changed dramatically. The dogs had been too scared to go to the vet, so they were waiting until Monday to bring them!! That the dogs had drastically improved and that some sort of vet tech was looking after them in her home. They proceeded to arrange a fund later that same dayat the vet's office where people could donate in person. One woman even offered to provide transport & pay for all vet bills in return for assurance any donations would be paid to back to her. The individuals with the dogs in their care didn't get back to this woman on time and it was too late on Saturday.
The latest comment from these groups is that the dogs only need neutering and vaccinations!! It went from a critical life threatening situation in which the animals need surgery to only a need for routine vet care!
After telling others what I had found out from the vet clinic, I was blocked from Storm Animal Allie's Facebook page. Other members that continued to question were subsequently blocked.
On January 30th, almost A WEEK after the rescue operation, some kind people involved in the rescue world found a wonderful solution that would benefit all involved. Meaning the dogs, Storm's Alliance, and GADASC. Helping Homeless Pets was willing to arrange transport, get appropriate vet care and find suitable adopters for each of the dogs. Helping Homeless Pets is a well known rescue network that consists of dozens of legitimate rescue organizations across the Canada.
http://www.helpinghomelesspets.com/index.htm
Many would jump at an offer like this. This was the perfect assistance for GADASC because they argued the need for donations was that the animals wouldn't be able to visit the vet until they had raised more funds to do so. All the very same people that were trying to help and offer viable solutions were then trying to be blamed. This was finally a solution that was a win win for all. However, GADASC declined turning over the dogs.
They began to cite "the legalities of doing so" since the dogs and owners were under investigation. Difficult to believe because they had carried on about how the Humane Society would do nothing to help. The GADASC website also already had the dogs up for adoption for $300 each! So they were okay to adopt out, but not okay to transfer to an amazing organization "because of the legalities". Pretty absurd to anyone looking at the facts! The dogs ultimately still need rescuing from the rescue.
I have yet to see numerous pictures that they claim were taken from this home. There are a few collaged pictures on the STrom's FB page, but they are barely visible. One seems to have a chocolate lab featured, which does not even fit the description of any of the four rescued dogs. At this time, there have not been any updated photos or descriptions of these dogs. Nobody knows where they are or what state they are actually in.
January 31st the following was posted as an update on the Storm's Animal Alliance's Facebook page:
"UPDATE: WE have managed to get the funds through our many friends, supporters and loans to have the dogs taken to the vet today...Pics will be posted later to appease all the gossip that is continuing. I want to thank all of those who continued believe in me, and to all those who offered support at this time. I will be taking screen shots of all comments that have been posted over the last few day...s, which will be deleted off our page as I feel that we need to get on with other important issues that we deal with on a daily basis. I ask that if you care to visit our page and continue to follow the work that we do ...we welcome you ..as long as this remains positive and no more banter...The issue that was at hand which was getting these dogs to a vet was put to the side due to alot of negative comments and I wish for this to halt! It saddens me, and many others, that the dogs had to suffer over the dislike of a few individuals and that it was only after the negative comments came out, was the help offered by a couple of people. I will be looking into the accusations for myself, as I always do when informed of an organization that is being accused of such acts as you have all stated about Melita and her rescue!"
As of January 31st 6:30 p.m., the vet clinic that these two rescues stated these dogs would be treated at earlier in the day(due to pressure), confirmed that the dogs still had not come in for treatment.
Here are some good blogs which give a synopsis of the story:
http://animalfarm-selkie.blogspot.com/2012/01/horror-in-peterborough.html
http://animalfarm-selkie.blogspot.com/2012/01/horror-in-peterborogh-part-second.html (Part two)
http://www.torontopetdaily.com/2012/01/rescue-groups-storms-animal-allies-and.html
http://www.torontopetdaily.com/2012/01/open-letter-to-storms-animal-allies-and.html(Part two)
http://www.torontopetdaily.com/2012/01/latest-on-storms-animal-alliesgive-dog.html(Part three)
UPDATE AS OF FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 3RD
I called the Brimley Lawrence vet this afternoon for followup.
The woman I spoke to indicated that the fund is still set up for GADASC, but would not mention a name in relation to whom was actually bringing the dogs in. She specified that any funds raised would go specifically towards the 4 dogs from the rescue. When asked if the dogs had in fact visited the clinic, she said one visit for a "once over". A "once over" doesn't even sound like close to a thorough vet check to me.
She also confirmed that the dogs were NOT there for any emergency care.
This means that the dogs visited some time between Wednesday-Friday morning, since Lynn from RAAW had checked in Tuesday evening. Remember, alternatively Texie had reassured everyone that the dogs had been to the vet on Tuesday, which obviously had no truth to it. Here is the excerpt from the Storm's site:
|"UPDATE: WE have managed to get the funds through our many friends, supporters and loans to have the dogs taken to the vet today...Pics will be posted later to appease all the gossip that is continuing. I want to thank all of those who continued believe in me, and to all those who offered support at this time..........The issue that was at hand which was getting these dogs to a vet was put to the side due to alot of negative comments and I wish for this to halt! It saddens me, and many others, that the dogs had to suffer over the dislike of a few individuals and that it was only after the negative comments came out, was the help offered by a couple of people. I will be looking into the accusations for myself, as I always do when informed of an organization that is being accused of such acts as you have all stated about Melita and her rescue!
Share · Tuesday at 12:24pm "
So if the dogs had already received vet care why is the chipin fund still active? Why is the vet still taking donations? Surely a "once over" is not going to cost over $310 for four dogs. Especially if GADASC gets a rescue rate. THERE SHOULD BE NO FURTHER REASON TO COLLECT ANY MONEY IN REGARDS TO THIS ISSUE. Lastly, where are all of the new pictures of the dogs that have been promised?
