ANIMALS IN GREENE COUNTY, INDIANA

2009-04-14T15:34:00.000-07:00

EAGLE SHOT IN GREENE COUNTY INDIANA-REWARD!!!!

http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=31470093

The American Bald Eagle recently shot in Smith Township has died.
The severely injured 3 1/2-year-old male eagle was reported to Indiana Conservation officer Mike Gregg last Sunday afternoon near County Road 800W -- just north of County Road 600N -- northeast of Linton.
The eagle -- suffering from a massive gunshot wound -- was taken to a federally license rehabilitator, Return to the Wild, Inc., located in Nashville, Ind., for care. The age of the bird was determined after an assessment was made at the Hillview Veterinary Clinic in Franklin.
"The eagle had to be put down -- euthanized -- last night (Thursday) about 6 p.m," Indiana Conservation Officer spokesman Max Winchell told the Greene County Daily World on Friday morning. "It had just too much damage to several different bones and the muscle tissue wasn't responding like they had hoped. I guess it was too bad. I asked them if they could have amputated the wing to save it and they said part of it would have had to been amputated anyway. It was just a really bad wound."
The dead bird has been turned over to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Winchell stated.
Through x-rays the type of caliber weapon that was used has been determined, but investigators don't want to release that information at this time, according to Winchell.
The DNR spokesman said investigators have received several leads in the case since news of the incident was released to the media Tuesday morning.
"We're following up on some leads. We've got some other leads that were called in. We really appreciate that. If anyone has any other information, we still want that," he said. "We are still actively working on it."
A minimum of a $1,500 reward is available for information leading to an arrest of the person responsible for shooting. Greene County Crime Stoppers also is offering a reward.
Winchell said the shooting of an American Bald Eagle is a serious federal crime.
The bald eagle, America's national symbol, was removed from the U.S. threatened and endangered species list in 2007.
Bald eagles were first listed as "endangered" in 1967, after hunting, poisoning and widespread use of DDT reduced the number of bald eagles to 417 breeding pairs in the continental United States. The eagles' status was changed from "endangered" to "threatened" in 1995. Today, there are bald eagles in Alaska and all of the lower 48 states, and 10,000 breeding pairs nationwide, according to a story that was published in the Washington Post.
Even though bald eagles are no longer listed as "endangered," federal laws and policies -- specifically, the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act and the Migratory Bird Treaty Act protects them.
The shooting of a bald eagle -- whether it dies or not -- is a felony under federal statute with a fine up to $100,000 and/or up to one year in jail or both, according to Winchell.
Winchell said it's a possibility that the eagle may have been mistaken for a turkey vulture or other large bird, and he added that an immature eagle does resemble a turkey vulture because it's all black.
"They (eagles) are considered mature by the age of five and this one was 3 1/2, but most of its head feathers were white," Winchell pointed out.
Greene County Prosecutor Jarrod Holtsclaw called the eagle shooting a shame and indicated that legal action would be faced by the individual or individuals responsible if investigators are successful in their probe of the incident.
"I can't believe that anyone would intentionally shoot a bald eagle," Holtsclaw said Friday afternoon. "The number one rule of hunting is identify your target before you fire the arrow or shoot the gun. It's a shame this happened."
Conservation Officers have been interviewing area residents and are seeking any information about this crime.
"There have been other animals that have been shot in the area and we believe the shootings may be related," Gregg said earlier this week.
Conservation officers are interested in speaking with anyone who was traveling in the area of CR 800W and CR600N on March 15 or that has traveled through the area in the last month.
"This is a fairly remote and low traffic area. Information about vehicles that have been seen in the area could help make this case" Gregg noted.
Anyone with information relating to this case is asked to call the Turn in a Poacher hotline at 1-800-TIP-IDNR.

2008-09-09T11:40:00.000-07:00

2008-09-07T16:07:00.000-07:00

IT'S BEEN A LONG, HARD YEAR....BUT WE ARE STILL HERE!! NEITHER EARTQUAKE, FLOOD or TORNADO'S deterred our mission!

It's been a hellaciously rough year in our area, with earthquakes that made massive old oaks which provided shade unstable and they had to be removed. After that came severe flooding. Flooding, oddly, turned to drought, with no flowing water to homes for nearly a week (a water main broke under a flood area and could not be reached to be fixed). Shortly thereafter our county was likewise declared a disaster area due to Tornados damage.

We feel happy and blessed that despite some damage and costs we lost nothing that wasn't replacable, and the animals in our care continued to receive all the care they needed.

WE COULD REALLY USE YOUR HELP!!! With all the disasters befalling elsewhere and people losing their homes and jobs, donations and grants have been very sparse. We do all we can to continue top notch care for animals in our sanctuary but we are unable to continue to take in new animals in need as we struggle to maintain those we have. PLEASE HELP US CONTINUE TO GROW AND HELP MORE ANIMALS BY DONATING TODAY! We gratefully accept any donation via mail at Rt 2, Box 219C, Jasonville, IN. 47438 or through our Paypal site which is listed and linked on our home page at midwestanimals.petfinder.com. THANK YOU FROM THE ANIMALS AND THE HUMANS HOLDING DOWN THE FORT!

2008-02-22T17:17:00.000-08:00

IS COMPASSION THE RADICALISM OF OUR TIME?

Based on the names I've personally been called in my efforts to help animals, Compassion IS indeed the new radicalism. This is from our friends in Ohio.

While driving down River Road the other evening the car ahead of mine made a definite swerve into the opposing lane in an effort to hit a cat that was sitting in the road. They hit and killed the cat.
It was difficult to ascertain from behind, but my guess is they were in their late teens, early twenties and out for a joy ride. I could see them waving their arms around in the air in a triumphant manner.
Tears came to my eyes, because the death of this cat affected me in an entirely different way.
Why is it, do you suppose, that so many children are becoming less compassionate? What would possess someone to not only senselessly take a life, but to enjoy the act of killing, as if they had earned a game point?
Dr. Albert Schweitzer, Recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize in 1952, said, "There slowly grew up in me an unshakable conviction that we have no right to inflict suffering and death on another living creature unless there is some unavoidable necessity for it, and that we ought all of us to feel what a horrible thing it is to cause suffering and death out of mere thoughtlessness. And this conviction has influenced me only more and more strongly with time. I have grown more and more certain that at the bottom of our heart we all think this, and that we fail to acknowledge it because we are afraid of being laughed at by other people as sentimentalists, though partly also because we allow our best feelings to get blunted. But I vowed that I would never let my feelings get blunted, and that I would never be afraid of the reproach of sentimentalism."
Compassion is indeed the radicalism of our time.

2008-02-22T15:35:00.000-08:00

THIS STORY OF HOPE AND COMPASSION FOR ANIMALS IN THE MIDDLE OF IRAQI WAR ZONE, BROUGHT TEARS TO OUR EYES.
Dog Saved by Marine Gets Home in US
By CHELSEA J. CARTER,
AP
Posted: 2008-02-22 12:17:29
Filed Under: Iraq News
SAN DIEGO (Feb. 22) - It began with a simple act of kindness to save an abused, injured dog from becoming one more victim in the Iraq war.

Major Brian Dennis, AP
The DogsOf War
1 of 4
While on patrol in Iraq last October, Marine Maj. Brian Dennis and his squad got to know a dog who came around and took scraps of food. One night in late December, Dennis found the dog in bad shape. It was bitten, stabbed, nearly freezing and close to death. Dennis treated the dog, whom he called Nubs, and slept with him that night to keep him warm.
But what followed for Marine Maj. Brian Dennis and the mutt was a tale of friendship and loyalty that spanned miles and overcame long odds - one set to take a turn Friday with the anticipated arrival here of the Marine's best friend."This dog who had been through a lifetime of fighting, war, abuse ... is going to live the good life," Dennis told his family in an e-mail from Iraq.The tale unfolded in October, a few months after Dennis deployed to Iraq from San Diego to work as part of the military team building infrastructure along the Syria-Iraq border and training Iraqi forces to take over.Dennis, 36, of St. Pete Beach, Fla., had volunteered for the assignment. It was a departure from his role as a fighter pilot. He had seen the country from the air, but it was different on the ground.

Dennis wrote stories home about the reciprocal relationship that desert dogs, strays wandering outside border towns, had with Iraqis."The dogs get to eat the Iraqi scraps and have a home in the middle of the desert," he wrote in an e-mail. "The Iraqis get an incredible early warning system; these dogs hear anything approaching from miles away and go nuts and scramble to defend their territory."While on patrol in the Anbar province, Dennis spotted what appeared to be a gray and white, male German shepherd-border collie mix. He named the dog Nubs after learning someone cut the ears off believing it would make the dog more aggressive and alert.Within weeks, Nubs was greeting Dennis during routine patrol stops along border communities. The Marines fed him bits of their food and by November, the Marine and his unit were keeping an eye out for the dog, which routinely chased their Humvees when they departed.Life on the run, however, was taking a toll on the dog. He had lost a tooth and been bitten in the neck. In late December, Dennis found Nubs near death in freezing temperatures. The dog had been stabbed with a screwdriver.Dennis rubbed antibiotic cream on the wound and slept with Nubs to keep him warm."I really expected when I woke up for watch he would be dead," Dennis wrote. "Somehow he made it through the night."Dennis thought he had seen the last of the dog days later when his squad headed back to its command post some 65 miles away. He couldn't take the dog with him and watched as it tried to follow the Humvees away from the border.Two days later, while Dennis and a comrade were working on a Humvee, he looked up and saw the dog staring at him."Somehow that crazy damned dog tracked us," he wrote Jan. 9.But the reunion was short lived. Military policy prohibits having pets in war zones, and Dennis was given four days to get the dog off the base or kill him.The decision was easy: Nubs was going to San Diego. The logistics, though, were anything but easy.With help from his Iraqi interpreter, Dennis managed to find a Jordanian veterinarian to get the care and paperwork needed to get the dog to the states. He also negotiated the red tape to get Nubs across the border into Jordan.His family and close friends helped raise the $3,500 needed to get the dog from Amman, Jordan, to San Diego, said his mother, Marsha Cargo."I just can't believe it. Out there in the middle of nowhere these two find each other," Cargo said.A colleague in San Diego agreed to care for the dog and have it trained until Dennis returns in March from Iraq."We anticipate a real steep learning curve for Nubs," Capt. Eric Sjoberg said. "We want him to learn to just be a dog."For now, though, Dennis will settle for the knowledge that Nubs is finally safe - and waiting for his master to follow him.
Copyright 2008 The Associated Press. The information contained in the AP news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press. All active hyperlinks have been inserted by AOL.
2008-02-22 08:46:45

2008-01-24T16:56:00.000-08:00

HELP KEEP KITTENS "KOZY" !!!! DONATE TODAY!!

Winter weather is bringing massive increases in our electric bills, as we heat 3 buildings to be comfortable for our feline friends to relax in. Although we are being as frugal as possible, our electric provider has steadily increased the cost per kilowatt of energy, and this is the first winter of heating our 3rd building for constant cat residents. We make sure all our furbabies are snuggly and cut back in all areas possible. Usually we can get by with heat lamps throughout the buildings, but recent extreme cold temps means we have to use of portable oil heaters to keep the temps livable. PLEASE HELP OUT WITH A DONATION IF YOU CAN, and HELP "KEEP KITTENS KOZY"! Thank you!

2007-12-07T15:10:00.000-08:00

A Forgotten Dogs Christmas

'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care
In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there
The children were nestled all snug in their beds
With no thought of the dog filling their head
And Ma' in her 'kerchief, and I in my cap
Knew he was cold, but didn't care about that
When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter
Away to the window I flew like a flash
Figuring the dog was free of his chain and into the trash
The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow
Gave the luster of mid-day to objects below
When, what to my wondering e yes should appear
But Santa Claus - with eyes full of tears
He un-chained the dog, once so lively and quick
Last year's Christmas present, now thin and sick
More rapid than eagles he called the dog's name
And the dog ran to him, despite all his pain
"Now, DASHER! now, DANCER! now, PRANCER and VIXEN!On, COMET! on CUPID! on, DONNER and BLITZEN!
To the top of the porch! To the top of the wall!
Let's find this dog a home where he'll be loved by all."
I knew in an instant there would be no gifts this year
For Santa Claus had made one thing quite clear
The gift of a dog is not just for the season
We had gotten the pup for all the wrong reasons
In our haste to think of the kids a gift
There was one important thing that we missed
A dog should be family, and cared for the same
You don't give a gift, then put it on a chain
And I heard him exclaim as he rode out of sight
"You weren't given a gift! You were given a LIFE!"
Author Unknown

2007-11-27T15:12:00.000-08:00

MAJOR PUPPY MILLER EXPOSED IN ODON INDIANA AMISH COUNTRY- LEVI GRABER

"Puppy Mills" are horrendous places were dogs are used as livestock, kept contained in small cages, bred until they can breed no more and then killed". The shame of this industry is throughout Indiana and many other states and is the prime reason pupppies should never be purchased from 'pet stores' and 'back yard breeders'.

As reported on Indianapolis WTHR news channel.

http://www.wthr.com/global/Story.asp?s=7409962

13 InvestigatesIndiana's Puppy Pipeline
Posted:
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Nov 26, 2007 03:03 PM EST
Updated:
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Nov 26, 2007 10:50 PM EST

Puppy Pipeline Part 1
Puppy Pipeline Part 2: Preview
Check All Clear All

This cocker spaniel puppy at a south-side pet store...
...came from this commercial breeding farm in Daviess County.
Puppy broker Levi Graber tried to have WTHR staff arrested during their recent visit to a puppy breeder.
Richard Isley plays with schnauzer puppies that will not become part of the Puppy Pipeline.
Joe Street says the caged breeding dogs that supply Uncle Bill’s with puppies “have all their needs met.”
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HEADLINES

Bob Segall/13 Investigates
Have you ever wondered where pet shops get all those cute little puppies? We did, and what 13 Investigates discovered is something many pet stores do not want you to see. We went undercover to help you understand how this big business operates and to show you exactly where most of these dogs come from.They are cute, cuddly companions just waiting for a new family. But where do pet store puppies come from?
"Our puppies come from local breeders who are USDA-licensed," a sales clerk told me during a recent visit to a pet shop. She was truthful. At the same time, she was not telling the whole story.
What most pet shops do not tell customers is their abundant supply of puppies comes from a well-hidden puppy pipeline. That pipeline is a big business made possible by commercial breeding, a process that requires many dogs to live their adult lives confined to a cage.
13 Investigates spent eight months tracking the state's internal puppy pipeline, and it begins in a place few people would expect.
Daviess County is a quiet farming community two hours southwest of Indianapolis, and it is also the puppy breeding capital of Indiana. Towns such as Odon and Loogootee are home to dozens of Amish families who operate large-scale breeding kennels.
The kennels are not advertised. Many are tucked behind picturesque farm houses well away from publicly-traveled dirt roads. They are commercial breeding operations and each year, the facilities supply local pet shops with thousands of puppies. During our visits to Daviess County, 13 Investigates found cage after cage filled with dogs whose sole purpose is to breed puppies. Many of the facilities cage between 60 and 200 dogs and, together, they offer pet stores nearly any breed desired.
From the breeding farms, puppies are loaded inside small cages in a cargo van to be delivered to pet stores which, in some cases, are located hours away. Which pet stores the puppies are delivered to is not a big concern to the breeders.
"When they leave here, we've got no idea where they're going," said one of the breeders.
The breeders do not know the destination of their puppies because the sales and deliveries are controlled by a middleman or "broker." The most prominent broker in Daviess County is Levi Graber, who provides puppies to Safari Pets (PDF) and Uncle Bill's Pet Centers in Indianapolis and Pass Pets in Bloomington. Graber does not like strangers asking questions about the puppy pipeline.
When 13 Investigates went to the home of a breeder in Odon, Ind., to ask about details of her commercial kennel, Graber met WTHR photojournalist Bill Ditton and me in front of the home, blocked our news vehicle from leaving the driveway and called sheriff's deputies to have us arrested. Two Daviess County deputies responded to the complaint and declined to issue charges. "You obviously didn't do anything wrong," said one of the deputies.
At that point, Graber told us "hit the road, and I mean do it immediately." He then followed us for more than an hour and filed another complaint with the sheriff's department as we drove around Daviess County gathering more information for our investigation.
Several days later, the puppy broker apologized.
"I should not have treated you that way," Graber said during a face-to-face meeting in Indianapolis. "That was not a smart thing to do, but we are very skeptical when people start asking lots of questions."
Graber said his breeders have nothing to hide. He said they maintain clean and safe facilities, regularly call in a veterinarian to inspect the animals, and "do whatever's necessary to make sure the dogs are happy."
It is important to point out that all of the dogs and puppies we saw appeared to be well fed and in good health. Still, Graber says the public is not welcome at the breeding facilities. "When strangers come in, it means a lot of stress for both the dogs and the breeders," he explained.
There is another important reason the puppy pipeline is not open for public viewing: it would create a public image problem for pet stores.
"People's perception of this is not going to be good," said Joe Street, vice president of Uncle Bill's Pet Centers, the largest pet store chain in central Indiana. "I have no problem with what you found, but most people will not like seeing that."
Uncle Bill's sells about 2,500 puppies a year, according to Street, and most of those come from Levi Graber and his network of Amish breeders.
"Without a doubt, unequivocally, I can state that they are the best quality puppies that we have been able to find," Street said. At the same time, he admits many of his customers will not like seeing the reality of commercial breeding, which 13 Investigates captured on undercover video.
"People are going see all those dogs in cages and think 'I wouldn't want to live in those conditions ... I wouldn't want to live in a cage,'" he said. "What they don't realize is dogs are not people. They do fine in cages and, actually, they'd rather be around other dogs than around your or me. The reality is all of their needs are being met, so I have no problem with that whatsoever."
Not everyone agrees.
Richard and Linda Isley breed AKC-registered schnauzers in their Franklin home. Unlike the dogs and puppies we saw in Daviess County, the Isley's schnauzers sleep in a warm bedroom, they have plenty of room to run and play and they get lots of human attention. The family breeds one litter of puppies per year and you won't find any of those puppies in a pet store.
"Dogs are very social. They want to be with you, Linda Isley said. "In commercial set-ups they don't live that kind of life. It's kind of like a prison. A responsible breeder would never sell their puppies to a pet store."
Raising puppies with human interaction helps to socialize them for a future home, according to Deborah Howard, founder of the Companion Animal Protection Society. The organization opposes commercial breeding because of its impact on adult dogs.
"If your dog was kept in a run or kept in a cage day in and day out, didn't get out, wasn't socialized, wasn't allowed into a home, didn't get to interact with people, would you want your dog in that situation?" Howard asked. "That's a commercial livestock condition."
Graber said some of his breeders allow their adult dogs out of their cages to run free "on nice days." 13 Investigates visited commercial breeding facilities in Daviess County on several warm, dry days this fall and saw only caged dogs - none running free.
WTHR's undercover video troubled veterinarians at the Humane Society of Indianapolis. The video shows lots of flies and piles of feces in and around some of the cages. The veterinarians expressed concern not only with some of the hygiene conditions, but also with the construction of some of the cages. Those cages have floors consisting of wood slats that are spaced apart to allow for urine and feces to pass through. Janet Lubinski, the Humane Society's senior director of shelter services, says the slats may be spaced too far apart.
"It's an opportunity for [dogs'] feet and their legs to get caught and injured in those spaces," the veterinarian said.
After seeing WTHR's video, Street told 13 Investigates he plans to visit the kennels that provide puppies to Uncle Bill's. If he sees any conditions that are detrimental to the dogs, Street said he will require the breeders to make changes.
"If the animals' needs are not being met, they know I won't do business with them," he said. "I've been down there before; the conditions have always looked good...and I really do believe this is the best way to produce healthy companion animals for people."
If it is the best way, few people get to see it. Pet stores, breeders and brokers - none of them want you to see puppies moving along Indiana's puppy pipeline. That's why the pipeline has been such a well-kept secret. Despite the secret, there's a huge supply and lots of demand, and that means this pipeline will keep on flowing.
In the meantime, local animal shelters and Humane Societies remind you they have thousands of dogs looking for good homes through adoption.
Coming up Tuesday on the Nightbeat: For some local pet shops, the puppy pipeline stretches far outside Indiana. Bob Segall and 13 Investigates is going to take you undercover again -- hundreds of miles away -- to show you something you've never seen before. It's the private world of dog auctions -- where the highest bidder wins, but consumers and puppies sometimes lose. See that part of our undercover investigation Tuesday night on Eyewitness News at 11:00 pm.
Thinking about adopting a pet?
If you are thinking about purchasing or adopting a new pet, here are some resources to check out:
Indianapolis Humane Society 7929 Michigan RdIndianapolis, IN 46268(317) 872-5650 Indyhumane.org
Puppy Buying Guide Tips from Humane Society of U.S.Companion Animal Protection Society American Kennel Club list of dog rescue organizations

2007-11-21T16:33:00.000-08:00

One horse killed, another wounded near Linton
http://gcdailyworld.com/story/1292226.html

Oreo is dead.
A beautiful black horse with a bright white blaze on its nose, Oreo was shot with a .22 caliber gun and found lifeless in a Greene County pasture Monday.
Oreo was one of two horses shot on the same property. The other horse, Tigger, was shot with a deer rifle but is expected to recover.
Oreo and Tigger's owners, Ken and Karen Diehl, live in a heavily wooded area on a Linton rural route and had eight horses. Now they have seven.
"It's deer season and we've heard shooting all week," said Ken. "Around dark, I started looking for the horses, went down past the creek and over to the other field and found Oreo dead. I led one of the others back up to the corral area and the rest followed. Once we got up to the corral, I saw that Tigger had been shot too."
The Diehls called their veterinarian and the Greene County Sheriff's Department and both arrived about the same time.
"The vet looked at Oreo and told us it was a .22," said Diehl. "He wasn't able to tell us if the horse had been shot right there or if he might have been shot somewhere else and just dropped there."
The call record at the Greene County Sheriff's Department is a report of shots fired near C.R. 1250 West and C.R. 545 North. A report is not available yet but the case is being investigated by Greene County Sheriff's Deputy Leon Dunigan.
For now, the Diehls are left to speculate about what happened to their horses. They could have been shot accidentally by hunters, but two horses, one black and one red, by two different guns does not sound like an accident.
Lana Robertson, president of the Greene County Humane Society and member of the Greene County Horse Council, says it's been a long time since she's heard of any horses being accidentally shot.
If this were an accident, Robertson wondered why the hunters did not contact the owners rather than just leaving. If this was done on purpose, Robertson said she hopes the people are found and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
"I would strongly advise hunters to take every care and precaution they can to make sure they know what they're shooting at before they raise that gun," said Robertson.
Oreo was a Haflinger, a breed of horse that looks like a small Belgian horse. They're about 54-56 inches tall, shorter than most horses but they have a stocky build.
Tigger, who is a reddish half-Haflinger and half-quarter horse, is now recuperating inside the Diehl barn.
"The vet thinks he's going to be OK, as long as there's no infection," said Ken. "We're lucky it's not fly season. He's had penicillin and tetanus shots and we're using a special cleaning solution and a salve on his wound."
The rest of the Diehl horses are going to be staying in the corral by the barn for the rest of hunting season.
Robertson says that would be a wise precaution for all horse owners to take at this time of year.
"I advise people to keep their horses up near the barn or even inside the barn during hunting season," said Robertson. "I've even known of people who splashed white or orange paint on their horses if they're in an area that's heavily hunted."

2007-11-02T19:00:00.000-07:00

ALL THINGS HAPPEN FOR GOOD REASON! :)

TWIST AND SHAKE IT UP!!

Recent events have brought forth much needed change! New, exciting and motivated people have come forward to offer help and support! We will soon be appointing new board members and moving forward with likeminded individuals towards the goal of helping ease (and someday end) animal suffering in Greene County, Indiana.

In this season of change, changing leaves , changing times, we do feel change is good! To change is to grow!

Big thanks to all those of you who have helped us in the past and those we have just met!

2007-10-27T16:15:00.000-07:00

2007-10-14T17:28:00.000-07:00

This 'joke' email has circulated among rescue workers and animal groups for some time now, but due to it's pretty accurate protrayal of how volunteer rescues feel sometimes, we wanted to share it with you.

Hello, You have reached 123-4567, Tender Hearts Rescue. Due to the high volume of calls we have been receiving, please listen closely to the following options and choose the one that best describes you or your situation:
Press 1 if you think we are veterinarians and want free medical advice.

Press 2 if you know we are a rescue organization but want to save money and have us give you free, untrained medical advice anyway.

Press 3 if you make $200,000 a year but still want us to pay to spay the "stray" in your yard (house).

Press 4 if you have a 10-year-old cat and your 15-year-old son has suddenly become allergic and you need to find the cat a new home right away.

Press 5 if you have three cats, had a baby and want to get rid of your cats because you are the only person in the world to have a baby and cats at the same time.

Press 6 if your cat is sick and needs a vet but you need the money for your vacation.

Press 7 if you just got a brand new kitten and your old cat is having problems adjusting so you want to get rid of the old one right away.

Press 8 if your little kitten has grown up and is no longer small and cute and you want to trade it in for a new model.

Press 9 if you are elderly and want to adopt a cute kitten who is not active and is going to outlive you.

Press 10 if your relative has died and you don't want to care for their elderly cats because they don't fit your lifestyle.

Press 11 if you are moving today and need to immediately place your 150 pound, 8-year-old, unaltered, aggressive dog.

Press 12 if you want an unpaid volunteer to come to your home today and pick up the animal you no longer want.

Press 13 if you have been feeding and caring for a "stray" for the last three years, are moving and suddenly determine it's not your pet.

Press 14 if you are calling at 6 a.m. to make sure you wake me up before I have to go to work so you can drop a pet off on your way to work.

Press 15 to leave us an anonymous garbled message, letting us know you have left an animal in our yard in the middle of January, which is in fact, better than just leaving the animal with no message.

Press 16 if you are going to get angry because we are not going to take your pet that you have had for fifteen years, because it is not our responsibility.

Press 17 if you are going to threaten to take your ten year old cat to be euthanized because we can't get to your house in the next hour.

Press 18 if you're going to get angry because the volunteer had the audacity to go on vacation and leave the animals in care of another trusted volunteer who is not authorized to take your personal pet.

Press 19 if you want one of the perfectly trained, housebroken, kid and cat friendly purebred tiny dogs that we have an abundance of.

Press 20 if you want us to take your dog that has a slight aggression problem, i.e. has only bitten a few people and killed your neighbor's cats.

Press 21 if you have already called once and been told we don't take personal surrenders but thought you would get a different person this time with a different answer.

Press 22 if you want us to use space that would go to a stray to board your personal pet while you are on vacation, free of charge, of course.

Press 23 if it is Christmas Eve or Easter morning and you want me to deliver an eight week old puppy to your house by 6:30 am before your kids wake up.

Press 24 if you have bought your children a duckling, chick, or baby bunny for Easter and it is now Christmas and no longer cute.

Press 25 if you want us to take your female dog/cat who has already had ten litters, but we can't spay her because she is pregnant again and it is against your religion.

Press 26 if you're lying to make one of our younger volunteers feel bad and take your personal pet off your hands.

Press 27 if your cat is biting and not using the litter box because it is declawed, but are not willing to accept the responsibility that the cat's behavior is altered because of your nice furniture.

Press 28 if your two year old male cat is marking all over your house but you just haven't gotten around to having him neutered.

Press 29 if you previously had an outdoor only cat and are calling because she is suddenly pregnant.

Press 30 if you have done "everything" to housebreak your dog and have had no success but you don't want to crate the dog because it is cruel.

Press 31 if you didn't listen to the message asking for an evening phone number and you left your work number when all volunteers are also working and you are angry because no one called you back.

Press 32 if you need a puppy immediately and cannot wait because today is your daughter's birthday and you forgot when she was born.

Press 33 if your pet's coat doesn't match your new furniture and you need a different color or breed.

Press 34 if your new love doesn't like your pet and you are too stupid to get rid of the new friend (who will dump you in the next month anyway) instead of the pet.

Press 35 if you went through all these 'presses' and didn't hear enough. This press will connect you to the sounds of tears being shed by one of our volunteers who is holding a discarded old dog while the vet mercifully frees him from the grief of missing his family.

2007-10-14T15:24:00.000-07:00

AS THE CAT POPULATON CONTINUES TO EXPLODE IN RURAL INDIANA, GREENE COUNTY, OPTIONS FOR HELPING THEM HAVE RUN OUT.

MIDWEST FRIENDS OF ANIMALS HAS TAKEN IN NUMEROUS CATS AND CONTINUE TO HOUSE AND CARE FOR THEM.

NOTHING BUT SPAY/NEUTERING WILL STOP THIS SAD STORY!!

UNFORTUNATELY, REPORTS THAT THE NEARBY "HUMANE SOCIETY" ARE REFUSING TO TAKE IN CATS AND KITTENS UNLESS THE PERSON BRINGING THEM IN CAN PAY FOR THEM TO BE EUTHANIZED, IS ONLY MAKING THINGS WORSE. PEOPLE ARE CHOSING TO LET STRAY ANIMALS SUFFER, OR CONTINUE TO BREED, SINCE THEY CAN'T AFFORD TO 'DONATE' TO GET THE 'SHELTER' TO TAKE THEM IN.

2007-10-07T15:39:00.000-07:00

KEEP YOUR PET HEALTHY!

After losing a beloved family pet a few years ago, to cancer, we threw ourselves into reading everything we could find on pet health issues. While it came too late to save our own dog, it's not too late for others.

If your reading this blog, then you have computer access. Please do a simple search on veterinary issues for your pet and make your own decisions.

**If your pet or an animal you find is showing any illness symptoms AT ALL....do not allow them to be vaccinated. (A knowledgable vet will not vaccinate a sick animal...even if you are taking a pet to a vet for the first time and the staff tells you your pet 'must have shots before it can be seen'....explain your animal is showing illness symptoms and you do not wish to vaccinate until it is better. If they insist, find another vet.

There is extensive controversy regarding the safety of vaccines and the issue of whether or not we are over vaccinating our animals if we submit them to yearly vaccines. There is much proof that a one time vaccine can last a pet for it's lifetime and giving it more can result in actually making your pet ill. You can ask for a 'titers' test' for proof that your animal still has sufficient immunity from previous vaccines.

**Please note, there IS an option in Indiana of a one year or 3 year rabies vaccine. Please ask your vet to stock and use the 3 year vaccine.

We strongly recommend to those of you wishing to keep your pets alive and healthy for many years, to do your homework. We recommend the following books:
Dr. Pitcarin's "Natural health care for cats and dogs"
Dr. Martin Goldstein, "The Nature of Animal Healing"

Both of these books are an eye opening look into pet care from licensed vets with a holistic approach to health.

(You maybe suprised to read the pet food section and the details of what the USDA allows to be put into pet foods. Unless your pet food is certified as only using 'human grade' ingredients, the left over, diseased and inedible parts of animals are most likely being rendered back into your pets food. Again, there is a wealth of information online about this issue such as :What's REALLY in Your Dog's Food? - )

2007-09-07T19:25:00.001-07:00

YouTube - MIDWEST FRIENDS OF ANIMALS

2007-09-07T19:24:00.000-07:00

YouTube - MIDWEST FRIENDS OF ANIMALS

CHECK OUT OUR NEW YOUTUBE LINK VIDEO ABOVE!!

2007-09-04T16:03:00.000-07:00

OH HAPPY DAY! JUSTICE MAY NOT HAVE BEEN SERVED ON McCOY'S FORMER OWNER, BUT MAC IS CERTAINLY 'BEING SERVED' IN HIS NEW HOME! THANK YOU MAGGIE, FOR GIVING HIM A NEW LIFE, AND FINALLY THE LOVE HE DESERVED ALL ALONG!!

2007-08-30T20:59:00.000-07:00

REMEMBER ME??? REMEMBER McCOY!?? I was seized by police from the Sharon Flater residence in Linton , starved to 24 lbs , heartworm infested, and ready to die. I got a lucky break and didn't die but more about that later.

Just heard that the judge gave my old owner 180 days in jail (suspended), 1 year probatioin, and 40 hours community service. Not much justice for what she let happen to me. Is it?

2007-08-23T07:13:00.000-07:00

WE HAD A LITTLE HELP SOCIALIZING THE KITTENS FROM 9 Year old Krysten this month. She feel in love HARD with some of our babies! THank you Krysten for all your help!! :)

2007-08-16T15:57:00.001-07:00

gcindiana.info // View Forum - G C H S

A WIDE VARIETY OF COMMENTS AND DISCUSSION ON THE GREENE COUNTY HUMANE SOCIETY ARE LOCATED AT THE LINK ABOVE

2007-08-16T15:57:00.000-07:00

gcindiana.info // View Forum - G C H S

A WIDE VARIETY OF COMMENTS AND DISCUSSION ON THE GREENE COUNTY HUMANE SOCIETY ARE LOCATED AT THE LINK ABOVE

2007-08-16T15:55:00.000-07:00

The local 'inhumane' society makes some more excuses as to why people's dogs were put down the same day they came in.

Greene County Daily World: Story: GCHS has in-house policy concerning three-day hold

GCHS has in-house policy concerning three-day holdFriday, August 10, 2007By Halea Franklin, Staff Writer
A recent case, in which a dog from Bloomfield was taken to the Greene County Humane Society and euthanized without notifying the owner, has caused many people to question animal ordinances in place within the county.
On July 23, a dog, named Bear, belonging to Jerry and Becky Pate of Bloomfield was impounded by the Bloomfield Police Department. Linton Animal Control Officer Chuck Botsford was called in for assistance and later transported the animal to the Greene County Humane Society.
According to Greene County Humane Society President Lana Robertson, the animal shelter was told the dog was aggressive and was humanely euthanized.
Currently, according to Greene County Humane Society Shelter Administrator Rene Abram, they have a policy regarding a three-day hold on strays.
"However, in-house, we have an overriding policy regarding the three-day hold should an animal be deemed aggressive, severely injured, or critically ill," Abram explained. "In this type of situation, it may be necessary for staff or other authorized individuals, such as law enforcement officers, animal control officers, or licensed veterinarians to order a humane euthanasia of said animal."
According to Greene County's animal control ordinance, which was adopted by the Board of Commissioners in 1997, any animal at large, unlicensed dog, viscous dog or female dog in heat that is not confined shall be taken by a law enforcement officer or an animal control officer and impounded in the county animal shelter.
If the owner of an impounded animal can be identified by a license tag or other means, the animal control officer shall immediately upon impoundment notify the owner by telephone or mail, according to the county's ordinance. Any animal that is not claimed by the owner within three days of impoundment shall become the property of the county and may be placed for adoption or humanely euthanized.
According to the city of Linton's animal control ordinance, which was passed in 1984 by the Linton City Councils, dogs and other animals found to be running at large shall be taken by an agent of the city and impounded for no less than five days or until claimed by the owner. Immediately upon impounding the animal, every effort shall be made to notify the owner of the impoundment and the conditions in which the owner may regain custody of the animal.
Abram said it's the animal shelter's first responsibility to weigh the potential risks involved in housing an animal that could potentially injure someone -- whether it be an employee, volunteer, citizen or even another animal.
"These are uncomfortable situations, but the purpose of laws and policies is to offer the most protection to the most people," Abram said. "In the case of Bear we are sympathetic towards the Pates and their loss. We realize Bear was caught in the worse case scenario. We had an obligation to weigh the rights of and give the highest regard to other people and animals in terms of their safety. It does not happen often, but it does happen."

2007-08-04T20:42:00.000-07:00

FOR YEARS NOW THE MANAGEMENT AT THE GREENE COUNTY 'HUMANE SOCIETY' HAS TAKEN THE ATTITUDE OF 'IT'S EASIER JUST TO EUTHANIZE THE ANIMALS THEN WORK ON GETTING THEM RESCUE'....AND "if we do our jobs too well, we won't have jobs".
WITH THIS KIND OF MENTALITY IS CHANGE EVERY POSSIBLE??

IN TODAYS GREENE COUNTY DAILY WORLD, AFTER NUMEROUS STORIES FROM THE PAPER PATTING THE GCHS ON THE BACK......WE SEE NOTHING HAS CHANGED.

OUR HEARTFELT SYMPATHIES TO THE PATE'S WHO LOST THEIR DOG TO AN UNCARING SHELTER.

http://gcdailyworld.com/story/1244242.html

Did Bear the dog really have to be put to sleep?Friday, August 3, 2007
o the editor:
On July 23, 2007 we discovered our dog and tie out were both missing. We began looking for Bear, but didn't find him. We then contacted the town garage to report our missing pet. We then received a visit from Kenny Tharp telling us that Bear had been taken to Greene County Humane Society because he was aggressive.
Bear might have looked scary because he had what the vet called cherry eye. He has played with our children and grandchildren, as well as adults. Bear has never exhibited any sign of aggression. We called the Humane Society only to learn our dog had already been put to death.
Bear didn't bite anyone, so where is the aggression? What happened to the two- bite law? Bear might have scared someone, but he didn't hurt anyone. We also received a ticket for Bear running at-large (which this would have been his first offense) at running at-large. Later, we received a phone call from Officer Tharp telling us to ignore the ticket, that he was going to tear it up.
There was a lot of discrepancy on the stories told between the Greene County Humane Society and Officer Tharp. One of the town employees we spoke to said Bear wasn't aggressive as we were told.
My point for this letter is this was definitely a needless death. If Bear was so aggressive, why wasn't he sedated when he was transported to GCHS? Who gave them the right to take his life when he did nothing wrong? If Bear did bite someone, we would have had 10 days to fight to get him back. Instead, we have to explain to our children and grandchildren what has happened to our family's beloved pet.
This makes two needless deaths in two months. Another dog, Samson, was loved by our whole neighborhood yet someone shot him several times. Remember the St. Bernard's that were shot several times!
What's next, poodles? Poor judgment was definitely used in Bear's situation. We can't bring our beloved pet back, but at least we can warn people how the Bloomfield police or Greene County Humane Society is not very humane. Officer Tharp should make better judgment calls -- after all he is our new town marshal.
Becky and Jerry Pate
Bloomfield

2007-07-24T20:31:00.000-07:00

WHILE HORRORS LIKE THE MICHAEL VICK DOG FIGHTING OPERATION ABSORB OUR OUTRAGE....WE NEED TO CONSIDER THIS IS HAPPENING IN ALL OF OUR COMMUNITIES!!! THE ONLY HOPE FOR JUSTICE LAY IN THE HANDS OF LOCAL POLICE AND 'HUMANE SOCIETIES'. IF THEY REFUSE TO DO THEIR JOBS, THEN THE ANIMALS WILL CONTINUE TO SUFFER.

PLEASE, PLEASE REPORT ALL SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY AND 'HOUND' THE AUTHORITIES TO TAKE ACTION!!!! GREENE COUNTY ANIMALS NEED HELP!!!

2007-07-24T20:30:00.001-07:00

WHAT WE WOULD LIKE TO SEE HAPPEN TO VICK"S CAREER!!!!