Summerdale Extreme Animal Neglect January 2012

DAY 11 -- FEBRUARY 5, 2012

PUBLIC NOTICE TO PROVE OWNERSHIP -- DAY 11 FROM CRISIS TO CARE

The Baldwin County Humane Society (BARC!) has permanent legal custody of the 58 dogs and 51 cats who were seized January 26 at Purple Hearted Puppies shelter in Summerdale, AL, and January 27 at the Dueitt’s residence in Robertsdale, AL.

BARC! has photographed and catalogued the 109 survivors. The next phase is to give the public notice that they have 7 days to provide proof of ownership.

Individuals that surrendered or boarded pets at the Purple Hearted Puppies facilities should email a picture and complete description -- including breed, age, gender, color of coat, weight, spay/neutered and microchip number -- to rescue.baldwin@yahoo.com. Owners will be required to provide proof of ownership through veterinarian records or license before midnight on Monday, February 13, 2012.

Medical costs will be handled only through the Baldwin County Humane Society; your tax-deductible donations can be made at www. BaldwinHumane.org or mailed to PO Box 206, Fairhope, AL 36533.

BARC! is a no-kill adoption agency (rather than a shelter) established in 1979. We are a 501(c)3 not-for-profit; they were the first animal welfare agency in Baldwin County. Our goal is to eliminate the number of abused and abandoned pets through spay/neuter, education, rescue and adoption.

DAY 8 -- FEBRUARY 2, 2012

DAY 8 FROM CRISIS TO CARE: PERMANENT LEGAL CUSTODY OF 109 SURVIVORS GIVEN TO BARC!

The Baldwin County Humane Society (BARC!) Board President Christine Sherwin was informed today by Assistant District Attorney Robert Nichols that Sharon and Roberta Dueitt have signed over permanent legal custody of the 58 dogs and 51 cats who were seized January 26 at Purple Hearted Puppies shelter in Summerdale, AL, and January 27 at the Dueitt’s residence in Robertsdale, AL.

"The release of these pets into our custody on marks a milestone in taking these animals from crisis to care" remarked Sherwin. "We appreciate the outpouring of support we have received from Baldwin and Mobile counties and from across the nation."

Now the animals can be spayed or neutered, have a complete set of vaccinations and be tested and treated for heartworms.　Previously, only emergency veterinary care could be administered to preserve evidence in the mass animal cruelty.

Deneen Balistere, BARC! Dog Adoption Coordinator reiterated "We are asking the public to be patient as we determine the health conditions of each of the pets rescued. Our primary concern is that each of these cats and dogs eventually be placed in loving homes.　 The trauma they have suffered can only be alleviated by love and continuing care."

Balistere continued "We are asking other rescue organizations that are currently caring for these pets to not release any dogs or cats without our consent as legally custody resides with the Baldwin County Humane Society."

Individuals that surrendered or boarded pets at the Purple Hearted Puppies facilities should email a picture and complete description -- including breed, age, gender, color of coat, weight, spay/neutered and microchip number -- 　to Info@BaldwinHumane.org.　Owners will be required to provide proof of ownership through veterinarian records.

Baldwin County District Attorney Hallie Dixon cautions the public about potential scammers for donations and adoptions.

Medical costs will be handled only through the Baldwin County Humane Society; your tax-deductible donations can be made at www. BaldwinHumane.org or mailed to PO Box 206, Fairhope, AL　 36533.　

The Purple Hearted Puppies abuse survivors will not be at the PetSmart Eastern Shore adoptions this Saturday, February 4, from 11am to 3pm 　nor at the following weekend at PetSmart’s National Adoption Weekend Friday, February 10, and Saturday, February 11, from 10am to 3pm.　BARC! already had 23 dogs and 58 cats in need of their livelong, loving family before this mass rescue.

BARC! is a no-kill adoption agency (rather than a shelter) established in 1979. They are a 501(c)3 not-for-profit; they were the first animal welfare agency in Baldwin County.　Their goal is to eliminate the number of abused and abandoned pets through spay/neuter, education, rescue and adoption.

DAY 5: JANUARY 30, 2012

DAY 5 FROM CRISIS TO CARE: ANIMALS FROM SUMMERDALE AND ROBERTSDALE MASS CRUELTY SITUATION

The Baldwin County Humane Society (BARC!) is on the fifth day of bringing surviving animals from crisis into care from the Summerdale and Robertsdale mass cruelty situation.

In order to assure the prosecution of these abusers, proper protocol has to be followed.

BARC! is in communication with Summerdale Police Chief Eddie Ingram, City of Robertsdale Chief Investigator Rex Bishop and District Attorney Hallie Dixon.

Deneen Balistere, BARC! Dog Adoption Coordinator, is coordinating the photographing and cataloguing of all dogs and cats who were rushed to local veterinary clinics. Balistere remarked “We are waiting for permanent legal custody of the survivors from Purple Hearted Puppies’ Summerdale shelter and Robertsdale residence. All will be fully vetted before we can begin adopting them out. We are asking for the community’s patience.”

The Purple Hearted Puppies abuse survivors will not be at the PetSmart Eastern Shore adoptions this Saturday, February 4, from 11am to 3pm nor at the following weekend at PetSmart’s National Adoption Weekend Friday, February 10, and Saturday, February 11, from 10am to 3pm. BARC! already had 23 dogs and 58 cats in need of their livelong, loving family before this mass rescue.

Dozens of volunteers were at the BARC! office over the weekend to process 46 online foster applications, 36 online dog adoptions, and answer hundreds of phone calls and texts.

“People care!” remarked Christine Sherwin, BARC! Board President. “People from Washington state to Washington DC are supporting us in our animal advocacy efforts. We even had a lady from London to offer help.”

Medical costs will be handled through the Baldwin County Humane Society; your tax-deductible donations can be made at www. BaldwinHumane.org or mailed to PO Box 206, Fairhope, AL 36533.

DAY 4: JANUARY 29, 2012

DAY 4 FROM CRISIS TO CARE: ANIMALS FROM SUMMERDALE AND ROBERTSDALE MASS CRUELTY SITUATION

The Baldwin County Humane Society (BARC!) was asked by Summerdale Police Chief Eddie Ingram and by the City of Robertsdale Chief Investigator Rex Bishop to coordinate the rescue efforts January 26, 2012, at Purple Hearted Puppies shelter in Summerdale and January 27, 2012, at the Dueitt’s residence in Robertsdale.

Their main facility had 88 dog kennels inside and outside with 4, 5 and 6 dogs in each plus a house with dozens of dogs. (By contrast, the county shelter has 60 with 1-dog per kennel. ) There were also two houses containing houses on the property. The residence in Robertsdale had 12 outdoor dog kennels.

All dogs and cats seized have been photographed, catalogued and vetted.

“We ask for your patience while we arrange for them to receive superb veterinary care “ remarked Deneen Balistere, BARC! Dog Adoption Coordinator. “The community’s response has been tremendous with people wanting to foster or adopt, but bringing these animals from crisis into care is a time consuming process.”

In order to assure the prosecution of these abusers, proper protocol has to be followed. Red Rover animal welfare organization contacted Chief Ingram about managing the disposition of the living animals so they are surrendered legally and not just seized. Red Rover is headquartered in Sacramento and has a nationwide network of volunteers that deploy to situations involving large numbers of animals.

“Prior to this rescue, we had 60 adoptable kittens and cats in need of their livelong, loving family” stated Glenda Turner, BARC! Cat Adoption Coordinator. “Potential pet parents are encouraged to come to PetSmart Eastern Shore Center this Saturday, February 4, from 11am to 3pm for our adoption event.”

BARC! will also be at PetSmart’s National Adoption Weekend Friday, February 10, and Saturday, February 11, from 10am to 3pm at the Eastern Shore Center.

Leashes, crates, bowls, cat litter, pet food and other supplies can be dropped off at Summerdale Self Storage at 410 Hwy 59 N Monday thru Friday 9am to 4pm or at the BARC! Office at 306 Magnolia Ave in downtown Fairhope Monday thru Thursday 9am to 4pm.

To support BARC’s animal advocacy efforts, your tax-deductible donations can be made online at www. BaldwinHumane.org or mailed to PO Box 206, Fairhope, AL 36533.

BARC! is a no-kill adoption agency (rather than a shelter) established in 1979. We are a 501(c)3 not-for-profit; we were the first animal welfare agency in Baldwin County. Our goal is to eliminate the number of abused and abandoned pets through spay/neuter, education, rescue and adoption.