Long Time Rescuer and Animal Advisory Board Member Denied Access at PCAS

 On Tuesday, September  18th,  there was yet another bizarre and continuing retaliatory move by Pasco County Animal Shelter Director John Malley, who has been waging an unfathomable negative campaign against individual animal rescuers as well as group rescues.

Long time rescuer and Pasco County Animal Advisory Board  member Betty Hay was visiting Adoption Building A when she was suddenly told she was no longer allowed to go into the Cat room. Betty, who has been rescuing dogs and cats from the Pasco shelter for over 20 years was given no explanation by the shelter staff. She was told that to even look OR adopt a cat,  she would have to go to Building C , the intake building whose deplorable conditions and no air conditioning have been a point of contention for animal rescuers, even though she could plainly see that the cat cages in Building A were almost completely full.  She was totally confused because three weeks ago, Betty, who had accompanied a blind rescue volunteer, had been begged by the staff to take a cat that had been in the adoption building, which she willingly did without hesitation.

"I don't have any idea why all of the sudden I couldn't walk into that cat room," Betty said. "It just doesn't make any sense to me, since I had rescued that cat three weeks earlier."

So Betty turned around and walked out.  She didn't question the staff because she didn't want to jeopardize any one on the staff's job. She went home and called Assistant County Commissioner Dan Johnson, who coincidentally had JUST hung up with John Malley prior to her call.

"Dan told me that they has spent $70,000 to make sure that cats got "good, fresh air to keep them healthy."

Although Johnson never said so, Betty felt that the implication was that because she had rescue cats at home, that she would somehow "infect" the cats at the shelter or bring in diseases, even though all of Betty's animals are vetted.

"I'm sure that's what he (Malley) was implying to Dan Johnson."

Betty's long history with the shelter began with a great relationship with the old director, Denise Hilton, who retired after 29 years of service. Malley now has her job.

"Denise was really good for this shelter," Betty said. 'She was compassionate and helped the rescue groups in their efforts to try and give these animals a forever home. I got along really well with her and she always REALLY tried to help the animals."

Betty feels that John Malley is basically punishing her because he thinks she'a a part of the many rescue groups who have been challenging Malley's constantly changing 'rules' and often unreasonable and questionable tactics.

"I think he is directly retaliating against me because he thinks I'm involved with groups who are out to "get " him. He's trying to keep me out. I'm not involved with anything like that. I am only trying to do what I've ALWAYS done, which is to rescue animals. He's not a very friendly or outgoing person and he keeps making it harder and harder to help these poor animals. You have to ask yourself, why?"

Not only has Betty been an enormous advocate for the Pasco Animal Shelter, she has by her accounts probably rescued over 200 cats and numerous dogs over her 20 year history with the Shelter.
On Betty's Tuesday visit, she also observed that there were only about 7 dogs that were in the adoption cages, while many more cages and dog runs sat empty. Again there was no explanation for this.

Betty is a woman who has devoted the last 20 years to rescue and the last 10 + to the Animal Advisory Board and  this appears to be yet another move by Malley to thwart the ongoing efforts of rescuers like her who want to question why there are the newest "rules" and restrictions that Malley seems to come up with daily.  "This My way or the Highway" kind of mentality that Malley and Lynn Deddo keep coming up with makes no sense to anyone. Why would you deny someone like Betty Hay access to the cats in Bldg A?


I think it's time to start asking why.... I think its time to start really investigating what the REAL reasons are that all of these new "rules" are making it so much more difficult to rescue an animal from PCAS.

NEW DOG TREAT RECALL .PLEASE READ!

There is a new product recall for dog treats: please read the advisory below and if you have purchased these treats, follow the directions at the bottom of the article. Reprinted from Dogfoodadvisor.com

September 21, 2012 – Kasel Associated Industries of Denver, CO is voluntarily recalling its Boots and Barkley American Beef Bully Sticks product because it may be contaminated with Salmonella.

The event was reported by the FDA in a news release dated September 21, 2012.

According to the FDA bulletin:

Salmonella can sicken animals that eat these products and humans are at risk for salmonella poisoning from handling contaminated pet products, especially if they have not thoroughly washed their hands after having contact with the pet products or any surfaces exposed to these products.

Healthy people infected with Salmonella should monitor themselves for some or all of the following symptoms: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramping and fever.

Rarely, Salmonella can result in more serious ailments, including arterial infections, endocarditis, arthritis, muscle pain, eye irritation, and urinary tract symptoms.

Consumers exhibiting these symptoms after having contact with this product should contact their healthcare providers.

Pets with Salmonella infections may be lethargic and have diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever, and vomiting. Some pets will have only decreased appetite, fever and abdominal pain.

Infected but otherwise healthy pets can be carriers and infect other animals or humans. If your pet has consumed the recalled product and has any of these signs, please contact your veterinarian.

According to the bulletin, the affected American Beef Bully Sticks were 

distributed nationwide through Target retail stores from April

 through September 2012.

What Products Are Being Recalled?

The product is sold in a clear plastic bag containing six bully sticks each and are marked with bar code number 647263899189.

The manufacturer is recalling all lot numbers because the following lot codes tested positive through analysis by the State of Colorado Department of Agriculture:

§  BESTBY20APR2014DEN

§  BESTBY01JUN2014DEN

§  BESTBY23JUN2014DEN

§  BESTBY23SEP2014DEN

No illnesses have been reported to date in animals or humans in connection with this problem.

What to Do?

Consumers are urged to return the recalled product to the place of purchase for a full refund. Those with questions may contact Kasel Associated Industries at 1-800-218-4417 Monday thru Friday from 7am to 5pm MDT.

You can report complaints about FDA-regulated pet food products by calling the consumer complaint coordinator in your area.

Or go to http://www.fda.gov/petfoodcomplaints.