PLEASE READ AND HELP

WARNING-GRAPHIC PHOTOS ***

Dear Animal Welfare Advocates,

Please see attached photos. These pictures were taken January 10 when ambient temperatures dipped to single digits. An animal welfare advocate stopped by the Jackson County Animal Shelter to check on the horses. The horses were standing in snow, without proper nourishment or shelter. (Please see the photo of small goat shed). As the visitor passed the dumpster, she opened it and found it completely full of dead dogs that had been stuffed into garbage bags!!! This was the beginning of a battle that continues. The battle we fight is for the lives of the animals.

ANIMALS ARE NOT RUBBISH!!!!!!!!!

PLEASE assist us in our campaign to bring aboutshelter reform, in Jackson County, WV.CLAWS (Citizens Loving Animals Within Shelters) has saved countless dogs (almost 200 within the four months our group has existed), including three horses and a number of cats. Pilots have donated their time to flying Jackson County animals to safety and we have transported by SUV, horse trailers and rented vans. BUT we have fought battles every step of the way, due to the road blocks/sabotagewe have been forced to overcome.

Dog wardens Cynthia Katris and Pat Chamberscontinue to sabotage animal rescue and our attempts at shelter reform. They “operate”without supervision of the commissioners or the sheriff. Katris said,“It is easier to kill.” (See dumpster).

The time has come to show Jackson County, West Virginia that ANIMALS’ lives matter.

We call for compassionate leadership in Jackson County, West Virginia. Please assist us in this honorable quest. The following is an outline of requests we respectfully ask you to courteously make, either by e-mail, fax or phone. Note:Please include photos with all e-mails.

THANK YOU.

CLAWS, Inc (Citizens Loving Animals Within Shelters)

1) We call for an audit of the Jackson County Animal Shelter, by an auditor from outside this state. (No supervision or checks and balances exist).

2) An investigation of the Jackson County Animal Shelter by the West Virginia Board of Pharmacy

3) The hiring of a responsible and compassionate individual to act as Director of the Jackson County Animal Shelter. Applicants must have expertise in dog handling/evaluation, horse welfare/rehabilitation and RESCUE.

PLEASE CALL, E-MAIL,FAX THE FOLLOWING AND ASK THAT THE ABOVE REQUESTS BE MET.

*** Joe Pitts, Jackson County Commissioner –

304-532-0859,JPitts@verizon.net

* Tommy Nutter, Commissioner (in charge of Jackson County Animal Shelter) 304-273-4092

Cell: 304-532-6956

* Don Stephens, Jackson County Commissioner – 304-273-3477,DStephens@hotmail.com

*** Jackson CountyCommissioners – 304-373-2222

FAX: 304-373-0245Commission@jacksoncountywv.com

*** Governor Joe Manchin:

Toll Free 1-888-438-2731

E-Mail:Governor@WVGov.org

__________________________________________

Prosecuting Attorney: James P. McHugh

304-373-2270 FAX: 304-372-3096

WV Attorney General:800-368-8808

Phone: (304) 558-2021

Mitch Carmichael:mcarmich@mail.wvnet.edu

Karen Facemyer: Capitol Phone (304) 357-7855
usiness Phone: (304) 428-1622
-mail:karen.facemyer@wvsenate.gov

Congresswoman Shelley Moore Capito: Washington -Phone:(202)225-2711
ax: (202) 225-7856

Senator Robert Byrd:Charleston Office

300 Virginia Street, East

Suite 2630

Charleston, WV 25301

Telephone: (304) 342-5855

Fax: (304) 343-7144

Senator Jay Rockefeller:531 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington, DC 20510

(202) 224-6472

(202) 224-7665 Main Fax

E-mail Scheduler

Congressman Nick Rahall: WashingtonOffice

2307 Rayburn HOB

Washington, DC 20515

(202) 225-3452

Scott Varner: Phone – 304-340-3187

E-mail:svarner@mail.wvnet.edu

Old souls make the best companions....

My friend Debb who runs S.T.I.C.K.S. (I've mentioned them in prior posts -SUPPLYING TECHNOLOGY IN COUNTY KILL SHELTERS ORG.) http://www.sticksorg.com/urgent.html is in need of help with a lot of dogs coming out of the GA area. All are worthy, all in need of rescue. It's hard NOT to help. All rescues are short on help, resources, volunteers, and money right now. We all do what we can, but we need to do more. She sent me this please yesterday for the senior dogs below. Senior dogs make wonderful additions to any family. To mention a few reasons why people should adopt senior dogs....

*Older dogs are house trained. You won't have to go through the difficult stage(s) of teaching a puppy house manners and mopping/cleaning up after accidents

*Older dogs are not teething puppies, and won't chew your shoes and furniture while growing up.

*Older dogs can focus well because they've mellowed. Therefore, they learn quickly

*Older dogs settle in easily, because they've learned what it takes to get along with others and become part of a pack.

*Older dogs are good at giving love, once they get into their new, loving home. They are grateful for the second chance they've been given.

*Older dogs leave you time for yourself, because they don't make the kinds of demands on your time and attention that puppies and young dogs do.

PLEASE FOLLOW THE LINK ABOVE OR BELOW TO HELP WITH THE SENORS DOGS!

The story of these three goes back a few months. They were all three picked up as strays and placed in a rural Georgia shelter. As typical with most older strays, they were in deplorable condition. They all had issues - mange, under weight, parasites, tumors, old injuries - eyes, ears, and even open sores all had to be dealt with. Sadly they were very uncertain of just what a bunch of 'humans' were up to. Evidently they had been living, no not living - more like surviving, on their own for quite some time. Then once they got 'picked up' and 'thrown in jail' their lives were destined to change forever. Thankfully, this time, it would be for the better.

They had a long road to travel, multiple trips to the vets for various conditions and most importantly learning that humans aren't such a bad creature to associate with. Finn quickly learned that living 'indoors' was the life for him and we really think it was his attitude that helped the other two adapt. Granted Marshal and Rusty weren't as eager and it took several attempts before we gained their trust.

Now these three are doing so much better, they have adapted very well, their medical conditions are much better, the old injuries are healed. Our next step is for the three of them to be neutered, and then hopefully they will find that one thing they deserve,a real honest to goodness home - one where they can live the remainder of their lives living in the fantastic indoor.

http://www.sticksorg.com/

For more info, you can email Debb at : STICKS.ORG@GMAIL.COM

Thank you for caring!!