Most rescued pets adopted

Washingtonville-area owners admitted animal cruelty,

face $500 fines, according to officials

By LAURI SHEIBLEY Press Enterprise Writer

DANVILLE - About 32 of 38 animals have been adopted after being rescued from a trailer near Washingtonville, and their four owners have pleaded guilty and face $500 fines, officials say. Many of the dogs and cats met their new owners at Adopt-A-Pet days near Bloomsburg on May 29-30. It was just a thrill seeing those dogs going out of there," said volunteer Jo Wright.

32 of 38 animals find homes

The animals were rescued from a trailer at Blue Springs Trailer Court on May 19. Their previous owners - Dottie English, Norman Roberts, Kay Hoyer and Randy Long - were cited for animal cruelty. Each of the four has pleaded guilty and been fined $500, said District Justice Marvin Shrawder.
The rescue was coordinated by the Animal Resource Center of Bloomsburg. Since the rescue, the animals were fed and treated by veterinarians, with bills picked up by the Resource Center.
Wright said all of the dogs gained weight, and one extremely thin dog gained 20 pounds in just a week or two.
Of the 38 dogs and cats rescued from the trailer, 24 found new homes at the Adopt-A-Pet days, and others were adopted in days before the event, Wright said. Only about six animals from the trailer are left in foster homes, she said.
Animals from other rescue organizations were also adopted that weekend. The total number of adoptions for the event was 32.
An anonymous donor offered to pay to spay or neuter all 32 of the animals. Eileen Drummond donated free obedience courses for all the dogs. Sunlight Feed, site of the adoption days, gave free gifts to the lucky dogs and cats.
The event was so successful that the Animal Resource Center plans to hold another one Aug. 14-15.
Lauri Sheibley covers the Danville area for the Press Enterprise. She can be reached at 275-2104 or e-mailed at lauri@pressenterprise.net.

Youth forfeit presents for animal rescuers

Pictured, from left, are Nellie Miller, Animal Resource Center member, with Bertolle in her arms; Brette Reichard; Lucia Cerasoli; and Linda Bird, ARC president.

Reichard and Cerasoli each had a birthday party. Instead of gifts for themselves, they asked everyone to bring food, toys and monetary donations for the ARC.

10 more animals seized; owners charged

Six dogs, two cats, two ducks make 40 rescued pets from Washingtonville-area trailer park

By LAURI SHEIBLEY - Press Enterprise Writer

DERRY TWP. - Ten more pets - six dogs. two cats and two ducks - were taken from a trailer park Friday, and the pets' owners have been charged with neglect and animal cruelty. Those 10 animals have joined 30 others that were rescued last week from a trailer at Blue Springs Trailer Park outside of Washingtonville. Many of the animals were sick, starving, and living in their own feces, said Wayne Risch, humane officer with the Animal Resource Center.

The animals were discovered by sheriffs deputies when officials evicted a family there. Risch has charged four trailer park residents - Dottie English, Norman Roberts, Kay Hoyer and Randy Long - with animal cruelty.

Now the rescued animals are being treated by veterinarians and the search is on to place them in new homes. Cyndi Lindenmuth, adoption coordinator for the Animal Resource Center, said the animals are going to need a lot of special care.

Some of the dogs are not housebroken, she said. And the stomachs of many of the dogs have shrunk after years of malnourishment. So they need to be fed four times a day, to stretch their stomachs back out. Many of the dogs also had whipworms, so they need to take daily medication.

"It's going to take some people who are willing to really give the TLC they need," Lindenmuth said. Although the dogs were neglected, they are all very friendly. "The saddest part is they don't even know they were abused," she said. "That's just so sad. That just breaks my heart."

The dogs are now staying at foster homes, Leighow Veterinary Hospital, Animal Care Center and Bloomsburg Veterinary Hospital.

All 20 rescued cats are staying at the Purrfect Love Haven for Homeless Cats in Nescopeck, Risch said. They've been fed, bathed, treated for fleas and visited by a vet.

Family kept a dog

On May 19, sheriff's deputies evicted a family from trailer No. 45, and the family voluntarily gave up 30 of the animals -12 dogs and 18 cats. At that time, the family was allowed to keep several of the healthier animals, Risch said. But when vets examined the rescued pets, many had hookworm. Risch returned to the family, and told them they'd have to take the remaining animals to the vet too, to get them checked.

The family wasn't able to afford that, so they gave up six more dogs, two cats and two ducks. The ducks were taken to a local pond, Risch said.

Risch said he allowed the family to keep just one dog, who seemed very healthy. The family also kept a turtle.

Lauri Sheibley can be reached at 275-2104 or emai?ed at lauri@pressenterprise.net.

2003 News

SAVING RODDY

A lady from Shamokin was on her way to the local shelter with her shepard-mix dog. He would jump over her fence and run away, so he needed space to run. She got lost on the way and stopped at the home of our president's neighbor. Here she was told about ARC so she stopped by to visit Lin. We asked her to keep Roddy for a week so we could find a good home for this beautiful dog. Thanks to Cyndi Lindenmuth, Roddy was delivered to a home where he could run and have fun!

10 WINTER PET CARE TIPS

Animals, like people, need shelter from

the elements during winter

1. It's best to keep your animals indoors, especially during the winter months. If they must be outside, be sure to keep water bowls ice-free or use a heater designed for water bowls. Shelters should be off the ground with a door to block wind, snow and rain. Insulate them if possible. NO pet should be kept outdoors in the case of severe weather.
2. Check under the hood before starting your car. Outdoor cats or other animals may sleep under the hood to try to stay warm.
3. Dogs can lose their scent in snow or ice and become lost. Don't let your dog off the leash during a snowstorm or when on snow or ice.
4. Antifreeze is lethal to pets, even in small amounts! Be sure it's stored securely and out of reach of animals.
5. Consider a coat or sweater with a high collar or turtleneck for short-haired breeds.
6. Never leave your dog or cat alone in a car in cold weather - they could freeze to death!
7. Increase food (protein) for pets engaged in frequent outdoor activites to keep their fur thick and healthy.
8. Consider a dog or cat bed or basket with a blanket or pillow to keep your pet warm and away from drafts.
9. Pets can get frostbite too! Their skin will appear red or gray and may slough off. Contact your vet and apply warm, moist towels to thaw out the areas. Be sure to remove any salt from your pet's paws before they lick their feet.
10. Never transport a dog in the back of a pickup. It is especially dangerous in the slippery conditions, as winter ice and snow contribute to more accidents, and the wind makes the ride even colder! Always put your dog in the cab or leave him at home.

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