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St. Clair, MI 48079
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09/05/2010 01:58 AM

Rescuer: We need kennel
ordinance

County debates language to place restrictions
on dog breeders

By LIZ SHEPARD

Times Herald June 14, 2010

The debate about a new county kennel ordinance
isn't finished.

While a faction of the dog industry is content with
the language approved by the St. Clair County Board
of Commissioners' Judiciary/Public Safety
Committee, another side said it doesn't do enough
to protect the animals.

Sharon Gorski, who has been operating K9 Resque
for the past three years, said people don't realize the
number of irresponsible breeders who don't give
their animals adequate care.

"The things you see on Animal Planet, that's
happening in your own back yard," she said.

But Gorski said she doesn't place all breeders and
kennel operators in the same category.
She said some are responsible
and take good care of their dogs.

She said she's not looking for harsh restrictions that
would cripple breeders and kennel operators -- just
simply
"common sense."

Gorski and others want to see specifics spelled out
in an ordinance, including what "adequate" food and
water means. She'd also like a cap of 25 dogs per
breeder. Any more than that, Gorski said, and the
animals won't get proper attention and care.

She said that can make the puppies nothing more
than dollar bills rather than companions.

In 2009, there were 38 licenses given out in the
county for breeding operations, according to a
study done by the Humane Society of the United
States and Puppy Mill Awareness Meetup of
Southeast Michigan.

St. Clair County had the second-highest number of breeders out of the study of 45 counties. Seven
of the breeding facilities were licensed to have more
than 50 dogs, and 11 were licensed to have more
than 25 dogs, according to the study.

The ordinance will be brought before the full
commission June 23.

Wally Evans, chairman of the county Board of
Commissioners, said he anticipates the ordinance to
be
approved without any amendments.

He said the language is defendable if a violation is
found.

County officials have been working on the language
for about a year and Evans said they are happy with
where they are. A prior draft had specifics --
including the size of dog runs -- that were cut out
after discussions with kennel operators who said
the language was overreaching.

Evans said they also have discussed the idea of
putting a cap on the number of dogs someone can
have.

"We can't find any real reason at this point as to why
to do that," he said.

Gorski said she's seen the fate of dogs that come
out of breeding operations that are not properly run
and often mass produce, first as a former animal

control officer and now as the head of a rescue.

Many of the dogs are "breeder releases," she said.
They are given to Gorski if they are not good
breeding stock or if they are too old and no longer
can breed.

Lila, a 1-year-old shih tzu, came from a local
"puppy mill," Gorski said.

Betty Brinkman of Marine City adopted Lila. She said
while the dog has become her shadow, she still is
shy and figuring out how to live as a pet. Lila
doesn't know how to navigate stairs and has health
issues.

Brinkman, too, would like to see tougher standards
for kennels.

"Yes, there are good breeders, but this is what you
get," she said indicating to Lila. "It's not fair to the
dog."

Nina, a 7- to 10-year-old Yorkshire terrier, won't
leave her owner's side, but she's still unsure of
strangers, isn't house trained and is known to nip if
startled.

Toni Forbes of Marysville
said she loves Nina, who came from a suspected
puppy mill and was rescued by Gorski.

Forbes said while her dog even has bitten her
husband's nose, she understands Nina needs
patience and love. Forbes said the tiny dog doesn't
know how to walk up or down stairs and has health
issues from how she lived.

Gorski said dogs in some large breeding operations
are treated worse then veal cattle, stacked in filthy
cages with no contact and veterinary care.

Gorski said without specifics, it will be someone's
opinion if a kennel is being run adequately. She
said the county needs to ensure the ordinance will
give them the ability to prosecute those who
mistreat their dogs and enforce the regulations.

MAKE A FACE: Lila, a shih tzu, was adopted from Sharon Gorski's K9 Resque in St. Clair Township by Betty Brinkman of Marine City in August 2009. Gorski feels the county's kennel ordinance does not do enough to control local puppy mills.

CONCERNED: Sharon Gorski, who runs K9 Resque in St. Clair Township, talks about the county's kennel ordinance. Gorski takes care of dogs given to her by breeders who don't want them.

December 21, 2009

Cats, canines meet Kris Kringle

Pets celebrate Christmas with Santa Claus at K9 Resque fundraiser

By LIZ SHEPARD
Times Herald

MARYSVILLE -- Dressed in a pink sweater with feather trim, Delilah squirmed Sunday as she got her picture taken with Santa Claus.

The cat, owned by Stacey Vollstaedt of Marysville, was one of a few furry friends who came out to meet the man in red at Classic Pet Supply, 3180 Gratiot Blvd.

Father Christmas was on hand from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. for the K9 Resque fundraiser.

Sharon Gorski, director of the nonprofit organization, said they were in desperate need for funding as need for their services continue to increase.

The event raised money for the organization's emergency medical fund. Gorski said the fund is used for dogs who they take in with more medical needs than usual. She said it is used for issues including dental problems, which often are found in dogs that come from puppy mills.

Gorski said an influx of puppy mill dogs has depleted the fund during the past few months.

She said they didn't have a goal on how much to raise, but "the more the merrier."

Vollstaedt said she brought Delilah out to help support the cause that is directly affected by the poor economic climate.

"A lot (of pets) are being left behind...and they all deserve good homes," she said.

Anique Forbes of Marysville volunteered at the event, bringing along with her Nina, a success story from the rescue.

Forbes said she adopted the about 7-year-old Yorkshire terrier in late November.

"I just love animals and want to help," she said.

Forbes even loaned out her dog to Karen Lyon, an employee at the store, who wanted a photo with Santa.

For Carolyn Crowe, the photo session was a learning experience and a memory maker.

The Port Huron Township resident brought Loralee, a 10-month-old golden retriever, who is in training to become a leader dog for the blind.

Along with getting experience in a store and socializing with other people and animals, Crowe said it also gave her something to remember Loralee by when she's finished her training.

"It's tradition," she said. "This is my 18th dog. I always get a picture at Christmas."

SANTA CLAWS: Loralee, a leader dog in training, gets her photo taken Sunday by K9 Resque president Sharon Gorski at Classic Pet Supply in Marysville.

DECK THE PAWS: Stacey Vollstaedt of Marysville waits with her cat Delilah on Sunday before getting their photograph taken with Santa at Classic Pet Supply in Marysville. The portrait sessions helped raise money for K9 Resque. (Times Herald photos by WENDY TORELLO)

November 13, 2009

Dogs beg for foster families: Rescue group seeks holiday volunteers

By JESSE DUNSMORE
Times Herald

ST. CLAIR TWP. -- Mitzy, a light-colored Pomeranian, snuggled comfortably in Nicole Reuter's arms Thursday outside the headquarters of K9 Resque.

Reuter, 43, of Ruby was more than happy to let Mitzy stay, but the dog isn't hers.

For now, Mitzy isn't anyone's.

Mitzy is one of several dogs constantly cycled through foster homes by K9 Resque. Founder Sharon Gorski said she hopes for even more dogs cycled through this holiday season.

The group is one of more than 1,300 in the United States -- about 40 in Michigan -- that are working with Petfinder.com and CBS to promote "Foster a Lonely Pet for the Holidays."

The program, to be announced Nov. 29 after CBS airs "A Dog Named Christmas," based on Greg Kincaid's book of the same name, will tell viewers how to find programs such as K9 in their area.

"They're just trying to get more attention for homeless dogs," Gorski said. "The Christmas season or holiday season is for giving, so if (people are) willing to give up part of their time -- or their extra time -- for a dog, that's part of the giving process."

Pet fostering programs take animals from area shelters and find them temporary homes.

K9 Resque interviews possible foster "parents" and checks out their homes before letting them foster a dog. The program pays for all supplies.

No dog stays with a person for more than three weeks straight, unless that person chooses to adopt the dog permanently. Reuter cared for Mitzy for three weeks, and is now fostering Coda, another Pomeranian.

K9 Resque Vice President -- and foster "parent" -- Paul Uribe said the varied environments let dogs get comfortable with different situations. So, when they are eventually adopted, adapting is easier.

"The more they get exposed to, the better off they're going to be," said Uribe, who adopted Creek, a Harrier mix, after fostering the dog.

The three-week limit also is there to keep anyone -- human or canine -- from getting too attached to a temporary situation.

And a temporary commitment is all Gorski's for this season. "If they only last for the holiday season, fine, whatever," she said.

"If you try it once, you'll always want to do it," Reuter said, watching the Pomeranians play.

SWEET TREATS: Paul Uribe gives a treat to Snowball, a foster dog, while his adopted dog, Creek, waits patiently Thursday afternoon at the K9 Resque in St. Clair Township. The rescue is looking for foster homes for dogs during the holiday season when the need for fosters is greatest. (Times Herald photos by WENDY TORELLO)

QUALITY TIME: Nicole Reuter spends time with foster dogs Snowball, Coda and Mitzy on Thursday afternoon at the K9 Resque in St. Clair Township. Dogs stay in foster homes for three weeks at a time in order to adjust to different settings and to not allow animals or humans to become too attached.

Below are some readers comments from the online story which can be viewed by clicking on this link: http://www.thetimesherald.com/article/20091113/NEWS01/911130310/Dogs-beg-for-foster-families-Rescue-group-seeks-holiday-volunteers

petesdad wrote: "We adopted our setter-lab-retreiver mutt from K-9 resque..it seemed like kind of a hassle at the time, but I'm grateful they go through the process that they do...we couldn't have asked for a better fit! Although WE knew we would take proper care of the dog we chose, THEY couldn't know that at the the time, without taking the time they did...they spoke to our references,visited our home,asked us questions as to how we would handle theoretical situations,etc...a quality organization ALL the way and certainly a worthwhile place to devote your volunteer time AND your charity $ to. Our adoptee had been abandoned in a foreclosed property for God knows how long....how sad is that?"

PassiveinPH wrote: "The K-9 Resque is a fantastic service, and they always have the animal in mind. They take great care of the animals, and they also have a great team to make sure you are adopting a great animal to have in your home."