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Several years ago, the pseudo-sanctuary director started talking about opening a dog and cat shelter. After all, it's easier to feed and care for domestic animals, right? Then Hurricane Katrina and Rita hit and the director started making plans to open her own "humane society" shelter shortly after collecting tens of thousand of dollars from other animal organizations, for the supposed care of hundreds of hurricane animal victims.
Two veterinarians I interviewed was adamant the pseudo-sanctuary should not go into the dog and cat business, and yet these same veterinarians (and also board advisors) have no control to stop the pseudo-sanctuary from opening a dog and cat shelter, complete with a spay and neuter clinic on the premise!
The pseudo-sanctuary director told more than one person she planned to remove the 125 or so exotic animals from the primary site and relocate the animals to the unlicensed, unregulated property.
This is the same site where hundreds of "feral" cats were released to fend for themselves. The facility misrepresented itself by claiming to have a "feral cat rehabilitation center" on its premise, one which was closed to the public (of course). In the 2003 advertising booklet, the sanctuary lists the proposed rehab center on page 1 "funds are needed for the following projects." The pseudo-sanctuary needed $175,000 to build the "large natural outdoor areas with access to indoor buildings in which to house and re-domesticate feral cats." The building was never built, but it didn't stop the director from taking $200 per cat dropped off at the pseudo-sanctuary to live out its life at this supposed center. According to the sanctuary's old web site, before it was taken down, hundreds of feral cats were taken to the "feral cat rehabilitation center." Hundreds...
So, what will happen to the unwanted dogs and cats housed at the proposed new "dog and cat shelter?" Will they too, be dropped off at the imaginary "rehabilitation center" in order to make room for cuter, healthier animals?
What will happen to the exotic animals currently housed at the main property after they are moved to the unlicensed, unregulated property? No one will ever know what happened to the animals because the property will be closed to everyone -- including the USDA, law enforcement, health department, etc.
This story has truly taken a tragic twist. Pray for the animals at both properties.
* Photo taken by: Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times
Later:
http://saanimal.blogspot.com/2008/02/raining-cats-and-dogs.html?showComment=1203023280000#c1083890107086017266
What is going to happen to the WAO's smaller USDA licensed property? Will it go to the cats and dogs? Rumor has it the WAO plans to remove 100 or so animals exotic wild animals from the smaller touring property and transport them to the larger unlicensed and unregulated property. Rumor also has it the smaller property will transform into a dog and cat shelter, complete with a "clinic."
What will happen to the exotic wild animals at the larger property? Who knows, because no one will be allowed to check up on them - not the USDA, not the AG's Office, not the TCEQ, and not the Sheriff's Office, unless of course they have a warrant in hand to inspect the property. That means the animal burial pits will be open for business once again!
The larger property will also be a convenient place to dump all the dogs and cats not adopted from the proposed "dog and cat shelter." After all, Carol Asvestas dumped "excess" cats from the WAO's now defunct "Cat Haven" -- so what will stop her from dumping dogs and cats at the larger property again?
Right now, the WAO's smaller property is inspected by the USDA to insure the animals are housed properly and receive adequate food. What will happen to the exotic animals if they are moved to an out-of-sight locale and all the money goes towards the dog and cat shelter/clinic? The WAO claimed in its newsletter to be in dire need of financial support due to the rising cost of animal feed and construction material--so why are they starting up this new project? Just follow the money "tail," because its not about the animals.
More to follow --
Later:
http://saanimal.blogspot.com/2008/02/raining-cats-and-dogs.html?showComment=1203023280000#c1083890107086017266
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2008
RAINING CATS AND DOGS
The Lyin' Queen
Carol Asvestas announced in a newsletter appeal this month that the Wild Animal Orphanage is building a spay and neuter clinic in collaboration with the Texas Hill Country Animal League based in Boerne, Texas.
Never mind hundreds of cats disappeared from the WAO's unlicensed, non-regulated second property over the last several years--now she wants to get into the dog and cat altering business. (Click for San Antonio Lightning Archives in reverse order.)
Carol Asvestas announced in a newsletter appeal this month that the Wild Animal Orphanage is building a spay and neuter clinic in collaboration with the Texas Hill Country Animal League based in Boerne, Texas.
Never mind hundreds of cats disappeared from the WAO's unlicensed, non-regulated second property over the last several years--now she wants to get into the dog and cat altering business. (Click for San Antonio Lightning Archives in reverse order.)
What is going to happen to the WAO's smaller USDA licensed property? Will it go to the cats and dogs? Rumor has it the WAO plans to remove 100 or so animals exotic wild animals from the smaller touring property and transport them to the larger unlicensed and unregulated property. Rumor also has it the smaller property will transform into a dog and cat shelter, complete with a "clinic."
What will happen to the exotic wild animals at the larger property? Who knows, because no one will be allowed to check up on them - not the USDA, not the AG's Office, not the TCEQ, and not the Sheriff's Office, unless of course they have a warrant in hand to inspect the property. That means the animal burial pits will be open for business once again!
The larger property will also be a convenient place to dump all the dogs and cats not adopted from the proposed "dog and cat shelter." After all, Carol Asvestas dumped "excess" cats from the WAO's now defunct "Cat Haven" -- so what will stop her from dumping dogs and cats at the larger property again?
Right now, the WAO's smaller property is inspected by the USDA to insure the animals are housed properly and receive adequate food. What will happen to the exotic animals if they are moved to an out-of-sight locale and all the money goes towards the dog and cat shelter/clinic? The WAO claimed in its newsletter to be in dire need of financial support due to the rising cost of animal feed and construction material--so why are they starting up this new project? Just follow the money "tail," because its not about the animals.
More to follow --
13 comments:
With changes to the city ordinances regarding animal breeding and permits, it appears this place is trying to cash in on San Antonio's cat/dog breeding problems.
Very sad, as now the tigers, lions, cougars, monkeys, and other animals will now have to take a back seat, as it appears this place is moving towards the domestic pet industry.
By the way...what ever happened to those pigs??
The county has the authority to issue permits and inspect/enforce the state law. Why is it not doing so? Are the county authorities in bed with WAO?
Many cats went there because other counties refused to set up boards and rules and instead just banned these animals. WAO had the clout to get their county to allow them AND NOBODY ELSE in a sweetheart deal.
Maybe it's time for other owners to sue over this gross corruption and flaunting of Texas law. The county is in violation, not just WAO.
Laws either apply to everyone or no one. It's time to enforce it or repeal it. If there were other places to take these poor animals the Asvestas's could not get away with this.
Okay, now it gets worse. Texas passed the Dangerous Wild Animal Bill (HB1362), which exempts the WAO from complying because the bill exempted "an incorporated humane society or animal shelter." The WAO is an incorporated entity; therefore, it gets a "pass" on this bill.
The WAO directors worked real hard to make sure they were exempt from this bill (known at one time as HB 1828 and SB 1235)--even going so far as to start petition drives in San Antonio. The 1997 petition claimed "there is no clear definition between Wildlife Sanctuaries that give educational tours or Roadside Zoos; thus endangering the existence of those who care for the ever increasing number of unwanted wild and exotic animals. If this bill passes, THOUSANDS of animals will become unwanted IMMEDIATELY! and WILL BE KILLED." Viola! Instant exception! Because the WAO is exempt from this Bill, the WAO is not required to provide a list of all animals on the both premises, to include photographs of the animals and their enclosures. The Bill would have required a check on the animals annually and liability insurance, but since the WAO is exempt, no one will know what happens to the animals on the second property.
So, if the WAO directors plan to remove all the exotic wild animals from its "educational tour property" and relocate them to a unlicensed, unregulated property, (or worse, given them away to friends and workers at the WAO) then the WAO becomes exempt from the USDA inspections, as I have no doubt they will drop their USDA exhibitor's license.
According to the WOAI news story, the WAO is being investigated by the USDA, and no doubt the removal of the animals to the second property is an attempt to "stop the bleeding" at its touring facility, as the USDA will no be able to conduct annual inspections.
So, first it was the Horse Sanctuary, then it was the San Antonio Wildlife Emergency Centre, then it was the Wild Animal Orphanage, now it's the Animal Sanctuary of the United States. Tomorrow, will it be the Whisker's and Wag's Humane Society or some other new title containing the words "Humane Society?"
What will happen to all the exotic wild animals? HELLO??? Doesn’t anyone out there care?