Animal Lovers Needed to Attend Meeting

[mysunshine1948]

I am forwarding this information for the awareness of our community. Many Villagers are not aware that our tax dollars support a kill shelter. Sumter County Animal Services is a kill shelter.....not much of a shelter! Your presence at a meeting is important for the commissioners to be aware that people here want this changed! Please pass on this information and attend the meeting.

Here is the message:
"I need help! On August 22, I am speaking in front of the Sumter County Board of Commissioners at 5:00 p.m. at Colony Cottage Recreation Center. The more animal lovers we have in the room will help to make them take us seriously and do something to change the practice. Large numbers speak volumes.

I am going to ask the Sumter County Animal Services to implement several plans that go toward changing Sumter County Animal Services from a high kill to a no kill service. I am going to show them, with their own numbers, how deplorable their numbers are for animals that come into their control.

I want to stop them from killing 33% of the animals that come into their shelter. PLEASE take this request seriously. Please show up for this meeting. I , as well as others work to get pets returned to owners, but we all need your help! We cannot do this alone. You do not have to live in The Villages to attend.

Put it on your calendar....TUESDAY, AUGUST 22 at 5:00 p. m. at
Colony Cottage Receeation Center."

Oren Miloer

Colony Cottage is just off Morse just south of 466A near Colony Plaza. Please attend! Thank you!

[graciegirl]

Animal Services | Sumter County, FL - Official Website (http://sumtercountyfl.gov/75/Animal-Services)

HOME - Humane Society/SPCA of Sumter County, Inc. (http://hsspca.org/)

The Sumter County Animal Services seems to support The Sumter County Human Society which is a non governmental group...

Could you explain more ABOUT exactly what is bothering your group? Your figures show that 70% are NOT killed but some realistically may be sick or very old........or in some way unadoptable.

[rubicon]

Perhaps those interested parties attending this meeting might want to suggest to the commission that before any human being is allowed to purchase a pet proper vetting needs to occur to ascertain whether that human being is capable, caring and responsible enough to own a pet.

It would seem if a responsible human being discovered a pet missing that they would go to great lengths to find the animal and that of course includes visiting the animal shelter in question.

Given the concern as to the number of animals allegedly killed by this shelter it would appear that not too many owners are making a good faith search effort.

Feral cats dogs, etc are a menace to society.

[HimandMe]

Perhaps those interested parties attending this meeting might want to suggest to the commission that before any human being is allowed to purchase a pet proper vetting needs to occur to ascertain whether that human being is capable, caring and responsible enough to own a pet.

It would seem if a responsible human being discovered a pet missing that they would go to great lengths to find the animal and that of course includes visiting the animal shelter in question.

Given the concern as to the number of animals allegedly killed by this shelter it would appear that not too many owners are making a good faith search effort.

Feral cats dogs, etc are a menace to society.

no comment...

[angiefox10]

Animal Services | Sumter County, FL - Official Website (http://sumtercountyfl.gov/75/Animal-Services)

HOME - Humane Society/SPCA of Sumter County, Inc. (http://hsspca.org/)

The Sumter County Animal Services seems to support The Sumter County Human Society which is a non governmental group...

Could you explain more ABOUT exactly what is bothering your group? Your figures show that 70% are NOT killed but some realistically may be sick or very old........or in some way unadoptable.

Perhaps those interested parties attending this meeting might want to suggest to the commission that before any human being is allowed to purchase a pet proper vetting needs to occur to ascertain whether that human being is capable, caring and responsible enough to own a pet.

It would seem if a responsible human being discovered a pet missing that they would go to great lengths to find the animal and that of course includes visiting the animal shelter in question.

Given the concern as to the number of animals allegedly killed by this shelter it would appear that not too many owners are making a good faith search effort.

Feral cats dogs, etc are a menace to society.

We ARE supporting the Humane Society and THEY ARE supporting us.

The issue is they are killing 32% of dogs and cats every month. If one of YOUR cats gets out and they pick it up.... You have three days to claim it, before it would be killed. Often times they don't even get a photo out in time.

Only three days in Sumter County to find your pet. You better be there EVERY day... AND you can't just go there. You have to go to the Humane Society to have someone take you over to Animal Services.

Because of this situation, if someone finds a pet in Sumter County they will often times drive to Lake county and call that county, who is already a successful No Kill Shelter, to come and get it so it will not be killed.

Because Lake County is getting many of our animals, it does two things. One, you won't know to go to Lake County to find your pet and two, they are handling two counties instead of their one. Therefore... Lake county is ALSO supporting us.

Now... to why WE got involved.

I run Lost Pets of The Villages. If you lose a pet I will do everything in my power to help you get it back, including going to your hood and talking to as many people that I can to get more eyes looking for your pet. I will tell you what has worked in the past for other owners and blast out in social media, calling the radio station and Community Watch. to find your beloved pet.

If you find a pet, I will come to your home and scan the pet, and do everything in my power to find the owner. Including going door to door and driving around the hood to find them, blasting out on social media, calling the radio station and Community Watch.

Because people don't know how to find their pets, I also post on PetHarbor and Craigslist for you as well as letting the appropriate county know about the lost or found pet.

I do this so that YOUR pet doesn't go to Animal Services. I do it as fast as I can, in case your pet is old and needs meds. Understand, if your pet is old and needs meds... that pet will not make it out of Animal Services. So, if you want a cheap way to kill your pet... Don't call me.

Back to my story.

On July 11, 2017, Sumter County sent a change to the SOP that going forward Community Watch was not to call me but to call Animal Services to come and pick up YOUR pet to take to the shelter.

As for Lake and Marion counties, I could still be called, but NOT Sumter. BTW... what county do you live in?

Long story short, I called the county and requested a change. I came up with several solutions for a fighting chance to save our pets and all were rejected.

Now, we will continue the process of changing our Animal Services to a No Kill Shelter.

This is an elderly community. People do not know how to look for their pets. Some don't have the means to travel to the shelter, and why should they if I can get the pet back?

As the "number of animals allegedly killed by this shelter". Those number are THEIR numbers. Although,I'm told they are not correct. Since there is no transparency, there is no way to know.

A No Kill shelter will help keep the Feral cats down, buy doing a TNR, Trap Neuter and release, which doesn't appear we have in this County. We need the feral cats to keep the rats and mice down. Many cities ie. New York are using them for just that purpose.

In the almost two years that I have been doing this, I have learned that the dog or cat that you think is a mongrel... is oftentimes someone's beloved pet.

I do not get any money for this. I do it because I care.

For all of those who are supporting us in this effort, THANK YOU

Angie Fox
Lost Pets of The Villages
815-370-9115

[Mrs. Robinson]

Please be aware that you do not have to be a pet owner to attend this meeting.
If you simply "like" pets or even care about our community, you should attend this meeting.

Please show your support and be there!

[graciegirl]

We ARE supporting the Humane Society and THEY ARE supporting us.

The issue is they are killing 32% of dogs and cats every month. If one of YOUR cats gets out and they pick it up.... You have three days to claim it, before it would be killed. Often times they don't even get a photo out in time.

Only three days in Sumter County to find your pet. You better be there EVERY day... AND you can't just go there. You have to go to the Humane Society to have someone take you over to Animal Services.

Because of this situation, if someone finds a pet in Sumter County they will often times drive to Lake county and call that county, who is already a successful No Kill Shelter, to come and get it so it will not be killed.

Because Lake County is getting many of our animals, it does two things. One, you won't know to go to Lake County to find your pet and two, they are handling two counties instead of their one. Therefore... Lake county is ALSO supporting us.

Now... to why WE got involved.

I run Lost Pets of The Villages. If you lose a pet I will do everything in my power to help you get it back, including going to your hood and talking to as many people that I can to get more eyes looking for your pet. I will tell you what has worked in the past for other owners and blast out in social media, calling the radio station and Community Watch. to find your beloved pet.

If you find a pet, I will come to your home and scan the pet, and do everything in my power to find the owner. Including going door to door and driving around the hood to find them, blasting out on social media, calling the radio station and Community Watch.

Because people don't know how to find their pets, I also post on PetHarbor and Craigslist for you as well as letting the appropriate county know about the lost or found pet.

I do this so that YOUR pet doesn't go to Animal Services. I do it as fast as I can, in case your pet is old and needs meds. Understand, if your pet is old and needs meds... that pet will not make it out of Animal Services. So, if you want a cheap way to kill your pet... Don't call me.

Back to my story.

On July 11, 2017, Sumter County sent a change to the SOP that going forward Community Watch was not to call me but to call Animal Services to come and pick up YOUR pet to take to the shelter.

As for Lake and Marion counties, I could still be called, but NOT Sumter. BTW... what county do you live in?

Long story short, I called the county and requested a change. I came up with several solutions for a fighting chance to save our pets and all were rejected.

Now, we will continue the process of changing our Animal Services to a No Kill Shelter.

This is an elderly community. People do not know how to look for their pets. Some don't have the means to travel to the shelter, and why should they if I can get the pet back?

As the "number of animals allegedly killed by this shelter". Those number are THEIR numbers. Although,I'm told they are not correct. Since there is no transparency, there is no way to know.

A No Kill shelter will help keep the Feral cats down, buy doing a TNR, Trap Neuter and release, which doesn't appear we have in this County. We need the feral cats to keep the rats and mice down. Many cities ie. New York are using them for just that purpose.

In the almost two years that I have been doing this, I have learned that the dog or cat that you think is a mongrel... is oftentimes someone's beloved pet.

I do not get any money for this. I do it because I care.

For all of those who are supporting us in this effort, THANK YOU

Angie Fox
Lost Pets of The Villages
815-370-9115


I am trying to understand. It sounds like the point of friction is that the government agency didn't call a private individual rather than the Humane Society. I understand your intense caring but can you or your group realistically change the way things are done?

In trying to understand this issue I came across this piece. In the comments some feel that in certain cases Euthanasia is sometimes more Humane than how an animal must live. Here is the article;

Michigan Humane Society under fire over kill rates; two board members resign (http://www.annarbor.com/pets/michigan-humane-society-kill-rate-board-member-resigned-pets-dogs-cats-audit/)

[angiefox10]

I am trying to understand. It sounds like the point of friction is that the government agency didn't call a private individual rather than the Humane Society. I understand your intense caring but can you or your group realistically change the way things are done?

In trying to understand this issue I came across this piece. In the comments some feel that in certain cases Euthanasia is sometimes more Humane than how an animal must live. Here is the article;

Michigan Humane Society under fire over kill rates; two board members resign (http://www.annarbor.com/pets/michigan-humane-society-kill-rate-board-member-resigned-pets-dogs-cats-audit/)

If they would call the Humane Society, that would be wonderful. However, that's not the case. They instead call Animal Services which is High Kill.

You don't need to understand it. Just know that I will do everything I can to save your pets, even if you won't for someone else.

[miffy75]

I am trying to understand. It sounds like the point of friction is that the government agency didn't call a private individual rather than the Humane Society. I understand your intense caring but can you or your group realistically change the way things are done?

In trying to understand this issue I came across this piece. In the comments some feel that in certain cases Euthanasia is sometimes more Humane than how an animal must live. Here is the article;

Michigan Humane Society under fire over kill rates; two board members resign (http://www.annarbor.com/pets/michigan-humane-society-kill-rate-board-member-resigned-pets-dogs-cats-audit/)
The point of friction is that a lot of animals are being killed instead of finding their owners, foster families, or someone to adopt them. The article you posted is from 2011 and people have become more aware of "kill shelters" and how quickly animals are euthanized. Go the Sumter County Animal Services Site and look for yourself at the dogs & cats that are listed as "time sensitive" (which means they are about to be euthanized) and they are not old and sick. They are kittens and young dogs that are ready to be adopted but are available for only a short time. Read the comments on their FB page (which has not been update in two years) from frustrated people that tried to adopt a dog but you cannot go to the shelter directly but rather have to get someone at another location to take you there. So not only is it a kill shelter but they do not make it easy for people to adopt. Maybe you see nothing wrong with healthy dogs and cats being killed every day but I do. Hopefully we can get Sumter County Animal Services to become a no-kill shelter.

[Lovey2]

I will be at the meeting for sure. I applaud Angie and Oren and their host of helpers that are actually out there "doing something". It's easy for the rest of us to sit in our cozy chairs and question their tactics and reasoning. If one of my pets ever got out, I'd be thanking God we have these angels around and their procedures and plans in place. In the meantime, till I can go out and be of help searching and talking to people, I will certainly attend any meeting they ask me to. One persons pet prematurely killed is one too many for me.

[graciegirl]

I will be at the meeting for sure. I applaud Angie and Oren and their host of helpers that are actually out there "doing something". It's easy for the rest of us to sit in our cozy chairs and question their tactics and reasoning. If one of my pets ever got out, I'd be thanking God we have these angels around and their procedures and plans in place. In the meantime, till I can go out and be of help searching and talking to people, I will certainly attend any meeting they ask me to. One persons pet prematurely killed is one too many for me.

I hope you understand that I am trying to figure out if this outcry can change things. Has this kind of tactic worked in other areas? I am certainly not doubting that things can be improved. People being angry at meetings rarely effect change.

And I do love animals. They are members of our family and I do understand being terribly frightened if they should go missing.

[Lovey2]

I hope you understand that I am trying to figure out if this outcry can change things. Has this kind of tactic worked in other areas? I am certainly not doubting that things can be improved. People being angry at meetings rarely effect change.

And I do love animals. They are members of our family and I do understand being terribly frightened if they should go missing.

We can only give it a try. To do nothing would be sad and lazy. I will go for all the poor animals that just get "put to sleep" because it's easier.

[graciegirl]

We can only give it a try. To do nothing would be sad and lazy. I will go for all the poor animals that just get "put to sleep" because it's easier.

I understand your anguish. I just read this from Peta. I would be at a meeting that was for raising money for neutering.

The Deadly Consequences of 'No-Kill' Policies | PETA (https://www.peta.org/features/deadly-consequences-no-kill-policies/)

[angiefox10]

I understand your anguish. I just read this from Peta. I would be at a meeting that was for raising money for neutering.

The Deadly Consequences of 'No-Kill' Policies | PETA (https://www.peta.org/features/deadly-consequences-no-kill-policies/)

If you REALLY did your homework, you would know that is what No Kill does.

*sigh*

And yes...No Kill works. It works in Gainsville, It works in Jacksonville, and it works in Lake County.

Please take a minute and read what people have responded to you.

And what do you mean by "snowflake"?

[rubicon]

We ARE supporting the Humane Society and THEY ARE supporting us.

The issue is they are killing 32% of dogs and cats every month. If one of YOUR cats gets out and they pick it up.... You have three days to claim it, before it would be killed. Often times they don't even get a photo out in time.

Only three days in Sumter County to find your pet. You better be there EVERY day... AND you can't just go there. You have to go to the Humane Society to have someone take you over to Animal Services.

Because of this situation, if someone finds a pet in Sumter County they will often times drive to Lake county and call that county, who is already a successful No Kill Shelter, to come and get it so it will not be killed.

Because Lake County is getting many of our animals, it does two things. One, you won't know to go to Lake County to find your pet and two, they are handling two counties instead of their one. Therefore... Lake county is ALSO supporting us.

Now... to why WE got involved.

I run Lost Pets of The Villages. If you lose a pet I will do everything in my power to help you get it back, including going to your hood and talking to as many people that I can to get more eyes looking for your pet. I will tell you what has worked in the past for other owners and blast out in social media, calling the radio station and Community Watch. to find your beloved pet.

If you find a pet, I will come to your home and scan the pet, and do everything in my power to find the owner. Including going door to door and driving around the hood to find them, blasting out on social media, calling the radio station and Community Watch.

Because people don't know how to find their pets, I also post on PetHarbor and Craigslist for you as well as letting the appropriate county know about the lost or found pet.

I do this so that YOUR pet doesn't go to Animal Services. I do it as fast as I can, in case your pet is old and needs meds. Understand, if your pet is old and needs meds... that pet will not make it out of Animal Services. So, if you want a cheap way to kill your pet... Don't call me.

Back to my story.

On July 11, 2017, Sumter County sent a change to the SOP that going forward Community Watch was not to call me but to call Animal Services to come and pick up YOUR pet to take to the shelter.

As for Lake and Marion counties, I could still be called, but NOT Sumter. BTW... what county do you live in?

Long story short, I called the county and requested a change. I came up with several solutions for a fighting chance to save our pets and all were rejected.

Now, we will continue the process of changing our Animal Services to a No Kill Shelter.

This is an elderly community. People do not know how to look for their pets. Some don't have the means to travel to the shelter, and why should they if I can get the pet back?

As the "number of animals allegedly killed by this shelter". Those number are THEIR numbers. Although,I'm told they are not correct. Since there is no transparency, there is no way to know.

A No Kill shelter will help keep the Feral cats down, buy doing a TNR, Trap Neuter and release, which doesn't appear we have in this County. We need the feral cats to keep the rats and mice down. Many cities ie. New York are using them for just that purpose.

In the almost two years that I have been doing this, I have learned that the dog or cat that you think is a mongrel... is oftentimes someone's beloved pet.

I do not get any money for this. I do it because I care.

For all of those who are supporting us in this effort, THANK YOU

Angie Fox
Lost Pets of The Villages
815-370-9115

angiefox: I admire what you do and I admire you for your concern. I too am against animal cruelty.

However the narrative that you share leaves me with the impression that the supply of pets exceeds demands and the situation is getting out of hand. To wit you state the shelter is killing 32% of animals a month. You state that an owner has only 3 days to claim their pet.

It seems doubtful that people who work at animal shelters euthanize pets just for the kick of it. it would seem that they have a bona fide purpose for doing so.

Love cause people to lose objectivity whether its children or animals . Parents/owners expectations of what should be tolerated vis a vis others is incongruent

Perhaps there is a compromise and by your tone of concern and your interest I'll wager you will find one.

Personal Best Regards:

[Rapscallion St Croix]

Jeez. The lady is just asking like minded people to attend a meeting. Why is it necessary to put her through an inquisition?

[Taltarzac725]

Jeez. The lady is just asking like minded people to attend a meeting. Why is it necessary to put her through an inquisition?

I may be there. We will see. I will be there in spirit if not body.

[angiefox10]

angiefox: I admire what you do and I admire you for your concern. I too am against animal cruelty.

However the narrative that you share leaves me with the impression that the supply of pets exceeds demands and the situation is getting out of hand. To wit you state the shelter is killing 32% of animals a month. You state that an owner has only 3 days to claim their pet.

It seems doubtful that people who work at animal shelters euthanize pets just for the kick of it. it would seem that they have a bona fide purpose for doing so.

Love cause people to lose objectivity whether its children or animals . Parents/owners expectations of what should be tolerated vis a vis others is incongruent

Perhaps there is a compromise and by your tone of concern and your interest I'll wager you will find one.

Personal Best Regards:

To your point. If there are empty kennels and they are killing animals. Doesn't that seem odd to you? Does it appear that there are too many animals if they have empty kennels. To be honest, I thought the same thing. I thought that maybe they were full and had to make room. That doesn't seem to be the case as they have actually told me they have empty kennels.

Can you tell me why no one is allowed to take pictures inside the facility? I've been told they will take your camera if you try. Why not?

If there are too many animals in the shelter, why wouldn't they want people to help find the owners and keep the animal count down? It would save the county money and manpower to not have to come and get the found pets. I know, just my gas bill is high and I live in The Villages. They have to send someone out from the facility to The Villages to get our pets and take them back when we can get them back to the owners without it. Does it make sense to you?

Someone suggested that the call was going to just me. Lost Pets of The Villages is a community of 1,400 strong and growing. This is the number of people who are working every day to get our pets back to the owners and keep them out of the shelters. The group consists of the cat group, birds, dogs, and wildlife.

I hope that people would educate themselves about No Kill. Right now, what we have is a High Kill shelter. That means that they kill according to the number of days... It doesn't have anything to do with the health or age of the animal.

A No Kill doesn't mean that they never have to put down an animal. It means they will have a reason to do so. Now, they don't. They can and do just kill for the sake of killing.



If they can't kill the animals, they would have to get more active in finding the owners. Now they kill according to days.... They make no effort to find the owner. Often times there isn't even a photo of the pet posted before it's killed.

Most people here don't know where to find their pets if they are lost. This is why I founded Lost Pets of The Villages.

Because Sumter County is High Kill, if you lose your pet, you will have to go to three county shelters to look for your pet. This is because people who know about Sumter County High Kill policy will drive a pet to another county and call them to come and get them keep your pet alive.

In a No Kill Nation, they spay/neuter all animals that come through the facility. They offer spay and neuter to residents at a low cost. In a few short years they have brought down the over population of animals in the cities that are working the program.

A true No Kill shelter has to go through 11 or 12 steps to make it work. But it does work.

I actually come from an area that is and has been no kill for years. The community is very involved in the shelter and very active in making it work.

Last week I went to Lake County Shelter, which is a No Kill, they were very happy about it. They told me it works. It was a very active shelter. I was able to walk around and look at the animals without an escort and take photos. Such a difference. So many volenteers and people coming in to adopt.

I will leave you with this.


http://www.nokilladvocacycenter.org/uploads/4/8/6/2/48624081/calclrr.pdf

[Taltarzac725]

I am forwarding this information for the awareness of our community. Many Villagers are not aware that our tax dollars support a kill shelter. Sumter County Animal Services is a kill shelter.....not much of a shelter! Your presence at a meeting is important for the commissioners to be aware that people here want this changed! Please pass on this information and attend the meeting.

Here is the message:
"I need help! On August 22, I am speaking in front of the Sumter County Board of Commissioners at 5:00 p.m. at Colony Cottage Recreation Center. The more animal lovers we have in the room will help to make them take us seriously and do something to change the practice. Large numbers speak volumes.

I am going to ask the Sumter County Animal Services to implement several plans that go toward changing Sumter County Animal Services from a high kill to a no kill service. I am going to show them, with their own numbers, how deplorable their numbers are for animals that come into their control.

I want to stop them from killing 33% of the animals that come into their shelter. PLEASE take this request seriously. Please show up for this meeting. I , as well as others work to get pets returned to owners, but we all need your help! We cannot do this alone. You do not have to live in The Villages to attend.

Put it on your calendar....TUESDAY, AUGUST 22 at 5:00 p. m. at
Colony Cottage Receeation Center."

Oren Miloer

Colony Cottage is just off Morse just south of 466A near Colony Plaza. Please attend! Thank you!

Just reminding people of the topic of the thread.

[graciegirl]

You are right as usual, Rapscallion.

[kaseydog]

Lost pets of the villages does a wonderful job of reuniting lost pets with their owners. If lost pets end up at sumter animal shelter their chances of returning home decreases. Thank you angie fox for spearheading this effort to make sumter county shelter a no kill shelter.

[Taltarzac725]

Lost pets of the villages does a wonderful job of reuniting lost pets with their owners. If lost pets end up at sumter animal shelter their chances of returning home decreases. Thank you angie fox for spearheading this effort to make sumter county shelter a no kill shelter.

I will try to spread the message on Facebook and elsewhere about this drive to make Sumter County's Animal Shelter a no kill one.

Animal Services | Sumter County, FL - Official Website (http://sumtercountyfl.gov/75/Animal-Services)

Meetings, Agendas, and Minutes | Sumter County, FL - Official Website (http://www.sumtercountyfl.gov/70/Meetings-Agendas-and-Minutes)

[Barefoot]

I will be at the meeting for sure. I applaud Angie and Oren and their host of helpers that are actually out there "doing something". It's easy for the rest of us to sit in our cozy chairs and question their tactics and reasoning. If one of my pets ever got out, I'd be thanking God we have these angels around and their procedures and plans in place. In the meantime, till I can go out and be of help searching and talking to people, I will certainly attend any meeting they ask me to. One persons pet prematurely killed is one too many for me.I agree with every statement in your post.
I would definitely attend the meeting if I weren't in Canada.

[Here2Stay]

For those who comment about the why's, clearly not folks interested in helping or understanding this cause! Clearly not pet people! Hope the Villages and those outside show up for this event, just to hear the details! THEN COMMENT! Would have been nicer to see the comments saying, "thanks for taking the time out to care about these pets"! instead of any negative comments before you even understand the issues! Please Villages, show your support to this cause! Count us IN!

[rubicon]

To your point. If there are empty kennels and they are killing animals. Doesn't that seem odd to you? Does it appear that there are too many animals if they have empty kennels. To be honest, I thought the same thing. I thought that maybe they were full and had to make room. That doesn't seem to be the case as they have actually told me they have empty kennels.

Can you tell me why no one is allowed to take pictures inside the facility? I've been told they will take your camera if you try. Why not?

If there are too many animals in the shelter, why wouldn't they want people to help find the owners and keep the animal count down? It would save the county money and manpower to not have to come and get the found pets. I know, just my gas bill is high and I live in The Villages. They have to send someone out from the facility to The Villages to get our pets and take them back when we can get them back to the owners without it. Does it make sense to you?

Someone suggested that the call was going to just me. Lost Pets of The Villages is a community of 1,400 strong and growing. This is the number of people who are working every day to get our pets back to the owners and keep them out of the shelters. The group consists of the cat group, birds, dogs, and wildlife.

I hope that people would educate themselves about No Kill. Right now, what we have is a High Kill shelter. That means that they kill according to the number of days... It doesn't have anything to do with the health or age of the animal.

A No Kill doesn't mean that they never have to put down an animal. It means they will have a reason to do so. Now, they don't. They can and do just kill for the sake of killing.



If they can't kill the animals, they would have to get more active in finding the owners. Now they kill according to days.... They make no effort to find the owner. Often times there isn't even a photo of the pet posted before it's killed.

Most people here don't know where to find their pets if they are lost. This is why I founded Lost Pets of The Villages.

Because Sumter County is High Kill, if you lose your pet, you will have to go to three county shelters to look for your pet. This is because people who know about Sumter County High Kill policy will drive a pet to another county and call them to come and get them keep your pet alive.

In a No Kill Nation, they spay/neuter all animals that come through the facility. They offer spay and neuter to residents at a low cost. In a few short years they have brought down the over population of animals in the cities that are working the program.

A true No Kill shelter has to go through 11 or 12 steps to make it work. But it does work.

I actually come from an area that is and has been no kill for years. The community is very involved in the shelter and very active in making it work.

Last week I went to Lake County Shelter, which is a No Kill, they were very happy about it. They told me it works. It was a very active shelter. I was able to walk around and look at the animals without an escort and take photos. Such a difference. So many volenteers and people coming in to adopt.

I will leave you with this.


http://www.nokilladvocacycenter.org/uploads/4/8/6/2/48624081/calclrr.pdf

angiefox: Thank you for having the patience to explain this situation in more detail. Discussion leads to clarification and hence better understanding. Your concern and your call to action makes sense. I now have come to 180 on this issue.

Personal Best Regards:

[angiefox10]

angiefox: Thank you for having the patience to explain this situation in more detail. Discussion leads to clarification and hence better understanding. Your concern and your call to action makes sense. I now have come to 180 on this issue.

Personal Best Regards:


Thank you!

You have heard my story. In the coming months, you will hear a lot of stories. YOu will hear stories that will leave you shaking your head, you will hear stories that will make you cry, (I just read one such story) you will hear stories that will make you want to get even more details.

This first presentation is going to be about the numbers... That is where we will start. There may be more people who will get up and speak, but for us, it will be the one speaker. As the months go on, we will unfold the whole picture and history of the shelter and the situation that we are facing and wish to change.

I am not the "person" in charge. Nor am I the "leader" This is a group and a a very large group. This has been a project for several years and now... it has come to a head.

The Villages is getting involved.

As you know, we are a talented group, each with our own strengths. We are working with those strengths to change our shelter for the better

There is no reason Sumter County with the population of The Villages and our taxes that we can't do better than what we have.

People should be asking questions such as....

Why do they not allow volunteers?
Why can't you go in without an escort?
Why aren't they taking photos of all intakes as soon as they enter the shelter?
Why can't people take photos?

These are just a few of the questions that people need to be asking.

Why is this shelter so much different than the others?

Why are they killing animals when they have empty kennels?


We have the numbers from their site, but wonder if they are correct. No one is allowed in to see what's going on.

Even before I got involved in this, I received an email form someone who told me it was bad... very bad. She had a friend who worked there and couldn't quit because it was the only way she could help them.

I wonder what it does to the mind of the person who kills all these animals?

Just food for thought.

[Blessed2BNTV]

Lost pets of the villages does a wonderful job of reuniting lost pets with their owners. If lost pets end up at sumter animal shelter their chances of returning home decreases. Thank you angie fox for spearheading this effort to make sumter county shelter a no kill shelter.

I have a cat that use to be an outdoor cat BEFORE we moved to TV. Since we have been here he has not been outside. If he ever got out, I would be THANKFUL for Angie! You do a terrific job at reuniting and finding lost pets.

I am thankful for you!

[CFrance]

jeez. The lady is just asking like minded people to attend a meeting. Why is it necessary to put her through an inquisition?
ThANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[angiefox10]

Thank you... However, Lost Pets of The Villages is The Villages.

Remember Baby... She just got out.

Those people moved into The Villages two days before Baby got out. From the time we got the call until she was picked up, villagers were out there looking for Baby and making people aware that dog was missing. And it was a villager who drove the owner to go and get Baby.

The owner of Baby learned FAST what it's like to live in "the Friendliest hometown"

Villagers are the best people in the world. They just need to know what to do. We all learned together how to find a pet and now, when one of our pets get lost... everyone goes into action. They know what to do and they do it.

That group runs better every day. One day a dog will walk out of a house and someone will just know to pick it up and take it back. *kidding*

Lost Pets is almost 1,400 strong and growing every day. The bigger it gets, the faster we will get the pets back home.

Now... back to our regularly scheduled program.

Have you ever thought to yourself you wish you could save them all?

Well, you can. No Kill works. It is all abut the Spay/neuter.

Come to the meetings. Hear the stories that I am hearing . Documented stories. Learn... then you decide for yourself.

[Mrs. Robinson]

Why so much negativity on this thread?
All the OP and supporters want is for others to attend a meeting to make positive changes for homeless and lost pets.
One post said she would attend a meeting for neutering animals . . . But not attend a meeting to help lost and homeless pets???
Adopted pets are always neutered! That isn't the issue.
I didn't think the request was such a big deal but, obviously, to some, it has become a big deal.

Many of the comments and questions have been accusatory and negative.
They shouldn't be. This meeting is for a good cause.

[lorilorilori]

The reality is - Humane Societies are actually slaughterhouses.
It's a fact of life. The more animals that come through the door, the more $$$ they make. IF ... the slaughterhouses wanted to stop the kill, they could do it on a national basis BUT it will not happen cause "humane societies" are a business. They need the $$$ to keep the doors open.

As to the "no kill" shelters - they have a list of reasons why it is permissable to kill and in reality .. that covers everything. If not, when the kennels are full, the "reason" is created such as sick, dying, influenza, heartworm, aggressive, etc.

As a "volunteer" it is hard to know the truth. As a worker, you see the truth but don't like to talk about the lies.

Every industry in this country pays a tax for creating garbage or pays for hauling off garbage. What is exempt - backyard breeders and "akc" breeders. The American Killing Club is one of the worst offenders. Until all "breeders" are taxed for their extra "garbage" your pets, and mine, will be killed.

So, if you think of humane societies as "I love all pets and there is nothing I will do ..." then the lies will continue. If you really want to make change, you need to start with the breeders. They need to pay and be controlled just like the cattle industry, the dairy industry, the tire industry etc.

[Barefoot]

All the OP and supporters want is for others to attend a meeting to make positive changes for homeless and lost pets.
Many of the comments and questions have been accusatory and negative.
They shouldn't be. This meeting is for a good cause.
:agree:

[CFrance]

I am trying to understand. It sounds like the point of friction is that the government agency didn't call a private individual rather than the Humane Society. I understand your intense caring but can you or your group realistically change the way things are done?

In trying to understand this issue I came across this piece. In the comments some feel that in certain cases Euthanasia is sometimes more Humane than how an animal must live. Here is the article;

Michigan Humane Society under fire over kill rates; two board members resign (http://www.annarbor.com/pets/michigan-humane-society-kill-rate-board-member-resigned-pets-dogs-cats-audit/)
I don't see why there is even a discussion over this. For decades we boomers have been told "If you don't like the laws or the way things are done, work to change the laws or the way things are done." That's, we have been told over and over again, the way a democracy works. So here is Angie, trying to work to change the way things are done, and people are grilling her? Either directly or passive-aggresively.

The way I see it, she's going about this in a most democratic way. If you don't agree with her or doubt her facts, figures, motives, go to the meeting and ask questions. If you do agree with her, go to the meeting and support her.

She has explained herself satisfactorily, IMO.

[miffy75]

I don't see why there is even a discussion over this. For decades we boomers have been told "If you don't like the laws or the way things are done, work to change the laws or the way things are done." That's, we have been told over and over again, the way a democracy works. So here is Angie, trying to work to change the way things are done, and people are grilling her? Either directly or passive-aggresively.

The way I see it, she's going about this in a most democratic way. If you don't agree with her or doubt her facts, figures, motives, go to the meeting and ask questions. If you do agree with her, go to the meeting and support her.

She has explained herself satisfactorily, IMO.
Well said & totally agree!

[angiefox10]

First, I will address the call I received from the gentleman who called just to harass me. (who does that with caller ID?)

Anyone who is in any of my groups knows that I promote tags, collar ID, and chips for all pets! It's the first line of defense.

If you have a Collar ID or Tag ID on your pet. Neither me or Sumter County will get a call when your pet is found. The only person who will get a call is YOU!

A chip is a back up to the tag and collar for when you give your dog a bath and the dog got away from you. BTW... we have the cleanest dogs in the world.

Second... I agree with puppy mills. They are part of the problem.

Closing puppy mills down is simple. Stop buying from them and adopt. When they can no longer make money, they will stop breeding!

Have a great day folks... See you on the 22nd.

[Shamrock Construction]

We ARE supporting the Humane Society and THEY ARE supporting us.

The issue is they are killing 32% of dogs and cats every month. If one of YOUR cats gets out and they pick it up.... You have three days to claim it, before it would be killed. Often times they don't even get a photo out in time.

Only three days in Sumter County to find your pet. You better be there EVERY day... AND you can't just go there. You have to go to the Humane Society to have someone take you over to Animal Services.

Because of this situation, if someone finds a pet in Sumter County they will often times drive to Lake county and call that county, who is already a successful No Kill Shelter, to come and get it so it will not be killed.

Because Lake County is getting many of our animals, it does two things. One, you won't know to go to Lake County to find your pet and two, they are handling two counties instead of their one. Therefore... Lake county is ALSO supporting us.

Now... to why WE got involved.

I run Lost Pets of The Villages. If you lose a pet I will do everything in my power to help you get it back, including going to your hood and talking to as many people that I can to get more eyes looking for your pet. I will tell you what has worked in the past for other owners and blast out in social media, calling the radio station and Community Watch. to find your beloved pet.

If you find a pet, I will come to your home and scan the pet, and do everything in my power to find the owner. Including going door to door and driving around the hood to find them, blasting out on social media, calling the radio station and Community Watch.

Because people don't know how to find their pets, I also post on PetHarbor and Craigslist for you as well as letting the appropriate county know about the lost or found pet.

I do this so that YOUR pet doesn't go to Animal Services. I do it as fast as I can, in case your pet is old and needs meds. Understand, if your pet is old and needs meds... that pet will not make it out of Animal Services. So, if you want a cheap way to kill your pet... Don't call me.

Back to my story.

On July 11, 2017, Sumter County sent a change to the SOP that going forward Community Watch was not to call me but to call Animal Services to come and pick up YOUR pet to take to the shelter.

As for Lake and Marion counties, I could still be called, but NOT Sumter. BTW... what county do you live in?

Long story short, I called the county and requested a change. I came up with several solutions for a fighting chance to save our pets and all were rejected.

Now, we will continue the process of changing our Animal Services to a No Kill Shelter.

This is an elderly community. People do not know how to look for their pets. Some don't have the means to travel to the shelter, and why should they if I can get the pet back?

As the "number of animals allegedly killed by this shelter". Those number are THEIR numbers. Although,I'm told they are not correct. Since there is no transparency, there is no way to know.

A No Kill shelter will help keep the Feral cats down, buy doing a TNR, Trap Neuter and release, which doesn't appear we have in this County. We need the feral cats to keep the rats and mice down. Many cities ie. New York are using them for just that purpose.

In the almost two years that I have been doing this, I have learned that the dog or cat that you think is a mongrel... is oftentimes someone's beloved pet.

I do not get any money for this. I do it because I care.

For all of those who are supporting us in this effort, THANK YOU

Angie Fox
Lost Pets of The Villages
815-370-9115
Angie, thank you for what you do! I follow many of the lost dog groups on Facebook especially in Marion County. I have had to utilize once before for my baby that got out of the yard and have also been able to reunite two dogs because of these sites and the work Angie and others like her do. My family and I will be attending on August 22 to show our support. Anything we can do to help our fur babies and our neighbor's fur babies is a positive thing!

--Alexa

*Please disregard this coming from my company name, we do pay to advertise on this site which enables us to post. I do not want anyone to think I am using this post as a means of advertising because I am not. I care about helping dogs and I had to post so Angie knows she has some support. Hopefully no one will misinterpret my intentions. Thank you!*

[Barefoot]

I don't see why there is even a discussion over this. Here is Angie, trying to work to change the way things are done, and people are grilling her? Either directly or passive-aggresively. The way I see it, she's going about this in a most democratic way. If you don't agree with her or doubt her facts, figures, motives, go to the meeting and ask questions. If you do agree with her, go to the meeting and support her.
She has explained herself satisfactorily, IMO.
I totally agree, and hope a big crowd turns out in support.

[angiefox10]

Someone in the group keeps posting PETA links.

Anyone who knows anything about PETA knows they do more harm than they do good. They kill more animals than any other organization!

Anyone involved in saving our pets hates PETA.

Here is an example of one time it bit them in the butt!

PETA to pay family $49k for euthanizing child’s Chihuahua | WFTV (http://www.wftv.com/news/trending-now/peta-to-pay-family-49k-for-euthanizing-childs-chihuahua/594146072)

[Taltarzac725]

Someone in the group keeps posting PETA links.

Anyone who knows anything about PETA knows they do more harm than they do good. They kill more animals than any other organization!

Anyone involved in saving our pets hates PETA.

Here is an example of one time it bit them in the butt!

PETA to pay family $49k for euthanizing child’s Chihuahua | WFTV (http://www.wftv.com/news/trending-now/peta-to-pay-family-49k-for-euthanizing-childs-chihuahua/594146072)

Was not aware of that about PETA.

[angiefox10]

Was not aware of that about PETA.

This is not a recent article, but you can see, they are no friend to the animals

How Many Pets Did PETA Kill in 2012? | HuffPost (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/douglas-anthony-cooper/how-many-pets-did-peta-ki_b_2620660.html)

[angiefox10]

If you want to know what is going on at the Sumter County Animal Control, *like* this page.

Warning, it's disturbing.

Shelter Reform for Sumter County, Florida - Home | Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/Shelter-Reform-for-Sumter-County-Florida-125922124697967/)

[Henryk]

We ARE supporting the Humane Society and THEY ARE supporting us.

The issue is they are killing 32% of dogs and cats every month. If one of YOUR cats gets out and they pick it up.... You have three days to claim it, before it would be killed. Often times they don't even get a photo out in time.

Only three days in Sumter County to find your pet. You better be there EVERY day... AND you can't just go there. You have to go to the Humane Society to have someone take you over to Animal Services.

Because of this situation, if someone finds a pet in Sumter County they will often times drive to Lake county and call that county, who is already a successful No Kill Shelter, to come and get it so it will not be killed.

Because Lake County is getting many of our animals, it does two things. One, you won't know to go to Lake County to find your pet and two, they are handling two counties instead of their one. Therefore... Lake county is ALSO supporting us.

Now... to why WE got involved.

I run Lost Pets of The Villages. If you lose a pet I will do everything in my power to help you get it back, including going to your hood and talking to as many people that I can to get more eyes looking for your pet. I will tell you what has worked in the past for other owners and blast out in social media, calling the radio station and Community Watch. to find your beloved pet.

If you find a pet, I will come to your home and scan the pet, and do everything in my power to find the owner. Including going door to door and driving around the hood to find them, blasting out on social media, calling the radio station and Community Watch.

Because people don't know how to find their pets, I also post on PetHarbor and Craigslist for you as well as letting the appropriate county know about the lost or found pet.

I do this so that YOUR pet doesn't go to Animal Services. I do it as fast as I can, in case your pet is old and needs meds. Understand, if your pet is old and needs meds... that pet will not make it out of Animal Services. So, if you want a cheap way to kill your pet... Don't call me.

Back to my story.

On July 11, 2017, Sumter County sent a change to the SOP that going forward Community Watch was not to call me but to call Animal Services to come and pick up YOUR pet to take to the shelter.

As for Lake and Marion counties, I could still be called, but NOT Sumter. BTW... what county do you live in?

Long story short, I called the county and requested a change. I came up with several solutions for a fighting chance to save our pets and all were rejected.

Now, we will continue the process of changing our Animal Services to a No Kill Shelter.

This is an elderly community. People do not know how to look for their pets. Some don't have the means to travel to the shelter, and why should they if I can get the pet back?

As the "number of animals allegedly killed by this shelter". Those number are THEIR numbers. Although,I'm told they are not correct. Since there is no transparency, there is no way to know.

A No Kill shelter will help keep the Feral cats down, buy doing a TNR, Trap Neuter and release, which doesn't appear we have in this County. We need the feral cats to keep the rats and mice down. Many cities ie. New York are using them for just that purpose.

In the almost two years that I have been doing this, I have learned that the dog or cat that you think is a mongrel... is oftentimes someone's beloved pet.

I do not get any money for this. I do it because I care.

For all of those who are supporting us in this effort, THANK YOU

Angie Fox
Lost Pets of The Villages
815-370-9115

I admire your work. Our Abby Gale is a rescue and she is the BEST. My BIL said that a dog knows when it has been rescued. I agree.