Owner of Heavenly Kennels Near Cumming, Georgia Faces 264 Counts of Animal Cruelty After Cherokee County Marshals Took 357 Dogs Tuesday from Her Property

Canton, Georgia  -  A Georgia woman has been charged with more than 250 counts of animal cruelty after hundreds of puppies were seized from her business in rural Cherokee County.

Joy Wise, owner of Heavenly Kennels near Cumming, Ga., faces 264 counts of animal cruelty after Cherokee County marshals took 357 dogs Tuesday from her property, authorities said. Officials found the animals living in their own feces without adequate cage space.

The number of animals nearly overwhelmed the Cherokee County Animal Shelter, which closed Wednesday to assess the dogs and begin their care. They are not available for adoption because of their needs and ongoing litigation, but the shelter is soliciting donations because of the unexpected expenses, officials said on their Facebook page.

To make a donation to help with the care of these dogs, click HERE!

Cherokee County is about 40 miles north of Atlanta and has about 225,000 residents.

"I saw dogs sleeping in food bowls so they could get off the wire screen" that was the bottom of their cage, designed so that when the dogs urinated, the mess would fall through the grate, Dr. Michael Good, a veterinarian in Marietta, Ga., who helped with rescue efforts, told WGCL-TV, Atlanta. "Imagine living your whole life on something like that. It's got to have an effect on your ligaments and your joints."

In Georgia, animal cruelty is a misdemeanor that alleges willful neglect of an animal, including not providing adequate food or water or sanitary shelter. Aggravated cruelty, a felony, is charged when an animal is knowingly killed or seriously disfigured, according to the Georgia Department of Agriculture.

The investigation into Wise was begun earlier this year when a North Carolina woman bought a Yorkie-Chihuahua mix online that died days after she brought it home.

Recently, Wise had puppies of four different breeds offered online with prices from $350 to $750 at PuppyFind.com. Her information there stated she has been a breeder for 35 years, had been selling on the site for almost eight years and now was specializing in "designer" breeds.

Wise's husband has said he and his wife will fight the charges and will not forfeit the animals.

If you want a dog, the best thing you can do is adopt a homeless animal from a shelter or rescue group, according to the Humane Society of the United States.

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A Coon Rapids Home Containing Hundreds of Snakes Passed a Compliance Check

Coon Rapids, Minnesoda  -  A Coon Rapids home containing hundreds of snakes passed a compliance check Wednesday, according to city officials.

In 2011, authorities began investigating the house, located on the 10000 block of Grouse Street, after neighbors complained about a foul smell coming from the yard.

Upon inspection, officials found the home contained approximately 300 snakes, including boas and pythons, which are prohibited because they are constrictor snakes.

City officials say the home passed Wednesday's compliance check because the prohibited snakes had been removed.

Homeowner Scott Nellis says his passion for snakes started when he was about nine years old. Then, he would often see snakes in the grass walking home from school in Oklahoma.

"They are calming. I like to hold them and have them glide through my hands. I like all of the different color and pattern variations," Nellis said. "I like to watch their behavior as they crawl around the cage. Some people like aquarium fish. It is kind of the same thing with snakes."

Chuck Jacobson has lived in the neighborhood since 1982. He said the snakes haven't been a major problem for him because he lives a few doors down. Yet, he has some concerns.

"I am only concerned about what would happened if a tornado came through here. Who is gonna collect them?" he said. "There are a lot of kids around here and stuff. If they should ever get out, you don't want that to be happening to little kids in the area."

Nellis currently has about 200 snakes, and dozens of rodents to feed them. City officials say there is no limit to the number of snakes a homeowner can have. They also say Nellis can continue operating his home-based snake breeding business as long as "the use is secondary and not the primary use of the home."

"They don't bother anybody, they're contained in secure cages, in secure rooms, in my secure home. They can't escape, they can't get out, they can't harm the public," said Nellis.

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The Humane Society of Calvert County is sponsoring a new program called F.A.C.T. - Offering FREE Spay/Neuter Services for Cats in the Tri-County Area!

The Humane Society of Calvert County is sponsoring a new program called F.A.C.T. We are offering FREE Spay/Neuter services for cats in the tri-county area. ALL cats are included (house cats, barn cats and feral). Locally-participating veterinarian offices will provide the spay/neuter services.

If anyone needs assistance for their kitties please contact The Humane Society of Calvert County. This is good for Calvert, Charles and St. Mary's Counties.

Please contact: Sally 410-257-5866 or Rose 443-875-4731

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Prince George's County Animal Shelter Participated in a Mock Disaster Exercise, Along with County Police, Fire, Homeland Security, Social Services, and The Red Cross

Last Friday, the Prince George's Animal Management Division staff and volunteers participated in a mock Disaster Exercise, along with County Police, Fire, Homeland Security, Social Services, Red Cross and other entities in a simulation of a flood occurring in two areas of the County.

Two human shelters were set up at Dr. Henry A. Wise, Jr. High School, along with two Animal Shelters to house their furry loved ones. What an incredible way to prepare for the unthinkable!

We can't forget those who worked in the field during the mock disaster exercise, standing by to retrieve (stuffed) animals from those victims boarding the busses to head to the shelter at Dr. Henry A. Wise, Jr. High School. Shown below are Cate, Ebonie and Victoria and on the right is Simone, who did intake on the animals brought to the temporary shelters.

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Have You Adopted a Dog, Or Thinking About Adopting One from the Washington Humane Society? - Checkout Our FREE Adoption Workshops!

If you've adopted a dog from WHS or are thinking about adopting one, check out our adoption workshops!

You will get practical advice on building a successful relationship with your adopted dog and learn how to address common issues. There will be time to answer individual questions regarding your dog, and a handout will be included for you to take home.

Adoption Workshops

How to Live with Your Adopted Dog Workshop
It doesn't matter how long ago you adopted your dog, or if you haven't yet - this workshop will provide the help you need!

You will get practical advice on building a successful relationship with your adopted dog and learn how to address common issues. There will be time to answer individual questions regarding your dog, and a handout will be included for you to take home.

Ready to sign up! Just click on the date below to be taken to the sign up page!

You can sign up for workshops for the following dates:

Sunday, August 3, 2014 - How To Live With Your Adopted Dog

Sunday, September 7, 2014 - 9/7 New Adopter Workshop

Sunday, October 5, 2014 - How To Live With Your Adopted Dog

Sunday, November 2, 2014 - How To Live With Your Adopted Dog

Workshops are free and are presented monthly by a great group of trainers who volunteer their time to support dog adopters.

****These workshops are for people only. Please leave dogs at home!****

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Sharing This Story from The Washington Post (PostEverything Section) - Why I’d Never Adopt a Shelter Dog Again - What Are Your Thoughts?

I did not write this story, I am sharing, and asking what are your thoughts?

This story, was written by Erin Auerbach, a writer living in Los Angeles. She has written for Salon, the Los Angeles Times, and the Los Angeles Daily News.


To read her story, click HERE!

If you would like to post a comment, I ask that your comment not have any links attached to it. I do not post comments with links, as I have experienced in the past, some comments have had links to viruses.

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Support Homeward Trails Animal Rescue Every Time You Shop with the New Homeward Trails Credit Card - We Will Receive $50 Donation When You Sign Up and Use Your New Card!

Support Homeward Trails every time you shop with the new HT credit card. We receive a $50 donation when you sign up and use you new Homeward Trails Visa plus we will receive a percentage of all future purchases. There are several cute designs to choose from - get yours today!


For more information and to apply for your card, click HERE!


About: Homeward Trails Animal Rescue
Homeward Trails seeks to find permanent adoptive homes in the Mid-Atlantic Region for dogs and cats from high-kill shelters or whose owners can no longer care for them.

Website: Homeward Trails http://www.homewardtrails.org/

Like them on facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/homewardtrails

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Meet Ace, The Hero Pit Bull Who Saved His Deaf Owner, a 13-Year-Old Boy, During a Devastating House Fire

A 2-year-old male pit bull named Ace was being hailed as a hero Wednesday afternoon, after waking his deaf owner during a devastating house fire on the Southeastside.

At 1:11 p.m., Indianapolis firefighters were called to fight a fire at a home in the 6400 block of Perry Pines Court, officials said. Upon their arrival, flames were shooting from the garage.

Officials said Nick Lamb, 13, who is deaf, was sleeping in the house at the time. Ace was able to alert Nick and awaken him by licking his face.

"He was thankful that Ace entered his room and licked his face until he woke up," Indianapolis Fire Department Capt. Rita Reith said in a news release. "The boy quickly covered his nose and mouth with his T-shirt and exited the rear of the house."

Lamb said he was taught at school about covering his face and finding the nearest exit. Without his shoes but with Ace by his side, he darted out of the back door before calling his mother and 911.

"I couldn't hear anything because I had my cochlear implants off. ... My dog Ace smelled it," Lamb said. "I just wanted to get out."

The fire-blackened home had $175,000 in damage. But Ace and Lamb made it out safely. No one else was home when the fire started.

Lindsay Bernard, Lamb's mother, says she rushed home from work after getting the call. Her mind was racing throughout the trip.

"I went into a little bit of a panic," she said. "When I got here ... the streets were covered. It was mainly just panic and chaos."

Reith added that the family's black cat named Pixie was located by a firefighter inside the home and appears to be OK.

Bernard said Pixie inhaled a bit of smoke, and will be spending the night at the vet.

"(Lamb) told firefighters that this was the first summer he was old enough to stay home alone and was excited to have reached that milestone," Reith said. "He had just returned from summer camp on Sunday."

The cause of the fire remains under investigation, Reith said. The homeowners believe that it was electrical and originated in the garage.

This 2-year-old pit bull named Ace is being credited with saving his 13-year-old owner from a fire Wednesday in Indianapolis. Ace woke the boy, who is deaf, by licking his face.
(Photo: Provided by the Indianapolis Fire Department. )

This home in the home in the 6400 block of Perry Pines Court was engulfed in the fire at 1:11 p.m. Wednesday, July 16, 2014.(Photo: Indianapolis Fire Department)

Video:

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Meet Donald, a Duckling Born with 4 Legs

Sulphur, LA - Hatching animals is nothing new to one Sulphur, Louisiana, family, but they were surprised when one of their young ducklings was a little different.

The duckling has not two but four legs.

Claude Aucoin told KPLC that he has hatched more than 1,000 ducks in his lifetime, but he was shocked with this surprise.

The duckling grew a fan base when Aucoin's daughter, Kylie, quickly exposed the duck, who goes by Donald, on social media.

This little duck has shocked everyone who has encountered him, and when the family is asked how this happened, they said it must have been a birth defect.

Luckily, the duck is in no harm and gets around fine even with his extra legs.


Video:

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Love Working with Animals? The Washington Humane Society is Hiring! - Take a Look at Their Current Job Openings!

We're hiring! If getting to hang out with cats and dogs and advocating for animals sounds like a good day to you, then apply at WHS! You can join our administrative team, or work directly with DC animals.

Apply now at www.washhumane.org/jobs.

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Grieving Pup Almost Dies of a Broken Heart Until Cop Swoops In - A Heartwarming Story!

What could have been a truly tragic tail has a silver lining thanks to Virginia police officer Karen Spencer-Boyles! The dog-ruving officer spotted two pups in the middle of the highway and just knew she had to paw it forward.

In 2009, Spencer-Boyles’ pup, Tex, ran out into the road and was hit by a car. A stranger stopped to help save her dog’s life that day, and Spencer-Boyles didn’t hesitate to return the favor when she saw the chance.

When she approached the scene, Spencer-Boyles realized that one of the dogs had been hit by a car and died, and his grieving friend wouldn’t leave his fallen friend’s side. The kind-hearted officer removed the pup from harm and soothed him.

The rescued pup has been nicknamed Giusseppe and was collected by Richmond Animal Care & Control, who believes he has an owner because he is neutered and was wearing a flea collar. If the owner does not collect him within 10 days, Guisseppe will be put up for adoption. Contact Richmond Animal Control at (804) 646-5573.

UPDATE: Boomer, a.k.a. Giusseppe, escaped when someone accidentally left the gate to his yard open, but he was happily reunited with his owner thanks to Richmond Animal Care & Control and his microchip. High paws all around!

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