It has come to our attention that a rescue facility in Georgia is trying to place about 70 dogs by March 22nd, either through fostering or direct adoption…



Permission to cross-post:

A major foster home/sanctuary for the Griffin-Spalding Humane Society is being forced to close due to tremendous pressure from Spalding County Board of Commissioners to "get rid of" the dogs. Spalding County currently does not have a "dog limit" ordinance for unincorporated Spalding County, but as a result of noise complaints from one malcontent neighbor and his very wealthy, very influential in-laws, we are being forced to find alternative placement for numerous foster and sanctuary dogs.



The owner of the facility, Dawn Lewis whose information is listed below, is feverously working with several organizations to place as many dogs as possible. She also has transporters on standby to help in her efforts. Obviously, time is of the essence. Please pass along her information to whomever you think may be able to help. If you would like any additional information that we can provide, please feel free to call us at anytime.



Alan and Jordon

443.677.1771

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Dawn Lewis

706.224.7682

mom2zephyr@yahoo.com



Dawn's dogs are listed on the following sites...



http://www.freewebs.com/dawnsdogs/index.htm or



The Humane Society of Griffin-Spaulding County ,

http://www.griffinhumanesociety.org/.

This is a true story...it's a very political thing, but the woman who is running the rescue from her home has neighbors that don't like all the noise...it's been in the papers for a while. Very sad thing. Her number has been disco'd, so if there is a dog you want, I would try to find a different way to get in touch.

That is so sad....I tried to beg boy to let me get one...but it was 'absolutely no new pets until we move and the wedding is over with.' phooey. There's a little black boy doggy that'd be perfect--3.5 yrs old, good with cats/kids/dogs, had had a home but they returned him and his sister at the end of summer cuz they didn't have 'time' for a dog. Stupid people....if only june was sooner...

I got the following email this morning:

I talked to Susan Blakley (head of HS in Spalding Co.) this morning. These dogs at Dawn's have created such a political thing!! The pups have to go. The HS will not close immediately, but the county is setting a limit on animals per household with NO exemptions for foster dogs. This will put the fosters out because all the fosters have dogs of their own already. They are hoping now to get some support now from the people with hunting dogs, etc. So the future of the HS is very uncertain.

If anyone wanted to help with transport, I can get your email info to someone. This is a big problem, because my humane society has a foster in this county and limiting dogs for people who foster is a big problem

Here's the story from the newspaper:

Although arguments about Spalding County Youth Baseball took up the most time at the Monday Spalding County Board of Commissioners meeting, a dog shelter operated by Jason and Dawn Lewis at their Jackson Circle home generated almost as much heat.

The controversy began early in the meeting when Steve Harless got up to speak on the subject of animal control.

“Our current animal control system does not serve the needs of our community,” he said.
He spoke about “chronic barking” - which he said causes health problems - and then complained about the Lewises, who he said are keeping 110 dogs for the Humane Society of Griffin-Spalding County. He said the county should pass laws limiting the number of dogs a person can have and enabling deputies to ticket those with barking dogs that bother neighbors.

Jason Lewis responded to Harless’ complaint.

“I personally would love to be able to have one dog to deal with,” he said.
He disputed Harless’ figures, claiming he only has 50 dogs.

He went on to say that he and his wife can no longer afford to board dogs for the Humane Society and they’re trying to find other ways to take care of the animals. When Board of Commissioners Chairman Eddie Goss commented on the fact that dogs from other counties were boarded at the Lewis residence, Lewis said that no animal shelter in the state gets more help from animal-protection groups than the one in Spalding County and boarding the dogs saves taxpayer money.

Dana Spivey, a member of the local Humane Society, spoke against the possibility of laws limiting the number of dogs at a residence. She said if an exception is not made for the Humane Society, the organization will shut down.
“Without the Humane Society, many more animals will suffer and be gassed at the shelter,” she said.

Walter Futral said the current situation is intolerable. He said that dogs had gotten loose and chased cattle and even threatened him, his son and a friend of his son.

Carrie Allen brought her son, Rusty Allen, who is blind, to the front of the meeting room. She said a dog from the Lewis property got onto their porch and growled at her and her husband and that her son cannot see the dogs if they approach.
“We don’t let him outside by himself anymore,” she said.

Dawn Lewis said half the dogs she and her husband board are originally from the Spalding County Animal Shelter, while 40 percent are strays found on the road. Only 10 percent of their dogs come from out of the county.

She also said she is waiving adoption fees and asked if anyone wants a medium-size or large-size dog. Those interested in adopting a dog can call the local Humane Society at 770-229-4925.
In other business, County Attorney Jim Fortune advised the board to pass legislation regarding the creation of Tax Allocation Districts (TADs), which allow tax monies raised above a certain level in an area to be used to redevelop it, even though a recent Georgia Supreme Court decision had barred the use of school taxes to fund them. He said there is a bill in the Georgia General Assembly that would amend the Georgia Constitution to allow the use of school funds in TADs. Even if the amendment does not pass, the county will still be able to create TADs, but will not be able to use school taxes, Fortune said.

Fortune then advised commissioners to urge state Rep. David Knight, R-Griffin, to promote the proposed amendment.

griffindailynews.com

Such a shame. People who want to help all these dogs are given such trouble. Neighbors should be greatful they have such caring neighbors. I hope they can get help! Limiting dogs won't help anything if they don't allow for fosters. Poor doggies!