Langlade County Humane Society – We want to help!
It is a disappointment to me that the Langlade County Humane Society does not already have a website and I am sure this is due to lack of funding. As a local resident I feel it would be a good advertising outlet for them. As such, as webmaster of antigobuzz.com, I would be more than happy to create a page for this purpose and update it, etc. With the hours of operation for the Langlade County Humane Society, I think a webpage would provide a good tool for people to see the available animals any time, day or night. Here’s hoping we can work together and get something setup!
—————UPDATE!————–
After talking to some people, we have now added to our site the animals for adoption at the Langlade County Humane Society! Please, if you are looking for a pet, adopt one!
———-UPDATE 04/15/08———————
The following email was received by a member of the Humane Society. This is a prime example of what we are working against. We have decided not to honor their request.
As a member and volunteer of the Langelade Humane Society, I’m requesting that you please remove the current Humane society blog. I am asking on behalf of the residents (animals), and employees’ request. It is obvious it is being used out of animosity, and the information is being construed to the public to the point it is detremental to the harmony of the shelter.
.
try “humane society bylaws” not “humae”
oops
$100 to adopt an animal???? You’ve got to be kidding me!!! It’s only $35 most other places, that absolutely rediculous for what salaries people make in this town. No wonder there are over 80 cats at the shelter right now. Humane Society, get off your high horse and get back down to reality….give these unwanted animals loving homes.
JEAN,
A second animal shelter in Antigo! What a wonderful idea, and needed very badly. How can one contribute or volunteer?
The current shelter has tripled the number of animals that can be held with all the new building changes they made, and they have committed to being a LOW kill shelter, vs a NO kill shelter, which also keeps the number of residents high. I also heard they are going to have special rates to increase the number of adoptions. I know $ 100 for a cat sounds high, but if you take a cat you got free, to a vet, and have it fixed and get it all the shots, that the shelter ALREADY takes care of, you’d spend well over $100.00. A responsible pet owner is aware of the vet costs and know that this is really a deal. The Marion Sanctuary charages over $100. So it really is realistic.
When did the shelter start taking care of spaying and neutering?
The LCHS recieved a $5,000.00 donation and they have been using it for spay and neutering since June of this year. This information was also on Anne’s reply dated July 19th. All this information is given out at the monthly meetings which meets the first Thursday of the month at 6pm in the basement of the Antigo Safety building.
All intrested people should attend to be less ignorant of the shelters strong efforts to provide the best care possible.
I’ve been at every meeting & heard NOTHING about $5000.00
First the Shelter looks wonderful. How amazing it is when you can get $ to back you. Second the previous people that were great to deal with. Third I stopped in this last week and was treated like sh*t. And I have in the last 10 years adopted 2 Cats and 3 dogs from there but from my experience last week they will be lucky if I ever come back and or send anyone there. As for getting help from Volunteers or Community Workers whats the difference as long as the animals are being cared for. And from what I understand Judy was a Humane Officer but then again I also know that someone else is going soon to school for this. Sooo
Judy was SUPPOSEDLY a Humane Officer,but she would never show anyone her credentials,nor could anyone pin her down as to when she received her certification. If she really cared about the animals, she’d be down there volunteering her time or talking to the city/county on how to get paid for being our Humane Officer. Then we could have someone who would follow up on all the abuse & or neglect cases we have. Instead, she breeds dogs, just adding to the problem. Unfortunately, our police force won’t do it. All they do is haul strays down to the shelter.
I agree, we need a Humane Officer-the cops shouldn’t be burdened with such calls. They are not equipped or trained to deal with animals and I would much rather see them writing speeding tickets to all the maniacs that drive by my house.
I have a few concerns. I remember about 3 years ago when there was a huge push for a new ‘No Kill’ animal shelter, and as I understand it – it fell through because of lack of funding. According to Jean, the project is still moving forward. I have no problem with the idea of a self-funded private non-for-profit opening a new shelter, however don’t we think we are really wasting valuable resources when by looking at the option of combing the one we already have and with the new proposed site, you could cut down a lot on overhead costs. I realize that if you have to have funds to take care of 200 dogs, it does not matter if there are 200 dogs at one location, or 200 dogs at 2 separate locations. It is still 200 dogs. But when you have 2 locations, you have 2 sets of administrative staff – money that could be otherwise spent on day-to-day operations of a facility. It just doesn’t make any sense. I realize that the management up until late of the humane society lacked a serious direction, but from what I have heard things have turned around significantly.
As far as becoming a ‘Humane Officer’ to ease the burden on the local police, both city and county – most cities that have smaller populations (think under 50,000 here) do not have an ‘Humane Officer’ that is paid through the county or city. With all the current funding problems we have in both the city and county, I think pushing an idea of adding even a part time officer (say County) would be looked upon as an expense not needed. Then you have to think about all the time dedicated to the process of prosecuting the offenders. Humane officers simply turn the animals over to the shelter/vet (and who will have to pick up that cost? Right now it is the shelter, then it could be the city or county) and then the humane officer has to turn the case, once completed over to the DA. Remember – innocent until proven guilty. We are already talking about a new judge and courtroom because of our over-taxed county DA and Judge. I can just see the outrage when we are spending our time prosecuting animal neglect rather than drug possession. Please do not get me wrong, I cannot stand animal abuse and neglect, and we already have laws in regards to that, even if they are not looked into because we do not have someone dedicated to that job. The ASPCA and shows like ‘Animal Cops’ truly glorify the job, and in reality there is sooo much more than just saving animals. When someone gets arrested for animal abuse and neglect, where do they go? County Jail, where our tax payer dollars go to feeding them, bathing them, and housing them in an already over-crowded jail.
Let us also not forget that an ‘Humane Officer’ is not just an animal lover, but must be someone who has a degree in criminal justice, just like a cop because when it comes down to it, they must be able to perform the same job functions.
I am not against helping the shelter or animals in the county in any way. In fact, throughout my teenage years I volunteered every summer with Judy. I doubt she was a humane officer, and I would be willing to bet it was nothing more than an informal agreement with police to take care of animals when in need.
I, for one, do not see the need to add another staff to the county or city police force for the express purpose of fighting animal abuse. I want my children to live in a drug free city first. It is up to us, as citizens to notice animal abuse and neglect – report it – and follow up to make sure the proper authorities have dealt with it. Just my opinion
The Langlade Humane Society is having a Volunteer Orientation & Organizational Meeting at the Antigo libary Oct.15th, 2008 starting promptly at 6pm to 7:45pm. Many of the board members will be present. Information about volunteering in many areas of the shelter and sign up will be offered. Membership information and application will also be provided. The shelter is very full and we are short on staff. Yet we have maintained a very “LOW- KILL” status, looking at other options such as rescue groups and transfering to other shelters.
In the future we are planning on holding community education programs at the libary about the need for Spay & Neutering and TNR to reduce the Feral (wild) cat population, as trapping or killing them is NOT working.
Everyone who is arguing about who did or is doing the better job is just wasting valuable time that could be used to help at the shelter. There are many small jobs that could be done to be helpful and using their time more wisely. Your comments are well thought out but not necessary. No one will ever agree who did the better job while in control at the shelter.
The present board is doing all they can to help the animals to have a good life until one of you who are on this page b*tching about what needs to be done , get finished and step up. We need help in so many ways and all you have to do is ask and they will let you know how. It only takes one person to make a differnce.
I don’t completely agree with all of the things being done around the shelter but I will help when it is needed and that is almost continuously. How many of you can say that? Antigo needs more people who will step up and quit b*tching to make this a better town. It is real easy to just sit there but it takes a better person to say what can I do to help?
Please think about what I have said here and lend a helping hand. Even if you don’t love animals there are many other causes that need YOU.
Pet Lover you are correct and I will indeed take your suggestion to heart. Could you though tell me the story behind the illegal mobile home parked next to the shelter? I have been hearing a lot of stories and a lot of complaints and the last I heard the police were becoming involved. Why is that thing parked there and is it going away soon?
Did everyone see all of the beautiful little faces on the back page of the Shoppers Guide this weekend? Please make one of these previous, innocent gifts from God a part of your family if you haven’t already!
does it really matter y the mobile home is parked there? one of the reasons is that they had a severe case of ring worm and had to disinfect the entire building, with doing that they would need somewhere to house the animals for that time being. it doesnt bother me or others im sure but being someone who criticizes before knowing the truth or what is going on u could have called them and asked them first. or hey send them an email. that might work if they have an address. and the mobile home is probably temporary and will be moved once they solve their problems with the ill animals.
Whoa there “antigo”! I simply asked a question; what with the attack on my character? I did not criticize, I asked a question of Pet Lover because I wanted to know the story. Now that I have been attacked in such a way it does make me want to stay as far away from the organization if this is the way their members treat people. I of course am assuming you are with the organization since you seem to be in the know on the ringworm problem. And it does matter if the organization is doing something they were given permission to do versus just pulling in the mobile home for other reasons. I did try to ask some people I knew were members but they did not know why it was being done, therefore I asked Pet Lover because I wanted to know. I was not being critical by asking a simple question.
i didnt attack u on your question. i think that if no one answered your question as to why and they work there maybe they should. like i said pick up the phone and call. im not being rude or critical. just a statement. and no im not a member, as for my family takes up most of my nitely duties, and i work a full time job, would i like to be yes, just not enough time in the day or week. so if it sounded critical sorry not meant to be that way, just that i think the easiest and most factual way is to call them yourself and ask.
I haven’t been on this site for a while. I noticed a comment from “getoverit “back in September regarding a Humane Officer and feel clarification needs to be made.
You do not need any kind of degree to become a Humane Officer. You need to take the 40 hour state training; you are certifed at the end of that 40 hours. In order to retain certification, you must re-certify every 2 years by taking additional training. The 40 hour training session runs about $500.
A Humane Officer does not have to be an employee of the municipality – but can be an independent contractor. Therefore, the county/municipality can save money by not paying out benefits, etc. As an independent, the Humane Officer would set their terms; maybe an “on-call” payment system.
A Humane Officer just doesn’t go in and confiscate animals; their first intent is to educate and try for better living conditions, etc. and it is a last resort to remove animals, unless the situation does warrant immediate action.
I believe it would be very beneficial to have a Humane Officer; it may be that people would take better care of their animals if they know a Humane Officer will respond to complaints and that offenders can be prosecuted. It would be a very progressive statement for this County and people would know they can no longer treat animals any way they want because they are their “property”.
Judy, the previous Shelter Manager, was state certified after completion of her 40 hour training class, but she never pursued recertification; at least she hadn’t in March ’08.
Couple other notes — I have not seen any fund raising activities being promoted and wonder what has happened to the Fund Raising Committee. Other shelters always seem to have an activity going – especially during different holidays or seasons – but I haven’t seen or heard anything for Langlade Humane in a long time.
As far as the constant need for help- why did the Board fire an emloyee that gave her all and was at the shelter anytime she was needed, and yet they are constantly seeking employees and/or volunteers? This employee was at the shelter on her own time taking care of the pets, in addition to her regular work schedule. How does a Society member get banned from entering the shelter they support? Doesn’t make any sense to me.
The current fundraiser activities and answers to many of the questions posted on this site are talked about at the monthly Shelter meetings held every first Thursday of the month in the basement of the Safety building at 6pm. Ther are currently 3 board positions open, and will be voted on in Feb or March. All are invied to join at any time. The boardmembers share in all the decisions about staff hiring and firing. If you want to understand more, volunteer to be on the board.
The fundraiser activities were also included in the story on the front page of the Antigo Shopper a few weeks ago. There are many Wish List posters displayed at stores where we share fundraiser activities. Right now we are saving the caps and milk bag tops from all the Nature’s Touch products at Kwick Trip and the circles from the Glazer donuts. You can drop them off at the shelter. Arby’s is helping us out by giving us $25.00 coupon books to sell for $5.00 each. They can be purchased at the monthly meetings or at the shelter. We are also collecting circles from Purnia pet food bags. We do need to do more fundraising and are in the process of organizing our volunteer list and identifying our fundraiser volunteers. We would really appreciate anyone who has any fundraising EXPERIENCE to get us going. Just come to the monthly meeting and bring it up for discussion. We really need to get a new shelter soon.
We had hoped to have more people show at last month’s Volunteer orientation meeting held at the libary Oct 15th.
The shelter is in need of workers and members that can work together as part of a team, regardless of how many hours they work or free time they put in, they have to be able to get along with everyone involved at the shelter, regardless of personality conflict. Its about the animals, not personalities. We are looking at having a professional that has volunteered her time, to come in and work with the staff to teach conflict resolution skills. It is a very stressful job and involves having to make some very difficult decisions at times, which doesn’t always make people happy. But I have to believe eveyone cares about the animals and we have to keep fighting for them no matter how confusing and upset we get over things. We are all the animals have and we can’t let them down.
The Langlade Humane Society now has a manager and things are going much better.
Check out the Community Outreach meeting Feb 18th, 6pm to 7pm, at the Antigo Libary. The local Humane Officer will be there to explain her role in the community.
Is Sherry still comming to this sight? She seemed so uplifting to this talk page? Sherry did “you” see the newest add for the Strippy Kitty Sale those photos turned out great! Did you know that 2 of those cats are SPECIAL NEEDS? Both Seinior Cats Both cat social Both REAL SWEET And the shelter has a Comment, suggestion, complaint,& question box on the counter so if you have something ti say and want a responce you can now get the truth Fase to Fase Cool.
Oh yes, I still visit Antigo Buzz…thanks for your comments, tootsNtoo! I did see the newest kitty sale ad and ooed and awed over them all. It sounds like the animal shelter staff has turned things around…hopefully for the better of all the animals involved. And from what I hear, volunteers are still needed and wanted there. Take a few minutes to check it out if you have some time on your hands, the homeless and innocent of God’s creatures will always need us.
My husband and I attended the Feb. 18th outreach session held at the Library. Julie Oppelt, the independent Humane Officer, was the guest. She explained her role as a Humane Officer and the training it took to get there. She has a contract with the Langlade County Health Dept and Sheriff’s Dept on an “on-call” basis; but Julie is already finding that the Sheriff’s dept. is not cooperative. She has a great attitude and says she’s not one to back down or give up – I sure hope that’s true! Julie was not only informative, but listened to various complaints of animal neglect in our County.
It is my understanding that Julie will be returning to upcoming Outreach meetings – it would be great to see more of the public there. Most people attending this session were from LCHS – I would think having a Humane Officer in our midst would be of interest to many people – for as many abusers as there are in this area — there are also a great many people that are concerned with the care and conditions that prevail.
One thought for the LCHS Board — if Julie had a contract directly with the shelter – even if that contract was for minimal pay — say even a small monthly fee vs. “on-call” – Julie would the have authority to investigate complaints that were called into LCHS – vs. people having to call in their concerns/complaints to the Sheriff’s dept instead, when many of us know those calls go unheeded.
I hope more of the community will get to know our new Humane Officer and offer their support and encouragement – she is a much needed resource – and just like many of us – works hard at being a VOICE FOR THE VOICELESS!!
FYI : Julie Oppelt, the Humane Officer, will be at the next Libary-Shelter Outreach Meeting, being held March 11th at 6 pm. She may also be at the March 25th Libary-Outreach Program
We have so much we can learn from her, we hope she continues to find time to come to these meetings. She has also agreed to become a Humane Shelter member and attend the monthly meetings so she will have a better idea of the issues the shelter faces and have a vote in the decision making process.
Save the dates: May 15th Langade Humane Shelter
“Paws for A Cause”Fundraiser and Auctions
May 30th 2nd Annual Ice Cream Social and
Membership Drive
Check out the NEW Langlade Humane Society Website.
Date change! The 2 Annual ice cream social has changed to June 13th vs May 30th.
Hope to see a good turnout at the Brat fry & fundraiser this Friday at Time For Paws!
New stuff happening @ the shelter they say all the 2008 cats are on sale $50.00 a 4 pay steel. The time 4 paws is tonight should be fun. The grass is so long on the lot but that aside arn’t the dandiLions beauitiful? The dogs seem so happy to be out and about. I heard the shelter is going to have a auction the same day that they have there Annual Ice Cream Social ! that in it self should be AWSOME they are going bigger & better as the time goes on. I guess the animal population is down I was told they did alot of cat transfers this year, to Milwakee Wi. to the big shelter there they get all the fixin’s and are adopted out with in the week. gotta go
The shelter is in need of Foster Care, as it looks like we may not be able to expand this year. We are having a orientation about how to be a Foster Home for the shelter, at the Libary June 24th at 6 pm.
If you can’t make it call the shelter and aks for Jenna. She can fill you in.
A acquaintance of mine has a web site that is dedicated to informing the world about puppy mills. I found your site and appreciate what you are doing. Too many individuals don’t get how much animal cruelty is going on today. Thanks for assisting the movement.
We always donate our aluminum cans to the Humane Society. A couple weeks ago in the evening, hubby dropped off 3 huge black industrial size garbage bags full of cans. Their container was full so he had to put them on top sticking out. He also left a box of cans of power baby formula for the puppies and kittens. Probably $50 worth. He drives by there on his way to work so the next morning early he sees they are gone ! Wondering, he called me from work and asked me to call the Humane Society and find out if they got them or were stolen. I tried to talk to the manager and left a message for her to call me. No call yet, 2 weeks later. Makes you wonder if they really need money ? Why wasn’t the dumpster emptied so this doesn’t happen? Make us wonder what happened all the other times we donated to the Humane Society ? Who or what actually benefitted? Make me really sad.
Pingback: Digital Review
I see that not much talk about the shelter has gone lately, in a sence this is good, this blog use to be a bashing blog on the shelter, now that’s not right, with the way bad gossip spreds in this town any way, it is nessary to be positive. The shelter is trying to survive just like everyone else, without them ware would the lost and unwanted go. What needs to be understood is that , not at all times the shelter NEEDS the way it NEEDS at others, meaning sometimes they can make due on what they have and at other times they rely on the good of the community. When the pop-can bin is full and overflowing this helps pay the bills. The City and the County do NOT “pay bills” to support the shelter the community does, they do not pay vet bills, or water or garbage or electric bills, they don’t pay wages, and they don’t buy the special food or meds. required by some of the pets. All donations that are dropped off at the shelter are ALWAYS Cherrished, they are put in there place and not wasted. Not many people know how much it is to run a shelter the size of Langlade Counties shelter, with the vet bills and the regular bills and supplies and the little extras, a shelter the size of this one runs on $8,000-$11,000 each month and with out the support , staying in opperation would not be possible. Befor you pass judgment or make a statment without anything truthful to back it up, think about how many people believe everything they hear, be a good supporter of the shelter and go and visit some morning and help with the a.m. cleaning “that’s 8a.m. to 11:30a.m.” if you need to know, and see first hand the Happy the Sad and the NEED thats at hand.
That was a wonderful letter but are you a standing member of the society? If you aren’t, you are not aware of the garbage that they deal out, especially the president. Granted he puts a lot of time in the shelter, and I praise him for that, but a lot of what he does towards the public, drives the public away. They are the biggest hippocrates around. They are threatened by a new group in town that is only here to help them in the long run. The employees tell adopters to take their pets else where, other than the Antigo Clinic, they cut down the vet and associates. They are even sending people away from the Birnamwood vet and that is really ludicrous, because who is going to help them when the animals have to have routine shots or are sick and are in need of veterinary care. They are burning bridges that are going to bite them in the butt. I’m sure that after their actions there will be a few of us that will be quitting the humane society and I hope that all of you will consider making them realize that they are only making it worse for those poor animals. They’ve lost good volunteers and employees due to his poor management skills. Please people, only you can make a change in the shelter. Make them prove they are not hurting the animals.
In reply to Disalusioned, at no time have I ever stated any negativity about Birnamwood vet clinic as I have taken many of my animals there over the years as well as taking animals to the Antigo vet clinic I was pleased with both services. I do not have much information on this new organization referred to as “AAAA” as no one has ever contacted me offering information about their organization. I donate my time for a cause that I feel is needed for the community that I live in, which is help find homes for stray or surrendered animals and do the best that our organization can do to make the animals as happy and healthy as we can. I am trying to locate other vet clinics to secure that the Humane Society has a vet for their animals. Of course being a non-profit organization we need to get the best discount available for their services. We try to keep our overhead cost as low as possible; therefore we have four paid employees and numerous volunteers. As the public should be aware any board member of the Langlade County Humane Society cannot receive any salary what so ever according to the bylaws of our association. When a member of the board received notice from Antigo vet clinic that they would not provide their services at discounted rate but would only continue to provide a free exam for newly adopted animals, a $50 discount coupon towards spaying and neutering to a newly adopted animal, and will only euthanize our terminally ill animals. It was my responsibility as the president of the board to immediately try to acquire discounted services of another vet clinic or clinics to maintain the health of our animals that we receive and place for adoption.
As the president of Langlade county humane society I invite the board of “AAAA” organization to properly contact me and request a meeting with our board, which would be the proper way of handling this situation instead of e-mail and blogs. Again they are invited to send a letter to my attention and I can see to it that both boards meet. As far as using Spay Me Clinic I feel that it is a good organization along with my board, and we will be using their spay and neuter clinic from this point forward, because our goal is to have all animals spayed and neutered before adoption.
To respond to Disalusioned, I see that you are voicing your personal thoughts, and you made a conderdiction of the persedent, “he’s a good person to the socisty BUT he’s full of it.” This makes no sence to me at all, you use They as “the society in general” or just persons you don’t like?, They are hippocrats ? I don’t see it. As far as being thretened by the New Group, I think that the two are fighting for the same thing, the AAAA is put forth for the country, farm and ferril cat population of low income families. The Shelter allong with the Spay Me Clinic is put forth to help every one else, it stands to reason that eventualy they boath will be helping the community, with less animal over population means less ill animals, wich helps the shelter along with personal pets, it means less bite cases, less car vs. pet cases, less abondandment and neglect. The employees of the shelter are Not Perfect because they are Human. They are very respectiful of other Businesses, there bosses and there employees, the Game has began “you know,the one whare who makes who look worse” and the shelter is Not playing (I guess they loose.) They have trained in their feild, employees. Each has there own skills that benifet the shelter and the pets allong with the society as a whole, They will find vet care, they are Not going to let sick pets go without care, any one who thinks this is thinking ignorently without proper knowlage of the going on’s @ the shelters every day activities in association with the health and well being of each and every pet in there care. I under stand that some people are going to be upset over this so called stand off, some are even going to beleave every thing they hear, and that’s ok, those of us that know the truth will take it in strides, step back and think befor we speek and of corse BREATH, It’ll be ok don’t frett this is not your fight, don’t fight it, tomarrows another day, and the sun will come out tomarrow. Pessimism makes things worse and Optamism makes things Get better, you choose for your self, I know what I choose. Plee of today ” get the facts befor you say a half truth or fill in the blanks, ok.
What needs to be really told here, for all the community to read, is the truth about why Antigo Veterinary Clinic discontinued free/discounted services for the shelter, and that the Langlade County Humane Society is fully aware of the existence of Antigo Area Advocates for Animals. There are people that care about animals, that are involved in both organizations, so it is wrong to say that the shelter does not know about AAAA, as Mr. Purmort would wrongfully contend.
First off – although AVC provided thousands of dollars of free services for the shelter for several years (read your Antigo Daily Journal!), an employee of the shelter would say negative things about Antigo Veterinary Clinic or recommend that people take their pets elsewhere, which makes no sense, given that the Antigo Vet is the only clinic that would help the shelter financially for years.
Because the problem of a shelter employee badmouthing AVC again and again, and telling people to go to other vet clinics, that lead to AVC discontinuing most of their free services, and then the shelter was forced to resort to an agreement with Spay Me to get their pets spayed and neutered for low cost, because no one else is here to help them. Lesson here – if you burn your bridges, no one is going to build them back for you. The shelter was responsible for burning their bridges with Antigo Veterinary Clinic, no one else was. Antigo Veterinary Clinic did not just pull their services because it was something to do.
What the shelter people are not telling you is that AVC was doing a lot of free surgeries for the shelter on a monthly basis, they did a lot of other stuff to help them too, but yet the shelter did not think it was important to make sure that their employees said positive things about Antigo Vet given all that they were doing. How rude.
Then the shelter advertised that the public should use Spay Me when that means driving animals all the way to Sun Prairie for spay/neuter, when there is already an organization in town that does this, for families with financial need, that they know about (AAAA). How stressful is that going to be to the animals, not to mention they get to ride down with all the potentially contagious shelter animals? Not in the best interest of the animals, in my opinion.
The sad truth is some on the board of the Langlade County Humane Society see Antigo Area Advocates for Animals as a threat rather than an organization that can ultimately help them by reducing the numbers of pets coming in the shelter, by helping control the local pet population through spaying and neutering. Apparently, there is even one shelter board member that thinks the feral cats should not be released after spaying or neutering, and should be found homes. FYI, Spay Me!, with which the shelter has an agreement, does also release feral cats after spay/neuter surgery.These are not pet cats, they are wild! The shelter can’t even find homes for all their cats, how practical is it to try to find feral cats homes? At least they will be prevented from making more babies.
Bottom line, this is a sad case of a situation where the community will never know the whole story, but it would help if they could really find out the facts, and rally for helping our local organizations like AAAA, rather than supporting an outside organization like Spay Me.
The community needs to know, that AAAA was founded by local volunteers, with donations from locals and area businesses, and also by volunteering vets from Antigo Veterinary Clinic. Spay Me has no financial interest in our community and no vets here that are part of their program, that have a vested interest in helping our community like AAAA does.
The shelter needs some change and understanding, and to admit that they are aware of AAAA, and to start supporting AAAA. I think they are acting this way about AAAA because people from AVC started it. That is just childish. If they want to start acting like adults, they need to try to make amends with AVC so that they can get vet care locally for the shelter pets, and they should recommend the services of AAAA in our community. It’s time to put out the trash at the shelter. There are people that want to help and people that don’t and are just stuck in old-fashioned ways of thinking. If that is you, make way for people that want to see a cooperative/collaborative relationship between the shelter, AAAA and AVC!
It is time for change at the shelter. If you feel the same, call them and tell them to take out the trash!
Re Truth B Told’s comment about the shelter – “They have trained in their feild, employees. Each has there own skills that benifet the shelter and the pets allong with the society as a whole.”
Apparently that also includes sending one employee to veterinary school (did they have the money for that?), because she always acts like she is a vet and can make medical decisions for the animals or adopting animals without consulting with the vet. Sometimes they are not good decisions either. They send home meds with adopting owners without vet guidance on it or a vet prescribing it let alone recommending the person talk to a vet about it. Why don’t they just hire a real vet…oh wait they did get a vet for free but told people in the community to use other clinics….that’s the ticket!
Also about the “trained staff comment” – how ironic that AVC did a lot of staff training for the shelter for free in 2010 and helped them take better care of the animals but they still could not do right by them and say positive things about them in the community.
The vet clinic also tried to do right by them and help them get good homes for the animals. AVC told them to make sure that people adopting the pets have the financial means (through discussing costs of routine pet care) to care for the animals and to do background checks on their vets. Did they do it? No. Instead they market animals for sale to people that don’t have a pot to piss in. How are they going to take care of those pets when they need vet care?
I for one will not be buying the crap dished out by the shelter in this case.
I agree with friend of AAAA/AVC. It’s time to make some improvements at the shelter. People that want to make a difference should all show up at the next shelter meeting and speak their mind about this stuff. Be there 4/14 at 6:00 pm and be a voice of reason.
I hope the board elections are coming up soon…..
Thankyou for Hurting alot of peoples feelings and I for one are done with this, if you can not publicly hummiliate this person by means of the local news or speek their names then what good is it to complane at all.
I am not happy with the Antigo Animal Shelter. When our dog ran away, (it was on a weekend).. The person who found our dog contacted the animal shelter right away Saturday morning. The person described the dog, and gave the animal shelter his contact information. In fact the guy called the Animal shelter several times. I contacted the animal shelter several times, Antigo Police, described the dog and left my contact information that same Saturday morning. Our calls were probably 15 minutes apart. The animal shelter was having a brat sale at one of the grocery stores. The person who found the dog brought the dog to the brat sale, and left his number if anyone is looking for a dog. Our dog is diabetic and needs insulin to survive. It was important that we find the dog. I eventually found our dog and the person who had it from the bulletin board at our local gas station. Our dog was without insulin for about 36 hours, but was OK.. I came to the conclusion Langlade County Humane Society is USELESS. It left me sick to my stomach considering I supported Langlade County Humain Socieity all these years, the one time I needed them they failed.
Truth B Told, the pity factor will not help make your plea valid, and hurt feelings do not make what the shelter is doing exusable. The board is aware of the problems and has not done much to alleviate them. It is not worthwhile to publicly bash individuals in this site, just to let it be a place to rally for change in this organization. It’s time for some new board members that want to continue to improve the shelter, not let it stagnate and become an organization that can’t even cooperate with/support the local vet clinic that helps them, or support the local organizations that help spay and neuter animals…..or help reunite a lost diabetic pet with its owner. Sorry you had to go through that, simplemind.
Honestly, does anyone actually care about the abandoned animals in this town? I have never seen such a ridiculous mess of whiny, drama loving egomaniacs. If these people spent half the energy caring about the animals as they do fighting amongst themselves, they might actually get something accomplished. A love of animals is what all of you should have in common! Now, focus on that, shut the hell up and work together like adults!
dddd – The truth is that there are several people in the community that help put many hours in for the animals, involved in both organizations, that also work full time jobs and have families to care for.
They will continue to do that regardless of this so-called “drama” precisely because they do care about the animals.
Some that work with both AAAA and attend LCHS meetings, see what the shelter has done to sabotage the AVC and AAAA and are not happy and want to see change at the board level of the shelter. They also see that what is going on at the shelter is of course a work in progress and needs guidance. It is not wrong to bring to light what has happened and encourage people to think about it and what can be done better. At no time has AAAA or AVC done things to try to discourage people from doing business the shelter. Can the same be said about what the shelter has done towards AAAA/AVC? That is not right. ‘Nuff said.
Well said ddddd!!
After reading the posts from 2011 on this old thread I’m wondering why it seems that the Antigo Vet Clinic is or wants to be controlling the Humane Society here.
It’s a wonderful thing that the Vets donate time and reduce fees for their work done at the Shelter. Frankly they should and so should any other area veterinarians.
Shouldn’t the Humane Society be able to get medical care for the animals where ever they want??? I’m sure they are looking for the most cost effective way to care for the animals and if it means going elsewhere that should be o.k.
Many area pet owners have changed veterinarians since the Antigo Vet Clinic ownership changed hands. The fees have increased quite a bit and many people have taken their vet business to Birnamwood, Rhinelander, and other places. Doesn’t the Humane Society get to make choices like that too?
It’s about the animals….the politics and mudslinging are disgusting!!
If it wouldn’t have been for the work of my family and myself a couple of decades ago, there would be no animal shelter in Antigo. We worked hard with Ethel Pizl to build awareness to show a need for a shelter. I am disgusted how the Animal Shelter turned out.. On the other hand, I have moved out of the area and so did my efforts to work with the Animal shelter. I guess it does no good complaining about it on a blog or message forum. If we are so concerned, volunteer and build it back up to its foundation.
At Last Someone Gets It!!!! Thanks CareBear!!!
Nothing mudslinging or disgusting here. Just the truth.
The truth is that the shelter had more free services, training for staff and veterinary involvement with the new owner at the Antigo Veterinary Clinic, than ever in their past, and yet they allowed an employee to say bad things about the vet clinic, and a lot of people knew this was going on, including the vet clinic. They continued to give and give despite that and tried to work with the shelter.
I am personally aware, from living in other communities and working with other veterinarians, that most vet clinics never give away as much or do as much for a shelter as the Antigo Veterinary Clinic did, under the new ownership. The LCHS should be ashamed. That vet was doing a great job trying to help the shelter and they took her for granted. They were telling people to use other clinics, which obviously is a smack in the face to Antigo Vet when they were helping the shelter so much.
The LCHS was not willing to deal with their problem of having an employee tell adopting pet owners to go to other vets, and now they get to face the reality that the vet finally put her foot down and quit giving them all her time and services for free/low cost. Would anyone in their right mind keep helping the shelter if they were put in that position? No. I hear the Antigo Vet still does some free stuff for the shelter. Might as well give the gun back to the shooter.
It is true the shelter has the right to seek veterinary care where-ever they want. I am told that in the past they tried to get another clinic to help but they would not do the amount of free stuff that Antigo Veterinary Clinic did. It would have been in the shelter’s best interest to try to be an advocate for Antigo Veterinary Clinic and keep all the free stuff coming that they did have. Instead they screwed that up. They are going to have a hard time finding anyone else to give them that much free stuff and it is their fault they ruined a good thing.
Antigo Veterinary Clinic is only doing what great veterinary clinics do – trying to update their level of care for the animals and along with that provide a higher level of service. Pet ownership is a decision, and is not forced upon anyone. They try to educate people about what they should be doing to take better care of their animals. If that was your kid, wouldn’t you want your doctor to do the same?
If you are going to have an animal to care for, you should not be of the mind set that cheapest is always the best. You wouldn’t do that for yourself or your family now, would you? The simple truth is that a lot of things are behind the times in Antigo, doesn’t it stand to reason that a new owner is going to come in and change things to try to provide better services? Well I may not be a business owner but I’m not dumb and better services come with a higher price tag, no matter what business you are in.
I have a friend that left Antigo Veterinary Clinic and went to Birnamwood. Well now they are back to Antigo Veterinary Clinic, because the doctors there really take the time to explain things and go over all the options, not just the cheapest/quickest way out. Yes it will cost you more but usually things that are higher quality do. It is your decision – choose the cheaper pet care or the better pet care. Each person that has a pet, as well as the shelter, must make that decision.
It is with regret that Antigo Veterinary Clinic decided to discontinue the majority of free/discounted services for the shelter, for the reasons already mentioned here by some.
Part of the underlying problem is that the LCHS board and the staff needs to see AVC as a great resource (given how much free stuff we were providing) and AAAA as the “go to source” for people needing spay/neuter services in our area for feral cats and for situations where cost is a concern, and also to have the board/staff see that they need to treat us (AVC/AAAA) as they would want to be treated, and recommend us in the community.
There is a stubbornness about “AVC prices being too high” even though (a) we were giving the LCHS over $21,000 of free/discounted services last year, and (b) I have tried to explain that I have really improved the level of pet care and client education, our technology for care (in-hospital blood tests, IV fluid pumps, anesthesia monitoring machines, dental x-ray ability, ultrasound) and that along with that, come increased costs….it shouldn’t always be about what is the cheapest option for the animal and I think too many in our community/LCHS etc. look at it that way. That is what comes along with being a farming community and many people aren’t even used to thinking of their pets as members of the family….and considering that there is an option for better care.
In the old way of thinking, if an animal can’t produce for you (meat or milk animal, chicken for eggs, etc) – then why spend much money on it? But things have changed and people do want to take better care of their pet/non-producing animals, they just haven’t had the education/instruction in our area on HOW to take better care of the pet, and what the costs can be and about payment options like Care Credit.
Though some may react to our costs being higher – in reality, we are not at the high end of the spectrum for pet care options and cost – more in the middle – but for Antigo that is a big change. If you lived in a larger city with many veterinary clinics, there would also likely be a center for 24 hour emergency care, and a specialty center that would offer options for internal medicine/surgery/neurology/ophthalmology specialty care, that would far exceed the costs of care at Antigo Veterinary Clinic. Believe it or not, even in this economy, some people do want that level of care for their pet. Who am I, to not at least mention that it is an option, and let the pet owner decide? Tell me what you want and I am here to provide it, and just give you my advice and knowledge about what options are available!
At AVC we have really tried hard to start educating the community/each pet owner about what options there are for better pet care – when many pet owners aren’t aware of the dangers of heartworm, intestinal parasites, and tick-borne diseases, feline leukemia/FIV, senior pet care and arthritis pain/treatment, dental care, etc…..it is a challenge to come to work every day and have the same conversation over and over and over again. But we do it because we care about the animals and the people that love them.
If you lived in a more urban area, the general population would already know about, and be on board with, this level of pet care. Antigo is not there yet, but we are trying to help get there. Again because we care about the animals and want better for them. Every day I see situations like this:
(1) Older pet with stiffness/obvious pain (to me). I talk about arthritis care and options for treating the pain. The pet owner tells me they do not think the pet is in pain because they are not crying. People do not understand that pets do not often vocalize when they are in pain. Limping or stiffness alone = pain and it should be treated. We give people free samples of arthritis pain medication and glucosamine supplement for dogs and recommend long term arthritis care.
(2) Dogs not on any type of parasite prevention, when intestinal worms are very common and some are transmissible to people, and there is the risk of heartworm disease (transmitted by mosquitos). We talk about testing for parasites by looking for the eggs in fecal samples…the owners tell us “I know she doesn’t have worms, I check her poop every day.” Then they get a surprise when we get a positive fecal test for roundworms. We tell each and every pet owner that yearly testing for parasites, and monthly use of parasite and heartworm prevention, is best for the pet and less expensive than having to treat the pet over and over again for worms, or having to treat heartworm disease, which can be deadly.
If you call either situation more expensive care – well yes it is because it’s doing something good for the pet, that wasnt’ being done before. That is what I strive to do for every patient.
Health care, whether for an animal or a person, has options…if you have the option for better care and higher cost, shouldn’t that at least be an option you are offered?
I.e. if you have to have surgery for breast cancer, what if a doctor only tells you that you are going to have a mastectomy. Another doctor tells you he can remove the cancer and do reconstructive surgery of your breast. Which would you choose? That depends on what you want and what insurance you have and what you can afford.
Another analogy – you go to a grocery store and could by canned vegetables (cheap) or fresh….which is better? Which would you choose?
In today’s day and age we HAVE to offer what all the options are – because not everyone wants the cheapest thing for their pets when better care is available…I feel personally responsible for the best care I can offer to each patient! That’s why we also offer Care Credit – a financing option that allows for 6 month payment plan with no interest.
In any event – I know that each person is going to want something different……
But at least we take the time to talk about what options there are and what the costs could be. It would help so much if the shelter board and employees could just understand this – I have tried to explain this to some on the board – I think if they truly undestood this, then they wouldn’t undermine our business and tell people to go elsewhere because we are more expensive, when the reality is we are more expensive because we offer better/more comprehensive care. Vet A can put your diabetic cat to sleep but Vet B (us) will explain what is necessary to treat the diabetes, loan you (for free) a blood sugar testing device for home monitoring, and call you every few days to see how the cat is doing…..see the difference?
It is time for the shelter to gain some knowledge about AVC as a leader in our area for better veterinary care, to support us and AAAA in the community, and to want to work cooperatively not against us….then and only then will we be able to look at helping the shelter once again. I hope to see that day sooner rather than later……
Reading all the above comments about AVC/AAAA and LCHS are very interesting. Antigo has NO IDEA how LUCKY they are to have AAAA there and
a Vet that has such a passion for helping animals like Dr. Sarah does. I live in Sheboygan and none of the Vets in our area will even consider doing a Trap/Neuter/Return Program. My wife ( a Vet Tech for 24 years) and I have volunteered for over 5 years with Cats Anonymous a feral TNR program in Green Bay and have helped spay/neuter over 5300 cats. That is the closest place that does this program. Two of our Dr.’s who volunteer with us EVERY MONTH for years work at the Bay Area Humane Society. One full time (Dr. Sue D.) and one part time (Dr. Michelle R.) Cats Anon and BAHS have a great working relationship. How does the LCHS think that by AAAA doing a TNR program is going to hurt them? How is not bringing in dozens of kittens twice a year during breeding season, (because those cats were never born) going to hurt the LCHS? Spay Me may be a very good organization, we have talked to them at pet expos. When you have your dog brought back from Sun Prairie
and you find that she chewed all her spay stitches out, and some will. Why do you they think they make E-collars? Who is going to look at her and re-stitch her? Who is going to transport her back to Spay Me? Who is going to pay for the gas? If people want to have their animals taken several hours away, that is their right to do so. But why put your animal through that? Who will be checking on and monitoring your pet on the long ride home? Why would you do that when you have a very capable Vet Clinic in your own town?
We have only met Dr. Sarah a few times, the first time when she came to a Cats Anonymous spay day to take numerous notes and get info from us to help make AAAA the success it already is. We wish she would be one of our
Vets for Cats Anon. which by the way she has graciously offered to do for us.
We have no idea where she will find the time. We have NEVER heard of any other Vet Clinic giving away FREE SERVICES to any Humane Society. I know
from a relative that was at a LCHS meeting when the last Vet Clinic owner said he would do TWO, yes that’s right TWO free spay/neuters a month and that the LCHS was thrilled and everyone clapped!! And now you had the new
Vet Clinic owner was doing approx. 16 spay/neuters FREE every month and thousands of dollars in other FREE MEDICAL CARE and the LCHS kicks her in the teeth by bad mouthing her. Were you people born STUPID or did you have to work on it over the years? You should be ashamed treating such a gift that way. That’s right a GIFT!
I know they say you can’t fix stupid, but you sure can VOTE THEM OUT
LCHS is now whining that they HAVE to go some place else to get help for their animals. BOO HOO!! cry me a river. They HAD a GREAT place and a GREAT Vet right down the road from them which In addition to the numerous FREE spays and neuters, there were numerous other FREE services that the AVC provided to them. Who can blame AVC for finally cutting almost all ties with the LCHS. If someone is repeatedly stabbing you with a knife and cutting your throat but can not finish you off because the blade became dull. Do you hand them a sharp knife so they can finish you off? NO, YOU GET AS FAR AWAY FROM THEM AS FAST AS YOU CAN. Why should the AVC stay and take the kind of abuse that LCHS was dishing out to them. It is amazing that AVC did not do this a long time ago. I sure would have. Yes, we should remember that we are all here for the animals. When is the LCHS going to finally realize
this and stop hurting the animals?There are so many animals getting caught in the cross fire because LCHS has some petty vendetta against AVC/AAAA and Dr. Sarah. Not to mention she owns the ONLY Vet Clinic in Antigo. Isn’t the next closest Vet Clinic approx 20 miles away. Would Antigo like to see AVC go out of business so they can all go to Birnamwood, Rhinelander, etc.?
People that act like this make me ashamed that Antigo is my home town.
The other people like AVC/AAAA and Dr. Sarah make me proud that my home town is Antigo. I am sure there are far more people that are doing the right thing in Antigo to make it a city to be proud to live in. Remember the saying
“one bad apple spoils the whole bunch”. Seems to me that saying fits this situation. Do you want your feral/barn cat/ pet taken right down the road for spay/neuter/other care needed, or do you want it taken hours away for spay/neuter. There is no other care given by Spay Me! Check out their web site and see for yourself. Good Luck getting follow up care from them. Hope your vehicle gets great gas mileage for that extra trip to Sun Prairie!
Do what you want to do. AVC is a very strong, animal comes first clinic with
GREAT Dr.s in Dr. Sarah, Dr. Dan and Dr. Sharon. They will weather this storm.
Will the animals and people of Antigo weather it also? It’s not just the “buy locally” attitude either. I believe getting the best care, even if that means not buying local. ANTIGO ALREADY HAS THE BEST LOCALLY IN AVC/AAAA!!!!!
Why can I say this? My wife (a vet tech) and I have volunteered on their spay days and they have run just as smooth or smoother than the spay days we have been volunteering at in Green Bay for the past five years
It’s time those in the Antigo area realize this. Don’t take my word or that of anyone else. Find out for yourself. Go to an AAAA meeting and ask questions.
AVC/AAAA has NOTHING to hide, they will be happy to answer any of your questions. Antigo HAS NO IDEA HOW LUCKY THEY ARE TO HAVE A TNR PROGRAM IN THEIR OWN TOWN!!!!!!! Check out how many TNR programs there are in WI. Antigo truly has won the lottery getting this program right in their own town. So stop whining,bitching, and back stabbing and do what is right for your animals. Get them spay/neutered with as little stress as possible.
I thought about what has ben said, I think that the shelter has been, and knows how lucky they were to have had the vets services, I also think that they know how hard it’s going to be to work with out of town vets. E.I. travil time, and time in general. Yep it’s gone be a #*@*_ , and they know it ! Sometimes change sucks, sometimes it’s needed. Now there are going to be followers of the vet and there are going to be followers of the shelter, hopefully there will be evenly centered persons that will fight for boath. Time will fix it all, I agree that the pets are the first thing that needs to be on the list of care, the shelter employees can’t do there jobs if they are conserned about the mud throwing going on, or if they are upset about holding up there good names, and the good name of the buisness that they work for, this is a matter that the vet and the shelter need to work out, I think that this is a privet matter that the PEOPLE should NOT be personally involved in. Show your support, use the vet because you enjoy the quality of serves you receve, visit the shelter, and maybe adopt, because you enjoy the happy to see you faces from pets and people alike. Both are animal loving buisnesses, both strive to help the people and the pets alike, no matter what some people will say, or what some people will do, if the verbel abuse “on those in question” continues the pets will suffer for sure.
Of the fiew people that know of this struggle, this struggle that hurts us all, these are the ones that will fight, these are the ones that will hold a grudg, these are the ones that will never let it die. They will all suffer the tears and the fears of the future, but you know what the rest of them, the world/Antigo they don’t care of this, they don’t care who wins or who looses.
Wish I belonged to the rest of them.
Pingback: Digital Review