Many thanks to the groups and organizations
throughout Texas who rescued the pets from the Uvalde Animal
Shelter seizure. The Humane Society of Uvalde has left the
Animal Shelter premises and are back in action at our location
behind HEB. We are actively treating and preparing
approximately 30 dogs for adoption. As pets become
available, they will be visible
online. Thank you to all of our supporters, volunteers and
members for aiding the animals of Uvalde.
Here is the most recent HSU video-it seems to
hold more true now...
HSU received custody of the 200 plus animals at
the Uvalde Animal Shelter on April 11th . The Humane
Society of Uvalde has diligently networked with organizations
throughout Texas to place each of the pets awarded to our care.
We would like to publicly thank all of the groups and
individuals who have come forward to offer donations, networking
and rescues. Please visit our facebook page to see updates
from groups on dogs they were able to rescue and find out about
adoption. HSU has approximately 70 dogs left in our care
and we are continuing to be in need of the donation items listed
below.
There have been several news stories and
local coverage on this event. Please find those linked
below.
The Original You Tube Video thought to have
encouraged the initial investigation of the Uvalde Animal
Shelter.
WARNING: Be advised that these images are graphic.
Editorial From Uvalde Leader News by Craig
Garnett
Saving animals column – 4-15-12
Animal treatment
reflects on all of us
It would seem safe to say that Uvalde has gone to the dogs
in the last couple of weeks. Since the seizure of the Uvalde
Animal Shelter on April 3 by county officials, we have published
numerous stories, photographs and even video of the ongoing news
story.
It is a story, by the way, that no one can take pride in.
Conditions at the shelter located just north of the city on Hwy.
83 were beyond deplorable. If you have any question about
whether intervention was necessary, watch the video on our
website at uvaldeleadernews.com. Be warned that the footage,
shot by a former animal shelter volunteer shortly before the
facility was seized, is graphic.
It also begs the question why? Why were animals allowed to
live amidst overcrowding, disease and parasites? The best answer
seems to be money, people and out of sight, out of mind. There
were not enough funds to provide veterinary care and adequate
shelter for nearly 200 animals, not enough volunteers to keep
the surroundings clean and vermin free and the rest of us did
not really care to know.
Members of the Humane Society of Uvalde, who were called
on after April 3 to care for the animals until they can be
dispersed to new homes, have had their hands full trying to
clean the shelter and feed and deliver medical care for the
animals.
No doubt I am biased when to comes to HSU. My wife is a
charter member and the effort that she and the many other
volunteers have put into getting the organization up and running
effectively over the last five years is nothing short of
admirable.
That sentiment has grown even more watching them deal with
the present crisis at the animal shelter. They have been
out there day and night for almost two weeks, scrubbing kennels,
treating dogs and working to find new homes for them. If you
could Google “nasty jobs,” this kind of work would have to top
the list of responses.
So how does the story end? First, as agreed upon in a
hearing Wednesday before Pct. 2 Justice of the Peace Bobby
McIntosh, Friends of the Uvalde Animal Shelter must pay HSU
$12,500 for expenses incurred in caring for the animals
(medicine, veterinary bills, food, etc.). HSU, in turn, has two
weeks to move the animals to new homes and then, after full
restitution, the animal shelter can reopen, as long as at least
90 days have passed from the time of the hearing.
But that is not the true end of the story. The Uvalde
Animal Shelter should never again operate on the present site.
Years of animal waste, decaying carcasses and disease have
rendered the facility uninhabitable for man or beast. It has
become more of a toxic waste dump than a shelter.
What needs to happen next is for the city of Uvalde and
Uvalde County to collaborate on a new facility. It does not have
to be large, maybe big enough for 40 or 50 animals. It
could be located at the fairplex, for example, and staffed by
HSU volunteers.
By limiting the population, you control expenses. It would
not be a no-kill shelter, but rather a clean, well maintained
place for dogs that have gone stray to await return to their
owners or for HSU volunteers to find foster homes for on the way
to permanent homes.
The sad but inescapable truth is that not all dogs can be
saved. Some, because of breeding or mistreatment, cannot be
trusted around us or our children. Others, because of disease or
neglect, cannot be saved within a reasonable medical budget.
But most can. And through spay/neuter programs, ongoing
education and acceptance of the fact that the way we treat our
animal population is a direct reflection on all of us, such a
facility is a must.
If we can build and maintain the necessary infrastructure
– streets, sewers, civic centers, football fields and arenas –
to be called a modern, forward looking city that is attractive
to new people and business, then we must provide the same for
our pets.
After what we have seen in the last two weeks, out of
sight can no longer be out of mind.
HUMANE SOCIETY
OF UVALDE NEWS
P
RESS
RELEASE
(Uvalde, TX); April 6, 2012—On
Tuesday April 3rd, Uvalde County officials executed
the seizure of all animals at the Uvalde Animal Shelter located
on hwy 83 in Uvalde County.This
occurred following complaints of poor living conditions and
concerns the animals were being neglected.The
Humane Society of Uvalde, a local organization not affiliated
with any national, state or other organization, has been awarded
temporary custody of the animals until a hearing determines
whether the animals will be returned to the Animal Shelter or
become permanent custody of the Humane Society of Uvalde.
During the
interim, the animals will remain at the facility located on
Highway 83. Approximately 215 animals were seized at the
facility.The
Humane Society of Uvalde is responsible for feeding and
maintaining the pets until a decision is made at the Wednesday
hearing.Several
veterinarians are evaluating the health of the animals and the
living conditions.Evidence
and testimony will be present at the hearing on Wednesday April
11that
9am. The hearing is open to the public.
The Humane
Society of Uvalde is in need of supplies such as bleach, paper
towels, plastic shopping bags, trash bags, metal food/water
bowls and plastic doghouses.Items
can be left at the HWY 83 location, at the HSU office located
behind HEB or in our drop box at the Uvalde Wal-Mart near the
eye center.Monetary
donations can be made atwww.hsuvalde.comvia
paypal, or mailed to PO Box 1650 Uvalde Texas, 78802.
(Tick
Accumulation on the ear)
Due to the upcoming hearing, additional photos are not
being released at this time. The hearing is open
to the public.
All donations are tax deductible
Please consider
donating to the pets of Uvalde
Donation Item Request:
Bleach
Paper Towels
Trash bags
Pet Food
cat litter
gift cards to local stores
Monetary donations can be made online
***all donations are tax deductible***
save your plastic grocery bags and drop them off with HSU
HSU has a donation box at Walmart in the Customer Service Center
or donations can be left at our office
You can also stop by the HSU office
Mon-Tues-Wed-Thurs 10a-2pm & Fri 9-1p
and donate there
Become a fan on Facebook!
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