Port Orchard Independent, November 18, 2011

Page 8

1BHF "

XXX QPSUPSDIBSEJOEFQFOEFOU DPN

'SJEBZ /PWFNCFS t 1PSU 0SDIBSE *OEFQFOEFOU

0ODF IFBMUIZ BHBJO BOJNBMT XJMM OFFE OFX IPNFT Humane Society seizes varied collection of critters kept in poor conditions at property in Olalla By BRETT CIHON Staff Writer

For months, animal welfare workers with the Kitsap Humane Society had worked with an Olalla couple, trying to improve living conditions for the 180 animals they owned. But last week those animal welfare workers decided the situation was never going to improve. “We’d been watching the property pretty close, trying to work with them,� said Jake Shapley, operations director and animal rescue chief at the Kitsap Humane Society. “In the

end it was clear they couldn’t take care of the animals.� By the time Shapley, a team of veterinarians and Kitsap County sheriff’s deputies went at the property in the 6900 block of SE 160th Street in Olalla to seize the animals Nov. 10, the situation was dire. The cats, dogs, llamas, sheep, goats, rabbits, chickens and other animals on the property were immersed in squalor. The Humane Society had received repeated complaints from concerned neighbors. The property was littered with debris. Animal cages

South Kitsap Business

Is Your Broker Giving You

$PVSUFTZ QIPUP

This llama was among 180 animals removed from an Olalla residence because of inadequate care provided for the animals. were filthy and lacked clean water. The owners did not have enough food on hand to adequately feed the animals for even a day, and a cow had recently died from apparent starvation, Shapley said. “Conditions were not anywhere close to adequate, so we had to take action,� he said. The seizure of the 180 animals was the biggest operation the Humane Society had par-

ticipated in since it seized more than 200 animals from a property about 10 years ago. And of the more than 50 animal cruelty allegations the Humane Society looks into each month, the size and scope of the Olalla incident was incomparable, Shapley said. Still, when the Humane Society first contacted the property owners in April regarding animal cruelty allegations, they

the Cold Shoulder?

were given a chance. Most people aren’t deliberately trying to be cruel to animals, Shapley said. In fact, most individuals accused of animal cruelty believe they are helping, not hurting, the animals. Education and proper training on how to care for animals is preferred over taking animals away from owners. In cases of animal hoarding — which Shapley believes occurred in Olalla — education can be the only solution. Hoarders think they’re helping and protecting the animals, Shapley said, so if the Humane Society comes in and takes the animals away, a hoarder will try to find more. “We need to change the mindset of the owner and get them to voluntarily give up some of the animals,� he said. “Or else the problem keeps coming back up.� About 95 percent of the time, the Humane Society does not feel it’s necessary to seize animals from their owners, because often the owners will voluntarily improve conditions the animals are kept in, Shapley said. And in the beginning, the Olalla couple took some steps to improve the conditions of

the animals they owned. But over time it became clear the burden of adequately caring for 180 animals was too much. The animals were seized, and Shapley said the Kitsap County Prosecutor’s Office could file charges against the Olalla residents, making sure they never own animals again. Since last week, the Humane Society has worked hard to bring the animals back to health. Though none of the animals rescued had died in custody as of Tuesday afternoon, Shapley said it was too early to be assured they would all survive. The conditions the animals were kept in may also lead to further medical complications in the future. Shapley estimates the Humane Society will spend about $700 a week to feed the animals. Local animal help groups such as Center Valley Animal Rescue in Quilcene have helped with food donations and animal care. Once the animals get healthy, Shapley hopes the Humane Society can find homes for all of the 180 critters. “We would love to see all the animals adopted long-term,� he said.

Dick VLIST

At Edward Jones, the level of service you receive depends on your personal needs and preferences, not on the size of your investment portfolio.

MOTORS, INC.

If you’d like to experience exceptional personal service, consider Edward ! Jones. We offer solutions all your financial needs. $ # ' for % %! & us. *!& $ #' Get to know

! ! $# # % # "

Call today to schedule a free portfolio review. & ! " ! % " # # ' Denette K George

Ron Rada

Financial Advisor 4275 SE Mile Hill Dr Suite A Port Orchard, WA 98366 360-871-9707

Financial Advisor 8079 E. Main St Suite 111 Manchester WA 98353 360-871-0998

Jay Seaton

Schelley Dyess

Financial Advisor 600 Kitsap St Suite 102 Port Orchard, WA 98366 360-876-7538

A )POEB $JWJD

A )POEB $JWJD

4 Door, LX, Automatic, Low Miles, A/C, PW, PDL

4 Door, EX, Navigation, CD, Automatic, Low Miles, Loaded

14,995

$

$

17,500

A 4DJPO 5$

Coupe, 5 Speed, CD, Great MPG, Moonroof, Alloy Wheels

12,995

$

Financial Advisor 2299 Bethel Ave Suite 102 Port Orchard, WA 98366 360-876-3835

Uncle Dave’s Cafe

A 78 #FFUMF $POWFSUJCMF

A )POEB "DDPSE )ZCSJE

A &VSP 7BO

25K Actual Miles, GLS, Automatic, Leather, Multi Cd

Pearl White, Tan Leather, Low Miles, Multi CD, Automatic

GLS, Automatic, Hard to Find Model

15,995

$

18,995

$

ONLY$10,995

A Quaint, Busy, 60’s Style, Small Neighborhood CafÊ

Dinner Specials

Mondays..Chicken Fried Steak..$800 Tuesdays...Beef Stroganoff...$800

Wednesdays.....Hot Pork Roast........$800 Thursdays.....Spaghetti....Tiny $400........Medium $550......Large $650 Fridays......Homemade Pot Roast....$800

AND THE BEST BISCUITS & GRAVY ANYWHERE, SERVED ANYTIME!

Jackson & Lund

Closed Sundays

A .JUTVCJTIJ %JBNPOUF

A (.$ +JNNZ

A 'PSE .VTUBOH

Automatic, Leather, Moonroof, CD, Alloys

4x4, 1 Owner, 41K Actual Miles, Automatic, Full Power

Convertible, V-6, Auto, Full Power, Alloy Wheels

4,995

$

8,995

$

VIN numbers are posted at dealership

ONLY$4,995

#": 453&&5 1035 03$)"3% r XXX EJDLWMJTUNPUPST DPN r r


Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.