To:  AWCA and the Collie Community

From:  Jean Levitt, President of AWCA Collie Rescue of America and Lisa King, Director of AWCA Collie Rescue

Subject:  The Shelby, Montana, Collies

 

            On behalf of the officers and members of AWCA, we send a warm thank you to the Collie people who have so responsibly helped AWCA in this enormous rescue effort.  AWCA has pledged medical care, supplies, volunteers, and anything else the authorities may need to provide for these unfortunate animals.  We receive requests for assistance and updates from the authorities in Shelby daily, and report only that which has been confirmed by the Toole County Police Department, or Dave Pauli, the Regional Director of the Humane Society of the United States.  We are very happy to report, according to Mr. Pauli, that the offenders will be charged with 182 counts of cruelty.

            The AWCA on-site representative, Paul Scholl, toured the Shelby Fairgrounds with a deputy from the Toole County Sheriff’s Department Monday, Nov. 4, 2002 and reports that most of the Collies are appearing happier now that the people of Shelby have been caring for them.  He saw many wagging tails and lifted spirits.  Paul’s written report and photographs will be made available to AWCA members in the Winter Collie Connection.

            AWCA has shipped two large cases of stainless steel food pans and water pails to the Toole County Sheriff’s Department at their request.  (They have agreed to return them to AWCA when they are no longer needed so we can lend them for future rescue efforts.) 

            Housing, medical, nutrition, sanitation, and security are of supreme importance right now.  AWCA urges everyone to remain calm and stand down until a request for on-site volunteers is made by the authorities.  Presently the wonderful people of the Shelby area are doing an excellent job of caring for the animals.  The local Search and Rescue teams, on a rotational basis, are providing tight security at the Shelby Fairgrounds and no uninvited volunteers will be admitted.  Three veterinarians are in attendance on a rotational basis and five animal agencies.

            The local police, fire fighters, SAR teams, farmers, ranchers, merchants, and residents had this tragedy on wheels land in their community, and they all have pitched in wonderfully to make these uninvited “guests” feel welcome.  We, the Collie Community, owe the people of this small community in Montana an enormous debt of gratitude.  When and if it is appropriate, according to the authorities, AWCA will provide on-site volunteers to relieve the local volunteers.

            Tuesday the AWCA Board of Directors sent an open letter to the Shelby Promoter, the local newspaper in Montana, expressing the gratitude of the officers and members of AWCA for the loving care the community of Shelby has shown the dogs.  Meanwhile AWCA will honor its pledge to assist these dogs in every way possible. 

            Thank you very much,

            Jean Levitt, Lisa King, and the Board of Directors of AWCA