Message from the AWCA board about the Montana collies, 11/06/2002:

How you can help!!

 

At this time, Dave Pauli (HSUS regional director) feels enough stainless steel food pans and pails have been sent to Shelby for the dogs. He thanks the collie community for providing them. If they find they need more we will let you know.

Know that PETEDGE from who our order was sent included many free pails in addition to the large discount they gave AWCA to help with this rescue.  According to Deputy Gates of the Toole County Sheriff's Department, the estimated cost to their community for this rescue from start to finish will be approximately $40,000. Understandably, this is a staggering figure, especially because there was nothing in their budget for a collie rescue.

 

This community of 7,000 people should not be left to bear this expense alone.  Therefore, although admittedly it may not be as satisfying as going to MT and being "hand-on" with the collies, AWCA continues to ask you to direct your collie energy and compassion to helping fund this rescue. Again, according to Deputy Gates, the estimated time frame to bring this rescue to conclusion is 6-12 weeks.

 

Early on, AWCA responded to the Sheriff's department inquiry for breed specific information regarding temperament. We began with a description of the healthy normal collie we all adore and segued into a description of stoicism. The state of "shutting down"--the vacant staring survival mode many collies enter in order to withstand horrific conditions they cannot change.

 

Sadly, Deputy Hale acknowledged to me that this was the state most of the collie were in when rescued form the truck. That is why I was so pleased to convey the AWCA on site representative, Paul Scholl's report of several wagging tails and happy faces, due to the loving care of the Shelby community.

 

I can tell you this....plans for the future of the dogs are underway.   That is ALL on that subject I am permitted to share right now.

 

To the large majority of the collie community, again, on behalf of AWCA a thousand THANK YOU'S for your help, support and patience wit this rescue.  To the very few individuals who are unable to contain themselves and are dissipating the energy of the MT community with constant calls, fatiguing the Internet participants with unauthorized announcements and incorrect requests to send unwanted items, I ask you to PLEASE consider channeling your devotion to the collie breed in a more constructive direction.

 

Thank you all,

Jean Levitt, President AWCA

Lisa King, Director AWCA Collie Rescue and the Officers and Members of AWCA