UPDATE 11/11/02 on
the Montana collies
*Permission to crosspost*
It is imperative that the collie
community remain united during this rescue of the Shelby, MT. collies. I
strongly urge everyone to focus on the successful outcome of this case. For the
sake of these dogs, I ask the individuals and groups with well meaning but
premature divisive plans to please remain calm. This is a very delicate time.
Your uncoordinated efforts will serve only to dilute and create confusion in
this rescue effort. After the successful conclusion of this rescue, do what you
will. Now is the time to think of the dogs and the good people caring for them
in Shelby.
The plea for volunteers in the LOCAL Montana paper referred to LOCAL people. That small community cannot support a deluge of collie lovers descending on the town.
Under-sheriff Matoon will tell us when it is appropriate to come. She explained to me they can only put up a limited amount of groomers, for example. Therefore, AWCA is sending a small multi-skilled volunteer team consisting of persons with professional skills in additions to their seasoned collie grooming abilities. Two are licensed mental health care counselors. They can informally provide trained listening skills to a community which may want to realize some of its feelings about this sad horror that has descended upon Shelby.
The professional groomers on the team are providing a great
deal of grooming equipment designed to avoid having to shave any part of these
dogs.
There may come a time when more volunteers are requested.
Your many kind offers of assistance have been noted. The authorities in MT are
in charge of this rescue. The police are in charge of the investigation. The
courts will determine the outcome.
AWCA is providing assistance *for the dogs* and the people taking care of them. We do this with the help and support of the entire collie community. We are grateful beyond words to be able to tell you people from many other breeds are now helping, too. A special thanks goes to Gary Jordan (www.colliesonline.com) for supporting this rescue.
We also send another heartfelt thank you to MB-F for also
providing a synopsis of the situation on their
website (www.infodog.com)
The Shelby, MT collies deserve a calm, strong and united
collie community behind them. That is what they need and they deserve nothing
less.
Calmly,
Jean Levitt AWCA President
Lisa King Director AWCA Rescue and the officers and members of AWCA