UPDATE 6/22/03 on the Montana Collies

Statement by AWCA President Jean Levitt

*Permission to crosspost*

SPAY/NEUTER:

HSUS is planning to surgically alter 150 Montana collies in a one-day marathon on June 28, in the Camp Collie Great Falls building, with their “volunteer spay/neuter task force.”  Dr. Kelly Manzer, lead Camp Collie veterinarian, will be left with the responsibility of post-operative care for all the altered animals.

Extremely alarmed by this plan, AWCA objected in writing to Sheriff Matoon, who has the final say in these matters.  On the advice of numerous collie veterinarians, led by Dr. Nancy Kelso, DVM, Dr. Cindi Bossart, DVM, and Dr. David Hansen, DVM, we proposed an alternate plan:  AWCA would pay for spaying and neutering of these collies in small, orderly groups at various Great Falls veterinary hospitals recommended by Dr. Kelly Manzer.  In this manner, these animals, who already have compromised health, would be treated as individuals and have more sanitary surroundings with pre-screening and post-operative care, with appropriate hospital resources should medical complications arise.  In addition, Dr. Bossart was arranging for free microchipping.  Dave Pauli had verbally agreed to honor my request for HSUS to provide transport of the animals, at no cost.

On Saturday, June 21, we received a terse message from Toole County Sheriff’s Deputy Mike Lamey that our letters had been received.  Regrettably, also on Saturday, we received a lengthy email from Dave Pauli stating that Sheriff Matoon had given HSUS permission for the HSUS spay/neuter task force to alter the 150 collies in one day on June 28 in the Camp Collie building.  He also obtained permission to fund-raise independently of AWCA and Toole County.

According to the AWCA Lead Veterinarian, Dr. Nancy Kelso, DVM, “It is in each collie’s best interest to have spay/neuter surgery in a carefully monitored hospital environment.  Especially since the collies have compromised health and we have the resources to pay for better individualized care.”

We remain extremely distressed with the cavalier manner in which our breed is being treated.

ADOPTION:

More than a week ago, AWCA submitted our sample application forms and contracts to HSCC Director Linda Hughes as directed.  We have received no further response to our attempts to participate in the adoption process.  In fact, the only communication we have received from the Toole County Sheriff’s Office, beyond the acknowledgment of the receipt of our letters of protest, are two envelopes full of bills they expect us to pay.

Folks, this has completely stalled the AWCA adoption process.  We KNOW you have many questions regarding these issues and your own trip to Montana.  So do we.  And we don’t have the answers.

We thought the animals were saved.

Please pray for the collies.

NOT so calmly,

Jean Levitt, President AWCA

Lisa King, Director of AWCA Rescue

and the Officer and Members of AWCA