UPDATE 11/16/02 on the Montana Collies

Statement by AWCA President Jean Levitt

*Permission to crosspost*

 Animal Control Officers Diana Blakely and Carol Barnes, the wonderful gift to the collie community from the people of western Washington State, reported from MT last night:  “We are proceeding with our assessment of this situation.  We will present recommendations to AWCA on how best to further serve these animals, and the Shelby, MT, community.”  They continued, “Some of the collies are still suffering from severe emotional distress exhibited by constant panting while remaining huddled in the corners of the stalls.”  This, in addition to their physical problems, presents a further challenge to the grooming team.  AWCA has sought professional advice on collie stress management in order to support their emotional needs as well as physical needs during the grooming process.  We are, of course, prepared to groom all of the animals.  We have sought veterinary advice on the deployment of the grooming team.  Specifically, we are being briefed on contamination prevention of our volunteers, equipment, and the grooming building.  Our medical support team consisting of a veterinarian and a veterinary technician will precede the grooming team to MT.  They will assess the animals and facilities to prepare for the grooming team’s arrival.  Our veterinarian will receive and brief the grooming team when they arrive in MT on specifics.  We have arranged for a veterinary technician to remain with the groomers to advise the team after the veterinarian leaves the state.

 AWCA received a request from the Toole County Sheriff’s Dept. for heavy duty rubber gloves suitable for hand-washing and disinfecting of the stainless steel food pans and pails.  Immediately after the request came in, a caller from a kennel club in a nearby state called.

                                Caller:  What do you need?

                                Jean:  Acaseofrubberglovessuitablefor etc.

                                Caller:  Done!

They shipped 351 pairs on Friday, and included a note to the Sheriff to let them know when they need more.

 In closing, thank you, everyone! 

Calmly,

Jean Levitt, President of AWCA