Dogs Seized From No Kill Shelter

[Mark Aldridge]

We are a licensed Sanctuary for native wildlife, Moorook was not state of the art, and never will be, but sections being built will be an the older sections are as good as most in the country, green shade cloth does not make the water green, as if I would not change water if it was green, or photo it for public vision, I see this is just the hate page members who make up what they wish to believe, but in looking over this site, I can also see some very passionate animal lovers.

Myself and hundreds of people have opted to step in and help, some comments here indicate the shelter should be closed, each to their own, 2000 animals in recent years have been homed, and lets hope 2000 more will be given a chance, lets await the court out come and inspect the final outcome on ever front, but I fear even success wont be enough for some

[Mark Aldridge]

PS before I log of, the Minister was miss lead in regards to facts and figures, that too will become public knowledge, sorry to have posted here

[casowner]

Can you explain what makes you a licensed sanctuary? I have a specialist permit and I have well over 100 animals and have over 20 years experience (not just natives) but do not consider myself a sanctuary. I believe to be an animal rescuer (domestic or native) that you have to be able to provide better than the standard care financially and environmentally for any animal in your care and a true rescuer does not take in more than they can afford or house. Those that rescue responsibly do so within their own means and should not rely on public donations of money or food etc to be able to care for the animals in their care. I am incredibly passionate about animal care, welfare and ethics but I do not buy into the "it was the best for the animals" line as love and good intentions do not help animals alone, responsibility, experience, finances and ethics do and I absolutely commend and support those that do the right thing

I am not stirring or having a go at you but if someone expects or relies on the support or public to be able to care for any animal in their care especially those running private interests at their home then they should be able to explain the why's and how's and as I said I am very passionate about animal care. My focus has always been and always will be focused on the animals and how they are cared for, animals are a highly emotive subject and you will get extreme reactions from both sides but there is no room for pride or ego

Edited to add that my focus is on domestics at this time as I believe natives require much more time in regards to their care so I am concentrating on creating the safest possible environments for them before I start to take them in

Edited May 31, 2013 by behluka

[Are You Serious Jo]

So no answers, just more vague you are all haters and have it wrong. What permits do you have then to be a licensed sanctuary? It isn't hard to answer and all other wildlife carers do so easily. Why did you stop being able to take in new natives?

It's always something conspiracy flavoured, the minister didn't have the real facts, the rspca got to TT. Where were the promised exposes? I knew you'd be off without answering questions when you realised that instead of more posts of blind adoration you get some realism from some very knowledgeable and experienced people. The FB crowd might have led you to believe that you can easily sway people to your way of thinking, but they are the electronic version of rent a crowd. There are far more people in SA who know all about Moorook than your relatively few supporters who actually have zero influence on anything. They might slip you money but they cannot control the outcome of the court case. It will be far from an easy win, don't you think the rspca would have been extra careful with their prosecution given they knew they would be dealing with you?

BTW, I know the water containers have algae because an ex volunteer who used to scrub the algae out told me.

[casowner]

I would like to reiterate that I am not a part of any rescue or shelter, I do however support rescue which I will continue to do in the future. My only concern is for the animals and not just those at the two mentioned shelters/sanctuaries rescue is just becoming a newish thing in SA moreso for dogs/cats and I believe that it needs to be done ethically and responsibily and support any steps forward in the right direction.

We are the caretakers of animals in our care whether it be temporarily or permanently and if we take on that responsibilty for any period of time we must be able to do it to the best standard possible. I have no agenda, I have no history with either shelter I am just honestly interested in animal welfare and believe that through mistakes we learn and that is the key we must learn from our mistakes, admit them and take on board criticisms and grow from them

[AdelK9]

I am one obviously that is disgusted in the way RSPCA have handled this situation, and their record for killing companion animals. I know I am going to be attacked on here by RSPCA supporters.. So be it. We all have our own opinions and views. I also have no affiliation with Moorook Animal Shelter.

Moorook has passed every previous inspection carried out by the RSPCA. Even as late as November last year. Lola always welcomed visits by the RSPCA. Is it a coincidence that council has put it to the RSPCA to open a shelter in the Riverland, and RSPCA now start using warrants and raiding unannounced?

If MAS had passed every previous inspection, why did this time RSPCA feel the need to raid unannounced with a warrant? Why not just make an appointment like they usually did with Lola? This can only suggest that RSPCA had ulterior motives this time. If MAS was as bad as some on here are suggesting, why didn't RSPCA take all the animals, and close the place down? Why only 8 animals seized? RSPCA made a few directives where changes needed to be made. Why did they then raid again before their directives had to be fulfilled, and also on a day they knew Lola wouldn't be there? They stated they had another warrant to enter her premises, yet would not produce it.

Why did RSPCA put those dogs to sleep, when it was obvious they had a quality of life? Then once the evidence was disposed of make up charges to put on Lola? Why don't RSPCA ever allow for a second opinion about the health of dogs before being killed? Why is it that the RSPCA has the only say, whether a dog should live or die? Of all the dogs seized by the RSPCA, why didn't RSPCA return the dogs that were deemed to be healthy? Why will they not even answer questions by the community on the welfare of these dogs?

Nobody is suggesting Moorook was state of the art. I can tell you now, that the runs the dogs are kept in are no different to many backyards dogs live in. But because they are not state of the art concreted kennels, people suggest they were kept in terrible conditions. Why for all these years, when RSPCA did arranged visits, MAS passed every inspection? RSPCA never even questioned the number of animals there. Council even continued dumping dogs there, knowing how many dogs were on the property.

RSPCA SA have a terrible record of killing dogs that do not need to die. 1 in 4 are killed for so-called behavioural problems alone, which to me is a disgrace. 1 in 4 dogs do not deserve to die. RSPCA shouldn't use the term euthanasia when in reality it is culling. RSPCA have refused to work with rescue groups to lower these numbers, but instead would rather kill. If rescue groups can re-home over 90% of the dogs that come into their care, RSPCA can do a lot better with the millions of dollars at their disposal. It seems society has just gotten so used to being a throw away society, and killing an innocent animal is justified no matter the reason. RSPCA kill over 50% of all animals that end up at their shelter.

No-kill doesn't mean that dogs are never euthanised by rescue groups. It means all animals are given every possible chance at living, before euthanising is considered an option. RSPCA on the other hand are killing dogs for the most outrageous reasons. One dog was even shown on their Animal Rescue show being temperament tested, and because the dog showed some avoidance and unsureness about a doll being pushed into its space, the dog was deemed not re-home-able and therefore killed! Dogs are being killed for behaviours such as incessant barking in the shelter, being overly boisterous, fear, jumping, etc, etc. Dogs are being killed because RSPCA deem them too old. Yet I know of many 'older' dogs re-homed by rescue groups.

Why are so many former RSPCA volunteers and workers slowly coming forward and telling people what is going on in RSPCA shelters? Nobody is suggesting we don't have a need for the RSPCA, there however needs to be a complete government inquiry into the operations of the RSPCA. They are a non-profit charity that make millions of dollars a year, and have become a law unto themselves. A charity that has the powers of our police forces, with virtually nobody overseeing their activities. How would people feel if our police forces were run as a charity? In my opinion in the instance of MAS, the inspector has used bullying and stand-over tactics to try and close down a shelter that has been running for years, and might I say with the RSPCA's and councils approval.. Now all of a sudden, MAS is to be raided and undue pressure put on a lady that has dedicated her life to rescuing and re-homing dogs?

Why are more and more people worried about taking dogs to the RSPCA, and rather call a rescue group? Because dogs taken in by the RSPCA have more than a 50% chance of dieing. Yet with rescue groups, more than a 90% chance of living...

So what if people visit a no-kill shelter and see the runs are made of old fencing and wire, water and food is given in plastic containers? Do you think the dogs care? MAS hasn't had an outbreak of parvo, yet RSPCA with their state of the art kennels have had to close their shelter down due to parvo outbreaks. Dogs would much rather be on natural ground, then being kept long term on concreted floors in small kennels like the RSPCA.

RSPCA have an agenda, there can be no other reason for their actions recently. And is that agenda to set up a shelter in the Riverland? You tell me. As we all know, the council did approach the RSPCA late last year to open a shelter. So if RSPCA does have a conflict of interest, then it should not be allowed to enforce laws where that conflict exists.

[_PL_]

Have you been to the shelter?

Genuine question, because I have not.

[Rebanne]

If MAS had passed every previous inspection, why did this time RSPCA feel the need to raid unannounced with a warrant? Why not just make an appointment like they usually did with Lola? This can only suggest that RSPCA had ulterior motives this time.

Nobody is suggesting Moorook was state of the art. I can tell you now, that the runs the dogs are kept in are no different to many backyards dogs live in.

Maybe they didn't make an appointment because doing so gave Lola time to clean things up?

I, thankfully, don't know any dogs who live in the conditions those shelter dogs are forced to live in.

[AdelK9]

If MAS had passed every previous inspection, why did this time RSPCA feel the need to raid unannounced with a warrant? Why not just make an appointment like they usually did with Lola? This can only suggest that RSPCA had ulterior motives this time.

Nobody is suggesting Moorook was state of the art. I can tell you now, that the runs the dogs are kept in are no different to many backyards dogs live in.

Maybe they didn't make an appointment because doing so gave Lola time to clean things up?

I, thankfully, don't know any dogs who live in the conditions those shelter dogs are forced to live in.

Honestly do you believe that? Time to clean up? Nobody is disputing that Moorook needed a clean up.. Even Moorook accept that, and abided by the RSPCA's directive to clean up.

It's sad how we expect our dogs to live by the same principles as humans. But even so, we would never keep a human locked in a small concrete kennel, unless incarcerated. People judge a kennel on its looks, because fencing isn't all sparkly new, and nice shiny new water and feed bowls, etc. The kennels and runs were kept clean.. No faeces laying around, etc. If there was, RSPCA would have taken maters even further. It's sad how humans can judge subjectively.. and not look at the facts. Nobody is even suggesting the facilities couldn't be better.. However thousands of dogs have found homes, that in any other situation would have been killed. Isn't that what is important? Or better to kill, than to stay for a period in a lower standard kennel? No out break of diseases, more than we can say for the RSPCA's state of the art kennels. Dog's not killed unnecessarily. It has been said Lola spends around $4,000 a month on Vet bills.. Sure sounds like they aren't cared for? People are too quick to judge, and that is so sad......

Would I prefer my dog staying in better kennels? Most definitely.. However when you don't have the millions of dollars RSPCA have at their disposal, you do what you can, and the best you can for the animals. Wouldn't it be nice if RSPCA said, look Lola, we understand you are doing your best with the resources available to you.. Here is a donation to help you improve things.... Shouldn't RSPCA be helping, and not hindering? Shouldn't there be compassion? No RSPCA are more focused on destroying people than helping? If it wasn't for Lola finding homes for close to 3,000 dogs.. where would they be now?

[casowner]

I believe that the conditions that the animals were kept in will be brought up in court and that is now a legal matter for the justice system to determine.

[Salukifan]

It's sad how we expect our dogs to live by the same principles as humans. But even so, we would never keep a human locked in a small concrete kennel, unless incarcerated. People judge a kennel on its looks, because fencing isn't all sparkly new, and nice shiny new water and feed bowls, etc. The kennels and runs were kept clean.. No faeces laying around, etc. If there was, RSPCA would have taken maters even further. It's sad how humans can judge subjectively.. and not look at the facts. Nobody is even suggesting the facilities couldn't be better.. However thousands of dogs have found homes, that in any other situation would have been killed. Isn't that what is important? Or better to kill, than to stay for a period in a lower standard kennel? No out break of diseases, more than we can say for the RSPCA's state of the art kennels. Dog's not killed unnecessarily. It has been said Lola spends around $4,000 a month on Vet bills.. Sure sounds like they aren't cared for? People are too quick to judge, and that is so sad......

Would I prefer my dog staying in better kennels? Most definitely.. However when you don't have the millions of dollars RSPCA have at their disposal, you do what you can, and the best you can for the animals. Wouldn't it be nice if RSPCA said, look Lola, we understand you are doing your best with the resources available to you.. Here is a donation to help you improve things.... Shouldn't RSPCA be helping, and not hindering? Shouldn't there be compassion? No RSPCA are more focused on destroying people than helping? If it wasn't for Lola finding homes for close to 3,000 dogs.. where would they be now?

And when "doing the best you can" isn't good enough? What then? No amount of good intentions is sufficient if the quality of the life of the dogs is substandard.

I have no axe to grind on the issues associated with the shelter but I will say this. Numbers rehomed is a very poor indicator of shelter success as there are so many variables. What happens to the dogs that AREN'T rehomed and their quality of life is what people should be looking at. No dog deserves to be warehoused in a run for the rest of its life.

Housing old dogs under tin shelters in 40+ degree temperatures? Not good enough from where I sit. Look FIRST at the dogs that don't get a new home and judge the shelter on THEIR lives. That's what's important to me.

I only wish all the passion associated with this shelter could be turned into effort to either improve the conditions or move the dogs to better ones.

Edited June 1, 2013 by Haredown Whippets

[Are You Serious Jo]

AdleK9, do you know anything other than what you have read on FB from Mark or Moorook?

[Are You Serious Jo]

BTW, I do not support the rspca.

[AdelK9]

AdleK9, do you know anything other than what you have read on FB from Mark or Moorook?

And may I ask where you get your information from?

Kill statistics are from RSPCA's own records. And are spoken about openly right aound Australia as a disgrace.

Their actions at Moorook could have been handled a lot better, and with a lot more compassion.

I never said Moorook shouldn't improved, but to carry on the way RSPCA is is a disgrace.. and its not only happening here in Australia.. UK are going through it too.. with a very large backlash against the RSPCA and their activities.

You will never convince the RSPCA supporters that are blinded by their spin.. As sad as that is, I respect that... :)

[Are You Serious Jo]

Did you manage to read where I said I do not support the rspca or is that the only thing you can use? You hate Moorook because you love the rspca.

I'll speak slowly then. Many of us abhor rspca practices and how they have handled this.

My problems with Moorook come from some direct experience but since it breaches confidence I cannot say how. I also have some very trusted friends who have direct experience. I also know some ex volunteers that have told me the same stories that my friends have and they have never met.I am also speaking out about things Mark or Moorook themselves has posted.

To be honest, I don't see your posts as anything more than regurgitated propaganda from Mark's page.

I ask you again, do you have any direct knowledge of Moorook other than what you have read from Mark and Moorook's pages.

I have some specific questions on some of my concerns a page back that I have been trying to get Mark to answer for some time, maybe you could have a crack? So forget the you are all just brainwashed by the rspca crap because most of us don't support them and let's talk about known facts.

[HeelerLove]

AdleK9, do you know anything other than what you have read on FB from Mark or Moorook?

And may I ask where you get your information from?

Kill statistics are from RSPCA's own records. And are spoken about openly right aound Australia as a disgrace.

Their actions at Moorook could have been handled a lot better, and with a lot more compassion.

I never said Moorook shouldn't improved, but to carry on the way RSPCA is is a disgrace.. and its not only happening here in Australia.. UK are going through it too.. with a very large backlash against the RSPCA and their activities.

You will never convince the RSPCA supporters that are blinded by their spin.. As sad as that is, I respect that... :)

Yes the rspca kill rates are disgraceful but they have nothing to do with the Moorook/rspca issue.

The rspca have not acted as well as they could have in this matter that is true. Buy neither has Moorook, and definitely not Mark. He is probably the reason they have not worked with Lola, and fair enough- I would not want to work with someone who was acting the way he has been either.

You will probably find that there are more members on Dol that do not support the rspca than those that do, that is what I have observed from my time here anyway, so I don't think many of us are "blinded by their spin".

[BlackJaq]

The RSPCA and Moorook are separate issues. Just because the RSPCA suck does not mean that Moorook should be entitled to treat animals inhumanely in the name of rescuing them. Two wrongs don't make a right.

Edited June 1, 2013 by BlackJaq

[AdelK9]

Did you manage to read where I said I do not support the rspca or is that the only thing you can use? You hate Moorook because you love the rspca.

I'll speak slowly then. Many of us abhor rspca practices and how they have handled this.

My problems with Moorook come from some direct experience but since it breaches confidence I cannot say how. I also have some very trusted friends who have direct experience. I also know some ex volunteers that have told me the same stories that my friends have and they have never met.I am also speaking out about things Mark or Moorook themselves has posted.

To be honest, I don't see your posts as anything more than regurgitated propaganda from Mark's page.

I ask you again, do you have any direct knowledge of Moorook other than what you have read from Mark and Moorook's pages.

I have some specific questions on some of my concerns a page back that I have been trying to get Mark to answer for some time, maybe you could have a crack? So forget the you are all just brainwashed by the rspca crap because most of us don't support them and let's talk about known facts.

I have no affiliation with Moorook.. No I have not even been out there myself. I do have clients that have dogs from Moorook who speak highly of them. I know of another well regarded professional dog trainer that is out there often helping rehabilitate dogs. Just like any business, organisation, and even person.. We all have issues with some entity, that others may rave about.

My issues are in the way RSPCA have handled this... It doesn't take much to see what their intentions are.. They are a law unto themselves, and need to be reigned in.. They are a charity with no accountability and can go around doing what they like to who they like.. All I can say is I am glad our Police Forces and other Law enforces are not run by a charity.. Our society would be in a shambles!

I personally believe most if not all the charges against Lola will be thrown out of court. But we will see.

[Are You Serious Jo]

So you support a hoarder situation because you don't like the rspca? Can you speak about the issues at Moorook and drop the rspca line, it has nothing to do with Moorook conditions.

Since you've admitted that you only know what Mark has told you maybe you want to be more cautious in supporting something based on the word of a man who cannot back up his claims and is now being excluded by Lola's legal team. He is not a reliable source of information because he has an agenda.

Have you reads about the cats Moorook said they turn loose on the ground because they have no where to put them? What about the old dogs who live for years on end in inadequate enclosures in the extreme heat and cold. What about the fact that Lola had 120 animals, how is she supposed to adequately care for them when Mark says she is a sick old woman and there are only a few regular volunteers that stick around?

There have been lots of pups being rehomed and developing parvo, contracted at Moorook, so your claim that they don't have disease is incorrect. Have you seen their quarantine? No hand washing or foot bath available and the free roaming cats can jump in.

People on the inside have been trying to get the rspca to act for years and finally they have. I suggest you might want to be more careful about supporting a woman with some serious cruelty charges hanging over her. I have no doubt she is in a lot of trouble. You say the charges won't stand up, why, because Mark says it's an easy win? Do you really think the rspca would proceed to prosecution if they didn't make sure they had good evidence in such a public case?

Are you just another person who thinks as long as the dog is alive it doesn't matter what conditions it lives in, because if you do, how do you feel about puppy farms?

[AdelK9]

So you support a hoarder situation because you don't like the rspca? Can you speak about the issues at Moorook and drop the rspca line, it has nothing to do with Moorook conditions.

Since you've admitted that you only know what Mark has told you maybe you want to be more cautious in supporting something based on the word of a man who cannot back up his claims and is now being excluded by Lola's legal team. He is not a reliable source of information because he has an agenda.

Have you reads about the cats Moorook said they turn loose on the ground because they have no where to put them? What about the old dogs who live for years on end in inadequate enclosures in the extreme heat and cold. What about the fact that Lola had 120 animals, how is she supposed to adequately care for them when Mark says she is a sick old woman and there are only a few regular volunteers that stick around?

There have been lots of pups being rehomed and developing parvo, contracted at Moorook, so your claim that they don't have disease is incorrect. Have you seen their quarantine? No hand washing or foot bath available and the free roaming cats can jump in.

People on the inside have been trying to get the rspca to act for years and finally they have. I suggest you might want to be more careful about supporting a woman with some serious cruelty charges hanging over her. I have no doubt she is in a lot of trouble. You say the charges won't stand up, why, because Mark says it's an easy win? Do you really think the rspca would proceed to prosecution if they didn't make sure they had good evidence in such a public case?

Are you just another person who thinks as long as the dog is alive it doesn't matter what conditions it lives in, because if you do, how do you feel about puppy farms?

Where did I admit, that I only know about the situation from what Mark has said? I have clients that obtained their dog from Moorook.. Many infact.

I also have confidentiality concerns too.. But I may know a lot more than you realise.

Where did I say things were 'perfect' at Moorook? Why did Moorook pass EVERY inspection, until this year? Even with the amount of dogs Lola had in, RSPCA passed her inspections, and council kept handing dogs to her? Tell me its not true that late last year Council approached RSPCA to open a shelter in the Riverland? So NOW its a big deal?

If the claims of cruelty are proven, which I don't believe they will be, then yes she should be charged. As anyone that is cruel to an animal. RSPCA are pretty fast too destroy evidence. Also to suggest that RSPCA don't go to court without all the facts in their favour. I can give you numerous examples where they have lost court cases.

I can't believe you are comparing a no-kill shelter to a puppy farm!

She has her supporters, and yes I am one of them. Everyone has a presumption of innocence until proven guilty. Just because a few (maybe even many) disgruntled people are against her, doesn't make her an evil person... She has her supporters too.

We will see what transpires.. As I said I know of many, many dog owners that have spoken highly about Moorook. Even a well regarded professional dog trainer in Adelaide, that helps rehabilitate dogs out there. I trust these peoples judgement. Not the ravings of people upset because the kennels aren't some high class establishment.

We wil lsee what happens on the 24th.....