Bug A Boo is Home for the Holidays

Post by Bug A Boo the Hydrocephalus Kitten.

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Merry Christmas

Post by Joa's Arc.

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Penelope

Remember Penelope the paraplegic pit bull? Well, not so paraplegic now!

Less than 3 months ago, Penelope sustained severe hind end trauma (hit by car?) and ended up in a local shelter where they wanted to put her to sleep... thanks to one dedicated tech though, Penelope is not only safe now ... but here she is running through the waves on the beach in NJ!

It seems like all Penelope needed was TLC - Time, Love and a Chance!

Post by Joa's Arc.

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Update on Mop

Post by Joa's Arc.

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Booster Fundraiser

Wahoo!!! Our tshirt fundraiser is completed with $580 raised and 74 shirts sold (24 more than our goal!). The shirts will now be printed & shipped to arrive in the next 2 weeks or so.

Thank you to everyone who shared the link, purchased a shirt and/or donated! The animals of Joa's Arc thank you :) ~ Jen W

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A Home for the Holidays for Nitra

Post by Joa's Arc.

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A Special Visit

Post by Joa's Arc.

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Eye Spy Ebby and Eve

Ebby and Eve were rescued by Joa's Arc and adopted out through another group - something we do sometimes if it'll help the other group and/or get an appropriate adoption faster than just being in foster care with us.

These sisters were born with eye defects, Eve having no eyes at all since she was a little kitten...

 

Their mom wrote in her update: Blind kitties act and play much like any other. No one ever notices Eve is blind-she goes up and down steps, finds the litter box and food, jumps and finds things to play with, etc. Having a special needs cat has opened up our children's eyes to a beautiful understanding of life with animals and people. Building patience and trust is the key to a happy life with your pet.

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Alexa Update

happy tail here for Alexa!

Her mom writes: Alexa was rescued from a hoarding situation and subsequently had to undergo surgery to remove her eye. When she first came to live with us she was scared and shy. She spent a few weeks hiding behind our washing machine... Gradually she began to come out to explore, but had no trust in people. With a lot of love (and food) she has become the cat that she is today.

Fast forward 3 years, Alexa is outgoing, happy and has no fear of anything. She loves attention and will gladly snuggle up with anyone who will let her. Her biggest fear now is that someone will forget to feed her…although that is probably not possible as she has become quite the talker. Having only one eye does not slow her down either. Alexa is the best spricket (spider-cricket)/rogue mouse killer in the land. She is always leaving us presents around the house.

  

She has really blossomed into a sweet and loving princess (although if you ask her she thinks she’s the queen).

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Hello from Chanel and Mia

 

Mia is the sweetest dog! She loves everyone and is always by my side. She loves to go for car rides and long walks. I couldn't ask for a nicer dog.

Chanel thinks she is a dog! She follows us from room to room and is quite vocal. She plays fetch - Chanel will actually brings the toys back and waits for you to throw it! She is a big part of our family ...

 

and they are both very loved!
Thank you, Joa's Arc!

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National Feral Cat Day

We interrupt the awesome 5 year anniversary updates for National Feral Cat Day!

National Feral Cat Day® Facts
- Alley Cat Allies launched National Feral Cat Day® on our 10th anniversary in 2001 to raise awareness about feral cats, promote Trap-Neuter-Return, and recognize the millions of compassionate Americans who care for them.
- National Feral Cat Day® is observed on October 16 every year.
- The theme for this year’s National Feral Cat Day® is “TNR: From the Alley…to Main Street.”
- More and more people celebrate National Feral Cat Day® each year. Since 2011, more than 1,000 National Feral Cat Day events have taken place—spreading the word and helping feral cats all over the country—and even outside of the U.S. with international events! We can’t wait for you to reach even more people with National Feral Cat Day® this year!

Feral Cat Facts
- Feral cats have lived alongside humans for more than 10,000 years. They are the same species as pet cats. Feral cats, also called community or outdoor cats, live in groups called colonies and can thrive in every landscape. They are just as healthy as pet cats, but they are not socialized to humans and are therefore unadoptable.
- Trap-Neuter-Return—a humane approach to managing and caring for feral cats—is the only effective method of stabilizing feral cat colonies. In the last decade, the number of local governments with official policies endorsing TNR for feral cats has increased tenfold, with hundreds of cities and towns successfully carrying out TNR.
- However, in the majority of cities, feral cats are still caught and brought to animal pounds and shelters where they are killed. The shelter system is the number one cause of death for cats in the United States. About 70% of cats who enter shelters are killed there, including virtually 100% of feral cats. That’s why it’s so important for people like you to use National Feral Cat Day®, and every day, to help build more compassionate communities for cats.

To all the kitties living the feral life, we wish you food, shelter, a caretaker & most importantly - sterilization

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Winston the Winner

We've had Winston, (we call him Winnie, Win and many other silly little cat names) - a CH kitty - now for about six months. Adopting him was one of the best decisions I've ever made.

He is our first special needs adoption and I was nervous at first wanting to make sure I would be able to care for him in the best way possible. Now, I'm just so happy he is a part of our family. He makes us smile every time we look at him and by the amount that he purrs everyday he seems to be very happy himself.

Winston is doing a bit better with his walking, especially on the hardwood floors since I trimmed the long fur growing out from between his toes. It was cute, but had to be done and now he's not "ice skating" across the kitchen floor.

He gets along great with his brothers, especially with our older Siamese, Bob, who loves to snuggle with him at night. I think his favorite things to do are to sit in front of the screen doors and watch the birds outside, lounging in his tube and playing with his feather toy. He is finally learning to meow, mostly in the morning when he hears me get up to get their wet food ready, which he devours!

Although they may seem small, his greatest milestones are grooming "'down below", playing with cat toys, meowing and starting to stand a little in his litter box. We are so proud of him!

*Winston is only outside under close supervision

We are very thankful for Joa's Arc for bringing Winnie into our lives, we can't thank you enough!

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Jozee Update

While looking for one lost dog, Jen W's family was called to come ID a possible match. It wasn't her, but it was a homeless dog in need who had been hit by a car and was shelter bound... so she came home with them. Attempts were made to find her family, but Josie was never claimed and after several months found a new forever home.

From Jozee's family: Here are a few pictures of our Jozee (formerly Josie) girl!

She is​ doing wonderful here! She is full of endless amounts of crazy energy! She loves to play with all of her toys, us, her uncle Radar (my in-laws dog), and pretty much anyone else that will let her. She loves to go for walks, and we even took her on a hike recently and she was so good! We can't wait to get her out on more of those, and we are even hoping to get her out camping in the near future. And of course she just loves love, and won't let you stop giving it to her if she has the chance (she will literally shove her head under your hand for petting if she can find it!).

We are always toying with getting her another brother or sister to play with all day long, though sometimes she is such a spoiled princess we aren't sure if she really wants one!

We can't believe that we are coming up on two years since we brought her home. She brightens our day every time we walk in the door.

 

 

We are so thankful that she found her way to your family and Joa's Arc so that we could give her a fur-ever home.

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Update on Roary

10/3/2014 - Hi Joa's Arc family!

It's your pal Roary here stopping by to say hello! Tomorrow will make FOUR WEEKS since I've been living at my new furever home! None of us can believe that in only a couple of days (October 6th), we'll be celebrating the one month anniversary since we've all been together!

As you can see, I am very comfortable in my new home and have no trouble finding my way around, counter tops included! In fact, counter cruising is now one of my favorite activities. My mom and gramma tell me it's a good thing I'm so cute and such a purry love bug, because I can also be quite a handful too! Besides counter cruising, I also love to get on top of the swinging trash can lid and teeter totter back and forth! Since I am denied access to the bathroom and my favorite toy (toilet paper); I just love going around and pulling tissues out of all the tissue boxes throughout the house! My brother Ethan and I have the most excellent adventures; and I am definitely the ring leader of whatever mischief we get into!

 

Mom still keeps us in a separate bedroom at night because we can't be trusted (hehehe); but we get her back as soon as gramma lets us out in the morning by running across the hallway and waking mom up by biting her toes! Again, being cute really helps us get away with anything we want!

I'd like to send a special shout out to Mumma Joyce, my pal Nitra, and all the other nice people at Joa's Arc who gave me the chance at having such a wonderful life!

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Update on Flea

Happy 5 years today and to celebrate ... here's Flea!!!!!!!!!!

It's hard to believe how far our little Flea has come, but here he is now...

 

His mom wrote us saying: Hey there, I'm Dara, Flea's forever Mom.

Flea was rescued by Joa's Arc about 3 years ago and found to have neurological damage from flea medication poisoning. He was a tiny spunky little kitten who used to perch up on my shoulder, but he's grown into a totally awesome cat with attitude! He has no lasting neurological damage as far as I can tell. He's smart as a whip - comes when I call his name, sits, lays and gives a paw. He's my sweet baby boy and I can't imagine my life without him.

The last few years have been incredibly rough but Flea is always there for me to hang out or cuddle which usually includes dragging a box up onto my bed to sleep in. He's totally fearless. He loves yelling at the birds every morning and chasing desert lizards when we're out for walks. He even yowled back at a black bear in the Rocky Mountains when it came to close to our car. He's crazy about Temptation treats and loves visiting my Grammy Gabbers because she will feed him every can of tuna in the house. We'll be traveling for a while more, but we're hoping to adopt a sister kitty for Flea once we come home to stay. We'll be definitely be adopting from Joa's again!

Keep on living the good life, Flea! And we'll find you a special "sister" when the time's right ;)

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5 Years

5 years ago tomorrow Joa's Arc announced ourselves as a rescue!

~ Announcing Joa's Arc ~

We have gone from an auxiliary group to being our very own incorporated non-profit 501c3 organization, which has helped save many special lives!

Thank you for supporting us and thank you for being a part of all of this with us! Stay tuned this month for some very special updates...

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Penelope the Paraplegic Pit Bull

Welcome, Penelope the paraplegic pit bull...

Penelope came into a local shelter from Camden city after being hit by a car. Sadly no one claimed her...

Although she arrived with hind leg paralysis, she has shown improvement with steroids. X-Rays showed that there was nothing out of place, nothing broken and so there is hope Penelope may regain the use of her legs. She retracts from deep pain, which indicates Penelope does have some feeling in her legs and initially she was unable to move her tail, but just a few days ago she did! Joa's Arc wants to give Penelope a chance at regaining some or all use of her hind legs.

Joa's Arc is hopeful for Penelope and we need your help for the next step - hydrotherapy, PT and acupuncture. She has a long road ahead, but this happy girl is so worth it! I am super excited to make the announcement that Joa's Arc has stepped up to save a paraplegic pit from a local shelter! Hit by a car in Camden and never claimed... Everyone, please welcome PENELOPE

She's already made great steps (no pun intended) in the right direction: pulling away from pain (proving she feels) and no use of her back end at all to wagging her tail the other day!! Joa's Arc is hoping that with more time & treatment that Penelope may regain some of the use of her back legs!

You can read more here and please consider helping us help her - http://www.youcaring.com/nonprofits/penelope-and-friends/237985

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New fundraising page

There's no end to our medical expenses, but we know these little lives are so worth it! 'Nitra & friends" need your help. Please consider donating...

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Facebook

Hey, friends, we try to keep this blog as up to date as possible, but sometimes you just can't beat Facebook for quick updating ... make sure to check us out here as well: Joa's Arc on Facebook.

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Joa's Arc on ABC6 tomorrow

Joa's Arc (and Bug a Boo) will be on during Wpvi 6-ABC (Philadelphia) Action News on 9/13/2014 Saturday (tomorrow!!) at 9am

Post by Joa's Arc.

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Great Read

Here is a great read: Rescue Pets Are Priceless, NOT free

Our adoption fees are $50 for cats/kittens and $125 for dogs regardless of their medical cost to us here at Joa's Arc. We could never recoup what we put into their care financially, but our goal is to find them the perfect home. They are special ... and so are their adopters!

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Introducing Lola and Lorenzo

Meet Lola and Lorenzo...

They were pulled from Cumberland County Animal Shelter earlier today. Lola has mild cerebral hypoplasia, which makes her appear clumsy. Lorenzo has no special need and is one lucky boy - he shared a cage with Lola and we just couldn't leave him behind.

These kittens are about 5 weeks old. She is playful, eats on her own and uses the litter box. He is a little shy, but that won't last long. They are about 5 weeks old and will be available for adoption in the near future - after they've done some growing.

The first time we saw Lola (then "Abby")...

Post by Joa's Arc.

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Have You Adopted From Joa's Arc?

Have you adopted from Joa's Arc? If you find the time this month, please shoot an email with an update and photo of your Joa's Arc alum to Jen W of Joa's Arc - she's working on something special for October!

Post by Joa's Arc.

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Nitra Update

Little Miss Nitra did wonderful today when she had her evaluation with Dr. Vygantas at NorthStar Vets.

Nitra's surgery is scheduled at NorthStar on October 9th and we are hoping to get her spayed at the same time. Please consider donating to Joa's Arc to help with our medical bills. Without you, we can't help them...

Post by Joa's Arc.

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In Need of Hand-Made Goods

Joa's Arc will be attending the Cranberry Festival in Chatsworth, NJ again this year on October 18th and 19th. We can only sell homemade items though, so if you are crafty and would like to donate some of your items to help our special needs animals, please contact us! You don't have to send a lot - even just a few will make us smile!

Please feel free to share with any crafty friends you have too.

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Cordi is 2

Happy Birthday, Cordi!

Post by Joa's Arc.

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Roary is being Adopted

We're excited to share the news that Roary is being adopted!

Post by Joa's Arc.

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Pets Supplies Plus Marlton

The awesome staff at Pets Supplies Plus Marlton has been working tirelessly to get donations for Joa's Arc this month and we cannot thank them enough... We have picked up several carts filled with donations for the special critters in our care.

A great, BIG thank you to everyone who has shopped, dropped off and donated - thank you for being so generous!

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How does a blind kitty play?

How does Roary, a blind kitten play? Happily!

Post by Joa's Arc.

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Great Attitude

Joa's Arc alum, Churchill, shared this excellent motto with us and we had to share it with you...

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Wash in the Park

Bug a Boo (the Hydrocephalus kitty) and Daphne out and about with their foster parents at PETSAVER's Wash in the Park.

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Happy Update on Maizey

Joyce M of Joa's Arc recently got an email updating us on a kitty, Maizey, adopted out at the end of 2011. Here is the wonderful update:

Hi Joyce,

I think of you and Joa's Arc often and wanted to send you an update on our Maizey who we adopted from you in December of 2011. In short, she is fantastic!

The first few months we had her, she really struggled in the litterbox. A fierce case of giardia that gave her loose stool for months and constantly falling in it, lead to frequent bathing — which as I'm sure you can imagine, she hated! (So did we!) She also wasn't really that keen on being held or loved on. We kind of forced our love on her and she would put up with it, kind of huffing her way through it like an embarrassed teenager. (Which was kind of adorable.)

She is an entirely different cat these days. We finally found the right combination of daily probiotics and a custom-made litterbox so that now she maybe gets one or two baths a year! And she has simple blossomed in terms of affection. She's got a great purr and will let you cuddle her right up (for a little while anyway). She loved to be carried looking over my shoulder so she can see the world from a fresh perspective. She is constantly playing with her younger sister, Gina (a mild CH foster who was a very sick kitty and who decided she was home with us). We've been fostering special needs cats since we moved to north Jersey and she is great with all of them. In short, we ADORE HER, can't imagine our lives without her, and love that all of our family and friends now know about CH and the joys of adopting special needs. Here are a few recent pictures of Maizey herself!

When we adopted her, I was working on a play that was set in Zimbabwe, and I was working very closely with our language and cultural consultant. I had been telling her about preparing to bring Maizey home and I asked her if she could help us a choose a strong, positive middle name for her in her language, Shona. She suggested "Zvikomborero" which means "you are a blessing to us." And our Maizey Zvikomborero is a blessing to us every day!

It is also because of you and because of welcoming Maizey into our family that we began fostering. We've fostered and placed 7 CH and/or visually or mobility impaired cats since November of 2012, and done short term fostering or transit of many others.

So THANK YOU for giving our Maizey such a good start in life, and thank you for the wonderful work that Joa's Arc continues to do!

Kaitlin

Thank you to Maizey's family for taking her in, loving her and being inspired to help special animals like her. It is emails like this that make our hearts swell and reminds us that every effort we do for special needs animals is so worth it!

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remember

What a lovely reminder ...

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Save the Dates

Save the dates below to attend & support Joa's Arc...

Wednesday, April 30th:
(another) trail date for Justice for Max - if you're available, feel free to take a seat to show support at 1:30 p.m. at Winslow Township Municipal Court, 125 South Route 73 Braddock, NJ 08037-9422

Sunday, May 4th, 1 - 5p:
"Paws for a Cause" at Residence Inn in Deptford - Joa's Arc will be there to raise awareness for local special needs animals

Saturday, May 31st:
Rock 4 Paws - a fun, outside, music event we'll be a part of this year!

Tuesday, June 3rd:
Elwood's Scholarship Fun-Raiser - Elwood was such a big supporter of our work and rescue animals since he was one himself. Joa's Arc feels privileged to hold this fundraiser in his honor for his memorial scholarship fund.

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Happy Birthday Pip

Happy 1st birhtday, Pip!

Pip (pictured in his mom's lap) celebrated his birthday at the end of March with his doggy cousin, some pet-safe birthday cake and presents too!

Pip was a puppy, just 6 weeks old, when he was brought to a vet to be put to sleep because of his genetically-defected eyes. Thankfully, Pip found his way to Joa's Arc though... and then Pip really hit the jack pot when he was adopted by a wonderful forever family.

Happy birthday, bud, and here's to many more!

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Trial Date Approaching

(Another) trial date is approaching in Max's case. What happened to Max may never truly be known, but the person at fault needs to be brought to justice!

Trial is set for Wednesday, April 30, at 1:30 pm in Winslow, NJ Municipal Court for Max the cat picked up by an animal control officer in Voorhees, NJ.

Max's owner tried to claim Max the next day and the animal control officer (ACO) could not tell Max's owner or the authorities where Max was. Max was 15 years old and had never gotten out before - the one time he did cost him his life.

Please come and support this important case as the ACO needs to be accountable.

Justice for Max!

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A check up for Cordi

I don't think it gets much better than this - a pup who wouldn't have seen 2013 without life-saving surgery (which Joa's Arc supporters made happen thanks to your donations) starting 2014 off right with a thumbs up from her cardio specialist, Dr Miller, who she visited tonight with her forever family! Yay, Cordi!!

On the report Dr. Miller wrote "I originally diagnosed Cordi's problem when she was two months old and we are so pleased that she had palliative surgery and is doing well; it was great to see her again and hope for a long, good quality life."

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Welcome, Chelsea

Now that's a freedom face if I ever saw one. This is Chelsea (shelter name Cinnamon) in a car on the way to foster care on what would have been her last day alive if she wasn't rescued.

As you know, even the most dedicated shelters don't always have the time, funds or space for all the animals that come through their doors, especially the special needs one... and Chelsea has a deformed leg. Although the shelter she was at was wonderful enough to get x-rays done on her, the shelter was full and no one was looking to adopt her.

Thankfully, someone stepped up and offered to foster this beautiful girl for Joa's Arc.

Chelsea's leg appears to be an old injury to her front leg that healed on its own and has left her wrist looking a little different than most dogs'. Although, Chelsea's leg looks different, she doesn't act any differently - Chelsea loves to play with other dogs, run around after toys and will give you lots of kisses. After going into foster, her foster family got her to a specialist first thing on Monday. Joa's Arc was fully prepared to start fundraising like loons for what we suspected would be a very expensive surgery (breaking and re-setting were our concerns from the x-rays), however the specialist who saw her today recommended to not perform any surgery on Chelsea and to let Chelsea be! Her body has healed and she felt no pain even when she had her wrist moved all over and tested. Chelsea may be prone to some arthritis when she is older, but that is about it!

This pretty girl is approximately 1 year old, spayed, up to date on shots and microchipped! If you are looking for an addition to your family, you definitely need to meet Chelsea!

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Congrats to Zan

Congrats, Zan (now "Jude")!! Zan, a CH kitten, was adopted.

Thank you, Darlene & Ed, for taking on a new challenge by offering to foster Zan and literally saving his life, giving him love and helping him find a forever home.

Zan's foster mom, Darlene, posted tonight: "Zan went to his forever home today. Yes, I miss him dearly but with fostering comes acceptance and understanding. He is one of the lucky ones that made it off the streets, into a shelter, foster and now his own home. Fostering offers an animal a chance at life. No, a shelter is no guarantee. I typically will hear someone doubt themselves before trying to foster. Most of the time it is for emotional reasons "I could never let them go". I say why not give yourself a chance? You might learn something(s) about yourself. Thank you Zan."

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Daph Training pt 2

No snow. No frigid temps - so, Daphne could go to training again this week!

From Ms. Azita who has been taking Daph to training: "Today Daphne and I worked on walking next to your handler - she was great and there were dogs all over with no reaction from Daphne, well, except for wanting to go meet them and play :)"

Training is not all Daphne did over the weekend with Azita either. Oh no! Daph also did some mingling after training, ran errands with Azita and stopped by Azita's house to say hello to Azita's husband before heading back to her foster home. The photo above is from their driving around together - obviously, Daph's an easy rider.

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Welcome Sweet Samoa

Post by Joa's Arc.

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Fighting a system that doesn't care

I want to share with you just how I feel about helping the owner of Max get justice for him. Max slipped out of the house on May 11, 2013, he was a beloved family member of a dear friend of mine. He was 15 years old. My friend did everything possible to reclaim Max, everything! THE SYSTEM FAILED MAX, THE SYSTEM FAILED MY FRIEND! The animal control officer picked Max up a few doors down and he vanished, plain and simple, HE IS GONE. We have a public servant that is paid with our taxes that did not follow proper procedure and has refused to tell the truth. AND NO ONE IN AUTHORITY CARES! The township of Voorhees was notified two weeks after Max disappeared and were sincerely sorry it happened. They told us they were going to withhold payment to the animal control company until the truth about Max was told. WRONG, THEY DID NOT, THERE WAS A PAYMENT MADE THREE WEEKS AFTER THAT STATEMENT. She was eventually fired but I can assure you it was only because her boss felt the pressure from Voorhees Township to do something. Her boss didn't help my friend get answers the days following Max's disappearance. He allowed all his officers to place animals into foster care without proper shelter intake. Of course now with the pressure on, he has "reviewed the protocol and will no longer allow employees to place impounded animals in foster care, all animals will go to designated shelters". THIS SHOULD HAVE NEVER BEEN ALLOWED IN THE FIRST PLACE! Every bit of evidence we needed had to be requested through OPRA. We were questioned as to why we needed it and told the police reports may not be supplied. WE DEMANDED IT, IT IS OUR RIGHT! Even the shelter wouldn't give us their log to prove Max never arrived, we had to OPRA it. I called the NJSPCA to make a report, hoping they could help. SEVENTEEN phone calls just to get the case assigned. Weeks later after I sent them all my evidence I gathered, they said they interview her boss and although it was wrong they wouldn't file charges. THEY NEVER SPOKE WITH THE ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICER! They said they couldn't without "mirandizing" her. I asked for their report and guess what? Forty five minutes of my life was wasted talking with an officer about all he has done in his 30 some years helping animals. I DON'T CARE! Then he refused to release it saying "have your attorney request it". I told him we don't have an attorney, he said sorry but you can't have it. AGAIN THE SYSTEM FAILS. People ask me who I spoke to at the NJSPCA, honestly I spoke to so many I have to refer to my notes, what a mess! Now onto the courts to file charges. Do you know how many eye rolls from the township court clerk we got when explaining why we were there? She tells us that we need to file in criminal court, I show her the statue that allows us to file in municipal court. She takes it back to her boss who comes out of her office but stays 20 feet away and doesn't speak to us. More eye rolls and the clerk begrudgingly allowed us to file. I wanted to scream, this is our government, we are entitled to do this, this is her job to do it, we weren't filing charges against her. I notified Camden County Shared Services since the animal control company is paid by them. They never had a complaint about that company. Well I guess not, who would go through all this?? They were going to look into it. I told them that they get what they pay for and unfortunately our animals are suffering because they went with the lowest bid. Months later, I am still waiting for a return call. The prosecutors don't know the laws pertaining to animal abuse and theft of property. And honestly they don't want to educate themselves. "Our case is clogging up the system". One prosecutor repeatedly said to my friend "So you let your cat out". When my friend would try to reply, she would repeat it over. NO SHE DID NOT LET HER CAT OUT, ANIMALS GET OUT. IT WAS ONE DAMN TIME MAX GOT OUT. AND WHO THE HELL ARE YOU OR ANYONE ELSE TO PASS JUDGEMENT ON MY DEAR FRIEND WHO HAS DONE NOTHING WRONG!!! The prosecutor refuses to listen to us and walks away. And then, we go before the judge, the animal control officer with her lawyer on one side, my friend and I on the other BUT WAIT...where is the prosecutor who is representing Max??? SHE NEVER CAME INTO THE COURTROOM!! So the judge suggested we get a lawyer and postponed the trial until March. DO YOU SEE WHY NO ONE WOULD PURSUE THIS? They don't want a private citizen to question authority, they don't want us to exercise our rights and will make it damn hard if you try. We have been treated like crazy animal people, third class citizens and all we are doing is exercising our rights! We are college educated registered nurses, although unfamiliar with the court system, WE ARE NOT STUPID!! PEOPLE, do I sound angry? Well I am, I am an animal rescuer "in my spare time". I protect and fight for the animals for FREE, without your tax dollars helping. We have people in authority that are paid with yours and mine tax dollars that don't care, that don't want to do their job and don't want people like us interfering in their day to day business. IT IS TIME FOR PEOPLE TO GET ANGRY WITH ME! People in authority that handle our animals are frequently abusing our animals and misusing their authority. Take the time to educate yourself and see how many animal control officers have injured and killed needlessly, have killed our ferals, have destroyed feral feeding stations, have given misinformation leading to the deaths of animals. I work with several animal control officers that are great...but the ones that are bad leads to suffering and death of our animals. WE NEED TO BE THEIR VOICES, WE NEED TO TELL OUR POLITICIANS WE ARE NOT GOING TO TOLERATE IT ANYMORE! POLITICIANS ARE OUR EMPLOYEES! THE POLITICIANS DELEGATE THE MONEY USED FOR OUR SHELTERS AND OUR ANIMALS. IT IS OUR MONEY! THEY NEED TO STOP USING IT DOING BULLSHIT STUFF FOR THEIR POLITICIAN FRIENDS AND DELEGATE MORE FOR OUR ANIMALS. THEY NEED TO FUND SPAY/NEUTER CLINICS! SHELTERS IN THIS COUNTRY NEED TO STOP HIRING PRISONERS AS CHEAP LABOR IN THE SHELTERS, THEN ACT HORRIFIED WHEN VIDEOS SHOW THEM KILLING ANIMALS. HIRE THEM TO WORK IN YOUR OFFICES. OUTLAW THE DAMN GAS CHAMBERS! MAKE ANIMAL CRUELTY A FELONY AND FORCE THE PROSECUTORS TO DO THEIR JOBS! WE DON'T HAVE TO ALLOW THEM TO SHUT DOORS IN OUR FACES...WE NEED TO LEARN TO KICK THEM OPEN. WE NEED TO BE HEARD!!! FOR GOD SAKES PEOPLE, START SCREAMING! THE ANIMALS CAN'T DO IT WITHOUT US

Joyce Moyer

Post by Joa's Arc.

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Justice for Max - the fight continues

Meet Max. He was a beloved 15 year old cat that was a truly loved family member of my friend since he had been found as a small stray kitten. On Saturday May 11, 2013 during a family party, Max got out during the evening. He wandered a few doors down to a neighbor who never saw him before (of course, he was never outside) and she called 911 reporting a sick cat. Max was very thin due to a thyroid issue and had been under a vets care for years. He did not have his collar on because it was always coming off due to his weight loss. Max was purring, playing with the neighbors children. The police arrived as did the Animal Control Officer. The neighbor was concerned for his safety and took a picture of him before he left with the ACO in case his owner was looking for him. He was supposed to go to Animal Orphanage, the designated shelter for all impounded animals from Voorhees. He was picked up at 7:11pm. Early Sunday morning, Max couldn't be found in my friends house. They desperately searched the entire house, yard and neighborhood looking for him. They called the police getting Camden County Dispatch and were informed to call Independent Animal Control, the service Voorhees contracts with. My friend called getting voice mail and begged for someone to call her about her sick cat that may have been picked up. They called Animal Orphanage, AWA and even Camden County Animal Shelter, all reporting no cat was brought into their shelters matching him. AO reported no cats at all were brought in on Saturday. They continued to search the house and neighborhood. Another message to Independent Animal Control goes unanswered. Early Monday morning, May 13, my friend calls Voorhees Twp police and makes a report of her missing sick cat. No records indicate her cat was picked up. Again she calls Independent at 9am as the message on the companies voice mail says they are only available 9a-5p. She speaks with the owner, Rob Chabot who told her he was not sure if her cat was picked up. He was not on duty over the weekend and the officer that was takes two weeks to turn in reports. She begged him to call his employee because Max needed his medication and he refused, stating the employee was off until Thursday and unavailable. No amount of pleading changed his mind. My friend and family visited all three shelters that day searching for Max. Tuesday, May 13 my friend called Independent Animal Control and left a message begging for information, her call went unanswered. Again they visit the shelters. Wednesday, May 14 my friend calls Voorhees police telling them Chabot was not giving her any information. They advised her to continue calling him. Thursday, May 15, Chabot's employee finally calls my friend at noon. ACO stated that her cat was picked up on Saturday evening and since he looked sick, Max was taken to a friends home who fosters cats. My friend begged her for this persons name and phone number so she could get Max back. She was told her name was Ashley but the officer would not give her a phone number, stating they would contact her and call her back. My friend anxiously waited and by 5pm did not receive a call so she called the officer back. The officer told my friend "Ashley said he wasn't eating so she took him to Sterling Vet where she works on Monday, May 13. The vet euthanized him because he was too sick". My friend was devastated. Six long days searching for her cat, doing everything right to reclaim him, begging for information and he was dead on day 2. Her entire family was heartbroken. A few days later, a neighbor informed her she did call 911 that day because she didn't know who he belonged to and even sent my friend the picture of Max sitting in the cage before the ACO took him. My friend reached out to me on May 24 still heartbroken about Max and blaming herself. I told her that Max, by law, was supposed to be taken to AO and then if foster was available, he could go there only after all the paper work was done at the shelter. This assures owners the opportunity to reclaim their animals during the mandatory 7 day hold that all shelters and rescues must abide by. On May 28th, I contacted Sterling Vet to see what happened to Max and there was no cat brought in and euthanized that day. AND there was no one employed by them named Ashley. I contacted my friend and she immediately called Chabot, demanding to know where he can was. He said if the cat was put in foster care, there are no report and no paper trail. My friend begged for her cat and he had the officer call her. Now the officer states Max died on the way to the vet. My friend demanded to know where his remains were and the officer said he was cremated and would drop off the paper to her proving it.(never received it) Of course the officer was sorry but that didn't help my friend and her cat. Chabot was recalled and told of this new "story" and he said he was going to review their foster care procedure. The Twp of Voorhees was notified and demanded a full detailed report from Chabot regarding Max and as of today, has not received it. He did send a vague report that he was picked up and case closed five days later. This was not detailed. All the records from various agencies were obtained thru OPRA and the evidence is clear that this was mishandled. Friends...this behavior of the officer on duty and of Independent Animal Control is illegal. N.J.S.A. 4:19-15.16 The lack of concern for Max and his family was atrocious. My friend still does not know what really happened to Max. There are laws in place to protect our animals. And when a public servant acts in bad faith and it causes the death or disappearance of an animal, it needs to be made public. Most people believe that everyone that works in the animal service field does it because they love animals. Well that is not true. If an animal is picked up by animal control and appears sick, it must be taken to a vet immediately. If that vet deems it sick, they have the right to euthanize. Records must be made of the animal at the designated shelter and the remains of that animal must be held by that shelter until the 7 day hold is up. There are too many unanswered questions in this situation. Where is Max? Who is Ashley? Why did the officer lie? What is the officer trying to cover up by changing the story several times? Why doesn't Chabot maintain records? Why can they place animals directly in foster care? Why didn't anyone want to help my friend get her cat back? Why did Chabot refuse to help? The officer claimed if he was taken to the shelter he would have been euthanized because he was sick...my question is by who at 7:11pm on a Saturday night? There are no vets at the shelters at that time or vet techs. How many more animals have suffered this fate? My friend did everything right to get her cat back and the system failed her and failed Max. He was never outside and the one time he gets out, he is picked up by an officer that doesn't follow the law. How fair is that? He lives for 15 years with a loving family only to be disposed of by someone who broke the law. It is a very sad situation. And this officer will have to explain it to the courts. We have been to court five times and will continue to fight for justice. Private citizens need to know they have a right to file charges against public servants that act in bad faith. In the end, the animals will only suffer if we don't step up and be their voices. Joyce Moyer

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