PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
Contact: Brenda LaCroix
Phone: 308-236-2064
Email: CornDogs@Charter.net
July 9, 2003
Angels On Death Row Chihuahua Rescue Effort
174 Chihuahuas are in desperate need of
help from the public |
 |
Baldwin Park, CA - July 8, 2003: 174 purebred
Chihuahuas have been incarcerated for almost eight months, while
their fate was decided by the judicial system. They were confiscated
from a local breeder, Emma Harter, mid-70's, from her Acton, Calif.,
home in November 2002. Harter never spayed or neutered any of
her Chihuahuas, thinking it would drive them "crazy."
This in turn led to inbreeding, until there were over 200 dogs
that were taken from her home due to her failing health and inability
to take care of the animals properly. Harter was taken to a mental
hospital upon seizure of the dogs. The Chihuahuas were found in
horrible conditions, unsocialized, and scared to death. They have
been kept in the shelter system since then, surviving on cement
floors without blankets. Puppies have been born in the shelter,
and there are a few senior dogs who are most likely the start
of this disaster.
These Chihuahuas will be released on Thursday,
July 10, 2003 by the judge in charge of this case under the conditions
that Kimi Peck's nonprofit ChihuahuaRescue.com has foster homes
and transportation are available for each and every one of these
dogs. Unless these conditions are in place, these dogs will be
killed. None of these dogs are socialized or ready to be pets
in family homes. The judge will not release them to the general
public, they must be released to Chihuaharescue.com then into
rescue, where they will be socialized, and evaluated for adoption.
Kimi Peck, former daughter-in-law of the late
actor Gregory Peck, is leading this entire rescue effort. Kimi
manages a kennel and is president of the nonprofit rescue, Chihuahuarescue.com
in Burbank, Calif. (http://www.chihuahuarescue.com) Peck devotes
so much of her time to many homeless Chihuahas, and has now taken
on the responsibility of 174 more lives. She and many others have
been coordinating this effort for over eight months, making sure
these dogs were kept safe and arranging for their eventual release.
That release should begin on Thursday, July 10, 2003.
It is highly likely that some of these dogs will
never be fit to become a "pet". For many, there could
be physical and mental problems as a result of inbreeding. It
could be a life-long commitment to take in one of these dogs.
Despite that, there have already been many, many offers for foster
homes for these little dogs, each home to be approved of by the
judge. There must also be proof of reliable, safe, transportation
to each of those homes, whether by car or plane.
Alaska Airlines has already committed to helping
in the transportation of these 174 Chihuahuas, and we hope to
secure additional support from other airline carriers. SkyArk
(www.skyark.com) and Flying Paws (www.flyingpaws.com), both offering
non-profit Rescue flights, have offered to help however they can.
Sherpa Pet Trading Company (www.sherpapet.com) has also made a
donation of Pet Carriers and offered a reduced rate for the remainder
of what is needed. It is going to take a huge commitment from
many people to facilitate this rescue effort.
We need MONETARY DONATIONS from the public in
order to arrange safe transportation to the approved homes that
have offered to help them, as well as medical attention many of
them are going to need.
If you can help, please check out the Website
for donation information, http://www.angelsondeathrow.com or mail
it to: Chihuahua Rescue, c/o Susan Marlowe CPA, ATTN: Angels On
Death Row, 8913 West Olympic Blvd., #205, Beverly Hills, CA 90211
All donations are tax deductible; see Website
for information.
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