Happy Howl-oween from Hollywood Feed!

Our adoption event at Hollywood Feed on Germantown Parkway was a great success today. The adoption of four good dogs makes for a great day! Not only was it a beautiful day outdoors but also with our great volunteers and their foster dogs. So many people came by to see all the cute dogs in their Howl-o-ween outfits. We had several adoptions (Bixby, Spot, Donna June, and Jo) and many who wanted to see what was going on this Oct. 31st. Here are the faces and adoptions for the day. Click on any of the pics to be taken to the larger version.

Logan and Renee

Logan is an American Eskimo, Spitz dog who’s been with us for a little while as we searched for just the right adopter for him.

Well, the wait paid off, as Renee Greer from Arkansas saw our great guy and came to Memphis to finalize his adoption.

According to Logan’s foster mom, Vivian,

I don’t believe we have had an adopter as excited as Renee was to get Logan!

Thanks, Renee, for giving Good Dog Logan a forever home! We wish the 2 of you many years of happiness!

Here’s evidence of the happiness!

Sheriff Deputies Raid Memphis Animal Shelter to Investigate Reports of Abuse

Today, October 27, 2009, was a great day for the animals located in the Memphis Animal Shelter, as Sheriff’s deputies raided the facility at 3456 Tchulahoma Road, closed the doors to animals coming in or going out, and brought in trained investigators from the ASPCA and emergency responders from the American Humane Association. The securing of the facility, pursuant to the issuance of a search warrant, was part of an investigation into alleged animal abuse and cruelty.

For those of us who are passionate about the need for a more humane society, one where animals are not treated as objects to be disposed of on a whim, this is long overdue. For the shelter volunteers, who have had to witness the inhumane treatment of these poor animals by “humans” at the shelter, we thank you for your tireless efforts and your ongoing concern on behalf of the animals.

For Good Dog Rescue Founder, Lisa Trenthem, today is a great day. Lisa commented:

God Bless Sheriff Luttrell, Bill Gibbons and A.C. Wharton for DOING something about the abuse at Memphis Animal Services. Thanks to all the behind the scenes people who reported the abuse and would not stop trying to expose it. Sadly the shelter mismanagement has been no secret for years but NOTHING could be done as long as a corrupt mayor was in office.

I am ELATED at the news of this action and hopeful that new leadership can come to our shelter. If we could just choose the best person for that job based on their talent and experience, not corrupt politics, we could have an operational facility worth taxpayers money.
Please thank our new mayor and the sheriff’s office for having the guts to do a dirty job.

Please take a few moments to call or send a letter to our elected officials who are spearheading this initiative.

Here is the contact information – please take a few moments and use your voice to speak for those who are unable to speak for themselves – thank our officials who have listened to the citizens and volunteers of the shelter.

Mayor A C Wharton, Jr.
City Hall
125 N. Main St. Room 700
Memphis, Tn 38103
Phone: 901-576-6000

Sheriff Mark H. Luttrell, Jr.
Shelby County Sheriff
201 Poplar Avenue – Ninth Floor
Memphis, Tennessee 38103
Email: public-info@shelby-sheriff.org
Phone: 901-545-5500 OR 901-545-5686
Fax: 901-545-3310

Shelby County District Attorney General William L. Gibbons
201 Poplar Avenue – Third Floor
Memphis, Tennessee 38103
Phone: 901-545-5900

Here’s a list of current and related coverage about the Memphis Animal Shelter.

Shelby County Sheriff Office Press Release

Action News 5 by Kontji Anthony
Deputies execute search warrant at Memphis Animal Shelter
Posted 10/27/09 @ 6:42am // Updated 10/27/09 @ 5:46pm

News Channel 3 by Eric Lipford
Memphis Animal Shelter Raided – reports of unsanitary conditions, overcrowding, sick & vicious animals
Posted 10/27/09 @ 5:43pm

My Fox Memphis
Animal Shelter Raid Reveals Abuse
Posted 10/27/09 @ 4:58pm // Updated 10/27/09 @ 5:30pm

Older, related coverage

Action News 5 by Jason Miles
City employee keeps job after alleged animal shelter blunder
Posted 9/29/09 @ 9:19pm // Update 9/30/09 @ 11:12am

Action News 5
Outrage over animal shelter euthanization numbers
Posted 7/15/09 @ 3:32pm // Updated 7/16/09 @ 11:57am

News Channel 3
Audit of the Memphis Animal Shelter
dated July 13, 2009 // a 25 page document
The bottom line objectives and findings …

• Objective 1: Determine if all revenues are properly recorded in Oracle
  • Finding 1: Overall, we noted taht revenues were properly recorded in Oracle and the process to record revenue to the general ledger was satisfactory (p. 2)
  • 3 recommendations for objective 1
• Objective 2: Determine if safeguarding and accountability for revenues are adequate
  • Finding 2: Overall, safeguarding and accountability or revenues needs improvement (p. 4)
  • 11 recommendations for objective 2
• Objective 3: Determine if safeguards and accountability over pharmaceuticals are adequate
  • Finding 3: Overall, safeguarding and accountability of pharmaceuticals needs improvement (p. 8)
  • 4 recommendations for objective 3
• Objective 4: Determine compliance of transactions with the City’s purchasing policy
  • Finding 4: Overall, compliance with city purchasing guidelines was satisfactory (p. 10)
  • 2 recommendations for objective 4
• Objective 5: Determine the reliability of computer generated data
  • Finding 5: Overall, data generated (reports) by the animal management system is reliable (p. 12)
  • 3 recommendations for objective 5
• Objective 6: Determine compliance with revenue contracts/agreements
  • Finding 6: Overall, compliance with terms and conditions revenue contract needs improvement (p. 14)
  • 2 recommendations for objective 6

We will continue to post relevant updates as we receive them. We look forward to the outcome of the investigation. Let us know if you have comments.

Can you help these “Little Women”?

5 puppies … 8 weeks old … Mom was a buff Cocker Spaniel … Dad was a Beagle.

Can you say “adorable offspring”?

These 5 puppies were scheduled to be euthanized, along with every other dog and pup who was unfortunate enough to be at the Hardeman County Animal Shelter in Bolivar, TN.

They got a reprieve when they found a temporary foster home.

But now they need a new foster home till they’re adopted. One or more per foster home. We need your help!

They’ve had their first shots and have been dewormed. They range in weight from 3-4 pounds to a whopping 9 pounds. They are very well socialized and healthy pups.

Please click to access a PDF version of the flyer and post/alert others that these Little Women need help!

We thank you … contact us soon.

A Spooky Howl-o-ween at Utopia Animal Hospital

Thanks so much to Utopia Animal Hospital for hosting their Howl-o-Ween event and inviting Good Dog Rescue to show our pets and raise funds.

Dr. Clay and her young son James V offered blood brew punch and treats. There was trick or treating for dogs and kids at the examining rooms. For those kids who were not faint of heart, there was a surgical suite set up where they could do some gory surgery (on a manikin, of course!).

Outside the dogs bobbed for hot dogs. Some gave up on the bobbing and just jumped in to get the special treats.

The dogs got to dress up and the humans really enjoyed seeing them.

Thanks to Dr. Clay and her staff.

Former Adopter Connie Copeland and her daughter were volunteers along with Julie Clark, Robin Tate, Whitney Forbes, Brandy Schroyer, Vonna and Kathy, and Cheryl Kent.

Here’s a few pics of the event.

Dr. Jen and son, James V – great hostess and host for the party!

Liddy as a pumpkin

Dr. Jen and James V invite all into the spooky surgical suite

Fuzzy Fred wonders why we can’t just hand him a hot dog

Connie Copeland and Sam Tort do the Howl-o-ween dance

Jewel does her own version of the Howl-o-ween dance

Naomi wonders if the pumpkin costume makes her look fat

Ashton gets dressed up like a spider

Roland makes his first appearance at Howl-o-ween with us

Our final fling for this year’s Downtown Farmer’s Market

Today started out chilly (so in many of the pics you’ll see cute sweaters and jackets on the dogs), but the sun was shining and the crowd was happy so we had a great time at this last adoption event for the 2009 Downtown Farmer’s Market.

We didn’t have any adoptions today – but the doggies had a lot of great exposure to people and some visiting dogs. We took a couple of videos, as Bixby made his first appearance at an adoption event! He found a really BIG friend to play with and then found one more his size in Madison.

We always enjoy the Downtown Farmer’s Market. We’re looking forward to more invitations in the 2010 year. Till then … enjoy some photos from today!

Here’s the Farmer’s Market

Here we are at the Farmer’s Market

This was also Chia’s first adoption event – she did great

Charlie gives a pose in his red jacket

Dexter wonders why he hasn’t yet been adopted

Diesel is good for a pose – anytime, anyplace

Madison enjoys her fashionable sweater

Scarlett resigns herself to the fact that if we humans want a sweater on her, it’ll go on

Roland’s a new dog with us – he’s cute

Mel relaxes on a lap in the sun

Bixby loves the girls – like Scarlett

Charlie works his charm and gets a pet from a visitor

Dexter’s a cutie

Scratch me and I’ll love you forever

Roland is curious as to what he walked into

Scarlett wonders why she has the SHORT midriff cutoff sweater

Bixby loves to run and jump

Dexter wonders if this pattern makes him look too big

Our adorable Diesel

Bixby finds a BIG dog to play with – video available

Roland poses

Before it got warmer, Mel had a fine red sweater on

Charlie welcomes Bixby to his first ever adoption event

Dexter seems rather resigned to his fate of having a sweater placed

Isn’t Roland a sweet looking young dog

Dexter & Charlie check out each other’s finery – and see what’s left in the bag

Madison & Charlie are two VERY cute little dogs

One more of Roland

Chilly outside, warm inside, doggies getting adopted – all is well!

Feels like deep fall in Memphis, even though there’s still a lot of green to be seen. Yesterday we felt the cool air outside at our adoption event (stay tuned for a report on this Saturday’s two OUTSIDE events!), but volunteers, dogs, and visitors were cozy inside Hollywood Feed at 2015 Union Avenue.

We finalized two adoptions yesterday – Ellie, the giant Schnauzer, and Hallie, the Brussels Griffon/Shih Tzu mix. Thanks to our two families who spied these cuties and gave them their FURever home.

We were joined by a new dog – Seth. He comes to us from points east of Memphis and is reportedly a Cockapoo. Well, maybe. We think he could be. But beneath his long hair he’s got so much matting that it’s hard to tell precisely WHAT he is! He gets a visit with one of our great vets and a trip to our best groomer and then you’ll see a new Seth. Till then, see his current pics and a video on his Petfinder site at http://bit.ly/eAFsa

Rissa visited us – look for a video on her soon. Maggie May helped us out with a video – see her story and video at her site http://bit.ly/1vLy62

Have a look at some of our other pics from yesterday. We had some CUTIES with us!

Next events (follow details on website and in blog postings to come):

• Today, 1pm-4pm @ Hollywood Feed in Bartlett
• Next Saturday, 8am-12noon @ Downtown Farmer’s Market
• Next Saturday, 10am-12noon @ Utopia Animal Hospital who is sponsoring a Howl-o-ween benefit for our rescue group

Ellie and her new family who drove most of the day before to be here to adopt her.

Hallie and her new momma … LOTS of love in this adoption!

Rissa says goodbye and good luck to Ellie. Ellie says she knows Rissa will find her forever home soon.

Charlie, the Shih Tzu Poodle mix, is always ready to roll over when a good belly rub can be had!

Angel is timid, but came out of her shell when held for her picture. Look at those ears@

Angel is a young Schnauzer Poodle mix

Rissa has lovely eyes that just don’t photograph well! VERY light blue.

Rissa is a lovely young border collie mix

Rissa outside looking at her person

Scarlett says a hello to new dog Seth

Scarlett found a safe (and warm) space in her x-pen yesterday.

Scarlett is a timid Corgi mix who came out to be with us yesterday

Isn’t Seth adorable? He likes having his picture taken.

Seth lounges in the front seat of the car before getting out to work the crowd at adoption.

Seth is a really beautiful young dog. Check back later for more pictures of him!

All our Adoptables together!

… virtually, that is!

Did you ever wonder what all of our adoptable dogs look like? If we had them all in one place and you could take a look across all of them, what unifying characteristics would you notice?

Well, we pulled them together virtually in thumbnails by name. You can click on the image and be taken to the full size one – it will be much more viewable (for details).

We have small dogs and large dogs. We have white dogs and black dogs. We have smooth-haired dogs and scruffy-haired dogs. We’ve got dogs with ears up and ears down. We’ve got dogs with characteristics in between all of these.

Our unifying characteristics? They’re ALL ready to go to their forever homes. Soon. Now.

Spy one you might like to bring into your home? Go to our listing of dogs and puppies at http://members.petfinder.com/~TN308/adoptable.html and read the details of the dog or puppy that you could make your best friend.

We hope you find your lifelong friend!

All of Good Dog Rescue's Adoptable Dogs as of October 11 2009

Having a great time on one of our 2 adoptions today!

This weekend is the Showcase of Dogs and Good Dog Rescue is there for the entire event – 8am-5pm Saturday and Sunday. But this post isn’t about THAT event. It’s about the adoption event we held at Hollywood Feed, 4864 Poplar Avenue, Memphis, TN from 11am-3pm.

We were joined by some new foster moms – and we greatly appreciated their fostering and help at the event. Vivian, Julie R., Jerry and Cindy were also there. Our doggies included Lenny, Naomi, Donna June, Henry, Guinness, Dotty, and Ridgely.

Two adoptions … Lenny and Dotty. Lots of interest about our other doggies. We’d love to see Ridgely get into his forever home. He is such a sweet black dog – like a Rhodesian Ridgeback.

Have fun looking at our pictures. Come join us at our next event: tomorrow at the Showcase of Dogs from 8am-5pm or next weekend at Union Avenue Hollywood Feed from 11a-3p.

Dotty gets adopted and is headed to Mississippi

Lenny gets adopted by Black Jack, the beagle

Rico, adopted a while back from us, stops by for a visit

Nadine is such a cutie – so wonderful at adoption events

Donna June has such an inquisitive nature

Donna June relaxes for a belly rub

Ridgley is such a gentleman

Ridgley gets along with kids, men, women, other dogs – everyone!

Waiting for a treat, Ridgley can be very attentive

Come to Utopia’s Howl-o-ween Benefit for Good Dog Rescue

On Saturday, October 24, 2009 from 10am-12noon Utopia Animal Hospital is planning a morning of fun for kids and those of greater age who are young-of-heart to benefit Good Dog Rescue.

Bring your children (human and canine) to Utopia to benefit Good Dog Rescue. There will be trick-or-treating and games, including gross surgery for the kids. Bring your dog to bob for hot dogs. Dogs from Good Dog Rescue will be available for adoption. Costumes, for humans and canine alike, are encouraged.

Good Dog Rescue greatly appreciates Utopia Animal Hospital’s efforts to help us help more good dogs and puppies.

You can find Utopia Animal Hospital virtually on Facebook. In person, you can locate Utopia Animal Hospital at 1157 Madison Avenue, Memphis, TN [view map]. Check out their website at http://www.utopiaanimalhospital.com/

We hope to see YOU there! If you’ve adopted a dog or puppy from us, drop by to visit!