ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Friday, June 28, 1996 TAG: 9606280037
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-1 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
DATELINE: PULASKI
SOURCE: PAUL DELLINGER STAFF WRITER
Veterinarians, Pulaski County officials and animal lovers are trying to save dogs and cats seized June 4 from the defunct Solid Rock Kennels in Draper.
General District Judge James Brice authorized the county to dispose of 24 dogs and seven cats abandoned at the kennel by Terry Weaver and Annette Jenkins. Officials are seeking homes for the animals to avoid destroying them, and veterinarians are donating their time, facilities, medication and treatment to help.
Weaver claimed to be pastor of a church and argued that the kennel should be exempt from county zoning regulations as part of his ministry. Jenkins, his fiancee, owns the home and property where the church and kennels were established last year.
Authorities want Weaver and Jenkins on charges of animal cruelty and abandonment. They have until July 5 to appeal the court order, which prohibits them from owning any more companion animals and charges them for the animal care costs if they are found.
Two dogs found to be vicious are at the county animal shelter. The rest are at the Tipton Ridge Veterinary Medical Center at 1858 Bob White Blvd. in Pulaski. "At this point, we have potential homes for some of them," said Dr. Randy Vaughn.
Six kennel puppies had parvo, a virus usually fatal in dogs, and were destroyed. The kennel had a parvo outbreak several months ago which killed many of its dogs. "It's hard to tell how many animals died over there," Vaughn said.
That outbreak and citizen complaints about kennel conditions prompted county officials to tighten animal control regulations.
Vaughn said other veterinary clinics also volunteered to board the animals, but it made sense to keep them in one place. They are separated from other animals and inoculated against parvo.
Since parvo has an incubation period of one to two weeks and the remaining animals have shown no symptoms, he is sure that none have the disease.
Of the 29 animals, homes have been found for all but 16 dogs and four cats. None can be placed until after the 10 days given Weaver and Jenkins to note an appeal of Tuesday's order, but those interested can call (540) 980-0186 to arrange to see the animals and learn of their various characteristics.
"We know the animals' dispositions right now," Vaughn said. Some should not be adopted by a household with another pet because they had been tethered close enough to other dogs to develop a hostility toward them. "But they're really good animals. They just need lots of affection."
Vaughn said the dogs are mixed breeds of shepherds, huskies and collies from 11/2 to 5 years old and 35 to 90 pounds, and six smaller mixed terriers, beagles and others weighing 16 to 23 pounds.
A list will be circulated to other veterinarians whose customers might be interested. All animals will be spayed or neutered, have their shots, be dewormed and bathed, Vaughn said.
A $50 donation to the Pulaski County Humane Society is being asked for each animal adopted. The Humane Society will donate some of that back to the center.
But the $50 will not come close to covering the expenses being written off at Tipton Ridge. The animals have been boarded for more than three weeks. Spaying and neutering normally costs $70 to $100 per animal. Some dogs needed medication. The center will probably have invested $600 or more in each animal before they are placed.
"We volunteered to do this, understanding that there would be a financial sacrifice," Vaughn said. "That's what we're in business for. ... It's been a community effort."
People have contributed pet food and money. Donations can be mailed to the Pulaski County Humane Society, P.O. Box 1046, Dublin, Va. 24084.
LENGTH: Medium: 74 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: Charity, one of the abandoned dogs, is looking for aby CNBlittle help.