ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Friday, July 12, 1996 TAG: 9607120032
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-1 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
DATELINE: PULASKI
SOURCE: PAUL DELLINGER STAFF WRITER
The veterinarians sheltering the dogs and cats abandoned by the operators of Solid Rock Kennels in Draper are looking for homes for the animals.
The staff at the Tipton Ridge Veterinary Medical Center at 1858 Bob White Blvd. has kept and cared for the animals since Pulaski County authorities seized them in early June.
Terry Weaver and Annette Jenkins, who ran the controversial kennel, had until last week to appeal the order from General District Judge James Brice authorizing the seizure. They did not show up to note an appeal, which is no surprise because they are being sought on animal cruelty and abandonment charges.
Dr. Randy Vaughn said about half the animals originally seized have been placed, but the Tipton Ridge clinic still has 14 mostly large dogs and four adult cats that need homes.
"We are not having the response that we hoped we'd have," he said. "We need to find them homes, both for our sake and their sake. ... They're just tired of being cooped up," he said, and "we're at our busy time and need some space around here."
If homes are not found for the abandoned animals, they will probably have to be destroyed. The county shelter does not have room for them.
Vaughn said people interested in adopting any of the animals can call the clinic at (540) 980-0186 or come by in person.
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, although it will not approach the clinic's costs from housing, feeding and medicating the animals for more than a month.
Weaver had challenged county officials who tried to make his kennel comply with zoning regulations, claiming the kennel was a ministry of a church he founded at Draper and should be exempt from zoning regulations. Jenkins, his fiancee, owns the house where church services were held and the surrounding property where dozens of dogs were tied in various places.
LENGTH: Short : 44 linesby CNB