Turtle Gardens and a Happy Ending
Last night in my most hopeless moments Dave and Stan brought in a package from Santa’s elves bringing a smile to our faces. The treats were totally awesome!! What a wonderful gift for the people who care for the animals. We sincerely thank you. I am enjoying superb coffee and biscuits as I write this. Thank you again.
Morning has brought more negativity to TG. I am sorry to have to write about it so instead I will post the link so you can see what she has promised to bring to TG
She said:
I have already gone to the appropriate channels, and I will continue to work through that. I didn’t bring it to brindle.
The unedited posting is here: www.brindleweb.com/rescuebb/viewtopic.php
If you wonder why we are so negative on our blog it is that we and our animals have suffered before from this same group of people. The devil’s advocate was here and 59 cats and 1 dog died - they went through the appropriate channels. We are not being spiteful, egotistical or negative - we are downright terrified for our animals. We refuse to live in this terror and stress anymore. We cannot meet the Code of Practice for Canadian Kennel Operations. The devil’s advocate was already here and dropped off a copy. How many rescues/shelters meet this standard?
This morning I received a phone call from a fellow rescuer that I work with in the Hazeltons. She went to pick up puppies and their mother from Gitsgeluka - she found two dead puppies frozen on the front step - the mother and other 3 pups were nowhere to be found. Did they freeze too? They were supposed to come here. There is also another litter living outside. Tearfully I had to explain we are closed to new dogs but we will call the appropriate channels the Prince George SPCA to take these puppies and dogs that need help. They are the only ones in this area now - a 1000 km return trip to these dogs. We will be sending all enquiries and calls to PG SPCA until we meet the standards.
By next week most of the dogs will be in their own homes leaving us with a handful of temperamentally challenged dogs to rehabilitate and rehome.
And now to return to what TG does best - a Happy Endings:
©Turtle Gardens Animal Rescue Society. Have your pet spayed or neutered today.
Hi Yvette,
One more vote of confidence and encouragement for you to hang in there. The one trump card your detractors keep playing is that they have seen your operation and a lot of your blog readers haven’t. That gives them the authority to dismiss many of your friends’ support. Early last summer I was driving from Vancouver to Prince Rupert and my wife had asked me to stop by to check out your place - you might remember a couple of old guys from the city in a white pickup truck. This was before the renovations and I wasn’t sure which of the several scattered buildings a person might be in but you appeared from one of them and amazed us with your enthusiasm, caring and knowledge . We took several pictures - the place was far from neat and tidy but the yard dogs had lots of space and lots of food and all appeared as happy as can be. Others were segregated for several different reasons so all were in an environment suited to their needs at the time. I came back describing the place as a physical near disaster area - the buildings, yard and fences all needed attention but to me that meant you were focusing purely on the needs of the dogs at great sacrifice to yourselves. The last thing that would ever have crossed my mind would have been that there was some bureaucratic standard that you didn’t comply with. If anyone would have asked me “Do you think that place was up to snuff?” I would have said “Heck no, but they’re doing a great job with the dogs!” I’m glad that you are finally getting better conditions for both yourselves and the dogs but for anyone to interpret the lack of facilities as somehow relating to neglect of your charges or lack of commitment on your part is missing the obvious. The storm will be over soon and your support has probably been strengthened so shake it off and open up that rickety old gate for the next abandoned pup. Take care…Steve
Comment by Steve — December 15, 2007 @ 9:24 pm
Hello Yvette,
I’ve been one of your ’silent’ fans, enjoying your blogs since summer.
After reading some of the disconcerting comments on the brindleweb forum,
I would really like to ask the two instigators, “Can you do a BETTER job than Turtle Gardens given the same amount of, or lack of resources?”
This is for the two women:
You keep harping on about accountability and to keep all rescue groups
‘honest’ - that is very commendable of you to undertake this,
Why just stop at one? Do them all!
This is what is perceived:
1. The two of you drove up to Turtle Gardens on your own time and your own
gas money
2. You go up on the pretense of bringing medicine and taking 6 dogs back
in what looks like a SUV in the photos
3. You do not bring the worming medicine - If that were me, I would be absolutely
horrified - knowing that these dogs were in a desperate do or die situation.
I cannot fathom why this was not done. If it was sitting on your desk, I would’ve
couriered it, UPS whatever it took but it continued to sit on your desk.
4. You drive up with no crates, towels, leashes - so obviously you did not
plan to take 6 dogs
5. You upset the local vet and criticize her for ‘not doing enough’.
6. You ask Turtle Gardens about paperwork and accountability and suggest
in your forum TG may be as honorable as it seems.
7. Yvette does not answer any of your emails regarding donations and other
grave questions.
8. You take pictures of all the negative aspects of the property, not taking into
account they are in the midst of renovations after the floods
9. TG has just taken in 50 dogs, some dogs are chained, some are in kennels,
you already KNOW their facility is less than stellar - Yvette does not hide that fact,
there are countless pictures in her blogs
You ask for transparency and I absolutely agree with you that all registered
charities should be so but under the circumstances perhaps it was the way
you asked, or perhaps your attitude. They do not trust you.
I have no doubt your intentions were good but this has escalated beyond ridiculous.
If you cared about the Sheriff dogs so much as you claim in your forum, why did you refuse to hand over your cheque to the vet? You were up there first hand, you saw that
they are in dire need of many basic essentials including a real bathroom and
electricity! I am appalled that Yvette and her family are living in such
meagre conditions. City folk would call it primitive.
Suggesting that there may be fraud seems so unlikely - look at their property
and their living quarters! Are they flying off to Hawaii every month?
It would be very hard to prove unless you have evidence.
Bev and Kelly - let someone else be the ‘watchdog’, stick with your
rescue work. It’s damn sad when one reputable rescue discredits another.
Please, you are not doing the rescue groups in the province any favours.
Yvette - I wish you and your family a very peaceful Christmas. The 4000
dogs who have been in your care have been truly blessed by an angel.
I’ll be cheering for you albeit silently from the sidelines.
Comment by carrie — December 15, 2007 @ 11:37 pm