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| How they voted
Yes: Dr. Randy Carpenter, Fran Schuleit, Rhonda Waldorf and Steve Crouse.
No: S. Michael Scott, Jim Woudenberg and Patrick Q. Carr.
What they said
What people had to say about recommendations to improve the County Animal Shelter by terminating the R&R Research contract:
• "I hope the county continues to release animals for lifesaving research despite the opinions of several out-of-county residents. I'm fighting for saving lives. That's what these animals do." - R&R Research owner Jim Woudenberg.
• "The support will be there. These rescue groups and volunteers that have been around will not go away just because these meetings are over. They will be there to help. We're doing more for animals and we will continue to do that." - Committee member Rhonda Waldorf of Sheridan.
• "If we have these animals adopted out that's income right there. But we're just giving to R&R now. The county could make money on this." - Linda Reynolds of Six Lakes.
• "Study after study has shown time and again that once pound seizure stops community support for the shelter goes through he roof. The commission has the opportunity to take what was a black eye and turn it around with the recommendations made here. All you have to do is have the faith and the trust in the people that are here today." - Kevin Niebor of Cedar Springs.
• "This is only to be used for disposal of carcasses, supposedly what (Woudenberg is) doing for you. Money talks and BS walks. Let him walk out of your shelter." - Carol Manos of Grand Rapids, holding a pink dog kennel filled with $5,000 in cash.
Animal shelter recommendations
Recommendations for the Montcalm County Animal Shelter that the County Board of Commissioners will consider on April 13:
Citizens advisory board
• The board would help with fundraising, goal planning, updating the policy and procedure manual, establish a responsible pet ownership education program, work with rescue groups and community leaders, assist with adoption protocols and advertising animals up for adoption. Initial members would be Animal Control Director Patty Lentz, Fran Schuleit of Greenville, Dr. Randy Carpenter of Greenville, Rhonda Waldorf of Sheridan, District 1 County Commissioner Ron Blanding, a member of the veterinary advisory board and a county resident at large.
Veterinary advisory board
• Local veterinarians would consult with shelter staff on health and safety issues for animals and pet sterilization. Initial members would be three veterinarians from the county, a citizens advisory board member and Lentz.
Action plan for policies and procedures
• Implement a new software program already purchased to track animals in the shelter by April 30.
• Begin using a new microchip scanner that was donated.
• Get new signs.
• Purchase a secured safe to hold euthanization drugs.
• Provide more office space.
• Build kennel partitions.
• Install eye wash stations.
• Provide a new medical room to be set up by the veterinary advisory board.
• Complete staff training on officer safety, animal bites, cleaning, adoptions procedure, transportation, when to involve police, emergencies, dog fighting, when to involve the DNR, use of restraints, temperament testing and nutrition.
• Allow the citizens advisory board to review the county's recently amended animal control ordinance again.
• Install water bowls in each kennel and do away with the existing spigot system.
• Follow up to make sure people who adopt a pet get it spayed or neutered.
• Improve community outreach by working on education materials, launching a Web site and educating the community about pet ownership.
• Encourage philanthropy by launching endowment through a local community foundation.
Disposal of animals
• Have animal carcasses cremated at Sleepy Hollow Pet Cemetery in Byron Center or in a crematorium that can be donated instead of giving them to R&R Research to sell.
Disposition of animals
• Work better with other animal shelters and rescue groups to ensure more animals are adopted. People could take their animals back from the shelter and bring them to a research institution if they choose.
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3/26/2009 10:10:00 AM
Panel recommends to end R&R Research deal
Ryan Jeltema
News Editor
STANTON - R&R Research's 30-year association with the Montcalm County Animal Shelter could be over soon.
In a 4-3 vote, the County Animal Shelter ad hoc committee recommended ending the contract on April 30 and installing a crematorium to dispose of animal carcasses in its place.
The Montcalm County Board of Commissioners will consider the proposal April 13.
"We're hoping the culmination of this committee's work is an end in one sense but a new beginning in another," said committee member Dr. Randy Carpenter of Greenville. "By agreeing on and presenting a comprehensive package to the Board of Commissioners we can move on with healing the wounds of the past."
He said Sleepy Hollow Pet Cemetery in Byron Center has offered to pick up animal carcasses weekly or whenever needed and cremate them for free. Otherwise, donors have offered to purchase a crematorium at no charge to the county and even provide land away from the shelter to place it if needed.
"Obviously the Sleepy Hollow offer would be available immediately," Carpenter said. "As soon as this is approved by the board we can move on that. Depending on approval by the Board of Commissioners both of these situations can become a reality very soon."
He believes either option negates the county's need for the R&R Research contract since the Howard City business primarily disposed of animal carcasses that could be cremated.
Board of Commissioners Chairman Patrick Q. Carr of Lakeview, who is leading the committee, isn't positive commissioners will approve the recommendations. He said the committee failed to deal with what to do with animals that can't be adopted.
"The reservations of the commissioners who have been in favor of the contract with R&R is that, when every effort has been made to adopt the animal and the choice is down to euthanizing on the spot or go to research, I have constituents that believe that is an acceptable use for that animal," Carr said. "That core question hasn't really been addressed here."
Committee members reviewed several other recommendations for improving the shelter based on an assessment from the Humane Society of Kent County.
Committee member Fran Schuleit of Greenville hopes the recommendations lead to double the number of adoptions next year, a more active volunteer program and a better public image for the shelter and more fundraising opportunities.
"We're confident the Board of Commissioners will embrace the recommendations we've made," she said. "We believe that trust can be restored to Montcalm County."
Schuleit said should an owner insist on taking their pet for research, they would be given a list of educational institutions that would accept animals for humane research.
Committee member S. Michael Scott of Howard City was concerned that the recommendations don't include any financial information, especially with operating a county-owned animal crematorium.
"I don't think it's going to be free," he said. "Too many times people say something is going to be free and two years later it ends up costing a whole bunch of money. We need to look at what the maintenance and operational costs are going to be for the Board of Commissioners. I think there's some questions and some numbers need to be established before we can move forward too far."
Carpenter argued that "everything is revenue neutral."
Commissioners will receive a draft budget on April 13.
The ad hoc committee does not have any future meetings scheduled.
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Posted: Wednesday, April 01, 2009
Article comment by:
CAROL MANOS
HERE'S SOMETHING WE CAN ALL DO TO STOP WOUDENBERG AND CLASS B DEALERS LIKE HIM. AND STOP GASSING TOO!
THIS IS AN EMAIL SENT FROM ALLIE PHILLIPS OF AMERICAN HUMANE ASSOCIATION......
Hi - Many Michigan animal shelters and rescue groups are joining in to support 2 important bills to help shelter animals. Here are 3 quick & easy ways YOU can help! I apologize if you have already received an email about this.
*HB4663 / Pound Seizure Bill – Koda’s Bill
This bill will ban selling Michigan shelter animals to the class B dealer (middle man for research) and research facilities. Only 4 counties in Michigan still practice pound seizure.
http://www.legislature.mi.gov/documents/2009-... (bill language)
*HB4263 / Humane Euthansia Bill
This bill will outlaw the gas chamber as a form of euthanasia for Michigan animals. It will only allow euthanasia by injection, which is the much more humane choice. Currently only 12 shelters utilize the gas chamber and over 170 shelters utilize injection.
http://www.legislature.mi.gov/documents/2009-... (bill language)
*PLEASE WRITE YOUR STATE REPRESENTATIVE and tell them you support HB 4263 and HB 4663!!!!!!!! You can do so online by clicking here:
https://secure2.convio.net/aha/site/Advocacy...
*PLEASE SIGN THE ONLINE PETITION! Individuals (not organizations) are also asked to sign these petitions to support the bills. You can sign the petitions even if your organization also supports these bills.
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/649... (pound seizure)
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/900... (euthanasia)
THANK YOU IN ADVANCE FOR YOUR SUPPORT! We can make this happen but we all have to work together to accomplish this. If you need additional information or fact sheets, please email me! alliep@AmericanHumane.org
Protecting Children and Animals since 1877
Check out our new Pets and Women's Shelters (PAWS)™ Program at www.americanhumane.org/paws !
Posted: Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Article comment by:
Eileen Burr
Michael Scott of Howard City who is on the Blue Ribbon Committee has questioned cost of setting up a new system as he has a right to do. Someone should ask these questions. If it will help, I attended a Cato Township meeting where the question was asked, "Is it feasable to spend the $150,00 to bring our Montcalm shelter up to par", as suggested by Dr. Swift. Mr. Carr's answer was, "Yes it can be done, maybe not all at once, but it is very feasable". This should help Mr. Scott understand that it won't break the county but actually might help to revamp the system. Wound't you as a tax payer like to see a system installed that isn't taking money out of your pocket but allows the shelter to operate with revenue generated from good business practices and is able to support itself? A yes vote on the Blue Ribbon Committee recomondations will get you there. Attend the April 13 commissioners meeting 1:30 at the Stanton court house and listen in.
Posted: Monday, March 30, 2009
Article comment by:
Re: Jim's Response
Jim, if these animals are ALL going to LIFE SAVING MEDICAL RESEARCH then why do you have to HIDE and LIE about it? Most people would appreciate the work that some researchers have made however you are lying about the fact that all MCAS animals are being used for that, and secondly I am GLAD I did NOT take Vioxx the pills that were tested on dogs and killed THOUSANDS, so NO I don't need SOME medications that are tested by animals if they are ineffective and inhumane!!!
Posted: Monday, March 30, 2009
Article comment by:
Eileen -Stanton
I keep reading about R&R Research as if it were a research center. It is NOT. It just sells animals, not just for research but to other class B dealers and who knows what else. He refuses to tell where the animals go or does not know what they are used for. How can anyone support this type of business? If you or I tried getting away with this kind of hidden agenda we wouldn't last long. Why is he getting away with it? Is he getting the kind of support he needs to to it? If so it is up to you as a citizen to take a stand. Attend the next board of commissioners meeting April 13 at 1:30 and listen for yourself. Support the commissioners who have voted NO on the contract, the rest, judge for yourself what their reason might be. It isn't live saving research because that isn't what these animals are being used for.
Posted: Saturday, March 28, 2009
Article comment by:
Amy Giza
Ok. This only means thats people in Montcalm Need to get Patrick Carr OUT OF THERE!!! Clearly he is not working for the people!
Posted: Friday, March 27, 2009
Article comment by:
resident
I have to wonder why with all the violations R&R has gotten over the years he still has a license.How bad does it have to be for the USDA to revoke his license?I'd bet R&R or Pat Carr can't even verify that even half of the siezed animals go to "LIFE SAVING RESEARCH" What will happen if R&R is allowed to continue business as usuall?A lot of the support & donations from volunteers and orginations that want to help will be gone.Then when the bill passes to stop class"B" dealers,tax payers will have to foot the bill for all of the upgrades suggested by the panel. But don't worry about that, Pat, that's next year, or sooner.
Posted: Friday, March 27, 2009
Article comment by:
Linda Reynolds
I feel that when Pat Carr speaks of his constituents supporting medical research (through R&R),it is only because of his going to township meetings and and wherever that we are unaware of, and telling these people his version of what happens to these pets. How do those of us that are able to go to the meetings or do research on the web let others know what R&R's history has been? Especially when the local papers will not print any of it! Jim, I still challenge you to follow up on R&R and see what violations they have had! Also, check and see who still uses animals for MEDICAL research. The state is in the process of stopping this!
Posted: Friday, March 27, 2009
Article comment by:
Matthew
The public outcry against taking companion animals from a shelter and sending them to research has nothing to do with beliefs about purpose bred animals used in MEDICAL RESEARCH. Besides, this issue is not about RESEARCH - it is about a class b dealer and his relationship to the commissioners.
Posted: Friday, March 27, 2009
Article comment by:
Polly Grunfeld Sack, Esq.
Thank you to the adhoc committee for doing an outstanding job--for seeing through the rhetoric and making a recommendation based on a hard analysis of the facts. It is truly telling that, even with Mr. Woudenberg and his veterinarian on the committee, the folks who clearly have a financial stake in this, the committee decided that the contract should go--that there was not enough evidence of any benefits to the county (as opposed to R&R Research). Hopefully the full board will respect the recommendation of the committee they appointed, and the work the committee did at the request of the board, and show the same reasoned exercise of judgment and wisdom that the committee showed. The people spoke and the facts support what they want--ending the R&R contract.
For you folks that still think this is a question of animal research overall, or that Montcalm pound animals are used in any life-saving research, please educate yourselves as to the issues and the facts. This is a question of whether Montcalm pound animals should be sold for research--not on the use of animals in research generally. And NO ONE, especially Mr. Woudenberg, can point to even one life saving research project that a Montcalm pound animal was used for. All major world health organizations and many major universities have stopped using pound animals in research for scientific and economic reasons. So please stick with the facts and the issues at hand and don't be fooled by the side show being put on by Mr. Woudenberg that is being used to distract you.
Posted: Friday, March 27, 2009
Article comment by:
Jim
All of you that are against using animals for testing, remember that when you go to your Dr. Tell him/her that you don't want any medications that were tested on animals. GOOD LUCK. I bet that will be different!
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