Investigators say 37 dogs were kept in small containers meant for travel
By Barton Deiters
The Grand Rapids Press
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (AP) - A broad coalition of veterinarians, groomers and pet lovers has come together to provide care and even some new homes for the 37 dogs seized by animal control from the house of a woman charged with animal cruelty.
Tracy Brandt, a groomer with Green Paws Unlimited - a Plainfield Township pet salon, has seen first-hand the state of the dogs taken from the northeast Grand Rapids home in June, according to The Grand Rapids Press.
"They are in terrible condition," said Brandt, who has spent hours washing and combing through the matted hair of several of the dogs, including a goldendoodle, Bichon Frises, and other mixed breeds. "I get them and it is hard to know where to start."
Brandt sees evidence of the conditions that were testified to by Kent County Animal Control investigators, who say the dogs were kept in small containers meant for travel - not for long-term confinement. The groomer says she sees the urine-stained fur and skin, and the paws and toe nails damaged by standing in urine for long periods of time.
Brandt said the matted fur is extremely uncomfortable for the dogs - it's as if their hair was constantly being pulled. She donates her time and her boss donates supplies and facilities.
"After they're groomed, they are just so happy, They just hop around," Brandt said. "I'm so glad they got them out of that place."
The place in question was the small house where Kimberly Savino kept the 37 dogs she collected since coming to Grand Rapids from the Boston area about a year ago.
On June 27, Kent County Animal Control personnel went to the home and seized the dogs. In court proceedings, the dogs were forfeited to the animal shelter, and Savino is now charged with felony animal cruelty and faces trial in Kent County Circuit Court.
Judge James Robert Redford described the conditions at the home as "absolutely filthy and disgusting in nature."
When the shelter veterinarian Laurie Wright saw the condition of the dogs, she knew it was going to take a monumental effort to help make these animals ready to be adopted out to new homes.
"I put out a call for vets to 'adopt' a dog, to provide care," Wright said in a prepared statement issued Friday. "Within minutes, I had veterinarians offering to care for these struggling pets. They wanted to make a difference in the lives of these dogs."
Veterinarians from Allendale to Belmont, Walker, Kentwood, Wyoming and Cascade have all pitched in to help provide care for the dogs.
The most serious and costly challenge for most of the dogs is dental care.
Malachi, a 12-year-old terrier mix, had to have 15 teeth removed, a procedure that calls for the dogs to be fully sedated and would have cost more than $2,200 according to Dr. John Drobish of Great Lakes Hospital for Animals in Belmont. But Drobish did the work for free.
Another elderly pooch, Mr. Dog, received $1,400 of dental care at Eastown Veterinary Clinic.
"If these dogs were individually being treated at cost, our tab would be over $10,000 at this point, not to mention all of the costs associated with boarding, vaccinating and caring for the dogs since June," according to Kent County Animal Shelter Supervisor Carly Luttmann. "We've received not only the generosity of area veterinarians, groomers and their staffs, but also from the general public, including a recent gift of $1200 worth of food and toys. We are so incredibly fortunate to have such a caring community."
As of Friday morning, seven dogs have been adopted, including Malichi, who was spotted at the vet clinic by Linda, a woman who did not want her last name used.
"We got in the car Thursday morning and went straight to the shelter," Linda told county officials. "We knew we could give her hope for a better home, for a better life. We called her Hope, because she has hope now. I hope more people will consider adopting an older dog, they bring such joy."
Some of the dogs have been transferred to agencies like Bellowood Rescue, Keeshond Lovers United, Vicky's Pet Connection and other facilities which can provide care for specific health or behavioral issues to get the dogs prepared for new homes.
Six dogs are currently up for adoption, and 15 are in the process of moving from on-hold status to adoption kennels as they receive dental and medical treatment, according to spokesperson Lisa LaPlante.
Tripawed, the three legged Dalmatian, is available to the right home willing to help her overcome issues related to socialization after spending so much of her life in a cage, LaPlante said.
But as the weeks go on, more of the dogs will be available for adoption as they become healthier.
Kent County Animal Shelter adoption fees are $62 and spay and neuter and all age-appropriate vaccinations are included in the adoption price.
People who adopt the pets are counseled on making an appointment at a veterinarian of their choosing within three weeks after adoption for a check-up and vaccine boosters.
The application to adopt can be found at the Kent County Animal Shelter website.
Meanwhile, Savino remains free on a $5,000 bond awaiting trial.
Published: Thu, Sep 11, 2014
