UPDATE 12/11/02 on the Montana Collies

Statement by AWCA President Jean Levitt

From Shelby, Montana

*Permission to crosspost*

Thank you all for the shipments of new snaps, pooper scoopers, and grooming towels.  The notes of encouragement and gratitude lovingly tucked into the cartons are definitely appreciated.  More than a few tears are shed when the notes are read aloud to these dedicated professional groomers and “collie huggers.”  More towels are needed.  Please keep shipping them until you hear otherwise from AWCA.

Regarding the collie who wouldn’t walk on a leash, and had to be carried everywhere:  during his grooming, the professional groomers reported he had a terrible skin condition about his neck and shoulder area.  This was photographed and reported to the veterinarian.  It is healing.  The collar and leash hurt him!  This was obviously why he wouldn’t walk on a leash.  Now he is smiling and playful.  We are all very happy for him.

AWCA has paid all bills received so far.  I have authorized several thousand dollars in payment.  This is only the very beginning of this rescue mission; therefore, in order to ensure that money will be available when the bills come in, we continue to appreciate your financial donations to AWCA.

Additional stainless steel has been requested.  We are shipping 2-quart pails to accommodate the older puppies, which are still too small for the 6-quart pails, but getting too big for the nontippable puppy water pans.

As you know, AWCA has agreed to pay for the trucking of wood chips used for bedding at Camp Collie.  This bedding is changed every day to control contamination.  The expense is $700/shipment, which the authorities estimate will last 5 weeks.

Yesterday, I bought every tarpaulin I could find in town, along with nylon roping and bungee cords.  Many of the dogs are still nervous and distressed, so tarps will be used to give privacy along two sides of the pens.

The need is very great here at Camp Collie.  Extremely dedicated volunteers clean pens, feed, water, and walk the dogs.  Meanwhile the grooming process is continuing steadily.

The new veterinary technician, who is also a registered nurse, arrived in Montana today.  She has agreed to help groom and attend the dogs medically.  She has agreed also to address any medical needs of the volunteers.

Anything and anyone these collies need are provided to them through the generosity of wonderful, loving people like yourselves.  We are deeply indebted to you.

As a reminder, if you would like to assist AWCA with this rescue effort, you may send a check to:

                                                Bethany Burke

                                                AWCA Treasurer

                                                2807 Lee Trevino Court

                                                Shalimar, FL 32579

Make the check out to AWCA and in the memo area note:  collie rescue-medical, collie rescue-stainless steel, or collie rescue-general.

Calmly,

Jean Levitt, President AWCA

Lisa King, AWCA Director AWCA Rescue

Officers and Members of AWCA