Stepping up to help in Wisconsin ’sanctuary’ raid
By Phyllis DeGioia
May 26, 2009
I was going to spend two days of the three-day Memorial Day weekend shaving some of the 315 severely matted dogs seized last week from a “sanctuary” in Richland County, Wisc. However, the shelter called to cancel my Saturday shift because they needed more time for veterinary care, and they canceled my Monday shift because the Sunday crew somehow managed to shave all of the dogs who needed it. I was disappointed not to be able to help and relieved not to have to face the horrifying results of large-scale misery.
Authorities seized 374 animals from the Thyme and Sage Ranch in Cazenovia, Wisc.; as of last week the only animals still at the ranch were horses. A coordinated effort between various animal agencies, including the local sheriff’s department, Humane Society of the United States, the SPCA’s Mobile Animal Crime Scene Investigation (CSI) Unit, the American Humane Association, United Animal Nations, and others. My local shelter, the Dane County Humane Society, has taken in the animals. Of course the shelter doesn’t have room for this many animals, so they are housed in tents on the shelter’s parking lots to decrease the possibility of any spreading of disease. The ASPCA is collecting evidence for prosecution. Many of the animals were in serious medical condition. You know the drill: matted, filthy animals covered with feces and urine, open wounds, broken bones, dog carcasses, horrendous housing conditions, only on a scale of hundreds. I nearly threw up when the first reports came in.
Owned and operated by Jennifer Petkus, the sanctuary had a contract with Richland County, which does not have its own shelter, to take in stray dogs. The sanctuary also took in rescues. Petkus now faces 16 charges of animal abuse and neglect in her criminal complaint (10 counts of mistreating animals, one count of improper shelter of animals and 5 counts of unlawful deposit of animal carcass) and is looking at $315,000 of fines and a possibility of eight years in jail. She was released on a $10,000 signature bond.
Rumors abound about what was really going on at the ranch. Some say Petkus was breeding puppies, some think she was buying them from Amish breeders, some think she took in every animal sent or given to her. Is she a large scale hoarder or just a commercial operation trying to make money? I hope the truth will come out. Petkus says she is innocent and will prove herself in court. I don’t know how it’s possible to see the miserable conditions of the animals that came out of there and still say with a straight face — much less believe – that the animals were well cared for. Petkus is innocent until proven guilty. Meanwhile, the fetid fruits of her labor must be cared and paid for by others, both financially and in emotional and physical suffering.
I have offered to foster one of the dogs. None of them will be released for a while until some of the dust settles. Last week they told me it would take a couple of weeks before the fosters would be sent out, and needs could change every day. Many of the dogs will be sent to other local shelters and rescue groups, but given the sheer numbers of animals some dogs will go into foster care. At this point how many foster homes will be needed is unclear. It’s all I can do to not feel so helpless in the face of such misery.
***Update May 27, 2009*** (from the shelter)
At this time the caretaking of the animals continues to be provided by volunteers from United Animal Nations (UAN), HSUS, and DCHS. The animals being cared for include 315 dogs, 21 rabbits, 2 chinchillas, 1 cat, 1 ferret, 1 rooster, 14 birds, and 23 horses. The horses are currently being kept at a separate location. In addition to the regular care, many of the animals had and continue to have medical issues that needed immediate and extreme attention.
This absolutely sickens me - and then for the owner to plead “innocent” is beyond belief. It sounds like the “evidence” was there for all to see. I know she is innocent until proved guilty, but once she is, I hope she gets the maximum possible sentence for the horrors she has put these animals through. I assume there is help coming for the horses . . .
How can we, not in the area, help out here? I don’t have a lot of money, but if we all did what we could it might make a small difference. Please let us know.
Blessings to all those who were/are involved in rescuing these animals from this “sanctuary”!
Comment by catmom5 — May 26, 2009 @ 11:29 am
You are so kind. I asked what they needed, and they said money (they got all the supplies they needed within the first couple of days). Even small donations add up; the link to donate online or to send a check is here: http://www.giveshelter.org/sitemgr/shelter_news99
I’m not sure what the plans are for the horses.
Comment by Phyllis DeGioia — May 26, 2009 @ 1:03 pm
Hopefully some of these babies will be released to and transported to us up here in Ontario. Its a long drive but can be done. We`re here to help.
Send out a call if you need us.
Comment by Heather — May 26, 2009 @ 5:29 pm
As many of you know Maine was the site of several large scale breeding mills raids last year. If I learned anything it is that the people who fight in court keep the animals in limbo. They could not be fixed or rehomed and many langished in kennels for months and months. Here is hoping these poor animals get released from the court soon.
Comment by Nancy Freedman-Smith CPDT — May 27, 2009 @ 12:58 am
I’m probably going to get flamed for saying this, but the response to this article is disappointing considering the number of responses to “breeder” articles.
Comment by catmom5 — May 27, 2009 @ 6:37 am
Could you explain a little more? I don’t really understand what bothers you. The number of comments on a post often has to do with how many people disagree or want to expand/limit the point made. I suspect in this case, there’s general agreement that this is an AWFUL situation. Hence, no comments.
Comment by Gina Spadafori — May 27, 2009 @ 6:46 am
That was my question. What is there to say?
Comment by H. Houlahan — May 27, 2009 @ 7:37 am
catmom5 - I think maybe what you are commenting on is the lack of responses hence answers to a sanctuary gone to the way of tragedy - perhaps good intentions gone horribly wrong especially with a sanctuary setting - breeders are in a different catagory because there is the element of profit, but then too a sanctuary can profit as well - when the element of business gets into the mix it can open a human greed factor - not all sanctuary’s made money not all breeders made money and even if there is a profit it’s not necessarily bad - bottom line I believe is if the welfare of the animal is not of the first concern then that’s when things can go wrong.
Comment by francis — May 27, 2009 @ 10:58 am
I guess that what I meant was that lots of people agree that the events at this place are tragic, but it doesn’t seem like too many people took the time to write about that or to offer help. And if it was an article about breeding (no, I’m not intending to do the “good breeder/bad breeder” thing) then many more people would have responded. That’s all I’m saying - just an observation.
Comment by catmom5 — May 27, 2009 @ 11:37 am
catmom5 - maybe what you are saying as well is how did we as human beings get in such a situation of horror with animals - how’s that for putting words in your mouth - I wonder too - I had the extreme good fortune of hearing in person Nathan Winograd and then I read his book (Redemption) - it really answered a lot of questions for me - I like people whole lot better for having reading his take on things - I think he really hits on the truth alot - also I think a lot of people are offering to help in this sanctuary tragedy - and in the big picture of animal suffering I see a sea change happening - this web site is one of them - thanks for your observations.
Comment by francis — May 27, 2009 @ 11:50 am
Living in WI I have heard many things about this “rescue” when I put my ear to the ground. I wish I knew more. The last few years it was evident this place was bad news.
In WI this type of case is just the tip of the iceberg. Puppy Mills are rampant here too and there is nothing one can do directly to shut these places down aside from continual letter writing and meetings with state reps to get tougher laws in place to protect animals. With us being a farming state that is a steep hill to climb. So many miller moved here after PA tightened up their laws. . .
We’ve been trying to close Gerald Shultz down for years with no success and the local AC officers and humane officers know what he is doing but have no teeth to shut him down. The state got lucky with Thmye and Sage.
Comment by Kristy B — May 28, 2009 @ 7:59 am
I have been Tracking Jennifer Petluk since I heard of what had occured at the Tyme and Sage Ranch. I personally have been going to sites that list resue/ sanctuary and animal control organizations ( she has also listed under Richland animal control and Richland County animal control ) and when I find her listed on a host site, I inform the host of what has transpired ans request that her listing be removed. I have also kept tabs on Thyme and Sage web site, which was ordered taken down by the court. Two weeks ago her site was up, however no animals were listed for adoption. The other day I checked her site and she has animals listed as available. I have reported this behavior to www. nowisconsinpuppymills.com who in turn contacted the Dane county humane society and the Richland County D.A. I am going to keep an eye on this puppymiller/merchandiser.
If people want to help eliminate puppy mills in wisconsin, please go to http://www.nowisconinpuppymills.com…. and contact your state representative requesting that they vote in favor of the commercial breeders legislation. There is info on the site as to how to find out who is your state representative as well as sample letters. It is not a bad idea to send a letter via snail mail to Governor Doyle ( his contact info is on the site as well).
Comment by Karol — July 31, 2009 @ 3:25 pm
It seems like this woman started out with the intent to be a rescuer of animals, but she realized how much money she could be making off puppies and lost her way. I know several people who have volunteered with the Humane Society to help care for the animals seized and it was truly a sad situation indeed.
I’m very upset that it took so long for the county to step in and prosecute this woman, but at the very least it finally happened.
Comment by Celia — August 3, 2009 @ 2:14 pm