Adopt a shelter pet now if you can
At a time when there is a lot in the news and in our lives that is tough to take, among the most mystifying are the stories about innocent children and animals being abused and victimized.
Sadly, we've had to write a lot recently about a suspected case of hundreds of animals being abused and neglected at Pet Rescue in Bloomingdale. The nonprofit, no-kill animal shelter's license was revoked recently by the Illinois Department of Agriculture after a fourth violation.
No one has been convicted of anything yet and we all should remember that. Director Penny Horak, 69, of Winfield, faces misdemeanor charges of animal cruelty and violation of duties. Owner Dale Armon, 74, of Berkeley, faces 16, similar misdemeanor counts after several shelter cats and dogs had to be euthanized.
That such a thing could happen in the midst of our fairly affluent suburbs remains hard to believe. What is most frustrating and mystifying are the reports that indicate good, caring volunteers and clients have been trying to save the animals there; to get what they saw as a horrific situation fixed for years. Why did it take four violations? Why has it taken so long for the village, county and state officials to act? Daily Herald Legal Affairs Writer Christy Gutowski has reported the shelter has been the focus of civil probes for years. Former workers and clients have picketed, lodged repeated complaints and set up a Web site about the shelter. Several people, she reported, worked undercover this summer to help law enforcement officials gather evidence. If any of the allegations are true, it's hard not to wonder how many innocent animals could have been saved if state and county officials had acted with more urgency.
The shelter's attorney, Rick Schoenfield, filed an emergency motion Tuesday to lift the license suspension, arguing his clients were denied a chance to respond.
"All of the charges allege that there was a lack of necessary veterinarian care," Schoenfield said. "Pet Rescue has veterinarians that it uses and gets the animals care as needed. We expect to be completely vindicated."
That may be. But if any animals in Bloomingdale, and at the shelter's farm in Hebron, need more help, we urge officials to get to them and provide it immediately.
And we urge all who are reading about this case to not let these stories deter you from adopting a pet from the many worthy animal shelters operating in our suburbs. October just happens to be adopt-a-shelter-pet month and we know from our own experience shelter cats and dogs can bring a lifetime of companionship, joy, and love. Certainly, caring for another life _ human or animal _ is a big responsibility with significant costs and risks. The rewards can be even greater.
In these challenging times, if you have the resources, the love and commitment in your heart to make life better for one needy animal, we strongly encourage you to visit an animal shelter soon and take the plunge. You'll be doing so much good and you'll reap the rewards for years to come.