UPDATE:  Paul Wallace, director of Genesee County Animal Control said: "We will take these animals, get them cleaned up, get them vetted up, we will get them fattened and we will find homes for them, that's what we do."

Here's the article with that quote: ( http://www.abc12.com/home/headlines/Nearly-a-whole-litter-of-puppies-die-after-being-kept-in-horrible-conditions-328733701.html?utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook_ABC12:_Your_Trusted_Source!__WJRT-TV )

INSTEAD do you know what he did? He murdered the dog yesterday December 1st - she had a rescue to take her today December 2nd.

Lies. Incompetence. Still no new cages after a year with the public's millage money that was to go directly for that purpose.

 

UPDATE 9-22-15:

WARNING GRAPHIC!!! Upsetting photos and story that Genesee County AC and Paul Wallace's animals control officers ignored. We are just posting the link so that you can choose to see. The remaining animals are now safe - no thanks to GCAC who have ignored this problem. Please share this petition!

Link to the story: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=884513538299641&set=a.101629159921420.3188.100002230086541&type=1&theater

 

9-11-15 UPDATE

The shelter STINKS. Residents complain they can't get the smell off their clothes after being there for a short time. They can't walk down the length of the cages without feeling sick. EIGHT new employees and still they can't keep the cages clean!? Imagine LIVING in that. Some dogs have been stuck in those cages for months.

Cages that have still NOT been replaced! Your tax money is being squandered by a director who is either too inadequate and inexperienced or he doesn't care.

Week ago: a dog had a huge wound right in the middle of her forehead from the metal protrusions in her cage. She was finally rescued.
Today 9-11-15: two dogs again considered emergencies by begging volunteers - someone please rescue them because they are sick and need care. One has a leg injury, one has a huge lump on it's back. Both have mange. Both are shaking - petrified.

So where is the new VET that was supposed to start? An advocate for the shelter posted on August 17th that they had hired a new veterinarian along with a vet tech that would be working in the shelter. No one has seen or mentioned the vet again.

Time to go back to the drawing board on this shelter?!

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We are now half way through the year. If you're wondering how things are going at GCAC, unfortunately there isn't much improvement. This petition was quiet for a time because hope was that things were improving.

* The cages haven't changed. The animals continue to spend their long (about 23 hour) days in cages where many can barely turn around. Some end up with sores and open wounds from the dangerous and small cages. Recently a dog named Zena was photographed with big raw wounds on her legs and body from her cage.
* The director uses your money to hire even more employees, yet still not a single paid employee is responsible to walk the animals. We are not even sure of the total number of employees now, but consider that Midland Humane is one of the most outstanding shelters in Michigan employing just the director (who knows how to care for animals and establish a solid volunteer base) and only 3-4 part time staff. 
* The Volunteer Coordinator has managed just a couple of adoption events in all of these weeks.
* Still no Saturday adoption hours.
* Still no veterinarian working at the shelter. The volunteers and rescues seem to be the ones responsible for securing the bulk of medical needs. Often sending out desperate pleas on Facebook and setting up "Go Fund" accounts.

* Two dedicated volunteers were banned in June. One was banned for speaking up on social media about perceived abuses. The other was accused of "spying" because she worked at a local rescue as well as volunteered at GCAC. These are violations of their First Amendment rights (Section 1983 -http://www.nokilladvocacycenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Section-1983-to-the-Rescue.pdf). The shelter's new volunteer handbook is in violation itself. It uses subtle language warning volunteers that if they see anything upsetting or wrong, they should not talk about it on social media.

Here's more that you need to know:

Many many many emails have been sent requesting information regarding what exactly happened to the $1.7 million voters approved in November...money to "Modernize" the shelter. NOT ONE of the elected commissioners will answer. Nobody will say if there are plans in the works and if so, what the plans are and the time frame for completion.

These requests have been sent to Genesee County Commissioners and to the director of Animal Control. Please see Sound Off 4 Animals Facebook page for more information.

Where is the transparency? Please please continue to speak out against poor conditions, abuse of power and of animals - you're the animal's voice and it's your right.

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Original petition: At Genesee County Animal Control in Flint Michigan, every Friday after their brief outside time, the dogs go back in their little cages. The ones that have been there for months may know the routine, but most probably have no idea they won't get out again until Monday after 12 noon. They are not given potty breaks or taken outside for the entire weekend. Imagine leaving your dog in a cage and not returning for 66 hours. They obviously go cage-crazy, suffer mental trauma and health issues from holding it too long. No consideration goes into planning for staff and volunteers to care for them on long or holiday weekends. On Easter weekend the dogs spent 90 hours caged. They'll spend every upcoming holiday like that unless you tell them it's not acceptable.

Is this compassion? Animals must be walked and cared for daily. Please tell them it's time to stop this cruelty! 

In November, Flint taxpayers said YES to a $1.7 million millage to improve conditions at GCAC. As you can see from the photo, the cages are terribly small and can be dangerous. Tails can be cut on sharp metal. Heads can get stuck in feeding doors. Nails and feet can be caught in the bar-bottoms. Please tell them you want the money used where it should be used...on the animals!

Please share, be their voice.