I am writing this petition because I can no longer just sit by and let one more innocent animal be euthanized at the hands of Kirsten Gross, the Director of the Madera County Animal Shelter. A director of an animal shelter should be an advocate for the animals that are there. Clearly this current director is not. She is currently targeting pure bred pit bulls, killing them and not allowing them to get adopted out. And now apparently she has deemed herself a pit bull expert, claiming to be able to identify a pure bred pit bull upon visual examination only. And the holding of dogs for up to a month? So instead of being able to be rescued, tons of dogs are held for these monthly events. They sit for an entire month, miserable in their cell, in the hope of getting adopted. Many are sick, injured, with skin issues and/or massive ticks. None of this is even mentioned on their kennel card because no one cares. They have no vet on staff at Madera so these animals are suffering in their cages, and the ones that aren't adopted are killed to make room for more. Rescues have even been blacklisted if they have ever spoken out publicly about the horrific ways that these animals are treated. They don't even do temperament testing there. They say they have no time. Temperament testing is extremely helpful in placing an animal in the right foster home, but if they don't do it, it's yet another strike against what is usually an amazing dog!  All of the tools that are available for this shelter to help these animals they don't use. This isn't the way to help these animals! Lastly, the save rate at the Madera shelter is a pathetic 47%. The means less than half of the animals here ever make it out of there. Supporters and friends...this all starts at the top with this current director. It's time she is replaced with someone who actually cares about the well being of these innocent animals. 

I am speaking from my heart as I write this. I am not a writer, and have been told that I am "too wordy", but if you would please take a moment to read through this I would appreciate it from the bottom of my heart!

I am going to briefly list just a few of the horrific instances these past few months that happened at the Madera shelter, all because of the current director there and her complete disregard of the animals.

1. On June 28, a litter of pit bull mix puppies was brought into the shelter. Litters are available immediately after being brought in, but no photos were taken or networking done to promote these puppies. The only way a potential adopter or rescue would know about these puppies was if they were actually at the shelter to see them. On July 2, 5 days after they were brought in, the shelter finally posted pics and a rescue was found that same evening. The heartbreaking part? When the rescue called the shelter the next morning to tag them for rescue they had already been killed. 

2. A beagle mix Mama, in poor condition from being overbred, had a chance at finally being loved and cared for. She had a rescue coming for her. Sadly, she was still killed. 

3. An older dog was killed even after scanning for a microchip...and finding one!

4. And just this week...Bruno. Bruno, had someone who wished to adopt him. He had a chance to find a loving, forever home. But not if Kirsten Gross had her way. She wanted to still have him killed! But thanks to the volunteers, his adopter and the amazing rescue group who all worked tirelessly through the night, Bruno was able to make it out of there and into a caring home.

Most dogs there aren't as lucky as Bruno was.

Those 4 instances above are a common practice at this shelter and we, as a caring society, cannot let this person stay in her job when there are so many other people out there who actually care about the welfare of these animals and would step in and be an advocate for them. 

Shelters across the country are full. Jam packed and euthanizing animals to make room for more to be brought in. I get that, and my friends who are with me on this understand that also. But a good shelter, and there are many good shelters out there, a good shelter works 24 hours a day to get these animals rescued. The shelter, the volunteers, the city...they all work as a team regardless of the breed of the animal. All Madera does, because of Director Kirsten Gross, is kill as many and as quickly as they can. The animals there have nobody to fight for them with her in charge. 

Please, please, please consider removing her from her position and replacing her with someone who really cares. Thats all we ask. The animals can't speak for themselves...we have to do that for them. Please.

*Please note...for additional information regarding the treatment of these animals, please read the articles by Pamela Kramer at www.examiner.com/pets-in-chicago/pamela-kramer

To our fellow supporters, thank you for signing this petition!

To the Madera County Board of Supervisors...please consider this. Please help these animals by removing the current director and replacing her with someone who really, truly cares about making their lives better? The animals deserve it. Thank you!