A road of recovery lies ahead!

By: Michael Rinker

In the wake of one tragedy – and working to avoid another – Best Friends teams have stepped in to save and care for hundreds of at-risk animals while trying to stabilize operations at the troubled Pets Alive sanctuary in upstate New York.

Many of the more than 500 animals at the shelter were living in substandard conditions as founder Sara Whalen succumbed to cancer on March 19.

Ms. Whalen, a remarkable figure in animal rescue, had too few staffers and too many animals when her illness gradually diminished her ability to run the 80-acre sanctuary.

Inspired by a stray golden retriever who apparently saved her son’s life, Ms. Whalen established Pets Alive in the 1970s to rescue, rehabilitate and place special-needs animals rejected by other organizations. The sanctuary, in Middletown, N.Y., has been active in exposing farm animal abuse and puppy mills, and is the only retirement home for New York City carriage horses.
“Sara worked tirelessly to help animals in need, but this is a case where good intentions were not enough,” said Michael Mountain, president of Best Friends. “We recognize that she dearly loved animals, but it takes more than love to provide consistent, quality care for more than 500 animals. In her last years, things went seriously downhill.”

Toward the end, when the Pets Alive board learned the extent of the problem, they turned to Best Friends for help.

Best Friends first responders treated animals in need of immediate veterinary care, as well as the large number of older ones who required special care. They also relocated the cats – who’d been kept in cages located among the dogs – to another building and set up temporary kennels and a playground for the dogs.

“They’re all feeling and looking so much better already,” said Patty Hegwood, Best Friends clinic manager, who’s heading up the rapid response team. “And their quality of life has skyrocketed. They’re being showered with toys and treats and attention.”

Other first responders include vet tech Amy Shaefer and Michelle Besmehn, manager of Dogtown at Best Friends, as well as facilities support workers.

“There was a young hound mix called Darla who’d been spending most of her time in a crate,” Michelle said. “She was driving herself crazy. Now that she’s in a big new play area with other dogs, we call her the ‘social director.’ She gets on so well with the other dogs and gets them all playing together, too.”

Patty described going into the bird room, which houses seven parrots, one macaw and an 85-year-old cockatoo. “It was very quiet at first. So we came in with toys, a radio, fruits and vegetables, and we started singing to them. All of a sudden, Gabby the Amazon broke into ‘Old McDonald Had a Farm.’”

Tiffani Hill and Amy Wagner, from the Best Friends Network, were there to coordinate volunteer efforts and establish adoption protocols. Some of the healthy animals have already been placed in homes, and the staffers are working their way through about 300 adoption applications that were found in the sanctuary office.

The Pets Alive board entered into an agreement through which Best Friends will take complete charge of daily operations for the next 90 days, including:

* Providing special care and medical support for the hundreds of animals in need

* Rebuilding some of the facilities, and providing open spaces and play areas for the dogs and better conditions for the cats and other animals

* Laying the groundwork for a sanctuary that can operate according to Best Friends standards

Meanwhile, Best Friends also will assess future possibilities of the sanctuary and present a series of options to the board.

“There’s a great need for a sanctuary like Pets Alive,” Mountain said. “And it’s a beautiful place with great potential. We’ve heard from dozens of people who want to volunteer their time and their skills to help.”

Best Friends has created this community on its Network to provide regular updates from those on the ground at the sanctuary.

How you can help

These animals desperately need your support. Best Friends has established a special fund for the animals at Pets Alive. Donations will be used exclusively for Pets Alive and will help provide medical care, food and improved living conditions.

You can donate to the Pets Alive Emergency Support Fund c/o Best Friends Animal Society, 5001 Angel Canyon Road, Kanab, Utah 84741 or click here.

We welcome volunteers and could really use the support! Find out more information on volunteering here.

Some of the dogs and cats are already available for adoption! You can view a partial list by clicking here. Our adoption applications are also available here.

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