Update on Ohio

In June 2012, RedRover Responders helped a small humane society achieve its mission and a kindly woman regain control of her life during its deployment to Brown County, Ohio. What’s more, RedRover ushered 66 dogs and puppies on to healthier and happier lives.

The Brown County Humane Society (BCHS) asked the RedRover Responders for help with 66 dogs who were going to be surrendered by their owner. Living in extreme poverty, Ruth Wilder could no longer afford to feed and provide even the minimal care she had managed. BCHS president Leslie Zureick was committed to rescuing the dogs from difficult hoarding conditions and keeping her promise to Wilder that the dogs would not be euthanized.

BCHS reached out to RedRover for help: with seizing the dogs, sheltering them and assisting with placement. With little resources and expertise in field seizures and emergency sheltering, the tiny but committed Brown County Humane Society needed some help in keeping its promise to Wilder.
Emergency Services Manager Beth Gammie coached Zuerick on applying for assistance from PetSmart Charities and the logistics of conducting a field seizure. Twelve RedRover Responders volunteers travelled to Ohio to set up a temporary shelter and created a hospitable temporary home for the beleaguered dogs. RedRover Responders volunteers assisted Jenny Cowdery, DVM, with the intake exams and vaccinations. And for the next 12 days, the volunteers coaxed the timid and scared dogs back to life.

RedRover Responders volunteers also played an instrumental role in placing the dogs, puppies and pregnant females with rescue groups. RedRover Responders volunteer Nova Keaton conducted outreach to rescue groups who might be interested in taking some of the rescued dogs into their programs. Marcia Goodman, a RedRover Responders volunteer Communication Assistant, took adoption photos of each dog for the BCHS’s special Facebook page to showcase the dogs to rescue groups.

The work of the RedRover Responders made a huge impact not only on the animals, and the BCHS, but for Wilder who surrendered her animals to give them a better life. With the peace of mind from knowing her animals were taken care of, Wilder is no longer struggling to care for nearly 70 dogs practically on her own. Reports indicate she has cleaned up her house and is optimistic about her future. In a follow up news story on the case, a local station checked back in with Wilder, and Zureick of the BCHS. It turns out that Wilder kept her promise to no longer hoard dogs. Last week, when a stray dog appeared on her property, she reached out to the BCHS to come pick up the dog, knowing it would be cared for and put up for adoption.