Recent News

ART & WINE AUCTION BENEFITS GA SPCA

Over 100 guests attended the recent "Live Art. Love Animals." fundraiser held at vboggs galleries at Suwanee’s Town Center Park. A silent auction consisting of 29 works of art, several large format wines and other fun items were up for auction with proceeds benefiting the Georgia SPCA. The first-time event was a huge success as the silent auction brought out the competitive spirit in the guests and every single item went home with someone.

Area artists, along with artists already represented in the gallery, put their best foot forward and donated beautiful pieces. All original artwork was Juried into the show, with four award winners: 1st Place – Vickie Johnson's Great Dane 2nd Place – Troy Criswell's Cat & Moon Honorable Mentions – Kay Hibbard and Ingrid Bolton.

Joan Sammond, Director of the Georgia SPCA, started the evening off with some sobering facts about the realities animals are facing when abandoned and in shelters, and described in detail how the funds raised would be used to provide medical care for many animals in need. Guests then enjoyed wine, snacks and bidding on the works of art.

"I am extremely proud to have been in a position to help the Georgia SPCA and I look forward to making it an annual event," said Vanessa Boggs, owner of vboggs galleries. For more information about vboggs galleries fine art and wine in Suwanee, please visit www.vboggsgalleries.com.

Eliminating Misconceptions

Three of the Vick dogs were awarded to the Georgia SPCA and according to the shelter’s Director, Joan Sammond, “So far they’ve been doing great.”

(Photo of Seven on a car ride with a representative of Atlanta Pit Bull Rescue provided courtesy of Julie Warnat of the Georgia SPCA.)

All three have been in foster homes since they arrived. Makevelli, formerly known as Big Fella is shy, but friendly. Sammond comments that “He wouldn’t hurt a flea.” Aretha has now been renamed Seven, as in Lucky Seven. She was one of the females used for breeding. Although those days are now over for her, she still carries scars, both physically and emotionally.

Charlie, now referred to as Chuck, is actually a Staffordshire terrier, as opposed to a pit bull. Despite his small stature, he was originally designated as one of the dogs suited initially for a sanctuary environment. However, he made a turnaround while at his first foster home and is now very sweet and thought to be highly adoptable. His current foster mom, Julie Warnat, says, “If I didn’t know what his background was, I wouldn’t have had any idea that he had come from a fighting background.”

(Photo of Chuck playing with Mazzy provided courtesy of Julie Warnat of the Georgia SPCA.)

Chuck has enjoyed the company of Warnat’s other dogs, particularly Mazzy, and even gets along with the household cats. She started his training by walking him around the neighborhood and quickly progressed to higher traffic areas like the local pet stores. He has adjusted well on his own and she has only had to provide minor direction to him. Warnat anticipates that once Chuck passes his Canine Good Citizen test, he will be available for adoption.

The dogs have been very high profile; however, a gag order prevented all the facilities who took in the Vick dogs from talking about them until the court proceedings were completed. The press was aware that the Georgia SPCA had three of the dogs, yet the dogs themselves were unable to be filmed. Sammond decided to take advantage of this unique opportunity. “We wanted to turn this bad situation into something positive,” says Sammond. “Their popularity helped bring awareness to the plight of the dogs in Georgia.”

Since dog fighting is an issue in Georgia, they decided to feature some of their shelter’s other pit bulls who were victims of abuse. The small facility normally adopts around 20-25 animals per week, but they hoped that the additional press would aid their cause. One of their highlighted dogs was Roxie, a pit bull whose ears had been cut off. Thanks to the media attention, the shelter’s adoptions skyrocketed and she, along with 29 others animals, found new homes in a four day period. In addition, the shelter was overwhelmed with donations of toys, bedding and supplies for the animals, and even obtained some new volunteers.

(Photo of Julie Warnat holding Chuck at a January press conference provided courtesy of Julie Warnat of the Georgia SPCA.)

The Vick dogs also provided an opportunity for the shelter to publicize the Georgia Dog Fighting Act, currently up for review in the 2008 legislative session. In addition to strengthening the current law, the bill would close existing loopholes, punish spectators and others involved in dog fights, and offer the ability to prohibit offenders from possessing dogs during the time of their sentence. The fact that the shelter had the three Vick dogs allowed them to bring media attention to the general public about this important legislation. With their help, along with many others, the Georgia House of Representatives recently passed H.B. 301. However, work is still necessary to push the Georgia Senate to vote in favor of S.B. 16 and enact this bill into law.

(Photo of Luke Wilkins holding Chuck provided courtesy of Luke Wilkins of Man’s Best Friend.)

Now that Chuck, Makevelli, and Seven have become successful “spokes-dogs,” they have begun their next step on the road to new homes. Thanks to Man’s Best Friend in Woodstock, Georgia, the trio is currently receiving two weeks of on-site boarding and training. The business is also offering unlimited future training to the dogs’ foster parents and to their eventual families. This service would normally cost $1,500 per dog; however, they are providing this assistance at no charge.

According to Luke Wilkins, the Store Manager for Man’s Best Friend, “They are really all doing great. We want to make sure these dogs lead happy lives.” Though all three dogs are receiving training through verbal and physical praise, each of the dogs is at a different level, so they all receive individualized guidance.

To help with socialization, Makevelli has taken to helping greet people at the reception desk. Each person and dog coming into the facility interacts with him, to help him overcome his shyness with strangers. “We’re trying to open his eyes, to show him no one is going to hurt him any more,” comments Wilkins. “He’s come a long way already by being up front and getting used to new people every day.”

(“May I help you?” Photo of Makevelli at the reception desk provided courtesy of Luke Wilkins of Man’s Best Friend.)

Seven is the only one who has shown some mild aggression toward other dogs, although not people. She is not only headstrong, but also very physically powerful. In fact, she may be the strongest dog that Wilkins has ever worked with. He still has faith that she can be rehabilitated and says, “She’s got such a good heart. It’s amazing that dog has been through so much and can still have this love for humans.”

(Photo of Seven with Amanda Freeman provided courtesy of Luke Wilkins of Man’s Best Friend.)

Chuck is the furthest along of all three dogs. While the trainers start their work with the dogs free from distractions, Chuck already has progressed beyond that point. Wilkins is confident that he will be ready to undergo the Canine Good Citizen test upon the completion of his training.

“The whole thing with Michael Vick is a tragedy,” Wilkins notes. “It’s been able to open people’s eyes on what is going on out there with dog fighting. We’re happy to do our part to try to help these dogs. We want to do whatever it takes to get these dogs rehabilitated. We’re just happy to be a part of it.”

Once the dogs’ formal training is complete, the Georgia SPCA plans a demonstration for the public and media to show how far the dogs have advanced.

The future:
Everyone would like to see the day when all the dogs are adopted into loving homes, though only time will tell. They are still adjusting to everyday life experiences and some are still learning to trust. All are undergoing the training necessary to pass the Canine Good Citizen test, in the hope that they can be eligible for adoption after only three months in their foster homes.

With their fighting past over, their futures are now open to lives full of companionship and love. Several have shown an aptitude for becoming therapy dogs and one is already registered and spreading joy to patients on a regular basis.

While they were originally misunderstood, these resilient dogs have become ambassadors for their breed and have consistently been breaking stereotypes. They provide hope that the public’s view is able to change, so that dogs forced to fight through no fault of their own, can be given the same opportunities as other homeless animals. May these special dogs be the dawn of a new era of compassion.

(Photo of Chuck and Makevelli provided courtesy of Julie Warnat of the Georgia SPCA.)

Georgia SPCA
1175 Hwy 23 Suite 109
Suwanee, Georgia 30024
Phone: 678-765-2726

Georgia SPCA to Help Find Homes for Dogs Seized in Virginia Dog Fighting Case

Georgia SPCA has been selected by U.S. authorities as one of only eight organizations in the country, and the only one in Georgia, which will maintain and eventually adopt some of the dogs seized in a federal dog fighting case in Virginia. 

The following press release was issued by the Guardian/Special Master at Valparaiso University School of Law, under the direction of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia.

Vick pit bulls recommended for placement

Of the 48 remaining American Pit Bull Terriers in the Michael Vick civil forfeiture case, 47 have been recommended for placement with rescue organizations, with many likely eligible for future adoption by the public. The recommendations were made Dec. 4 by Valparaiso University School of Law Professor Rebecca J. Huss, court appointed guardian/special master of the dogs. One dog has been euthanized for medical reasons.

“I am confident in the rescue organizations I recommended for permanent placement,” Huss said upon submitting her summary report to the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia. “With the experienced care they will provide these dogs, I foresee that many will eventually be able to be adopted by members of the public.

Huss recommended the dogs be placed with eight organizations. Those receiving the most dogs are Best Friends Animal Society, with 22, and Bay Area Doglovers Responsible About Pit Bulls (BAD RAP), with 10. The U.S. Attorney filed a motion in U.S. District Court yesterday, Dec. 4, containing the report and urging the Court to adopt its recommendations. The Court will now determine whether to accept or deny the motion.

>> To Read Entire Press Release, Click Here

Three of Vick's 47 pit bulls headed to Suwanee shelter

By SANDRA ECKSTEIN 
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution 
Published on: 12/06/07

Three of Michael Vick's former pit bull terriers could soon be headed to a Suwanee shelter.

A local rescue group has agreed to take the dogs, two that should be adoptable quickly and one that might need lifetime care.

"I'm excited they're going to get a second chance," said Joan Sammond, executive director the Georgia Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

The dogs were among a group 47 pit bulls seized from the Virginia home of the suspended Falcons quarterback. Rebecca J. Huss, an animal law expert at the Valparaiso University School of Law, was appointed guardian of the dogs by U.S. District Judge Henry E. Hudson in October. This week, Huss filed a motion recommending the surviving dogs seized from the property on June 22 be placed with eight different rescue groups. Six other dogs have either died or had to be euthanized.

Valparaiso spokesman Tom Shaer said it is likely the judge will approve the motion and order the dogs placed with the various groups, including Best Friends Animal Society in Utah and BAD RAP, a group in California that specializes in pit bull rescue.

"Professor Huss expects the dogs to be moved by the end of the month to these eight facilities," Shaer said.

As part of the recommendation, the groups getting the dogs will also receive funding to help pay for their care. Dogs that were deemed adoptable will come with $5,000, while those that might need to spend a long period of time, or their entire lives, in a shelter or sanctuary will come with $20,000.

Sammond said the organization hopes that even the dog that requires lifetime care will eventually be adoptable. The earliest any would be available for adoption is mid-February, she said.

Vick has deposited $928,073.04 into an escrow account to pay for the evaluation and care of the dogs. He's also scheduled to be sentenced Monday after pleading guilty Aug. 27 to a federal dogfighting conspiracy charge. Two co-defendants were sentenced last week to 18 and 21 months in prison.

The U.S. Attorney's office filed a motion this week urging the judge to accept Huss' recommendations, saying the "amount of effort and attention to detail by Professor Huss is nothing short of extraordinary."

Shaer said the school is proud of Huss' work.

"We consider this to be the beginning of a very happy ending for these dogs,

CHARTER STEPS UP FOR PETS

The Georgia SPCA pet adoption center in Gwinnett County would not be possible without the corporate support of Charter Communications.  Charter's corporate partnership with Georgia SPCA allows us to address community needs with a structured game plan to attack the growing problem of pet overpopulation, especially in the state of Georgia, which has one of the highest rates of animal euthanasia in the nation.

Charter Communications strives to be a good corporate citizen and takes seriously its responsibility of being a contributing member to the community. With corporate citizenship as a core value, Charter is committed to taking an active role in social, environmental and community concerns.

Over the years, Charter has found that investing in the community is good business.  By growing the communities in which its employees live and work, Charter also grows its business.

Georgia SPCA thanks Charter Communications for becoming a founding corporate partner.  We encourage all pet owners to show their support of Charter's community efforts by becoming a Charter customer and encouraging others to do the same.

Georgia SPCA holds Ribbon Cutting & Grand Opening

Suwanee, GA - Blue skies and beautiful weather greeted the ribbon cutting ceremony and grand opening festivities for the Georgia SPCA’s new pet adoption center in Suwanee on October 12-13.

The ceremonial ribbon cutting on Friday included Suwanee Mayor Nick Masino, Georgia SPCA executive director Joan Sammond, representatives from the Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce, and representatives from Charter Communications which is the organization’s founding corporate partner.

Saturday's grand opening festivities included food and drink, a moonwalk for children, silent auction and dozens of loving pets available for adoption. Ten dogs and cats were adopted during the weekend celebration.

As a "no kill" center, all animals at the pet adoption center are pulled and rescued from county shelters throughout metro Atlanta and remain at the center until adopted. Georgia SPCA also provides low cost spay and neuter services.

Georgia SPCA receives no federal or local funding and is operated exclusively through donations and adoption fees. The new pet adoption center is open seven days a week (M-F 11am-7pm, Sat 11am-5pm, Sun 1pm-4pm).

For questions or more information about adopting a pet, volunteering or serving as a foster home, please call (678) 765-2726.