No email address... the majority of older people in Martin County don't use the internet, much less have the ability to get it at their homes.

If you want to send him a letter, it's:

Martin County, Animal Shelter
Street: 1411 Land Fill Road
Williamston, Nc 27892

9/25/2008 1:13:11 PM

Teddy Lupin pictures. You should totally help rescue these animals because look how adorable he is. He's got an upper respiratory infection, so he can't quite open his eyes completely.




[Edited on September 25, 2008 at 11:23 PM. Reason : ]

9/25/2008 11:22:07 PM

I love orange kitties

9/25/2008 11:29:59 PM

Teddy looks great -- thanks for rescuing him. He looks pretty content. We appreciate you rescuing him, and I'm sure he does too.


This is Max -- we got him from the same shelter about 2 months ago. Rescue pets tend to be the best pets, if for no other reason than they will always appreciate you taking them out of their horrible situation. Max was VERY appreciative (more than any cat I've ever seen) for a few days...then he went back to being a normal cat. He's one of the more social cats I've met, and very playful.


He hasn't quite figured out that bed we bought for him, though...

9/25/2008 11:54:07 PM

Just put a shoe box inside the bed and I'm sure he'll climb right in

9/26/2008 12:43:50 AM

We had the bed in a box for a while, that worked fairly well.

9/26/2008 7:51:47 AM

Just to give an update, we just picked up the black lab and delivered him to his new home. There are a ton more dogs there this week. We took pictures, which we'll post when Charles gets back home with them.

Notably there are 5 terrier puppies and a mom, 1 golden? puppy, another small puppy I'm not sure what he is, and the sweetest boxer puppy. There's also a HUGE hound dog that's absolutely gorgeous.

One of the Momma dogs in the shelter is set to deliver in a day or two. It kills me to think of teensy puppies in a shelter like that.

Anyways, pictures will be up again this evening.

9/26/2008 6:58:27 PM

I know, I'm totally triple posting. But here are the pictures I promised Friday evening.

This is a full grown male hound dog:



Here is the cutest, sweetest boxer puppy. She was in a foster home, but her owner was deployed.


Here are two other puppies the boxer was fostered with.


These are five Terrier puppies and their Mom. They look to be about five weeks old. I believe they are out of the shelter now, but in a foster home, so they all still need permanent homes.




This girl was VERY pregnant when we left. She may have delivered her puppies by now.


Here are two puppies, the one in front looks to be maybe some sort of yellow lab mix, the one in the back you can't see very well looks like he may have some rottweiler markings. Both very sweet and gentle.


Here are the rest of the pictures, lots of good looking dogs. All of these are well behaved when my sister goes in to work with them.

9/28/2008 4:53:46 PM

the boxer looks cute

wish tehre were more pics of that one

9/28/2008 5:07:42 PM

Yeah, I wish we had gotten more pictures of her. I'll see if Teri can get some better ones this week. They were all sleepy because they had just eaten!

9/28/2008 5:13:05 PM

That yellow lab mix is adorable, but I already have a dog (who looks a lot like that one!)

Can I donate a little money or something towards helping him find a home?

9/28/2008 5:16:19 PM

Sure, the Moratoc Humane Society runs completely on donations. Anything and everything helps. All proceeds from donations go to provide vaccines and food for shelter and foster animals, as well as transportation costs.

If you want to send in a tax deductible donation, you can send it to:

Moratoc Humane Society
c/o Teri Speller
1169 Lakeside Dr
Williamston, NC 27892


[Edited on September 28, 2008 at 5:26 PM. Reason : Update: Boxer pup and the last three cats found homes!]

9/28/2008 5:22:12 PM

How are these animals doing?

10/23/2008 9:59:38 AM

Except for the animals rescued from this thread (a few kittens and the black lab) and a few more at animal adoption days the Moratoc Humane Society runs, all the animals were euthanized several days ago.


Gzusfrk and I still have two small kittens -- the black one and the orange one. Unfortunately our other cat, also from this shelter, has (like many shelter kittens) an upper respiratory infection, and will have it for the rest of his life. It flares up in times of stress, and it flared up several days ago -- then he passed it on to the kittens. He is feeling better but the orange kitty isn't doing so hot. Hopefully he'll improve shortly. If not, he's going to the vet tomorrow.

10/23/2008 11:06:32 AM

There are new dogs in the shelter though. It's actually almost full again. Eleven hunting dogs were dropped off yesterday. I'm going to the adoption fair Saturday morning, so I'll take pictures. The only one that is still in the shelter from this group is the Saint Bernard looking one. He was actually born in the shelter (4 months old) and the only reason hasn't been put down is because the owner likes him.

The pregnant dog in the pictures up top had 13 puppies, all of them died within the week.

10/23/2008 11:43:29 AM

I swear, one day I'm gonna buy a house on a ton of land and have a dog farm

I hate hearing about animals getting put down, but we dont have space in our apartment for another pet right now

10/23/2008 1:28:11 PM

That breaks my heart The two pups that were in the same kennel with the boxer looked JUST like my beagle/doxie now. I really wish we had the room for another dog. I'll definitely be sending a donation before the end of the year.

10/23/2008 10:01:20 PM

I wanted that reddish fluffy dog in the bucket Not fair....

10/23/2008 11:31:19 PM

Alright, we went back today, and there are some more dogs, mostly generic hound dogs and lab mixes. There is one dog that I really think needs a home soon. She appears to be some kind of wolf-dog hybrid, but we really can't be sure. She has a slate gray coat, proportions relative to a wolf/german shepherd, and she's pretty large and lanky. She has a thin face with small, inset eyes that are absolutely gorgeous.

When we got there today, she was underfed, very shy and pretty much terrified of the adoption fair. BUT, she loves people. She perks her ears up and wags her tail once she recognizes you, and she'll roll over on her back for you to rub her. She really is the sweetest dog, but again, still terrified of things that surprise her.

When I took her on a walk, we noticed she had a limp on her back left leg. She can put weight on it, and run, but it obviously bothers her. She hasn't had a bath in ages, no one's combed out her hair, and she needs a few square meals before she's up to snuff. But you can tell she's got the potential to be a powerful, beautiful dog.

If anyone wants any more information, please ask. We didn't have a camera with us today, but we're going back to get pictures. I made the guy who runs the shelter promise not to gas her yet, so he's going to give me a week to find her a home.

If you're interested in a dog, but don't want one this big there also tons of other ones: a 3 month old black lab puppy, three 2 month old golden/cocker mix puppies, a chihuahua, 2 hound dogs, a beautiful male golden, and two small (but full grown) black lab mixes.

[Edited on January 17, 2009 at 8:20 PM. Reason : ]

1/17/2009 8:18:30 PM

I think it's awesome what you are doing, bringing attention to what sounds like a horribly high kill shelter and volunteering your time. However I don't think it is in the best interest of the shelter and the other dogs that are there, to promote a dog who does not sound like it contains characteristics of a pet appropriate for the average dog owner. Instead, you would be doing a greater service to the 8 million dogs who are euthanized every year by promoting the lab/lab mixes-as studies have shown the proportion of dogs that are overlooked and subsequently killed every year are variations of black labs (I'm sure generic hound dogs run a close second). Sad cases like the dog you describe are heartbreaking, but it is also these cases who pull on adopters heartstrings and have the highest adoption rate. Focusing on the dogs who already have a strike against them due to their lack of "uniqueness" need your help and focus far more!

1/19/2009 1:32:05 PM

I agree that this is a great thing you're doing, but people need to realize that some of these animals are not going to come home and love you and immediately make good pets (if ever). Some might attack your other pets or pass on diseases, or just be neurotic and destroy your house. While saving every animal does sound wonderful, I believe many of the severe cases really just need to be humanely euthanized.

1/19/2009 2:52:14 PM

^^I understand what you're saying, and in a normal shelter, I would agree with you, but in Martin County, no one wants a pet that may be unique. Puppies are easy to adopt out, but when you get a dog who's over a year old, no one wants her. It's her uniqueness that will make it hard to find her a home. Hound dogs will go quickly in Martin County, because there are a lot of hunters. Labs will go for the same reason. It took four months to find a home for the St. Bernard, and 3 for the husky to go to a home.

^I think anyone who adopts a shelter animal knows that there are drawbacks and rewards. No one is stupid enough to assume that a dog who has been traumatized as much as these have will not have problems. But, most would also agree that they can be some of the most rewarding at the same time. The dogs will bond with you in a way that you wouldn't believe. One of the steps in our adoption process is to explain that there is no guarantee on health, but that we will always welcome them back if you can't take care of them. I will attest to the fact that this dog I was talking about is very loving, and has gotten along great with the other dogs. We won't adopt out an animal that has shown aggressiveness towards us or any other animals.

Now, I appreciate the concern, but this isn't a novice animal shelter, they know what they're doing. I'm only trying to spread the word out to a few more people, there is a behind the scenes screening process that you guys don't get to see. So, let's try and keep the negativity to a minimum.

1/19/2009 4:36:55 PM

I wasn't trying to be negative. I agree wholeheartedly that what shelters are able to do is amazing and there is no reason to have more than a 5-8% euthanasia rate (if any) when you're working your ass off to get these animals adopted. BUT, in your description of the dog--there were a lot of red flags that went up that made me think that perhaps this wasn't the best candidate to be broadcasting to average potential adopters. Maybe I misunderstood, but a wolf-hybrid, 'terrified of things' with a limp doesn't scream best choice for most of us on TWW (or most people in general)...I'm sure your screening process is excellent. And I do agree the idea isn't to just find homes, it's to find the best home.

I think in general most people aren't aware it's the run of the mill, happy-go-lucky, big lug of a black lab that typically gets overlooked in most shelters. My mentioning that was just in response to your sort of brushing off, what it sounds like, is a number of these guys at your shelter.

Good Luck with this dog!

[Edited on January 19, 2009 at 4:52 PM. Reason : .]

1/19/2009 4:51:21 PM

I completely understand what you mean, and I do appreciate the thoughts. I wish I could describe this dog better, but I wanted to completely weigh a picture of the good and the bad that she would come with.

1/19/2009 4:56:03 PM

As an update:

All three lab puppies found homes, the four small hound/cocker puppies all found homes, and the hound dogs were adopted out. The original owners of the wolf-dog actually claimed her Saturday. She apparently traveled in from another county and they had been looking at every shelter for her. So, happy endings!

If anyone is interested in a black lab mix (mixed with a smaller breed, so she's about half size, but looks like a lab) who is about a year old, she's the only one left in serious need of a home. She's very sweet!

1/27/2009 4:22:49 PM

bump

5/7/2010 9:45:28 PM

40 cats face being euthanized shortly at the Martin County Animal Shelter -- someone was hoarding cats.
http://www.witn.com/home/headlines/92427964.html

Quote :

"New Info: 40 Cats Face Euthanization In Martin County The animals were taken from a home in Robersonville after a cat hoarding situation was uncovered. The animals were taken from a home in Robersonville after a cat hoarding situation was uncovered. If homes aren’t found for them soon, 40 cats in Martin County could be put down early next week. More than 50 cats were removed from a home in Robersonville on April 30th after police discovered them living in poor conditions. According to Martin County Manager Russell Overmann several of the cats have been adopted already but there are dozens of others left. Overmann tells WITN, Martin Counties Animal Shelter is not equipped for all of the cats. If homes are not found for them by the beginning of next week the animals are going to be euthanized. If you are interested in adoption, contact animal control at 252-789-4316. -previous story- There's another case of animal hoarding in Eastern Carolina, this time more than 50 cats have been seized. Robersonville police collected the cats from a home on North Grimes Street Thursday morning. Police tell us the cats were voluntarily surrendered by the homeowner. Since October police say they've received complaints about a foul odor coming from the home and neighbors seeing dozens of cats. Many of the felines were in the home inside cages. Police said they worked out an agreement with the homeowner that if he surrendered the cats they would not charge him with animal cruelty. The home was littered with cat feces and police say the animals basically took over the home."

As it stands, a decent number of the cats have gone to temporary foster homes until they can find a permanent home. MANY cats are still at the animal shelter, crammed into tiny cages. If you are interested in a saving a cat, now would be a great time. They have until Monday and then they'll be put down.

A few photos from the Martin County Animal Shelter:















[Edited on May 7, 2010 at 9:55 PM. Reason : ]

5/7/2010 9:53:15 PM

Poor kitties

5/7/2010 11:15:19 PM

Quote :

"Police said they worked out an agreement with the homeowner that if he surrendered the cats they would not charge him with animal cruelty."

huh?

5/7/2010 11:41:26 PM

^ That happened when I worked at a shelter. I think it's because they know these people won't be able to pay the fines also collected for animal cruelty... which if they had 40 cats, it can get well above $1,000 when all the charges get added up. The hoarder I saw had 33 I think and the charge came to $1,500 + I think.

5/8/2010 1:25:34 AM

Charles, check the raleigh CL to see if this situation has been posted about.

^^It is
1) Frequently a way to get a hoarder to commit to not hoard in the future
2) Make it easier and less stressful (on the animals) to be rounded up and removed
3) One way to get into a hoarder's head the severity of what they'd been doing

5/8/2010 10:04:31 AM

There are only 10 cats left!! Yay! Because the other 52 went so quickly, the remaining 10 will have space enough to be given until Friday at the shelter.

5/10/2010 7:20:10 PM

Here are two of the kittens from the hoarder's house. My sister-in-law grabbed them from the shelter (I think). She runs the Moratoc Humane Society and would like to find them a good home.

When she first picked them up she said she could feel every bone in their bodies, and they didn't have the strength to stand. They didn't eat for a day or two, so she gave them some sort of protein paste (?) and gave them water through a syringe. I have heard they are eating and drinking now. They're approximately 5-weeks old.

When she gave them a bath, the water was turning red with the blood from fleas. They're both doing a little better now though.

Please let me or Gzusfrk know if you're interested.

Also note -- these two kittens most likely have an upper-respiratory infection (as indicated from their watery eyes). They might require a bit more attention at first, but will probably be fine. Our three cats had this issue and they're doing great now. Just a bit of sneezing and goopy eyes for a bit.








[Edited on May 11, 2010 at 1:14 AM. Reason : ]

5/11/2010 1:13:13 AM

Quote :

"When she gave them a bath, the water was turning red with the blood from fleas."

If they were that weak, sounds like they have/had kitten flea anemia..

Anyways, good luck

5/11/2010 8:21:25 AM

Do want, but the timing is off.

5/11/2010 10:29:06 AM