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If you've
found or lost a pet in Southern California, call
"Get-A-Pet" for instructions. Huge Reward ...of Unconditional Love It is difficult to find the words to describe the dedication and compassion with which Grace Konosky had dedicated her life to helping abandoned, neglected, and abused German Shepherds. The collage of pictures and letters that cover the walls of the front office serve as memorials to the countless lives of noble dogs saved and cherished as the result of Grace's efforts. As she walks through the kennel, one senses that each and every dog in her care knows that it has been saved and their love and adoration for her is remarkable. Grace Konosky is the founder on the non-profit German Shepherd Rescue in Burbank, California. The rescue is strictly a no kill shelter that works with private owners and finds homes for the rescued dogs. In addition, if a German Shepherd is on its last day on death row at a shelter, Grace and her volunteers rescue and house the animal. Grace has dedicated the past fifteen years to this service. The current shelter houses up to forty dogs and is consistently full. For every dog adapted, another immediately takes its place. The rescue has an extensive screening procedure and they are careful about where the animals are placed. It is important that the right match is made when an animal is up for adoption. The adoption fee is $150.00 and is completely refundable for up to two weeks. Each new owner signs an adoption agreement which also stipulates that if for ANY reason the dog cannot be kept, it is to be immediately returned to German Shepherd Rescue. Grace and her volunteers also perform regular follow ups on all the adopted animals. Perhaps the most honorable element about the rescue is the care and treatment of the orphaned dogs. Grace insists upon the exceptional treatment of the orphaned dogs at her facility. "We try to baby them. They're not just stuck in the run; they are walked, taken to the park, and I let the volunteers take them home during the day... I try to get them as much attention as possible." Not only are the dogs given the much needed one on one attention but they are also brushed, bathed and pampered with pillows and blankets or sheets. Each run contains an "igloo" doghouse and many have toys and bones to chew. "I have no paid help, all the money goes for the dogs. I feel that as long as I can do (the work) myself and have enough volunteers, I want that money to go for the animals, not to my help or to me... It's got to go to the animals." Does it ever! Each day, every run is thoroughly cleaned and Grace and her volunteers devote many hours cooking rice and fresh meat (beef and chicken) in crock pots. Not only are the nutrition and comfort of the dogs exceptional, so is the health care at the German Shepherd Rescue. The dogs regularly receive veterinary care. Every animal is up to date on all their shots, neutered or spayed and the shelter is stocked with antibiotics, supplements, and various other necessities. The rescue does accept injured or ill animals, however, most often these animals remain at the shelter and are not adopted out. For example, Max. A loving two year old male is epileptic and he receives all the treatment he requires. As can be expected, the vet bills for running the rescue are extensive. How does Grace provide such fantastic care of the dogs? DONATIONS! The rescue is in need of funding. Most importantly, she greatly needs to expand her facility. She takes in many older and medically ill Shepherds that she provides for, yet cannot place. There is a limited amount of space and 40 runs is not sufficient for the number of animals in need. Her dream is to greatly expand and have one section for ill or injured animals, one section for abused animals needing rehabilitation and another area for animals who are ready for adoption. She is praying that someone while donate a piece of property to the rescue in order for her to accomplish her goals of expansion. "I will take in abused dogs but we keep them here for a long time in order to work with the dog. If we get them for a shelter, I like to keep the dogs at least two weeks so we get to know them. That is why I need a bigger place." Currently the rescue offers sponsored dog "runs". For only $20.00 a month, the money goes directly to the care for the dog in the sponsored ":run" and may be canceled at any time. All donations are tax deductible. Anyone interested in sponsoring a run, or donating time or money may contact Grace at the German Shepherd Rescue - (818) 558-7560. Words fail to express the time and dedication that Grace has put into rescuing and caring for these wonderful dogs. "It's a lot of work but they are worth it!" One imagines St. Francis of Assisi himself, looking down and smiling on the unrelenting commitment of this spectacular woman, for she is most definitely a guardian angel to the many majestic animals she has sworn to nurture and protect. |
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Please note: U-Wash Doggie® feels that the following information is extremely important and it will stay permanently on our web-site and never be deleted. Protecting Your Pet How to Avoid Being Victimized by Animal Traders and "Bunchers" "Free To a Good Home" Examine any classified ad section and one quickly discovers just how often the preceding phrase or one similar to it appears regarding pet adoption. Any individual who has experienced the task of finding good homes for animals can testify that it is a very arduous and exhausting task. Tragically, many owners are unaware of the devious criminals who gather and sell free or low cost puppies and kittens for a multitude of inhumane purposes (laboratory testing, dog fighting, rituals and numerous other offensive acts). Individuals who fraudulently obtain animals with the illegal intent of selling them to the aforementioned sources are labeled "animal traders", "pet peddlers", "B Dealers" or "Bunchers". Perhaps the most notorious case involving illegal animal trade occurred August 9, 1991. Barbara Ruggiero and Frederick Spero and "buncher" Ralf Jacobson were convicted of Conspiracy and Felony Grand Theft of Dogs in Superior Court. This precedent setting case was the first conviction of its kind in the United States. The trio were responsible for the illegal collection and selling of over 140 dogs and cats obtained through "free to good home" ads. The organization primarily responsible for uncovering this crime ring was the non-profit organization Last Chance for Animals (LCA). Across southern California, animal shelters and rescues have created strict screening procedures, not only to locate a good home for their companion animals, but also in order to ensure that the animals they adopt our are not falling prey to these predators. Anyone advertising to find a home for a pet is encouraged to take the following precautions:
For many pet owners looking to find homes for their animal(s), the screening process can be overwhelming and time consuming. One local agency serving the Los Angeles and Orange counties is the Animal Abuse Prevention Agency. The AAPA was established 2 1/2 years ago by founders Georgette Buyers and Rene Frank. Their agency is dedicated to helping private parties screen potential owners for pets that need good homes. The AAPA works as a screening agency that pet owners may use to do the screening for them. They screen all callers, weed out and eliminate any undesirables and do all the footwork including visiting the prospective owner's home and ending with personal home delivery. If necessary, the Animal Abuse Protection Agency will also take custody of animals, place them in foster care and adopt them out for clients. They offer their services entirely FREE OF CHARGE an in the event that adopts are returned, AAPA will place the animal in a foster home until a suitable owner is located. Georgette guarantees that , "we work with (our clients) until the animal is safely placed". Georgette and her organization are in desperate need of volunteers and foster homes to help serve their charitable agency. Anyone in need of assistance or desiring to volunteer may contact the Animal Abuse Protection Agency at (310) 364-2030 or write to them at P.O. Box 157, Midway City, CA 92655. Remember that the life and well being of any pet up for adoption lies in our hands. Please do all you can to help. |
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