Posted on No Kill Nation:FOLLOW UP--Caboodle Ranch; The other side of the story.
Madison County, FL, 5 weeks ago- PeTA was first to break the news that they had been investigating Caboodle Ranch, a cat sanctuary located in FL. Their claims of hoarding, squalor, disease, and neglect on the ranch property affecting hundreds of cats, soon flooded the internet and news across the U.S.
As the story unfolded, we all learned a PeTA "investigator" who posed as the custodian to the home and property was obviously not doing the job hired to do. Instead the "investigator/custodian" was capturing video evidence over the course of a 5 month period. Yes, this person was watching from behind a camera as the cats allegedly, became more and more ill.
The ASPCA "rescued" all of the cats from Caboodle Ranch, followed by donor solicitations from both PeTA and the ASPCA to stop animal hoarding. However, as we learn more, we have to wonder what this "investigation" was all about, as intimated by Caboodle Ranch's attorney's statement in this report. Was this the agenda of a "...private interest group"?
Prior to the Caboodle 'bust", The Florida Animal Rescue Act had gained strong support in both Tallahassee and the public during the 2012 FL legislative session. PeTA campaigned heavily against the F.A.R.A. Bill, claiming F.A.R.A. was dangerous and would allow rescue groups to hoard even more. Keep in mind; this was not a shelter, but a sanctuary.
The F.A.R.A. Bill in no way applied to this situation, in fact, IF Craig Grant was a HOARDER; F.A.R.A. had remedies built into the Bill giving the authorities recourse.
How many cats was there that were actually sick? Where are the cats now? How many were KILLED? We may never know. We have heard from several people- rescuers, cat adopters, and visitors of Caboodle who have negated the PeTA reports as to the condition of the cats. They have also verified that the ranch was a place where adoptions occurred, not a hoarder at all.
There are definitely two sides to this story.
Craig Grant, along with his attorney speaks out! posted by No Kill Nation
If you hate PETA you'll be in good company as a No Kill Nation supporter. Rarely a day goes by without breeder support groups like No Kill Nation regurgitating some form of PETA hate thread.
As in the case of No Kill Nation's analogy of the Caboodle Ranch Sanctuary often times the facts get blurred by the many rabid breeders who participate in the PETA trashing. How one can leap from being able to justify any of the Caboodle Ranch survivors suffering at the hands of rescue is mystifying but we'll assume that NKN is driven by political motivations that allow this collateral feline suffering to be tolerable.
It should not be surprising that No Kill Nation's leadership team lead by "breeder/hoarder apologist" Debi Day is once again trying to spin some sort of positive story coming from the recent Caboodle Ranch raid. This is a "leader" with a history of surrounding herself with rescue amateurs who have completely redefined the definition of irresponsible rescue.
Clearly the issues of rescue hoarding are crucial to the rescue community at large as cases like this only paint a dismal picture of the rescue communities role in solving not only our pet overpopulation problems but shelter killing and suffering at the hands of exploiters as well. To look for superficial excuses for keeping cats in such a horrible setting that allows suffering to such a degree only points out how twisted the "no kill nation" goal is that it allows for any type of suffering, whether that suffering is at the hands of a irresponsible breeder, dog fighter or mentally ill rescuer hell bent on justifying hoarding as an alternative to shelter killing.
While one could expect Craig Grant's attorney to speak out in defense of his client what is surprising is that No Kill Nation is willing to defend him as well. This is clearly where the malfunctioning logic of NKN's brain trust doesn't realize that in defending Grant NKN's founder AKC show breeder Karolyn Rico and local gold digger Debi Day (who has no experience in no kill or shelter reform) has made a tactical decision to defend Grant's handling and abuse of Caboodle Ranch. This includes not only the allegations of neglect that Grant withheld critical vet care but allegations of misuse of funding that should have been used to provide medical treatment but was not.
One thing is certain, the massive breeder support for the no kill movement fueled by Winograd's lambasting of animal protection groups like HSUS, ASPCA or PETA has caused a "dumbing down" effect that breeders add to the movement. It's not surprising that No Kill Nation doesn't waste a lot of brain power trying to defend sanctuary hoarding cases like Palena Dorsey's Animal Sanctuary in Clewistown, or the Haven's Acres Cat Sanctuary raid that lead to numerous charges being filed or the now more recent raid on Caboodle Ranch. It's much simpler for these breeder malcontents to blame everything on PETA.
No Kill Nation's political agenda includes controversial policy positions ignoring the reality of pet overpopulation. It shouldn't be surprising that No Kill Nation shares a hatred for animal protection groups like PETA, the HSUS or the ASPCA. Instead,
Debi Day's "No Kill Nation" shares an agenda of hatred directed at the animal protection community. With allies armed against the animal protection movement including the likes of breeder support groups including Patti Strand's National Animal Interest Alliance (NAIA), Walt Hutchens Pet Law group or Rick Bermans many animal exploitation groups including Center for Consumer Freedom (CCF) and HumaneWatch.
It is this "strange bedfellows" arrangement that should cause red flags for a "no kill" agenda that completely ignores the role of irresponsible breeding as a cause and effect for not only an ongoing pet overpopulation crisis but shelter killing as well.
What No Kill Nation doesn't share as a political agenda is a goal of building a "no kill - no suffering" nation that would work towards strengthening animal protection laws tightening regulations not only on commercial puppy mill breeders but large scale rescue operations like Caboodle as well.
If we are going to rescue and shelter our homeless pets then we must provide regulations that PROTECT these same pets from being exploited once again by an rescue community that turns a blind eye to animal cruelty and neglect under "no kill".
It should not be surprising that No Kill Nation's leadership team lead by "breeder hoarder apologist" Debi Day is once again trying to spin some sort of positive story coming from the recent Caboodle Ranch raid. This is a "leader" with a history of surrounding herself with rescue amateurs who have completely redefined the definition of responsible rescue.
Debi Day's concept of "rescue" includes the like of convicted criminals like Maggie Rodriquez who have left dozens of shelter dogs dumped in boarding only to suffer the ultimate in rescue betrayal. It's been quite clear that No Kill Nation is not the least bit interested in "rescue" except when it comes to running chip ins that can be used to fund a breeder enabling political agenda including the misguided FARA bill.
Of course, in order to spin this story NKN has to ignore years of complaints coming out of Caboodle but one fact that can't be ignored is that despite having over $80,000 in unspent donations very few of the cats who were ill received any type of treatment whatsoever. Further, how can a responsible sanctuary explain away the number of unaltered cats at the sanctuary who were allowed to reproduce despite the incredible number of cats already being cared for?
Craig Grant is not only a HOARDER but he is a criminal as well. Grant routinely helped himself to funds donated to care for the cats including using donations for lavish sporting events, trips to Vegas and just about everything EXCEPT providing medical care for the cats entrusted to HIS sanctuary.
For those interested in the truth and the suffering that went on at the Caboodle Ranch click on the following link. One thing is certain - the cats who survived Caboodle ranch have a much more promising future than had they been left behind.
http://caboodleranch.net/
No Kill Nation's attack on the roles PETA, ASPCA and other humane groups played is nothing more than sour grapes for PETA pointing out the obvious - the Florida Animal Rescue Act would have only resulted in MORE hoarding cases coming out of an unregulated Florida rescue community not less.
Despite claims to the contrary by an obviously confused NKN leadership team FARA would have had NO IMPACT on Caboodle Ranch specifically because Grant primary source of cats were owner surrenders that he could collect a fee from.
The Florida Animal Rescue Act (FARA) did NOT require rescue groups to provide a physical address or to face yearly inspections. There would be no reason for on non profits like Caboodle Ranch to provide any reporting on animals in their care. Even "rescue" groups like Caboodle Ranch that allow pets to reproduce would not face any additional regulations under FARA.
FARA was a BAD BILL for animals that failed miserably in protecting shelter pets from criminal exploiters like Grant. To read more about the Florida Animal Rescue Act and how it will lead to more shelter suffering:
It should not be surprising that No Kill Nation's leadership team lead by "breeder/hoarder apologist" Debi Day is once again trying to spin some sort of positive story coming from the recent Caboodle Ranch raid. This is a "leader" with a history of surrounding herself with rescue amateurs who have completely redefined the definition of irresponsible rescue.
Clearly the issues of rescue hoarding are crucial to the rescue community at large as cases like this only paint a dismal picture of the rescue communities role in solving not only our pet overpopulation problems but shelter killing and suffering at the hands of exploiters as well. To look for superficial excuses for keeping cats in such a horrible setting that allows suffering to such a degree only points out how twisted the "no kill nation" goal is that it allows for any type of suffering, whether that suffering is at the hands of a irresponsible breeder, dog fighter or mentally ill rescuer hell bent on justifying hoarding as an alternative to shelter killing.
While one could expect Craig Grant's attorney to speak out in defense of his client what is surprising is that No Kill Nation is willing to defend him as well. This is clearly where the malfunctioning logic of NKN's brain trust doesn't realize that in defending Grant NKN's founder AKC show breeder Karolyn Rico and local gold digger Debi Day (who has no experience in no kill or shelter reform) has made a tactical decision to defend Grant's handling and abuse of Caboodle Ranch. This includes not only the allegations of neglect that Grant withheld critical vet care but allegations of misuse of funding that should have been used to provide medical treatment but was not.
One thing is certain, the massive breeder support for the no kill movement fueled by Winograd's lambasting of animal protection groups like HSUS, ASPCA or PETA has caused a "dumbing down" effect that breeders add to the movement. It's not surprising that No Kill Nation doesn't waste a lot of brain power trying to defend sanctuary hoarding cases like Palena Dorsey's Animal Sanctuary in Clewistown, or the Haven's Acres Cat Sanctuary raid that lead to numerous charges being filed or the now more recent raid on Caboodle Ranch. It's much simpler for these breeder malcontents to blame everything on PETA.
No Kill Nation's political agenda includes controversial policy positions ignoring the reality of pet overpopulation. It shouldn't be surprising that No Kill Nation shares a hatred for animal protection groups like PETA, the HSUS or the ASPCA. Instead,
Debi Day's "No Kill Nation" shares an agenda of hatred directed at the animal protection community. With allies armed against the animal protection movement including the likes of breeder support groups including Patti Strand's National Animal Interest Alliance (NAIA), Walt Hutchens Pet Law group or Rick Bermans many animal exploitation groups including Center for Consumer Freedom (CCF) and HumaneWatch.
It is this "strange bedfellows" arrangement that should cause red flags for a "no kill" agenda that completely ignores the role of irresponsible breeding as a cause and effect for not only an ongoing pet overpopulation crisis but shelter killing as well.
What No Kill Nation doesn't share as a political agenda is a goal of building a "no kill - no suffering" nation that would work towards strengthening animal protection laws tightening regulations not only on commercial puppy mill breeders but large scale rescue operations like Caboodle as well.
If we are going to rescue and shelter our homeless pets then we must provide regulations that PROTECT these same pets from being exploited once again by an rescue community that turns a blind eye to animal cruelty and neglect under "no kill".
It should not be surprising that No Kill Nation's leadership team lead by "breeder hoarder apologist" Debi Day is once again trying to spin some sort of positive story coming from the recent Caboodle Ranch raid. This is a "leader" with a history of surrounding herself with rescue amateurs who have completely redefined the definition of responsible rescue.
Debi Day's concept of "rescue" includes the like of convicted criminals like Maggie Rodriquez who have left dozens of shelter dogs dumped in boarding only to suffer the ultimate in rescue betrayal. It's been quite clear that No Kill Nation is not the least bit interested in "rescue" except when it comes to running chip ins that can be used to fund a breeder enabling political agenda including the misguided FARA bill.
Of course, in order to spin this story NKN has to ignore years of complaints coming out of Caboodle but one fact that can't be ignored is that despite having over $80,000 in unspent donations very few of the cats who were ill received any type of treatment whatsoever. Further, how can a responsible sanctuary explain away the number of unaltered cats at the sanctuary who were allowed to reproduce despite the incredible number of cats already being cared for?
Craig Grant is not only a HOARDER but he is a criminal as well. Grant routinely helped himself to funds donated to care for the cats including using donations for lavish sporting events, trips to Vegas and just about everything EXCEPT providing medical care for the cats entrusted to HIS sanctuary.
For those interested in the truth and the suffering that went on at the Caboodle Ranch click on the following link. One thing is certain - the cats who survived Caboodle ranch have a much more promising future than had they been left behind.
http://caboodleranch.net/
No Kill Nation's attack on the roles PETA, ASPCA and other humane groups played is nothing more than sour grapes for PETA pointing out the obvious - the Florida Animal Rescue Act would have only resulted in MORE hoarding cases coming out of an unregulated Florida rescue community not less.
Despite claims to the contrary by an obviously confused NKN leadership team FARA would have had NO IMPACT on Caboodle Ranch specifically because Grant primary source of cats were owner surrenders that he could collect a fee from.
The Florida Animal Rescue Act (FARA) did NOT require rescue groups to provide a physical address or to face yearly inspections. There would be no reason for on non profits like Caboodle Ranch to provide any reporting on animals in their care. Even "rescue" groups like Caboodle Ranch that allow pets to reproduce would not face any additional regulations under FARA.
FARA was a BAD BILL for animals that failed miserably in protecting shelter pets from criminal exploiters like Grant. To read more about the Florida Animal Rescue Act and how it will lead to more shelter suffering:
http://squirrelsnnuts.blogspot.com/2012/02/no-kill-nations-flawed-florida-animal.html
What person who loved animals and was really a rescuer wouldn't want a thief and a hoarder to be arrested and exposed?
ReplyDeleteA person who posed as a "humane leader" and who was actually working for the puppy mill lobby, that's who.
Breeders like Wonograd's partners have routinely screamed about undercover investigations because most of them are committing and/or cheating on taxes and running illegal businesses, and some of them are involved in dog fighting.
Puppy mill registration money is the number one source of income for AKC. You can bet those AKC breeders don't want mills and hoarders investigated because they might lose a cash cow that pays for their dog shows.
In fact, they want NO laws and regularly lobby AGAINST anti-cruelty laws so they can keep making money and overbreeding as well as cutting costs to increase profit by abusing dogs, denying them medical attention, etc..
No Kill Nation proves AGAIN that it is just another Rick Berman type front group to support animal abusers and breeders who support financial crimes, tax fraud, and animal abuse.
Where is this "charity" spending its money? No Kill Nation is a BREEDER AND HOARDER LOBBYING organization. That is no charity!
http://caboodleranch.net/?p=172
ReplyDeleteDonors, cat owners to file class action lawsuit against Caboodle Ranch
Suit accuses founder Craig Grant of consumer fraud
A group of donors and former owners of cats relinquished to a nonprofit cat sanctuary known as Caboodle Ranch are coming together to file a class action lawsuit against founder Craig Grant, who was arrested Feb. 27 in the wake of a multi-agency rescue of almost 700 cats from the property. It is one of the largest rescues of animals from a hoarding case in U.S. history.
Records from Caboodle Ranch, located in Lee, Fla., indicate that Grant embezzled donations intended to cover care of the cats for his own personal use. Numerous financial transactions recorded on Caboodle Ranch’s 501(c)3 non-profit account show such items as airline flights, trips to Las Vegas, tickets to Disney on Ice and Daytona 500, purchases at Toys R Us, hotels, online clothing orders, online magazine orders, and gifts. Grant also admitted in court records that he did not routinely record cash donations.
One couple involved in the lawsuit is Larry and Ann Bechler, who rescue and rehome stray and feral cats. In 2009, after reading news accounts that portrayed Caboodle Ranch as a cat utopia, the Bechlers brought two cats there to be rehomed. Larry recalled asking Grant how many cats he had. “Over 300, but I’d like 3000,” Grant told him.
When the Bechlers left the ranch that day, they had a gut feeling that something was wrong. They returned the next day to retrieve their cats, but one, Emma, was nowhere to be found. The Bechlers made several trips back to Caboodle Ranch to look for Emma but never located her. “What a lucrative business charging desperate, caring people to take homeless cats at $100 to $200 each,” Ann said. “When they die a month later, he just takes more.”
In addition to using donations for personal activities, financial records show that Grant also used donations to pay for his personal assets. All of Caboodle Ranch’s land, vehicles, and buildings are owned by Grant. The organization itself has no physical assets. Grant has stated in interviews that he got $1000 a month in salary. Any personal expenses he had were legally required to come from his salary, not ranch funds.
Grant was arrested Feb. 27 and charged with one count of felony animal cruelty, three counts of misdemeanor animal cruelty, and one count of scheming to defraud. Bond was set at $250,000, and he posted bail later that day. Grant pleaded not guilty to the charges during arraignment April 2.
The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, at the request of the Madison County Sheriff’s Office and Madison County Animal Control in northern Florida, has led the rescue of almost 700 cats from Caboodle Ranch beginning Feb. 27. Animal welfare organizations reported that many of the cats showed signs of severe neglect and were suffering from upper respiratory conditions, ringworm, intestinal parasites, fur loss, and eye infections among other medical issues. Responders also uncovered numerous deceased cats on the property.
The rescue comes in the wake of an investigation of Caboodle Ranch by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, whose undercover investigator worked as a volunteer at the ranch for five months. Video and photos taken by the investigator show cats suffering from upper-respiratory infections so severe that they gasped for air and struggled to breathe, drooled, and had bloody mucus clogging their noses. Cats had untreated ulcerated corneas that ruptured, causing them to go blind and in some cases die.
Anyone who has made monetary donations or donated goods to Caboodle Ranch and/or has rehomed to the care of Caboodle Ranch is eligible to join the lawsuit. Dana Strunk, one of the organizers, is proposing that proceeds from the case be donated to the animal welfare agencies involved in the rescue and care of the cats. For more information regarding the lawsuit, contact (888) 950-4919 or email classactionsuit.caboodleranch@gmail.com
Let's face facts.
ReplyDeleteNathan Winograd put people in jobs like PACCA in Philadelphia to use his failed No Kill agenda, and not only did the shelters themselves become hoarding warehouses where animals died of untreated disease and fighting, but they knowingly gave animals to hoarders to try to fudge their statistics even when they were warned by people in the community that the recipients of the animals were hoarders and had killed animals. These were his people that he selected for these jobs and put into place. HE should have been keeping an eye on them and reporting them for abuse, or listening to the complaints and heeding them. He just made excuses and threatened people.
Winograd also is involved with puppy mill breeders who are nothing more than hoarders and abusers. His AKC friends can't keep AKC running without the money they make from these puppy mill registrations, from breeders with lengthy histories of abuses.
Winograd represents hoarding, he supports hoarding, he has tried to cover up hoarding (how long did he deny the problems at PACCA?), he in essence has put his seal of approval on hoarding and animal abuse. He has never taken responsibility or had the dignity to admit the problems. He just screams and shouts and says nasty things and threatens people and tries to make excuses and hide it all away.
Now his No Kill Nation charade is publicly supporting a hoarder and making excuses for it, and that is the bottom line. Hoarding is apparently ok for them. They just don't want the investigations that expose the cruelty because the AKC breeder involved with this group is connected through AKC to puppy mill hoarding and that pays for the dog shows and all the rest of their business.
This is just blatant hypocrisy, but it is also misleading the public about their activities.
The corruption with this whole scheme is getting ridiculous. It is fraud to pretend to be a humane organization but instead do nothing more than lobby for animal abusers and make excuses for them.