What's sad is when intellectually lazy (challenged?)people react to soundbytes and photographs without taking the time to learn the facts. The HUNDREDS of Tiger Ranch supporters are comprised of people with either first hand knowledge of Tiger Ranch (and more than a little about ferals, feline diseases and sheltering) or those who have objectively sorted through the "evidence" and ask WTF?
I could show a sheeple (or is it poodle?) a picture of a maimed body and sell them any one of ten scenarios as to how the body was found in that condition.
Folks seeking the truth will need to dig a little deeper or, as in the case of Animalia, dig out (the popping sound will be your sphincter snapping shut. Enjoy the daylight.)
Well, waddya know? It's been reported that collection cannisters are now appearing in Clarion County stores - "Please support the re-opening of the Clarion County Humane Society under new ownership". Funny thing is the Contact person happens to be the asst. Shelter Manager that is "caring" for the Tiger Ranch hostages. Sounds like Clarion may just get their HIGH-kill shelter back.
It remains a big "maybe" though - folks in Clarion remember well what a kill factory it was and they actually have an upstart animal welfare program that maintains a no-kill philosophy. Perhaps the asshats in Philly will give generously enough to support a Clarion facility - they still seem to like Howie, or at least his fundraising success. Pity the animals...
Rainman - we're getting quite a few pages of garbage from your posts - not that I doubt you can accomodate them all. Hell, I'd bet you could open a landfill. As for Doctors Murarka and the less than expert Dr. Becky L. Morrow, it was quite evident at the hearing that neither had any real experience with feral colonies aside from an occasional s/n. But I'm sure this has all been a wonderful lab experience for the ethically challenged Morrow and her students. As promised, just a few more comments from the Tiger Ranch supporters:
"We love tiger ranch and all that you do for those animals"
"I visited Tiger Ranch and what LinMarie does not many do!! She gives animals who have been discarded and takes care of them and gives them a home!"
"She is taking in sick and discarded animals that no one else will have, Then being used and misrepresented by the local news."
"I support Lin Marie. Drop these absurd charges."
"Linn is a Hero. This is a travesty of justice. I have been to Tiger Ranch many many times. It is a Haven for the Cats. I had a Feral Cat living there. Hopefully he escaped the immoral raid and still survives. The animals must come back to Tiger soon."
"Lynn is doing God's work careing for animals and giving them a chance where they would otherwise be killed by people who don't think they deserve a chance to live and be happy!!!!!!"
"Lin Marie had no intent to kill any animal. All sick cats that were found by the PSPCA were found that way because they were taken to Tiger Ranch in that condition. Lin's only crime was her disbelief in euthanasia, and really, can that even be considered a crime? We don't euthanize ourselves, do we? If anything, Deb Urmann, Howard Nelson, and anyone else who has told lies about the conditions of Tiger Ranch should be arrested and charged with slander."
"I have a kitty from Tiger Ranch. Lin never sat still. She worked to save cats that no one else cared about. The PSPCA should be ashamed, apologize, and give the remaining cats back to Tiger Ranch. Her dogs, horses, and other pets should have never been removed. Her medicines, food and whatever else was STOLEN by the PSPCA should be replaced immediately. Lin helps those of us who have cats but can't afford to pay high vet bills. She cares about animals."
"Linn Marie has for 16 years done the right thing for many animals - she takes in Feral & Adoptable cats. Someone ask the PSPCA what they know about feral cats. Stop the PSPCA from killing our cats that many of us left in Linn Maria's care, to live out their lives. The Stress alone is killing these animals. RELEASE OUR CATS~~!!"
"We sent our cats to Lin Marie because we trusted her to care for them. We DID NOT turn them over to the PSPCA to be euthanized! Give her our cats back!"
"Tiger Ranch accepted a feral cat, that would not be accepted either by the Humane Society nor Animal Friends. The cat was "fixed" and resided in the feral colony. I cannot thank Tiger Ranch & Linn Marie enough, she is a "God sent"."
"It's horrible that these animals were taken so abruptly from Tiger Ranch especially without any warning at all. The PSPCA should already know that it's very difficult and costly to run animal shelters. Not many people want the job. That's all the more reason the PSPCA should try and work together with shelters and the care of animals. Unfortunately, shelters are very much needed for the animals sake. It's not Lin's fault that people toss their pets out everyday as if they are garbage and neglect to have their pets spayed and neutered. She gave those the animals the right to live out their life in a safe haven. At the very least, the PSPCA should have given Lin a warning if they were unhappy about the facility. That's where the real cruelty lies in this case. God bless the animals and Lin. I fully support her in her endeavors to reclaim what is hers and hopefully rebuild Tiger Ranch bigger and better."
"Believe Linn has handled the ranch over all these years to the best of her ability and no harm was ever the intent."
"I think Linn must be an Angel sent from God to try her best to take care of these little ones, even the ones that have been abused and that no one wants, we need more people like her who give up so much of their own money,time and love to try and save a helpless animal. God Bless Her and he will."
"Please drop the charges against this woman. I have been to TR several times. This woman turns NO ANIMAL away. Unlike many supposed no kill shelters...who are only no kill because they are no acceptance. Yes, there are many sick cats...but they came there sick. I completely understand the dead animals in the freeezer. My first thought was she wants to bury them and the ground is too cold. She does very much with very little help. Please, please do not crucify this woman for lack of helping hands. Give her support."
"I too have been to Tiger Ranch and have seen the conditions of the facility. She truly cares about these animals! I hope that she again is able to start Tiger Ranch up again to help all the cats that no one else wants or otherwise would be put to sleep at the shelters that DO Kill animals. She was doing what she thought was best for all of her animals there."
"As a veterinarian and having worked part time at the Animal Rescue League a few years ago. I am aware of cats who were placed at Tiger Ranch as their only chance to live out their lives or be further worked with and possibly placed. For example, cats that were soiling outside the litterbox might have otherwise been euthanized due to difficulty placing them.These cats were placed there and either worked with or placed in homes that could facilitate cats as indoor/ outdoor cats."
"Tiger Ranch is trying to do the right thing for animals. Animals are not neglected or tortured - they are permitted to live in peace. The adversaries of Tiger Ranch do not know the whole story and don't want to listen!"
"these charges are false. i have been to tiger ranch, and i am appalled by these allegations, and the way the owner was treated. and they stole donated food and medications for the cats please sign"
"Howard Nelson is a disgrace to the rescue community. This is all a publicity stunt and he should be removed from his position."
"Helping large numbers of animals is not crazy and is not a crime. Doing the best you can and ensuring medical care is enough. Just because there are a lot, doesn't mean the quality of care is diminished. Shame on anyone for judging harshly without all the facts."
"Please drop the animal abuse charges levied against the Tiger Ranch. Animal sanctuaries, such as Tiger Ranch, take in the unwanted, sick and disposable animals that rest of society has chosen to ignore. They do not abuse, they provide end of care life services and help where there often is no other alternative. Tiger Ranch emphasizes quality of life to all living things - please so not punish them any further for their devotion to animals who have no other options."
"f there weren't places like Tiger Ranch, where would the old pets who have more life to live be??? Support them instead of trying to close them."
"People should not be punished for trying to aid in a crisis sitaution, that crisis being, inadequate shelters and care for domestic cats in the United States, the richest of all nations."
Now I know that Howie has probably piped in his litany of lies through a rectal tube for so long that you've likely been brainwashed (washed pretty thoroughly I'd say, no trace left behind) but the truth remains that this has all the earmarks of a fabricated and exaggerated case - as evidenced by the comments of several hundred very vocal Tiger Ranch supporters. Here's a few more. I can post the remaining SEVERAL HUNDRED after your next pathetic cut and paste:
"I believe that the Pennsylvania SPCA needs to find a new person that cares about the animals welfare instead of making a profit. I think the charges need to be against Howard Nelson instead. Let's investigate him. All charges against Tiger Ranch need to be dropped."
"I support Lin Marie and her Tiger Ranch 100%. As a Health Care Professional, I have never witnessed any animal neglect or abuse at the Ranch. Additionally, by promoting responsible adoptions and spaying and neutering countless stray and feral cats over the years, Lin Marie has been instrumental in decreasing the "unadoptable"cat population exponentially while providing a safe haven for those lucky enough to make it to the Ranch."
"We need more people to get interested in the welfare of animals not less. This woman is doing what I wish I could and that is giving love if only for a short time to those who have never known it,leave her alone."
"The PSPCA needs to put their energy, funds and efforts towards REAL animal abusers and neglegent pet owners, not someone who is genuine in their actions and doing their best to make a better life for unwanted cats. Euthanization is NOT the answer!"
"I visited Tiger Ranch several times during 2007 and NEVER saw anything like what the PASPCA said they found."
"Linn Marie has been taking in animals that no one else would for years. Last Chance For Animals supports her and local people who know her are rallying to her defense and lining up for the opportunity to testify for her. PSPCA, go after the puppy mills and dog fighting rings and leave this good woman alone."
"I have and alway will support Lin."
"These charges are bogus! Last Chance For Animals is investigating the PSPCA for invading Tiger Ranch the way they did. Stay strong Linn Marie!
"These charges are bogus! Last Chance For Animals is investigating the PSPCA for invading Tiger Ranch the way they did. Stay strong Linn Marie!"
"If you read and view all the evidence available online about Linn Marie and Tiger Ranch, you would KNOW that she is not only innocent but a Mother Theresa of cats! For years she has taken in animals no one else would take, nursed them and found many of them loving homes."
"The kitties can't possibly understand...They used to be free-roaming...and now they are stacked in cages on top of each other...the stress of what they've gone through will surely result in more falling ill..." SADLY PROPHETIC
"After trying to find help over the past ten years for abandoned and feral cats being dropped on my property, I had heard of Tiger Ranch just prior to this incident. Now the only person willing to help is being attacked by the people who would not. I am utterly disgusted by the actions of the PSPCA. Most of these cats probably came to Tiger Ranch because organizations like the PSPCA would not help."
"To Whom it may concern, I am a volunteer with P.A.W.S. of Sayville, Long Island, NY. We are a very small local rescue group. I personally have never been to Tiger Ranch but 3 very trusted volunteers, volunteered to make the 7 hr drive to Tiger Ranch. This was after speaking to several other people/groups that had been there and had favorable experiences. Our first volunteer went with only a few cats and if she didn't like what she saw she would not leave them and come back with them. Believe me this volunteer would NEVER, NEVER put any of our cats in ANY danger. She took a tour of Tiger Ranch and took pictures. Since then 2 other volunteers have made several trips. We are standing behind their obsevations that Tiger Ranch was a safe, clean,healthy, organized and well supervised place for our ferals that had no other place to go. There is no place on Long Island that will take anything but the perfect cat/kitten. Because of this I am asking the PSPCA to drop all charges of animal abuse against Lin Marie and Tiger Ranch. Here is an idea, how about we ALL work and help each other for the cats/ kittens. Lin Marie is serving a great need. If we ALL work together maybe we could accomplish the goal of No More Homeless Pets. Thanks, Donna Weber, P.A.W.S."
"The SPCA should be ashamed for the tactics being used in this case. They close an animal shleter due to "insufficient funds" yet re-open that same shelter when they see an opportunity to get a t.v. deal? Disgusting!!"
"I have known linn for a long time, I could never see her hurt an animal let alone kill an animal. She has helped so manycatsover the years she has helped my cats with getting there shots and getting fixed. She even fixed my cat for free at christmas time. I have taken cats up to her and I have personaly watched the cat I took up there get adopted out within 3 days. It was a great day. I have never seen a sick cat and I've been in the house barn trailer and the back cat house. I would be up there for 2 hours sometimes and watched her and everyone work and she always would get my husband to help out when needed. She's truely a great person and a true animal lover there is no way she deserved what she is getting. She helped animals when no one wanted them and she's helped animals otherwise would have been killed in a shelter"
"Calling Linn Marie an animal abuser is absurd. Stop harassing this woman who has been saving, nurturing and finding homes for animals for YEARS and go after the puppy mill operators and others who ARE abusing animals."
"I WORK THERE, AND I KNOW THE TRUTH! THE PSPCA ARE THE KILLERS, NOT TIGER RANCH!!"
"Tiger Ranch has always been, and will always be, the only true non-kill shelter; not only in PA but many of it's neighboring states as well. Linn Marie (along with the help of lovely volunteers!) never siad no to a cat/kitten no matter what the circimstances. Tiger Ranch is the only shelter to accept cats with FIV, feline lukemia, and the likes; all those cats also had seperate areas away from the healthy animals. They were all under vet. care and any that did die, died naturaully (no kill means no kill) in a loving place surrounded by lovely people and animals in the most comfortable way possible. Tiger Ranch is also the only place to accept ferrals, a large problem in PA and surrounding states. We've had a volunteer come out to pick up whole ferral colonies in our area ( thanks Ruth Ann!) to tkae to Tiger Ranch, and when my boyfriend worked with a local police department they would get complaints along with people threatening to shoot the ferrals if not picked up by the dog catcher, either way these animals would have died, so each time we called a volunteer and she came out almost immediately in all types of weather, collected each and every one of them and took them to Tiger Ranch where they then would see a vet within the next couple days (many of which were adopted out quickly). There is no shelter that would take these animals in let alone come to you to get them! I got my youngest cat from Tiger Ranch and she is an absolute joy! Tiger Ranch takes all the cats no one else wants, if not for her where would they go? If people as a whole were more responsible and got their animals fixed, this would not even be an issue. Unfortunately we live in a world that is far from perfect. Maybe the circumstances at Tiger Ranch were not perfect, but there is no such thing. I've volunteered at local shelters and have seen much worse. Tiger Ranch was kept clean, all the animals fed and under vet care, and truely were treated with love and respect. What more can you ask for? Everyone at Tiger Ranch keep up the awesome work, and know we're all praying for you Linn Marie!"
"Why don't you try to work with Linn Marie and support what she is doing, rather than work against her? Your actions seem more about power and control than what is truly best for the animals."
"As an active animal rescuer, I am appalled that the PSPCA and Animal Planet have raided this woman's sanctuary and euthanized many animals. She and those like her do the work that the SPCAs refuse to do. DROP THESE RIDICULOUS CHARGES!!!!!!!"
"I am a humane volunteer living in Terre Haute, IN. I mostly work on low- and no-cost spay/neuter projects in my area, and volunteer with the Terre Haute Humane Society. Although many of us are working hard at reducing our rampant overpopulation of cats, we still need the help of outside communities to help absorb some of the overflow if we are to avoid euthanizing healthy cats. Terre Haute Humane Society agreed to accept unwanted litters and strays from my spay/neuter clients if I could arrange spay/neuter surgeries and vaccinations for the relinquished kittens and cats. I was responsible for getting unwanted animals (which would otherwise be given "free to a good home" and further contribute to the breeding) out of neglectful situations, getting them altered and vaccinated, and Terre Haute Humane Society would arrange to send the healthy animals which were not adopted within our community to rescues with better access to adopters. Lin Marie was able to get most of those cats quickly adopted since they were healthy, socialized and ready to go when they arrived (unlike most of the cats she received). Although I never personally went to Tiger Ranch, trusted, responsible representatives from several local shelters and rescues had transported cats there and toured the facilities every 6 weeks. Before we had Tiger Ranch's help, those cats would have to be euthanized. We have not found another rescue to absorb the extra cats we would be sending to Tiger Ranch, and our alternatives now are to try to follow up on the increase in "free to a good home" animals to try to convince new owners to accept low- or no-cost spay/neuter (not as easy as you might think), or revert to euthanizing the excess again. Tiger Ranch had separate enclosures for the varieties of cats with special needs and health issues. Cross-contamination was no more common there than what our community experiences naturally. Most cats that arrive at the clinics and shelters around here are full of worms, fleas, and often have ringworm or other contagious diseases. Sometimes, regardless of our best efforts, diseases will spread throughout a shelter. It is unreasonable and irresponsible to fault Lin Marie for some cross-contagion. It is also wrong to accuse her of neglect and, worse, cruelty to animals who were under the care of a veterinarian and receiving advised palliative medicines and pain relief. PSPCA is wasting so much time and money on separating and holding all those animals, hiring staff to care for the animals and legal staff, etc. Pennsylvania is a known puppy-mill state and the PSPCA has many more abusive and cruel targets to pursue. This is sickening, wasteful, and is resulting in more negative impact with all the cats who now have no place to go. Please use your excess funds to help Tiger Ranch meet your standards rather than spending more to destroy Tiger Ranch and Lin Marie. It will cost less and help more animals. Then go after the irresponsible breeders and pet stores."
"PA SPCA...You should be ashamed of yourselves for what you have done. You have taken away something of real value to our community. If you had taken the time to know and understand Lin Marie you would have realized that she is the farthest thing from an animal abuser. You could have put forth an effort to help her, but instead you just came in and threw your weight around, turning the situation into a media circus. Just GO AWAY!"
"I have been to Tiger Ranch several times and have never seen the conditions you have described. I also have adotped two healthy cats from Tiger Ranch. Obviously, all the local shelter's saw the good she has been doing or would not have brought her animals. Give Lin Marie her animals back now. Thankyou!"
"I transported cats from our local animal shelter for 2 years. Every time I'm there the buildings are exceptionally clean and the cats well taken care of. I have even been there to help her take care of the animials and was very impressed by her care and concern of the animals in her care."
Isn't it amazing how any criticism of Howard Nelson is considered a "smear tactic"? Let's see: He drove a highly respected vet away from providing services:
http://www.mediafire.com/?mm0i20jmryl
Instigated the resignation of a long time Board member due to well founded ethical concerns:
http://www.mediafire.com/?kbtxzbwkszt
Fired a well respected HSPO:
http://tortiball.com/wp/2008/09/reader-reaction-to-%E2%80%9Cfired-investigator-tried-to-protect-animals%E2%80%9D/
Led another competent HSPO to resign after she carried out an illegal raid under his direction:
http://tortiball.com/wp/2008/08/cat-owners-case-against-pspca-continues/
Acts in a manner that dilutes the meaning of no-kill to near worthlessness:
"Nonetheless, if the PSPCA were allowed to retake the animal control contract, I fear the end result would be a retrenchment of lifesaving efforts to potentially pre-2005 levels. (PSPCA has launched an attack of PACCA to undermine support of the agency in the City, and to retake the animal control contract.) Its CEO Howard Nelson, for example, has been fundraising saying that the PSCPA takes care of the medical needs of all the strays PACCA takes in, a claim that borders on fraud. As the PSPCA is still openly hostile to the adoption of Pit Bulls, the large numbers of these dogs entering PACCA would face an almost certain death if history and present views do not change and it were to be given the contract.
And despite attempts to forge a lifesaving agreement between the PSPCA and PACCA, it was rejected by Howard Nelson who submitted his own draft saying cats with fleas, or ear mites, or needing dental care, or pregnant, should be outside the scope of the agreement as they were apparently not in the PSPCAs ambit of adoptable animals. (Is this how Howard Nelson was able to claim that the Washington Humane Society under his leadership was saving all "adoptable" animals while killing over 70% of all impounded dogs and cats?) If this is the vision for a No Kill Philadelphia under the PSPCA, the animals will be killed en masse."
Nathan Winograd - http://nathanwinograd.blogspot.com/2008/02/cautionary-tale-of-almost-victory-in.html
and:
Howard Nelson, the CEO of the Pennsylvania SPCA, is pro-No Kill when fundraising and is fond of saying that his agency is already No Kill. He made substantially similar claims as head of the Washington Humane Society (saying that all adoptable animals were being saved) even as the agency killed over 70% of all dogs and cats. And in Philadelphia, he claims that cats with ear mites, pregnant cats, older cats, cats with dental problems, and even cats with fleas should be outside the scope of an agreement with animal control to create No Kill in Philadelphia. If cats with fleas are not adoptable, who is? In Nelsons world, animals appear to be irrelevant when it comes to No Kill, since No Kill equals fundraising.
And when it comes to other shelters, he says that No Kill equals hoarding. Historically, the PSPCA has run kill shelters outside Philadelphia, but in a cost cutting move, the PSPCA is turning those over to local agencies to run independently. In the latest attack, the two-faced Nelson is refusing to turn over a shelter to No Kill advocates who want to run a comprehensive, thoughtful open admission No Kill facility. He has no problem turning shelters over to people and agencies grounded in killing.
Read the article here: http://nathanwinograd.blogspot.com/2008_08_01_archive.html
The PSPCA, and Pennsylvania animal welfare efforts in general, would be well served by ridding themselves of Howard Nelson and his cronies. Immediately
Black Cat posted: " I SAW PHOTOS OF THE PSPCA TRUCKS WITH TIGER RANCH CATS--THE CATS I SAW IN THE PHOTO LOOKED HEALTHY"
That picture can be found here: http://www.freepowerboards.com/SOTR/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=185
Recent Comments
I could show a sheeple (or is it poodle?) a picture of a maimed body and sell them any one of ten scenarios as to how the body was found in that condition.
Folks seeking the truth will need to dig a little deeper or, as in the case of Animalia, dig out (the popping sound will be your sphincter snapping shut. Enjoy the daylight.)
It remains a big "maybe" though - folks in Clarion remember well what a kill factory it was and they actually have an upstart animal welfare program that maintains a no-kill philosophy. Perhaps the asshats in Philly will give generously enough to support a Clarion facility - they still seem to like Howie, or at least his fundraising success. Pity the animals...
"We love tiger ranch and all that you do for those animals"
"I visited Tiger Ranch and what LinMarie does not many do!! She gives animals who have been discarded and takes care of them and gives them a home!"
"She is taking in sick and discarded animals that no one else will have, Then being used and misrepresented by the local news."
"I support Lin Marie. Drop these absurd charges."
"Linn is a Hero. This is a travesty of justice. I have been to Tiger Ranch many many times. It is a Haven for the Cats. I had a Feral Cat living there. Hopefully he escaped the immoral raid and still survives. The animals must come back to Tiger soon."
"Lynn is doing God's work careing for animals and giving them a chance where they would otherwise be killed by people who don't think they deserve a chance to live and be happy!!!!!!"
"Lin Marie had no intent to kill any animal. All sick cats that were found by the PSPCA were found that way because they were taken to Tiger Ranch in that condition. Lin's only crime was her disbelief in euthanasia, and really, can that even be considered a crime? We don't euthanize ourselves, do we? If anything, Deb Urmann, Howard Nelson, and anyone else who has told lies about the conditions of Tiger Ranch should be arrested and charged with slander."
"I have a kitty from Tiger Ranch. Lin never sat still. She worked to save cats that no one else cared about. The PSPCA should be ashamed, apologize, and give the remaining cats back to Tiger Ranch. Her dogs, horses, and other pets should have never been removed. Her medicines, food and whatever else was STOLEN by the PSPCA should be replaced immediately. Lin helps those of us who have cats but can't afford to pay high vet bills. She cares about animals."
"Linn Marie has for 16 years done the right thing for many animals - she takes in Feral & Adoptable cats. Someone ask the PSPCA what they know about feral cats. Stop the PSPCA from killing our cats that many of us left in Linn Maria's care, to live out their lives. The Stress alone is killing these animals. RELEASE OUR CATS~~!!"
"We sent our cats to Lin Marie because we trusted her to care for them. We DID NOT turn them over to the PSPCA to be euthanized! Give her our cats back!"
"Tiger Ranch accepted a feral cat, that would not be accepted either by the Humane Society nor Animal Friends. The cat was "fixed" and resided in the feral colony. I cannot thank Tiger Ranch & Linn Marie enough, she is a "God sent"."
"It's horrible that these animals were taken so abruptly from Tiger Ranch especially without any warning at all. The PSPCA should already know that it's very difficult and costly to run animal shelters. Not many people want the job. That's all the more reason the PSPCA should try and work together with shelters and the care of animals. Unfortunately, shelters are very much needed for the animals sake. It's not Lin's fault that people toss their pets out everyday as if they are garbage and neglect to have their pets spayed and neutered. She gave those the animals the right to live out their life in a safe haven. At the very least, the PSPCA should have given Lin a warning if they were unhappy about the facility. That's where the real cruelty lies in this case. God bless the animals and Lin. I fully support her in her endeavors to reclaim what is hers and hopefully rebuild Tiger Ranch bigger and better."
"Believe Linn has handled the ranch over all these years to the best of her ability and no harm was ever the intent."
"I think Linn must be an Angel sent from God to try her best to take care of these little ones, even the ones that have been abused and that no one wants, we need more people like her who give up so much of their own money,time and love to try and save a helpless animal. God Bless Her and he will."
"Please drop the charges against this woman. I have been to TR several times. This woman turns NO ANIMAL away. Unlike many supposed no kill shelters...who are only no kill because they are no acceptance. Yes, there are many sick cats...but they came there sick. I completely understand the dead animals in the freeezer. My first thought was she wants to bury them and the ground is too cold. She does very much with very little help. Please, please do not crucify this woman for lack of helping hands. Give her support."
"I too have been to Tiger Ranch and have seen the conditions of the facility. She truly cares about these animals! I hope that she again is able to start Tiger Ranch up again to help all the cats that no one else wants or otherwise would be put to sleep at the shelters that DO Kill animals. She was doing what she thought was best for all of her animals there."
"As a veterinarian and having worked part time at the Animal Rescue League a few years ago. I am aware of cats who were placed at Tiger Ranch as their only chance to live out their lives or be further worked with and possibly placed. For example, cats that were soiling outside the litterbox might have otherwise been euthanized due to difficulty placing them.These cats were placed there and either worked with or placed in homes that could facilitate cats as indoor/ outdoor cats."
"Tiger Ranch is trying to do the right thing for animals. Animals are not neglected or tortured - they are permitted to live in peace. The adversaries of Tiger Ranch do not know the whole story and don't want to listen!"
"these charges are false. i have been to tiger ranch, and i am appalled by these allegations, and the way the owner was treated. and they stole donated food and medications for the cats please sign"
"Howard Nelson is a disgrace to the rescue community. This is all a publicity stunt and he should be removed from his position."
"Helping large numbers of animals is not crazy and is not a crime. Doing the best you can and ensuring medical care is enough. Just because there are a lot, doesn't mean the quality of care is diminished. Shame on anyone for judging harshly without all the facts."
"Please drop the animal abuse charges levied against the Tiger Ranch. Animal sanctuaries, such as Tiger Ranch, take in the unwanted, sick and disposable animals that rest of society has chosen to ignore. They do not abuse, they provide end of care life services and help where there often is no other alternative. Tiger Ranch emphasizes quality of life to all living things - please so not punish them any further for their devotion to animals who have no other options."
"f there weren't places like Tiger Ranch, where would the old pets who have more life to live be??? Support them instead of trying to close them."
"People should not be punished for trying to aid in a crisis sitaution, that crisis being, inadequate shelters and care for domestic cats in the United States, the richest of all nations."
"I believe that the Pennsylvania SPCA needs to find a new person that cares about the animals welfare instead of making a profit. I think the charges need to be against Howard Nelson instead. Let's investigate him. All charges against Tiger Ranch need to be dropped."
"I support Lin Marie and her Tiger Ranch 100%. As a Health Care Professional, I have never witnessed any animal neglect or abuse at the Ranch. Additionally, by promoting responsible adoptions and spaying and neutering countless stray and feral cats over the years, Lin Marie has been instrumental in decreasing the "unadoptable"cat population exponentially while providing a safe haven for those lucky enough to make it to the Ranch."
"We need more people to get interested in the welfare of animals not less. This woman is doing what I wish I could and that is giving love if only for a short time to those who have never known it,leave her alone."
"The PSPCA needs to put their energy, funds and efforts towards REAL animal abusers and neglegent pet owners, not someone who is genuine in their actions and doing their best to make a better life for unwanted cats. Euthanization is NOT the answer!"
"I visited Tiger Ranch several times during 2007 and NEVER saw anything like what the PASPCA said they found."
"Linn Marie has been taking in animals that no one else would for years. Last Chance For Animals supports her and local people who know her are rallying to her defense and lining up for the opportunity to testify for her. PSPCA, go after the puppy mills and dog fighting rings and leave this good woman alone."
"I have and alway will support Lin."
"These charges are bogus! Last Chance For Animals is investigating the PSPCA for invading Tiger Ranch the way they did. Stay strong Linn Marie!
"These charges are bogus! Last Chance For Animals is investigating the PSPCA for invading Tiger Ranch the way they did. Stay strong Linn Marie!"
"If you read and view all the evidence available online about Linn Marie and Tiger Ranch, you would KNOW that she is not only innocent but a Mother Theresa of cats! For years she has taken in animals no one else would take, nursed them and found many of them loving homes."
"The kitties can't possibly understand...They used to be free-roaming...and now they are stacked in cages on top of each other...the stress of what they've gone through will surely result in more falling ill..." SADLY PROPHETIC
"After trying to find help over the past ten years for abandoned and feral cats being dropped on my property, I had heard of Tiger Ranch just prior to this incident. Now the only person willing to help is being attacked by the people who would not. I am utterly disgusted by the actions of the PSPCA. Most of these cats probably came to Tiger Ranch because organizations like the PSPCA would not help."
"To Whom it may concern, I am a volunteer with P.A.W.S. of Sayville, Long Island, NY. We are a very small local rescue group. I personally have never been to Tiger Ranch but 3 very trusted volunteers, volunteered to make the 7 hr drive to Tiger Ranch. This was after speaking to several other people/groups that had been there and had favorable experiences. Our first volunteer went with only a few cats and if she didn't like what she saw she would not leave them and come back with them. Believe me this volunteer would NEVER, NEVER put any of our cats in ANY danger. She took a tour of Tiger Ranch and took pictures. Since then 2 other volunteers have made several trips. We are standing behind their obsevations that Tiger Ranch was a safe, clean,healthy, organized and well supervised place for our ferals that had no other place to go. There is no place on Long Island that will take anything but the perfect cat/kitten. Because of this I am asking the PSPCA to drop all charges of animal abuse against Lin Marie and Tiger Ranch. Here is an idea, how about we ALL work and help each other for the cats/ kittens. Lin Marie is serving a great need. If we ALL work together maybe we could accomplish the goal of No More Homeless Pets. Thanks, Donna Weber, P.A.W.S."
"The SPCA should be ashamed for the tactics being used in this case. They close an animal shleter due to "insufficient funds" yet re-open that same shelter when they see an opportunity to get a t.v. deal? Disgusting!!"
"I have known linn for a long time, I could never see her hurt an animal let alone kill an animal. She has helped so manycatsover the years she has helped my cats with getting there shots and getting fixed. She even fixed my cat for free at christmas time. I have taken cats up to her and I have personaly watched the cat I took up there get adopted out within 3 days. It was a great day. I have never seen a sick cat and I've been in the house barn trailer and the back cat house. I would be up there for 2 hours sometimes and watched her and everyone work and she always would get my husband to help out when needed. She's truely a great person and a true animal lover there is no way she deserved what she is getting. She helped animals when no one wanted them and she's helped animals otherwise would have been killed in a shelter"
"Calling Linn Marie an animal abuser is absurd. Stop harassing this woman who has been saving, nurturing and finding homes for animals for YEARS and go after the puppy mill operators and others who ARE abusing animals."
"I WORK THERE, AND I KNOW THE TRUTH! THE PSPCA ARE THE KILLERS, NOT TIGER RANCH!!"
"Tiger Ranch has always been, and will always be, the only true non-kill shelter; not only in PA but many of it's neighboring states as well. Linn Marie (along with the help of lovely volunteers!) never siad no to a cat/kitten no matter what the circimstances. Tiger Ranch is the only shelter to accept cats with FIV, feline lukemia, and the likes; all those cats also had seperate areas away from the healthy animals. They were all under vet. care and any that did die, died naturaully (no kill means no kill) in a loving place surrounded by lovely people and animals in the most comfortable way possible. Tiger Ranch is also the only place to accept ferrals, a large problem in PA and surrounding states. We've had a volunteer come out to pick up whole ferral colonies in our area ( thanks Ruth Ann!) to tkae to Tiger Ranch, and when my boyfriend worked with a local police department they would get complaints along with people threatening to shoot the ferrals if not picked up by the dog catcher, either way these animals would have died, so each time we called a volunteer and she came out almost immediately in all types of weather, collected each and every one of them and took them to Tiger Ranch where they then would see a vet within the next couple days (many of which were adopted out quickly). There is no shelter that would take these animals in let alone come to you to get them! I got my youngest cat from Tiger Ranch and she is an absolute joy! Tiger Ranch takes all the cats no one else wants, if not for her where would they go? If people as a whole were more responsible and got their animals fixed, this would not even be an issue. Unfortunately we live in a world that is far from perfect. Maybe the circumstances at Tiger Ranch were not perfect, but there is no such thing. I've volunteered at local shelters and have seen much worse. Tiger Ranch was kept clean, all the animals fed and under vet care, and truely were treated with love and respect. What more can you ask for? Everyone at Tiger Ranch keep up the awesome work, and know we're all praying for you Linn Marie!"
"Why don't you try to work with Linn Marie and support what she is doing, rather than work against her? Your actions seem more about power and control than what is truly best for the animals."
"As an active animal rescuer, I am appalled that the PSPCA and Animal Planet have raided this woman's sanctuary and euthanized many animals. She and those like her do the work that the SPCAs refuse to do. DROP THESE RIDICULOUS CHARGES!!!!!!!"
"I am a humane volunteer living in Terre Haute, IN. I mostly work on low- and no-cost spay/neuter projects in my area, and volunteer with the Terre Haute Humane Society. Although many of us are working hard at reducing our rampant overpopulation of cats, we still need the help of outside communities to help absorb some of the overflow if we are to avoid euthanizing healthy cats. Terre Haute Humane Society agreed to accept unwanted litters and strays from my spay/neuter clients if I could arrange spay/neuter surgeries and vaccinations for the relinquished kittens and cats. I was responsible for getting unwanted animals (which would otherwise be given "free to a good home" and further contribute to the breeding) out of neglectful situations, getting them altered and vaccinated, and Terre Haute Humane Society would arrange to send the healthy animals which were not adopted within our community to rescues with better access to adopters. Lin Marie was able to get most of those cats quickly adopted since they were healthy, socialized and ready to go when they arrived (unlike most of the cats she received). Although I never personally went to Tiger Ranch, trusted, responsible representatives from several local shelters and rescues had transported cats there and toured the facilities every 6 weeks. Before we had Tiger Ranch's help, those cats would have to be euthanized. We have not found another rescue to absorb the extra cats we would be sending to Tiger Ranch, and our alternatives now are to try to follow up on the increase in "free to a good home" animals to try to convince new owners to accept low- or no-cost spay/neuter (not as easy as you might think), or revert to euthanizing the excess again. Tiger Ranch had separate enclosures for the varieties of cats with special needs and health issues. Cross-contamination was no more common there than what our community experiences naturally. Most cats that arrive at the clinics and shelters around here are full of worms, fleas, and often have ringworm or other contagious diseases. Sometimes, regardless of our best efforts, diseases will spread throughout a shelter. It is unreasonable and irresponsible to fault Lin Marie for some cross-contagion. It is also wrong to accuse her of neglect and, worse, cruelty to animals who were under the care of a veterinarian and receiving advised palliative medicines and pain relief. PSPCA is wasting so much time and money on separating and holding all those animals, hiring staff to care for the animals and legal staff, etc. Pennsylvania is a known puppy-mill state and the PSPCA has many more abusive and cruel targets to pursue. This is sickening, wasteful, and is resulting in more negative impact with all the cats who now have no place to go. Please use your excess funds to help Tiger Ranch meet your standards rather than spending more to destroy Tiger Ranch and Lin Marie. It will cost less and help more animals. Then go after the irresponsible breeders and pet stores."
"PA SPCA...You should be ashamed of yourselves for what you have done. You have taken away something of real value to our community. If you had taken the time to know and understand Lin Marie you would have realized that she is the farthest thing from an animal abuser. You could have put forth an effort to help her, but instead you just came in and threw your weight around, turning the situation into a media circus. Just GO AWAY!"
"I have been to Tiger Ranch several times and have never seen the conditions you have described. I also have adotped two healthy cats from Tiger Ranch. Obviously, all the local shelter's saw the good she has been doing or would not have brought her animals. Give Lin Marie her animals back now. Thankyou!"
"I transported cats from our local animal shelter for 2 years. Every time I'm there the buildings are exceptionally clean and the cats well taken care of. I have even been there to help her take care of the animials and was very impressed by her care and concern of the animals in her care."
http://www.mediafire.com/?mm0i20jmryl
Instigated the resignation of a long time Board member due to well founded ethical concerns:
http://www.mediafire.com/?kbtxzbwkszt
Fired a well respected HSPO:
http://tortiball.com/wp/2008/09/reader-reaction-to-%E2%80%9Cfired-investigator-tried-to-protect-animals%E2%80%9D/
Led another competent HSPO to resign after she carried out an illegal raid under his direction:
http://tortiball.com/wp/2008/08/cat-owners-case-against-pspca-continues/
Acts in a manner that dilutes the meaning of no-kill to near worthlessness:
"Nonetheless, if the PSPCA were allowed to retake the animal control contract, I fear the end result would be a retrenchment of lifesaving efforts to potentially pre-2005 levels. (PSPCA has launched an attack of PACCA to undermine support of the agency in the City, and to retake the animal control contract.) Its CEO Howard Nelson, for example, has been fundraising saying that the PSCPA takes care of the medical needs of all the strays PACCA takes in, a claim that borders on fraud. As the PSPCA is still openly hostile to the adoption of Pit Bulls, the large numbers of these dogs entering PACCA would face an almost certain death if history and present views do not change and it were to be given the contract.
And despite attempts to forge a lifesaving agreement between the PSPCA and PACCA, it was rejected by Howard Nelson who submitted his own draft saying cats with fleas, or ear mites, or needing dental care, or pregnant, should be outside the scope of the agreement as they were apparently not in the PSPCAs ambit of adoptable animals. (Is this how Howard Nelson was able to claim that the Washington Humane Society under his leadership was saving all "adoptable" animals while killing over 70% of all impounded dogs and cats?) If this is the vision for a No Kill Philadelphia under the PSPCA, the animals will be killed en masse."
Nathan Winograd - http://nathanwinograd.blogspot.com/2008/02/cautionary-tale-of-almost-victory-in.html
and:
Howard Nelson, the CEO of the Pennsylvania SPCA, is pro-No Kill when fundraising and is fond of saying that his agency is already No Kill. He made substantially similar claims as head of the Washington Humane Society (saying that all adoptable animals were being saved) even as the agency killed over 70% of all dogs and cats. And in Philadelphia, he claims that cats with ear mites, pregnant cats, older cats, cats with dental problems, and even cats with fleas should be outside the scope of an agreement with animal control to create No Kill in Philadelphia. If cats with fleas are not adoptable, who is? In Nelsons world, animals appear to be irrelevant when it comes to No Kill, since No Kill equals fundraising.
And when it comes to other shelters, he says that No Kill equals hoarding. Historically, the PSPCA has run kill shelters outside Philadelphia, but in a cost cutting move, the PSPCA is turning those over to local agencies to run independently. In the latest attack, the two-faced Nelson is refusing to turn over a shelter to No Kill advocates who want to run a comprehensive, thoughtful open admission No Kill facility. He has no problem turning shelters over to people and agencies grounded in killing.
Read the article here: http://nathanwinograd.blogspot.com/2008_08_01_archive.html
The PSPCA, and Pennsylvania animal welfare efforts in general, would be well served by ridding themselves of Howard Nelson and his cronies. Immediately
That picture can be found here: http://www.freepowerboards.com/SOTR/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=185