ER - Community responds to dogs' abuse by donating to rescue

Community responds to dogs' abuse by donating to rescue
by Heather Muller , 8/27/2006

Dozens of cards and letters and thousands of dollars in donations have been received by Miranda’s Animal Rescue in Fortuna following the rescue of 13 dogs from the Mad River area, according to Shannon Miranda, who owns and operates the rescue.

“The community response has been unbelievable,” Miranda said. “People have really opened their hearts to these animals.”

They’ve opened their wallets as well. Miranda said some $15,000 had been sent to support the care and feeding of the dogs, along with more than 1,000 pounds of dog food.

Blankets, towels, dog bones and a variety of other treats and necessities have also been contributed, Miranda said — and all of it for a very good cause.

The dogs, several of them near death, were found Aug. 10 at the former property of Roberta Bugenig near Mad River. Miranda and four volunteers rescued the dogs from among the remains of numerous dead dogs, many of which appeared to have been eaten by the survivors.

Two of the dogs recovered Aug. 11 have been euthanized due to untreatable physical or mental problems. But Miranda said that as a result of the generosity, the surviving dogs are receiving “the best medical care money can buy.”

In some cases, both businesses and their employees have donated to support the dogs.

One example is the Coast Central Credit Union on Harrison Avenue in Eureka.

“We want to take a moment and thank you for your service, contribution and willingness to rescue and care for the animals in our community that have been neglected or abused,” according to a letter from credit union employees.

“In recent news, our hearts were broken and it sickened us to hear about the dogs that were literally starved to death, but yet thankful that you were able to save the remaining dogs,” the letter stated.

“As you may know, Coast Central Credit Union already sent you a contribution, but many of us as individuals who work here wanted to also contribute to you. We hope this helps in the treatment and care of these dogs you have saved.”

The employees of another Eureka business, Longs Drugs on Myrtle Avenue, contributed cash and dog food, both of which were delivered to the rescue.

Marlena Gillespie, the photo and sporting goods manager at the store, organized the fundraiser by soliciting small donations from co-workers and a few of her neighbors.

“I said you could give me $5 or $10 or buy a bag of dog food,” she said. In three days, she raised $250 and collected 300 pounds of food.

“Everyone’s just sick over this whole thing,” Gillespie said. “If we didn’t have Shannon, what would happen to these dogs?”

Miranda said the kind words included in cards and letters have helped him get through a difficult time.

“It’s been tough,” he said. “Really tough. I can’t even tell you how much the thank you cards of support and encouragement have kept me going.”

One card thanked Miranda and his volunteers for their “honor and service. You bring hope to the pure hearts of despairing creatures.”

He laughed when he produced two letters referring to him as “Saint Miranda,” but he was serious again when he talked about the work of his no-kill shelter.

“These kinds of rescues are expensive,” he said, “which is why so few people do them.”

Miranda said a June 30 rescue of 22 horses from a Santa Rosa ranch resulted in little publicity and few donations — “and that cost us a fortune, by our standards. Just to pay everyone’s fuel there and back was more than $600, not to mention the feeding and care afterward.”

He said all of the donations will be used for the care of the rescued dogs, with any additional funds applied toward the continuation of the rescue’s work.

“I’d like to personally thank the community for its overwhelming support and generosity,” Miranda said. “When I saw the condition of those dogs in Mad River, I just wanted to quit. I didn’t want to ever have to see something like that again.”

But because of the encouragement he’s received, Miranda said, “I know I have to keep going. Now I want to do even more.”

For more information about Miranda’s Animal Rescue, phone 707-725-4449, or write to 1603 Sandy Prairie Road, Fortuna, Calif., 95540.

Copyright (C) 2005, The Eureka Reporter. All rights reserved.