Welcome to the Official Website of Summit County Animal Rights Enforcement.  

Also known as:   SCARE

Akron, OH.  Summit County

THICK GREEN MOLD IN FOOD BOWLS, OVERTURNED WATER DISHES

(Witness Statement)

On Thursday, June 30, 2005, I paid a visit to the Summit County Animal Shelter at 460 E. North St. in Akron, Ohio.  What I found was absolutely appalling.  Dozens of impounded cats and kittens were being held in cages in the cattery with empty and overturned food and water dishes.  Several food bowls contained a thick layer of green mold.  These poor animals had no rugs, towels or other comfort items and their litter boxes were filled with feces, some of it appearing to be several days old. 

I was so shocked by the poor physical condition of the cats and kittens and the complete lack of sanitation that I immediately called several other members of my rescue organization to assist me.  Three others quickly joined me.  We began cleaning cages, feeding; watering and giving needed medical attention to the animals.  Most of the cats and kittens were sick, very thin and covered with fleas.  Those that still appeared to be healthy, understandably wanted to get out of there.  It was at this point, between tears, that we decided that we couldn’t bear to leave these poor animals in this facility.  It was clearly very poorly run.  We scrambled for cash and carriers.  In all, there were 64 impounded cats and kittens at the shelter that day.  We paid Summit County $640, $10 each, for the privilege of removing these ill-treated and condemned animals from this county-run cat-hell and immediately took all of the animals to area veterinarians for further treatment, testing and vaccinations. 

These cats and kittens from June 30^th we consider to have been the lucky ones as they are now all well cared for in Friends of Pets foster homes and many have been adopted into permanent, loving families.  After paying for needed vet care, spays and neuters, the total cost to our organization for this rescue was over $5,000. 

Before leaving the shelter that day, we made certain that each cage and all food and water dishes were cleaned and disinfected.  We scrubbed the walls and floors of the cattery, disinfected every litter box, cleaned and removed filth and feces from the sink and floor and emptied the trash.  We made these efforts in an attempt to keep in check the viruses, bacteria and deadly contagious diseases that we knew to be a constant problem at the facility.

As our all-volunteer organization, Friends of Pets, simply cannot afford such heroic efforts often, I’ve made it a point to avoid the S.C.A.S. as much as possible since that day.  It is just too difficult to see innocent animals in such needlessly sad and deplorable conditions. 

Summit County Executive, James McCarthy has repeatedly referred to the Summit County Animal Shelter as a “disposal facility” and that is clearly how he allows it to be run.  This is effectively accomplished by the hiring and promoting of individuals who not only lack education and good judgment but who also lack compassion for animals and basic common sense and furthered by the horrendous practice of forcing out caring employees who’ve voiced concerns about the treatment of animals in their charge.  None of our displaced pets deserve the fate that awaits most of them at this facility.  Summit county’s citizens and it’s displaced animals deserve much better than we are getting and the time has come for the community to speak out for those who can not.

Sincerely,

Janice Mayfield

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