Jul 15, 2008 9:03 pm US/Mountain
Employees Buy, Promise To Clean Up Animal Shelter
THORNTON, Colo. (CBS4) ―
An animal shelter with a history of problems is now under new management.
A CBS4 investigation last year revealed dozens of state violations at the kennel that spanned a decade.
On June 24 Jack and Cindy Kelly, the former owners of Mile High Humane Society, were evicted from the property for non-payment of rent. The dogs and cats were to go to other shelters but employees of the former shelter took over.
"I'm so happy for them because they have no clue that they almost became homeless again," said Stacey Pekish, who was one the staff who helped. "It's a feeling of relief and it's a sense of accomplishment."
Last year, the CBS4 investigation turned up State Agriculture Department records showing violations dating back to 1996 such as: rodent infestation, food left open, bad cat cages, sick cats not in isolation, odors and more. While the state threatened fines, they rarely issued them.
The employees who witnessed the unclean conditions are working to turn things around.
"We chose to stay on and become the 'Underdogz,' and take it on instead of leaving and going somewhere easier," Pekish said.
Under the new name, Underdogz, with a hand-painted sign, the new owners struggle to catch up on a decades worth of neglect.
"Making sure we can continue to pay the lease, and make the improvements that the building desperately needs," Pekish said.
The kennel still has electrical issues and drains that clog. There's a lot of work to be done, but the Underdogz hope a new attitude will help.
"That's our main goal; to provide better living for these dogs," said Dustin Hansing, Kennel Manager.
Like Mile High Humane Society, Underdogz is listed as a non-profit organization.
Claudia Barnes, a critic of the shelter, told CBS4 what's important is not whether the facility remains open, but the quality of care the animals receive.
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