Rules, you know, those pesky things needed to run a functional society. Townships also have rules/ordinances to protect certain aspects of that area.These protect homeowners and residents of that township. These are all pretty important things and not made willy nilly against just Melissa as she seems to think.
Rescues should also have rules and protocols in place to protect their animals. One very important protocol most responsible rescues strictly adhere to is proper quarantine for new incoming animals. Rescues should also be sure to follow proper zoning to properly protect their animal residents. This would include animal numbers, types of animals allowed, obtaining the proper permits needed etc.
These animals have already been failed prior to coming to rescue so it is up to the rescue to make sure those animals are never failed again. Why is it Melissa and The Devoted Barn continually snub their noses at rules, ordinances, veterinary recommendations, protocols? By doing so over and over she is affecting the quality of life of the animals they take in, the residents of the township and the hardworking folks that donate their money to this organization. I am sure many of you are aware of the new and deadly strain of illness affecting dogs right here in Michigan. It is thought to be a strain of parvo and has killed more than 60 dogs. Right now it seems to be mostly affecting unvaccinated, not current on vaccinations and dogs under two years of age.
Here is the most recent press release from the State Veterinarian with MDARD: The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) continues to work with partners to learn more about reports of a canine parvovirus-like illness in northern Michigan dogs by facilitating additional testing.
“We are still in the early stages of this investigation, but some of the first samples submitted to the Michigan State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory were positive for canine parvovirus. However, there are more results pending and more to be learned,” State Veterinarian Nora Wineland, DVM. “When MDARD first learned of these cases in northern Michigan, we immediately reached out to the veterinarians and animal shelters involved and began our response efforts. Protecting animal and public health is one of the department’s key pillars, but it is a team effort. Dog owners need to ensure their pet is up to date on routine vaccinations as it’s the first step in keeping your pet healthy.”
MDARD is encouraging all dog owners to take a few simple steps to protect their animals:
• Keep up with routine vaccinations (especially for those living in or traveling with pets to the northern Lower Peninsula) by ensuring dogs/puppies are vaccinated against canine parvovirus, rabies, canine distemper, adenovirus, parainfluenza, and leptospirosis. • Have dogs/puppies fully vaccinated before interacting with other animals will help to keep them healthy and safe. • Keep dogs/puppies at home and away from other dogs if they are exhibiting any signs of illness and contact your veterinarian. • Be sure to clean up after your pet when you’re walking them out in public.
Why in the world would the Devoted Barn introduce a 5 week old puppy in which Rhonda claims they picked up one hour prior to not only other household pets, but puppies that are a mere three weeks (in other words, puppies WAY too young to be vaccinated yet). This is absolutely irresponsible and reckless https://fb.watch/f63OI5vEtB/
We have consulted with a number of professionals in the veterinary industry and all agreed that proper quarantine is crucial at any time, but even more so as we learn more about this virus. And let's get back to Rhonda, the one fostering a number of puppies for the barn. She resides in a township that does NOT allow fostering of any kind (unless that person obtains a kennel license). This township also has a strict dog limit of THREE dogs. Here is the ordinance, perhaps Melissa and Rhonda have not seen this:
Except for lawful kennels and litters of puppies or kittens up to five (5) months old, no person shall. possess, keep, or house more than three (3) household pets (dogs, cats) of the same species, or more. than a total of five (5) household pets on a zoning lot, Violation of this Section is a civil infraction.
We have seen the results of Melissa's failure to follow rules play out in both Frenchtown and Rose Township. But it is NEVER her fault. Why is that? How can all this negligence be someone else's fault?
I guess it's pretty easy to ignore these important rules/regulations/ordinances when you are in no way fiscally responsible. Why do her donors constantly support her irresponsibility? Rescues are to be a safety net for those that have been failed. Rescues SHOULD be an asset to their community and cause harmony. NOT discourse, divorce, lawsuits, negatively affecting nearby property values, negatively affecting the water sources and just constant never ending drama. If you have to follow rules, why does Melissa, Rhonda and the rest of the Devoted Barn crew feel they are above these?
Speaking of rules how many of you noticed that after our blog Melissa changed her Venmo from a person (her) getting the money to a business. AGAIN Venmo DOES NOT SUPPORT NON-PROFITS!! From Venmo: "Venmo is not formally configured for nonprofits, so many normal donation and fundraising platform features simply do not exist. For example, it does not generate tax-compliant receipts for donations and does not integrate with donor CRMs." Also every single donation that went to her personal account if all those donations are in excess of $20,000 which we are pretty sure it is Melissa will be issued a 1099k from Venmo for income. How can income be a tax deductible donation?? How can she LEGALLY give you a tax deductible receipt for money that went into her personal Venmo account?? Hello IRS more tax issues to add to the mix. According to Venmo and the IRS a Business Account is set up for a For Profit Business, so unless they are going through a third party billing company Venmo does not accept non profit donations on its platform. Call Venmo if you don't believe or a simple search on Venmo will confirm these facts.
Lastly, has anyone seen the exciting business plan Melissa promised on August 1st? Let's be honest a scribble on a notepad is not a business plan, lets start seeing some receipts, invoices and pictures of bills from vetting. That is transparency and fiscal responsibility to the donors.
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