Aid for rescued dogs pours in

By Kate Reardon

Herald Writer

CAMANO ISLAND — The 58-year-old owner of 75 collies rescued from filthy kennels this week will likely face criminal citations for animal cruelty, an Island County sheriff’s official said Tuesday.

Meanwhile, a community outpouring of money and dog food donations has touched animal rescue officials.

"It’s been outstanding," said Lisa Hammel Yost, board vice president of the Camano Animal Shelter Association, where several of the dogs are staying.

Businesses, residents and students gave hundreds of pounds of dog food to the shelter.

Stanwood High School students dropped off a crate of homemade dog biscuits for the Lassie-type dogs.

The dogs were rescued on Sunday from a home in the 400 block of Stein Lane on Camano Island. Many appear to have suffered from poor nutrition. They were taken from overcrowded, unsanitary and feces-filled kennels.

"There’s a medical concern with each one of them," said Carol Barnes, Whidbey Island animal control officer.

By Tuesday afternoon, the Camano shelter had collected names of about 65 people interested in adopting a dog and about 50 people who would foster a dog.

Hammel Yost said the shelter could use more volunteer help, especially starting next week when news of the rescue quiets down. Regular updates on dogs at the Camano shelter can be found on the Internet at www.petshelter.net/pets/adoptioncenter/findshelter.asp.

On Tuesday night, Shari Bibich, shelter manager at Whidbey Animal Improvement Foundation, waited for the arrival of about 25 of the dogs being moved from the Camano Island shelter.

Local veterinarians Robert Bishop and Eric Anderson were expected to examine each dog Tuesday night as they arrived, she said. The dogs will stay in foster homes, the Whidbey shelter and the Animal Inn, a private kennel, she said.

Sheriff spokeswoman Jan Smith said the investigation is being completed. The Herald will not publish the woman’s name unless charges are filed. The woman could not be reached for comment.

"The owners are likely to be cited for animal cruelty," she said, adding she does not yet know the destiny of the dogs.

The woman has been in trouble before for the care of her animals. The most serious incident occurred in February 1998, when the Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office cited her for operating an unlicensed commercial kennel near Arlington in a condition that deputies deemed "unsanitary, nauseous, foul or offensive," all in violation of county code.

The woman paid a $150 fine.

You can call Herald Writer Kate Reardon at 425-339-3455 or send e-mail to reardon@heraldnet.com.

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