Fake Dog Rescue

[Catherine]

They have finally shut down a fake dog rescue in California. Pawlosophy has been linked to a number of dead dogs. The dogs that were seized are very ill.
The woman who ran the "rescue" has used a number of names at different times.  It is unclear where the puppies she sells are coming from.

http://news.google.ca/news/url?sr=1&ct2=...t=2&at=dt0

It is bad that this has gone on so long. Her puppies might be from Mexico. Most likely they are from a puppy mill. They certainly have not been looked after.
There is little regulation of private rescues. This is something that needs to be corrected. There are fake fund raising groups, but in this case it goes further. She actually had animals who were not receiving proper care. I don't know what we can do to shut down or even recognize fake rescues or bad rescue groups. Something needs to be done.

[Tobi]

This is criminal.
But of course, it's only 'criminal' after the event; when a crime has been committed. Authorities seem unable to do anything up to that point. After that point it is too late for the animals.
Ideally a system of registration for any animal 'rescue' ought to happen, and regular inspections.
....But by whom? And who pays for it? And who administers and regulates the registrations?
Anyone could operate a 'rescue'. Yet as soon as they start fund-raising they surely ought to have a charity number and be registered as a 'charity'?

You see, all that admin. costs money. But it ought to be law.

It is so sad that this happened and could happen again any time.

[Catherine]

Quote:Ideally a system of registration for any animal 'rescue' ought to happen, and regular inspections.
....But by whom? And who pays for it? And who administers and regulates the registrations?
Anyone could operate a 'rescue'. Yet as soon as they start fund-raising they surely ought to have a charity number and be registered as a 'charity'?

With internet fund raising it is so hard to keep up with all the people raising money for various causes. It always was impossible. In the old days they could go door to door and ask for money. Enough people would give money so it was worth the effort.
Rescues are hard to keep track of. She was working out of a motel room and had the puppies in a bathtub. That should have been a sign that something was wrong. Puppies kept in a motel bathtub probably are not vaccinated or health checked in any way.
In this case the buyers should have been careful. People bought puppies at a flea market in Toronto years ago and they turned out to have rabies. Not only did the puppies have to be put down, the people needed treatment for rabies.

If we were less trusting about where we donate and reported rescues that seem odd it might help.

There is certainly no regulation of the situation right now. As you say they only act when something wrong is done. That is no help to the animals involved.
Also people with "rescues" like this encourage puppy mills since they are an outlet for the puppies.