Photos from the Tonasket Cruelty case, January 21, 2005
Hoarding - what is it? < as seen on the Oprah Winfrey show

60 dogs and 17 cats lived inside the house.

The stench was so strong that rescuers had to don
hazmat gear and masks so they could breathe.

A 12 year old girl also lived in this filth,
her toys buried under several inches of feces.

This pony's hooves grown like skis, would have to be sawn off by a farrier.

Another 35 dogs lived outside.

It wasn't much warmer indoors, as there was no heat or electricity.

Some didn't make it long enough for rescue to arrive.

Some of the dogs were pregnant.
A litter of puppies was born in the truck on the way to Spokane.

The rescue, care and veterinary work are all funded by private donations.
To date, SpokAnimal has funded over $6500.

Any help would be much appreciated. Thanks.

Mail your donations to:
N. 710 Napa,
Spokane, WA 99202

Donate to help via PayPal


PayPal email: mailbox@spokanimal.org

To our board and members

Dear members,

Unless you've been sequestered from the TV and newspapers this weekend, you all have probably heard about Gail and our staff's big rescue up north. After talking to Gail and other folks that were up there, I was inspired to write a letter to you, to let you know about the "behind the scenes" events that took place.

First, the sheriff and his crew were blown away by their care and efficiency. Everyone up there was totally taken aback by the horrific conditions, and they were all truly appreciate of the staff's efforts to get up there and to take as many animals as possible. Personally speaking, Gail, Marilyn, and Christel now walk on water with my husband, after what he witnessed them doing!

What moved me the most to write to you all was what I saw Friday night. I came in to the shelter around 6:30pm to do what I could to help with the media. Slowly, our staff started walking thru the door, sitting down and talking. I wasn't quite sure why they were all there, I thought maybe because it was closing time they were all getting together.

About 7 pm Christel and Gail showed up with a whole bunch of puppies, one who had actually given birth on the ride home. Quietly, one by one, each staff member took one of the dogs, accessed them, sometimes bathed them, and then decided who was taking which dog. It turned out that each staff member had come in (most after hours and some on their days off) to foster an animal or two. Ann, our vet tech, actually ended up talking many of the pregnant ones home, and then discovering one additional pregnant one and taking her home too. It was all without fanfare, just all done quietly with a whole lot of care. It was absolutely amazing.

As Christel was packing up her truck, she was telling us that she felt kind of lightheaded from all of the smell, and still felt a little woozy. But she said that even though it was the worst rescue she'd ever seen, she said she'd do it again in a heartbeat. Events like this happen every day at our shelter, mostly on a smaller scale. But you should all be very, very proud of the work that you do on behalf of such an excellent staff.

Just thought you all would like to know! :)

Lori Humphreys, PR & Board member

To Our Members:

I am writing to reinforce the reason why we, the Board of Directors, dedicate our time to Gail Mackie and her staff at SpokAnimal, and to the creatures that pass through their doors.

On a personal level, I have known Gail for over 15 years and have served as a board member for over 10. Gail has been involved in animal welfare for 32 years and she has seen many severe situations, things that I guarantee none of us could fathom. But, I have never seen her as emotionally and physically affected by a rescue as she was after the one at Tonasket.

The horror of witnessing this situation was devastating to everyone involved. The toll it took was both emotional and physical. The gravity of the situation even went beyond the animals, as a child's life was also in jeopardy.

This is another example of why we, SpokAnimal C.A.R.E, are "more then just a building." Our mission is greater then protecting the animals. It's also about serving our community as a whole and the people who live here.

The staff at SpokAnimal touches many lives.
Thank you for your continued support!

Regina Winkler
SpokAnimal, Board of Directors