Once again there’s turmoil in the cat advocacy world, this time coming out of North Carolina. The whole situation brings into question as to whether shelters should do background checks on the rescues who pull cats from them. I’ll be as brief as possible, but will list several links following this article so the readers can get more of an idea of the big picture.
On January 16 the Salisbury Post reported two of the rescues who pull from Rowan County were banned on December 31, 2015. County Manager Aaron Church confirmed to the Salisbury Post that Jennifer Frasier, owner of Purfect Purbaby Rescue and her father Craig Gordon, owner of Carolina Sanctuary and Rescue have been banned from Rowan County Animal Shelter in Salisbury.
The ban comes following the arrest of Frasier and Gordon when nearby Iredell County Animal Services brought charges against them for animal abandonment on December 19 stemming from a November incident where more than a dozen cats were left on the side of Short Dog Drive in Statesville. Frasier was charged and booked into the jail on $1,000 bond after being arrested by Salisbury Police Department officers. The Salisbury Post stated at least five of the cats were in Frasier’s possession before being abandoned.
Now for the battle: are Frasier and Gordon guilty? According to Frasier, she had only pulled the cats for another rescue to take possession of them and they were no longer in her care at the time they went missing. Frasier has been advised by her attorney not to speak on the matter. The court date is scheduled for February 1 and Jennifer says she has information that will clear her. One of her supporters (Cindy) says it best as follows:
“Since this trashing has started, we have not only lost Jen but many other rescuers. And why? Because of anonymous calls to the shelters and now they will not let ANYONE rescue. The good rescue world in NC has crumbled because of a few rubber necking gossiping trashing nosy people in Florida and California that get their rocks off on gossip. Not one of these people have ever made an effort to visit the adoption center. So now the cats wait for the dreaded day that they get the needle. Many already have and more will die tomorrow.”
Frasier herself stated in a blog comment
“First of all why would I believe it and care for leg amputation, eye removals, full vaccinations and spay/neuter if my intention was not to make sure that that animal got to a home or place where it can be properly cared for…why would I waste my time which usually added to about 16 hours a day back and forth to Concord and all over the state and others transporting cats, if I did not care about their well being???”
On the other hand, there are a lot of cat advocates who have been asking legitimate questions of where the cats she rescued ended up. A head count of all cats pulled over the past year are so have been requested and not provided. Advocates want to know where each cat ended up, what rescue a cat was passed off to and if a cat has died there should be vet receipts with information on what happened to the cat.
Unfortunately, Frasier recently reported a break-in at the adoption center in Salisbury, where none of the cats were harmed but records were stolen and the building vandalized (see photo above). Photos of the damage, as well as successful adoption stories, can be found on this Facebook page.
The issue of whether background checks needs addressing regarding rescues, since it’s been learned Frasier and Gordon both have criminal records. Manager Church, however, stated the criminal charges are only part of the reason for the ban. Church went on to add the shelter doesn’t conduct background checks on people adopting animals, but believes it may be a necessary policy change for rescues who pull from the shelter.
All we know to date is Salisbury PD Detective Benfield is assigned to the Breaking and Entering case. We also know Dr Norris, who is head of the NC Department of Agriculture Animal Welfare is heading up a related investigation. Iredell County Animal Control is also involved since the original complaints came out of their shelter.
This case should make for an interesting discussion. Those who support Frasier wonder how cat advocates can have her charged and convicted before she’s made even the first plea in court. Others worry about a fate worse than death to the cats she saved from death row. Regardless of how this case ends, it will be yet another blemish on cat rescues, who can’t fight lies and rumors yet don’t provide simple information on the cats they save.
Please feel free to comment on any of this. Just don’t spread rumors that can’t be proven at this time. We have to leave that for the courts to decide. It’s sad, but the Team Frasier supporters are right in assessing more cats will likely die without Frasier there to save them.
Please comment on Facebook as well as it helps spread the word – thanks.
The people that set Jen up are the very same people that trashed her, these are the same people that are in Florida that broke into her adoption center, they stole her files so that she could not PROVE WHERE the cats she adopted out and or fostered out went. I mean are these not the same people that where screaming about WHERE DID THE CATS YOU PULLED GO JEN??
Yes they where the VERY same.
I feel this “Cindy” says it best …..
The good rescue world in NC has crumbled because of a few rubber necking gossiping trashing nosy people in Florida and California that get their rocks off on gossip.
Thank you for commenting Jadi.
This should have been ongoing long ago – not only rescue groups but shelters and shelter workers.
It should be the jobs of investigative reporters to keep check, but they’re so whipped scared that they can only wimp out and write in generality.
We, who haven’t demanded this, need to be ashamed.
Sorry to be so long-winded, but part of the W.I.S.P. law is that all info of a sensitive nature must be redacted totally on documents after its use has been exhausted. Applications, like rental apps with S.S.#s and bank act #s, must be totally redacted once the credit check is complete. We cannot divulge the credit score to a landlord – only tell them the person is either credit worthy or not. If the LL wants more info, they must pull the report themselves. We cannot even print out the report. Anything printed must then be shredded if it’s no longer needed. To scoff at these rules in the law could lead to thousands and thousands of dollars in fines, jail time and being permanently banned from whatever industry you’re currently working. Serious stuff.
BTW, all of our paper records are archived under lock and key and are destroyed after a period of time; however, everything is backed up electronically in more than one place.
We also check up on where our animals end up. Part of the adoption agreement contract is that we reserve the right to confiscate the animal should we find out any part of the agreement is breached, i.e.: declaw, letting the animals outside (this is a city with tons of danger), lack of vet care, especially current rabies inoculation, neglect, etc. Adopters must also be at least 21 years old and we don’t allow college kids to adopt at all (for obvious reasons), plus being near Salem, MA (home of the “witches”) we don’t adopt black cats around Halloween unless we know the adopter. Nothing is perfect, but we try.
I haven’t followed this story, so my comments do not necessarily pertain to the people involved. I can, however, comment on background checks. Here in Massachusetts, we have what is called the W.I.S.P. law (Written Information System Procedure). What that means is that anyone who handles sensitive information (social security numbers, bank account numbers, date of birth, etc.) is required, by law, to safeguard that info at all costs. We cannot make copies of drivers licensed nor write down that info on paper to be used at a later date. This info has to be kept under lock and key (in a file cabinet for example), computer systems must be encrypted, papers cannot be left out in the open, even to use the loo – they must be secured. Desks must be locked, etc.
This law has been in effect for at least 10 years here, and initially was created for the banking industry. Over time, it expanded to all businesses, agencies, and people who handle sensitive data. Auditors may come in at any time to inspect, unannounced, and if anything is awry, there are huge fines and penalties (including jail time) if convicted.
That being said, my very own shelter was unaware of this law until I made it known to them. I brought in a copy of the law and what it entails to the shelter manager and it was brought up at their monthly Board of Directors meeting. Not surprising, a lot of system changes ensued. Being in the real estate industry by day, we are always up-to-date with the latest restrictions and laws and the shelter was very grateful to have the info shared with them.
Our volunteers do require background checks before they join the shelter. Our adopters get background checks (although not as vigorous). Adopters have a 2/page application and it is checked out, including references, vet info, employment verification and home verification (rent vs ownership). I cannot go into more detail because it is proprietary to the shelter. Suffice to say, if a potential adopter refuses to complete the application, we cannot allow the adoption to go forward. I don’t know if that helps this conversation or not, but I hope it sheds some light on the seriousness of the issue at hand.
I encourage everyone who donated to keep electronic records of your donation and forward to the appropriate parties if the charges stick; this will potentially help provide proof of financial fraud. It could also help to shut down fraudulent paypal accounts, amazon donation accounts, etc. if these rescues have indeed used funds inappropriately and/or dumped defenseless animals.
I agree with you Brian!!!! This fraud via PayPal and other sites has got to stop. New legislation is needed for these sites to have to report income over i.e. $600…. scammers get free money off the backs of generous pledgers including those on fixed incomes. It’s not right or fair!
Thanks Kerry. Many agree with you.