http://www.komotv.com/news/17414509.html
Safe haven for soldiers' pets being shut down
LAKEWOOD, Wash. -- A local woman who rescued dozens of animals that were left behind by deployed soldiers is being told to give them up.
Diana VanDusen began taking in stray and unwanted pets after the animal shelter at Fort Lewis shut down. Most of the animals are old or disabled, and most come from military families from Fort Lewis who have had to move overseas.
Some of the soldiers reclaim their pets when they return home, but others do not have such a luxury.
"The rest (of the soldiers) - they had to abandon (their pets), because they didn't know when they were coming back," said VanDusen. "One cat I held for two years, and no one came back for it. So I knew it was time to adopt it out."
VanDusen keeps some of the animals in her home and the rest in an enclosed space in her backyard.
But Animal Control officers told her she's in violation of city code, which states one residence can only house up to five animals.
Officers told VanDusen that she would be fined $500 if she does not reduce the number of animals in her home to five by April 14.
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In describing one of her dogs, VanDusen said "he's blind. He has a neurological disorder on his back legs. He's old, he's 14 years old. Who wants to adopt a dog that could pass away in a few months?"
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VanDusen said turning our backs on the soldiers' pets is simply unacceptable.
"We're supposed to support our troops," she said. "If they can't support the troops by supporting the animals of the troops, then I can't live in a city that doesn't back our troops. Because these guys are innocent victims of what's going on over there."
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Anyone who'd like to adopt one of the dogs or cats can meet VanDusen's animals at the Puyallup PetSmart at 120 31st Avenue between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. on Saturday.
Safe haven for soldiers' pets being shut down
LAKEWOOD, Wash. -- A local woman who rescued dozens of animals that were left behind by deployed soldiers is being told to give them up.
Diana VanDusen began taking in stray and unwanted pets after the animal shelter at Fort Lewis shut down. Most of the animals are old or disabled, and most come from military families from Fort Lewis who have had to move overseas.
Some of the soldiers reclaim their pets when they return home, but others do not have such a luxury.
"The rest (of the soldiers) - they had to abandon (their pets), because they didn't know when they were coming back," said VanDusen. "One cat I held for two years, and no one came back for it. So I knew it was time to adopt it out."
VanDusen keeps some of the animals in her home and the rest in an enclosed space in her backyard.
But Animal Control officers told her she's in violation of city code, which states one residence can only house up to five animals.
Officers told VanDusen that she would be fined $500 if she does not reduce the number of animals in her home to five by April 14.
......
In describing one of her dogs, VanDusen said "he's blind. He has a neurological disorder on his back legs. He's old, he's 14 years old. Who wants to adopt a dog that could pass away in a few months?"
.......
VanDusen said turning our backs on the soldiers' pets is simply unacceptable.
"We're supposed to support our troops," she said. "If they can't support the troops by supporting the animals of the troops, then I can't live in a city that doesn't back our troops. Because these guys are innocent victims of what's going on over there."
......
Anyone who'd like to adopt one of the dogs or cats can meet VanDusen's animals at the Puyallup PetSmart at 120 31st Avenue between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. on Saturday.