I have adopted 5 dogs from this rescue. Each one of them has become a treasured member of my family. I am aware that the rescue took in 9 dogs recently, as the result of hardships faced by the dog owner. This type of intake creates an unexpected drain on funds. The dogs are vetted, micro-chipped and spay-neutered prior to being re-homed. 3 years ago this rescue took in 15 dogs and 9 cats under similar circumstances. All dogs are kept in foster homes until a forever home is found. The 15 were all placed in wonderful homes.
I can only speak from my experience. I adopted a Shellie from this organization about 14 years ago. The standards for adoption were very strict. I gave my veterinarian’s address, my neighbor’s recommendation, and several more questions I no longer remember. The shelter checked each of my referrals. The last step Ms Sanderbeck brought the dog for a visit so that she could check the home and yard ,also to see how the dog and we reacted to one another. When the visit was over,she left the dog with us. I was impressed with the thoroughness of the procedure. I would not want a shelter who would let a person adopt without checking them out.
The dog was in good shape when we received him. I have donated to this shelter ever since and cannot believe that the same woman has changed into the monster depicted in the letters I have read. Whatever has inspired such diatribes must be based on a misunderstanding. I’m distressed that the shelter is being attacked in such a manner. Undoubtedly, she will be forced to close as the attacks succeed in drying up her funds, and dogs that could be sheltered will be on the streets rather than in deserving homes.
I love shelties and actually traveled from Michigan to Ohio and adopted a sheltie. I have closely followed Pipers story as I help with rescue transports and I also own a dog from a very reputable breeder. I am rescue and responsible breeding friendly. I am honestly shocked how anyone can support this so called rescue. I have friends who runs rescues, they go over and beyond legal strays holds to reunite dogs with their owners. This woman has no excuse for what she has done. Her 501 should have been pulled. Her actions potentially hurt good, honest rescues. SHAME!!
Really upset tried to donate $100 in memory of my cousin. Site will not let me delete/edit so now my donation is up to $500. Pretty much a scam. Rip cousin will send your mom my donation, somewhere safe where I won't get ripped off
Terrible experience trying to adopt a rescue dog from them. Application process is completely out of control. Their requirements make 90% of the population ineligible to adopt one of these wonderful dogs into a permanent home. Not to mention the continued questions and scrutiny. I understand trying to protect the dogs but this place is out of control. This is the type of rescue that drives people to breeders if they are looking for a specific breed. They are most certainly working in their own best interest and not looking out for the best interest of the animal.
Awesome rescue! Always put dogs first! Endures a lot of BS but continues putting the dogs first in all they do
Great Organization that has been attacked unfairly in the Media. I highly recommend the work they do. They are truly All About the Dogs!
terrible lack of ethics in the Piper "rescue" and subsequent court case , wasted court costs, wasted donated dollars, and OVERALL casts negative shadow over dog rescues.
go to piperslegacy.org for the complete and accurate facts of what happened in the piper case. ALL court documents are on this site - and will explain why the Judge ordered Sanderbeck to return the dog or go to jail!
sadly, one review on this site makes inaccurate allegations that are not supported by the facts.
piperslegacy.org contains much of the media coverage as well as the court documents and many more links. this case is now before the Franklin County Municipal Court of Appeals - filed by COSR/Sanderbeck when ordered by the Judge to return Piper to her owner.
The rescue is wasting time, money and good will toward all rescues by trying to raise the cost of this lawsuit to such heights that no other owner will ever attempt to recover a dog wrongfully taken.
A few last points: Piper was NEVER scheduled for Euthanasia - EVER. She was microchipped to the owners and when Franklin County Animal Control called that number after 4pm on Good Friday, Easter Weekend, the Shelter was told the Vet's office would obtain the owner's contact information and call them back. One hour and a few minutes after opening on Easter Monday - after the holiday weekend when the Veterinary office was closed - a volunteer for the shelter who ALSO was a volunteer for COSR spirited the identified, microchipped dog out of the Shelter and attempted to hide her from her actual legal owner.
Go read the Legal Filings. Go read the articles. Then, decide whether the rescue that took piper is a rogue rescue or a legitimate one trying to "help" animals.
Furthermore, go to the Facebook Page, Bring Piper Home, and look at the condition of Piper when she finally was returned to her owner. The champion show dog was in deplorable condition and seriously in need of rescuing - from COSR/Sanderbeck!
Shame on LauraM for her ill-researched and inaccurate review of this situation. Unfortunately, for LauraM, lies and deception are easily disproved in this case - Go to piperslegacy.org and read to decide for yourselves!
I'm appalled, laura, that your posted so much misinformation in your effort to defend this rogue rescue. Please read the facts: http://www.piperslegacy.org/ and donate if you can, as the rights of all PET OWNERS are at stake. This rescue kept a dog from its legal owner, and has continued to drag out the legal case in an attempt to ruin the woman and get the dog back by default. While in this 'rescue's' care the dog was kept in a crate 24/7 - no exercise at all, so she got fat and her leg muscles lost all tone to the point where her pasterns fell. Her nail care and tooth care was non-existent, and her body was covered in scabs and sores because she was not given proper grooming or brushing. This rescue may have started out with the best of intentions but they have lost their way. And this is just the tip of the iceberg in exposing rescue done wrong:
https://dogladyrants.wordpress.com/2015/12/13/the-250000-dog-and-her-message/
I am appalled by so many rating this women and her rescue without hearing both sides to the story! Smh! I do not know either parties involving Piper, I took the time to read court documents and statements from both parties involved. This women runs a rescue, this is not cheap, she does this out of the kindness of her heart! She was called by the shelter to take this dog, she arranged pick up before she was euthanized! This is a case of greedy breeder against a rescue. The breeder rehomed her dog as she could not produce any longer, she was growing old and time to move onto next female to breed and to show! Sounds like a case of puppymill, that is exactly what puppymills do, breed dogs as much as they can. Rid of the dog when she can no longer fill the wallet. When this dog was rehomed the breeder lost ownership rights. The dog ran off from the new owner, picked up by animal control. Seems the new owner not too concerned about the loss of the dog. Did they check the shelter as soon as the dog came up missing? That is the first place to check! Most shelters 99% of them have a volunteers running a fb page, was a message sent to the shelter via fb? The shelter followed guidelines with their hold time, contacted rescue to move this dog before she became ill, stressed or before it was time to put her down. I dont think ppl realize how stressful shelters are on animals, it really creates such anxiety and stress, making them susceptible to many illnesses that is passed through shelters as they receive so many dogs on a daily basis. This women who owns the rescue group and volunteers have done everything correct, they did no wrong and legally in all actuality she is the rightful owner of this dog Piper. If the breeder would have approached in a professional mannor and was able to provide solid proof she is in fact the dogs owner this rescue I am sure would have gladly returned the dog. Instead there is huge red flags, most importantly a breeder who got rid of this dog when she was done, not able to produce, not great quality to show any longer. In my opinion she does not deserve this dog back. She rehomed her dog, she lost her rights and ownership when she did this. She does not co-own the dog, thats a crock, she gave her away. Ppl who run rescues hear and see all kinds of stories, they see through ppl's nonsense, Im sure she sensed this, recognized huge red flag from the beginning. There is a fb page with a huge following, I did not see once this breeder being truthful with her side of the story. Instead I hear poor me, my poor dog, yes the poor dog you got rid of. This dog should be returned to the rescue group, the ones who saved her life, the ones who stepped up and rescued after she ended up at the animal shelter. Please look into all the facts before judging! There is no reason to slander this women who did nothing wrong. She was contacted to help, this is exactly what she was doing. I smell crap immediately when I read this story, when I seen hands out for attorney fees, at one point I seen $170000. For attorney costs, did someone add an extra zero in human error? Last post stated needed $10,000 to get the account current, completely pay off the attorney. This figure is astronomical, unheard of. Now we have this fb group, the poor me, please help me and so many ppl jumping on the bandwagon not researching any of this. And those who get on here and give low ratings because of what you read in the poor me story, someone claiming to be away from their beloved pet. Please look into all facts before judging. Please spay and neuter your pets and do not support breeders, support shelters and rescue groups. When purchasing from most breeders you are supporting their wallet, the female dog will then be tossed to the side when she is no longer able to produce. A very sad cycle. A very sad story regarding this ordeal.
if you look at pictures, it says it all, Look at Piper BEFORE this 'rescue" stole her. Look at the condition she was returned to the Breeder/Owner. COSR should be closed, if only for their ill treatment of a pure breed dog, they have NO clue how to maintain a dog properly. Why would ANY sane, animal lover support this horrendous excuse for a rescue. Put your money into a rescue that takes CARE of animals.
You get no star from me. You should be ashamed of y ourselves for wanting to keep a dog that does not belong to you. You are not a Rescue and not non-profit or you would give Piper back. you are disgusting and should have all animals taken from you and not be labelled a Rescue cause you clearly are not. Have some compassion for poor Piper who has an owner and she has the paperwork.
This is a wonderful rescue that works tirelessly for this wonderful breed. They save dogs from greedy backyard breeders, puppy mills, and hoarders (sometimes one in the same- as was the case with the MIDLAND 17. Seventeen dogs, and numerous cats, rescued from a former show dog person and breeder turned hoarder, who were in desperate medical need) or dogs that are abandoned or banished to kill pounds (whose lives, let's face it, began with one type of breeder or another). Their dogs get the best medical care, as well as endless love and devotion. They clean up the messes left by people who were not devoted to the lives, health, or emotional needs of this breed but decided to purchase or continuously breed them anyway.
Visit their Facebook page and see their actions for yourself.
See with YOUR OWN EYES exactly what this rescue works tirelessly to accomplish.
You certainly won't find the truth by reading the libel and lies of vengeful reviewers foolish enough to leave themselves open to eventual lawsuits with their ridiculous accusations, unfounded lies, and undeserved defamation of this rescue. It's such a shame that they could not show more respect, or gratitude even, for an organization that in all honestly cleans up the messes left behind by THEM and THEIR ilk.
Why do I say that? Because this is a rescue that is breed-specific..."purebred" Shelties. How do they come into existence? Breeding, of course. Different levels, different methods (few actually reputable), but all ending with the same result -- more Sheltie pups being brought into the world. This rescue was founded to care for the ones that are no longer wanted, no longer cared for, or on death row in your local pound for whatever reason. If you actually love the breed, you should also love that there is such a wonderful organization in place to care for them in their time of need.
And Psst ...I'll let you in on a secret a lot of people pretend they don't know: more money, not to mention time, goes into every single dog than will ever be gained from an adoption. Rescue is done for one reason: love.
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It's unfortunate that so many people have resorted to writing negative reviews based on personal vendettas. There is a pending court case regarding one dog that was legally obtained from a county pound after it was picked up as a stray. The dog's breeder did not claim within the state required 72 hours by making any contact whatsoever with the holding facility, which under law relinquishes any rights. They also never bothered to register the dog's microchip, which is trumped by state license anyhow -- not that the dog had one anyhow. Because of the six separate people claiming ownership throughout this ordeal who believe law does not apply to them, a great rescue is being dragged through the mud while they stick to their guns under the belief that they must do what is best for dogs in their charge, regardless of the abuse they endure from breeders and a misinformed public.
This "shelter" is being run by money grubbing, unethical trolls who would rather exploit a rescued animal for personal profit and spite than do the right thing by the animal and it's proper owners. AVOID AT ALL COSTS....
A great organization DOES NOT KEEP A DOG FROM IT"S OWNER. Shame on them. THey need their non profit status revoked. DOGS HAVE FEELINGS and they never considered anything but their own ridiculous agenda whatever it was.
Great organization - very reliable. Some suppliers of lab specimens make big promises but come up short. I called COSR in a pinch on a Friday. I needed 20 new specimens on the following Monday and they were able to have the dogs at the lab by 8 am for the cosmetics trials.
No stars. A rescue's job is to help animals. This so called rescue is doing nothing of the sort by using their money to stop a dog from going home. I find that to be 100% hypocritical to a rescue's mission. COSR may be anti breeder, and yes there are bad breeders. Piper has a loving home who went to the ends of the earth to get her home. That is not a bad breeder nor a bad home. COSR is a bad rescue. How can they even be labeled a rescue is beyond me. They should be putting their time, energy, and money into helping not harming.
How anyone could donate to your organization after learning of how you basically stole an AKC show dog, Piper, is beyond me. And even after a judge yesterday ordered you to return this dog you've kept for 14 months, you still intend to appeal and take this to trial. WHY?! why are you so determined to keep Piper? Don't you have other rescues you could focus on? Or do you rescue shelties to simply KEEP THEM for yourself?
I will donate to the rightful owner of Piper today. The owner needs help with her legal fees, I'm sure.
Do not support a "rescue" that would rather squander money on legal fees to keep a dog who ALREADY has a home instead of other dogs in need. I am not paying for your frivolous legal fees. However, I will donate to the private citizen who's dog you keep.
Shame on this sham of an "organization" and the one digusting individual pretending to run it as a "shelter". It has been outed as a private home and one individual who takes dogs into her filthy, unkempt house, reeking of urine and feces, according to police reports filed upon entering the house, where unknown numbers of continuously barking dogs were kept. She is now using funds that were donated by unsuspecting individuals to care for dogs that needed medical attention for her own insidious purpose of paying legal fees ($10,000) to keep one champion sheltie dog away from her proven owner for selfish reasons of keeping the dog for herself. This has been going on for nearly a year while the money donated to benefit those poor dogs she is supposed to be caring for live in filthy conditions, the 10,000 dollars sits in limbo while her despicable lawyer finds ways to postpone the trial time after time since last year. If she truly cared about the animals she has in that house, she would have put that money to it's proper use; not have put one animal, whose owner is known, ahead of an entire group of animals that need financial attention. I wish I could have given her zero stars.
Hard for me to understand how on earth this so-called non-profit rescue is still in business and has not lost their NP status. Beyond their refusal to exercise redemption on dogs for which there is a known owner, that they would actually post a $10,000. bond and spend NP dollars to fight the legitimate owner of a dog that they confiscated. That is irresponsible and antithetical to how non-profits should act. If they have the money to hire lawyers and maintain a year long fight not to return a dog, they really ought to have their non-profit status pulled - permanently.
From a dog rescue perspective, there are few criteria that rescues are rated upon. One of the most important is REDEMPTION of animals to their known owner. Second is their FIDUCIARY responsibility is spending non-profit dollars wisely - another epic fail. Third is putting the best interests of the animals first. An obvious fail. 4th and 5th is around maintaining and demonstrating that they maintain the care of animals, and ensuring, by submitting to periodic inspection, that they keep rescued animals in adequate facilities and provide them with the human interaction and socialization needed to thrive. Having hidden Piper for coming up on one year, and not allowed a single official to ensure the well-being and facilities that this dog is being kept in, demonstrates that not only should COSR not have NP status, they should not be permitted contact with animals as their care does not meet the minimum standard of being humane.
I continue to be very disappointed in this group. This is just plain wrong! Please return this dog. Please enter into negotiations with a heart of love and solutions! This has gone far enough! The sheltie community is divided, breeders and rescue are pointing fingers at each other... there is a general feeling of distrust as a result of this situation. Please be part of this solution, please think of what this is doing to the sheltie world. She will not be treated poorly if she goes back, she will be loved and kept forever... make this part of your request... make it a request that all parties come to a solution together... just fix this! Please!
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Any dog that ends up in rescue no matter if a rescue believes they have ownership rights should be sent to the breeder or the breeder should be offered the dog. Responsible breeders take enough nastiness comments from the animal rights groups. They should take their dogs back and should be be given that opportunity. There is no reason as to not return this dog to her breeder. Rescue is about rescuing the dogs! When the breeder is willing to step up, they should be given that opportunity. When the breeder called the rescue the first time, the rescue should have immediately agreed to give the dog back! There has and is plenty of opportunity to STOP all of this and simply allow the dog to go back to the breeder. I wish there were so many people concerned about all the rescues out there with no people to love or care for them... spend half of the efforts spent on this one dog and you would have a ton of energies to focus... there would be homes for many other dogs. Really? this is silly.... let the dog go, you will be praised and there are plenty of offers to help you with other things... let the dog go back and put an end to this issue.... Both parties will spend a fortune... attorneys will make most of that, and all for what? to fight over a dog that has a home? that the breeder, a responsible breeder is willing to take responsibility for???
I wish I could leave zero stars for this organization. I will no longer call it a rescue as the director has gone off the deep end in stealing a microchipped Sheltie with a provable, loving home. She even took this dog home and now, 9 months later, no one knows if Piper is even still alive. The National Sheltie rescue has taken this organization off their register of legitimate rescues.
In the end all rescues and homeless dogs will suffer from this action. People will be a lot more hesitant to donate and support them.
The COSR has many, many Shelties right now-I fear that people are not even trying to adopt them because of their reputation and the fear of possibly having a beloved family member taken away on a whim.
The Ohio Attorney General's office needs to take a close look at their tax exempt status and the COSR needs to get rid of this crazy director. Vanderbeck-this horrible, crazy thing you have done is not going to go away, the whole country is watching this case.
disgusting. If I were able to give it zero stars I would. This 'rescue' is run by a crazy woman who is refusing to return a dog to its rightful and responsible owner.
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the behavior of this rescue is disgusting. They claim they will help reunite lost dogs with their owners but its not true. do a google search on this rescue's name and the name "piper" .... Piper is a dog that the 'shelter' obtained from the county shelter (which has a history of fraud and bad management). While COSR had good intentions at first, they are now refusing to give Piper back to her owner even though the owner has proven that it is her dog and that she is a good owner. COSR is now just holding the dog hostage because they're angry that they got bad internet feedback for being slow about returning the dog. Do not do business with this shelter or you may be adopting a dog that isn't really homeless.
It is truthfully shameful that the director of this "rescue" found it necessary to steal a sheltie that already had a home. This will help destroy the reputation of all dog rescues. This makes me wonder if ALL of the dogs handled by this rescue are nothing but dogs stolen from their loving families for the personal agenda of this "rescue". I thought that was the purpose of having a dog microchipped? To have it returned to it's loving family if it was ever lost?
If anyone actually had any direct contact with COSR or its Director, they would know that it is a solid organization that puts the needs of dogs (not just shelties) in front of the egos of humans.
Sad, sad and outrageous that the theft of Piper by the director of this "rescue" has not been resolved even now. This will help destroy the reputation of all dog rescues. Give the dog back to it's rightful owner, get rid of the nutcase director who decided to steal a dog and take it home and maybe the reputation of COSR could be rebuilt.
This is NOT going to go away COSR-you need to deal with this travesty and do it now! I am looking for a Sheltie to adopt but will not touch your organization with a ten foot pole! The letter from your attorney (and what is that costing!) on your website is full of lies.
To bad there is no thumbs down ratings because COSR would get a lot of two thumbs way down. NEVER EVER! I would never "NEVER" donate my money or time to COSR, And I would be worried that the dogs their adopting out our lost or stolen pets, already former board members of COSR and questioning Penny and stated she might be taking donations and donated items for her self, COSR morals are not in-tacked, Hiding a lost dog from their owner who contacted them and presented proof of ownership within less them 48 hours of Piper being turned over by a shelter who also is at fault for not keeping within their own policy that is called "THE LAW!" and not return her to her owners is wrong and is steeling upon finding out that the owner is claiming them, I do not support the Keep Piper Stolen group COSR made. ONLY #BRINGPIPERHOME
COSR wants to talk about it not being about Piper's return, when in fact its about WAY MORE! How many more dogs are they and other shelters and rescues going to steel before their stopped!? COSR is giving all shelters and rescues a bad name, when not all are like this fake rescue" who based off their own actions sounds more like a puppy mill broker.
And for COSR to place a $10,000 bond to hold Piper until the end of the hearings after the judge ordered COSR to return her to her owners is another HUGE mistake Center Ohio Sheltie Rescue made when that bond money could of been used to help animals in need, like the other dogs held hostage by COSR!
CENTRAL OHIO SHELTIE RESCUE was kicked out of the NATIONAL SHELTIE RESCUE NETWORK
If you really though Penny and COSR was helping and doing the right thing why would major rescue networks be kicking them out? if Penny and COSR where doing anything right I'm sure the networks would of taken her side, But they didn't because she is in THE WRONG!
Any rescue that does not give an obviously loved dog back to an owner/ breeder does NOT have that dog's or other dogs' needs at heart. Poor Piper must be suffering greatly and be stressed. Even a non-rescue individual can understand that. Not to mention all of the other dogs that could be helped with the money/time being spent on this. What does the rescue's "leader" have to hide? Is this a power trip? It truly is inhumane, as those who TRULY care about dogs can see. I have found numerous dogs and returned them to their owners (after checking everything out). Things happen, unfortunately. I WANT dogs to be returned to their loving home. #BRINGPIPERHOME. Also, why isn't any one with SENSE AND COMPASSION getting Sanderbeck (sp?) out of this rescue??? Aren't there any Board members or volunteers?
I have to agree to a majority of the comments made about the Central Ohio Sheltie Rescue. Karma will come back to Penny Sanderbeck, and in a big way. However, Penny would not have had Piper turned over to her in the first place IF the shelter had honored the 5 day hold time. Piper was only in their possession for 3 days! Even if she was turned over to rescue, it wouldn't have happened until Tuesday, and Veronica would have had been in contact with the shelter at that time. I due hope Veronica will sue the shelter, because none of this would been happening right now. It was like for some reason the shelter just could not get Piper out of their facility fast enough; and now Veronica has this costly mess on her hands.
Because of the behavior of this specialty rescue "Central Ohio Sheltie Rescue" it makes me pause and question all rescues! I must vet all my my further donations to be sure that the rescue I wish to help is operating as it should and following all laws. It is difficult and time consuming to vet rescues because one must check the IRS the State filings, volunteer testimonies, money trails etc. Central Ohio Sheltie Rescue is not operating in the way a rescue should and has caught the attention of all types of dog people such as pet owners like me, show people, breeders and all of the rescues. People from all over the world are watching to be sure of a good result for this lost poor little dog. Sheltie Piper was a microchipped and identified female who was nefariously listed as a stray. The Shelter knew the name of this beautiful bi-black Sheltie as "Piper" when she was brought into Franklin County Animal Shelter. The Shelter and the Rescue also knew that Piper was a champion show dog owned by a breeder named Veronica Covach of Pennsylvania. Piper is worth $10's of thousands of dollars. Even though microchip identified the Sheltie as Piper, the Shelter person listed her as a "stray" and Piper was renamed via collaboration between the Shelter and the Rescue to "Sherry" in honor of Central Ohio Sheltie Rescue Director Penny Sanderbecks' friend who was dying in hospice at the time. To most people it just DOES NOT MAKE ANY SENSE as to why this little dog is being withheld from her owner(s) who loves her and wants to take her home. Piper is an identified dog via microchip and a Columbus, Ohio Judge James Tyack ordered Central Ohio Sheltie Rescue to release "Piper" back to her owners Veronica Covatch and Michelle Wilson. Judge Tyack has also issued a "Restraining Order" wherein Piper cannot be moved, receive no surgeries nor be euthanized while waiting for the Court to proceed. The Rescue REFUSED the judges order to return Piper so a pre-trial hearing has been set for October 24, 2014 with new Judge James P. O'Grady. On this date in October it has been asked by many persons, including myself, that an "evidence of life" be brought to court on the 24th so that all Piper supporters and lovers will know that the little dog is still alive and with us. So it is up to the Judge O'Grady to ask for this "Proof of Life" for the October 24th hearing. Sheltie prayers for Pipers safe return home! It has been such a long time since Piper has been seen (except by her captors) more that 5 long months. If this is rescue than I categorically deny that rescue has any use or value in my life nor most others. Rescue is suppossed to be the reunification of a dog with it's owner. There should be no descrimination that the dog is a show dog and the owner is a reputable breeder. The human dog relationship is still the same - trust, loyalty and love. #bringpiperhome
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It has come to National attention that Central Ohio Sheltie Rescue Inc did receive a dog named "Piper" from a shelter, which did not honor or apply updated Ohio law which requires that said shelter must place a 14-day hold on an ID'd animal which includes a microchip. This particular dog is microchipped. This rescue was aware and complicit in pulling the dog from the shelter in an untimely manner. COSR refuses to return the dog to her rightful co-owner(s). There are legal precedents in other states which has found this to be described as "theft." The dog named "Piper" has not been seen alive since the taking and remains hidden by COSR and there is the question in regards to if the dog is presently dead or alive. I would like to see COSR provide evidence to be verified by an actual viewing of the dog by co-owners or their attorney to determine her status. Otherwise, I must assume the "Piper" is dead under COSR's care.
Penny Sanderbeck and her so-called "rescue" give all rescues a bad name. She can find $10,000 for her legal case that would be better put to use caring for dogs. That tells you a lot about her real motives. This is not someone who truly cares about dogs. Unfortunately her stubborn refusal to reunite Piper with the owner will cause repercussions for ALL rescues. It is high time for shelters to cease turning over dogs in their care to shady "rescues."
Give Piper back! You are an awful person and should not be able to use the word Rescue in the name of your so called non-profit business.
I have had the pleasure of adopting several dogs from this rescue.I have seen them take in dogs that would have been destroyed due to age alone. I have witnessed the care that each dog receives and have nothing but praise for the job they do.
I am disgusted as just a human with compassion. Central Ohio Sheltie Rescue Inc used to have on its webpage a contact me for owners of "rescued dogs" Yet now when they either have or are going to make money on this dog they will not give it back. Do not allow this group to even use the word rescue. It reminds me of the groups that were caught stealing pit bulls on chains from backyards, except this is worse because the dog was not kept on a chain or abused in any way! Shame on this supposed rescue!
I have personally been to this rescue and i think rats live better than the conditions of this poor excuse of a rescue. The money used to fight this ridiculous lawsuit was stolen from a dead woman, ugh it turns my stomach to see your outrageous selfish needs put before the needs of rescues that need help everyday. The living conditions of this rescue is truly deplorable. I hope we can stop this so-called Rescue and get back to whats important, the needs of these poor dogs.
Its also very sad the only "positive" review was from a person who wished to remain anynomous, that in itself speaks volumes!
Disgusting that this group would waste money on legal fees to fight to keep someones dog that a microchip could prove belongs to her. Totally against my idea of rescue.
Rescue Groups that claim helping dogs find new homes and restore to their rightful owners, then refuse to return pet to owner though proof of microchip exists through a simple identification process a vetenary clinic can perform but refuses is a fraud. This group has been officially cut off from its Utah parent association due to unethical practices. The Ohio Sheltie Rescue needs exposed and prohibited practice. Shame on Penny Sanderbeck for trying to lay claim to a valuable dog that does not belong to her, this shows your true evil heart and motivation. Truth comes out in the end.
As we are waiting for the outcome of this frivolous lawsuit numerous other dogs are in dire need of rescue, on death row as we speak - may not even get a last breakfast this morning, and this woman who is operating as a tax exempt organization-in-the-name-of-RESCUE, who is wasting precious, very precious time and money fighting this case, for what...one (1) dog who clearly belongs to someone else, all the while completely dragging and tarnishing everything holy and good about rescues and organizations who are there to truly help all dogs and give themselves tirelessly always and in all ways without any reward or profit or stupid lawsuits.
The kill statements from the franklin county shelter for the months of May, June, July and August should be posted on this woman's front door and her "rescue" website so she knows that those are all on her head now! (The Franklin County Dog Shelter, located in Columbus Ohio, euthanized 4,739 dogs in 2012. That is an average of 13 DOGS EVERY DAY! An astounding 53% of dogs not returned to their owners were euthanized.)
Run, don't walk, away from this "rescue". If you want a sheltie there are other respected rescues to contact. This rescue does not have all the support from other groups as it claims to have. In fact sorry is running away as fast as it can by most, for good reason. Find a reputable breeder or a week respected rescue for your next dog and please do not give this rescue one hard earned cent.
The President of COSR stands behind her decision to keep Piper but the Shetland Sheepdog Club of America has pulled their support for her 501(c)(3) Central Ohio Sheltie Rescue, Inc. Hurrah!! After-all, what rescue-person in their right mind would stonewall the legal owner from bringing home her dog when all the proof of ownership is in order and her legal home is one that anyone in rescue would envy for their actual rescues? There's something rotten here. Anyone who supports COSR's president must also be a hater of dog breeders. If you hate breeders, than leave purebred dogs out of your "rescue" name.. without breeders, there would be no purebred dogs. In the case of Piper, her owner is also her breeder - an ethical, responsible breeder - a credit to Shetland Sheepdogs. COSR, president posted a ten thousand dollar bond to keep Piper and her owner apart. Shame. Shame. Shame. I would not give this rescue one thin dime. (and as far as the one commenter that is pro COSR, I'm guessing giving the dog back to her loving owners is not in the "best interest of the dog")?? What a warped perspective. Imagine how many dogs in need that posted bond could have helped to save. Pride goeth before the fall. This rescue is a Zero.
As a rescuer and owner of a rare breed. I find the action of this group despicable. This group's refusal to turn Piper over to her owner and in fact post $10k bond shows her need for power over this situation, not the best interest of the dog. There are many other homeless and needy dogs which could benefit from these funds. Not Piper - she already has a home and rightful owner.
As someone who works closely with a few rescues in my area, and as a professional in the pet care industry, I am DISGUSTED and APPALLED at this so called "rescues" recent behavior. It has obviously been proven without a single doubt who this dog belongs to. Let go of your ill-begotten pride and return the dog. Stop using donated money to fan your ego. How dare you use the term "rescue". You are nothing but a group of crooks. I cannot wait until this goes to court and justice is served, and Piper returned to her family. Poor dog.
This rescue saw fit to put up $10000 to try and keep a Sheltie whose ownership has been proven time and again. Additionally, what does it say when the American Shetland Sheepdog Association got involved with trying to unite a Sheltie with its rightful, PROVEN owner only to be rebuffed? This organization gives a bad name to bonafide rescues! The facts are all out & sorry, COSR, you are a scam artist on many fronts. The facts are blatantly clear that COSR's bias against breeders has severely negated any legitimacy in the dog community as a whole. I have cancelled my Kroger Community Rewards that rewarded proceeds to COSR. I have full faith that the legal system has no choice to see COSR's actions as heinous and will return Piper to her rightful owner. Shame on you!
In all my years , I have never heard of a Rescue Organization POSTING 10,000 dollars for bond, in order to keep a DOG until the Court Rules on rightful ownership. What's up with donations to this organization?? Are they going to pay for her blatant disregard for laws, and going against reuniting a dog with their rightful owner (s) ???? I guess plain old kindness, decency and compassion have gone down the drain when it comes to the actions taken by this organization. If you don't have compassion and a heart in this type of work, it's time to retire.
you can call it whatever you wish. your reputation as a rescue will forever be tarnished by this fiasco. return piper to her owner. this dog was a healthy, well cared for dog from show stock and a champion. this is not a puppy mill dog. you are giving other breed rescue groups a bad name as well. to the public, you now look like a dog broker. one that collects pure bred from shelters and turns them over for a hefty adoption fee.
#bringpiperhome.
I would never donate money to this rescue who refuses to return a well cared for Sheltie to its rightful owner despite a court order and instead posts a 10k bond to block the dog's return to its rightful owner. This rescue obviously is not in need of donations with such deep pockets, not to mention the money it's spent on legal fees. I would donate to more needy and sheltie oriented rescue.
THANK you for putting the dog's needs above the bullying and terrible things that are being falsely said. You are very respected among other rescues and they should all take a lesson from you that bullying will not be tolerated.
How does a rescue justify refusing to return a WELL-CARED FOR, MUCH LOVED DOG to its rightful owner? Through a series of unfortunate circumstances a dog got lost. The owner comes to get the dog back, and this so-called "rescue," instead of welcoming the owner and returning the dog, wastes funds trying to keep the dog from the owner? How insane is that? SHAME ON THIS EXCUSE OF A RESCUE.
I have followed this "EVENT" since April. If a rescues purpose is to re-unite lost or separated animals from their owners, how do the actions of Penny and COSR, Inc meet their mission? The proof of ownership from the microchip to offering of DNA testing are provided? All that COSR is doing is putting a black eye on the way rescues work. $10,000 can be spent in rescuing quite a few animals. This dog should be produced. A neutral vet should examine this dog to assure its health. If COSR is true to its mission- RETURN THE DOG and move on.
I see a few 5-star reviews here, and several of them seem to be saying that detractors do not know the whole story. One item of the supposed "whole story" seems to be that Veronica homed Piper with this Columbus home in December 2013, not April 2014. I do not know when Piper went to Columbus, but that has NO bearing on Veronica's ownership of the dog. As a dog owner, she (or any dog owner) may take a dog to live at another home for various reasons. It is no business of anyone else. I don't forfeit my ownership rights to my dog because I take her to live elsewhere, with a friend or a stranger. Also, even if she had transferred ownership of the dog, she would still be fulfilling ethical breeding guidelines by taking responsibility for the dog. Responsible breeders will take responsibility for a dog for the life of the dog, and this position is stated in many breeders' contracts and is recommended by many breed organizations. The director is welcome to publish the whole story on her website any time so everyone will know it. The letter from May by her attorney is not the whole story. (FYI, I am a board member of a purebreed rescue.)
Why would a rescue not put their energy and funds towards dogs in need? Spending money to keep a dog away from its owners is disgusting.. I am a supporter of rescues but we all need to be sure we know who the rescues really are that we are supporting.
$10,000 to keep a sheltie from it's legal owner, when there are dogs that are truly abandoned, homeless, in need? Where is this Champion dog? Why hasn't she been produced?
Not sure if the money is used for the right purpose. The person in charge needs to step down and let it become a respectful rescue again.
Apparently, this "rescue organization" loves shetland sheepdogs so much, they STEAL shelties from their rightful owners. I am a Georgia resident. This story IS spreading around the country and the truth will come out. My heart would be shattered at the thought of another person holding my sheltie hostage. The fact that they posted a $10,000 bail just to hold Piper is proof that they intend to keep her for ill intentioned purposes. NO ONE who truly cared about the well being of this animal would continue to keep her from her rightful REGISTERED owners. Ownership has been established. Some may say it took too long or sounded "sketch" from the beginning. My shetland sheepdog is AKC registered, but I'll be honest- I don't keep that paper work on hand. It's somewhere in my office safely stored among all my other important documents. If my dog happened to be in this situation, it would take me some time to establish true ownership as well.
The whole situation is disgusting. Piper should be returned ,and the lady who has decided to claim her as her own should be ARRESTED.
No stars for this rescue. I have no doubt that the courts will return this dog to its legal and rightful owners as this rescue should have done long ago. Spending 10 grand to send this to court , not counting attorney fees and other court costs, thousands of dollars and man hours that SHOULD be spend helping dogs who are truly in need is outright theft from the rescue pockets and those who donated those funds. I hope the owner filed a felony theft charge when this is all over.
It is very concerning to all pet lovers to realize that if your pet becomes lost, a rescue may not give you your dog back and you will have to fight it out in court. Something is very wrong here.
This so-called 'rescue' is doing everything it possibly can NOT to reunite an owner with her dog, one that the owner has proven ownership of and a court order has been issued to the rescue to return the dog to the rightful owner. Instead the director of COSR digs in her heels and posts a 10K bond to hang onto the dog. For what purpose?? And what does this say about how money being donated to this 'charity' is being used? The only good thing from this is it has opened my eyes to the tactics of these rogue rescues which unfortunately are becoming more and more common. I only hope this sad case will serve to inform the public as well as to what really happens with some of these rescues.
I've been involved with rescue for more than 30 years. I have personally pulled Boston Terriers from the Franklin County shelter for a registered rescue and I have been concerned by their readiness to hand dogs over to rescue rather than hold them for the allotted three business days as stipulated by Ohio law. That said, any reputable person in rescue would be pleased to return a lost dog to his or her rightful owner. I am so thoroughly disgusted by this one-woman-charade of a rescue. She has been ordered by the court to return the dog --- and posted a $10,000 bond so she could keep the dog during trial phase--- and she has been castigated by the Shetland Sheepdog Club of America, and yet she continues to hoard a dog. She should be tried for theft.
The rightful owner of the sheltie named Piper has proven owner ship of this dog. The court has found in her favour..rescue needs to turn Piper over to her rightful owner. Such high handed methods, going against a court order etc, holding onto a dog the rescue has NO RIGHT to hold on to makes it bad for other ethical rescues..It is abundantly clear this Central Ohio Sheltie rescue is unethical and unlawful!! This Penny person needs to be replaced she is a blight on the good works of other rescues by acting outside the law as she has done!! GIVE PIPER BACK TO HER OWNER NOW!!
COSR has done great work over the entire time I have been in shelties. They have gone out in the field to find lost shelties. They have offered resources to other sheltie rescues. They have worked cooperatively with other rescues. And they have helped so many dogs!
Do not believe everything you read on the internet, some of it is flat-out FALSE, and the reviews here are a perfect proof of that. The internet smear campaign against COSR (and evidenced by some of the comments here) is a disgrace to the sheltie community and it makes me really sad to see so many people taken in by that BS. Veronica Covatch did NOT "leave Piper with a friend so she could go to Sheltie Nationals". That's flat out false, and a complete turn around from what Veronica herself said... before COSR decided against her. That spin came out AFTER COSR denied Veronica the dog
If the ownership issue was so clear cut, why were 6 people lined up at COSR, claiming the dog as "theirs"? Only Ms. Covatch can answer that accurately.
I have been in rescue over a decade and have seen the darkest side of humanity and the brightest side of humanity. With that being said, it saddens me to see the dark side popping up in rescues but sadly that is a reality. COSR supporters continue to state there are two sides to every story. Well in this case the side we are seeing is, by no fault of the owner, nor Piper this situation has occurred. Ownership of Piper was proven over and over again. Any reputable rescue who knew the dog was not going back to an abusive or neglectful home would have returned the dog with joy. That is the goal of rescue to help those in need and, this is a dog that clearly had a home and regardless of the legalities early on once ownership was proven there is not one reason that COSR should have kept Piper. Morally that is the right thing to do and this will surely taint this rescue and all the good they have dine in the past. There will always be supporters of COSR but I for one will not be one of them. Being in rescue we fight the fight everyday withing the ranks of rescue and in saving animals. When one of our own acts in such a despicable manner it hurts all rescues trying to fight the endless fight of saving dogs. What where COSR's motives for keeping Piper? That to me is the real question. Is it worth damning your rescue to the public eye? All COSR has done is put all of their rescue efforts into question.
I'm glad it has moved to legal action but it's too bad it came to this instead of doing the ethical thing from the start. How much has been spent in supporting hanging onto one dog who already has a loving home while others need that funding for medical care? Charlie, there are two positive reviews here (besides COSR's own) and both are yours. You're backing the wrong horse buddy. Both sides have had more than enough opportunity to tell their story but Veronica is the only who has been willing and able to provide more than enough proof that she is in the right. This story has circulated to thousands of animal lovers.... if there was a good reason why it was in Piper's best interest to stay with COSR, they would have backed her. But to date, there has been no reason given that can be backed up by more than assumptions and false allegations. People have seen the facts and they have made up their minds that it's just plain wrong to keep someone's dog when it was well cared for.
Case No. 2014 CVF 024571
Rescue Holds Pup Hostage
A companion animal is being held hostage. Central Ohio Sheltie Rescue and its director Penny Sanderbeck refuses to return lost dog to rightful owner! On July 28, 2014 Veronica Covatch filed a Complaint for Replevin and Conversion action in the Franklin County Municipal Court, in Columbus Ohio, against COSR seeking the return of her beloved dog known as Piper. Case Number 2014-CVF-024571. Even though the rescue had claimed that part of its mission is to reunite dogs with their owners and even though many documents, photos, and microchip identification has been supplied to COSR, legal action was filed after the rescue rejected numerous pleas to reunite Piper with her rightful owner. Owner, Vernoica Covatch and her supporters believe that the COSR refusal is due to the fact that Piper is not only a healthy loved companion but also a valuable AKC champion show dog. They feel that the director’s own interest may have something to do with the Central Ohio Sheltie Rescue refusing to reunite Veronica with her beloved companion. She hopes that the court filings will Bring Piper Home.
Released by
Cohen Law Offices
Lloyd D. Cohen
Attorney at Law
824 South High Street
Columbus, Ohio 43206
Phone: (614) 444-4211
How can a rescue, whose mission should be to benevolently return dogs to their rightful owners, have any credibility when it's director decides to ignore the law and the mission set forth by COSR, and knowingly keep a rescued animal away from it's rightful owner. Penny Sanderbeck has brought shame on what should have been a wonderful, successful rescue with the dog, Piper, who was micro chipped through the owner's vet, being returned to it's known, documented by her vet and the AKC, owner. Just disgusting and reprehensible that any rescue organization director would be so despicable. How else can you rate a rescue involved in such a disheartening situation. How could anyone ever trust COSR again. Anyone's dog could be the next dog she decides she wants to keep, for whatever reason, no matter what documentation the rightful owners present. Very, very scary to think about!! Do the right thing and return Piper...Shame on you!!
There cannot be two sides to a story such as this. When a rescue receives a dog, and the original owners step forward with proof of ownership, especially responsible ownership, the dog is happily returned. Every true rescue will agree that is best case scenario with every dog they receive. To deny a reunion with no ground to stand on...is nothing short of theft. Even if heated words are exchanged between parties, that's not grounds for withholding property. "Oh, this official facility gave me your stuff by mistake, but, it's super pretty and I like it, so I'm keeping it." It's like the cops having your car towed because you parked illegally unawares. Instead of keeping it in their lockup, they contract it out to a tow yard. You drive a beautiful high performance Jaguar and you're anxious to get it back safe and sound. But when you bring your title, insurance card, matching plate number and even a pic of you and your car in your driveway, tow yard says, "Nah, that's not your car. We're keepin' it." Does that make sense or seem legal? Give the dog back to her owners, or you're nothing but a thief whose previous good deeds won't overshadow this terrible one.
WONDERFUL rescue! It is a shame so many are jumping on a bandwagon without first getting both sides to the story. Such a shame to see a wonderful organization attacked all for a lack of checking out all the facts first.
please please give piper back! This is a member of her family OMG dont be so cruel! If it is money you want name the price!!!...please let us know how much you want as ransom to return Piper. I will pay it please contact me at 623 255 5411. Please! I will pay you what you want to return piper! :(
Penny now has her house up for sale and has spoken of hiding Piper. If anyone knows her whereabouts they should contact the local police immediately. This woman is a liar at best and an animal abuser at worst.
Return Piper home, it is the right thing to do. People should not have to fight this hard to get their pet home. You are not following the mission of the agency or the book you wrote.
Since what has happened with Piper has called into question this organization's decision-making, I am sure many would also like to ask for and see the Nonprofit Form 990 filed for tax year 2013 for Central Ohio Sheltie Rescue. As a condition of granting tax-free status, the IRS requires nonprofits to file "Form 990s" detailing how they spend their money, who's in charge, and whether there are any conflicts of interest. Nonprofits are required to turn over a copy of their latest filing to anyone who asks.
I think this organization should:
Verify Nonprofit Form 990 has been filed with the IRS and a copy is made available to anyone who asks for it. Make all financial, operational, and contractual decisions transparent to confirm this organization is operating both legally and morally. Have legitimate and verifiable steps to be followed first for each and every incoming Sheltie to ensure each Sheltie has not been lost or stolen by making every attempt to find the Sheltie's owner/family and, if found, reuniting that lost Sheltie with that Sheltie's owner/family. If the Sheltie's owner/family is legally verified and the Sheltie is no longer wanted, then that needs to be legally documented. If placement back with the Sheltie's owner/family is not possible, then the same steps should be followed to return the Sheltie to its breeder. Only after all exhaustive steps have failed to reunite the Sheltie with its legitimate owner, owner's family, or breeder should placement into a new home be considered an option.
I found posted on LinkedIn.com about Central Ohio Sheltie Rescue:
Central Ohio Sheltie Rescue focused on rescuing dogs of the Shetland Sheepdog breed. Central Ohio Sheltie Rescue board members dissolved this corporation in August 2012. The original founder of the organization, Penny Sanderbeck continues to operate Central Ohio Sheltie Rescue as an individual.
Specialties: Shetland Sheepdog Rescue, Lost Dog Recovery
Type: Public Company
Size: 1-10 employees
Website: http://www.centralohiosheltierescue.com
Industry: Nonprofit Organization Management
Founded: 2000
http://www.linkedin.com/company/central-ohio-sheltie-rescue-inc.
However with that being said, Central Ohio Sheltie Rescue still needs to prove it is operating honorably and legally at this time. Personally, I would look elsewhere for a Sheltie.
Unethical rescue! Refusing to return dog to owner that has proven with registration, photos etc that Piper belongs to the owner. I hope they get sued and are forced to return this poor dog to it's rightful owner. Shame on them! This poor dog misses it's owner as does the owner miss and loves her dog Piper. This rescue has major ego issues and are in rescue for the wrong reason.
This has everything to do with ego, and nothing to do with a dog's welfare. Unethical. You should be ashamed.
This so called rescue is the worst excuse of a rescue that I've ever seen. The director thinks she is God and is the only person who can judge if a person is fit to own a dog. She recently got a dog from Franklin Co. shelter that had gotten loose from it's co-owner while the owner was at the sheltie nationals. The day after the rescue got the dog, the owner contacted Penny (the director) to tell her it was her dog, and had all the proof needed to back that up. To this day, Penny (the director) has not returned the dog to it's owner. Part of her mission is "to help reunite lost dogs with their owners". This is a LIE! Her only goal is to get dogs and "sell" them to the highest bidder. A beautiful, young finished Champion show dog like Piper will bring her HUNDREDS of dollars in so called "adoption" fees. And if by chance you do deal with this rescue, be sure to thoroughly read the contract. Notice that there is a clause in there that states that even though you have paid an "adoption fee" to "adopt" a dog, she retains sole ownership of said dog and can come to your home at any time and for any reason take that dog back. YOU WILL NOT OWN THE DOG YOU THINK YOU ARE ADOPTING!She has no morals or ethics, if she did she would have returned the dog to her owner by now. I seriously urge you to NOT use this rescue because you don't know if the dog you want to adopt is the pet of someone who is grieving over it's loss.
Lawful stealing is still stealing and unethical. The fact that COSR was not willing to deal with the owner and intermediaries: Vet, AKC and National Sheltie Rescue Network is proof they never intended to return Piper back to Veronica. Like I said lawful stealing is still stealing and unethical.
The actions of the rescue's founder are unethical and morally wrong. The goal of a rescue is to reunite a lost dog with it's owner and find homes for unwanted animals, not serve as a base for the founder's personal grudges and agenda. It is truly scary to find that an organization would withhold a dog from it's rightful owners. COSR needs to be shut down, there are other good, decent rescues out there to support. This fight to return Piper to her LAWFUL owners is not going to go away, as a pet owner (4 dogs,1 cat, 3 horses) I will contribute to the legal battle. If one of my babies were being held hostage like Piper is, I would move heaven and hell to get them back. BEWARE of this rescue!!
This rescue organization does not conduct itself in s moral and ethical manner. Stolen dogs and lost or missing dogs who find their way into this rescue organization have little or no chance of redemption.
Imagine if your dog got loose and you knew it was at this rescue, but they refused to return your dog. Frightening.
Now imagine adopting s dog from this organization, and finding out a year or do later that the dog is chipped and has been missing/stolen for a year or so. How heartbreaking.
A woman I know recently attended the American Shetland Sheepdog Association National in Missouri, and left her champion Sheltie to be cared for by a friend. Sadly, the dog got out of the friend's yard, and was picked up by animal control. Central Ohio Sheltie Rescue picked up the dog from the shelter after three days. When the owner discovered that her dog was gone and traced what happened, she immediately tried to get her dog back. Central Ohio Sheltie Rescue (Penny Sanderbeck) refused to return the dog, despite the owner having proof of ownership (microchip number, AKC registration, champion win photos, etc.).
Penny Sanderbeck has no moral justification to keep the dog. The dog was well cared for, and a beloved family member. It's misfortune was in being able to get out of a strange yard, and eventually into the hands of this "rescue." Penny Sanderbeck is using the auspices of a non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation to carry out her personal biases and ambitions, and is putting an undeserved black eye on the entire dog rescue community.
I am a former board member for Central Ohio Sheltie Rescue. Someone posted here that COSR is a wonderful rescue and finds wonderful forever homes through application processes, follow up, home visits, and constant support. I'm a former board member for this organization that can tell you this is NOT what happens anymore in this organization. The director of this organization has completely lost it, board members and volunteers have left in the last several years and it continues it's death spiral because it's being run by one person. They are collecting donations as a non profit however are doing so outside the IRS regulations. The don't have a true board in place, if you read this and are on the 'board for COSR' have you ever saw the articles of incorporation? The director controls all aspects of this organization makes all decisions and has complete control of all the funds. Her 'board members only have her word to go by when she provides financial reports. No one can be certain that she isn't funneling funds or donated items from the rescue to support her own dogs. The organization has also changed their application as of January 2012 that you don't even own the dog. Please ask for and read the contract thoroughly, then go somewhere else to get a sheltie, like one of the other REPUTABLE rescues out there.
It's a shame this site does not offer negative ratings...this one is as low as it gets!
This is despicable! Clearly this 'organization' aka, dictatorship, has no legitimacy whatsoever in the dog community at large. If so, clearly more than one sole individual would be involved. Talk about misinformation???? I understand no one has been convicted of the break-in, if in fact it ever existed! No pet owner should be required to provide information on a subject that they have no knowledge of, using that as yet another excuse not to return the dog!
Every dog has their day-- and one day Penny will have to answer for hers!
If it were possible I would give this "rescue" a negative rating. As this is not a legitimate rescue. If it were they would follow up and try to find the owners of the dogs they take in. Instead they refuse to return dogs to their owners. Highly unethical.
In 2012 Penny Sanderbeck drove off the COSR board of directors and most of it's volunteers by whelping puppies for money. Since then this "organization" is run by one person and has no board of directors. Her actions have lead to the withdrawal of support from National Sheltie Rescue.
COSR ought to be spending it's time and resources on finding homes for unwanted dogs. Not trying to keep adoptable dogs in their system that clearly are loved and have an owner. This situation with Piper is not the first time COSR has done this. Piper has a microchip. One phone call would have found the owner.
If a rescue group takes in a dog, and then discovers that factual and actual ownership of the dog is PROVEN, it is the right thing to do to return the dog to the owner. The function of rescue is to place dogs that are stray, in shelters, have no one or no chance. Piper HAS a family, why are you wasting resources and time on this? So many others need help.... return Piper to her family, and lets all move on already.
I WOULD GIVE ZERO STARS IF THAT WERE AN OPTION!
This organization is "rescue" in name only. The Sheltie "Piper" is the property of a woman who has had her from birth (she whelped her) and this "rescue" organization has taken it upon themselves to KEEP the dog because "they know what's best for it." Seriously? I always thought the reason for rescue organizations was to (a) find the owner or (b) if the owner did not want the dog (or was abusing it), the dog would be re-homed. The owner HAS been found, the owner LOVES her dog, and this two-legged "creature" at the rescue organization REFUSES to return her. Also, the statements about "eating puppies" is disgusting and deceitful (and a total falsehood!). Is the next allegation going to be that "little green men from Mars" are the reason she's not being returned to her owner? This gives ALL shelters and rescue organizations a BAD name. RETURN "Piper" to her owner NOW and what you call a "smear" campaign will end! Also, please think of what "Piper" is going through (yes, dogs have feelings too!). Scared, unaware of her surroundings, wanting to go home - these are probably just a few things that she's experiencing! Stop being SELFISH - suck it up and go on rescuing dogs - just NOT Piper (who has a home and people who love her!).
How can you say that Charlie? Before this incident with Piper, this non profit had driven away past board members, have driven away all support from the National Breed Club and had on several past occasions pulled this same stunt. I thank for your support of rescue but maybe you should not support this rescue do feverishly.
please go here to read the FULL story of what has happened. this rescue has not operated in good faith and has possession of a much beloved pet and refuses to return the dog, despite being notified less than 24 hrs after taking possession the monday after easter weekend.
the shelter had the microchip number and contact number linking to the owner, central ohio sheltie had the microchip number and neither attempted to contact her.
here is a full description of this issue.
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2014/05/13/1296197/-piper-s-story-continues-when-wisdom-of-solomon-is-not-enough?showAll=yes
beware of ANY post that claims this dog had been "placed" or "rehomed" - those are flat out lies to try to create a false cover story while denying the legal owner her dog! do NOT have any association with this rescue without further research into it's veracity!
WONDERFUL organization that has always kept the welfare of the dogs a number one priority. Even after being a target of a hate campaign, COSR has remained professional and kept the focus on the dogs. This speaks VOLUMES of not only the organization but the Director. Can not say enough good about this amazing director and organization.
If I could give zero stars I would. Horribly unethical. Hopefully Penny will find whatever decent bone in her body made her get involved in rescue to begin with and return this dog to its rightful owner. Proof has been furnished of ownership yet she wants to keep it from the loving home the dog is familiar with and find a new one. This is NOT best for the dog and gives rescues a horrible reputation. I'm not sure where the "rehomed due to puppy eating" story came about but it wouldn't be the first time Penny lied publicly to justify her decision to keep a dog whose rightful owner contacted her, and whose vet information Penny had but failed to contact, when she took possession of the dog.
I feel bad for the volunteers and financial supporters who are being fed a line about what is going on with this dog. I also feel bad for the dogs that won't get helped because the director decided to take a ridiculous unethical stand which will ruin the reputation of an organization that was started with good intentions.
I would be wary of posting in a public forum that Veronica Covatch is lying. That is libel. This dog was co-owned with another person......that does not make Veronica any less an owner of Piper. And she has documentation to prove ownership that is being ignored. She has offered for the director of COSR to come to her home and see how Piper is cared for, she has offered to pay for DNA testing since she also owns Piper's dam.......all in addition to providing numerous documentation that proves ownership. The director of COSR may technically be operating with in the limits of the law.....but she is not behaving in an ethical, morally responsible manner. She is jeopardizing the reputation and future of the COSR organization and her behavior has already garnered withdrawal of support from National Rescue.
Sad, sad situation. Ownership is PROVEN. COSR has stolen a dog and refuses to return her. They have been beyond uncooperative.
What Veronica Covatch is posting is a lie. She rehomed the dog she mentioned in December, 2013. COSR is a fantastic organization that has saved the lives of hundreds of shelties in need. Veronica's own irresponsibility caused her issue with COSR.
Please be a responsible pet owner. Microchip your pets and register it. Like COSR does. IF you can not keep your dog, even if it's because you're a breeder and the dog is killing and eating pups from other litters as in this case, do more than post them online to get rid of them as Veronica did. Place them with reputable rescues like COSR where the dog's best interest comes first. A wonderful forever home is found through application processes, follow up, home visits, and constant support. Adopt, folks. Don't shop.
A woman I know recently attended the American Shetland Sheepdog Association National in Missouri, and left her beloved champion dog to be cared for by a friend. Sadly, the dog got out of the friend's yard, and was picked up by animal control. Central Ohio Sheltie Rescue picked up the dog from the shelter after three days. When the owner discovered that her dog was gone and traced what happened, she immediately tried to get her dog back. Central Ohio Sheltie Rescue refused to return the dog, despite the owner having proof of ownership (microchip number, AKC registration, champion win photos, etc.).
Needless to say, the owner is frantic, but the owner of the rescue (Penny Sanderbeck) refuses to budge and will not return the dog. The owner is having to resort to legal action to get her dog back.
Penny Sanderbeck has no moral or legal justification to keep the dog. The dog was well cared for, and a beloved family member. It's misfortune was in being able to get out of a strange yard, and eventually into the hands of this "rescue." Penny Sanderbeck is using the auspices of a non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation to carry out her personal biases and ambitions, and is putting an undeserved black eye on the entire dog rescue community.
This organization has a Facebook page. When people posted concerns about how Penny Sanderbeck is handling this situation, their comments are deleted and the posters are blocked.