Ganahl: Retail rescue outed by a rabies outbreak
By Heidi Ganahl | Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice
Colorado’s animal rescue system has long been regarded as a national leader, rescuing tens of thousands of pets from outside the state each year to meet the growing demand for furry companions.
However, a disturbing trend is emerging in the rescue world, where non-profit organizations posing as shelters are flipping animals in a scheme that values profits over the welfare of pets. This "retail rescue" phenomenon, coupled with lax quarantine and vaccination enforcement, has come to light in the wake of the Moms and Mutts (MAMCO) rabies outbreak, which has cost public health agencies over $600,000 to clean up.
In August, MAMCO, a Colorado rescue organization, found itself at the center of a rabies exposure crisis after importing ani...