Director of New Lenox Animal Rescue 'Heartbroken' Over Claims of Animal Abuse

Director of Cache Creek Animal Rescue Donna Hawk is fending off threats and firing back after a former volunteer took to social media to air complaints of alleged animal abuse—but she’s more hurt by the accusations than anything.

The volunteer reportedly stormed out of the New Lenox shelter last weekend after witnessing dogs that “have started healthy and end up sick.” In the post that quickly spread across social media, she warned people of dogs “bleeding from their pores,” and a litter of puppies that was close to death due to respiratory illness Parvo.

Hawk says the dogs come to Cache Creek imperfect or ailing, and most are “a work in progress.” New Lenox police were called to the facility and found no wrongdoing on the staff’s part, Hawk said. The Department of Agriculture will also visit soon.

“If she had asked me, I could have taken her around and answered her questions,” Hawk said.

In the days since the social media post, Hawk has been bombarded with phone calls, some inquiring if the accusations were true, others pledging their support. Still others want the rescue closed. The former volunteer Kim Phillips said she has received more than a dozen messages echoing her concerns. Still, she is not looking to have the shelter shut down.

“I am looking for change,” Phillips said in a Facebook post. “For protection of the animals who can not speak up to defend them selves. I love those dogs and know the name of every one of them. I want them in a safe environment. I did not see that at this shelter. ... the employees and volunteers care but someone is hurting them. Care enough to step up.”

Yes, some dogs are sick, Hawk said. But she often takes animals in poor condition from other shelters, with hopes of rehabilitating them for new families.

Take the bulldog Tank. He came from another shelter with a severe case of mange that left him completely bald and with sores over his body, Hawk said. After treatment, his condition has improved greatly, she said, and he is now undergoing additional testing for thyroid disorders and Cushings Disease. He is improving, but his condition might cause some people to be concerned. Hawk and her staff will answer any visitors’ questions.

“I hate the thought that now we have to pick up only the perfect dogs, because the imperfect ones offend people,” Hawk said.

Another dog mentioned in the post—one the volunteer said, “had blood coming from its pores”—suffers from “happy tail,” caused when a dog injures the tip of the tail by wagging it against something hard, such as a kennel wall or end table. Larger dogs in kennels are prone to it, Hawk said. The dog’s tail wagging caused blood to sprinkle on its back, creating the appearance of it coming from the pores.

Two sick boxer puppies (also mentioned in the volunteer’s claims) have been medicated. Only one tested positive for Parvo. As precaution, they were both quarantined at the New Lenox shelter on a floor separate from other animals. Soon they’ll be spayed or neutered before going to their new homes, Hawk said.

Many have jumped to the shelter’s defense.

“This is a very wonderful place,” wrote one supporter on Facebook. ”I have never seen any dogs get anything but shelter, food, and lots of love and care.”

“Donna, ’no good deed goes unpunished,’” another wrote. “If it wasn’t for your dedication to animals, they would perish.”

The New Lenox location opened in April, and Hawk said the volunteers from the area have been “wonderful,” which makes the situation even more distressing to her. She has hired an attorney to look into any legal action that can be taken.

“I’m taking it very personally,” Hawk said. As a non-profit, no-kill shelter, Hawk fronts most of the costs for animals’ medical expenses.

”Had she told me her concerns, I would have gladly shown her the vet bills.”

Still, Hawk said she stands by her approach of taking in less-than-perfect animals and giving them a second chance at a new life.

“If I have to be that shelter that can only take in the perfect dogs,” Hawk said, “then I don’t want to be one.”

Cache Creek is located at 1003 Star Lane in New Lenox. The shelter can be reached at 815-582-4062.