Bob and Sharon Turney live by a core belief that all animals deserve basic medical care. And while they admit not all animals are adoptable, they refuse to accept that innocent animals must die for lack of a home.
They don’t go looking for the animals to fill their sanctuary, but somehow the unwanted find Pet Guards shelters — one of which is in Cuyahoga Falls, the other in Gainesville, Fla.
“Just like humans, they go to Florida to live until they die,” said Bob, a former paramedic and founder of Pet Guards Shelter and Clinic on State Road, which offers low-cost vaccinations and spaying and neutering for pets.
Bob relates the story of how one such misfit, Herman, a Tennessee Walking horse, ended up with him after being left to die in a Missouri field.
Herman descended from a long line of horse racing aristocracy. But after his hooves were scored, owners realized he would never have the proper gaited walk that would turn a profit in the high-stakes world of horse racing.
It’s unclear who abandoned the horse and left it starving in a field, but it was certain no one was caring for him, despite tattoos labeling him a show horse.
As luck would have it, a compassionate truck driver was given permission to load him into a trailer and take him to Pet Guards where Herman would thrive and get a new lease on life. Herman eventually retired to Florida.
Today, the Gainesville shelter is home to 14 horses ranging from 24 to 36 years of age, 12 cats and four dogs.
While Bob travels between Florida and Ohio every two weeks keeping up on maintenance for the Pet Guards properties, Sharon, a disciple of Linda Tellington-Jones, eases aches and pains with a healing touch and alternative medicine while running the 74-acre retirement farm in Florida the couple bought in 1997. Tellington-Jones, an author and authority on animal behavior, developed a specialized approach to the care and training of animals.
“She’s [Sharon] doing the feeding, grooming and behavioral modifications for the horses in Florida,” said Bob.
The farm is home to a colorful cast of characters, he said, as he spoke of the social Merlin, a 36-year-old thoroughbred who loves to be petted, brushed and talked to.
“He thinks he’s a toddler. He walks around with his head on your shoulder,” said Bob.
Super Jake, a cross between a horse and a pony, thinks he’s in charge of the entire horse rescue operation and consequently, is a bit of a tattletale when he thinks others aren’t following the rules. Jake has Cushings disease and is between 18 and 20 years old.
The farm is also home to a wild herd of deer and several cows, one named Margie, who keeps track of dinner time and reminds them when it is time to eat.
“She wants to make sure she’s noticed. If you don’t feed her, she’ll keep mooing until you do,” Bob said.
The Cuyahoga Falls shelter is home to many cats that will live out their lives at the shelter in apartment-style surroundings with full-size beds, climbing posts and enough hidey-holes to keep them happy.
Bob said there is a reason he focuses his attention on cats rather than dogs.
“There are so many rescues for dogs these days there is one on every corner,” he said.
Currently, the shelter is home to 61 cats, 50 of which are not adoptable due to behavior, temperament or health issues. Nine employees work at the shelter caring for the animals.
Bob said that while he does not accept animals they somehow find their way to him, as did Herman.
“We take only the ones that don’t stand a chance of making it on their own,” he said.
Since its inception in 1992, Pet Guards has spayed and neutered more than 100,000 animals.
Visit Pet Guards online at www.petguards.com/joomla for more information on the clinic or the shelter.
Other animals in the news:
March Birthday Party — 2-2:30 p.m. Saturday, Lola, Cheech & Mooey’s Natural Pet Food Store, 133 N. Vine St., Orrville, is holding a birthday (or “gotcha” day for rescued pets) for any pet born in March. There will be refreshments for animals and humans.
Enrichment Day — Visitors to the Akron Zoo will see animals treated with spring-themed enrichment treats from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily. Enrichment toys will be given to penguins, snow leopards, lions, otters, grizzly bears, red wolves and more. Free with the price of admission. The Akron Zoo is also offering elementary to high school students a chance to be a zoo professional for a day in Zoorific Career Days. Students will go behind the scenes, view animal training sessions and feed penguins. Cost is $40 per student and includes lunch. Registration is required. Register at www.akronzoo.org or call 330-375-2550, ext. 7239, or send questions to pvillers@akronzoo.org.
March “Mutt” Ness — Parma Animal Shelter is sponsoring an event from 6 to 8 p.m. March 29 at Babe’s Sports Grill, 7768 W. 130th St. Tickets are $20 and include draft beer, soft drinks, wings, salad, pizza and pasta. There will be a 50/50 raffle, raffle baskets and side boards. Tickets can be purchased at the shelter, 6260 State Road, Parma, online at www.parmashelter.org or by calling Carol at 216-973-0609 or Cindy at 440-655-9224.
Kathy Antoniotti writes about pets for the Akron Beacon Journal. She is unable to help locate, place or provide medical attention for an individual animal. If you have an idea or question about pets, write her at the Beacon Journal, P.O. Box 640, Akron, OH 44309-0640; call 330-996-3565; or send an email to kantoniotti@thebeaconjournal.com.