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GDCA Award: The Great Dane Club of America (GDCA) is the national Great Dane club, and its members are among the most experienced and highly regarded breeders, handlers, judges, and trainers of Great Danes in the United States. The GDCA holds a national show once a year, held in alternating regions of the country. At the national show this year, the GDCA gave a special award to Dane Outreach recognizing the months of difficult work helping the Great Danes seized in the Greatsinger case. The case began in June of 2007 when Pierce County, Washington seized 12 adult Danes and 8 puppies. Four of the Danes were pregnant. By the end of July, Dane Outreach took the majority of the surviving adults and all the puppies under its wing and placed them in foster homes. It was a tremendous effort for our small group of volunteers to handle the adult dogs, whelping bitches, and their litters. We couldn’t have done it without the generous outpouring of support and assistance from many, many people. Dane Outreach also followed the case against Bernadette Vohs through the courts, assisting the prosecution whenever possible. Finally, almost ten months after the seizure, the court ordered ownership of the Danes to be forfeited to the state. The state promptly transferred their legal ownership to Dane Outreach. At long last, we could microchip, neuter, and officially place the dogs into permanent, loving homes. Most of them were adopted by the foster families who had been caring for them all those months. Dane Outreach wishes to thank all the individuals who donated their time, money, and energy to help keep these Great Danes healthy and safe. Dane Outreach and its members are greatly honored by this acknowledgement from the GDCA. We wish to thank the board of directors and membership of the GDCA for their financial, professional, and moral support during the long months that Dane Outreach was caring for these Danes. We hope we never have to deal with a situation like this again, but it is reassuring to know that the GDCA is behind regional rescue efforts – and the Danes at risk – if they are needed |
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