Bonham woman needs community's help to care for abandoned Love Co. dogs

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Posted: 5:59 PM Sep 2, 2008
Last Updated: 6:31 PM Sep 2, 2008
Reporter: Stephanie Breltic
Email Address: stephanie.brletic@kxii.com

29 comments

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BONHAM, Tex. -- About 100 dogs were abandoned in Love County last month, and one woman in Bonham took several dozen of those animals into her already-full shelter. Now, Brenda Neely is trying to provide for all of the dogs but needs your help to continue.

Brenda Neely runs Neely's Pet Place Adoptions in Bonham. Operating a shelter is something that she never thought she would end up doing, but she says now it's something she has an intense passion for, although times are tough right now with ends barely meeting.

Neely took in 24 of the abandoned Love County dogs, many of them suffering from severe illnesses and mange. She says the community responded with an outpouring of donations.

"We've gotten a lot of donations from a lot of people, dog food, syringes, medicines, things that we really, really need," Neely says.

Still, she says her shelter is in major need of monetary donations. Neely pays for all of the care and medical expenses out of her own pocket. Now she is making many trips to the veterinarian treating those Love County dogs, and the expense is overwhelming.

"An average week’s bill, with spaying and neutering and the other problems that we’re treating, usually runs anywhere between $350 and six or seven hundred dollars."

Neely says she is usually able to make ends meet, using the adoption fees to pay for the medical expenses, but says it was rough getting so many dogs at once, especially with so many in bad shape.

Now she says she's falling behind on her mortgage and is not sure what is going to happen if she doesn't get some relief.

"We don't know. We have no idea yet. We're trying. We're hoping that it doesn't get that far, but like I said, my biggest concern is these guys."

"Look at their faces, how can you tell them no? How can you not care? I mean these guys didn't deserve what they got put through and we just want to make sure that it never happens again."

Neely says she will not give up. She is going to take care of those animals, no matter what, especially since she's seeing such great results with many of the sick animals, saying that many will be ready for adoption in about a month.

For information about how you can help Brenda Neely help these animals, call Neely’s Pet Place Adoptions at 903-361-0524.

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Comments are posted from viewers like you and do not always reflect the views of this station.

Posted by: Vicki Location: Oklahoma on Sep 22, 2008 at 07:29 PM
Just so you all know, Mrs. Neely took the dogs because no one in Oklahoma would. Maybe if the great state of Oklahoma had taken care of their own then Texas wouldn't have had to. Mrs. Neely owns and runs, by herself, a SHELTER which is there to care for UNWANTED dogs, unwanted dogs that Oklahoma apparently wanted nothing to do with until the next day when the news reporter slandered them. Thats when Oklahoma stepped in. Maybe you all should get your facts straight. Also, the Neely's weren't looking for a handout, they were concerned with what would happen if they couldn't reach the money they needed for their dogs. Thier bills were fine, the news exagerated like they always do. Mrs. Neely asked that her bills not be mentioned but they did it anyway. Why would some one ask to not have their bills mentioned if they were looking for a handout? If you want to know the truth about it, why don't you just call the Neely's instead of accusing first and learning the truth later.

Posted by: pm Location: ardmore on Sep 8, 2008 at 03:14 PM
I have a slight correction: not all of the medical bills were paid by donations. The way it was explained to me is the gracious people who adopted the 86 dogs will cover what the donations didn't. Also, it doesn't look to me like all the trash talking is coming from Oklahoma. So I guess neither of us know that much about the ins and outs of the other side of the border. So why don't we work together to get these dogs taken care of because the honest truth is that the blame for these poor dogs' ordeal lies solely on those responsible for abusing and then dumping them.

Posted by: pm Location: ardmore on Sep 8, 2008 at 01:39 PM
Big Mike - I appreciate the info on goverment funding - I was unsure how it worked. Just so everyone knows, T&C is not a shelter. It is a one-veterinarian hospital. Forever Friends Foster Care and SOARS volunteered countless hours at the hospital helping with the care of the dogs. Also, many many of us 'ignorant okies' donated enough money and supplies to cover the medical care and other needs of the dogs and many other 'ignorant okies' have offered to make them permanent parts of their families. These are people who know that the dogs are sick, were informed what to expect and what to do. Several vets are working with T&C and the volunteers to give the dogs what they need to heal and live happy, healthy lives. As for the question of why we haven't gone to Bonham to adopt -- that door swings both ways. Has Mrs. Neely considered contacting T&C for help. Perhaps they are willing to bring more dogs here to care for, or know of people who will help. It's worth a shot.

Posted by: Big Mike Location: Denison on Sep 8, 2008 at 01:39 PM
ms ann in oklahoma, if someone had dumped off a bunch of kids, maybe, but it seems like its about animals, not your unwanted children. It involved a big PET rescue...not an orphanage. (Although i've heard of orphanages north of the red river doing worse things) And wouldnt it seem like it IS a real job that someone would do something that you won't....especially for taking in so many unwanted animals to help and rehome....not just the love county rescue...its a full time thing out there, for all that volunteer their time and those that live out there. Their world revolves around caring for those animals and finding them homes. It seems for all you critics and trash talkers....its clear what your world revolves around.... yourselves. I encourage what the neels and the other shelters have and are doing. If you had even the slightest shred of decency, get involved or get off it.

Posted by: Big Mike Location: Denison on Sep 7, 2008 at 01:53 AM
...and as for your ignorant question about "what happened to the money from the first time?" I volunteered my time out there to help them out - not only were they overcrowded already, they WERE the first ones out there - even when the SPCA and other local shelters said they werent going out and were full - until a local reporter crapped on all the locals for playing politics and they finally went out and helped - they took more in and made the overcrowding worse on them and saw no profit from it. Also - they wouldnt have taken the dogs if the sherriffs dept hadnt called THEM - when they're in BONHAM - so its not bad enuf that you okies cant take care of your own - you gotta get other states stuck with your probs, too. So step up, anonymous - be part of the solution - not worsen the issue by being such a chicken*$%! critic. PM- grants from the fed govt take over a yr to approve as well as sponsors. Neely's only started their shelter in january because of people like anon dumpin dogs off

Posted by: Big Mike Location: Denison on Sep 7, 2008 at 01:40 AM
Anonymous - in the first place - if you had another half of a brain to reason, it'd still die of lonliness. Second of all, when a dog has mange, blindness, starved, and dehydrated like all the ones that Ms. Neely took (which were the worst ones - if T&C even did have any sickly ones because you don't just up and rehome a mangy dog or one thats sick.....makes no sense because its not just an overnight fix) then it IS costly. Mange, although cureable, is a very stout parasite that infects an animal like a parasite and is very hard to treat without causing health risks to the animal. Third, if the dogs that were picked up by neelys were so important to you ignorant okies, then why hasnt anyone been out there to try to adopt them and even bothered to check on the condition of 'em? Sounds to me like you people are just wrapped up in your politics and like to talk trash about what your too chicken to jump in and help instead of trash talkin what you know nothing about......

Posted by: ann Location: oklahoma on Sep 6, 2008 at 11:19 PM
if this had been little kids would this woman have taken in all of them. i don't think so. nibody gets excided about needy little kids or the elderly but just let a dog get in the news and they think there should be thousands of dollars sent in to take care of a sick animal. people open your eyes and maybe ms. neeley needs to get a real jobif she can't pay her bills

Posted by: Anonymous Location: Whitesboro on Sep 6, 2008 at 07:10 PM
Okay if you own a shelter you should pretty much know how much it costs to take care of an animal. So i find it very hard to believe that she just started having trouble paying her mortgage because of these animals. She knew what she was getting into cost wise when she took them in. Come on give me a break. Someone is wanting a handout for herself. There are many more shelters out there who can help her out with the animals.

Posted by: JJ Location: sherman on Sep 5, 2008 at 11:27 AM
some of us haven't had our wheaties this morning, talk about a rough crowd.

Posted by: Anonymous on Sep 5, 2008 at 08:07 AM
What happened to all the money that was donated the first time??? Looks to me like someone might be looking for a hand out! Just take care of the dogs lady.

Posted by: Mork Location: Ork on Sep 5, 2008 at 07:55 AM
2 words......Chinese Buffet

Posted by: pm Location: ardmore on Sep 4, 2008 at 02:58 PM
Doesn't an accredited shelter usually receive some sort of price break from the local veterinarians? And don't they receive some sort of government funding? I am curious why Mrs. Neely doesn't have these programs set up.

Posted by: Anonymous on Sep 3, 2008 at 09:42 PM
I am sorry to say if Ms. Neely was having financial difficulties perhaps she should have not taken on the burden of all the dogs she took in. I don't think it was demanded of her that she take 26. She should have taken only what she could afford to treat. Surely there is some help she can get besides going to the news media about getting behind on her mortgage payment. Some things are personal and should not be shared with everyone in Texoma, her finances are one of them. I would never go to the news media and tell them I couldn't pay my mortgage payment because I took in too many abandoned dogs. I am not trying to be cruel, but I am sure Ms. Neely new that this was not going to be cheap when she offered to take in the dogs.

Posted by: Nikola Location: Oklahoma on Sep 3, 2008 at 06:07 PM
Volunteer, I reread my comment and can see where it could be misconstrued. In no way did I mean that my dog was not cared for by T&C. The attention given these dogs was excellant. My meaning was that those who adopted stepped up and knew that the dogs needed care when we picked them up. Everyone I've dealt with from T&C has been wonderful. My dog has been neutered and had his shots. In just the 2 weeks I've had him he's made such progress. I apologize for writing a comment that wasn't clear.

Posted by: anonymous Location: sherman on Sep 3, 2008 at 05:37 PM
I totally understand caring for the animals... but why did she take so many at one time... times are tough for so many people right now... it's too hard to give donations..

Posted by: Volunteer Location: Ardmore on Sep 3, 2008 at 03:31 PM
I was at T & C animal hospital from day one of the arrival of the dogs. Not one dog left that clinic without being checked out and treated. Each person that adopted a dog is receiving all the medical care that they need to take care of the dog. Each person was scheduled an appointment to have the dog spayed or neutered before receiving the dog. So as for the care given at T&C, it was the best care possible. As for Ms. Neely, if she needs help with the dogs she took, then she needs to contact T&C and I am sure we can find loving homes for the dogs. As for homeless people, they can get a job. Dogs can not stand up for themselves nor defend themselves, so we have to be their voice.

Posted by: A Person Location: Is All on Sep 3, 2008 at 02:58 PM
Taken in last month, which would definately make her less than 60 past due on her mortgage. Ms. Neely, call the mortgage company, they will work with you. And I commend you for your efforts with these animals. I would adopt one (or two) if I could.

Posted by: pm Location: ardmore on Sep 3, 2008 at 02:48 PM
I agree. If her mortgage is suffering, then she needs to contact Town and Country. They have a list of people who want to adopt. And by the way, darylT, Town and Country took exceptional care of those poor dogs. I agree with Nikola, this woman seems to be working another angle.

Posted by: a Location: ardmore on Sep 3, 2008 at 01:37 PM
Last I read the dogs had all been adopted out. She has not had them very long and now all of the sudden she can't make her motgage payments? Seems a little questionable to me. I'm all for helping animals (both of my dogs were adopted from shelters) but give me a break with the sob story. Miss Neely your fifteen minutes are up, if you can't take care of the animals, ask for one of the bigger shelter for help.

Posted by: Nikola Location: Oklahoma on Sep 3, 2008 at 01:18 PM
Amazed, I adopted one of these dogs. And I took supplies in to Town and Country. So yes, I have taken action. My dog was in bad shape when I picked him up and will need a few months of love and care before he truly shines. My point is that the vets in this area are working with one another, SOAR and the new adoptive parents. There was no reason to keep them for more than a few days. All I'm hearing in these news accounts dealing with the Bonham rescue are about money NOT the animals themselves. There are plenty of people who are willing to take them in now. This would not only take the burden off of Miss Neely but get these dogs into homes so that they can adjust now. They need one on one attention that they cannot get while housed with numerous other dogs.

Posted by: darylT. Location: whitewright on Sep 3, 2008 at 12:57 PM
my wife and i adopted a puppy from neelys and couldnt be happier. we saw the dogs that came in from that rescue in love county and also some from town and country shelter. i am so glad there are people in the world who stand up and make the effort to care for these animals when so many others wont. Ms. Neely's dogs seem to be staying there longer because she is more thorough in her care and treating of those animals than town and country due to the extensiveness of the mange and how sickly they were. My wife and I have always adopted from shelters and have found the mixed breeds to be the better dogs. They do horses, too. There should be alot more people in this world like them because theyre very much needed.

Posted by: Mr. Brown Location: Tishomingo on Sep 3, 2008 at 12:00 PM
I would like to see people care about people just as much as they do dogs and cats. With all the homelessness and people living on poverty wages it seems like a lot of people needs help. Is anybody up for adopting a homeless person?

Posted by: M on Sep 3, 2008 at 11:06 AM
That makes no sense to me. She would rather lose her home over some mangy @SS dogs. The one she was holding during the interview just needs to be put down. Thats just sickening to me. Now she wants people to waste their money on the dogs cuz she can't anymore.

Posted by: Dakota Location: Platter on Sep 3, 2008 at 09:49 AM
Someone needs to contact the NASCAR pet charity foundations - NASCAR has some as well as several of the drivers have them. Specifically Greg Biffle and Kevin Harvick. Ms. Neely will need to make application but they are wonderful to work with and are set up to help with specific instances like this.

Posted by: Amazed Location: Texoma on Sep 3, 2008 at 09:39 AM
The story clearly says that these dogs were in poor health and that Ms. Neely is making sure the animals are healthy before she gives them up for adoptions. Maybe you should do a little thinking before you accuse someone who is doing this out of the goodness of their heart of being "worthy of investigation." What have you done for anyone (or any other creature) lately?

Posted by: dog lovers Location: okla on Sep 3, 2008 at 05:50 AM
We adopted 2 lab puppies from neely's 3 weeks ago and they are very sweet dogs. there are alot of sweet loving dogs at neely's that would love to have a new home.If you cant adobt,please help them out in some way the animals deserve it and so does brenda and her family for all that they are doing. god bless yall :)

Posted by: kat Location: south ok on Sep 2, 2008 at 11:06 PM
please leave an address so we can make a small donation. u guys riding harleys or any motorcycle please put in 10 or $20.00this could really add up & help this woman & these dogs.thanks! hope u can!

Posted by: Nikola Location: Oklahoma on Sep 2, 2008 at 09:04 PM
Why is it that this woman still hasn't adopted out these dogs? The dogs in Ardmore were all spoken for within a day. There is a waiting list should a dog not work out in a new home. I believe Miss Neely is seeking attention, not for the dogs, but for herself. She took in 26 dogs, folks. Town and Country Animal in Ardmore took in the rest, 50 PLUS dogs. She has been in the spotlight while Ardmore's efforts went virtually unseen. I believe that should someone truly investigate this story that more than what lies on the surface would come to light.

Posted by: Grace Location: Whitesboro on Sep 2, 2008 at 06:39 PM
I would like to see an address to send money to, I can not adoped one of the dogs because I have cats, so I would like to send some money to Brenda. 601 County Road 2515, Bonham, Texas 75418 ..........-Staff

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