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In recent weeks and months, Angel’s Gate Animal Hospice in Delhi, NY has come under great scrutiny after an undercover investigation by PETA seemed to reveal horrendous conditions. Emotions can run high in the animal rescue world and this is certainly no exception. While many were horrified by the video and allegations against Angel’s Gate and the organization’s founder, Susan Marino, some decided to take a step back, look beyond the allegations and come to their own conclusions. In some cases, this meant making a trip to the facility to see first hand just what all the uproar was about. Having nothing to gain or lose by the final disposition of Angel's Gate, the following is my experience with Angel’s Gate and Susan Marino.
On Wednesday, February 22, 2012 at approximately 1:00PM I arrived at Angel’s Gate with a good friend and rescue associate. Our visit was unannounced, neither Marino nor her employees knew we were going to be arriving that day. When we arrived we were greeted by her employees. They were understandably cautious of unknown people coming to the doors of Angel’s Gate as there have been death threats and other violent threats against everyone recently. Marino was not at the facility at that time, she was at the vet with a dog.
After a few minutes of getting the canine welcome from a pit bull, a boxer and a collie mix – all with neurologic conditions and gait impairment but very happy and sweet, I asked if I could use their restroom and we would wait for Marino to return. We were taken into the house on site where Marino lives with the animals in her charge and pointed toward the restroom. At this point, the employees left us to return to their duties. In effect, they left us alone with many animals and access to all portions of the house. Many would see this as irresponsible on the part of the employees. I see it differently. After years of running animal shelters, it was clear to me that they left us alone because they, like Marino, have nothing to hide. In the kitchen area where we waited were a number of dogs, and in view in the next room were more dogs with paralysis and other obvious impairments. I was immediately fascinated by a chocolate lab I later learned was named Bootsie. Bootsie had deformed back legs. Her front legs were so muscular it was like she had tree trunks. Bootsie walked across the kitchen, rested her head on my leg and nuzzled a bit for some head rubs, then walked back to her Kuranda bed and blanket. Her hind quarters never touched the floor, she only walked with her front legs, but she was amazing in her ability to maneuver easily like that.
After I got over being enraptured by Bootsie, I realized the smell in the house. Rather, the lack of foul smell. Yes, there were many dogs there and some were obviously incontinent however it did not smell of long left urine and feces. The floors are light colored tile; however they were not stained with urine, feces or blood as the allegations state. The dogs were comfortably lounging on a variety of Kuranda beds or crib mattresses on the floor. The beds themselves were also not covered in urine, feces or blood and there was plenty of room for all. I saw a number of paralyzed dogs playing with toys, maneuvering about without their carts happily and easily with no visible sores or lesions. I watched as poodles, dachshunds, Chihuahuas and beagles scampered about or slept comfortably. None were showing signs of distress. The fact that they were without their wheeled carts was actually a good thing. They had more freedom of movement and the ability to lay comfortably in a bed if they chose to than if they’d all been strapped into wheeled carts. With disabled (human) family members and ten years as a nurse before working in rescue, I can say with absolute certainty that no paralyzed being, either human or animal, can always be in their mobility devices. Discomfort, pressure sores and muscle atrophy are worsened when too much time is spent in a device. The tile floor at Angel’s Gate is a smooth surface that is heated (radiant heat) so it is an ideal surface for them to move about freely.
After about 10 minutes of quietly observing these fascinating dogs, Susan Marino came in the door. For someone under the scrutiny and stress Marino is enduring, her heartfelt welcome was amazing. We were immediately hugged and thanked for coming. We learned that Marino had taken a dog to the vet who had an insulinoma – a pancreatic tumor that causes increased insulin secretion, resulting in lowered blood glucose. In order to maintain proper blood glucose levels, he was fed six times a day. After placing him on a bed with dogs that were clearly happy to see him back, we were taken to the back rooms of the house.
When Marino opened the door to her own bedroom, the sight before my eyes was nothing short of amazing. Dogs of all breeds, sizes, disability or medical status were happily lounging on her bed or on blanket covered Kuranda beds on the floor. Immediately Marino picked up Serena, a young dog with a condition that prevents her from being able to walk or hold herself up and checked her diaper. It was soiled, so Marino took it off, washed her and put a new one on. With the diaper off I could see no evidence of skin deterioration that one might see if a soiled diaper were left on too long. Marino introduced many of the dogs to me, including Benji – a dog with a portion of his bottom jaw removed who still plays fetch and romps with the other dogs. As I’d read many of the negative press about Angel’s Gate, my first knee jerk response was, “I thought he was dead!” as that is what those making the allegations have stated. Clearly, Benji was not dead; in fact he was a happy dog with a spunky personality.
I felt a scratching at my legs and looked down to see a poodle in a polka dot sweater. I was informed that it was JoJo, a dog in renal failure who receives subcutaneous fluids daily. The bag of fluids was hanging just above Marino’s bed where she can easily access it to provide him with this life saving medical care.
After my exclamation and surprise that Benji was alive, Marino led us to the next room where I met Junior. Many of the detractors of Angel’s Gate have listed Junior, a black and white Chihuahua as “unaccounted for/dead” and state that no one has seen him in years. They also state that Junior hates Marino and constantly bites her, citing that as a reason for his supposed demise. The moment Marino said Junior’s name, he scampered across the room and quite literally jumped into Marino’s arms. I took photos while Junior and Marino snuggled and gave each other kisses. Clearly, Marino had put considerable time and effort into helping this formerly shy and fearful dog overcome that. All I saw from Junior was complete trust in Marino.
Next, we met MiMi, a miniature pinscher with an amazing story. MiMi’s rear legs were paralyzed. As sometimes happens with paralyzed dogs, MiMi chewed on her back legs. Just as it doesn’t take long for a dog to chew the meat off a bone you give them, it doesn’t take long for them to do the same to their own legs. As a result, MiMi had her rear legs amputated. Even without the use of a wheeled cart, MiMi climbs onto beds, plays fetch, and jumps off beds without faltering. The determination and strength this little pup shows is both an inspiration and a testament to the hard work of Marino.
As there was much to see, we headed out of the back rooms of the house. We were next brought into one of the cat areas inside the facility. There we met cats with leg deformities and other conditions. Though disabled, they had plenty of space to move around, beds, and places to hide and perch. Again, the room they were housed in was clean, no one was languishing in filth and the cats had all of their needs met.
On our way to the medical room, we met a poodle named Mogul. Mogul was originally brought to Angel’s Gate from a shelter in New York because of a large tumor on his head. When the tumor was removed, Mogul was in great health, despite being a senior dog. A man named Joe came to Angel’s Gate when his wife of 50 years passed away. He wanted something to love, but couldn’t afford the expenses associated with good pet ownership. Mogul and Joe were a perfect match for the Seniors for Seniors program at Angel’s Gate. Certain pets are selected for the program and placed with senior citizens. Angel’s Gate is ultimately responsible for the pets and monthly they return to Angel’s Gate for flea and tick prevention, heart worm prevention, fecal test and grooming. Any time the person goes away, goes into the hospital, etc the pet returns to Angel’s Gate until they are able to take them back. Joe was in the hospital at the day of my visit, so Mogul was happily playing with his other canine friends at Angel’s Gate.
Next I had the privilege of entering their medical room/ICU. There I saw the cats receiving medication, one having his bladder expressed and others under observation. The vet tech, Michelle, who works in that area was busily caring for the cats and making sure I met each one. In the corner, lounging on a bed was Tucker. At first he looked like any other tabby. Then Tucker stood up. He only had back legs. However, he was strong and happy and had a great window seat to watch the dogs playing outside. I was impressed by the medical equipment there, including the laboratory machines to run their own blood work. Being able to do on site lab work any time day or night is something many non hospice shelters only dream of. Even with this equipment, Marino still provides off site veterinary care, as was the case with the dog she was at the vet with when we arrived.
After finishing in the medical room, we went through the physical therapy room. There we saw many different items useful for dogs with varying stages of impairments. A water treadmill in one corner and a land treadmill with an adjustable device for dogs of different sizes were all in evidence. As there was no coating of dust on anything, it appeared to be recently and frequently used. Marino demonstrated to us how the different size dogs all had different attachments to help them gain however much use of their legs was possible.
Moving towards the front door, we met Grace the Squirrel. There is much controversy over Grace, with statements saying she’s in a “tiny” cage and should be released. However Grace is not a candidate for release. She came to Marino already hand raised and very friendly. After multiple release attempts it became clear that Grace is too friendly for her own good and needs to be kept inside. Marino has a current wildlife permit and Grace has a large multi-level cage with nesting, toys and plenty of appropriate food. If Grace were to be released, it is likely she would quickly die after so long in the care of humans.
From this point, we entered an employee area and Marino laid out for us the situation as it unfolded with PETA as well as her upcoming day in court regarding the charges brought against her. I had the opportunity to read the statements of those that made the complaints as well as statements in defense of Angel’s Gate and Marino. As these are all part of an upcoming legal proceeding, I will not go into detail about them at this time. However, it is my opinion that the evidence supports Marino’s side and justice will prevail in finding Marino and Angel’s Gate innocent of the charges.
All in all, the work being done at Angel’s Gate is rare and difficult. By definition, hospice careis designed to give supportive care in the final phase of a terminal illness and focus on comfort and quality of life. Angel’s Gate is unique in providing that to animals. Photos and video can be manipulated; however what I saw with my own eyes gives me confidence that the animals in Marino’s care are not living in filth, suffering for days or weeks on end before dying a slow painful death. Instead they, the cast-offs deemed unfit by their former owners or shelters for life in a “normal” home have comfort, safety and love during their illness and final days. The facility is clean and the animals well cared for. After many years of shelter and rescue work, I know where to look for things and what the smell of a dirty shelter is. I found nothing to alarm me that Marino and her employees were trying to hide anything. Susan Marino is one of the most genuinely caring individuals I have ever had the pleasure of meeting. I look forward to returning to Angel’s Gate to see the rest of the facility that time and personal circumstances did not allow on this visit.
I encourage all readers to contact or visit Angel’s Gate for themselves. Before believing the words, photos and videos, see things with your own eyes, speak to Susan Marino. She is happy to provide documentation for anyone to see. She quite literally opens her home to the sick and dying and cares for them when it’s the hardest to do so. Support the work that she does. Support Angel’s Gate Animal Hospice – make a real impact on animals in need.
Go to www.angelsgate.org and show your support in whatever way you can, be it financially or an encouraging word. All contact information is listed on their website.
**correction. March 3, 2012. It has come to my attention the 2 legged cat pictured is named Tigger, not Tucker.
