Fresh Start Animal Rescue

Fresh Start Animal Rescue Fresh Start was an animal shelter in Belvidere IL shut down due to mismanagement & high death rate. Animals were found in deplorable conditions.

Dorothy Jones Brotz was the shelter manager and Karen Johnson was the Kennel Manager.

We were not surprised to learn the people who in management at Fresh Start are friends with the breeders running this pa...
11/21/2017

We were not surprised to learn the people who in management at Fresh Start are friends with the breeders running this page.

This is a pro puppy mill page run by breeders who are doing all they can to protect the puppy mill industry. They focused their attention on the most popular animal advocate in their area attacking her and her family relentlessly. This page serves no other purpose but to protect puppy mills and destroy reputations. This page has been reported numerous times for their lies and personal attacks. Shame on Facebook for allowing it to continue.

11/06/2017

Hello everyone. I would like to give you an important update. This applies to EVERYONE that has adopted a dog from here. The President, Kathy Bausch, has in her possession Fresh Start's computers. She has them because she donated them to the shelter. On these computers are all of the files for the dogs. The actual files themselves are with the treasurer, Diane Vorndran. If anyone has adopted a dog from here, please update your microchip information so they are not registered to Fresh Start. This way, if they become lost, the microchip has YOUR information in them. We recently had a case where a dog was brought to BCAS and the microchip is registered to Fresh Start. Kathy claims the information isn't on the computer. So please find the time to update your animal's information. Thank you.

10/05/2017

Things that make you go hmmmm ...
Karen Johnson, Adoption Coordinator at Fresh Start, Dorothy Jones Bratz, Shelter Manager at Fresh Start were once bitter enemies with Opposing Voices. Now it seems they also have Opposing Voices against Kathy Mehalko.
What does this mean? Are they hoping to open another facility?
Hmmmmm....
Just to be very clear. Opposing Voices page is NOT Kathy Mehalko. Opposing Voices administrator is a breeder that supports Furry Babies and other organizations like the Cavalry Group that supports elephants in circuses, puppy mills and other such businesses and organizations some consider to be animal abuse.

All comments made by Emily Jacobs is actually being made by previous management. There are quite a few fake accounts cre...
07/01/2017

All comments made by Emily Jacobs is actually being made by previous management. There are quite a few fake accounts created by them. We're sure you all can figure out the reasons why they would need fake accounts.

Fresh Start is now closed. The animals have all gone to reputable rescues or in their forever homes.  The last 2 dogs, H...
06/30/2017

Fresh Start is now closed. The animals have all gone to reputable rescues or in their forever homes. The last 2 dogs, Holly & Grimm, who are a bonded pair and in a wonderful foster home will be taken over by Fur Angels. We hope a REPUTABLE foster based rescue run by a competent board & compassionate people will consider organizing in the Belvidere area to be a partner with Boone County Animal Services.

There are many people with questions concerning donations made to Fresh Start. First let us clarify your donations did not go to US. We were only called in to help transition the shelter. Your donations went to FRESH START. So as far as the cash donations go all we can speak to is the donations and the bills that were incurred when we stepped in.

Our first day in the shelter was on APRIL 18, 2017.

All questions involving money & donations given to Fresh Start should be directed to the board or the shelter manager.

We can tell you that there were huge medical bills when we took over as all the animals were sick with various issues. The vans were donated to Boone County Animal Services and Reach Rescue. The food was distributed to Kibble Korner, WInnebago County Animal Services and Boone County Animal Services. The cages, pet carriers, kennels & other misc. items in the shelter were donated to Boone County, Reach Rescue Inc.

We repeat....we did not have the authority to cash checks or deposit money nor did we have access to the credit/debit cards. So for anyone who has made donations of cash and/or money to Fresh Start and have questions about your donations you should direct those questions to the board or to the shelter manager.

Board President - Kathy Bauch.
Vice President - Oneita Coffey.
Treasurer - Diane Vorndran
Shelter Manager - Dorothy Brotz.

We will be leaving this page up so the experiences shared here will serve as a guideline as to what you should look for when you are considering adopting a pet or donating to a rescue or shelter.

The 83 lives lost in Fresh Start during the time of 2016 until April of 2017 will always be in our hearts & mind. We are sorry we weren't able to help you in time. We will make sure your deaths aren't in vain.

06/28/2017

All finished. Thank you!

06/28/2017

We have a rescue here loading up currently. If you have time and are strong, please come by and help them load

Thank you to everyone that came out to our open house. Many of you sharing your stories means a lot to not only us, but ...
06/17/2017

Thank you to everyone that came out to our open house. Many of you sharing your stories means a lot to not only us, but the animals as well. Special thanks to WTVO for coming out today!

A longtime animal shelter in the Stateline area shuts down. The new caretakers of the Fresh Start Animal Rescue in Belvidere said they had little choice after seeing conditions there.

Still available!
06/12/2017

Still available!

Adopt a miniature version of the Lady and the Tramp! Meet Grimm and Holly. A bonded pair that need to stay together.

Grimm is a 2 year old Jack Russell- wire fox terrier mix, weighing 7 lbs. He is blind in his left eye due to a car accident, but he gets around very well and keeps a good eye on his humans. Grimm has wild wire like fur that is soft to the touch and whose look fits his scrappy but soft personality. Grimm does not like to be separated from his peeps, he follows us everywhere and has a shrill bark if you go out without him or leave the house. He is as sweet as a little boy can be and gives sweet kisses and loves to be held, petted, kissed and sit on your lap or better yet, sit on the back or your chair where he can keep an eye on you. He LOVES his toys especially red squeaky balls and any squeaky toys. He plays fetch for as long as you want and always brings the ball back for more. Grimm walks very well on a leash and does not pull, and he is becoming quite good with a come command if you say his name. Don't let the name fool you, Grimm looks scrappy, but he is a lover through and through, super super sweet and a lovable character that will make you fall in love with him. He is working on potty training and doing quite well, but still has issues with marking so he wears a belly band to remind him. Grimm likes to sleep on your bed, not under the covers, but close enough to know you are there, he sleeps all night unless you get up, then he will follow your lead. He is good with other small dogs and loves to play, but will let them know in no uncertain terms if they are too rough, or invade his personal space, with a growl and a sharp bark, but otherwise is a happy go lucky personality.

Holly is a 7 year old long blonde haired chihuahua papillon mix, she weighs 4 lbs and is the epitome of a lap dog. Holly is super sweet and just wants to spend all her time sitting on your lap and being petted and adored. She gives sweet little kisses and is a great snuggler. She likes to sleep under the covers curled up next to you and sleeps all night! She is working on consistent potty training and is doing well, but still has a few accidents. She is a people pleaser, loves everyone and anyone who will hold and pet her, and gets along with other dogs, but will give them a growl and a mean bark is they try to take the lap she is occupying. She walks well on a leash, but needs to have a fenced yard or be on leash as she is a runner. She is a petite eater and does not like dog treats, but LOVES chicken! She has the sweetest face and loves to be pampered, and carried around, hence her nickname, "Hollywood". These little darlings do not respond well to sharp tones, so they need a patient loving supportive home that is able to do only positive conditioning and training with them. Holly and Grimm will wrestle and play together and then give each other sweet kisses and snuggle. They will truly charm you into loving them, they are that sweet!

If you would like to open your home to these 2 adorable babies, please send us a private message. Their adoption fee is $300

06/12/2017

We believe everyone needs to reread the reason for the Shelter Tour. Fresh Start is closing it's doors and we invited the public to come tour the shelter before we go. It was brought to our attention there were numerous members of the community who were curious as to what was behind those doors nobody was allowed to enter. Numerous members of the community wanted to see how the dogs were housed. That is the reason for this tour. We believe the community who has supported Fresh Start over the past decades has the right to tour their shelter before it closes.

Unfortunately, a few people started causing all this drama by accusing us of holding the tour to point fingers and lay blame. Those are their accusations not our words. It leads us to wonder why they are so strongly against this tour. Why do they continue to try and prevent the public from entering those doors that lead to the back area where the dogs were housed? Exactly what it is they are afraid of?

We repeat....we are inviting the public to tour the entire shelter this Friday June 16th from 1 until 5. We believe after the tour any and all questions anyone has will be answered. If you are against this tour than by all means do not come! However, you do not have the right to prevents those who are interested in seeing the shelter from having the ability to do so!

Address

1237 Logan Avenue
Belvidere, IL
61008

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