Author Archives: Kathy Crawford

Hero’s Hope Pet-Assist, a non-profit organization started by three women with a love for animals and people, held a fundraiser May 7, 2011, in Smithville, Mo. Smithville resident Gina Westpfahl, Liberty resident Heddie Leger, and Edgerton resident Deborah Pack all … Continue reading →

Rita Korener, who rescues dogs, brought some of her current canines to the Hero’s Hope fundraiser on May 7, 2011, with her own hope – to adopt out one or more of them. Not all rescue groups are large organizations. … Continue reading →

St. Joseph resident Cynthia Jeney and Kansas City resident Melissa McMillan have both fostered dogs, and both of them ended up adopting one or more of the dogs they fostered. McMillan, who has fostered off and on for about four … Continue reading →

Sherai McCracken, who is training to become a groomer at Hidden Valley Animal Hospital and Grooming Salon, said the first thing she learned was how to trim dogs’ nails. They taught her this first, most likely, because it is intimidating … Continue reading →

TIMELINE May 2, 2010: Over 190,000 signatures delivered to Secretary of State’s Office with the help of the coalition, Missourians for the Protection of Dogs. The coalition included Missouri Alliance for Animal Legislation, Humane Society of Missouri, Humane Society of … Continue reading →

I want to thank two readers, FDF and Linda, for their posts in reply to my commentary on March 25: “Prop. B Repeal Angers Voters.” Although they have differing views about Proposition B, both have some interesting points to make. … Continue reading →

Stories sometimes drag a reporter in different directions than she planned. Take the story I’m writing now, which is about Missouri’s Proposition B or “The Puppy Mill Cruelty Prevention Act.” Voters approved this initiative last November. However, the Missouri Senate … Continue reading →

A stranger can tell quickly that they are siblings, but not solely based on their looks. The way they share in everything reveals their closeness. They take turns plucking toys from their big rubber tub, and they race to reach … Continue reading →

The quest began almost two years ago when the noose of the nation’s great recession began to tighten. The mission of a handful of people was to open The Northland Pet Pantry, which put donated pet food and supplies into … Continue reading →