Frustrated by a huge drop in donations, the Boggs Mountain board of directors has announced the shelter will close its doors by the end of October.
Board members hoped to turn around the Rabun County shelter after the FOX 5 I-Team caught the former shelter director misleading donors and ordering healthy dogs put to sleep.
The last time FOX 5's Randy Travis visited Boggs Mountain, board members tried to sound the alarm.
"I'm concerned that we'll have to announce in a month or two that we're permanently closed," said board member Kirk Knous.
Two weeks later, their worries have come true. Unless donations take a dramatic turn, the state-of-the art animal shelter in the north Georgia mountains will close its doors October 31, ending what was once considered one of the most successful private no-kill shelters in the state.
"We're one of the best in the state...This is just so upsetting. So upsetting," said Knous. "We want to save the animals"
But the damage was always to the animals. FOX 5's hidden camera investigation exposed how former director Lowanda "Peanut" Kilby collected cash donations from the public, promising the dogs or cats they sponsored would not be euthanized. She had many of those so-called Lucky Dogs and Cats killed anyway -- sometimes with donors even getting a note tricking them into thinking that dead pet was actually in a wonderful home.
Kilby is now the subject of GBI and IRS investigations.
The board fired Kilby last month and volunteers began running Boggs Mountain, caring for the animals left behind. A big adoption event over the weekend found homes for 14 of those dogs, but the board chairman says monetary donations have slowed to a trickle, and they need roughly $30,000 a month to cover the costs for the million dollar facility.
Some blamed the board for not keeping a better eye on what their director was up to.
"I think the board failed in its duty to oversee the day-to-day activities of the shelter, yes. Did it fail in its mission to save animals? No," said board member Danny Benson.
Board members thought they had tight financial controls. Kilby wasn't allowed to write checks or access the PayPal accounts for Boggs Mountain.
"We've authorized two PayPal accounts to be set up and both of those are automatically deposited into our checking account," said Knous.
But some donors told the FOX 5 I-Team that Kilby directed them to deposit donations into a third PayPal account, using an email address unknown to the board. That development is now part of the GBI's investigation.
Boggs will also be ending its yearly $175,000 contract to manage the county animal services. That means commissioners will have to find someone else to pick up stray animals in the county while Boggs searches for some way to salvage the work of well-meaning people over the sins of the few.
Monday, June 17 2013 8:03 AM EDT2013-06-17 12:03:25 GMT
We all get excited about leaving town and going on vacation, so we tend to tell everyone about it. But, a word of caution before spreading the good news.
We all get excited about leaving town and going on vacation, so we tend to tell everyone about it. But, a word of caution before spreading the good news.
Monday, June 17 2013 7:13 AM EDT2013-06-17 11:13:04 GMT
Pomegranate juice has been sold as a real 'cure-all' over the last couple of years. But in a decision made this month, the FTC has ordered at least one manufacturer to back off on its strong health claims.
Pomegranate juice has been sold as a real 'cure-all' over the last couple of years. But in a decision made this month, the Federal Trade Commission has ordered at least one manufacturer to back off some pretty strong health claims.
Friday, June 14 2013 8:56 AM EDT2013-06-14 12:56:09 GMT
Retailers got the go-ahead to pass along some extra charges to you, but not without some rules attached. You might not have noticed them just yet, but you should be on the lookout.
Retailers got the go-ahead to pass along some extra charges to you, but not without some rules attached. You might not have noticed them just yet, but you should be on the lookout.
Thursday, June 13 2013 3:29 PM EDT2013-06-13 19:29:22 GMT
A man once hailed as a military hero was arrested on Wednesday. Former Holly Springs Police Officer Shane Ladner is accused of tricking people into thinking that he received a Purple Heart for being wounded in battle.
A man once hailed as a military hero was arrested on Wednesday. Former Holly Springs Police Officer Shane Ladner is accused of tricking people into thinking that he received a Purple Heart for being wounded in battle.
Wednesday, June 12 2013 11:36 PM EDT2013-06-13 03:36:50 GMT
Tonight at 10, FOX 5 I-Team reporter Randy Travis shows how long it took a local sheriff to finally arrest a repeat horse abuser – even after state inspectors had spent years trying to stop the abuse!
Tonight at 10, FOX 5 I-Team reporter Randy Travis shows how long it took a local sheriff to finally arrest a repeat horse abuser – even after state inspectors had spent years trying to stop the abuse!
Wednesday, June 12 2013 9:07 AM EDT2013-06-12 13:07:42 GMT
You may have noticed – or, at least heard – that mortgage rates are starting to inch up again. The I-Team's Dana Fowle is here to help you understand what this change means for home buyers right now.
You may have noticed – or, at least heard – that mortgage rates are starting to inch up again. The I-Team's Dana Fowle is here to help you understand what this change means for home buyers right now.
Wednesday, June 12 2013 6:59 AM EDT2013-06-12 10:59:03 GMT
The Better Business Bureau always takes a look back at the previous year, and compiles its top 10 scams list.
The Better Business Bureau always takes a look back at the previous year, and compiles its top 10 scams list. According to the I-Team, the list are schemes that have been around as long as the BBB, 100 years. The only thing different is the technology.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 9:30 PM EDT2013-06-19 01:30:16 GMT
The Woodstock Police Department says a police K-9 died after being left in his handler's patrol car.Spartacus, a 3-year-old Belgian Malinois, was found dead in his handler's patrol car. Authorities later
The Woodstock Police Department says a police K-9 died after being left in his handler's patrol car.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 7:11 PM EDT2013-06-18 23:11:21 GMT
Atlanta police have arrested two brothers for running what they say was a major fraud ring that caused small businesses across the country to lose more than $300,000.
Atlanta police have arrested two brothers for running what they say was a major fraud ring that caused small businesses across the country to lose more than $300,000.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 6:22 PM EDT2013-06-18 22:22:48 GMT
Defense attorneys want the governor's report on Atlanta Public Schools cheating thrown out. They say educators were threatened to cooperate with investigators or lose their jobs.
Defense attorneys want the governor's report on Atlanta Public Schools cheating thrown out. They say educators were threatened to cooperate with investigators or lose their jobs.
Monday, February 18 2013 4:04 PM EST2013-02-18 21:04:17 GMT
People upset about the practices at the Boggs Mountain Animal Shelter were expected to attend a Rabun County Board of Commissioners meeting on Tuesday.
People upset about the practices at the Boggs Mountain Animal Shelter were expected to attend a Rabun County Board of Commissioners meeting on Tuesday.
Pet owners from hundreds of miles away drive to a small humane society in the north Georgia mountains because they think they're saving lives, but an undercover Fox5 I-Team investigation found exactly the opposite.
Pet owners from hundreds of miles away drive to a small humane society in the north Georgia mountains because they think they're saving lives, but an undercover Fox5 I-Team investigation found exactly the opposite.
Monday, February 18 2013 4:01 PM EST2013-02-18 21:01:01 GMT
Dozens turned out at the Boggs Mountain Humane Shelter Saturday, angry over allegations the FOX 5 I-Team exposed earlier this month regarding their "Lucky Dog" program.
Dozens turned out at the Boggs Mountain Humane Shelter Saturday, angry over allegations the FOX 5 I-Team exposed earlier this month regarding their "Lucky Dog" program.
Monday, February 18 2013 4:01 PM EST2013-02-18 21:01:01 GMT
The Boggs Mountain Board of Directors is hoping the public will give them a second chance after a FOX 5 I-Team investigation.
The Boggs Mountain Board of Directors is hoping the public will give them a second chance after a FOX 5 I-Team investigation caught the shelter manager secretly allowing the killing of dogs she promised would be adopted.
Monday, February 18 2013 4:01 PM EST2013-02-18 21:01:01 GMT
The board of directors at Boggs Mountain Humane Shelter called an emergency meeting on Friday after an I-Team investigation alleged that no-kill pets were euthanized.
The board of directors at Boggs Mountain Humane Shelter called an emergency meeting on Friday after an I-Team investigation alleged that no-kill pets were euthanized.
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