Delray Beach lawyer Mindy Farber, with rescue dogs Cara, Nicky and Abbey,
advocates for nonprofits, veterans, women, minorities and homeless pets.
Photo provided
By Arden Moore
There are people who champion the cause for pets by fostering rescues, volunteering in animal shelters, organizing pet events and bringing their well-mannered therapy pets into nursing homes and schools.
I applaud the contributions made by all of these people. And, I admire a special breed of pet advocate: the legal beagles. These people are committed to working with local, state and national lawmakers to make this a better planet for cats, dogs and other companion animals.
In Delray Beach, there is a very active legal beagle: attorney Mindy Farber. In practice for more than three decades, she specializes in civil rights law for nonprofits, veterans, women, minorities and homeless pets.
She splits her time between residences in Delray Beach and Maryland with her husband and their three well-traveled rescue dogs: Cara, Nicky and Abbey. She serves on the board for the nonprofit Pet Connect Rescue (petconnectrescue.org) in Potomac, Md.
Farber worked with state legislators in Maryland to pass a bill recently that prohibits the sale of animals in pet stores. She is currently working with the state’s House Judiciary committee to get a bill passed that would require people found guilty of animal cruelty to not only serve time in prison but also pay restitution toward the financing of any bills related to injuring or killing animals.
Locally, she is hard at work on finding a solution to address homeless, abandoned animals found on the streets of Delray Beach. Two days after Christmas, she was shopping in downtown Delray Beach when she came across a very weak, mange-filled, little red dog.
“When I found this dog, I called the city immediately and said, ‘Help! There is a dog who is struggling here, just lying on the street,’” recalls Farber. “This dog was dying and I was frantic to find a way to get her medical attention, but was told that the city of Delray Beach does not have an animal control officer and was told to call the county. Well, I tried, but the phone kept ringing busy.”
During this time, Farber called out to passersby for help but to no avail.
“This dog had ooze pouring out of her ears and eyes,” she says. “While my husband took our three dogs home, I called out to everyone for assistance — bikers, drivers, joggers, walkers and people with baby carriages. But all averted their eyes.”
Fortunately, members of Dezzy’s Second Chance Rescue were nearby setting up their booth for rescued dogs to be adopted. One member assisted Farber by placing the sick dog in a van and taking it to a veterinary clinic where the dog received life-saving treatment. The dog has not yet been adopted. The plight of this dog has motivated Farber to lobby with the Delray Beach City Commission. She wants to find a way to allow a nonprofit animal organization to have use of the vacant animal shelter building for a yearly rent of $1.
Farber, who has lived in Delray Beach for a decade, is quick to say she is not critical of the city. “I’m looking for a way that a nonprofit animal group can do a much-needed government service that the government currently cannot provide,” she says.
I reached out to city officials regarding Farber’s proposal. Commissioner Mitch Katz explained that the city is doing a complete inventory of all city-owned buildings, including those that are vacant.
“We will not be making a decision on any building until the analysis is done, which should be within a month or so,” says Katz, adding that he wants more information on how such an arrangement between the city and a nonprofit group would be set up.
In an email reply, Vice Mayor Shelly Petrolia wrote, “I would be in support of the city offering a building to temporarily shelter animals by a nonprofit … as long as it received a majority commission vote. I would only agree to consider something like this following an inventory and evaluation of all properties owned by the city, which is currently in the process.”
In the meantime, Farber is maintaining her advocacy efforts for companion animals in need, both here and in Maryland.
“As a lawyer, I’ve worked hard for many years and never took very many vacations,” she says. “I am blessed in many ways and now I want to give back and to use my legal skills to advance issues, like helping homeless animals.”
She is definitely my kind of legal beagle.
Arden Moore, founder of FourLeggedLife.com, is an animal behavior consultant, editor, author, professional speaker and master certified pet first aid instructor. Each week, she hosts the popular Oh Behave! show on PetLifeRadio.com. Learn more by visiting fourleggedlife.com.
Win an Arden book!
Got a pet? In celebration of the release of my newest pet books, I am giving away a personalized, autographed copy of Fit Cat and Fit Dog to a couple of readers of The Coastal Star. How? Easy. Simply email me (Arden@fourleggedlife.com) and tell me, in 100 words or fewer, how your dog or your cat has made your life better. And, if you like, attach a photo. We will pick a cat and a dog winner and share the results in the June issue.
Comments
So sorry Boys and Girls, it appears I hit delete right before art class and putting my hand in plaster paris. I will be post it soon, however if anyone got a screen shot please feel free to post it here.
First read part 1& 2 of your homework assignment, below. Here is your extra credit, students. Might need to use the left to right scroll bar to view.
Please see post below. This is part 2 of the classroom assignment.
Okay, boys and girls, last ditch effort before you all go home with your crayons and coloring books, as someone else on this post noted. It's that time again. I am posting on behalf of my good friend, Darcy Butkus, I am allowing her to write in her own words, using my account. . Here is a screen shot taken from yours truly, Sandra Dezelan in her own words. Sandra, a couple questions for you. This was posted on the link that was disabled due to your very rude comments, along with your sidekick named "IT". Both you and "It" registered on the same day June 7th. "It" was clever and locked down his disquis account, while you, not so smart. Where you and "IT" upset because maybe, just maybe this past Sunday am's fundraiser never took off? Let's begin our homework assignment. Here is a screen shot from Sandra Dezelan. Sandra, you state in this post that I (Darcy) have been disassociated with 3 or 4 other rescues. Please name them. You can only think of one. The same one that you went on the radio and spoke negative about, that I invited you to speak. Not only did you ramble on for about 5 minutes regarding this operation in Hollywood, who by the way is only licensed to solicit donations in the State, but you continued to praise me, (Darcy) with wonderful accolades.Do you need to hear that segment? I question what you really are, a 501c3 or a retail store or both? I am pondering that thought as I write this. You also wrote a testimony about the wrongdoing of this rescue in Hollywood, Florida. That is how you and I met. Remember? Let's move on. I love how you go on the defense and attempt to personally attack my credibility. Not going to work, you are digging yourself deeper in to a ditch. This is called deflecting. Nice try, Sandra. There were 4 of us at this meeting that took place on April 9th that YOU asked me to attend. A 45 minute drive for myself, but I did it for you and the animals. Let me refresh your memory who was present at this meeting. Mindy Farber and Peggy Kelliher (your financial advisor????) myself (Darcy) and you. You state in this post, that quote on quote, "her crazy behavior at the meeting was far from normal and actually frightening." Police Officers were sitting 3 tables away from us. I saw them walk in the door , approach the counter to order, upon which I got up from the booth to offer to pay for their items. Remember, Sandra? Funny, I even had a conversation with them and the one Sergeant knows the Assistant Chief for the Town of Davie. Small world, wouldn't you say? If there was a frightening, and crazy behavior on my behalf at this meeting, why then didn't the Police approach our table? You seem to forget there were 2 other women present at this meeting on April 9th. They are also referred to as witnesses.
On to the next homework assignment. Check out in Sandra's own words. Which hospital do "we" own? You spoke on the radio 2 years ago and said the same thing then, that you are saying now. Singing the same old song and dance. Which song was that? Let me think, I know. 'Whistle while you work', from Snow White and the 7 Dwarfs. That was it! Gee, why doesn't Dr. HUNTER (Mickey) Axelband's name show up anywhere in a recent purchase as far back as January 2015? No mention of him anywhere. Odd, very odd, just my opinion.
Last part of the assignment. Sandra, you just love to personally attack someone, instead of answering the questions. You and your cohorts, Curly, Larry and Moe, otherwise known as Chaz Stevens, David Torgerson (been to a park lately, David, aka David Willard?) and your chosen one, named "IT" are what I call bottom feeders, my opinion. Sandra, do not forget how my husband would make you a batch of the tuna fish that you loved. What about the last batch of food I brought you on April 9th? Not to mention the monies I have donated to this retail store, along with the washer and dryer, the cost of the shelving installed, Dr Puig's bill, among numerous trips to Big Deals, and my own time that was taken away from my own 2 dogs. ***** And for the finale , you are again so mistaken, and spewing lies from that mouth of yours. I have a room in this home designated for fosters. It is called the doggie den. Many dogs have walked through that door and rested their head in this room. MANY in the course of the 4.5 years I have been involved in rescue.. You, Sandra have only been a 501c3 (cough, cough) since 2011. How in 4 years can you state that you have rescued over 4000+ dogs? Do the math. Highly, highly impossible. Just my own opinion. Now, students, look at the screen shots and please feel free to comment. Need to go spend quality time with my 2 beautiful rescue dogs,. Wish you would do the same to the 20 dogs and 3-5 cats that are hidden behind the door at 141 NW 20th St. Suite F-2 Boca Raton, Florida. Class dismissed !
LOOK AT CLIP BELOW!
These dogs have vanished from the face of this earth. Since my friend, Darcy Butkus ( seen in this video) is unable to post, I will post on her behalf. Watch this video clip, taken at Dr. Puig's office in Pembroke Pines, Florida, September of 2014. And do not tell us that they all of a sudden were adopted. Stop with the lies. Cheeto and Angel are stuck in that store front where you filled out paperwork to the City of Boca Raton that you are a retail store. Why are these dogs no longer on pet finders? Since you stated earlier in this blog that Little Mindy will never ever go to Ms. Farber (screen shot taken) but instead be stuck in that store front among the other animals, are you doing the same to these 2 precious canines? I was there. I donated. I walked the dogs. I purchased goods at Big Deals on behalf of the animals and yourself. Try, just try to discredit me. I was there! No denying that, Ms. Dezelan!
http://www.local10.com/thats-life/dezzys-second-chance-chito-angel/...
So why is the plaintiff allegedly calling people at their home and work, and allegedly calling their spouses to announce they will also be sued? Why did David and Regina remove all their comments? Seems there are other comments that have been removed by the Plaintiff's attorney.
It appears to me that this is all good volley here, but I have to wonder why one person's statements are called defamatory, while another's are not. Perhaps boys and girls it is time to take your crayons and go home.
Transparency is important in rescue. Reporting items correctly is always important to Uncle Sam and the State is required. Having 100 percent of your funds going to Administrative Expenses is a reg flag, huge red flag. Or perhaps it could mean that the person is really crappy at business and perhaps that is why their other business failed. Public records show 11 placed last year. $5787.89 dollars per dog, for a rescue that should have the benefit of purchasing meds at cost, and of course deeply discounted rates for veterinarian services. I believe it is important for donors to know the business side of rescue. Or perhaps the business side of a retail store.
BUT like someone once said in a unsolicited phone call to me, after telling me someone that did not have my home number gave them my home number, "NOTHING is admissible in court, there ya go"
Go even lower Chaz Stevens! Sandra already tried that tactic. Calling my girlfriend's husband at his place of work. Sandra, would you say that was 2 weeks ago? Maybe longer when you called Darcy's husband at his place of work and told him you were going to sue her. Glad you are. I have been at that crowded "living room " atmosphere as you call it. I went to the store, Big deals with darcy and loaded up on quarts of water for the animal, bought cleaning stuff and even snacks for you, Sandra. Rode in that beat up van of yours with no A/C to go meet that nice woman from California. Remember? The one that you continued to bash her because she surrendered her dog to a wonderful family that lived on the farm, and did not give her dog to your so called rescue. Didn't Darcy bring you homemade tuna fish that Arnie made for you and you loved, it, loved it so much that you did not want to share with that other volunteer? The guy with the dark hair from Tri County that you said was a little "slow". Since I see that Daniel Rose is on the page now, do you want my address, Daniel? Please call me into the lawsuit. Please! I gave sandra a check as a donation. Now I am asking for a receipt, minus what is owed to the Government. I can not deduct this from my taxes since her paperwork claims she is a retail store, NOT a 501c3. You, Sandra are a very evil, evil woman. My other neighbor met you as well, remember her? You were in her house. She helped Darcy and I get a great price for the washer and dryer in that retail store front of yours. Darcy paid for 75% of the washer and dryer and I paid the other 25%. You, my dear, opened a huge can of worms. Daniel, call in the owner of Brandsmart, the one that got s a great price for the washer and dryer. Another wonderful woman that Sandra met. A woman of 3 rescues. A woman that is very, very upset about what she is hearing. A woman that does not tolerate any bullshit! She has been filled in on all of this since day 1. We want you to subpoena her. There are more coming to the animals defense. Sandra, you better get all your paperwork in order. We are Little Mindy! We are the voice for those animals stuck in that store front. Sandra, like the picture? That is of a DEAD dog, named Chocolate. Share with the readers. Darcy knows the real truth behind this dog that you just posted on your personal page June 3rd, as well as others that know the history behind this poor dog. Screen shots have been taken. Try and delete, you have been busted. CHOCOLATE is dead, tell Jinny Ritter the truth. I am so ready to support my good friend that has helped you in so, so any ways and this is how you thank her? Subpoena me. Do it!
Who is this Jeanette Blumpkin (look it up) person anyway?
So, let's see how low we can go ...
Hello Arnold Butkus!
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/7008106/36273131.pdf
Jeanette Tomkins I tried to go to the link and it comes up page not found. Why is that? Is it because the officer of a 501c3 non profit public charity, the same officer who states she sells cats and dogs to the public on a business tax/certificate of use Application, had nothing but a diatribe of comments.
I am not sure when it came down, but I did see said officer and a person named "It" deflecting valid questions and attacking. Why is it so hard if they are "RIGHT" to show the proof ?
To just say I am wonderful and gave up my former life, but not actually put the animals welfare first is questionable.
If you look at rescues across the US, the ones that are thriving and saving thousands of animals, their websites actually include animals for adoption, for foster, for sponsor, not links to articles where dogs in their care killed one another and where they had to clean it up, not a long story how they were rich and gave up it all.
My concern is for the animals, for the donors . Why am I reading about more dead and missing dogs within that rescue? Who is Chocolate ? and why would an officer of a Public non profit post an old picture of themselves with a dog that died in their care? 501c3 Non Profit charity can sell retail items, but as we all know taxes must be paid on those items. Why is an animal rescue stating they SELL animals ? I know of no rescues that would ever consider themselves as selling dogs and cats.
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