Boggs Mountain Humane, a Supposed No-Kill Animal Shelter, Has Closed Due to Apparent Fraud

Published July 24, 2012

Flickr User fastphive

An animal shelter has been forced to close its doors after alleged fraud.

The inviting slogan, “Opt to Adopt: Shelter Animals Need You” is prominently displayed on the website of the Boggs Mountain Humane Shelter, a no-kill facility located in Tiger, Georgia. This message, targeted to touch the hearts of folks who are thinking about adopting a pet or donating to a “worthy” cause, is definitely appealing.

The shelter’s mission is stemming the tide of unwanted and abused animals in northeast Georgia through public education, low cost spay/neuter programs, pet adoption and the transfer of animals to no-kill partner coalitions.

What is even more fetching about Boggs Mountain Humane Shelter is their Lucky Dog and Kitty adoption program. People donating to this Lucky Pet  program help give those who cannot afford to adopt a fur family member the opportunity to do so.  The shelter guaranteed that, for a $100 donation covering the cost of neutering/spaying and vaccinations, a sponsored dog or cat would not be euthanized.

The “Lucky dog and kitty” program also increased the shelter’s number of successful placements of needy cats and dogs into forever loving homes. What could be a more perfect win-win situation for all concerned animal lovers?

However, sadly this was not the case.  According to the investigative report published on My Fox 5 Atlanta, Boggs Mountain Humane “No Kill” Shelter’s generous and unique program is allegedly a scam. Bogg Mountain Humane Shelter’s claim for helping homeless pets could not be more seductive and duplicitous.

Randy Travis, a FOX 5 I-Team reporter, went undercover to investigate some of the disturbing rumblings he was hearing about the less “humane” conditions at Boggs Mountain Shelter. What he discovered shocked him.

Travis learned from “whistle blower” staffer Lynne Cousins that the Boggs Mountain Humane Shelter’s “no-Kill" claim was a lie. The shelter compounded their deceit by making arrangements for these “lucky” dogs and cats to be euthanized, then sending “good news” emails to the donors letting them know their sponsored pet was adopted. Cousins was dismissed shortly after Travis’ story was released.  Read more about the investigation and watch the undercover video.

Due to Travis’ investigative report and subsequent findings, Boggs Mountain Humane Shelter doors have been closed pending further investigation by a five member sub-committee team.  What is disturbing to this writer is, according to an item on the Examiner, shelter manager, Lowanda Kilby, who claims to have done nothing wrong, has been placed on "indefinite paid and administrative leave."

In this writer’s opinion, a “no-kill” shelter must clearly and openly demonstrate that their facility does not, under any circumstance, euthanize pets, but they locate responsible homes or transfers these animals into foster homes or reliable, legitimate no-kill shelters.

What are your thoughts about the deception allegedly perpetrated at the "No-Kill" Boggs Mountain Humane Shelter?  Share in a comment.

Author's profile photo
Jo Singer

Shortly after retiring as a social worker and psychotherapist, I discovered my "writer's voice"…

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Comments (15)

VICKIE KING (Unverified)
this is proof that there's EVIL in all areas of life. Thank God for the whistle blower - she did the right thing.
Anonymous (Unverified)
this is fraud and theft by deception
Anonymous (Unverified)
I live in rabun county and have even taken a litter of kittens down there that i found.. I was assured they would be adopted or transferred to another shelter.. the kittens never even went on their adoptable's list.. I am outraged by what we have learned about what was going on in our own back yard..according to our local newspaper the clayton tribune they fired kilby as of yesterday.. i really hope that all responsible people are punished and they can reopen the shelter under someone who will run it properly.. the shelter is capable of wonderful things as long as it is ran by the right people..
Lottto Buster (Unverified)
Randy, as you investigate fraud, I need you to contact me concerning GA Keno Lottery Payouts. I have and will continue to get evidence that a certain Lottery Dealer in my town is buying Lottery Tickets over $599 and paying out a lesser sum. He then distributes the $599+ tickets to his family and friends to cash in at the Lottery Center. Thereby, avoiding certain taxes. This fraud must be Stopped!!
Anonymous (Unverified)
Lotto buster,contact Randy on your own and don't try to hijack this thread.
Anonymousannie (Unverified)
such a horrible story. all those poor animals. hopefully something good will come out of this.
Anonymous (Unverified)
First let me say how very sorry I am that this has happened,I can"t believe it All those precious animals and the heart broken people that have been hurt by this.We were taught better what happened,are hearts that cold ,are our standard of life that low,and then pay her for leave what in the world,are they thinking you get paid for doing evil,no smak on the hand from me she deserves what she gave out not money for a vacation,and a I didn"t do nothing,I also think that the people that helped her should get punished as well no matter what position they hold.what a bad mark on our county and we really do need a shelter they are so many dogs and cats thst wonder the streets and get run over because of irrisponsible people,we just have gotton lease laws although they are not inforced the way they should be.but they are good people here to that care and can do a good job and people here need to work as we now have nothing to work at .Will we recover from this ,will we gain back the trust and respect of other people.I sure hope and pray so she doesn"t need just a smack on the hand this is a terrible thing doneour dogs are a part of our family and I thakn god it wasn"t one of ours what a heartbrake but there again I don't think she did all without help.Iwant to say again how very sorry I am please help our county get through this awful tragedy.We do have some good people here somewhere