I was at Mounds a couple of weeks prior to them telling the RCHS to move out. I witnessed a discussion between a volunteer and potential adopter. It definitely appeared that the RCHS policies for the satellite were not real conducive to getting the cats adopted. I wouldn't be surprised if the potential adopter had complained to the Mounds headquarters which may have been the final straw.
... I have never purchased cat food or litter online as someone suggests people do now. Usually shipping on that heavy of item is not free and too costly to make it feasible. I just went back to purchasing my cat food at Mounds because it is the only place locally selling the brand / formulation I like to purchase. Hopefully they don't go out of business.

As you can tell from the RCHS Boards actions, Angela Rhodes obviously had something to do with a lot of the problems that RCHS is experiencing. Including Mounds deciding to longer support RCHS. Those are the types of things that happen when you burn bridges. Mounds is still a great local company and we SHOULD support local businesses. They carry things you just can't find at the other pet stores, it would be a real shame if they chose to leave.

Don't be surprised if Mounds shuts it's doors in Janesville. They are not doing well since everyone is buying online. Plus, we all know the economy continues to be bad in Janesville. I have an inside source regarding this.

I am done with Mounds too. They were more interested in the tax write off. They donated space but RCHS did all the work. No real money was donated by Mounds. Soft credit was given to Mounds as a donor. Trust me, I know.

Ask the police where strays go and you will get your answer. Strays are still going to rock county humane society.

Please do not stop patronizing Mounds...There is more to the story than the public knows.

There is something like dimethione and a couple other things that are "vitamin k" that is poison to many dogs.

truth1- then they should say we will except this brand of food. I know I have less issues when I do food that Corn is not first on the list. Mounds brand uses Rice I believe as the filler. Less puking w/o corn listed first. Their little bellies cannot handle that rought stuff- just like us. It wont digest well.

RCHS is a private shelter. They do not want to be in the stray animal buissness. Thats their perogative.
With that decision by Rhodes, why is she surprised that cities have found other means to handle animals. RCHS wanted out, the cities responded. She told them they would need to find alternatives, and they did.

In one way I can understand not feeding certain food to the animals....My dog was getting sick from food from one of the big box stores..A little internet research found out about bad stuff they put in some dog food, just like people food...RESEARCH IT, people.

frusion- it is a big building and I assume the "traffic" doesn't help either and letting puppies out all day long. Did you find that on Alliant site? So I was close at $2000 or more.

ps- how fishy to me!! Going to starve the cats or feed them donated food. IF they get food are you going to toss it? Or snotty person at counter going to tell you we don't accept free food anymore?

justbrince- call to see what food they are using. I read it someplace now they wont except food as donation now only want money(how stupid). They say because they want them all on same diet.

Imthinkn... RCHS has $2,300/month for utilities. They must have nothing for insulation or energy savings effort in that building. That is ridiculous.

I am sure there are many reasons for this but blame? blame should go to the idiot pet owners that let them pro-create. And if you can not afford to have your animal fixed, do NOT get one. I feel bad for the poor animals, they will suffer until someone adopts them. But blame for sure goes to the people who think it is ok to have kittens and puppies and then dump them at the humane society! I know of quite a few who can not even afford to pay their own bills but think they need to have cute puppies and kittens in their house. I know where the blame goes!

Why dont they hit Barry the fake president on this..he likes to give free money away...

Cum'on Mounds! Reconsider!!!

The pets at RCHS need our help now more than ever. To make sure 100% of my donations go to the pets, I purchase pet food and donate it to RCHS. I will be increasing my pet food donations this year, and, yes - I purchase the pet food from Mounds (and keep my receipts for tax purposes).

mthinking- THINK who much the Alliant bill might be one month in an old building. I would say a couple thousand a month. It is not a small building. So yes it would cost a lot for the animals. These are all part of the bills to keep the place running and a huge one at that.

I wonder if some of that rudeness comes from people who HAVE to work there as part of a court ordered time served. People who cuse trouble and then have to work for free may not be real happy. That sucks. Make them clean up garbage not try to relate to the public.

I dont get it. Ms Rhodes has stated that it costs $140 to take in an animal. Need to cover heat/cooling and building along with food. I have a pet. Large breed dog. I have same resposibilities as RCHS. Does not cost me $140. Why so much for them. Heat/cooling should be the same for one animal as it is for 20. Food does not need to be the top brand until adopted out, or owner found.
RCHS/Rhodes has alot of fixing to do. I hope the Board acts first. The citizens are the ones who support RCHS, and they are not happy now. Blame cannot be on Mounds. It started with municipalities and now Mounds has followed.

Between 2006-2008 we adopted two dogs and a cat from RCHS. They were great animals. The staff was very friendly and accomodating and there were many animals to choose from. We did not have to be "chaparoned" to view the dogs. We also donated food and money to the shelter. Several years ago (after Ms. Rhodes took over) we went to look for another animal. The staff was rude and there were very few animals to choose from. We were shocked at the changes that had taken place. From that time on we stopped donating to RCHS. As of today there are only 4 dogs and 24 cats listed on their website. We now look to rescue groups (such as the Friends of Noah) for adoptable pets. Ms. Rhodes and the RCHS board of directors (whoever they are) are putting this desperately needed service out of business.

I think the "lies" problem derives from the reporter's choice of words, and frankly, the article should be corrected. She writes that the DCHS "refuted" Ms. Rhode's statement, then cites a facebook post by DCHS denying the statement. That is not "refuting" a statement; to refute is to conclusively prove a fact. The only way the statement could be "refuted" is if the DCHS statements, from an unknown source on facebook, are automatically assumed to be credible, which is not an assumption that I would make. In fact, I don't believe that DCHS offers an example that any county should aspire to, and I think that those who assume otherwise should investigate the politics and history of that organization.

mts thanks- what were the kitties names? I volunteered there so I could play with the kitties after scooping poo and feeding. Doesn't seem you get to play with the ones at RCHS building. If you wanted to visit it was like you were visiting an inmate. HAnds out of the cages. I do understand this because they can pass along kitty colds and issues but dont be so rude!

The part that really bothers me is:

"Mounds told the shelter that it will no longer be able to purchase cat litter at cost or receive donated pet food."

This part will really hurt the shelter, and I don't understand why they (Mounds) would do this at all. I got a dog this weekend and if it hadn't been for this stint on Mounds' part, I would've been buying all of our dog food from them. I'll be finding an alternative place to purchase from.

I wish Mounds would share some insight into their reasoning.

"Her blatant lie that Dane County is moving into Janesville Mounds is just an example of a warped view of reality."

Somebody is lying anyway. I called Dane county and they "say" they don't have a clue about this. They have Dane CO kitties in Dane Co Mounds stores.

yes chad vader i donate to three charities one is the valley of the kings in sharon wi please donate they have so many big cats that desperately need our help plus i donte to the humane society plus all of my pets are rescue animals my latest rescue is a dog named KUDO my cats SNAP an MAISY plus i donte to echo toys for tots an the diabled veterans of AMERICA i am the working poor i travel all the way to verona wi from edgerton for a whole 9.90 an hr an lets not forget i help my mother the best i can who is 73 an still living at home so chad i give about 45 a month to charity an i dont care about a tax right off I AM AN A OLD MARINE FROM 1976 TO 1982 I DEFENDED THIS COUNTRY AN STILL DO ANSWER THE CALL RUN TO THE SOUND OF THE NEEDY AN WEAK SEMPER FI GUNG HO that means working together as one

Thank You Mounds for your years of supporting many of our lost and homeless pets. As a county, we will find a way to revive our failing humane society.

Everyone is alluding to "all these lies"...well quit beating around the bush and tell it like it is. It's time for the complete truth on BOTH sides.

usr - That's what I have been saying too. This was no "surprise". If people understood the lies that have been told to garner sympathy by Rhodes, they would understand the big mess that RCHS is getting into.

Ms. Rhodes changed some of the policies at RCHS. Mounds did not agree with the changes she made so decided to stop supporting RCHS. RCHS was given notice of this and while Ms. Rhodes is claiming they weren't. Ms. Rhodes is telling a lot of lies to try and make Mounds look bad. All that matters to me is that Mounds will still be supporting a Humane Society and I will continue to shop there.

Wow...could someone please get to the bottom of this mess? I would really like to know what the heck happened that was so bad that the poor animals of Rock County will have to suffer! For example, what did Rhodes mean when she said that RCHS had to get it's contracts in order? And how does that translate to everyone pulling out and going to Dane County? Most important...what can be done to fix this mess for the obvious sake of the animals.

Stubby..that was cute! Actually, I was starting to think this story seemed quite similar to the "Milton Mess".

Right non, Farmers_Daughter!

And BuckyFan08 - there are always multiple problems. Bad owners, not enough funds, etc. The responsibility to find good solutions to these problems start at the top... the director and the board. We, as a community, can help by being responsible pet owners. But if the director and board make it difficult for people to support them financially and through volunteering, you can't put the blame on the community. Learning how to fund raise, develop relations with contributors and businesses, and other things take a talent that may not be there right now. They probably do need a new building, and it may be tough to find someone who may donate property or money to build one. But that is what comes along with the job at a non-profit.

I've read the article & several of the posted comment's.
My question is,where does the responsibility begin? The answer is, the pet owner.
The RCHS & Mound's Pet Food Warehouse wouldn't have to find home's for these animal's if people took more responsibility for their pet's. I understand that life is full of many up's & down's,twist's & turn's.But still,there are those that when a pet become's a problem they are put out of their home's to fend for themselves. So rather than blame the head of the RCHS or refusing to shop at Mound's Pet Food Warehouse,ask yourself,"am I part of the solution or part of the problem?"

Preach on, Brother Vader! I highly doubt those who are so quick to drop Mounds from their shopping trips have ever stepped foot inside the RCHS or had to deal with anyone from there on some level.

All I'm hearing from people who "support" the RCHS is that they will no longer shop at Mounds. So... how does that help the RCHS? It doesn't. If all of you care so much, then why am I not reading things like, "instead of shopping at Mounds, I will donate money/my time/food/litter to the RCHS." Now excuse me, I have to go to Mounds for cat food.

Terrible choice for the headline.

Rhodes is not the only one to blame. Don't forget RCHS also has an unqualified board of directors (board of "buddies"). They have struggled from the start , and can't find an original idea to save the lives of animals. Most of RCHS events and fundraisers are copied from the Dane County Humane Society (who is thriving). Get the unqualified people out and start over with a new board. Stop using guilt and drama to get the public's attention. Help the animals because that is all that matters.

From the story and the comments, I would think there is much more to this story than we've heard so far. Perhaps we should get JOHN EYSTER on the job!

again the ones that suffer here are the animals...someone please tell me how does one get this lady out of the RCHS so we can make it a better place. Who hired her? Lets go there.

Thanks Yada. I believe Mounds just got caught up here in mess that RCHS is right now.

Good job CHAD VADER with the "morons" comment (Jan.19-8:19pm) -Your comments on the article should be REQUIRED reading for those that blame Mounds. This is Not about Mounds being wrong. Mounds is a quality place that deserves compliments for all they have done for the community. Far better to look at our local shelter and what is going on. Don't blame Mounds -->They are a great place to shop and have done great service to the area.

schoonyg - do you donate money to causes even if you believe that the charity is not being run correctly? While it definitely is a challenge for fundraising in this area, it is not impossible. And creating great relationships with donors and businesses is where you start. That apparently is happening at RCHS. So don't just blame the community for making a personal choice.

hg -see below...get a clue...

mts123 - Why are you blaming Mounds?? I will use you as an example to tell EVERYONE I know about misdirected logic. Besides, Mounds generously donates the space that could be used for retail to the shelters and helps with supply donations at cost. A partnership between Mounds and a shelter, like any relationship, requires both parties to be able to work together. What party in this partnership has the most complaints of not being able to work with others? I'll give you a clue.... NOT Mounds.

Like many others of you, I too will no longer shop at Mounds.

it all comes down to the almighty dollar there is no money in janesvile for the helpless an innocent animals shame on the community for placing the blame here an there just look in the mirror

Maybe you should find the reason Mounds left along with many local police dept. before you blame Mounds. Maybe some of the animals were not healthy or being treated right before Mounds took them. *just a thought*. As I know first hand how they treat pers and their owners. Are you that are boycotting Mounds going to blame police depts. and the rest of those that have chose to go with Dane County Humane Society? Something is seriously wrong with Rock County Humane Society that has caused this problem.

I have 2 beautiful cats that I got at Mounds and would not have gone to the Humane Society to get them. I don't like going there, it is too sad. My son and I loved going and seeing the cats and watching them play, so I for one will never shop there again. If that Rhodes person is so horrible to the animals (and as a person) maybe the pets were in better hands at Mounds. Then Mounds decides to just put them back in those horrible cages at the Humane Society-So Mounds you lost my business and I will make sure I tell EVERYONE I know not to shop there as well.

As the saying goes, “The common denominator in all your failed relationships is YOU!”

It's time for Angela Rhodes to move on so that someone else can salvage what's left.

Why do you moron's blame Mound's?? They go out of there way to help, give up retail space to host adoption centers, and have done nothing wrong. If you think this was a rash decision by Mound's, then you an even bigger idiot. The misinformation that Rhode's has spread and the attitude she has towards people and the county seems to be well documented. Beloit, Janesville and others did not look elsewhere for services because they wanted to, but because Rhode's demands were to much to bear for this area. Her blatant lie that Dane County is moving into Janesville Mounds is just an example of a warped view of reality. One that tries to demonize others to get sympathy. So those who say they will shop elsewhere, I say you need to get a clue.

its time to put RHODES, up for adoption.she has caused nothing, but hardship, for the human society and its donors.

Done shopping at mounds then. I'll get my blue buffalo somewhere else.

It appears that Mounds does not have the animals best interest at heart. It should not matter where these homeless animals come from. They should not be part of the politics. I will NEVER spend another dollar in that store.

Does Rhodes even want her current job ? Maybe find someone who does.

Sad! This seems like a lose-lose situation. I'm sure other people will give their opinions about who's to blame, but it's sad that it's come to this!

The Humane society has a way of causing people, goverment entities, and companies to not like them. Strange since they do a good deed. So is it the mission or the person running the facility?. I really believe Rhodes is driving this organization out of buisness or at the least failing to prevent it. Might want to re-think your policies. And the BS you spread in the news that any logical person can see is less than truthful.

Guess it is time to start shopping somewhere else!