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.
Friday, May 24 2013 7:41 AM EDT2013-05-24 11:41:05 GMT
It's Memorial Day weekend, and you know what that means: hamburgers, pools, and yes-- big-time sales.
It's Memorial Day weekend, and you know what that means: hamburgers, pools, and yes-- big-time sales. This weekend marks one of the biggest for sales amongst retailers, and no matter where you shop, there's a good chance they're offering a deal.
Friday, May 24 2013 6:15 AM EDT2013-05-24 10:15:00 GMT
Some of the greatest damage from Hurricane Sandy was to cars from the flooded streets and garages, and some of those automobiles are expected to trickle into the automobile market.
Some of the greatest damage from Hurricane Sandy was to cars from the flooded streets and garages, and some of those automobiles are expected to trickle into the automobile market.
Thursday, May 23 2013 12:56 AM EDT2013-05-23 04:56:30 GMT
The FOX 5 I-Team has learned that Douglas County District Attorney David McDade is personally asking the GBI to investigate how money is spent in his office.
The FOX 5 I-Team has learned that Douglas County District Attorney David McDade is personally asking the GBI to investigate how money is spent in his office.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 10:42 PM EDT2013-05-23 02:42:27 GMT
What do major hotel chains, the IRS, and the business partner of a top rapper have in common? Court records show the National Conference of Black Mayors owes all of them money. Big money.
What do major hotel chains, the IRS, and the business partner of a top rapper have in common? Court records show the National Conference of Black Mayors owes all of them money. Big money.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 9:56 AM EDT2013-05-22 13:56:24 GMT
Americans are known for their pearly whites, but we pay for it—and it isn't cheap.
Americans are known for their pearly whites, but we pay for it—and it isn't cheap. If you have more than one child who needs braces, you have quite an expense on your hands—but FOX 5 I-Team reporter Dana Fowle found some ways to make it a little more manageable.
Monday, May 20 2013 11:12 PM EDT2013-05-21 03:12:38 GMT
The Douglas County district attorney used seized drug money to take support staff to a north Georgia training conference designed for prosecuting attorneys.
The Douglas County district attorney used seized drug money to take support staff to a north Georgia training conference designed for prosecuting attorneys. The FOX 5 I-Team followed along and found the four women didn't even register to attend the conference.
Monday, May 20 2013 6:44 AM EDT2013-05-20 10:44:05 GMT
Maria Boudet is a teen who had been living in foster care. She worked hard and earned a college scholarship. But the scholarship was revoked when Boudet's life-long wish was answered; she was adopted.
Maria Boudet is a teen who had been living in foster care. She worked hard and earned a college scholarship. But the scholarship was revoked when Boudet's life-long wish was answered; she was adopted.
Saturday, May 25 2013 5:03 PM EDT2013-05-25 21:03:38 GMT
Three people remain at an Atlanta hospital a day after they were injured aboard a hotel shuttle bus that crashed with a tractor-trailer near the city's airport.
Three people remain at an Atlanta hospital a day after they were injured aboard a hotel shuttle bus that crashed with a tractor-trailer near the city's airport.
Saturday, May 25 2013 4:19 PM EDT2013-05-25 20:19:38 GMT
Georgia stands to lose $1.8 million in funding because state officials refuse to participate in a federal survey that asks high school and middle school students about their sexual history.
Georgia stands to lose $1.8 million in funding because state officials refuse to participate in a federal survey that asks high school and middle school students about their sexual history.
Lucky Dog Investigation: More FOX 5 I-Team CoverageMore>>
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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