Dog Owner Welcomes Help from Indianapolis Animal-Welfare Organization

STEPHANIE KORNEFFEL and JANIS THORNTON
Janie Murray's life, and that of her 44 dogs, is finally becoming somewhat manageable.

Over the weekend, six volunteers from Move to ACT, an Indianapolis-based animal welfare organization, gathered at Murray 's rural Frankfort property. They put up fencing behind the house and helped her separate the animals by gender and move their current kennels.

The fencing was donated in May, said Darcie Kurtz, one of Move to ACT's members. The fencing is 40 feet by 60 feet and provides enclosures for the animals. Patio blocks placed around the perimeter of the fences will prevent the dogs from digging under the fence.

Move to ACT became involved in Murray 's fight to keep her dogs after animal rights activist Stacey Coleman heard the story through an acquaintance in Frankfort .

That was in March. Murray 's dogs then numbered 57.

“You see some places with that many dogs and they aren't healthy,” Coleman told The Times. “But that is not the case with Janie.”

Move to ACT's goals are threefold, Kurtz said: to help Murray reduce the number of dogs by helping her find homes for those she can't keep; to improve their quality of life and to provide spay and neutering services for the ones she keeps.

Obtaining and installing the fencing in the midst the weekend's rain was Move to ACT's first hurdle, Kurtz said.

Coleman said volunteers will return next weekend to finish the fencing, lay mulch on the ground and construct a shaded area for the dogs.

The group's next hurdle will be reducing the number of Murray 's dogs to the number allotted by the Clinton County Board of Zoning Appeals. On May 26, the county approved Murray 's request for a kenneling license, providing the number dogs did not exceed 28.

Coleman said the group is working with some rescue shelters in the Indianapolis area to take a few dogs at a time off Murray 's hands. As spring rolls on, Kurtz said, shelter space is limited, so the group is asking residents interested in adopting a dog to contact them.

Murray said, while it is hard to see some of her dogs go, she knows they will be going to good homes.

“I haven't had the time to stop and think for 13 years. It's been rough,” Murray said, but added, “They're worth it.”

Coleman said getting down to a manageable number of dogs will make Murray 's life easier.

Its key is that residents understand that dropping animals off at Murray 's place is no longer acceptable, she said.

“It's not going to be like that anymore,” Coleman said. “She needs to take care of the ones she has.”

Taking a break from the work, Coleman, Kurtz and Murray joked around about her new life.

“You're going to feel like a spring chicken,” Coleman said.

Murray smiled and said, “Someday, I'd like to go to Disney World.”

Move to ACT's assistance has been important to Murray , she said.

“This team is great,” Murray said. “I love it and I'm glad we know them.

“My prayers were answered. It's easier to let go like that.”

For more information on adopting Murray 's dogs, e-mail Coleman at coleman17@sbcglobal.net or Kurtz at darcie.kurtz@sbcglobal.net.