Advocates join forces to create animal sanctuary

Randy Warner has dedicated his life to preventing the killing of millions of unwanted but adoptable pets in this country.

He recently joined forces with Pete Bachstadt, Carson City resident and director of the Carson-Eagle Valley Humane Association, to create an animal rescue sanctuary.

The facility will be located on a 40-acre ranch on Highway 95 south of Silver Springs and should be completed by 2005.

The two men, who met in Sacramento in January, share a passion for their cause second only to their commitment to this project.

Bachstadt, who's been doing rescue work for 50 years, described the plight of the animals and the people who try to care for them.

"People try to place animals through their homes, but often have no place to put them. I know a lady in Reno with a house full of cats," he said. "It would be so much better if we had a facility to handle all the animals involved. Forty acres isn't the world, but it's a good start and with a little effort and cooperation, I can't see why this couldn't become a statewide facility."

The proposed center will handle both large and small animals and be open to groups, like schools and churches. Many animals will be up for adoption.

Warner, who has been doing this work for 18 years, lectures to schools, churches and other organizations around the country on behalf of animal welfare.

"This year's tour includes 40 states. I'm not afraid to get in people's faces and use foul language and by the end of the school year, half of the people love me. The other half hate me," he said.

In 1999, adults in this country made decisions that ultimately resulted in the unnecessary killing of more than 8 million pets. Our children can do better, if only given the right information, according to Warner.

"If you have a litter, you're the biggest contributing factor to pet overpopulation. We want to stop it, one way or another," he said. "I'm sick and tired of seeing perfectly lovable dogs killed because some idiotic human didn't want to do the right thing."

The educational facility will be funded through grants and corporate sponsors. Warner will not accept a salary, but needs to secure his living expenses. He currently lives in Arizona, but once the sanctuary is built, he will use it as a home base.

Carson-Eagle Valley Humane Society and Warner's organization, 21st Century Animal Resources and Education Services, hope to work with other local organizations. For information, Bachstadt can be reached through e-mail at cevhs@pyramid.net or by calling 882-4880. Warner can be reached through his e-mail at 21stcares@citlink.net or by calling (928) 767-4895.