UPDATE May 29, 2008, update on Josh Pasewaldt: "Prices go up as puppy salesman must pay taxes By Nancy Needham nancy@theacorn.com A tiny puppy whimpered nonstop for attention until Josh Pasewaldt picked him up. Then the small German shepherd/mystery mix fell sound asleep in his rescuer's hand. The mutt is one of almost 1,000 dogs whose life has been saved by the owner of Newbury Park Feed and Pet Supply, who drives to Kern County twice a week to fill his car with puppies scheduled for euthanasia at crowded kennels. For about a year Pasewaldt had been rescuing dogs from the Bakersfield area and charging $60 each for them, the price he pays the animal shelters. Then the Los Angeles County Animal Care and Control got involved, and Pasewaldt learned he must make about $4,000 worth of improvements at his pet supply store at 67 N. Reino Road or shut down. "Our officers only go out after there is a complaint. The public is our eyes and ears, but sometimes people make complaints that we find are not correct," said Michelle Roache, deputy director of Los Angeles Animal Care and Control. "We did not find any evidence of unclean conditions," Roache said. But the animal control officer did find the store needed to follow certain rules, such as installing fire protection equipment, she said. "We're a lot like health inspectors at restaurants. We have a list of things we check on when we are out," Roache said. Because of personnel issues, they don't make regular visits to every place that sells pets, she said. "I think Josh Pasewaldt is doing a really good thing. He's really done a lot of good for those animals," Roache said. After making improvements that ranged from the simple placement of a sign in his window saying how he could be reached in an emergency to the more extensive installation of a sprinkler system to protect the puppies & kittens kept in kennels inside the store from fire, he learned the wording on his newly acquired permit required more. "My accountant told me I have to pay back sales tax on the puppies I sold. That comes to about $4,000 again. It always seems to be about $4,000 more," Pasewaldt said. He already works in the red because he doesn't charge for the time or gas he uses to drive to get the pups. Nonprofit rescues that charge $150 to $800 for dogs rescued from shelters have told him they're frustrated because he undersells them & they must keep their organizations in the black, he said. Pasewaldt has raised his prices: Now he sells the pups for $60 plus tax. That comes to nearly $5 more. No one has complained about the increase, he said. People are still coming from all over to get a puppy. Pasewaldt makes them fill out a bit more paperwork, but the little dogs are still going out the door at about the same rate as he can bring them in. He now brings a tape measure with him when he chooses which dogs to bring back. He used to look for healthy & loving dogs, but now he must also look at their size because he's only allowed to have so many total inches of dogs in the four 36-square-foot kennels, he said. Still, kennels are filled with shredded newspaper & puppies sleeping, chasing each other or just wagging their tails trying to make eye contact with those shopping for baby canines. "It's puppy & kitten season & shelters are full," Pasewaldt said. He's helping out as much as he can by saving dogs who are close to being put to sleep. The other day he got a mother dog & her pups out just in time. The mother has been adopted along with one of her pups. The other puppies were going fast, with only 2 of 7 left. "The animal shelters make sure the animals I adopt are altered & have shots before they leave there," Pasewaldt said. His store is across from Newbury Park High School, near Borchard Rd. It is open from 9-6 Mon-Sat & noon-4 Sunday. People looking for dogs are under no pressure to take one because dogs rescued by Pasewaldt are no longer under threat of euthanization. A dog may be returned within 5 days for a full refund as long as explanation is given as to why the dog did not work out so the pet store can make a better placement the next time." www.toacorn.com Another article (excerpted) "Twice a week, Josh drives 130 miles to the Kern County animal shelter & "adopts" dozens of dogs & cats. Then he brings them back to *his* pet store to give away [NOTE: Not exactly. Josh readopts them, recouping only his cost, plus tax.]. He's spent a fortune on gas, but as far as he's concerned, the animals are worth it. Apparently a dog or cat from Newbury Park Pet Supply is considered a "badge of honor"." www.knx1070.com Newbury Park Pet Supply, 67 N.Reino Road, Newbury Park, CA 91320. 805-498-2415 We're located down the street from Newbury Park High S

Where has money gone that shelter has collected from in for these adoptions? seems to me there should have been thousands in revenue{1000 x adoption $}.I think this shelter could assist in some way.He has done such a great service for them ,their cause and the animals.Best of luck!!

why mess with a good thing.this man was doing a great deed all the way around.If the city is so concerned then why don't the officials jump in and help this good hearted man out

I hope he is able to raise all of the money he needs. I'm sure that if he figured out a way to save all of those animals, he will be able to raise the funds he needs!

I sure hope that he was able to come up with the needed cash to continue his pliot to save the animals.

This is great! And seeing how the Animal Control facility is supporting him, they should really get off his back until he's able to upgrade himself to their standards. Everyone, spread the word and let's get this guy some cash! Post this story everywhere you can!

Wow this guy is very nice! Good luck!

It's so wonderful that he is doing that. I really hope that he gets the money that he needs.

this guy should get an award!

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can he not get permits to be a rescue?? I know some of the required updates are needed but still. I too hope there is an update on this!

This generous hearted guy had good intentions, but took in more than he could handle

Wish there was a different link, too; the one provided goes to the store's site right enough - but there's no mention about donations or close down or.. I hope there's an update on this story.

This guy sounds like he has a huge heart!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I understand the city's side because it is about the welfare of the animals. That said, with 20,000+ euthanized, i would hope the city would at least give him an extension. He is doing a lot of good and it would be awful to lose that kind of support.

Has there been an update on this story? He sounds like a stellar man with a great program in mind. I hope that the community will help him to raise the funds.

We need a update on this story.....did he get the $$$$ he need to help the pets he rescued????

For all his incredible work he does the city should install it for him.

All sides need to work together. I'm sure the local animal protection groups would want to help as well.

He is sencerely trying to help these animals and the animal shelter, which is overcrowded. I hope he gets the money and help he needs. He is a very wonderful soul.

I also think that goal can be accomplished. I know it could be in a lot of animal loving communities.

I hope he gets the money. Raising $4000 can be accomplished. I do understand both sides. The animals do need to be protected.

He is truly a caring soul. I hope the city can come to some sort of an agreeable solution for this.

He is truly a caring soul. I hope the city can come to some sort of an agreeable solution for this.

I can see both sides to this. I like the grass-roots effort and I'm sure this man's heart is in the right place, but I also see the danger. What if there were a fire? What if someone else whose heart wasn't in the right place did this for profit, and didn't take care of the animals? As much as I hate red tape, we still need to be careful that people don't take shelter animals for profit, mistreating them in the meantime.

This is someone who is trying to help, someone who has a big heart, and they are going to shut him down. I can understand that rules are rules, but can't he be considered a rescue rather than a pet store? I hope a solution is found!

See there. Thats why people don't want to get involved anymore. Someone always wants to step in. If it were a no kill shelter he wouldn't be trying so hared. He seems to be the only one that DOES care.

Oh that is just so L.A. They'll come up with any excuse to kill animals. And to think they once were 100% no kill. Boy do times change.

This is a real problem. He is doing great work but once his 'operation' got that big, I guess they had to step in.

He should join the shelter and have the shelter designate his area as NO-KILL. He's doing a great job and it would be a shame if he was forced to close because of costs to purchase a permit and become legitimate.

What he is doing is right and shouldn't be stopped, but supported. He has saved hundreds of dogs, and thousands of cats and he is doing it for them and not for the money!! He is kindhearted so just let him be, or if it is such a problem help him out. Can't authorities see what a big help he is to animals?

So...why not have this guy work with the shelter and enact a NO KILL policy? Seems like a no-brainer to me... This man should be held in high regard...

Its so hard to learn of someone who is trying so hard to do what is right and is having such battles trying to do it. Sometimes bureaucracy just doesn't work for the common good. Good luck to him--he is doing the right thing!

I love what this guy is doing. Shouldn't the shelter appreciate what he is doing & help him with the expense? Perhaps some may think these rules should not apply to him but if this story was about a guy who re-adopts in his pet store, didn't have the appropriate set up & 20 dogs died because a fire broke out there would be some very angry animal advocates out there giving him an even harder time. It sounds like everything will work out for him just fine. For those who live near this pet store, this is a great opportnity to help out the neighborhood stores & stop supporting chain operations. There shouldn't be a reason why he cannot keep a donations for the pets jar on his counter top. Every penny helps.

I just saw a story about this in the Ventura County Star that sounds really good. It says he got one anonymous donation of $2,000 and lots of smaller ones. The fire department are considering extending the deadline for him to get smoke detectors installed and it sure looks good for him and for all the animals he has yet to save. Another good guy and hopefully another good ending to a story!

leave the poor guy alone

I can't believe this..You can't even be a good samaritan anymore without getting in touble for it..Leave this guy alone..

This is good..

He is a compassionate man and I think if he solicited donations, animal lovers would help him out.

He sounds like such a good man- just trying to help!! He needs to put an ad in the paper or something asking for donations- I know LOTS of pet-lovers would be glad to help him out!!

This man is doing a good deed so hope the community and city officals work with
him to solve the problem instead of adding to it.

Heartwarming story. Maybe he can get some help from the companies that install the fire systems, either giving them to him, or putting on account and allowing him to pay as his donations continue to come in. There must be some way to help save this program.

I like the story...

I love this story.

Try to do a good thing, and it bites you in the a--

GREAT PERSON- BUT ALOT OF DOGS FOR ONE??

What a great person. I didn't get from the story that the care of the animals is inadequate. If not, why can't the city just leave him the hell alone? they should be grateful. The number of animals he has saved is impressive.

That's good.

Thier should be more people like him out there. Keep the faith