Furever Homes Founder Threatened to Kill Officer
Furever Homes Founder Sharon Gold has been “permanently prohibited” from entering Joint Animal Services in Olympia after she and another person with her threatened staff on February 24.
Joint Animal Services (JAS) is Thurston County’s primary regional animal shelter and animal control agency.
The incident occurred when Gold and an acquaintance brought a stray dog to JAS on February 24. According to the complaint filed by Iris Johnson of JAS, Gold expressed concern the shelter would euthanize the dog.
Johnson told Gold “there was a very slim chance” they would euthanize the dog. She also said JAS would contact Gold if someone scheduled the dog for euthanization so Gold could adopt it.
At that point, the person with Gold said, “If they kill the dog I’ll kill one of you.”
He said this while looking at Officer Johnson.
Gold then said, “You can’t say that in here. Well, you can kill Erika, that’s OK. I hate her, the fucking bitch.” Erika Johnson is the Cruelty Investigator and Lead Animal Control Officer at JAS.
Gold also claimed Officer Johnson was “cheating on her husband.” But as with most of her claims, she provided no evidence to back it up.
Officer Erika Johnson Has Excellent Reputation
Officer Johnson has an excellent reputation in the dog rescue community. Last month, the Humane Society of the United States honored Officer Johnson with a national award recognizing the TOP FIVE INDIVIDUALS in the US for their excellence in Humane Law Enforcement. Specifically, she was honored for her “leadership in combating illegal animal abuse.”
Throwing out unsubstantiated statements about her private life to deflect attention from Gold’s threats is ridiculous and disgusting.
In response to Gold’s threats, JAS issued a Trespass Order on February 28 against her. The order permanently banned her from the premises.
JAS will not turn away dogs brought in by other people affiliated with Furever Homes. It only banned Gold and her acquaintance from the premises.
Gold has had a rocky relationship with JAS for several years. Last year I wrote that she had over 100 cases with JAS since 2010.
In some of the cases JAS told staff to treat Gold with “caution” and that she is “extremely hostile and belligerent to staff.” Several of the reports note she lied to shelter staff as well.
And last year, a judge issued a restraining order against Gold to prevent her from harassing a woman who fostered a litter of puppies for her rescue in January of 2016.
The Trespass Order issued against Gold is the culmination of years of hostile encounters and problems with JAS. It’s also another reason why people who want to adopt a rescue dog should avoid Furever Homes and adopt a dog from one of Washington’s dozens of reputable rescue groups.
Why was the other persons name blocked. Shouldnt we know who “he” is?
It was redacted when I got the report so I can’t say.
The sad part of all this is, it’s the animals who truly suffer. If they are “rescued” by Furever Homes, they will be shunned by all who are, doing the right thing, and looking to adopt a pet. By NO WAY am I defending this lady, she (and her minions) sounds like a real ‘works of art’ and need to work on their professionalism. My heart just aches for the poor animals who just want a family of their own… Shame on Furever Homes. Shame on them, for their actions, which allows those creatures to remain Furever Homeless…
I completely agree, and she is driving people away from adopting rescue dogs by putting them through such awful experiences.