Fight for Animals Rights-Help Make their Voices Heard

The purpose is to bring to light the injustice the Iron County Community in Michigan bestowed upon my three Emotional Support Animals (ESA). The voice of animals across the world needs to be heard as it has become clear the government can no longer hear. Help the fight for animals rights. Help stop euthanasia from being the bandaid the Department of Natural Resources has made so handy. Your contribution to this fund raiser no matter how small or big will help revive the voice of the innocent animals brutally disregarded here on our planet.

August 2, 2024, the DNR barged into my home and man-handled my three baby raccoons into a cage and proceeded to throw the cage into the back of one of their trucks. Bandit, Jr., Karma and Willow are not simply raccoons. These three magnificent animals are my certified Emotional Support Animals (ESA) prescribed by a Michigan licensed provider. In disbelief of their ESA status, the DNR recklessly disregarded their paperwork as I shoved it into their faces trying to stop them from leaving my driveway with my babies. A "scam" is what the Lt. Aho of the DNR in Crystal Falls, Michigan called it as he drove off with my coons in tow.

I have not seen or even heard about my ESA raccoons since that day over a month ago. The DNR ignores my calls and won't meet with me at their local office. No word has been shared about what happened to them after that horrific day. My baby coons and the support they brought to my life simply vanished. Some say they were euthanized that very day while others say the DNR has placed them in a private facility fearing my determination to bring them home and extort their corrupt, immoral and unprofessional conduct.

The one thing the DNR did right that day is not underestimate my devotion and passion for these three amazing animals that brought happiness, security and hope into my life. Diagnosed with clinical depression, ADD and anxiety disorder over 20 years ago, I finally discovered in Willow, Bandit, Jr. and Karma the right medication for my conditions.

Only 25 weeks of age, a whole life stands before each one of my coon babies (if they are still alive). Time is of the essence and it is now imperative that I retain legal representation NOW. I have filed the civil suit against the DNR on my own, but to make sure this is done right and the message is sent out loud and clear, an attorney will be necessary to move forward from here.

PLEASE help to bring my fuzzy fellows home and, if executed at the hands of our malcious government, help me to bring home their voice for their rights as animals born on this earth.

As ESA animals, these raccoons are protected under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973: “The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 is a federal law prohibiting discrimination against people with disabilities by federal agencies, federal contractors, or programs receiving federal funds. Also referred to as the Rehab Act. It is generally considered a precursor to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which passed in 1990. The ADA is broader than the Rehab Act, however, in that is applies to disabilities in public services, places of public accommodation—such as restaurants, hotels, and theaters—and requires employers to make reasonable accommodations to allow employees with disabilities to do their jobs. While narrower in its application, the standards in the Rehab Act are the same as those in the ADA. Both protect individuals with physical or mental disabilities that limit one or more major life activities who cannot perform the essential job-related requirements without reasonable accommodation” (Rehabilitation Act of 1973, n.d.). This federal law, as you are aware, supersedes any state laws that may prohibit certain species of animals in the vicinity.

My ESA raccoons are vaccinated with the rabies vaccination, distemper and they are dewormed and under the medical care of Dr. Sarah Wolf of DePere Animal Hospital in Green Bay, WI. Each raccoon has his/her rabies vaccination certification.

I am hopeful that reaching out to the community as well as other influential members of the organizations who want to share the same message will help carry the only voice these amazing animals have to those who can help guide my ESA animals to safety and even back home. Please help me and my ESA raccoons in projecting their voice against the injustice they were served by Michigan Department of Natural Resources by funding our attorney to fight for them in court.

Warm regards,

Emily Ruppert, B.S.