Rootbeer
‼️We are offering $100 for proof of Rootbeer’s whereabouts today. Have you seen him? If you fostered or adopted him, or if you know something, please reach out.‼️
Rootbeer was “rescued” by Humane Society of the Dunes in June 2022. He was originally at IACS Shelter Rescue Team (formerly called IACS Rescue) and Indianapolis Animal Care Services (IACS) before HSotD pulled him. The founder of the rescue is Jane Hullsiek and the rescue is based out of Chesterton in Northwest Indiana (NWI).
Rootbeer was “rescue only” at the Indy shelter because he had some behavioral challenges, especially when meeting adopters. He’d been stiff, tucked his tail, and growled when meeting a potential adopter. Notes from staff and volunteers described him as a fun guy when he opens up, knows sit and loves treats and butt scratches, and housebroken, loves to play, happy boy. He was known for being a bit intense (especially when it came to hyperfixating on tennis balls and jolly balls), yet was also a favorite of a number of staff and volunteers at IACS, many of whom were overjoyed when he went to a rescue. Their hope was that a rescue would have more resources to work on his behavioral issues as well as find a good adopter. He was sent from IACS with two jolly balls, his favorite toy.
Humane Society of the Dunes pulled Rootbeer in June 2022 and the only time they posted him on their Facebook page was in February 2024 when they posted a number of unusual updates. They posted a photo of Rootbeer wearing the same leash he’d had in his freedom ride photo the day he left the shelter, sitting on the same couch that was also in photos of IACS dogs Aric and Kenzi. This is the couch in Jane’s “shelter”, the pole barn that is not open to the public and didn’t contain any animals when IACS inspected it in February 2023. What Jane posted about Rootbeer is not an “update” given that the photo was taken by her on her own property, not by an adopter, and it seems likely the photo was old given Rootbeer wasn’t there when IACS inspected. Our guess is it was taken very soon after Rootbeer arrived at her “shelter”.
Although Jane with Humane Society of the Dunes continues to obtusely and steadfastly not understand what an update is to this day, we’d like an actual update on Rootbeer. Who fostered or adopted him? Where is he now? He had behavioral issues that although they could be worked on, would have made him more challenging than an average adopter might be able to handle. He likely needed training, and consistency with exercise and enrichment to become the best dog he could be.
Did he get that with Humane Society of the Dunes? A rescue that (although they claim to have an adoptions coordinator, a foster coordinator, 69 foster homes, three people answering their email account and three people running their social media) seems to just be Jane operating pretty much solo except a few people sporadically helping her trap more stray animals and community cats?
Once again, we will pay $100 for proof of Rootbeer’s whereabouts. It’s becoming clear that there must be some reason why all the adopters and fosters for Humane Society of the Dunes aren’t reaching out. What reason is that?
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