Isaiah 11 Ministry recently added mulch to its pig pens, following an inspection by Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Office’s animal control officer and an Indiana Board of Animal Health veterinarian.

Text and Photos
By Patrick Webb
InkFreeNews

WARSAW — Following allegations made online, Isaiah 11 Ministry is working to improve its facilities.

Isaiah 11 Ministry is a counseling center and animal refuge, according to its website. The organization, located outside Warsaw, provides a variety of services such as counseling, pet sitting and taking in abused or neglected farm or domestic animals. 

Two local TV stations reported allegations of poor living conditions and animal abuse. Several readers also contacted InkFreeNews raising concerns.

On Friday, Feb. 9, “the (Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Office) animal control officer was asked to check the welfare and conditions of the animals on the property of the Isaiah 11 (Ministry),” said KCSO Public Information Officer Sgt. Doug Light.  

An Indiana Board of Animal Health veterinarian was requested by KCSO’s animal control officer to assist with the investigation, Light said. The investigation’s initial findings were “conditions are not ideal, but all basic needs of the animals are being met,” he said. 

The veterinarian will complete a full assessment, Light said. The veterinarian also provided a list of improvements that needed addressed, such as hoof care for a donkey, a change in diet, cleaning cages and adding bedding, and a general clean-up of the property.

“Representatives from Isaiah 11 are cooperating with the state Board of Animal Health and the KCSO animal control officer,” said Light. He added that Isaiah 11 Ministry and the KSCO animal control office are working with the Animal Welfare League of Kosciusko County to reduce the cat population.

Isaiah 11 Ministry Executive Director and Owner Linda Ozier said she and her volunteers are working on improvements.

“We were feeding our goat and pigs corn. They wanted (pig and goat specific) food. We went and bought that the next day,” Ozier said. She also scheduled an appointment to have the pony’s hooves sheared on Friday,  Feb. 15.

Several cats are waiting to be sprayed and neutered before being adopted and all of the rabbits have been adopted, Ozier said. Two horses that were on the property were relocated to new owners, Light said.

“We’ve already started addressing the property with having some people do some projects. And we’re going to continue to do that,” Ozier said. Volunteers cleaned up the property and filled a dumpster. 

According to Ozier, Isaiah 11 Ministry currently has 60-70 animals. She estimates she turns away 10 animals a week and animals have sometimes been dumped on the property when the nonprofit was closed.

“Many of the people making comments (online) have never been here or met me or any of my volunteers,” said Ozier. “I wish they would come see for themselves and hear the full story.”

Ozier said she was glad to see people cared about the animals. She encouraged people to visit Isaiah 11 Ministry and volunteer.

“We’ve been begging for more volunteers,” Ozier said. She said Isaiah 11 Ministry has lacked regular volunteers and health complications have made keeping the property maintained difficult. Despite the property’s appearance, Ozier said the animals have been taken care of.

Ozier is looking at applying to grants for additional funding. 

According to Light, there have been four animal control service calls to Isaiah 11 Ministry since March 2023. The KSCO animal control officer will have a follow-up visit in March.