Owners of Unlicensed Animal Shelter Arrested

January 25, 2012

Bonnie Sheehan and Pamela King-McCracken were arrested last week in Tennessee on multiple charges associated with the move of their animal shelter to Roanoke, VA. Included in those charges are claims against the pair for moving their animal shelter without obtaining the necessary Roanoke, VA business license.

Sheehan and King-McCracken had operated Hearts for Hounds, a dog rescue service in Long Beach, CA for many years. Unreported reasons caused Sheehan and King-McCracken to move their operation to Roanoke, VA last week.

The pair, however, didn’t properly prepare for the move by legalizing their business in Virginia. Investigations by WSLS reporters show that the multiple licenses necessary for their animal rescue operation weren’t obtained prior to their move.

Aaron Martin reports, “We also learned that no kennel licenses were distributed to Hearts for Hounds, Sheehan, or King-McCracken. Same goes for the City of Roanoke where a business license and zoning permit is required, neither of which were obtained.”

Sheehan and King-McCracken are currently being held on $100,000 bond in a Tennessee jail until their court hearing.

Business license compliance is mandatory on national, federal and local levels. Operating without proper state, county and city business licenses can cost business owners thousands in fines and penalties as well as needless aggravation and problems. Business owners are urged to take advantage of Business Licenses’ "Business License Compliance Package™" which explains exactly which licenses, permits, and tax registrations are required for your business, ensuring license compliance on every level.

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