Your Comments..
ANY comments with profanity will be deleted as soon as I find them, and your IP address will be banned. If you can't make your point without cursing, you don't have any business posting.
I don't see that anything I have written is libelous because you just verified it and the public has a right to know.
If an animal is too young to be safely spayed/neutered, then it is too young to be adopted out and it should not be up to the adopter to take the animal to be altered. It is the responsibility of the adoption agency to ensure that it's animals are altered and will not have the opportunity to reproduce, BEFORE an animal leaves it's care. And what about the unaltered adult animals being adopted out of FFL? What is the reasoning for that?
One set of vaccinations is not enough protection to a kitten or puppy to be in a store full of other animals coming in and out with God knows what kind of illnesses or diseases. What is the hurry to get these babies adopted out before they are old enough to have all of the adequate vet care and to risk their health by taking them to Petsmart?
--Posted by: DL at May 23, 2006 11:59 AM
I received an email about kittens available at one of the smaller county shelters in this area. On Friday, there were 72 kittens needing foster or placement. Think about it. 72!
While each group in this city is trying to help, with regards to spay/neuter there must be ZERO TOLERANCE. EVERY animal leaving a rescue group must be altered. No exceptions! Only by adhering to this policy can we truly guarantee that the animal will not reproduce. Every quality rescue group understands this. Forget the contracts and agreements to get the procedure done. It doesn't always happen. The kitten adopted (unaltered) last year might have contributed a litter to the 72. The owner forgot, left a message, didn't have time, or did not realize how quickly the female would come into heat. I have never understood the practice of adopting out very young puppies and kittens with a "song and a prayer" that the owner will be responsible and do the right thing. It is irresponsible on the part of the rescue group, and merely feeds the public's desire for the cute and tiny babies - some still too young to be removed from mom and littermates.
--Posted by: ben at May 22, 2006 4:39 PM
Dear DL,
If you are concerned and would truly like information rather than a chance to write something libelous and anonymous, please feel free to come talk to me or talk to our board. Any of us will be happy to go over our program, protocols and procedures with you. They have been designed with the input of one of our board members who is a veterinarian and a past President of the Harris County Veterinary Medical Association.
I am extremely proud of the staff that runs our Petsmart adoption program. We have letters of congratulations and support from the Petsmart management on our program. These letters specifically decribe the FFL /Petsmart partnership as a "great success". A few of the comments include : " I want to commend your group for their diligence in maintaining the Adoption Center and especially the dedication in maintaining a clean environment within the animals' habitat"
"In fact, the associates have stated that Friends For Life is one of the best if not the best partner we partner with"
The preceeding letter closed with : "It has been a joy and a privilege to work, no, partner with you and Friends For Life."
This is a letter writtens and signed by Mr. Robert Biba who now oversees all Petsmart Adoption Centers in the Houston area.
Also, if you are interested in information about what we spend, where and how, then you may easily find it in official form. Because we are a 501 (c) (3), we file an informational Form 990. It details all income and expenses. If you would like to look at our form you may get it as public information . If you do not know how to do that, let me know and we'll have one sent to you.
We are adamant about the importance of spay and neuter. We have even funded it for people who do not have animals in our program, but who need help doing it. Though this is not a large program, we have been able to assist a number of people. As for our animals going out, we send most of our spay/neuter surgeries to the Greater Good Clinic. We have had some done at other (non-low cost vets as well.) As soon as kittens /puppies are old enough to vaccinate we do so and offer them for adoption. Periodically, if an animal gets adopted and is too small to be safely spayed our neutered per advice of a veterinarian, we execute a binding spay/neuter contract with the adopter requiring the surgery at a time-certain date with written verification of surgery provided to FFL from the veterinarian. We then follow up on those contracts. Again, if you'll contact us directly, we'd be happy to give you copies of any of the forms to look over.
Ofcourse we vaccinate the animals that go out. (FVRCP/DHLPP/Bordetella) We do not do rabies shots as those must be done by a licensed vet. All of our rabies shots are administered in a clinic setting by our licensed vets. We combo test for Feline leukemia/Feline immunodeficiency virus on all cats and test for heartworms in dogs. We even donate testing to other groups in town and have run many combo tests and HW tests for rescue groups free of charge. If you'd like to visit with any of them, please contact us and we'll be glad to connect you with them. It is all a part of what we believe needs to be a practice of all of us working together. We treat all heartworm positive dogs that come through our program. We worm everyone with Strongid for intestinal worms. With guidance from our vets after fecals we also use Panacur and Albon to treat other GI conditions. We worm for tapeworms with droncit when appropriate. We apply Advantage flea treatment to all our animals and furnish it free of charge to all fosters. Any animal adopted with a chronic condition (ie, demodexx as an example) is given lifetime vet care for that issue at FFL expense. We have found this makes people more comfortable giving animals with chronic health issues a chance at a good home and really ends up not being too outrageous an expense for FFL. Most times, people end up choosing to get the care themselves but for a few, FFL finiancial assistance has made the difference between an animal getting a home and not. We fund fecal checks and skin scrapings for rescuers who find animals and need assistance getting them ready for adoption. Again, if you'd like to talk to any of us non-anonymously, we'd be happy to connect you with those folks as well so you can hear the many reacues/adoptions that FFL expense has facilitated. We furnish all FFL fosters of babies with milk replacer, supplies and adult fosters with adult food. We help people who are having temporary hard times with food/supplies for their animals --our most recent story is support of a horse rescue that allowed a number of horses to be placed into a safe horse rescue instead of left on the slaughter block. What is a few hundred dollars for FFL turns out to be worth the lifetime sanctuary for some lucky horses.
Again, if you'd like to address any concern with us, please take te step from anonymous post to actually contacting us. We'd be happy to talk with you.
Salise Shuttlesworth
--Posted by: salise shuttlesworth at May 22, 2006 2:22 PM
I would still like to know why FFL adopts out unaltered animals and animals too young to even be vaccinated? Where is the adoption fee going if it's not being spent on vet care for animals before they're adopted?
--Posted by: DL at May 22, 2006 12:21 PM
I would like to add to my original post.
The individuals who donate their time and funds to animal rescue are angels in disguise.
You have my utmost respect and you are all heros. It is the volunteers of our nation that are making things better for our pets. The small rescues contribute so much and it goes largely unnoticed by the public.
Even with the larger shelters (of which I'm not a fan), they are staffed by volunteers who give their heart and soul.
So thank you to everyone who helps and loves the pets. The job you is amazing and so very hard. May God bless you all.
P.S. Isn't it funny how a story changes when you get all sides of the story?
--Posted by: Babs at May 22, 2006 8:41 AM
Dear Pat with Husky rescue and the other folks who have posted:
I feel like I should clear a few things up:
First, the update:
The dog received the required surgery on May 16th and FFL paid the $2,069 bill for that. The surgery was a complete success and she was also spayed in the process. The surgeon says her prognosis is very good and currently she is doing extremely well.
We did confirm that this is not the young man’s dog. That is a factual certainty. But you know, even if it was, wouldn’t you support a system where people with animals in need could go for help?
The purpose of my original email is not to say anyone is bad, but that collectively, we participate in a system that is broken but filled with many good people.
So we all need to get a slightly more aerial view.
The entire system we work in as an animal ‘saving ‘community is failing. It is not a question of “who?” it is a question of “why?”.
Pat you’re right, English is not the first language his family speaks and he is young and unschooled in the way rescues and shelters work. Again, neither are excuses not to help. We haven’t had any trouble communicating with anyone in the household in English. You and he and his family have vastly differing accounts of what transpired among you. Again, I don’t know any of you and at the end of the day, it doesn’t matter. The important part to me is that the dog is safe.
As for all of us, you are right, communication is best when it is direct not filtered through a post. If that’s your position, I wonder why you’d post on a blog instead of just talk with me or email me directly. You know how to find me—let’s talk. We are on the same side. I have heard good things about your work from people I respect and I hope that we can go forward with a productive relationship. Im happy to visit about this or any other issue you would like. Please try to communicate directly with me—Im very open to hear anything you have to say. You know our number, email, web address, etc. So much silliness could be averted with better communication. Im sure you work very, very hard at your rescue—and no no kill can take every animal—yet. But there will be a time and there is a way. The first step is open, realistic dialogue about our current system.
I was careful to be clear that I represent those facts only as they were presented to us with regard to the interaction of the young man with the other shelters/groups. I do not know you nor do I know the rescuer of the dog. I do not make judgments about either of you. I was not present for any of the interactions he had with the shelters or veterinarians.
I became involved when the young man came to us desperate for help. I recounted the story as this earnest young man told it because it seemed to outline a version of the current facts and I thought that would be useful in discussing why Houston kills more animals than any city in the country except one. He has nothing to gain by fabricating any of it—he was tearfully asking for help and willing to sign the dog over to us to get it.
I got involved in this situation because it hurt my heart and because I thought we should step in to help.
As to these posts-- I do not usually get involved in posts like these because there is frankly, too much work to be done and I don’t have time. We get over 100 incoming request a day and taking care of our own business is a full time job. Im not interested in causing a stir—Im interested in first saving this dog and second in opening some dialogue that may head Houston toward some positive change. I don’t care about the politics, personalities and the like. But you can look at this post history and see that anyone sticking their head up and pointing out cracks in the system becomes a target. “If you want to make enemies, change something.” It was true when Woodrow Wilson said it and it is true now.
FFL generally and I personally support rescue. We depend on them. We donate to rescues. We take animals from them. We send animals to them. They are tireless, generous and unsung. Im certain husky rescue is no different. I hope that we can come from this able to work together in the future for the benefit of the animals.
We are a small group, we run out of foster homes and a mobile adoption center. Pat, you don’t have to tell any of us in rescue about a shortage of resources. We live with it everyday. The point of my email to begin with was that we should all perhaps take a look at the way the system works as a whole when something like this would have fallen through the cracks. We support rescues—please read the posts from folks on here who have reported their rescues’ experiences with FFL. Better yet—talk to them directly !
But even within systems everyone agrees are broken, there are people who work to make things better. Look at what Friends of BARC did—Im in awe of them. Instead of just ‘badmouthing’ they stepped in and said we will do something to get animals treated and rehomed. Their program is remarkable, common-sense and life-affirming. It came from a group thinking –there must be a better way—let’s work to find it.
Actually two of the kindest, most animal-loving people I have ever known work at BARC and go to work every day and do something I’ll tell you right now Im not woman enough to do—work inside a system like BARC. But those of us outside it know that the animals that end up in their hands, even if euthanized, will be handled with care and gentleness. The point--the truth of a particular group is often more complex than a broad brush view indicates.
I was in Jackson Mississippi after Katrina at the same time as Cindy Shaw, one of CAP directors, was there. You have never seen anyone work harder (and in worse conditions) to save animals in all kinds of shape than she did! She is a wonderful woman with a big heart for animals and I admire her a great deal. Do you think this woman who worked in 100 degree heat and funk to save animals would want to see the husky hurt or dead ? That’s insane. But she works, in my opinion,(as do we) in a citywide system that is broken.
I saw the HSPCA breaking up a cockfighting ring on the news the other night. Im so glad that they did and are out there doing things like that for animals. Could we have done that? Certainly not. Could FFL take in 200 wounded chickens? No. But how wonderful they have a large enough program to do it. Every group has a part.
My point is that those chickens and their pain (or airtime) are no more or less important than the husky. I’ll bet lots of people at the SPCA would tell you that. What’s more, I’ll bet there are plenty folks there who would prefer that no treatable animal die in any shelter. Any adoption is a good adoption . We refer to everyone in town when people are seeking to adopt and we do not have what they are looking for. To the person who adopted from the SPCA and had a great experience—fabulous ! One of our own volunteers was looking for a specific kind of cat that we did not have and went there to adopt it. We wholeheartedly support any good adoption. The animals do not know what ‘team ‘ they are on or where they came from. They only know they are hungry, hurt or frightened.
My point in writing the first email was absolutely not to bash anyone but to recount a story that touched me and seemed to encapsulate the ‘brokenness’ of our Houston system. I hope you will attend the Nathan Winograd seminar July 15th and 16th. FFL has had a modest part in sponsoring his coming here and supports him wholeheartedly. I saw him in Austin and learned that it is possible to take the waves of animals (he did make shelters no kill while maintaining open door policies and keeping contracts with animal control) and turn around a whole system while not turning away animals. Look at his site at www.nokillsolutions.org . He is a true hero for animals. Of course, everyone can’t be saved and someone has to be the one that makes the buck runs out here choices. Im that person for FFL. Like you, I cannot take in the majority of the hundreds of requests we get for help. But in lieu of that, we’ve sent trailers of horse food, bought kennels, paid for dog training, vet bills, driven people/animals to the vet and given away truckloads of supplies all to help people hang onto their animals or rescues. My point? We can all do more than simply turn animals away. FFL is small and trying to do our part. Clearly, husky rescue is trying too. But this dog would seem to have been close to slipping through the cracks in the system. Please understand that Im much more interested in why that nearly happened and where we all go from here than in any group bashing or personality issue.
One more thing, Pat : I share your frustration with an often irresponsible public and a culture that treats animals as disposable. I know your rescue is no kill. As to shelters that are not, here is my concern: when shelters say by our actions, ‘give us your injured and the weakest among you and we’ll kill them for you’ it undermines any credibility we as shelters may have in telling people they should value animals. It causes a huge cognitive dissonance between what we say and what we do. The result is that the culture of disposability continues and the very ones who should be standing up to stop it are leading the charge.
In this vein, Mr. Winograd also changed my thinking about how much of the killing is the choice of the shelter. I do not speak for him but I got from his seminar that he does not accept the position that we must kill because the public is irresponsible but that we can choose as shelter directors, to find other solutions. It is a cop out for us to say, ‘look what they made me do’ as directors. It is up to us to set the bar for compassion.
To Pat and all of you folks who work so hard for animals --I wish you success in all rescue efforts you are doing. Whatever you may think about me or about Friends For Life, one thing is for certain: the animals need you.
I have to go back to work now.
Salise
--Posted by: Salise Shuttlesworth at May 18, 2006 6:58 PM
Pat, your words spoke volumes about the plight of unwanted pets. There are people who get pets who really have no use getting them. After awhile these people, whatever the reason, decide they don't want them. There many of us responsible owners who do love and care for their pets. I got a wonderful little kitty from the SPCA in 1994 and he is a joy to me. I take him to the vet's office annually and if he needed go more I would be happy to take him. I love all animals and if I could I would take them all in but I am a retiree living on a fixed income. I can only speak praise of the SPCA and when I can I donate to that organiztion just as I did when I worked. I want to thank Pat and all those other volunteers who give of their time and money to try to help as many animals they can. Instead of complaining call these organizations to volunteer your time or donate money.
--Posted by: Shirley Villasana at May 17, 2006 6:23 PM
I usually do not get involved in discussions like this but since our organization has been mentioned I think the facts should be known.
I did not know about this dog till Wed. Carlos left a message on my recorder and I called him when I got home from work. He had found a dog he thought to be a husky on Sat. He said he had taken the dog to the Vet and found it had a fractured pelvis. I asked him where the dog was located. He said in his yard. I asked him where that was and he said in front of his house. I told him I needed to know where he was and he said at home. I asked him if that was in Houston and he said yes. Again I asked him where and he said SW. I gave up on that and went to the condition of the dog. He said she was not eating good and I asked if she was on pain meds and he said no. He said she liked ice water. I told him she needed to be in the AC and he said he could not take her into the house.I told him I would try to make somse arrangements for the dog in the morning since everything was closed for tonight and he said fine.
The next morning I made arrangements for someone to pick up the dog and take it to our Vet. Also for someone to foster the dog while it was recovering. I called to tell him and he was not there. The person that I talked to did not speak English. I left my number and told her to have him call me in my "best" Spanish.
He called me later that morning and I told him of my arrangemtnts. He still would not tell me where the dog was so I asked him to bring her to me and he said he would after I got off work. He was going to go by the Vets office where he had taken the X-rays to pick them up and bring the dog and the X-rays to me so I could have my volunteer take them to our Vet. I asked him if he could send me a picture of the dog and he said that would be no problem. I did not tell him I would not take it if it was not a purebred.
I then went back to work. Later I waited for the dog and no one came so I called him and he said he had found someone else to take the dog.
He had asked me several times if he would be able to have the dog after we had it taken care of. I told him that we needed to get her taken care of before discussing where she would go later. I also told him he would have to sign her over to us if we were going to be responsible for her care. I got the impression he did not want us to take the dog unless we would promise to give her back after she was well.
There have been many things said about our organization and what we will and will not do. Nobody has talkled to me about that so I do not know where they were getting their information. If you want to know what a group does it is best to talk to someone in the group. We are a small group of volunteers that try to help as many Siberians as we can. We do have limited space and funds. But the people that I have working with me are very dedicated and do as much as they can. We are a no-kill organization. That means when we are full we do not have any more space and can not take any more dogs. There is not always "room for one more". That is the difference in Rescue and Collectors. We know our limits.
As for the donations--- we get very few. When we do get them it is usually designated for a specific dog. Nobody in our organization gets paid. All the monies go to the dogs vet bills. All of our volunteers have reached deep in their pockets and used their own money to help. We work on a cash basis and do not run any bills. We pay as we go so as not to get into debt. With all that said we have always managed to help those "emergencies" we hear about. All our dogs are spay/neutered, wormed, UTD on their shots, Heartworm neg. (treated when needed) and microchipped before leaving.
About the picture that everyone is talking about--I did ask him for a picture but it was only for ID. I did not tell him it depended on if I would take the dog. One only needs to go to our website to see we do have some mixed breeds AND occasionally one that isn't even remotely connected to a Siberian. So that statement about the picture is just not true.
I can not or would not speak for another group. I do not know the pocicies of the ASPCA (which is not in Houston) Houston SPCA or CAP. We work closely with those organizations and do take Siberian that need special care from them into our program. Again you can see them on our website.
I am very proud of our small organization and the people who volunteer with me. My fosters, helper, transportation people and those that help in the booths and events we have. They are all dedicated to the Siberian Husky Breed and love all dogs. I will not allow others to speak ill of them. Especially when they do not know any of us or what we do.
If the future if you want to know what we do or what we have done ask us before making statements on the internet that are untrue or misunderstood.
And always remember.
Rescue organizations are not dumping off places for people that want to get rid of their dogs.
Rescue organizations have limited space.
Rescue organizations ALWAYS need more fosters
Rescue organizations can never keep up with all that need them. There are just too many!!!!
IF THERE WERE RESPONSIBLE OWNERS THERE WOULD BE NO NEED FOR RESCUE ORGANIZATIONS!!!
I could go on and on but I have to go to tend to the many Siberians I have here before I go back to my day job
--Posted by: Pat Snyder at May 17, 2006 9:11 AM
I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO THIS YOUNG MAN WHO FELT COMPASSION FOR ONE OF GOD'S CREATURES. HIS PARENTS ARE TO BE COMMENDED TO BRINGING UP THIS YOUNG MAN WITH A TRUE SENSE OF VALUE FOR CARING SO MUCH ABOUT THIS BEAUTIFUL GIRL. I SEE SO MANY UNWANTED ANIMALS ON THE STREETS OF HOUSTON EVERY DAY. MUCH OF THIS COULD BE CORRECTED IF THESE ANIMALS WERE SPADED AND NEUTERED INSTEAD MANY ARE THROWN OUT LIKE DISH WATER TO FEND FOR THEMSELVES.
--Posted by: SHIRLEY VILLASANA at May 17, 2006 12:46 AM
The Aunt & Grandmother of Carlos, who found and tried diligently to get help for the ailing husky, were advised to read the Kou.com, Animal Attraction column. We were surprised to learn of the situation and are very proud of Carlos. He is a very caring and loving young man. The Husky has consummed all of his time away from school & work. We would like to thank this column and Friends for Life, for having helped tremendously in aiding Carlos and especially the Husky. These are the type stories that go untold most of the time. There are many other "Good Samaritans" who would do this type of action, however, it goes untold. Thank you to all the caring persons who have written to this column with all those wonderful comments about our Nephew & Grandson. He deserves it! He is a very humble young man. His Aunt& Grandmother in Orlando, Florida, Congratulate him for his diligence & tenacity!
--Posted by: Iris Vanessa Rodriguez at May 16, 2006 10:20 PM
I want to commend the young man who rescued the Husky and did everything he could to find help. You were a God send to this poor baby and I hope you're able to keep her.
While I don't agree with the fact that the SPCA and CAP deemed this dog unadoptable, I have to agree with ML that we need to be angry with the breeders and owners that allow dogs to get into situations like this as well. From the sounds of it, Husky rescue didn't turn this dog away, they just wanted to see a pic and maybe with some coordination they would have been willing to meet somewhere and see the dog.
It is noble that FFL stepped up and offered to help and I see everyone singing their praises, but isn't this the same group that has kept sick animals and kittens too young to be vaccinated or altered, in their adoption center at Petsmart? Aren't they also notorious for adopting out animals that haven't been spayed or neutered to homes that are less than qualified? Has any of this changed? For the sake of the animals, I hope so.
I'm not here to take sides with any group, but before everyone starts pulling their donations from one place and sends them to another, be aware of where, what, and who your money is going to.
--Posted by: DL at May 16, 2006 11:50 AM
I have experienced nearly the same response when I found a tattooed and collared but emaciated full blooded springer spaniel at the airport. After trying to track down her original owner via her tattoo, my unknowning husband took her to the SPCA and they asked him where she was picked up from. When he told them the Houston IAH airport they said they couldn't accept animals from that area (only West U and another area I can't remember) and he needed to take her to BARC! They gave him printed directions and a map on how to get there. They said if they deemed her adoptable they would drive over to BARC and pick her up and put her up for adoption at the SPCA. I found out from BARC that that wasn't true. I have since reevaluated my feelings for the SPCA.
--Posted by: Heather at May 16, 2006 11:21 AM
Excellent mkm! Many of the disgusted posts that talked about shame on you, and pulling funding were general, talking about "rescue" orgs, and the groups that did not help. SPCA, CAP and Husky Rescue were all mentioned, so to me it seemed all were lumped together. I do know that husky rescue did try and help here. I agree, I think the big orgs that have so much money should be able to help. Not surprising though.
--Posted by: ml at May 16, 2006 1:20 AM
ml, et al:
No one said anything abt pulling donations from Husky rescue (the only thing mentioned there was a lack of a digital camera!) - only CAP & the HSPCA, both of which have healthy subsidizations from the general public. Breed rescues, on the other hand, are typically managed by individuals and are always operating at the edge of their ability & finances - I know, I run one!
My frustration is at the large orgs who could potentially help those who want to help their own animals. This young man was asking for assistance in trade for vet care - not a free ride! Both named orgs had those resources at their disposal. I volunteered for 3 years at one org, and 1 year at the other. Do they do a nasty job that nobody wants to? Absolutely! Are they steeped in beaurocracy and overwhelmed by poor internal communication that besets large organizations? Undoubtedly!
I have donated thousands of dollars to BOTH those orgs over that last few years....and can't help but feel that they could have used some of their connections/donations to get this man's dog some help - they just need to learn to think outside the box! The Greater Good clinic is right outside CAP's door, for goodness sake! They could have done a referrel right then/there!
Personally, I'll just stick to donating to small rescue groups like FFL or breed/mixed breed rescues in the future - you can see where your money goes, and they have a far more humanistic approach!
--Posted by: mkm at May 15, 2006 11:33 PM
Alexandra, I totally agree with you. My post was more for all of the postings that said they would not donate money to these groups anymore, that they were disgusting etc etc. I don't think that was right, like you said rescuers are often frustrated and do as much as they can. The FFL person probably did not even mean it as a slam to the other rescues and shelters, but obviously people took it that way. I just don't want organizations to lose funding, not so much the SPCA as individual rescues like husky rescue, FFL, those that need donations to help the animals.
--Posted by: ml at May 15, 2006 9:59 PM
To the young man who found this poor dog, thank you for your kindness and extraordinary efforts to find a group willing to provide the medical care and support needed. To Friends for Life, thank you for all you do for the many animals (cats, dogs, ferrets, guinea pigs, etc)you care for.
I am with a rescue group (Texas Great Pyrenees) and have been helped on several occasions by FFL. When they have had extra dog food, it has been shared with our group. They have referred pyrs to our rescue program. Their volunteers have been kind enough to assist us in setting up for adoption days at the pet store where they are located. And the director has willing shared many resources with me.
This is not so much about blame, but the frustration we all feel when trying to help these animals. There are so few available resources and often a complete lack of concern/compassion by many individuals and govenments (state, local, national) for the welfare of animals.
Eileen
--Posted by: eileen silverman at May 15, 2006 5:11 PM
ML,
If anyone active in animal rescue wants to focus on apportioning blame, there are more than enough things in any given day to consume you. Where would one start? With the lack of legislation requiring spay/neuter of animals? With the overwhelming number of stray animals in any major city? With the inability of shelters to place all the animals dumped in their facilities? And closer to home, how do you say "no" to an animal in need when your home is already full of rescued foster animals? How do you afford to feed and vet all the rescued animals you take in? And on and on??The reality is that kill shelters cannot try to adopt out animals. All they can do is to provide a place for people to come see the adoptable ones during the few days the animals have before they have to be killed to make room for more. The juggling act the shelters perform requires a horrific number of deaths. And yes, they will tell you that an animal will be killed. They may try to assuage the grief of people who can't afford to feed or vet their pets and have to give them up, or they may try to be kind to people who find animals they can't keep. But faced with an obviously unadoptable animal, they'll tell you what the future holds for that animal. I don't think the people who work at kill shelters are horrible people. I think they are faced with an unbelievably sad job, one that is necessary because we don't require our legislators to create a better world for animals.
There are not enough rescue groups to take in all the creatures in need. The rescue people I know have given their lives to this mission. If they can't respond to a need, it's because they have so, so many others that they are trying to address. If any rescue group worked 24/7, they would still not be able to address all the calls they got.
I have worked with Friends for Life on a lot of rescues and I have worked with Husky rescue. I admire both groups and think they do good work. I don't think that the FFL director intended her post to be read as a diatribe against the rescue community. She, along with all of us in rescue, knows that we all have to depend on our network of rescue contacts. For this dog, it was fortunate that when one place was not available, another was, and I know that FFL was glad to be able to help. Next time, they might not be in a position to and would need the help of another group. FFL is not any different than any other group; all rescue people work hard to maintain good relationships because we can't do this alone.
I don't know how much animal rescue you do, but if you do much, you know how heartbreaking it is. And some stories just hit you really hard. So, just remember that in the end, this dog was saved. I think the director of FFL is simply expressing the pain and frustration that comes from dealing with the end result of a concatenation of events which begins with too many animals, whether from breeders or pet owners. Our system doesn't serve the animals well, and we in rescue are drowning in the attempt to deal with the end result.
--Posted by: Alexandra at May 15, 2006 1:07 PM
I think all the blame should be towards these so called owners of this dog, and the breeders who could care less about what happens to their puppies after the money is in hand. Personally, before saying how awful and disgusting these other places are, maybe you should hear what happened before jumping to conclusions? SPCA and CAP are SHELTERS. They are a dumping ground for unwanted pets, and yes are kill shelters. How are they to know this wasn't the owner? Sure he said so, but imagine what they see coming in day to day. They will take the dog in, and if the dog is adoptable TRY and adopt it out before making room for other unwanted pets, or call a rescue. I personally have never heard a shelter tell anyone outright that they would put a dog down, and I have been to several, and know people who work at them. I have also seen dogs being turned in by owners that will probably be deemed unadoptable and put down due to mange etc, but the owners were never told this. SPCA usually calls rescues if the dog is a purebred and the dog is not adoptable. The comment made about husky rescue is laughable. I do not volunteer with them and am not involved in their organization, but they did take in a dumped husky from me and were extremely helpful. I have never heard anything negative about their organization, especially since they are volunteers, use foster homes only and run on donations. I will find out THEIR side of the story. This has nothing to do with the good samaritan that found her, I am very glad he was able to help her and was diligent. However, I am always wary of rescues that badmouth other rescues and organizations.
--Posted by: ml at May 14, 2006 11:57 PM
I am heartened by this young man and what he dealt with. I, too, have dealt with this animal care system and in many ways the reason why they do their job has eluded them. They have become heartless beaurocracy, adhering to manuals and memoranda and lost sight of why they were created in the first place.
--Posted by: demetria at May 14, 2006 10:48 AM
God bless this young man and his compassionate and determined concern for this beautiful Husky girl and shame on those vets and other "rescue" groups who failed both him and her in his search for help. As the others here have mentioned, I, too will be very careful in future donations to animal rescue groups as they darn well better help these poor creatures rather than display the disgusting behaviour described here in this article! Please let us know how we can help this young man and precious Husky girl with perhaps donations to help with her expenses. Thank you.
--Posted by: Terri at May 13, 2006 8:46 PM
thank god for that guy.
i live in mexico city where we don't have any places where dogs get help, yet, you the most powerful nation in the world, have them, yet you turned this poor baby away.
no offense but shame on all of you, HSPCA or whatever name you go by.
i hope all these comments get passed on to them and this guy ends up on TV, has someone got any connections or the guy's details.
we need more people in the world like him.
how can i find out more about what happens to this beautiful baby girl.
and also, i'd like to know if this guy gets to keep her, i hope so, so far, this girl has landed in paradise. well done whomever you are.
gina
--Posted by: gina camilleri at May 13, 2006 4:31 PM
In tears. I too am going to have to reevaluate my donations to those orgs that declined to help! I would also like to know how to forward some money to this young man who spent so much time trying to help one of God's creatures and fell in love with her and want to keep her. To much is about the money and not on whats the right thing.
--Posted by: Amy Petty at May 13, 2006 4:03 PM
It makes me ill to read this story. In particular how the vets wouldn't help out. It's supposed to be a profession, not a money factory. This young man wasn't asking for a hand-out. He rescued a dog, a heroic kindness in and of itself. He was asking for helping hands and all he got was greedy paws. But then, what can you expect these days? Last fall, DVM News published an article on "Pain Management as a Profit Center."
I'm not making this up.
http://www.dvmnews.com/dvm/
But, I'm happy as well that there are still people out there like this young man. 3 Cheers to him and 3 Cheers to Friends For Life for helping save a life. One look in her eyes should have told any vet or the ASPCA she was worth saving.
My next email will be to Animal Planet to ask them not to continue filming the Houston ASPCA. I'm sure they can find an animal control unit with a little more compassion.
--Posted by: Sue at May 13, 2006 3:37 PM
It is things like this this give me a sad reminder of how material and money driven our society is. We all know the only reason that poor girl was turned away from all those rescue groups is that she was not "cost effective". It would have cost too much to treat her, and her life was not worth it to them. I'm so glad to hear that this young man pursued treatment for this dog, instead of giving up after having so many people tell him she should be put down. He knew that her life was worth more, and I fully hope he is able to adopt her. I would hate to see his heartbroken after all of this, obviously he would be a fantastic home! It never ceases to amaze me how, in the face of such unspeakable cruelty, a dog can still have the capacity to trust and love. They are such amazing creatures, and can be a wonderful blessing on our lives. I'm so happy to hear about this and I congratulate this young man on saving a life, you did what you knew was right. I hope you and the girl have a long, happy life together.
--Posted by: Sarah Fulcher at May 13, 2006 12:50 PM
This is one of the most touching cases I have ever heard and I am bursting with joy to see that this young man fought to help her instead of giving up. Having had a cancer dog, I know personally how costly it can be for Vet care and this sweet pooch will have a long road ahead of her but thanks to this sweet young man, his loving family, and all the wonderful people from Friends for Life who have banded together to help her, she has a chance. God Bless you all and I certainly hope that those who refused to help this dog in desperate need realize that one day, people who have supported them financially with donations may very well stop after hearing about this because of their lack of true compassion for an animal in crisis. I know it is impossible to save all of them but at least there are those out there who do their best...even in extreme cases. We have been fortunate with the ones we have helped along the way and have been blessed to have Vets and rescues that jump right in and have witnessed, first hand, incredible recoveries and happy endings. Obviously there are areas that lack that devotion and only put on a show for the public to keep the donations coming in. That is sad. Those groups had better re-read their mission statements!! Our prayers go out to this sweet girl and all those who will be involved in her care and recovery. I hope that every effort is made to keep this story alive in the media so everyone can watch her progress..
--Posted by: Jo at May 13, 2006 11:53 AM
Is there a way to make donations toward the care of this poor baby?
--Posted by: julie at May 12, 2006 3:32 PM
I too am crying tears of sadness and tears of thankfulness!! I have been in the same situation several times, but have always been blessed enough to find vet help/rescue help much quicker than he did. God Bless him for pushing foward until he was able to find a caring place with loving people to help him!! God Bless Friends for Life! God Bless the vet and all who are helping!!
--Posted by: Donna at May 12, 2006 10:42 AM
I think it's a SAD thing to know those who CHOSE to help animals are NOT. The ASPCA is susposed to HELP animals not kill them
That poor dog - How can someone turn away a dog in PAIN ? I think all the people in the ASPCA and those vets who said no need to take a GOOD LOOK in the mirror and ask themselves where are their Priorities ?
Houston should be ashamed of itself - and that man was a HERO
--Posted by: Villette at May 12, 2006 9:24 AM
Thank God for this young man. What a beautiful dog and I pray for her quick recovery.
Until we start holding individuals responsible for the mistreatment of animals this sad trend will just continue. Look at the man who attacked his neighbors dogs with a stick that had razor blades attached. The jury barely slapped this sicko on the hand, because so many people testified he was such "a good guy".
In response to the so-called animal organizations that turned this man down - they are despicable. CAPs (and I'm sure the others) aren't the organizations the public think. Their galas where they pat themselves on the back and raise money me sick. Ask the organizers specific questions on their shelters and all you get is a blank look.
--Posted by: Babs at May 12, 2006 9:08 AM
I would like to send this honorable gentleman a donation.
--Posted by: Sheila at May 12, 2006 9:00 AM
I am so proud of this young man. A lot of people would have given up. Thank you for being a kind and loving person and helping this sweet baby. I hope you are able to adopt her.
--Posted by: AW at May 12, 2006 8:22 AM
What a kind sole. Thank you for doing the right thing by this dog. I hope that you are able to adopt this dog on down the road.
--Posted by: GMB at May 12, 2006 7:52 AM
I'm crying...! both for that poor young man's futile efforts in seeking help (what tenacity in the face of everone telling him "no!"), and with relief that he DID find some help in saving that poor lost little soul.
I'm going to have to reevaluate my donations to those orgs that declined to help! - and would like to know how to forward some money to this young man who spent so much time trying to help one of God's creatures!
--Posted by: mkm at May 11, 2006 8:38 PM
