by Suzyn Barron, President of Warwick Valley Humane Society, Inc.
Did you know there are times when we believe we have found the perfect home for one of our homeless pets only to not have that be true?
Last week on the one day I allow myself to be home, while relaxing and having my morning coffee, I received an email about the recent adoption of a dog questioning if it was the same dog that is listed on a rescue site for its breed. I spent the next tense hour comparing pictures of both dogs refusing to believe our newly adopted dog was now in a rescue. But, it turned out to be true. My emotions started as disbelief turned to anger turned to heartbreak. And, in the rescue post it was stated that when the dog was in the shelter she was in poor condition and declining quickly. During her 10 month stay she had allergy reoccurrences leaving her looking not her best, despite repeat veterinary visits, medicated baths, medications and diet changes. She also had a bout with pneumonia which she would not have recovered from without the staffs’ dedication to her care. This was all explained to her adopter but may have not been shared with the rescue. Instead, it was posted that the “allergies are well managed with medication and it’s amazing what love and care can do”.
Knowing that she is doing so well make us beyond happy for her, however, insinuating that she was not loved and cared for while in shelter is not only untrue but hurtful. Not all shelters are alike or managed the same.
That aside, back to our adopted girl. I decided to contact the rescue. In that conversation I learned that the adoptive family reached out to the rescue because they felt she needed someone home more often than they were able to provide even after having spent a great deal on veterinary expenses and medications. The adopters didn’t want to see her back at the shelter. Their intention is appreciated, except our adoption contract clearly states that the adopted pet is to be returned to our organization should the need arise. We want our pets back because we know what we know about them and do not want them to have to start all over with unknown caregivers including new veterinarians.
So it turns out that the adopted family is now considered a foster family with the rescue and our two organizations will be working together on this dog’s placement. I am very happy to partner with other organizations for the sake of the animals and actually have other leads through this rescue for a couple of other senior dogs currently at the shelter. I certainly would have expected and preferred to find out first hand that our dog needed more of a homebody type home rather than through an email from a third party that she was once again homeless, but alas, let’s hope that all’s well that ends well for this deserving dog.
Pet of the Week:
Adoption applications are available at wvhumane.org or call 845-986-2473 for more information.
