Does Animal Control take care of sick animals?
On December 5, my boyfriend and I went to the Animal Control in Lakeport to adopt two cats. We had just lost our wonderful four-year old German Shepherd Dog, Wilson, and needed to fill the hole left in our hearts by giving our love to these cats who needed it. We chose Animal Control as a direct result of having seen the heart touching television ads and wanted to contribute to this mission.
We picked out two young cats, probably about 6 months old. One was a grey tabby, manx and the other an orange tabby, both males. We completed the adoption application, which had numerous questions geared towards determining our ability to care for these cats. Animal Control wanted to be sure we were able to care for the cat”s mental and physical needs.
Once that was completed, we were approved, paid the fee, and were told the cats would be sent to a veterinary clinic in Lakeport on Monday, December 8th to be neutered and given their rabies shots and we would need to call see when we could pick them up.
On Monday, I called the vet and was told that both cats had severe ear mites and the orange tabby had a severe case of tapeworm. We noticed after bringing them home and on the same day that they both were sneezing and seemed congested so we called our vet and took them in for treatment.
We were given an antibiotic medication for this. We were told this was a contagious condition. I spoke to a co-worker about this because I knew she had recently adopted two kittens from the Animal Control. She told me she also had been treating her cats for the same problem for a month.
She said she has spent up to $1000 so far and still had not had any improvement in her cat”s health. I am puzzled that these cats were not allowed to be adopted without being neutered but they are being released from the Animal Control with a contagious disease.
It seems since this is a contagious condition I would assume there are other cats with this same condition at the Animal Control. We have, so far, spent approximately $300.00 not including the adoption fee. I don”t resent the money, I resent the failure to disclose information needed to make an informed decision on adopting these cats. It seems to me to be irresponsible and I wonder if the animal”s welfare is the first priority as is presented to the public by this department through the media.
They must know these animals are sick because they care for them for a number of days before they are adopted, yet they continue to expose other animals to this contagious disease and adopt out sick animals. My question is, where is the benevolence in all of this? It makes me afraid to recommend anyone adopt an animal from Animal Control. Isn”t neglect a form of abuse?
I was told by Animal Control that I could bring them back in, but there was no refund of my adoption fee. I chose to keep the cats and treat them because I did not want to be responsible for these cats being killed, which I am sure was what would happen.
I feel Animal Control needs to make changes to the way they do business. The welfare of the animals they receive need to be their first priority, they are without a voice.
Marlene Keven
Kelseyville
