warning: very very long...

[sadinred]

I have been working on this letter to my local Humane Society all day and I have the fear that it will come off as a big rant and be ignored. If anyone cares to read it and let me know what they think I'd appreciate it. No pressure.

oh, and I did adopt the remaining kitten. His name is Oliver.



Mrs. Donna Howard;

I realize that you are new to the position of Director at the Flagler Humane Society and that the events that prompt this letter occurred before you came to the shelter. Though you must be very busy settling in I hope you will appreciate my concern – I believe what I write of is important and I will be as brief as possible.

On Saturday September 17, 2005 (though your files read that I picked them up on the 27th I assure you it was the 17th – my first vet invoice is from the 22nd) I picked up three foster kittens from your shelter. They had diarrhea, but seemed healthy otherwise. On Tuesday September 20th I called the shelter because the kitten’s diarrhea was very bad and I worried about them becoming dehydrated. I drove to the shelter and picked up a de-worming medicine. On Wednesday the 21st I drove the kittens to the shelter so that the medicine could be administered as I could not get them to swallow it. On Thursday the 22nd I brought the kittens back to the shelter because they were obviously dehydrated and the diarrhea had worsened considerably as it just dripped out of them uncontrollably. The kittens were not examined, and instead I was given a jar of baby food to feed them. I insisted that they needed fluid and was told that they did not. Two hours later I drove them to my vet (Dr. Melloy of the Community Animal Clinic in Palm Coast) who gave the most dehydrated of kittens subcutaneous fluids, took a stool sample, and prescribed Albon for all three kittens. Their health seemed to improve, and after a few days only one continued to have diarrhea.

On Sunday September 25th the hardiest of all three kittens vomited and then became very weak and began convulsing. I brought him to the shelter but he could not be saved and was put to sleep. The next morning I brought the two remaining kittens to the shelter so that they could be examined. I left them for five hours and asked for someone to please look at the little girl because she had a few problems with scratches on her paws and a very distended belly. I picked them up later and as far as I could tell nothing had been done for them and they had been, I believe, left in their carrier without a litter box for all five hours.

The kittens saw my vet for an exam and for de-worming on October 6th. At that date Dr. Melloy told me that the female kitten had developmental problems and that these problems might or might not correct themselves. At my request Dr. Melloy faxed a letter to the shelter (I believe to the attention of Amy) explaining this. The following week I called the shelter to discuss this matter and I spoke with Amy. (I am almost sure it was Amy. I spoke with Amy and with Lisa many times but I believe I had asked specifically for Amy this time). When I asked if she had seen the faxed letter she said she had only
glanced at it over the shoulder of another. I explained to her the situation and we agreed that the female kitten should remain in my care as long as she was not in discomfort.

I brought the female kitten to the shelter not long after this (again for diarrhea and dehydration) and Lisa gave me an anti-diarrhea medicine and a tube of HIGH-CAL. I gave the kitten the paste in her food, and three times over two days I gave her the medicine for diarrhea. Immediately after this the female kitten began to play, clean herself and to gain weight, though the diarrhea returned to a lesser extent. And she did great until Friday October 21st when she could not pass a bowel movement at all. I called the shelter and spoke with Lisa who suggested canned pumpkin which I tried. I called again very concerned as the kitten was dry heaving when she tried to move her bowels. I was told to keep trying with the pumpkin. I drove her to my vet where a piece of clay-like poop was removed from her behind. They sent her home with me thinking she was “unclogged” but she remained the same. I called the shelter and told Lisa what had occurred. Saturday morning I drove the kitten to the shelter and left her there. I was told to call my vet and see if they could fit her in. My vet could not take her and she stayed at the shelter overnight. The next day Grace asked if I would agree to try exploratory surgery and she allowed me to visit with the kitten for many hours before her surgery. Unfortunately the kitten did not make it through the procedure.

I know that the Flagler Humane Society is very busy. I realize that you cannot possibly address every emergency that arises. I do wish however that I had been warned when I volunteered to foster that the shelter would not be able to offer proper medical attention for the kittens. I would never have volunteered. These kittens were lucky that my vet made time whenever she could because, if not for her, we would have lost them all. I understand that you are busy, but I do not understand why I was not warned.

I have spoken with a few people in town who have had similar experiences with the foster system at your shelter. (I can possibly give you names and phone numbers, I would have to first get permission from said persons). A member of the staff at Pawrrific Pets also offered to me what she has learned from customers who foster. She has heard that the foster animals are basically on their own, and that the shelter has to her knowledge provided little to no support for the person fostering or for the animals involved.

I have met some very compassionate and competent people at the Flagler Humane Society. In particular I am very grateful to Grace who was consistently kind, caring and knowledgeable. Also helpful to me was Lisa. Christen and Jeff were very compassionate and patient as I waited with the kitten the day she had surgery. Nevertheless, I want to make the difficulties I experienced known to you.

I hope your directorship will bring change and improvement to the foster system at your shelter. These kittens and puppies need care, and those fostering need support.

I have adopted the remaining kitten.

[BrklynLiberal]

1. I think you are totally justified in writing this letter.

You were very civil considering what you have been thru.
And at least one of these little fur babies will end up in a loving home with you.
I guess my only question would be if there is some other agency to whom you can complain about what seems like the incompentency of this Humane Society? Perhaps a letter to the editor of some local paper? It just seems that their seemingly careless attitude needs to be brought to public attention.

It is sad that you had to lose two adorable furbabies, and go thru the emotional trauma that went along with that.
I hope that the love that you and the remaining kitten will share will somehow make up for that.

[sadinred]

2. I looked into it a little:

The Humane Soc of the U.S. states that they DO NOT monitor local HS's, and they ask (at their website) that issues be taken up with the local society before involving them.

Maybe I will try the letter to the editor. I worry that it might draw adopting people away from the shelter though. Although maybe it would draw them toward it...hmmm.

Maybe I should find out who their large financial supporters are!!! Even if I just cc the big local contributers it might get things rolling whether or not the contributers care.

The new shelter director is just moving in now. I hope to have luck with her.

Thanks for reading this. I'm relieved that it made sense to you. I'm glad you could even follow it.

[wildeyed]

3. I would alert the media.

If this is a continual, systemic problem for the local Humane Society, I doubt another complaint will make any difference. But some media attention might force change.

My local paper did a great investigative series on local animal shelters and it resulted in positive changes at both the Humane Society and local Animal Control. Apparently, the local Humane Society had some entrenched leaders who were causing many of the problems. Huge flame wars on the editorial page ensued. But it appears that positive changes were made that would not have been made without the media attention.

Good luck. Sounds like you went through hell for those kitties. Good for you.

[IndyOp]

4. Sadinred - Very good letter - very good -

I wonder what kind of veterinary care the animals at the shelter get - or don't get - without anyone ever knowing that they are neglected. I think that if you have a chance to speak with this woman you might bring this issue up. And, I totally agree that if foster pet owners aren't going to get any veterinary assistance they should be warned.

The shelter here actually does warn foster pet owners that the only expense the shelter will cover is spay/neuter surgery. If your foster animal gets sick and you can't afford the treatment you just dump it back at the shelter - where, if they have space, the animal will get veterinary attention. If they don't have space the pet is put down.

:mad:

[sadinred]

5. it's so sad. All the poor little guys.

I think if my letter doesn't create enemies for me I might volunteer there and a) find out more behind the scenes stuff, and b)maybe help the situation. The old director was in charge of fostering - she is now gone to a new shelter. Now's a good time to encourage changes.

Spay and neuter that's all it comes down to...spay and neuter! So easy, and clinics make it available for not too much money. I just don't understand why people don't do it.

Thanks. I so greatly appreciate all the support I've gotten in the Pets Group for these foster kittens. I will try to return it!

[Patiod]

6. Keep in mind, Humane Societies vary WIDELY"

First, I was amazed at how civil your letter was. I would have been typing in ALL CAPS and bolding and lots of !!!!! plus a few choice curse words. Civil gets more results

I know you know this, but just to emphasize for other DUers -- my college roommate works at the Arizona Humane Society in Phoenix, which was voted Best in the US by an independent organization. They offer a lot of support to their fosterers (she fosters as well). On the other hand, I've heard HORROR stories about other places.

Every community's humane society or shelter is different.

[ernstbass]

7. excellent letter

I agree with the above poster that you should submit letter to editor of your local paper.