IdahoRider, it is animal control I’m working with. They’ve allowed fundraising for other fosters just not for him so I don’t really know that it’s a slippery slope thing. They won’t allow him to be adopted by anyone, just long term fostered. I mentioned that I was only given 2 choices but I didn’t make clear the reason why. That’s my fault. He’s no longer up for adoption because they don’t think he’ll make it through a neuter and they can’t let him be adopted without neutering at some point. My vets have said anesthesia isn’t that risky for him but there’s no convincing animal control of that.
Even if they do for some, but not all it is still a slippery slope. So easy to judge sitting on the outside looking in. Did you take this dog home knowing the options?Was the dog seen by a vet that determined he may not make it through a neuter?
I took a heartworm positive dog(that I wanted to foster) to two vets to see if she was treatable. Both said they had never seen a case so severe. First vet recommended euthanasia, said treatment would just be cruel to a dog in her condition, she had other health issues and was older. Second vet said he would treat it, but then again he treats EVERYTHING, even when it is not in the animals best interest. I opted for euthanasia. I could not even come close to affording the second vets quote, even with the dollar amount our organization was able to chip in.
Wanted to add-the organization I work for is under the police department. We cannot fundraise. The local humane society accepts donations for animals in the shelter and it is kept in a seperate account that we can pull from. Fundraising is not as simple as setting out a few jars.
No I didn’t know the options taking him home because they didn’t even know how severe his condition was until they got the vet school’s report. And no vet has said he can’t make it through neuter. Even their own vet is fine neutering him and has said so. This is all a “feeling” thing on their part.
No, organization-wide fundraising is not as simple as setting out jars and flyers…raising $565 is though. I live in a small and generous community so I know what works here. As well, I fundraised throughout college for different clubs that support non-profits so I know how simple raising that money is.
Sounds like this should be your last foster from this shelter. They don’t want to pay to fix what’s wrong, they don’t want to let you fundraise to fix what’s wrong, they don’t want to allow him to be adopted so he can have medical care.
Run, run away from them after you help this poor dog. If they’re publicly funded, once you get this resolved, I would make a huge stink.
Sooo, you can either keep the dog in pain or have him euthanized? That is pretty shitty. I think I would fundraise privately from close friends, family and your personal network (maybe online, but not with anything identifying his local community), then have the work done (with a neuter at the same time) then adopt and place on your own or keep. This organization clearly does not have this dog’s best interests at heart.
I really do not understand the rescue’s reluctance for you drumming up funding for the vetting of your foster. What about approaching a few generous people to see if they would sponsor the dog? That way it is not put out for the general public and then you could take this information back to the rescue. I have had this happen with one of my fosters, he needed HW treatment and the rescue did not have the $500 for the treatment and I had two friends sponsor him, nothing out of the rescue pocket, two friends helped me save his life and now he is adopted out to a wonderful family living the good life.
I have to say I am surprised at the rescue you are dealing with, their reaction. I have seen the total opposite here. Life at all costs, even when the animal should probably be euthanized.
It’s an impossible situation for all concerned - a bunch of adults throwing their weight around, metaphorically sitting on the fence, while the poor dog continues to suffer in some discomfort.
The “bunch of adults” are probably over-worked and underpaid, stressed, and the dog you’ve now taken off their hands probably isn’t their priority any more, as they’ve got to keep going with the limited resources they have.
I agree with the others - see if you can negotiate a lowered adoption fee (he is, after all, sick and elderly), and get your lovely vets to fix him up, fund-raising as necessary as you go.
What is his adoption fee, any way?
A few years back we adopted an ancient and decrepit sad sack of an old dog from the local SPCA, who normally charge around $300 a dog (some ask over $600). He was in such a sorry state they only charged me $150, and he still needed to be neutered. I took him to our vet, who diagnosed a serious heart murmur and concluded that the anesthesia required to neuter him would probably kill him, poor tatty old thing. We figured we’d ease him gently into his dotage, doing the best we could not to stress him unduly…
Well, we cleaned him right up, and he shed about 5 years overnight, becoming the most hilarious, fit and energetic proud little farm dog you’d ever hope to meet! He had pecs like Magic Mike, and he NEVER ran out of steam.
I’m glad some of you guys see why this is a tough situation. I feel like I’m stuck with their awful options. I’m in the works of trying to get a meeting with everyone involved though. I’m hoping I can convince them to go forward with letting me fundraise for the procedure. Then when he makes it through that I can say “well I guess he can survive a neuter too” and then everyone will once again be on board for his adoption.
The adoption fee is cheap already, it’s $100 and that includes neuter and shots. But he absolutely has to be neutered before he can be adopted because of state law. So thats the crux of their argument. They say he can’t be neutered and therefore never adopted. It’s really quite silly how they have it in their mind he’ll die on the table even though multiple vets have said he’ll be fine if his blood work comes back clean.
I think if the meeting doesn’t change any minds I’ll say that I’ll “hospice foster” him but make sure I’m allowed to make all of his medical decisions. Then I’ll just go from there and get private sponsors like some people have talked about. And then eventually have him neutered so he can officially be adopted by someone. I think they just don’t want to deal with a senior mutt when there are lots of “cute” puppies to handle. Sad but sometimes thats how it goes.
OP, you are in a really tough spot. How about if you have your vet write a recommendation/assessment of this dog’s condition and sign it? Bring that in to the AC people and ask them to reconsider.
I will refrain from commenting on the fundraising since that is a separate issue. The primary goal here is to get permission to treat and neuter the dog, or to get permission to adopt him so that you can have him treated on your own authority.
Maybe a signed letter from a reputable vet will help sway them.
I can’t believe they’re so intractable - that’s crazy, and counter-productive, surely, to their “corporate” ideals.
Is it really State law that he must be neutered before adoption (can they cite the actual law? Seems a strange thing to bother “law-ing” about), or are they just prevaricating?
Won’t they even accept binding documentation from your vet guaranteeing a full neuter as soon as he’s healthier? I can’t believe they’re not even slightly negotiable. Have you spoken to someone rational and moderately intelligent at this group, or are they all obstructive clods who stand behind jobs-worth rules?
Most groups like this are a lot more humane, let alone reasonable. Geesh. The poor dog is caught in the middle of this, and it’s not remotely his fault.
Some people stink.
Yes it really is a state law. Public or private shelters, rescues, etc. It’s a really great law…at least it prevents adopted animals from breeding.
So… they’ve talked about euthanizing him, but they won’t attempt a neuter because he might die under anesthesia? Something is not adding up here…
(And no, OP, I’m not accusing YOU of lying 
)
Why wouldn’t they do the neuter at the same time they do the teeth, while he’s under anesthesia?
As others have said, fundraising and nonprofits and everything that goes with it don’t always make sense. I work with a therapeutic riding facility and if a volunteer asked if they could put out jars to raise money for a certain horse’s medical care, we would say no - primarily because we do pay for the medical care our horses need, and it makes us look bad to have someone nickel-and-diming for a few hundred dollars for a particular horse/barn cat/procedure. When I see those sorts of requests, as a potential donor I assume the organization doesn’t have a sound financial base to support its work (correctly or incorrectly) and I don’t see them in a good light. So I understand why the shelter/rescue doesn’t want individuals fund raising for individual animals in the name of the organization.
What is the rest of this dog’s story that makes them think he’s not a good candidate for adoption if his medical issues are cleared up? undesirable breed? behavior problems?
I think your best bet is to offer to pay for the dental / neuter (and they can consider it a donation for that specific dog), then fundraise quietly among family and friends to cover the cost. Don’t make a big deal out of it.
Getting your vet to write up something about what needs to be done and that the dog should handle it just fine would be helpful too.
My guess is that their hands are really tied between not being able to adopt an un neutered dog, and not having the funding to give this older dog the care he needs.
But, I wouldn’t do have anything done for the dog without their blessing. Perhaps a carefully worded letter (with the vet evaluation attached) to someone higher up in the chain of command might help your cause.
[QUOTE=LauraKY;7679906]
Yes it really is a state law. Public or private shelters, rescues, etc. It’s a really great law…at least it prevents adopted animals from breeding.[/QUOTE]
Huh - wow. I understand the rationale completely, but one would think that there would be a bit of common sense underlying the decision-making in this case.
I’d get him neutered at the same time you do the dental if you decide to pay for those. He’s already under anesthesia… what’s another 3 minutes to lop off some testicles?
I understand your dilemma, but it’s one a busy underfunded shelter deals with all the time. Sweet dog (pittie?) comes in, expensive medical problem is discovered, and dog will be euthanized due to lack of funds. Public gets upset the sweet dog is killed for lack of funds. It doesn’t make sense from a herd health standpoint to spend $500+ on a single dog, and I get them not wanting you to put out desperate fundraising jars. They’re not refusing the money to be spiteful.
Dewey, the vet school writes a very detailed assessment at the end of each exam so I do have that and I’ve already showed them but I plan on bringing that to the meeting as well (if I actually get one). The assessment has all of the doctors recommendations and signatures as well.
Romany, it’s my understanding that immediately after paying fees the dog has to be sent for neutering. For instance if you adopt straight from the shelter you actually will pick the dog up from the vet’s office. That way they know the sterilization happened. It is a little different since he’s already in foster and I’m in the works of figuring that out. As far as rational people go, some are better than others with the group, but it’s very bureaucratic so you know how that goes.
Saje, yea it isn’t too logical huh? I think they may not want to adopt him out because someone will pay the fee, get attached and prepared for their new pet, and then in animal control’s mind the dog may die during the procedure. And then they’ve got some angry people on their hands. So I guess maybe they’re trying to play it safe?
Betsy, haven’t talked to the vet school yet about doing both at the same time. They did mention his procedure would one of the longer ones they’ve performed so I’m not sure if the time spent working on that will play into it all. He’s a mixed breed dog, but has great behavior. Likes all dogs, good around cats, wonderful with children, housetrained. He looks a little rough though…half of an ear has been torn off and he has some scarring on his face. Still, lots of people have told me he’s cute and I think so too.
I appreciate all of the advice and ideas everyone has had!
I fostered for a group and they disappeared and never helped with any of the dogs. I paid for all vet care/food. When I realized they didn’t give a hoot I found homes for the dogs myself. Never again.
What a tough situation. I agree with your plan to do hospice foster and make all of his medical decisions. All I can say is how lucky this pooch is to have you! It can be so frustrating when legalities get in the way of an animal’s quality of life. That being said, I’d be more than happy to donate a little to the dentistry cost if you end up getting it for him. I think that when people like you do what’s right by an animal, they deserve to be helped out as much as possible.
OP, I can totally see both sides of the issue here - it’s tough for all parties.
In your shoes, here’s what I think I would do.
I would NOT attempt public fundraising on behalf of this one dog. Commit to paying for it yourself or do some quiet private fundraising - going public is clearly not OK with Animal Control, and he is their dog. If you persist, they may decide that you’re too much of a hassle and make you return him to them.
Provide them with a letter from your vet or the vet school (on letterhead - this needs to be formal) that backs up your belief that the dog is healthy and that he is a good candidate for anesthesia.
Offer to pay for his treatment and neutering in its entirety (including pre-anesthesia bloodwork) at the vet school clinic (or wherever it is that you get the formal letter from) if they will allow you to adopt him after neutering OR that you will allow them to adopt him out. If his bloodwork comes back bad, as hard as it may be, offer to pay for euthanasia or turn him back over to them.
Please review any adoption paperwork that you may sign with them, as I know that with my own foster-failure dog, I am not allowed to rehome him. I signed an adoption contract that says if I can’t keep him, he has to go back to Animal Control.
It’s hard, but try to remember that it only takes one hassle to get rules changed in a way that makes things tougher for everyone that follows, so try to figure out a way to work within the rules for now. Change is possible, but in situations like this, it may not come quickly enough for this dog.
I know this is tough, and I wish you and the foster guy the best outcome possible.
