Open Admission Shelters are NOT Safe Houses

People should be told the truth. Regardless of whether they can face it, deal with it, or do something about it. We all deserve honesty and transparency. Wouldn't you want to know what was going to happen to your pet if you dropped it off at a shelter? Shouldn't this sign be the first notification that you see? 

I have a very deep troubling sense of despair over open admission shelters. I will also be the first person to admit that I do not know how resolve the problem. 

In too many places of this world you will find the face of poverty, struggle and suffering. There are millions of lives on the brink of death in every corner of the globe. Compassion in some places has manifested into "open admission shelters". Shelters to house and feed and provide the very basic of care so that these animals are not on the streets, in the elements and at the mercy of predators. It sounds like a good answer doesn't it? It shields us from seeing and facing the stark divide between the "haves" and "have-nots". Wouldn't you rather be in a room with a meal then on the merciless ground without? Seems sensible? But what happens when the line at the door is too long for the number of rooms available to lodgers? It is a dilemma faced daily at open admission shelters. The dilemma of what to do when you have a contractual obligation to be the safe house for the lost and the unwanted. If your room is needed and your contractual obligation time frame to hold and house you is up you are most likely going to be killed. In medicine we call it euthanasia. In reality euthanasia is a kinder, more compassionate description of terminating a life. In the shelters the majority of euthanized animals are healthy and killed due to lack of space or resources. 

Buster. Our newest JVC addition.
Owner unable to pay for the cost of his chronic dermatology care.
He is being treated by us and with the help of  the folks at Long Green Dermatology.
He is a happy engaging pup in foster and looking for a new home.

Let's talk about why people surrender pets. Here is the data from PetFinder.com

Dogs:

1. Moving (7%)
2. Landlord not allowing pet (6%)
3. Too many animals in household (4%)
4. Cost of pet maintenance (5%)
5. Owner having personal problems (4%)
6. Inadequate facilities (4%)
7. No homes available for litter mates (3%)
8. Having no time for pet (4%)
9. Pet illness(es) (4%)
10. Biting (3%)

Two of the 14 homeless kittens we placed so far this Summer

Cats:

1. Moving (8%)
2. Landlord not allowing pet (6%)
3. Too many animals in household (11%)
4. Cost of pet maintenance (6%)
5. Owner having personal problems (4%)
6. Inadequate facilities (2%)
7. No homes available for litter mates (6%)
8. Allergies in family (8%)
9. House soiling (5%)
10. Incompatibility with other pets (2%)

Does it seem odd to you that these numbers don't even come close to approximating 100 %? It does to me too. I can say that after a decade in practice I have seen too many people turn to a shelter when they can't face the other options. What are the other options? Abandonment or euthanasia. (Perhaps there are others but those are too awful to even contemplate). 

It is inconceivable to me that some of these are on any list.

• If you are moving you bring your pet. Period. 
• Landlord doesn't allow,, well, what are you doing there to begin with? 
• No homes for litter mates, no time, inadequate facilities, and too many pets all sound like lapses in good mature adult judgement.
• Cost, well, cost is  something we can do something about. Cost is a relative, manipulative entity. There are options when it comes to this. This is where rescues, vets, and society can make a dent in shelter admissions. 

The list of reasons cats and dogs are surrendered is fraught with pet parents who either weren't prepared, weren't making decisions that put their four legged kids first, or simply are irresponsible. This notion that pets are peripheral disposable replaceable accessories is part of the reason there are so many pets in need. This mind set has got to change. How do we do that? We teach respect for life, love for each other, and manifest, nurture and foster kindness to all others. 

Paisely needed a surgery that only JVC was willing to try.
She is Harford County shelter rescue who has since been adopted and is doing great!

There has to be a better way? Has to be! There needs to be a shelter to serve as a holding facility for lost pets where people can bring them. For the few pets who are found and need a place to stay while mom and dad remain frantically searching the neighborhood there needs to be a safe house available. Some sort of central location for reuniting pets and their parents. The only justifiable existence is as a halfway house, a sheltering holding facility for reunions.

Laura (JVC Rescue coordinator) and Sammy.
Cecil County Animal Shelter rescue.
They closed their doors and she would have been euthanized if we didn't rescue her.

The old adage holds true. "You are either a part of the solution OR you are a part of the problem." 

How does my clinic, Jarrettsville Vet, become a part of the solution, if we are, as I believe every clinic is, a part of the problem? We are not going to be the place that decides, influences, or confers that veterinary care and the cost of it is too excessive for parents to provide. There is a considerable amount of fluff in the medical estimates we provide to parents. We, the vets who have been taught by the hand of the specialists at the Ivory Tower should always offer the Gold Standard of care, and we too, need to remember that Gold Standard is not always attainable or financially feasible. We are forgetting that if our client walks out of our hospital without an affordable AND agreed upon treatment plan that some of these pets will be euthanized or surrendered. We are a big part of this problem, and we have to take responsibility in being the force of change that provides for a solution.  

Laura and Chico.
Owner surrendered whose only other options were euthanasia or shelter.
He is now also in a new home

In the last year Jarrettsville Vet has gone to every emergency clinic and shelter in our area and left them with a plea; If any of our patients end up in their lobby for any reason with their parents feeling like they have no options other than surrender or euthanasize call us. Have the person surrendering call us, give our name and number to any of our clients who thinks that there isn't another option. We will do whatever we can to help, and, we will help.

Petey and Dr Allen, his new mom.
Owner surrender or would have been euthanized.

How has this been received? Sadly with disbelief and a deaf ear in some cases. In others with a rapid phone call, Facebook message, or even a behind the scenes emergency hotline call to one of the staff. Jarrettsville Vet has helped many pets get out of a shelter and into a home. Some of these have even been the original home. The majority of the surrendering desperate pet parents just needed help and a shoulder to lean on. Sounds incredibly easy, and it really is just that easy. 

Tanner, Number 2 Cecil County Animal Shelter shut down rescue.
Currently in foster. Ready for a new home soon.

To all of my friends, colleagues, neighboring vet clinics and those of you who think that there has to be a better way and more options there are. Jump in, lend a hand, stick your neck out, and save your patients life. I know you are not a rescue, I am not either. BUT, these pets come through our doors. Their stories are ones we know. We feel and hear our clients frustrations. We see their despair, and often participate unquestioningly in their final decision. We can do better, and we owe our patients more.

Talking about other options can be a difficult task in a time of emotional turmoil. Have I lost clients because I have offered other options? Yes. Of course. What I see as offering their pet a second chance they see as a possession they are determined to decide for. I may never see them again, and I am OK with this. Their anger at me is their shame in being unable to see a different option exists. My obligation is to my patients. They are not disposable, replaceable, and dismissed. Other clients know and believe us when we say that we are here to help, especially even when there are lots of bumps and tears in the road.

Murray and  Diedra.
Owner surrender.

Each owner surrender has been a euthanasia request replaced by a second chance. Every client was offered financial assistance, veterinary services at no cost, and options to keep their pet in their home. Every pet, just like every one of us, deserves a second chance and a friend in your corner at your darkest hour.

Thank you to those clients who help us in offering options that aren't routine. Thank you to the clients who help in providing foster care, making donations, volunteering their time and reminding all of us that this village can care for its own.

If you are interested in learning about different options to running a vet hospital out of the corporate box find me at the clinic, Jarrettsville Vet, on Twitter @FreePetAdvice. Or on our Facebook page.

If you want to help a pet in need please join me on Pawbly.com. We are a village of volunteers to help provide guidance and assistance in the virtual space of pet lovers worldwide.

Levi's Luck, and why we don't get a DVM degree online.

Levi’s story began very oddly.

Our first meeting.

I was called to the front desk one afternoon because, "There was an older gentleman in the reception area who had walked into the clinic and requested to talk with me."

I always get nervous when someone walks in off the street and asks for me by name. I knew I didn't have any appointments with anyone and he obviously was not a drug rep. (They, for reasons still not understood by me, always show up unannounced). I went out to the reception area and introduced myself with a hand shake, a smile, and a "hello." 

The man stood up, shook my hand and told me that we had already met and asked me if "I remembered this meeting?"

I slowly and quizzically said “No.” 

“I was here a few years ago with a friend who was here to euthanize his beagle.” (Still no recollection of any of this on my part). “You talked him out of euthanizing the dog because you believed he had a treatable medical condition and you said you would not euthanize the dog unless he was suffering and not treatable. I was so impressed by your compassion that I wanted to talk about my daughters dog with you.” (There was no dog with him. First red flag... Check).  

He went on to tell me that he had a 2 year old yellow lab that had had 2 seizures. He explained that his daughter was having some personal difficulties and that he and his wife were taking care of the dog, named Levi, for her. He went on to describe that Levi was a very active dog and they kept him outside in a chained enclosure. 

Somewhere in this discussion I asked him if he "was a client of ours?" 

“No, we bring our dogs to the clinic up the street.” (Red flag number 2. Check). He mentioned several times that he and his wife were “on a fixed income.” (I always secretly laugh at this. I mean, who isn't?) He went onto tell me that he had diagnosed Levi’s disease already. 

I asked "who had done this for him?" I expected he would tell me that the vet down the street had. 

Instead, I got “we found it on the internet.” (Red flag number 3. Check). Every vet in the world cringes inside when a client tells them that they have been doing their own vet school training online. 

When I asked him "What he based this diagnosis on?" 

He told me, that "Levi has had 2 seizures. The last one had lasted over 2 hours." And, that “it was really hard to watch him seizing for 2 hours, so he thought it would be better to euthanize him then let him suffer through another one of these.”

It was very clear that Levi needed a veterinarian to look at him. I told him that I would be happy to set up an appointment.

He asked "whether Levi’s presumed diagnosis was treatable?" 

I told him that "it certainly could be, but Levi needed an examination and work-up before anyone should diagnose him."

He then told me he was going to go back to the vet up the street and have him put down. He thought it would be cheaper than treating Levi.

I told him that "I believed this was immoral and unethical." I told him it was "$50 for a euthanasia here, which we would not do, and $45 for an examination." He once again repeated "that they were on a fixed income and he was sure that Levi was not treatable," and "he wouldn't put a penny out for him."

I had to take a deep breath and get out of the reception area. I was about to internally combust. 

"What the hell?" I thought. Did this man seriously just walk in here to tell me he was going to euthanize his dog? Was he asking for a professional opinion? Or a consent to his medical diagnosis? God help me not castrate him, or start screaming obscenities to him.  I asked him to follow me into the exam room. (Note to self, need to install sound proof walls in examination rooms). 

I realized that this dog, whom I had never met, owned by this man who wasn't a client, had no hope unless I agreed to do everything for free. I am happy to do pro bono work, but, I am indignant to provide it to people who can pay but would rather buy a new car, gun, cell phone, tattoo, or new replacement dog than help their companion when they need them most. 

I told him that he "could bring Levi in and sign him over to us and we would give him an examination, blood work, and come up with a treatment plan." He reiterated to me that he "would not pay for anything!" (I am not sure which part of free he was confused about?)


He left. I went to my office to settle my nerves. (Usually this means I take my dogs for a long walk). 

He came back the next day with Levi. I knew the minute I saw Levi that this was the right thing to do. Levi came bounding in the clinic door, tail wagging, tongue lashing out air kisses to everyone and everything he saw. I stopped thinking about how disappointed I was with this man and I reminded myself why I never choose the easy road. When I saw Levi I knew instantly that I loved this dog. He was all love but no manners. He looked like he had just escaped from dictatorship lead solitary confinement. Oh my goodness was he the worlds happiest dog!

As soon as the legal papers were signed we began performing every test we thought relevant, made up a treatment plan and observed him very closely. He had a seizure within the first few days with us. After a week I began calling clients to see if I could coerce someone into fostering him. I was very worried he might be having seizures at night that we weren't privy to. 

A seizure is a disorder at the level of the brain. In simplest terms it is what happens when the internal wiring and circuitry of your brain goes haywire. I remind my clients that it is always a life threatening event. I always make sure that my clients with pets that have seizures have an emergency plan. This includes emergency medications they can administer at home, and directions to the emergency facility if the medications don’t work.

Levi was tested for Lyme disease and was strongly positive for it. I was hoping that the seizures were a result of the Lyme disease. He also had a lot of discharge from his right eye. His right eye had what we call entropion. This means that the (lower eyelid in his case)rolls in and rubs the eye. If you have an eyelash, or other foreign body in your eye, you know it immediately and you try to remove it immediately. Think about having a whole bunch of hair rubbing your cornea (eyeball) every second of every day. You would do what he was doing, squint and tear, a lot!

Levi lived at the front desk for about three weeks. For every client who approached the front desk Levi would jump up, wag, and greet them. It was impossible to miss him, and impossible to dissuade him. He wanted to announce to the world that he was free and friendly. For one of our visiting clients Levi's hello caused her to fall in love with him even faster than I had. 

Within minutes of that smile she announced that she was "going home to tell her husband about him!" And, that she "was coming right back for him." She announced that she wasn't going home to ask permission, (the respectful thing to do in your marriage), but she loved Levi and needed to break it to her husband without the four legged bouncing boy breaking the news not-so- gently for her.  She came back a few hours later and took Levi home. I gave her a large supply of anti-seizure medications, explicit instructions, my cell phone number and an emergency plan. Levi did great in their home. He is still having seizures and is being treated for epilepsy (not the dreaded "untreatable" disease the internet had diagnosed him with). We also surgically corrected the eyelid deformity. His new family loves him immensely. He comes to visit often, tail wagging, kissing, and cuddling up to all of us. I am grateful everyday that he found a great home and that they love him in spite of his life-long disease. Levi has a great support system and medical team, dedicated to his well-being.

It has been about 6 months since Levi came to us. Last week the receptionists came to me, again, to say that there was "a man here to see me." This time I asked "whether or not I wanted to talk to him?" As soon as I saw him my heart sank. 

I trudged toward him and muttered a reluctant muffled “Hello.” 

“Do you remember me?” This time my answer was a definitive “Yes”.  

“I know I am not supposed to ask, and, you don’t have to tell me.” (the transfer of ownership papers he signed state very clearly that once JVC takes responsibility for a pet we do not give the former owners any further information on that pet). I took a deep breath again. I didn’t want to give him the satisfaction of relieving his guilt, (although now that I think about it, maybe he wanted to feel as if his medical diagnosis had been correct?). 

"He’s dead right? You had to euthanize him because he wasn't treatable. Right?”  

I confessed to him that Levi was doing very well. He had a wonderful family who loved him very much. After which he told me that he was going back to the breeder to buy a new puppy. 

I shed my professional composure suit. “You have no right to ever own another pet. You dumped Levi. A pet, just like every other living thing, requires time, care, AND, it might even  cost you a nickel if anything happens to them.” 

He stood up, said to me, “I knew you would be tough,” and left.

I am rethinking the walk in and request to see me thing.

If you would like to learn more about seizures, please see my blog on "Seizures What I Tell My Clients."

If you would like to learn more about entropion please see Corky's Story.


Meet Levi. This is pre-op for the eye. I will post post-op pictures in a few weeks, (after it has healed).

Happy Birthday Levi

"There is no such thing as too big to be a lap dog. Is there?"

Shotgun

Another grueling long day comes to an end.

Everybody needs a shoulder to lean on.

Pets With Santa

It has been over three years since I first met Levi. He is still a sweet, gentle, loving boy to a family who lost their son fighting overseas for our country a few years before Levi came into their lives. Levi remains at their side, helping to shoulder the grief of a loss that is deep and intensely painful. He has brought love, life, humor, joy, and levity into a family. His former family has no idea of what a wonder this boy is. To see one family purchase, chain, and then abandon and then another adopt, rescue, love, and honor the same dog is a true miracle and reminder of what the best of humanity looks like. 

There is always love to be found out there. Never give up on the power of second chances.

Update January 2016; I still see Levi every few months. I has been 5 years of watching him wag his way in the door. Many giggling visits with his family. Many tales of lab antics, silly dog capers, and he has remained the joy in a family who believes that the love he spreads far out weighs the condition he came with.

If you have a pet in need please join us on Pawbly.com. We  are a free pet information network with the sole purpose of helping pets live longer happier and healthier lives.

Levi, January 2016.. he had a long day of playing in the snow.