This is Rufus, an elderly, 10 lb dog who's been at Pet Rescue since June 2014. During his long stay at the "shelter", he was not neutered or groomed, and often went without bedding even during cold weather. A volunteer (one of the few people allowed to volunteer) felt sorry for him and posted his picture out on a FB pet adoption group.
Right away, a 501c3 rescue in Portland saw his picture and contacted Pet Rescue and asked Beau if he would transfer the dog to them, since they had an adopter who was looking for a small terrier like dog. He said flatly, no. If they wanted him, they'd have to pay the $150 adoption fee ($50 refundable after proof of neuter). They managed to talk him down in price, and did all the work of lining up a transport to take him to Portland three days later. Beau Putnam refused to put a hold on the dog, even for three days. He refers to that as "boarding" apparently not understanding that holds are a normal part of business for most animal shelters. Worried about what might happen to him over the next few days, the rescue scrambled to find a last minute foster home.
Rufus made it out alive, and has finally been groomed. But the way Beau Putnam handled the situation was stupid, cruel, and rude. This dog should have been advertised online. Pet Rescue SHOULD have contacted other rescues to ASK for a transfer months ago; aside from the fact it appears this dog was neglected by Pet Rescue; when a rescue actually went out of its way to take an elderly, unneutered dog who'd been sitting "on the shelf" for half a year, off of his hands and into an loving home, he should have gladly transferred for free.
This is not the way things are done in the 21st century American animal shelter community.
A few years ago a Vietnam Vet contacted me, from jail, saying he was looking for his service dog, a female Pit Bull. He said the dog was taken to the city pound in Pendleton, when the man was arrested. He was told, by the arresting officer that it was normal for the dog to be held until his release or he could find someone to care for her. He said he had found a temporary home for her but he could not find the dog. After searching, I found out that the dog was taken from Pendleton to Pet Rescue in Hermiston.
ReplyDeleteWhen I contacted Beau about the dog he told me he put the dog down because she might be aggressive. He would not or could not give me any examples of why he felt that way.
This is only one of many stories I have heard or been involved with concerning Pet Rescue.
We need every animal shelter we can get but I have to say "under no circumstances, would I take any animal, mine or a stray, to Pet Rescue"
Each time I have talked to anyone about the things I've heard happening there the answer is always "there is no way to prove the animals are being mistreated". This is because Beau is extremely careful about who and when people are allowed to view the shelter unattended.
Please, please do something to help these animals. If all the surrounding shelters can work as "no kill" shelters I see no reason why Pet Rescue can't.
That is aweful for that pet owner, and possibly illegal for Beau to have done that - according to Oregon law, an impounded dog must be held until a trial date is set, or the owner signs over ownership of the dog. Do you happen to have the contact information for this veteran? I'd be interesting in talking to them about the incident. You can send it to: cyborgsuzy@gmail.com
DeleteWell an organization that I was involved in wanted to make a donation to a non profit and Pet Rescue was chosen. GUESS WHAT? Beau REFUSED THE DONATION! It was unbelievable!
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