Kristie Pereira said she’s tried to get Beau back after learning he was never euthanized but said the rescue organization she got him from has refused to rehome the dog with her.
Exhausted and short on options after consulting two veterinary clinics, Kristie Pereira made the gut-wrenching decision last year to take her desperately ill puppy to a Maryland shelter to be euthanized.
So she was stunned last week to find the dog up for adoption at the same pet rescue organization where she had gotten it.
…
Calls to the shelter confirmed that her dog had not been euthanized after veterinarians there didn’t think he needed to be. The shelter instead called Lost Dog & Cat Rescue and turned the puppy back over to them.
The rescue confirmed that Friday in a written statement, giving an extensive timeline showing that its veterinarians found no neurological issues with the dog. After tests diagnosing a liver problem and a $7,000 surgery — paid for through a GoFundMe campaign — the dog was declared healthy.
Yes, to be euthanized. Because she was told by three different vets AND the shelter staff that euthanasia would be the best action. And then the shelter staff turned around, kept the dog, performed a liver surgery, and is now refusing to make it right to her.
If the surgery hadn’t worked and the dog had suffered more, what a different story this would be. Owner makes painful decisions to euthanize animal that is suffering. Shelter says they’ll do it but she can’t watch. Decides not to do it and makes the rest of the dog’s brief life miserable.
now that you mention it - thats really fucking weird. Anytime I have had to euthanize one of my animals, ive always been allowed to be there with them.
It’s the 10th of Stan Rawlinson’s 10 Pet Commandments:
-Stay with me on the ultimate difficult journey. Never say, “I can’t bear to watch” or “Let it happen in my absence”. Everything is easier for me if you are there. Remember, regardless of what you do I will always love you.
What a strange, cruel policy from the vet. When I had to put my cat down, my vet had me hold her in my arms while she administered the shot, and then she left the room so it could be just me and my cat til the end. Since I decided to take her body home to bury on my parents’ property, my vet recommended that I show her to my remaining cat so that we could mourn together. She said he would understand what death meant if he got to see her, but he would be distressed more if she just disappeared.
What a hideous policy for everyone involved, shame on this vet/shelter for so many reasons.
