Problem with Rescue - Need Advice Please

[kjc]

Originally Posted by Teresiana

Tinkerbell is stunning! It's funny how things work out, isn't it? I keep telling myself that for some reason, Momo was meant to be with us. I know there's drama involved. But for some reason, it just feels "right".

kjc, I wanted to let you know that I took your advice about telling the rescue about the pneumonia & gave them the heads up about keeping an eye on any dogs that Momo may have been in contact with. I also let them know that I was a little upset that they didn't fill me in on Momo's medical history. I tried really hard to be as nice as I could about it. I REALLY didn't want to start a fight. Plus, I hadn't heard the rescue's side of the story. Guess what? IT WORKED!

We were on the phone for about 30 minutes & we ended up having a GREAT conversation. Now I know their side of the story & I feel so much better!!! I don't feel like they didn't tell me about Momo on purpose. I think they were trying to handle a sticky situation as professionally as they could. All that matters now, is that Momo is on her way to being a healthy puppy. We have her medical history & as far as I'm concerned, the case is closed. I didn't even bring up money. Like I said before, money was never the main concern. I was just dumbfounded by the fact that they didn't mention the pneumonia & hospitalization. Now I know why & it's time to move on.

As far as the previous owners are concerned, TxVicki hit the nail on the head when she made me realize that they did in fact lose their rights to any "updates" when they surrendered Momo to a rescue. So I wrote them a short email thanking them for their help during the transition (they turned over Momo's insurance to me) & I said goodbye.

I had the opportunity to exhale for about 15 minutes. My vet just called. Chest x-rays still show pneumonia & her stool sample came up positive for Giardia. I'll be swinging by my vet's office tomorrow morning to pick up medication for all of my 3 dogs

But I'm pretty sure the worst is over. Tomorrow is another day. THANK YOU all so much for your advice & suggestions! I have no idea what I would do without my YT friends

This is good! It can take up to a month or more for pneumonia to clear from the lungs (from day 1 of medication). Sucks that your other pups now need meds too. Might want to let the Rescue know about the Giardia too.... Good Luck and keep updating....

[Lolasmom1211]

All I have to add to this thread is what a LUCKY, LUCKY baby she is to have found you. I think the love she will give you in return will be worth so much more than the reimbursment the rescue may have given you...you are certainly an Angel to have taken this baby in!

[Teresiana]

Originally Posted by Lolasmom1211

All I have to add to this thread is what a LUCKY, LUCKY baby she is to have found you. I think the love she will give you in return will be worth so much more than the reimbursment the rescue may have given you...you are certainly an Angel to have taken this baby in!

Thank you! That actually made my eyes a little watery. That's very sweet of you to say. And yes, my whole family is looking forward to lots of lovin' from our little Momo in the years to come!

[Teresiana]

Originally Posted by kjc

This is good! It can take up to a month or more for pneumonia to clear from the lungs (from day 1 of medication). Sucks that your other pups now need meds too. Might want to let the Rescue know about the Giardia too.... Good Luck and keep updating....

Yes, my vet told me that it could take a while for the pneumonia to clear up. I didn't realize that until now & I was really concerned with her coughing. But apparently, that's normal. I just sent the rescue a quick email about the Giardia. I didn't even think about that. Thanks!

[concretegurl]

What vet would allow a 15 week old puppy to be put on an antianxiety drug?

Very unusual for a dog under 6 months and rare even then.

No when you adopr you assume all medical costs, they should have shared ALL information they had and been upfront though if they were aware.

I would not reconend this rescue cobsidering their choices in care and procedure.

[Teresa Ford]

I see you did talk to the rescue and seem satisfied with the results. I was absolutely going to recommend both verbal and written contact with the head director of the rescue. He/she may not know what happened. Why this happened and who made the choice to place a dog that was STILL sick should be addressed and a protocol put in place so this does not happen again. Our rescue would never intentionally place a dog with pneumonia. As far as the costs, I don't know what your contract says. I am glad you could afford the needed care. God Bless You.

[gracielove]

Honestly, a valid rescue should not be adopting out sick puppies or dogs to anyone. A rescue should have the dogs they take in vet checked before they go handing out puppies and dogs to the public. If your puppy was sick there is a good chance that the whole compound is now sick and should be closed down until all the animals are well. Kennel cough is very contagious and it particularly harmful to puppies and dogs that are in a debilitated condition.Some rescues have various people working there and some may be better than others at their jobs. Perhaps they need a good training program for their people and a vet to check out these dogs and make sure they are healthy and vaccinated before they let them go to a new home.

Years ago our family adopted an adorable little puppy from a "rescue." We soon found out the little thing had distemper. We got it to the vet the same day we adopted it and despite all efforts it died a miserable death. Not a happy experience. The rescue offered to give us another puppy or our money back. Needless to say we wanted our money back. The place should have been shut down until the situation was under control. Our next experience was with a shelter and also ended badly. We purchased a purebred dog after that though my heart had always been in rescue. With children we just could not take anymore chances of heartbreak.

A poorly run rescue can do more harm than good in some cases.

[bijoux1]

First of all, you are so wonderful to take Momo, and she is adorable!! I am so so sorry that you have had to go through this right off of the bat! I am glad that you feel better after speaking with the rescue, but I also don't blame you for being upset that they didn't fully disclose her medical history and all that was still currently going on! I am surprised that they wouldn't.....especially when it involves things that are a risk to your other dogs as well.

But I am so happy that she is with you and your family now!! I'm sorry it has started like this, but she is lucky to be with your family!!

[navillusc]

I couldn't agree with more with the others who have commented. I am glad you contacted the rescue...had to do that once myself for the same reasons, and are satisfied with their explanation. Regardless, it is my opinion that they should have been more up front with you considering they knew they were adopting out a sick puppy. Courtesy is courtesy, and if they had been up front with you, you might still have/probably would have taken Momo anyway BUT KNOWING she needed medical attention immediately and what kind.

As for the previous owners...it is nice they gave you the insurance information...perhaps the word "nice" should be "appropriate" considering the circumstances. But beyond the 'final transfer of ownership' of Momo from them back to the rescue, I cannot see that they are owed anything more...and certainly not from you.

I'd express my horror at such a tiny puppy being on anti-anxiety meds but there are just no words fit to print in this forum......that aptly describe my thoughts on the matter......and thank you for taking her off Puppy Paxil.

Congratulations...and welcome to YT! I really do think Momo is better off in your loving care. I hope Momo recovers quickly from her illness, and am sending best wishes and healing thoughts for her speedy recovery. Thank you for giving her your best...and a truly loving furever home. I believe you will have loads of fun with Momo!

[RileyDC]

Originally Posted by Lolasmom1211

All I have to add to this thread is what a LUCKY, LUCKY baby she is to have found you. I think the love she will give you in return will be worth so much more than the reimbursment the rescue may have given you...you are certainly an Angel to have taken this baby in!

[Teresiana]

I just wanted to post an update about the issue I had with a rescue I recently adopted from. The 12 week old Morkie I adopted was sick when I received her. I adopted her after she was returned to the rescue by the first family who adopted her. The rescue organization didn't notify me that she was sick & hospitalized with pneumonia a few weeks before I brought her home. I adopted my first Yorkie from this rescue & had no problems with that adoption.

To make a really long story short, Momo my Morkie is now a healthy puppy I spent WEEKS (and lots of $) going back & forth from the vet. She was hospitalized for a day due to her lingering respiratory infection. She also had Giardia. We had genetic/liver/kidney testing done, put her on medication, probiotics, etc. I also got insurance for her...she had a rough start in life & I want to be safe in case she develops health problems down the road. She looks so much better now than when she first came home. I have some recent pics of her in my album: http://goo.gl/p3vYQ. Our family is looking forward to making her first Christmas really special

I did speak with the owners of the rescue & told them that I was not pleased that they didn't disclose important health information to me. However, I didn't push it with them. I figured that they had good intentions...after all, they were running a rescue operation & they weren't doing it for a financial profit.

As it turns out, the rescue was shut down about a month ago after a history of complaints about sick dogs & reports of dogs being kept in unsanitary conditions. Here's a link to an article & photos: 63 dogs seized from Adopt a Lab rescue in Indiana - Kansas City animal rescue | Examiner.com

I probably should have done more research about the rescue before I adopted from them. But I'm just happy that everything turned out okay for my little Momo.

The End

[Teresiana]

Here's a link to the long-winded response from the rescue:

Adopt A Lab - Helping Labrador Retrievers Find Their Forever Homes

[MandiesMom]

Oh my goodness! I am stunned by this "rescue". I guess I'm just naive. I am so happy Momo found YOU and is being taken care of now. I just looked at her pic and she's just precious!

[Teresiana]

Originally Posted by MandiesMom

Oh my goodness! I am stunned by this "rescue". I guess I'm just naive. I am so happy Momo found YOU and is being taken care of now. I just looked at her pic and she's just precious!

Thank you I was naive as well. I've decided to work with a breeder when I get my next pup.

[dlaureanonw]

Oh wow shocking about the rescue. Your Momo is precious so glad she is doing better