Rescue treatment was troubling

I wanted to share with you the experience I had at Chihuahua Rescue

on July 23.

Our family includes two kids, ages 12 (McKenzie) and 15 (Jacob); a

3-year-old, neutered, male black Lab (JD); one 2-year-old, neutered,

male Chihuahua (Blaze); two 4-year-old, neutered and spayed, indoor

cats (Salty Cat and Smudge); and one intact, female parrotlet

(Phoebe).

We own our own home on a large lot with a securely fenced back

yard. I am home during the day and able to help a new family member

settle in. We have been married for 16 years and consider our pets

part of the family. We sail competitively, and the dogs, and

sometimes the bird, go with us when we go out of town. I consider us

to be well-qualified, responsible animal lovers.

JD, our black Lab, was recently diagnosed with osteosarcoma and

underwent an amputation of his right fore leg. He is, obviously, now

less willing to play with our Chi. My husband and I had decided to

get another Chihuahua, so Blaze would have a playmate and JD could

have some peace and quiet. We looked at Chihuahua Rescue’s website

and decided to go to their Saturday adoption 1 to 5 p.m. on July 23,

as advertised on their website.

We arrived at approximately 4:10 p.m. There were several people

out front, but only one dog. There was a sign on the door, saying “No

adoptions today due to the heat.”

When a volunteer approached us and we told her we were interested

in adopting a Chihuahua. She replied, “Well, we don’t have any

teacups.” I guess I looked like the kind of girl who was looking for

a fashion accessory, rather than a member of the family.

We let them know that we didn’t care about size or color and an

older dog was fine. All we wanted was a dog that was friendly, and

able to get along with kids, cats and our other dogs. She then went

inside and brought out one dog. She showed him to another couple

first, they weren’t interested in him so then she asked us if we were

interested. The dog just continued down the line this way. I asked

one of the volunteers, “Is this the way it usually goes you bring out

the dog you think is right for me?”

She replied, “We aren’t even supposed to be doing adoptions today,

but people showed up, so we are trying to help out.”

One beautiful, blue male Chihuahua was described by Chihuahua

Rescue owner Kimi Peck as brain-damaged, autistic, special-needs and

not available for adoption.

In the two-plus hours that my husband and I were there, we were

shown three dogs. One was not at all social and did not interact with

any of the people, two could only be adopted together, and as we were

walking away, Peck said, “Let me show you one more.” She brought out

a larger black and tan female who immediately took a liking to us and

was playful and engaging. They weren’t sure how old she was and said

that she didn’t have name. We played with her for a bit and decided

she would make a good addition to our family. While I took her for a

little walk, my husband discussed the rest of the adoption process.

We were told we could not take the dog with us, that Peck would

bring her to our house on Sunday. I assumed this was so she could

make sure we had adequate accommodations. This did not bother me,

although I was surprised she was willing to drive to Lancaster.

I asked if the dog was spayed and was assured that she was. Kimi

stated that she would give her a bath, microchip her and give her a

pedicure. She arranged to be at our house with our new girl between 2

and 5 p.m. on Sunday.

During the finalizing of the details, Kimi Peck mentioned

something about “protesters.” I asked what she was referring to and

she stated that there had been a negative article in the newspaper

based on allegations made by “former, disgruntled volunteers.” Since

I do not get the Los Angeles Times, I was completely unaware of all

the controversy and court proceedings.

As we were traveling home, we were discussing how uncomfortable we

were with the fact that we were not allowed to see the dogs where

they are housed, and how our new pet was picked out for us, instead

of us picking her out.

We stopped on the way home and bought $250 worth of supplies from

Petsmart, so we would be ready for our girl and she would have a

collar, leash, dishes and a bed of her own.

I did an Internet search when we got home and learned the rest of

the story. Even though we were even more uncomfortable with the whole

arrangement, we agreed that the dog needed a home.

Well, we waited all day on Sunday and finally received a call at 4

p.m. from someone to tell us that Kimi Peck could not bring the dog

out because she needed to be spayed. Peck was talking in the

background and asked if she could bring her to us on Monday after the

spay. I did not feel that this was best for the dog, because it would

involve an hour-and-a-half car ride to a strange location and my

little guy was going to look at her and want to play with her. We

agreed that she would bring the dog up on Tuesday afternoon.

I told my family that our new friend would not be coming that day,

and then dealt with the tears and other drama from my daughter. My

husband and I discussed it and we attempted to call Kimi Peck back,

got no answer and were unable to leave a message because the mailbox

was full. We then called another volunteer who had given us her

number. We offered to have her spayed at our vet and provide written

proof that it had been done, if Kimi Peck could still bring us the

dog that day. The volunteer said she would get in touch with Peck and

let us know. Approximately two hours later, the volunteer called us

back and told us that Peck had said that because they are a

nonprofit, they cannot let the dogs go without being spayed or

neutered.

We now have decided not to take the dog. We are frankly concerned

that we are getting a dog we know nothing about and the people at

Chihuahua Rescue know nothing about. They didn’t even know she hadn’t

been spayed. Unfortunately, we have been unable to get in touch with

anyone from Chihuahua Rescue, so have had to leave messages.

My discomfort with the whole process boils down to: Not being able

to see the dogs, where they are housed. Having them pick out my new

pet, instead of the other way around. No age, no name and obviously

not aware that she hadn’t been spayed. I find this one particularly

interesting since they have, or had, so many dogs, one would think to

prevent unwanted pregnancies, they would be spayed or neutered as

soon as they came in. A complete and total lack of common courtesy in

keeping us waiting around all day on Sunday for a dog that never

came.

A complete and total lack of common courtesy in not calling us

herself and talking to me through a third person on the phone.

I do agree that there seems to be a few too many hurdles put in

place to rescue a homeless dog. We would have loved to give her a

home, but are not comfortable with the lack of knowledge the

volunteers seemed to have had about her. It’s impossible to be

charitable and “do the right thing”, when the whole organization

seems a little off.

* KRISTINA KRAUT is a resident of Lancaster.