Sat, May 6, 2023:
This is a classic example of one of the many things that is wrong with LA County Animal Control.
Today I received a response from Daniel Dibene – 5 days after my inquiry – stating this dog was adopted on 5/3.
So why are you telling me to keep checking on this dog until 5/17? Are you saying A5550615 was microchipped? If so, how did Daniel adopt the dog out to a private party on 5/3? Kindly request your legal department send me the records on this dog.
Let’s move on to Downey shelter. Today Sal Valdepena (Balooja’s Foundation and Big Bones Canine Rescue) arrived at 10 AM to pick up Henry, a Great Dane (A5544878) he made an appointment to pick up on Thursday with Tabetha. After driving 3 hours to get to Downey Shelter today, Sal was informed by staff Henry was adopted 2 days ago. Apparently Tabetha was off so no one at the shelter bothered to respond to Sal’s emails or calls during this time or to otherwise inform him the dog was adopted. Is this just complete shelter disorganization, lack of common business courtesy, abject apathy or what? There is simply no excuse for this.
Sal wasted 3 hours (each way = 6 hrs total) to go get a dog that no longer needed help, meanwhile other dogs who did need help got killed. Do you think this makes rescues want to work with your shelters? Your big dogs are dying in droves because big dog rescues are working with shelters that actually work with rescues. I pull from 50+ shelters and so does Sal. We do not need the frustration or grief that comes from “trying” to work with LA County to get a big dog out of your shelters alive and we certainly do not need our precious time wasted. LA County disrespects rescues.
Most of us have day jobs just like you. But unlike you, we also work nights and weekends doing animal rescue. I run a law firm and Sal also has a responsible position within the medical field.
Today I’m trying to reach Baldwin Park about a young Great Dane I’ve been desperately and frantically trying to save and who has been on death row for weeks. Guess what? No one is answering any phone at the shelter (the phone hangs up after 30 or so rings) , no one is responding to any emails and the website says the shelter is closed until 2 pm today when it opens until 5. Are LA County shelters now closed on weekends or is there some secret way to communicate with the shelter staff short of showing up in person with an appointment on weekends?
Considering that most people in rescue have day jobs, weekends are prime time for animal rescue so why is LA County not working on weekends?
The continuing comedy of errors at LA County is not amusing.
SHELTER REFORM IS LONG OVERDUE AT LA COUNTY SHELTERS. Time to hire intelligent, energetic people with organization skills who actually know dogs and like working with dogs. Also time to quash the asinine policy, Is it Love at First Sight, which virtually guarantees the big dogs will not get out alive.
Sincerely,
Cathy D. Larimer, Founder & CEO
Great Danes and Friends, Inc.
www.greatdanesandfriends.org
cathylarimer@adelphia.net
cathylarimer@roadrunner.com
info@greatdanesandfriends.org
Landline: 818-904-1677 talk/voicemail
Cell 323-810-3438 talk/text
To preview Great Danes in California animal pounds, click here.