Update on Kudu

Below is a copy of the letter written to me by RSPCA regarding kudu. Merve, Please except my sincerest apologies for not getting back to you much sooner than today, doing regional shelter visits has kept me out of the office over the last two weeks. Thank you for letting me know about the petition, and I totally understand your decision. I have been finally able to locate the details of Kudu. Kudu was handed into the Epping shelter on the 16th October 2012 via the Whittlesea Council, Kudu was then held at the Epping shelter for 10 days before being transferred to our Peninsula shelter. I do need to add Merve that it is noted that you did call and visit the Epping Shelter while Kudu was in care at the Epping Shelter and made clear that you wanted to adopt Kudu. On the 27th October, 2012 while Kudu was getting his health assessment at the Peninsula shelter to be made available for adoption, it was noted that he had a number of hair loss patches on his ears. He was tested for Ringworm and tested positive, and as you know, was put to sleep before you were contacted. Unfortunately, the staff involved in this case no longer work for the RSPCA, so I am unable to find out why your were not contacted, and I am sorry that I am not able to give you those answers. Merve, as I have said to you, there is nothing I can do to bring Kudu back to you and your family, but I need to assure you, that the RSPCA has come along way in four years. We now have strict treatment protocols for cats that are diagnosed with Ringworm whilst in the shelter, so we are able to start treatment for Ringworm, rather than put the cats down. I know Ringworm is very treatable, but it can take 6 – 8 weeks to treat, and due to it being so easily transmitted from one cat to another, a cat with ringworm in a shelter is not the place to be treated or recovering, so we have dedicated foster carers at our Burwood site who will foster those cats while they are recovering and we are working on building up our number of dedicated Ringworm foster carers in our regional sites. Merve, again, I am unable to tell you why you were not called before Kudu was put down, as the staff member who did speak to you is no longer in employment with us, but again, I can ensure you that there are strict processes in place with our shelter and customer service teams to ensure that all communication avenues have been exhausted and documented before anything occurs with that animal. Again, I know none of what I have told you will bring Kudu back, but please be assured that these strict processes ensure that no one has to go through what you and your family have gone through. Kind Regards