SPCA CT FREDERICK ACKER WATERBURY CT NOT GOOD ENOUGH TO ADOPT A DOG MONROE Connecticut

I see many more complaints of various natures against this particular individual and organization. Just to rebut all of those in support of purchasing a fence........for personal reasons, it was not an option at that time. I live in a decent section of waterbury where there are no fences on the majority of properties in this area. There are many dog owners in this area - many! Not having a fence and living in Waterbury is not a valid reason to be denied adoption of a pet. The Humane Society in Newington is more than happy to work with families who want to adopt. I have never had a problem with that organization and the care and treatment of their pets and facilities. By the way, I now have my vets name and number programmed in my iphone. Unfortunately, I did not have it with me the day of the adoption.

I also have had a run in with this company. The people who work there are rude, Fred is the worst. He's called me names and hung up on me. I have heard others in the area complain of this SPCA. I feel bad for the animals there.

--Opinions of a Concerned Pet parent.
I have seen atleast a few reports regarding SPCA of Monroe Connecticut. Being a resident of CT and an animal lover myself, cannot fathom dogs living in such conditions! Also I volunteer at a local animal shelter myself and I initially thought these were grumblings of dis-satisfied pet parents. Unfortunately, the more I found these reports, it is difficult to imagine that all of them would have had similar experiences!!

First thing that I would like to say is about the initial fee that you pay for a future may/may not happen adoption process. The shelter where I volunteer in, never takes money until the pet parents are checked out and those who want to adopt have had a chance to interact with the animal(dog/cat) and they have finalized the adoption process. Also the Shelter takes care of all vaccinations, tests etc and gives a clean bill of health before adopting out the animals. If some of them have certain conditions those are clearly stated as well. So unless somone lets you see the animal and you have finalized the adoption NEVER pay money upfront.

And regarding those who were denied the money back which they initially paid, Most shelters are non-profit organizations and they clearly state in their terms that once an animal is adopted out, the owners are given a choice to return them back but they arent doing a business to give the money back or provide a money back guarantee. Unless someone is involved in a non profit organization's activities, it is not easy for them to accept certain rules and regulations. I do realize that they mentioned about SPCA not divulging any health issues with the animal they adopted. So, If they have such complaints and have to bring that organization to justice (not just for money but for the well being of that animal) I suggest everyone who faces such issues and does not feel it is just them who has been wronged reach out and take the issue to the next level and see it through.

I would suggest Dawn (as you have reported the sightings of neglect with the crates and cages left outside in Rain/ snow and other deplorable conditions) to *document your findings, noting dates, locations and specific problems in a detailed journal. Photographs, video, and other evidence of the abusive conditions are helpful and persuasive*. (*From ALDF website)

I also looked at the SPCA international website and here is what they have to say.
"Each individual SPCA that may be located throughout the United States, or other countries, is a separate organization from SPCA International. We do not have the authority to inspect or govern these individual organizations. If there are concerns about a particular SPCA contact them directly or if you suspect the animals are not being taken care of properly you will need to contact the local Department of Agriculture. "

Since this SPCA is in CT, I would urge you to document and take pictures and notes to have enough proof( or even otherwise) if you suspect/ witness abusive/ neglectful conditions, please contact

Animal Control Division
CT Department of Agriculture
165 Capitol Avenue
Hartford, CT 06106
Phone: (860) 713-2506
Fax: (860) 713-2515

I would also suggest you to gather as much proof as you can, please immediately file a complaint with your local law enforcement agency and INSIST that an investigation be completed. You can refer to the following website to understand how these proceeding works.

If you want action taken against these people kindly reach out to the above govt agencies and make your case heard.

I also verified to check if this SPCA was BBB accredited. They were not. Yet BBB accepts complaints that are filed against them. Please try to reach out to them as well if needed. To fight animal abuse and neglect we have to take the extra step.

The last and final thing that I would suggest is to contact a local news group who can investigate such claims and bring this shelter's authorities to justice. If they are cleared of any wrong doing then you would atleast be satisfied that you did what you could to save those poor animals.

--Opinions of a Concerned Pet parent.

I adopted a dog on January 24, 2009--after visiting the agency 3 times. Every time I went there, my heart ached to see these dogs crated or caged outside, in sub-degrees weather, feces in their cages, frozen water in their bowls, and aggressive, fighting dogs trying to attack each other through the bars. One dog actually had a bleeding paw from trying to attack the dog in the cage separating the two. The conditions were deplorable! Which, in my eyes, was even more of a reason to adopt and rescue a dog. There were way too many dogs there for the limited workers to care for properly. However, there were stacks of applications that I witnessed being denied. Well....that's only the half of the story.

I brought home the adopted dog, and no I have no fence. As soon as I was introducing the dog to my other dog, a doberman of six years, the adopted dog immediately and viciously attacked my dog! I have four children, as well as the doberman, and a cat-who is 14 years old. I was told by Fred Acker's employees at the SPCA, that this particular dog that I was interested in, got along with everyone.....children, other dogs, and even cats! My children met the dog two times previously, and the dog seemed to be a perfect angel...just adorable! I could not believe that this dog became so brutal. And, my doberman gets along with all other dogs, previous to this incident....I come from a big family, and we are always getting together for gatherings, and we all bring our dogs with us. So this whole incident was upsetting to me, my dog, as well as my children---who became hysterical!

I tried to call the SPCA, but there was no answer. I immediately went down to the "so-called" rescue agency, and explained the incident. While I was talking to the employee, there was a family, there who previously was interested in the dog. They told me that they would take her. Yes, it truly was a coincidence. I told them great. The employee informed me that I could not sell the dog to the people, it would be breaking the contract. I asked if I would get my money back. She said, "Of course, you only had the dog for an hour, if that!" I was told to bring the dog back, sign the surrender paper, and I'd get the money back. The other family was told to come back tomorrow, speak to Fred, the director, and they would hold the dog until then. Soooo,

I went home, heartbrokenly took the dog back, signed the surrender form, and guess what no money! I was also told that the family who previously wanted the dog did not pass the application! Now I'm upset and crying. I didn't know what to do. The employee told me that I would have to talk to Fred. I called the Monroe police department, who told me that there was nothing I could do. I would have to take it to civil court, and calm down. They told me to talk to Fred tomorrow.

Now, I go back on Sunday with my mother, to help calm me with my emotions. I stepped out of the car, and was greeted with an employee who yelled, "Fred does not want to speak with you! If you come a step closer I will call the police!" I asked her what her name was, and she replied yelling her name, and saying, "whatcha gonna do about it!" I was appalled at the way the employees speak to customers! Then, I refused to leave without speaking to Fred, so the police were called, and again...can do absolutely nothing, because of the misleading contract. Now, I am forced to take Fred to civil court.

And, I have to drive past there on a daily basis, so I see these dogs outside in cages in the rain, snow, and ice. And yes, I did put in a complaint about the SPCA to the Monroe police department. What they should do is close down the whole shelter, grab those applications, and call everyone up to adopt a dog....and not for $300.00! There is sooo much more to this particular SPCA then this. You can google more information, but through my own investigation this week, this place is not what you think it is!!!!! But that'll be a whole other story!

So, bring Fred Acker to civil court, anyone who had a negative dealing with him, and by all means...do not go to the SPCA in Monroe!!! There are far more better animal shelters to go to! I just wish that I did my homework, before I went to this agency!

Dawn
Monroe, CT

The OP is missing the point. The shelter has their own regulations. You have to be accepted by THEIR rules, not yours. Many require a fence. You do not need to spend a bunch of money on a fence. If that was truly the reason grab a hammer , some wire and build a fence or dog run. It isn't that hard and it appears you just want to stay cemented in your anger. That helps no one,especially the pets who do need home. However, according to your last post you have a dog now, so why do you not have a vet reference? All dogs need their shots and at the very least a yearly exam.

I also have to say that I work out of my car and I see dogs everywhere in the Nashville area on a daily basis that are just let out the door by owners who believe "oh it will only be a minute that they will be out" they get distracted and within moments the dog is down the block. I see dogs fighting other dogs, I see dogs that have been hit, lost dogs, you name it I see it. So I personally understand why they feel this is unsafe. They have their rules, so you have to honor THEIR rules just as if YOU ran a business and YOU made the rules for your employees.

Their are plenty of other places to find pets. Their are plenty of on-line newspaper advertisements if you do not want to go get a newspaper. Drive down any rural street and you will see plenty of signs for pets. It is not that hard and honestly if you want a pet bad enough I would spend some time thinking if you want to make the commitment to it. You have to be there with them just as you would spend the time to teach a child. Only dogs do not grow up , you have to commit 10-15 or more years to that pet. If you truly want a pet from this particular place you do have to honor their rules, if not, go find one from somewhere else. It isn't that hard to do. Good luck.

My neighbor has one and it appears to work very well. Boy! we've come a long way since you could go to the "pound" and pay ten dollars for shots and leave with your dog or cat.

Why not try the newpapers or pet shops?

Pretty soon people will be going to China to adopt pets..LOL.

With the first posting seemed that the SPCA may have been a bit "unfair". While that was one side of a two sided story, the following posts seem to shed some light that perhaps the SPCA was not all that wrong.

In the original post you stated that one of the 3 reasons you were denied was because you had "no prior vet reference". Yet in your last post you stated you have had a dog for 1 1/2 years. So how could you not have a vet reference unless you never took your current dog to the vet? Even though you say he was willing to overlook that, it does seem like a valid reason.

You later state:
"Having a dog at a shelter in a pen or cage outside 24/7 is more humane according to you idiots!"

Not one of the responses said to leave them in a pen or cage. Not one of the responses said to leave them outside 24/7. They said to fence in your yard so that they could run around and excercise. Are you saying that having your dog run wild through the neighborhood is better than having him safe in your yard? If you consider fencing in your yard equivalent to a cage then what do you call your house. There is probably even less room in the house for any dog to run around.

And calling these people "idiots" really does not help your case either.

How many animals are adopted daily by loving families that don't have fenced in yards? I have seen dogs of varying breeds being walked by their owners in reisdential neighborhoods where there are no fences. Having a fence is not a requirement to own a pet! I have a dog that 1-1/2 years old that is very active and recieves plenty of exercise through numerous daily walks, play, and by running on our treadmill. The dog is in great shape and is happy.

Having a dog at a shelter in a pen or cage outside 24/7 is more humane according to you idiots!

Get real!

Every dog needs a place to run and exercise no matter how big or small. I have a beagle and a collie and neither dog came from a shelter. However, a shelter does have a responsiblity to find their animals a loving home. You can check papers and neighborhoods to find a loving dog,but regardless of where you get a dog he.she will need to have a place to run.

So put up a fence, my husband has hand built every fence for our dogs and in the hard rock of Tn it took some doing, but if you want a dog enough you will put in the effort. Animals need alot of attention morning, noon and night. They have to be house broken, neighbors don't want a barking dog non stop, they need shots, worming, flea meds, not to mention dog training classes........

So, come on , if you want a dog enough, no matter where it comes from it is going to need a place to run, get some wood and get building!

We will not put our pets at risk and denied this application for multiple reasons. We were misled on the application on the character of the neighboorhood and the potential adopter had insuficient references. After denying the application we also found out that this family has anger management problems. We made the proper decision in denying this application.

Here it is 10 days since the money was debited from our checking account, and we still have not received the check that was suppose to have been mailed by 9/13/08!

My boyfriend just contacted Fred Acker to find out the status of our refund and was told that the book keeper has it. When my boyfreind told him that I was told it would be mailed last week, Fred stated that he never said that to me. So now I'm a liar? Then my boyfriend stated that he would pick it up at the shelter tomorrow, Fred stated "that's not going to happen". When he asked why, Fred said that my boyfriend was threatening and being a bully and that he would call the cops on him.

Here is the meaning of threatening and bully:
1. To express a threat against. To be a source of danger to; menace. To give signs or warning of; portend. To announce the possibility of in a threat.
2. a blustering, quarrelsome, overbearing person who habitually badgers and intimidates smaller or weaker people.

We were never threatening towards this guy. We are just attempting to get our money back in the most adult and straightforward manner possible. I didn't realize that we were a bank and that we would be "loaning" money to an agency for them to return to us at their own leisure.

I have sent an email to Fred and stated that if I don't see the check in our mailbox by Monday, I would report him to the Better Business Bureau. This is the most threatening we have been with him.

Here it is 10 days since the money was debited from our checking account, and we still have not received the check that was suppose to have been mailed by 9/13/08!

My boyfriend just contacted Fred Acker to find out the status of our refund and was told that the book keeper has it. When my boyfreind told him that I was told it would be mailed last week, Fred stated that he never said that to me. So now I'm a liar? Then my boyfriend stated that he would pick it up at the shelter tomorrow, Fred stated "that's not going to happen". When he asked why, Fred said that my boyfriend was threatening and being a bully and that he would call the cops on him.

Here is the meaning of threatening and bully:
1. To express a threat against. To be a source of danger to; menace. To give signs or warning of; portend. To announce the possibility of in a threat.
2. a blustering, quarrelsome, overbearing person who habitually badgers and intimidates smaller or weaker people.

We were never threatening towards this guy. We are just attempting to get our money back in the most adult and straightforward manner possible. I didn't realize that we were a bank and that we would be "loaning" money to an agency for them to return to us at their own leisure.

I have sent an email to Fred and stated that if I don't see the check in our mailbox by Monday, I would report him to the Better Business Bureau. This is the most threatening we have been with him.

Here it is 10 days since the money was debited from our checking account, and we still have not received the check that was suppose to have been mailed by 9/13/08!

My boyfriend just contacted Fred Acker to find out the status of our refund and was told that the book keeper has it. When my boyfreind told him that I was told it would be mailed last week, Fred stated that he never said that to me. So now I'm a liar? Then my boyfriend stated that he would pick it up at the shelter tomorrow, Fred stated "that's not going to happen". When he asked why, Fred said that my boyfriend was threatening and being a bully and that he would call the cops on him.

Here is the meaning of threatening and bully:
1. To express a threat against. To be a source of danger to; menace. To give signs or warning of; portend. To announce the possibility of in a threat.
2. a blustering, quarrelsome, overbearing person who habitually badgers and intimidates smaller or weaker people.

We were never threatening towards this guy. We are just attempting to get our money back in the most adult and straightforward manner possible. I didn't realize that we were a bank and that we would be "loaning" money to an agency for them to return to us at their own leisure.

I have sent an email to Fred and stated that if I don't see the check in our mailbox by Monday, I would report him to the Better Business Bureau. This is the most threatening we have been with him.

Here it is 10 days since the money was debited from our checking account, and we still have not received the check that was suppose to have been mailed by 9/13/08!

My boyfriend just contacted Fred Acker to find out the status of our refund and was told that the book keeper has it. When my boyfreind told him that I was told it would be mailed last week, Fred stated that he never said that to me. So now I'm a liar? Then my boyfriend stated that he would pick it up at the shelter tomorrow, Fred stated "that's not going to happen". When he asked why, Fred said that my boyfriend was threatening and being a bully and that he would call the cops on him.

Here is the meaning of threatening and bully:
1. To express a threat against. To be a source of danger to; menace. To give signs or warning of; portend. To announce the possibility of in a threat.
2. a blustering, quarrelsome, overbearing person who habitually badgers and intimidates smaller or weaker people.

We were never threatening towards this guy. We are just attempting to get our money back in the most adult and straightforward manner possible. I didn't realize that we were a bank and that we would be "loaning" money to an agency for them to return to us at their own leisure.

I have sent an email to Fred and stated that if I don't see the check in our mailbox by Monday, I would report him to the Better Business Bureau. This is the most threatening we have been with him.