County of Riverside Animal Shelter DEPARTMENT OF ANIMAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION, PUPPY ADOPTED TO ME ON HIS DEATHBED WITH PARVO AND THE COUNTY WON'T TAKE RESPONSIBILITY, Internet

The county of Riverside has now done the right thing and paid my vet bill in full. I want everyone to know they did the right thing by me and paid for the vet bill!! Thank you Riverside County for coming to your senses on this one!!  I especially want to thank Veronica Ramos of Robert Millers office as I know they are the ones who got it done!!

Well the County of Riverside Risk Department just called and told me that they have re-reviewed my claim and have decided to pay my vet bill!!  They are supposed to be sending me a release form followed by a check!  I will let you know when the check appears.  I told them I would remove my ripoff report, call the BBB, KFI news radio, the LA Times, Riverside Tribune and Press Enterprise once they pay up and that now I won't be going to the shelter this weekend with a big old banner and picketing the shelter!!!

File a complaint with the local SPCA. This Riverside Animal Shelter can be charged with cruelty to animals. The alleged vet who performed the neutering would have had to check the animals temperature before the procedure. The SPCA investigator will have some serious questions for the vet and shelter manager. Also, notify the local news organizations. This is the kind of story they love to get on the air.

I have since contacted Bob Buster District Supervisor for the County of Riverside to see if his office can help me.  They contacted the shelter and the shelter is completely aware of the situation and wont bend because I signed a form on the 5^th holding me responsible for the care of a dog I didnt get from the pound until the 7^th covered in poop from head to toe with a fever of 104.8 with severe parvo!!! So off to court I go!!!

 I sent one more last ditch effort to Robert Miller, Director of the new Western Riverside Shelter at 6851 Van Buren, Riverside asking him to contact the risk department and reverse their decision as there is no way that form will stand up in court.  They are liable and should never have adopted any animal in the condition my puppy was in.  SHAME ON RIVERSIDE COUNTY!!!

I just want to say I am sad and disappointed with your experience with the Animal Shelter.  Boggles my mind that this puppy would be up for adoption in the first place when he is obviously sick.  I believe they have the means to test for parvo and in my opinion they should have.  You then went on to say that he had been neutered and was placed in your arms with crap on him.   I know they have a policy of doing spays and neuters before adoption, but they never should have reached that point with him.  I'm guessing this puppy stole your heart right away and you trusted what you were being told in the beginning as it likely being kennel cough. 

When you picked him up 2 days later, he should have been very symptomatic or as you said on his death bed. 

I'm very glad you were wise and took him to your Vet immediately.  It stinks that at the very least the County wont reimburse you partially.  I suppose they can argue that you didn't have to adopt the puppy but I can see why you did.

I worked for a wonderful Vet in Riverside for about 3 years (though have about 20 years before that with other Veterinarians.)  I have not worked for about 3 years now, but back then, Animal Control Officers would bring in wounded or sick animals for evaluation before taking them back to their Shelter.  I think maybe once or twice they sent the new owner in with the adopted pet to be checked out and if any work was to be done, it had to be pre-approved.   I honestly don't know how this puppy got by them and into your arms.

But, as an animal lover myself, I thank you for saving this puppy and providing him a good home.

Betty B.