Abandoned Dog – Statement of Facts
On February 4th, a 3-year-old Pit mix was abandoned at a private veterinary clinic in Kirkland. The client told vet staff that the dog had been sick for a week, had become lethargic, and had stopped eating. The veterinary clinic found that the dog had a fever, abdominal pain, and heavy vaginal discharge – indicating a possible life-threatening condition. The owner then walked out of the hospital, and drove away without speaking to anyone. Many attempts were made to contact the client, with no response. The veterinary clinic, following their abandoned pet protocol, contacted the organization with animal control jurisdiction for the city of Kirkland. Homeward Pet offered to medically care for the dog and plans were made to transfer her to our shelter for surgery, while serving a stray hold through the animal control organization.
That evening, a woman called the veterinary clinic to inquire about the dog. According to the clinic, her exact relationship to the owner was unclear, as she provided contradictory information. The clinic informed the woman that the dog had been abandoned, and would be transferred to an animal shelter to receive care, but advised her that if the owner contacted them before 8am on February 5th they could pursue other options, and offered potential options for low-cost care. Neither the woman nor the owner contacted the clinic again.
On February 5th, Homeward Pet provided life-saving medical care to this dog. That evening, the woman emailed Homeward Pet, indicating that the owner wanted to relinquish his ownership rights, and surrender the dog to Homeward Pet so that they could help expedite the process to permanently rehome the dog, and minimize the amount of time she would have to stay in the shelter. We are in possession of this email. The remainder of the week, Homeward Pet’s Intake Manager attempted multiple times to reach out to try and facilitate this.
Homeward Pet management has never had a direct conversation with the owner of the dog. Like the veterinary clinic, Homeward Pet does not know the relationship of the woman to the owner.
On February 11th, our Intake Manager emailed the woman to inform her that the dog’s stray hold through the animal control organization had ended, that the owner would no longer be able to reclaim her, and that we would move forward by placing the dog in a permanent home.
On February 14th, the woman contacted the Woodinville Police Department to investigate this matter. After speaking with the woman, the animal control agency, and management at Homeward Pet, the police department felt that all appropriate steps were followed and that Homeward Pet has sole ownership of the dog. Unfortunately, our staff has continued to receive harassing phone calls and negative social media attention.
At the recommendation of law enforcement, we have ceased contact with this woman.
