Dear Editor,
I have followed with interest the story of Echo and have a few thoughts I would like to share. My understanding of this situation is that Echo’s owners were promised that the dog would not be euthanized and they were clear that they would take him back if a suitable home was not found. This portion of the ‘story’ rings true to me. Any pet owner would make the same request when they are relinquishing a beloved pet.
Indeed, I made the same request of the Ark Valley Humane Society when I brought them a mostly feral kitten last summer. I had been working with the kitten outside to get him used to human contact and he was showing himself to be an affectionate boy; but he still had a long way to go with his training. I could not complete his training, which would include having him get used to being indoors, and using a litter box, because I have an indoor cat that would not accept him into the house. So I brought him to the Humane Society.
At that time I too was promised that if he could not make the transition to being an owned pet, that he would not be euthanized, and that I could take him back. I checked back with the Humane Society a week later and was told that he a rough start, but had turned the corner and would be adopted out. At that time I took them for their word.
Now, I’m not sure. The Echo saga has me wondering how good their word is. Was I lied to? Was the kitten actually killed versus adopted out? I will never know, and now this is a burden on my conscience. Perhaps it would have been better for me to have left well enough alone and not intervened in that kitten’s little life.
An organization like the humane society lives and dies by its reputation and demonstrated trustworthiness. Unfortunately, the Echo saga has us all wondering how trustworthy the organization is. If they are not good for their word on issues as important as the life and death of a beloved animal, people will hesitate or refuse to seek their help. That is a shame because on the whole, they are almost certainly a net positive in our community.
If you make a life-and-death promise to a pet owner and don’t keep it, everything else is a moot point. You must honor your word.
Frank Haas
Chaffee County
I have a three and a five year old. The first week my then four year old was learning to ride a bike a dog aggressively ran after her on the street. She almost crashed and severely injured herself. I can understand that dogs are not intentionally aggressive but their actions have very really consequences children. Echo could be rehomed and retrained but what if that 100+ pound dog found a 2 year old kid threatening in the meantime and retaliated. I’d love to hear from commenters if they have small children. How would they feel about Echo being in the neighborhood with their children? I’m SO sick of Chaffee County residents putting their pets “feelings” above those of parents. I would be livid if I found out that a dog with Echo’s history was living in the same neighborhood as my children. He could literally kill them unintentionally. If you are so determined to have a pet sanctuary, take them to a place where there are no children.
I am so sorry! I’m sure that does weigh heavy on your heart.
I’ve spoken with several people now who have given the same story that they were told they could get their animals back so I am sure that is what they tell everyone. I pray your kitty socialized and found a home. They do seem to be much more of a cat rescue than a dog rescue. The Executive director is a cat person.
It’s given me serious pause for thought, too. I’ve been having health problems since having Covid and the thought of any of my animals going there is terrifying to me. I have a Dane that is very much like Echo and to think he would be tortured and destroyed has put me in tears. He’s a gentle soul but these animals need compassion when they are struggling. They don’t need to be pushed to their limits to justify their murder because of their size.
The Echo saga does not have me questioning the integrity and honestly of AVHS. They had to make a very tough call, and it was the right choice.
This letter is silly.
The actions taken by AVHS about Echo will echo through the halls of AVHS for untold months and maybe years through the hearts and souls of many members of Chaffee County. The decision may have been justified , but the conduct and excuses of Van Luken are astounding and disappointing for the lack of accountability. As a breeder of dogs and long time companion of these family members, my wife and I have had to make many tough decisions about euthanasia. In each case it was always based on what was best for our animal and their long term quality of life. We feel responsible for and live with each and every decision. Sad that is not the case of AVHS management.
Tom Golson
Salida
I want to respond to Mr. Haas about relinquishing a pet. I’ve had close to 50 pets of various species in my adult life, and I’ve never relinquished a pet to a shelter or re-homed an animal. If I take an animal, I make a lifelong commitment to that animal. I understand your situation was a feral kitten and that your indoor cat would not accept him. I’ve taken cats as intact strays and also sight-unseen from shelters over the last 35 yrs and had as many as 8 cats at a time; they all learn to get along with training (like a separate room for this kitten for the “getting to know you” period). You were not able to “complete the training” so you took him to AVHS, where the kitten would definitely be inside and around other cats 100% of the time! I’m sure AVHS was able to reassure you about the kitten because it was a KITTEN. Not the case with 150-lb and 4-yr-old unsocialized Echo. I know from deep experience that by the time an owner of a household pet decides to relinquish it to a shelter, there are what the owner perceives to be insurmountable issues, or they wouldn’t relinquish the animal in the first place. At that point, the animal’s issues become someone else’s problem. Shelters MUST take ownership of the animal at that point, and they are liable for cleanliness, compassionate care, and the welfare of the community; they are inspected. In my 30 yrs with shelters, I’ve never known one that would “give an animal back” to the person who relinquished it, most certainly when there are untreated medical issues or behavioral issues. I agree with you 100% that an organization like AVHS lives and dies by its reputation. AVHS has been a part of this community for more than 3 decades. Have you heard other grisly, ghastly stories that would soil their reputation? Do you believe the story told by the Vroomans without any question, even though they had been trying (unsuccessfully) to re-home him for over a year AND were the people relinquishing him to the shelter? AVHS states it is “minimal euthanasia” and “98% live release rate.” Should AVHS ignore the guidance of their veterinarian, their board staff expertise, and put all decisions out to the community for a decision? Of course, that is ridiculous. I know the AVHS board and staff, and this was a heart-wrenching decision made with guidance from legal counsel, at least two veterinarians, and discussions with other shelters across the state. As a note, people might want to call and ask Denver Dumb Friends League or Foothills Animal Shelter or Max Fund, or ANY other shelter if the shelter will return the animal to the relinquishing owner. Please do not judge AVHS by this scenario, one that most probably has some relative details that all of us are not privy to. They’ve been here 30 years and they have a board of directors. This is not a deep-state “killing group.” You know better than that.
Sherri Long,
Appears, AVHS has given animals back to individuals who’ve surrendered them…
Yelp Review
kaimon donaldson
3 years ago
If I could a no star rating I would. Long story short, I had a cat with a family member while I was finishing my college in a different state. They took that cat and one other for the fact that they were living with dogs that weren’t nice to them and she felt bad, when my girlfriend and I found out we offered to go pick them up and even called the shelter to have them hold them. When the family member found out we we’re coming down, the shelter gave them back to the lady who couldn’t take care of them in the first place. Why would you give an animal back when they gave them up in the first place? On top of that, that same family even lied and said my girlfriend and I were unfit to take care of them and made it where we looked bad to the shelter.
Frank Haas, PACFA publishes the number of animals euthanized by a shelter. You can find that on their web site. I don’t know what specific details that AVHS is required to report to PACFA on why animals are euthanized but you can submit a CORA request here for the records they have for the kitten you relinquished. They will have records for at a minimum the number of cats euthanized in that period https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1BFBomneK9aQZ6OfKZCfODFjnhQ76-SDJpNCF3ldRUfc/viewform?edit_requested=true
I share your concerns in transparency to owners relinquishing their animals to AVHS and have submitted a CORA request as to the details on the 12 dogs that have been euthanized by AVHS in the last two years.