After moving into our new house, Dominic and I
decided that we really wanted to get a companion for our beagle, Señor Ding-Dong. I volunteer at both Maxfund
No-Kill Animal Shelter in Denver and at Best Friends Animal Society in Kanab,
Utah. We really wanted to adopt locally.
I originally fell in love with a dog at Maxfund
while volunteering named Astro. He was such a sweet baby, so I asked Dominic if
he would be interested in meeting him.
We went to Maxfund that Saturday, and asked to walk
Astro. I didn’t bring my volunteer badge and the staff never really seemed to
remember me, but they happily got Astro from the back for us to walk him. I
asked what his adoption status was, and they said that there were “three
adoption applications” already submitted for him. They were certain they
would find a great match out of the three.
Shucks.
We were happy for Astro and enjoyed a walk with him
through the Sunken Gardens Park.
I never
stopped thinking about the little guy; he really was perfect. A few weeks
later, while once again considering a new brother for Señor Ding-Dong, I started browsing the Maxfund
website—and there was Astro. I was shocked. He should have been adopted. I was
certain they were merely behind on updating the website, but to be sure I
called to see what the status was on Astro.
“He was just returned to Maxfund today,” the woman
at Maxfund said over the phone. Apparently he snapped at someone while camping
and the man that adopted him decided that he no longer wanted Astro.
I couldn’t believe it.
I had visited with Astro
several times, and he really was perfect. He had a mellow temperament. He
didn’t bark at other dogs or show any aggression to anyone or anything. He
walked gently on the leash, always looking back to ensure he was walking at the
right speed. I even rolled around on the grass with him, hugged him, and gave
him lots of kisses. I just didn’t believe the man’s story, and either did
Maxfund.
I was still interested in adopting the precious
Australian shepherd mix. “Can I put in an adoption application for him?” I
asked.
“He has to be put on a ten day medical hold before
he will be available for adoption again, but after the hold you can submit an
adoption application for him,” the woman said.
I waited a few days, but I couldn’t stop thinking
about him. I am also a foster parent at Maxfund, so I called the foster
coordinator, Brad. I thought maybe I could foster him until the ten days was
up, and then we could really get to know the little guy, and already have a
foot in the door for adopting.
Because they were certain he would be adopted right
away, Brad said that he just wasn’t the type of dog that they place in foster
homes. I understood. I told Brad that I was really interested in adopting him,
hoping that he could help me out a bit.
At Best Friends Animal Society, volunteers can do
doggie sleepovers. I asked Brad if it would be possible to do a sleepover with
Astro so that we could see how he gets along with Ding-Dong, and to ensure that
he really was perfect. Brad said I would have to come in and talk to the vet
tech. I asked if I could talk to her over the phone, and he said she was a bit
“temperamental” (he might of said “moody,” but still this was the vet tech! I
couldn’t believe it. She is paid, I dedicate my free time to volunteer at
Maxfund, and she was “moody.”); He said I would have to talk to her in person.
I let Brad know that I really wanted to adopt
Astro, and he simply repeated what the other woman said, “you have to wait
until the medical hold was over.” But, he said that once the vet saw Astro, I
could submit my adoption application. Excellent. Brad said that Astro would be
seeing the vet either that afternoon or the next day. Yippee!
I called the next afternoon to see if the vet had
seen Astro yet. I was on my lunch break at school and was ready to rush over to
Maxfund to fill out an application. When I called I asked for Brad, but the
woman who answered the phone said he was busy and asked if I would like to
leave a message. I explained to her that I was interested in adopting Astro,
and I wanted to see if the vet had seen him yet.
She said, “He is scheduled to see the vet this
afternoon, but a man came in this morning, right when we opened, and filled out
an adoption application for him already.”
“What?!?! I was told that he has to been seen by
the vet before Maxfund accepts any adoption applications.”
“Well, he will be seen by the vet today.”
“I am a volunteer at Maxfund; can I come in and
also submit an application?”
“I’m sorry but we only take one application at a
time.”
“But when he was adopted the first time, before he
was returned, the woman at the front desk said that he had 'three applications' for him.”
I was so upset. I couldn’t believe it. I have been
such a dedicated supporter of Maxfund, and this is how I am treated. What is
Maxfund’s policy?
The woman finally said that I “could check back in
a few days to see if the adoption went through and if not then [I] could submit
my adoption application.”
I didn’t know what to do. I just said, “Ok,
thanks,” and hung up the phone.
After Gracie, our first foster doggie, jumped our
front fence—the first day we had her—and ran to the neighbor’s house—who
consequently instantly fell in love with her and adopted her—Maxfund almost
didn’t let us foster anymore. Because we let the dog jump the fence! Brad, the same
Brad, said it was the veterinarians at Maxfund who wanted to make that
decision. But he “fought” for us, and we then were able to foster the old guys
Buddy and Fella. After I started teaching at Colorado High School Charter we
decided that Buddy and Fella really needed a home where someone can take care
of them all day long. They had incontinence problems; they were both blind;
they were on a lot of medications; our house just wasn’t ideal for them.
Maxfund gladly found a foster parent that worked from home and was happy to
take them in.
I have always supported Maxfund—being one of the
only true no-kill shelters in Denver. But after the Astro stuff, I can no
longer support them.
Maxfund does not truly appreciate their
volunteers.
While volunteering at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary,
I am thanked everyday. I only go once a year to Kanab, but the people remember
my mom and me. When I call Maxfund I am a stranger. When I volunteer at Maxfund
no one remembers my name, or ever takes the time to say thank you. When I try
to adopt a dog from Maxfund, I am pushed aside with wavering “policy.”
Bye Maxfund. I hope one day someone will read this
and make note of how volunteers are really treated at Maxfund and hopefully one
day you will decide on what “policy” you really follow.
Next on Woof. A Blog on Dogs the story of our new puppy, Checkers, rescued from Colorado Cells Dogs. Be sure to check back soon!
