FOLLOW-UP TO FORMER AF EMPLOYEE TESTIMONIAL Friends, I would like to share an update regarding the video testimony of the former Animal Foundation employees claims of the use of shelter dogs for exploratory surgeries. Since the post, we have been contacted by two former Animal Foundation employees who have a different account to share with all of us. It is important to note both employees were hired in 2011 and 2013 and were not employed at the same time as the employee in the video. From their accounts, dogs returning from the training facility did not have unusually large incisions, nor were they immediately killed upon return to the shelter. That said, if space was an issue it would not be unusual for the Animal Foundation to kill a dog just days or weeks upon returning from the training facility. To support their claims, an NKLV supporter was able to arrange and meet with Oquendo management a couple days ago to discuss the communities concerns and they assured her exploratory surgeries are not being performed on our shelter dogs. I hope thats true, but honestly I cant say I am at ease with any partnership between our municipal shelter and a veterinary training facility. Is there any oversight and if so by whom? Does the Animal Foundation financially benefit for providing live animals and/or cadavers? The employee in the video claims they do. Why do some dogs who return from Oquendo appear underweight and/or sickly? Why are dogs who have undergone a painful, invasive spay surgery not given the optimum chance of getting adopted, but are killed instead? Why are dogs being subject to endoscopies for training purposes ONLY, that in no way medically benefits them? Endoscopies require the use of anesthesia and can pose risks of infection, bleeding and tearing or perforation of the gastrointestinal tract. Going back to what the former Animal Foundation employee revealed, I would presume that at some point after 2011, changes were made at the Oquendo Center to better protect the animals in their care. We do know in 2012 a new head surgeon was hired at the Oquendo Center, perhaps this accounts for these changes, we dont really know, but it is encouraging that exploratory surgeries do not appear to be taking place today. Feel free to share your knowledge and experiences below!
Posted on: Fri, 02 May 2014 08:50:38 +0000
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