Examiner.com, May 21, 2014
Volunteers in San Antonio are outraged about two pups they say came into the city's Animal Care Services facility (ACS) covered in clusters of ticks.
They say no one removed dozens of the insects from either of the dogs’ ears before placing them for public viewing on the adoption floor.
When the infested pups, which did not look very adoptable, were not adopted, they were euthanized.
The pups, Jack and Jill, can be seen in these Facebook postings, show tick infestations in their ears. The posts are filled with comments from frustrated social media users trying to help the dogs.
San Antonio Pets Alive, a nonprofit group which tries to find homes for dogs in the city's shelter, responded to the posts by saying, "We cannot save them or treat them without a foster or adopter stepping up as we have no open kennels and are full. These are ACS dogs so legally we cannot do any medical treatment until we pull them."
Jenn Studley, a San Antonio resident and animal advocate is enraged, "I hate the fact that they were left to sit there covered in ticks which more than likely contributed to the reason why they weren't adopted," she said.
So far no one from ACS or Mayor Julian Castro's office has responded to Watchdog Mary’s request for comment.
This isn't an isolated incident at ACS.
On June 22, 2014, the city placed another dog up for adoption covered in ticks. Shortly after the retriever's unattractive picture appeared online ACS announced she died in the shelter.
Pattern of Problems at San Antonio Animal Care Services
This author has been revealing a pattern of problems at ACS. Last year the city euthanized more than 4800 dogs. Volunteers and residents also came forward alleging mistreatment, mismanagement and miscategorization of dogs.
How You Can Help: Adopting or Fostering a Dog
July 4, 2014, San Antonio Animal Care Services Adoption Photo for Tigere, covered in ticks
Here's what volunteers want you to know: These dogs can be adopted and safely transported anywhere in the U.S.
If you're reading this and live across the country you can still help. Many of these animals are perfectly nice, healthy pooches who ended up at the pound through no fault of their own.
They are also begging for in and out-of-state rescue groups to work with them. Several local groups have arranged for dog transports across the country.
To see dogs that need fosters or adopters urgently check out the city's website, these pictures and descriptions, and also this YouTube channel. Some will be put down in the next few hours. Volunteers say if one seems like a perfect fit for your family, or you fall in love with a glimmer in a dog's eye, please act quickly, the situation is dire. Email: placement@sanantoniopetsalive.org
Fostering a Dog
Fostering dogs also helps to save lives and it's tax deductible. Fostering means allowing a pup or pooch to stay with you for a week or two until rescue groups and volunteers can find homes for them.
If you live anywhere near San Antonio and would be interested in fostering, please contact San Antonio Pets Alive, when you click on that link and their website pops up, just click on "foster".
A new rescue called: Mission: Miracle K9 is also starting to make a big difference in the area and needs donations and fosters as well. To apply to foster or donate email: info@missionmiracle.org
Experts also say: Spay and neuter your pet. Period. End of story. It saves lives by not creating more doggone dogs.
Update: July 4, 2014: Another tick infested dog is put out on the adoption floor and his picture posted online with disgusting bugs clustered in his ears. The German Shepard mix named "Tigere" was narrowly saved.
Update: July 11, 2014: The City of San Antonio places another dog, a young lab mix, covered in ticks, up for adoption. The pup's adoption promotion photo shows the insects clustered around her ears.
