Experience with Humane Society?

My dog is allergic to flea bites. So every year about this time she starts chewing. We use Frontline Plus, a yard spray we got from the vet, medicated shampoo, and give her Benedryl for the itch, but she still has chewed spots on her back. Admittedly, she is miserable and even has broken skin in one spot. But we really are doing everything we can (at least according to our vet). I even had her beautiful long coat shaved off the other day to help with the fleas and to make the spots less noticeable.

My elderly neighbor has a woman who comes to help her with daily chores. This woman has decided that we are terrible pet parents and are horribly neglecting our dog. She told my husband off about it the other day and insisted that we get her "taken care of". DH assured her we were "taking care" of her and that it was simply an allergy. She didn't seem to satisfied with that answer.

She just stopped by to inform me that if Impy wasn't better by next week that she was calling the Humane Society. :roll: She said that Impy needs a new home since we obviously can not take care of "all those kids" and "all those animals". (She was referencing the fact that DS's cat recently had 4 kittens, so now we have 6 pets).

So I called the vet and asked if there was anything we could do in advance to make sure she doesn't cause trouble. I was hoping the vet would write us a letter or something. Anyhow, the receptionist spoke with the vet and told me that if I was doing everything the vet told us to do, then everything would be fine if the H.S. investigated. I can't find that very reassuring. I'm not naive enough to believe that truth always prevails.

I'm wondering if any of you ladies had any experience with the Humane Society and what sort of group they are. Do they assume people are good pet parents until they find evidence to the contrary, or will the burden of proof lie on me?

DS5 would be just devastated if they took his dog away.

 

Is the allergy documented in your vet records? That would be my first step. My dog has allergy issues as well and bites or scratches herself raw. She used to be on steroids it was so bad in CA that antihistamines (we tried all 3 classes for dogs) wouldn't work. She's currently on one that seems to cut it enough that she only licks herself (which still causes probs but not as bad). All of this is due to some new allergy in VA so her new vet here in VA has it in her records. She wasn't really allergic to "whatever" in IL or KY.

I'd also make sure that all the pets are registered (if req'd where you live) and have all their shots up to date (esp with the new kittens). I'm sure you already have all this done but just in case...thought I'd mention it. Those kids of things would probably be the first things they looked at.

If its all documented and they are current on shots, what more can HS want? Any other pet owner would have the same thing....if the doggie is allergic in one family, they'll be allergic in the next.

Hang in there!

 

Amie that is terrible, not you, the lady. I am sorry you are going through that.

I would take your pup to the vet "again" have him evaluate your pup and get his evaluation in writing. That way, when and if the HS shows up you can say the pup is NOT neglected and has received proper medical care and here is the proof. They can't harass you for neglect if you are getting him medical care and making a diligent effort to be sure he is well. I would also show receipts of other dr visits and rx's you have purchased for the care of your pup if they do show up.

I think that perhaps that lady needs to mind her own business. http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?cls=2&cat=1587&articleid=595
Here is a link to info about the pups hot spots and you are doing everything necessary. Hand this info to the lady and tell you that you are already diligently addressing your pups needs.

I had a dog once that did the same thing. You can do only what can possibly be done and you are already doing that.

My ds' pup has allergy issues and has seen numerous drs and he still has issues. We have and are addressing it. It's like saying we are neglecting our kids because they have allergies.

 

I forgot to add. If the HS does come to your house and you explain the steps you have taken to care for your pup and he is registered and such I really don't think they will bother you. You can always invite them to contact your vet for further info. Don't stress, it will be okay. :love:

 

Hmm, apparently this woman has no life as to rudely assume that yall are not taking care of your pet. She could have POLITELY inquired if she really had the time to wonder.....If I were you, I would bring doggie in for a "check up" but if that is not feasible, then I would as for a copy of my pet's records and have them handy if and when HS would show up. Really the nerve of some people!! This lady must have issues seeing large happy families! I would tell her the next time she smarts off to =be expecting a restraining order!:twisted:

 

Thanks ladies.

We don't have a registration requirement here. But she is completely up to date on all of her shots. She is spayed and even has a microchip, admittedly an odd thing to do for a mutt.

The kittens don't have any shots yet as they are only 5 weeks old. The vet said to bring them in when they are 6-8 weeks. But I'm not sure I'll be able to handle the expense of all 5 of them (getting momma fixed, too). Momma and two of the kittens already have a new home. We're keeping one, so there is only one more that needs a new home and it's a calico, so that should be easy enough.

I might take her back to the vet for a check up. If not, I'll at least get a copy of the records from November when I took her in for this the first time.

 

I don't think you are going to have any issues with the HS. They may come to your house based on the lady's accusations but when they talk to you and you explain all that you have done they will leave you alone. Another words, she would have wasted their time and yours.

Hang in there. Lettuce know if anything happens. :love:

 

Any chance the elderly woman would find another helper if she knew the one she had now was being nasty to her neighbors? Personally, I would be annoyed if I hired someone to help me, and she harassed my neighbors.

If I were in your shoes, you'd be barefoot... ah, but if I were just figuratively in your shoes, I'd consider a preemptive call to the Humane Society. Wouldn't that pop her bubble if you told her that you already called them and explained the situation, and that they understood!

I had a itchy dog. Your dog sounds worse, becaue mine never chewed herself raw. However, I got a hydrocordisone spray from the pet store that seem to give her some relief. I know she loved having it rubbed on those itchy spots. She'd grin, tap her foot and press up against me for more.

 

She is a woman from Betty's church. She's not hired. I'm not sure how Betty would feel, but she's quite ill right now and has more to worry about than how this woman is treating me.

I have very tiny feet, so I hope you have a shoe horn.

I tried to call the H.S. off an on all day. The line was either busy or they didn't answer. I'll try again tomorrow.

Hmmm.. I'll have to look into that. I thought about hydrocordizone, but since the vet didn't suggest it, I assume maybe it wasn't good for dogs. I have to hit the Equine center this weekend anyhow, and they wholesale vet supplies. I'll see what they have. Thanks a lot!

 

Personally, I wouldn't worry. They are pretty good at discerning who is caring for their pets and who isn't. Anyways, all you would have to do is give them them your vet's # and the whole thing would be settled. Being proactive is likely a good idea too. It's not like they are going to tell you that your dog should be in a doggie day care 8 hours a day either...you know, getting some extra socialization!
Trish

 

It's a good thing they don't expect that. Seeing as how my dog is apparently the canine version of a band geek or something. Every single other dog who's ever been around her has tried to beat her up. lol.

 

Amie,

I have a steroid type spray that the vet prescribed for my allergic doggie. We don't use it daily but only during REALLY bad episodes (sadly, those usually also require oral steroids which of course make her have to pee more).

It does seem to help some...sadly it's pricey but one bottle does seem to last a really long time.

 

I don't have experience with the humane society but I do have a suggestion to help get rid of the fleas. Try bathing the dog in dawn dish liquid wet the dog down real good and then lather up in the dawn and let it sit a few minutes then rinse off. The fleas will be dead and it should keep them from coming back for a while...also try treating your carpets and the pet bedding with borateem (it's a laundry booster available in most grocery stores) you just sprinkle it on the carpets and pet bedding and leave it for at least an hour and then vacuum it up it will kill any fleas in the carpets and keep them from getting back on the dog. Sorry I can't be any more help than that.

 

I agree with the Borax. We used to live off the coast and fleas were horrible. We treated our yard and our dogs, but they still carried them in. Since the topical stuff doesnt kill the fleas right away when they jump on the animal, they got into our carpet. We swept Borax down into the carpet about once a week and that ended up being what kept them out of our house. I believe it kills any eggs that they might have been able to lay.

 

Fortunately for us (and her), we don't have a single stitch of carpeting anywhere in our home. I couldn't imagine how bad the problem would be if we did.

 

Well, I am sorry this is something you have to concern yourself with. I think getting the vet records and calling the humane society are the best steps.

Geesh...first we worry about someone calling CPS and now we have to worry about someone calling the Humane Society! People need to mind thier own business.

 

:lol::lol::lol::lol:

 

We just adopted our puppy from the humane society, here....

They do NOT want your dog....
They have enough....
Any proof that the dog is under a vets care, will make them roll their eyes at the other lady and have them thank you for your time....

They are reasonably rational people. At least in Houston.

 

if you have all the records then don't worry they can't do anything. Like JenniferE said they don't want your dog. They are crowded now with animals. As long as you have all the records showing the dog went to the vet and had all the treatments taken care of, rest your head nothing to worry about.

 

In my olden days before trying to be more like Christ, I would have jotted down her licence number, then when out and about one day, reported her for wreckless driving to the police department...

But thankfully I am now saved and would never do that. :roll)