Tippecanoe County Humane Society

About a month ago, stopped by the Almost Home Humane Society to make a donation in memory of my sister’s pet. A staff member took my name, address, and phone number then handed me a receipt. I asked if she needed my sister’s name and address so they could send her a memorial card or note. I was told that their facility doesn’t do that and I would have to send the receipt or send my own card.
When my dog died 5 years ago, I received a beautiful card from the Purdue Veterinary School signed by the doctor and vet techs saying a donation was made in my dog’s memory (the amount not disclosed). It was a much appreciated and touching gesture.
When I got home, I went to Almost Home’s website and to my surprise, I found this statement under the ‘Donate’ tab:
«A donation made in memory or in honor of a beloved pet, family member, friend, a friend or family member’s beloved pet, etc. is a thoughtful tribute for your loved one and also helps the thousands of animals we care for each year. Memorials and honorariums can be made in any amount you choose. Acknowledgment letters will be sent to the family of the person or pet being remembered or honored (if an address is included); the gift amount will not be disclosed. Acknowledgment letters that can be used for tax purposes are sent to the donor and include the gift amount.
We appreciate the fact that helping the homeless and unwanted animals in our care is/​was important to your loved one and you. Your commitment to helping the animals in our community that need us the most is greatly appreciated.»
After reading this, I called Almost Home and asked to speak to a manager. I explained the situation and she suggested I leave a voice mail message for the director. Unfortunately, she did not know how to transfer me to the director’s line. I ended up writing a formal letter to the director explaining the situation. I never did heard back from her. I did, however, receive a letter yesterday from them asking for more money…

For the last two weeks, the Tippecanoe County Humane Society has put a hold on what are unfortunately referred to as «bully» dogs. The shelter already had a stringent adoption policy in place for any dog they suspected of having an undesirable bloodline, but it now has
decided to change its policy.
The problem is that they didn’t decide on a new policy before they revoked the old one. Now there are several dogs, it is unclear how many, that simply have nowhere to go. Families desperately wanting to adopt them, and willing to jump through any hoops, are told they can do nothing but wait. In the meantime, however, these dogs are not getting the care they require.
This issue is very personal for me. There is a beautiful and kind dog, Cloud, which I have been trying to adopt for almost 2 weeks. My husband and I have visited her every day, brought her treats on her 6-​month birthday, taken her for walks, and have spent hours rubbing her belly. Several times when we came to visit, her cage had urine in it, yet we have been biting our tongues out of respect for how difficult it must be to run a shelter.
But on Sunday when I went to see her, she was covered in urine and feces. I couldn’t stand it anymore, and I confronted the manager about their refusal to let me adopt Cloud. He said they were adding a «questionnaire» to their adoption policy for «bully» breeds. He told me that he could tell me it would just take another week, but that he would be lying. The hold is indefinite, and he has no idea how long it will take to draft up this questionnaire.
I am a proud woman: a teacher at Purdue, in the middle of getting a PhD, but I literally begged him to tell me what I could do to adopt her. In tears, I said I would fill any questionnaire, get as many letters of recommendation as he wanted, get a letter from every vet I’ve known, have a home visit, anything. But, no. I’m helpless. And the adorable puppy that I have fallen in love with is still in a cage today, covered in urine and feces.
Please, Tippecanoe County Humane Society. Your mission is to help dogs find good homes. Be reasonable; be compassionate. We all love animals. We all want the same thing. Finish your questionnaire or let us adopt under the old policy until you finish it. See reason; you are only hurting the animals and loving families with your inflexible position.