L C
Google
First, I think Charleston Animal Society as a concept is a champion for a noble cause and I grew up supporting their organization. I held this organization in high esteem. However, I think somewhere between then and now, something has gone awry.
I know when you adopt an animal, you are ultimately setting yourself up for an eventual heartbreak. However, when I adopted sweet little Sparrow (formerly Futon) in July of this year, I did not foresee that I would be saying goodbye to her in October.
I was told at adoption that Sparrow had recovered from a respiratory infection, that she was no longer sick, and no longer needed any medication beyond a specialized diet designed for cats with a sensitive stomach. I mistakenly assumed that your staff would be honest with me.
I took Sparrow to her first physical with my vet expecting to talk through caring for an animal with dietary restrictions, and learned that she was gravely ill with a disease called Feline Infectious Peritonitis, which has a 100% fatality rate without medication.
I returned to the shelter that afternoon to request more detailed medical records as they would not answer the phone. I was told by a staff member, “I’m not surprised she’s so sick. We almost named her Nebula because she was on the Nebulizer all the time.” I should also state that there was no mention of the nebulizer in her medical summary from CAS.
I emailed your veterinarian trying to get more detailed records. I was given her bloodwork, then told that no other records existed for her, which I doubt.
My vet and I tried to fight the FIP. I crowdfunded as well as received compensation for the first half of her treatment from your organization, for which I was very grateful. That’s where you earn your 1 star here.
To be blunt, I have lost all trust in your organization and its veterinary staff. My heart is shattered. At adoption, I was asked to sign a contract in which I vowed to give her "freedom from discomfort...injury, pain, or disease...[and] freedom from fear and distress" and I tried so hard to keep this promise. She was so brave. I held her in my arms when they told me that despite our best efforts, she wasn’t going to get better. I held her in my arms when she left us. In a few days’ time, I will hold her urn in my hands and mourn that all of the brightness of her life, her joy, her sweet little purrs have been reduced to ash. We were supposed to have a future together. How am I supposed to carry on after this?
It was a shocking breach of trust to discover that Charleston Animal Society did not at least give me all the necessary information to know that Sparrow wasn't being turned over to my care free of injury, pain, or disease. The magnitude of this betrayal makes it impossible for me to trust them again. It was a Charleston Animal Society veterinarian that signed off on Sparrow's adoption readiness despite the fluid pooling in her abdomen, fluid which they made several notes about in her medical summary, as well as her low blood lab results. It was Charleston Animal Society veterinary staff that provided me with a medical summary in place of detailed records and claimed no other records exist when I inquired about them. It was Charleston Animal Society veterinary staff that either knew she was seriously ill and ignored it in favor of adopting her out, or missed it entirely.
I urge anyone considering adoption from this shelter to read this review as well as the countless others that detail bringing home a pet only to discover their new family member is sick and may never recover. I think there is an issue with this animal society’s health and hygiene and the standard of care they provide, despite their best intentions. I wish I had known when I brought her home that she was a sick little kitten instead of the healthy adult cat I was promised. Reader, if you’re comfortable taking that risk when adopting from this shelter, be my guest. If you’re prepared to be hospice care within 3 months of adoption, be my guest. Otherwise, look elsewhere for your new family friend.
