Lexington Fayette Animal Care & Control aka the Lexington Humane Society, is ran very shoddily in my opinion. Most (over 90%) of the time one calls, they are routed through a never ending loop on their "answering system". Even entering extensions often doesn't help. If you do get someone, they generally seem eager to "pass the buck" and forward you back to the answering system. This can be a frustrating experience to say the least if you have lost a pet, or have found a pet and are looking to help reunite it with its owners.
Most often they will try to transfer you to the "Animal Control" side of their "operation" where if you get someone at all, it will usually be an uncaring "hillbilly/hick" type of person who is just looking to get rid of you fast.
One of my favourite occasions was when my dog snatched up a baby bird out of the grass, that was very much alive and worth saving. After calling I was informed that I was welcome to come by and drop it off in their dumpster (I cant remember their exact phrase, sorry but that is very close). Even after it was made clear to them the animal was very much alive. To make a long story short, after doing some research and calling around to different vets, I was informed that there is in fact a service in town for rehabiltating birds. I dropped off the bird, along with another the vet let me transport, to the service where I am happy to report both made a terrific recovery.
Bigger animals often get the same treatment. If you call to report an injured pet, they will try to get you to do all the investigation on your own, and hope that you tell them that the animal is dead, in that case they will tell you to leave it where it is for the garbage or road dept to pick it up "sometime". If the animal is just slightly injured, you can request they come out and take a look, but don't hold your breath.
If you find a pet, I suggest you use craigslist or other internet options to help locate the owner and dont involve these fools. As I am informed, pets found or taken in are subject to a three day hold, then an "evaluation " for "temperment" etc., where the life of the pet is then decided by these angels of mercy. If your lucky enough to find out they have it in time, (only by driving in person and looking around for yourself) expect to pay a hefty fee (I thought this was a nonprofit?), plus make sure the pet is up to date on its shots, licensed, and spayed/neutered. I knew someone that was babysitting a pet one tiime, the pet escaped, these ppl ended up with it, and it couldnt be released until it got a good neutering, or someone paid a ridiculous fee, as I recall. Person was told it would probably be better (and cheaper) to wait and see if the pet made it through its "life evaluation", then it would be neutered and put on display with the adoptable animals which then would be MUCH cheaper to take home.
I dont want to make all the people who work and volunteer here seem like monsters, If your lucky enough to get transfered to the right person, or go in yourself, you may very well get someone who seems to care about animals, (and it may not be a front). I am just reporting my (and others) experiences dealing with these people "by phone". Similar recent stories by a good friend of mine, prompted me to speak out and shine some light on this place.
Thanks.
0 comments