08/25/2024
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‼️The Irresponsibility of Some Adopters - A Heartbreaking Reality‼️
I am beyond upset, disappointed, and disgusted right now. As someone who dedicates their life to rescuing animals and ensuring they find the loving, forever homes they deserve, what we’ve experienced with our recent adoption case has left me utterly heartbroken.
Let me give you some context. We recently adopted out two beautiful dogs, Iska and Aphrodite, to a family that seemed perfect. During the screening process, they ticked all the right boxes: a big, secure house, fenced yard, and an understanding of the responsibilities that come with caring for animals. They promised us the world—sending updates and assuring us that Iska would be spayed when she turned six months old, as Aphrodite had already been spayed before adoption.
At first, things seemed fine. They sent updates, and we believed Iska and Aphrodite had found their forever home. But then, out of nowhere, we receive a message this month that Iska had given birth to seven puppies. I was so shocked I could barely form a response. How did this happen? Why didn’t they follow through with their promise to spay her?
I took the courage to reply to the adopter, urging them to have Iska spayed as soon as the puppies were weaned. We even discussed with our team the possibility of visiting them, but due to our tight schedules, we couldn’t arrange it as soon as we wanted. And then, the nightmare worsened. We received a message from a fellow animal advocate that the adopter had left the country and left Iska and Aphrodite to her parents’ care. These poor dogs, who had once been promised a loving home, were now living outside on the unsafe street, despite the mansion they were supposed to call home.
As if that wasn’t bad enough, we later found out that Aphrodite was seen limping—likely due to a car accident. This kind of neglect is inexcusable. How did we go from a situation that seemed perfect to this tragedy? I’m absolutely livid that after all the care, money, and love we poured into these dogs, they were treated like this.
Iska, Aphrodite, and the seven puppies are now back with us, where they belong. But I’m left with a heavy heart and a burning question: Why do some people adopt animals if they aren’t committed to providing them with a lifetime of care?
We do everything in our power to ensure our rescues go to the best possible homes. We spend thousands of pesos on their care, and we love them like family. But no matter how strict our screening process is, there are no guarantees. This experience has reinforced the need for surprise home visits, no matter how perfect a situation seems on paper. We must do everything we can to protect these innocent animals from ending up in the wrong hands.
To all prospective adopters out there: Don’t adopt an animal if you’re not fully committed to their well-being. It’s not just about passing a screening or having a big house. It’s about love, responsibility, and a lifelong commitment to those who can’t advocate for themselves.
Our rescues deserve better, and we will continue fighting for them. But today, I’m left with the bitter taste of betrayal, not just for myself, but for Iska, Aphrodite, and their puppies who deserved so much better.
PS The before-and-after photo. These are our dedicated volunteers who lovingly cared for Iska while she was still at the shelter. The photo on the right shows Iska after she became pregnant and gave birth under the care of her adopter.
- Connie Bach
Edit: We have received a ₱2,000 cash donation from Iska and Aphro’s adopter, which will be a big help in covering the veterinary expenses for these dogs. Iska will undergo spaying, which is expected to cost around ₱3,000, as soon as her puppies are weaned. This procedure is crucial to prevent any further unwanted pregnancies and ensure her long-term health.
Aphrodite, on the other hand, is dealing with an injury or trauma. While we are doing everything we can to help her recover, she may need to continue her medications while she’s with us at the shelter. We’re committed to providing both of these dogs with the care they need to heal and thrive. However, there are still ongoing expenses, and we appreciate any additional support to ensure they receive the best care possible. Thank you.
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