As a longtime volunteer at San Luis Obispo County Animal Services, I was very disappointed to read the completely erroneous statement by Glen Starkey that dogs at Animal Services “typically have about a 72-hour window to be adopted before they’re put down” (Jan. 12, “The volunteers of Meade Canine Rescue & Sanctuary chip away at an insurmountable problem”). Did Mr. Starkey confirm his comment with staff at Animal Services before print? Does he realize how many readers will take his words as truth? The truth: There is no 72-hour window before a dog is euthanized. The truth is, there are numerous dogs that have been at the shelter for weeks and months before adoption. There is no simple answer to why a dog needs to be “put down” at Animal Services. If Mr. Starkey was/is interested in those reasons I’m sure staff or knowledgeable volunteers would be willing to explain, and maybe he could then write an article to enlighten the public to the truth.
Grier Eubanks
San Luis Obispo
This article appears in Health & Wellness 2023.
First to the numerous erroneous errors stated in this “opinion”, have You ever dealt with Animal services in a life threatening or emergency situation? In my 5 mile circle alone, 38 dogs have been shot and killed in a year because Mr. Anderson refuses to enforce ANY of SLOs animal ordinances, the 3 day death window is for a loose dog, not one that Animal Control believes it can make money on. Second that $5 million dollar shelter sits empty as Campbell and Anderson sit with there feet up laughing at the suffering of these animals out here. Perhaps instead of towing the line for animal control, you should actually look into how your tax dollars are being wasted as these animals die at the hands of Anderson and Campbell.
Mr. Powers, at $160 do you think there is any $ being made at the animal services facility. That includes 1 year licensing along with vaccines and microchipping, and, I believe spaying services. Then there is daily feeding and other care, vet services, staff payroll, utilities, and more. I’ve adopted there and have found nothing but helpful and caring staff.
Mr V. Im sorry that you feel that way, perhaps a cursory glace at the reviews on Google for poor service just like our Valley experiences may change your mind. I will agree that you may have had a “caring staff” but the reviews of the many, out weigh the one. I have dealt with animal control over 300 times (videos, pictures, calls and visits) to save 1 dogs life, considering that all “volunteers” are not paid, the food is donated, the building subsidized and your tax dollars pay over $600,000 a year for employees and benefits, I do see “money” being made, thats the difference between the private sector and public sector, without expenses, every dollar they take in is called pure profit (Income minus no expenses equals profit). Please access the daily logs from animal services and really see where your money is going, places like Mr Anderson shooting “the game off his life” as he stated on the radio (while being paid) about the mountain lion he shot in the target, or Mr Campbell’s raise after a bear was trapped and kept as a pet, again all in the daily logs that you really should read. Again no rebuttal to the 38 dogs killed out here in 1 year, the constant inter breeding and sale of un-vaccinated animals all while Animal Control profits from cute animals they sell, for shame.
Well well we’ll have to see what kind of an impression is imprinted upon me when I visit this facility for the fist time with my eye open.
You see, I happened upon this article while doing some unrelated to this topic research. And decided to read further into the Comments. I’m glad I did.
I’ll be visiting this establishment this afternoon because right before I opened this article from the SLO New Times, I decided to search for SLO Lucky’s location in order to perhaps go see if I might make a connection with a furry to call my very own.
But truth be told, as I write that last statement. I’m hit with the fact that I already have a pup. But you see, he has melded with my 1st husband and his way of living. So maybe I could have one of my very own…!!! Plus, my O.G. Georgie can come visit for play dates and an overnight here and there. That could work?, right?…
So. I figured you guys were all going off on your tangents, why can’t I?. If you’re still reading this, I’m going to go get ready for my 12pm Counseling Assessment and will be paying a visit to this SLO Lucky shelter at Animal Services this afternoon. Why? Because. I have a professional tie to this establishment which connects to a professionally personal connection with me. And I truly do want to form a clean first impression so that I will be able to respond to all of your thoughts respectfully and with some knowledge reflecting my own personal experience.
Have a great day!
And Blessings for Everyone. Especially Furry’s.