Friends, I would like to share an update regarding the video testimony of the former Animal Foundation employees claims of the use of shelter dogs for exploratory surgeries. Since the post, we have been contacted by two former Animal Foundation employees who have a different account to share with all of us. That being said, this post is not to discredit or deny any of the claims made by the employee in the video. Simply, I am providing new information to give a more complete picture. Newer employees have told us that dogs returning from the Oquendo Center did not have unusually large incisions, nor were they immediately killed upon return to the shelter. It is important to recognize, these employees were hired in 2011 and 2013 and were NOT employed at the same time as the employee in the video, and therefore would not have knowledge of her claims. An NKLV supporter was able to arrange and meet with Oquendo management a couple days ago to discuss the communities concerns and they assured her exploratory surgeries are not being performed on our shelter dogs. I hope thats true, but honestly I cant say I am at ease with any relationship between our municipal shelter and a veterinary training facility. Going back to what the former Animal Foundation employee revealed, I would presume that at some point after 2011, changes were made at the Oquendo Center to better protect the animals in their care. We do know in 2012 a new head surgeon was hired at the center, perhaps this accounts for these changes. I thank the brave former employee in the video for coming forward and sharing her experience with all of us. She brought this little known relationship between The Animal Foundation and the Oquendo Center to light which reveals an even bigger picture. Is there any oversight and if so by whom? Has the Animal Foundation ever financially benefited from providing live animals and/or cadavers? The former employee in the video claims they have. Why do some dogs who return from Oquendo appear underweight and/or sickly? Why are dogs who have undergone a painful, invasive spay surgery not given the optimum chance of getting adopted, but are killed instead? Why are dogs being subject to endoscopies for training purposes ONLY, that in no way medically benefits them? Endoscopies require the use of anesthesia and can pose risks of infection, bleeding and tearing or perforation of the gastrointestinal tract. If you have the same questions as I do, then comment below if you would like past and current practices investigated.
Posted on: Fri, 02 May 2014 19:25:17 +0000