I was asked to do a check by a dog rescue which saves and treats street dogs from Romania, gets them neutered vac and chip, then passported and eventually rehomed in the UK. A great idea and they do wonderful work.
Unfortunately the home check they asked me to do was awful!
It was a couple in their fifties living in Dover, semi retired, who wanted to adopt 2 GSD cross puppies aged 9 months. Apart from the fact they only had a 3 foot rickety broken fence, were neither of them physically fit enough to cope with growing and probably previously ill treated dogs like this, they had a cat which nearly made me burst into tears.
Their poor cat was covered in huge clumps of matted fur, and baring in mind it was a short hair, this had obviously been neglected over many, many months. When I mentioned the appalling state of the poor puss, the couple said "she's old"... what
difference does that make!
I asked them whether they had consulted their vet about these matts and they said "our vet told us to brush her but she doesn't like to be brushed". Nor would I if I had great clumps that size!!
It does without saying that my report to the rescue recommended they never be given a dog, or other animal, of any sort. The rescue were just as appalled as me and said no way will they give these puppies to this couple.
I also called the RSPCA and asked for an inspector to visit and persuade them they need to get this cat to the vet pronto, as the couple aren't going to listen to my guidance - the cat will need to be shaved under sedation.
But why is it some people can justify allowing animals to fall into severe neglect and suffering and merely excuse it by saying ''but it's old"!
