Kristie Pereira adopted a 2-month-old hound mix puppy named Beau from Lost Dog & Cat Rescue Foundation in late 2022. However, within weeks, it became apparent that Beau was ill, with symptoms pointing to a severe neurological problem. Despite consulting multiple veterinarians and facing exorbitant costs for testing, Pereira was ultimately advised that euthanasia might be the most humane option for the puppy. After careful consideration and consultation with the rescue organization, she made the heartbreaking decision to have Beau euthanized at a Maryland shelter in March 2023.
Pereira was shocked to discover last week that Beau, now named Amos Hart by the rescue, was up for adoption on the organization’s website. She had been under the impression that Beau had been euthanized as planned. Despite her attempts to reach out to the rescue to reclaim the dog, she encountered resistance from the organization, with a representative stating that Beau would not be returned to her. The rescue defended its decision, citing their mission to save adoptable dogs and indicating that they do not re-home owner-surrendered dogs to their former owners.
The shelter where Beau was surrendered confirmed that their veterinarians did not believe the dog needed to be euthanized. Instead, they contacted the rescue and returned Beau to their care. The rescue conducted tests, diagnosed a liver problem, and funded a $7,000 surgery through a GoFundMe campaign, ultimately declaring the dog healthy. Pereira, who was unaware of these developments, expressed a willingness to cover the surgery costs to get Beau back. However, she faced challenges in communicating with the rescue, with a representative being described as rude and disrespectful towards her during their interactions.
Both the rescue and the shelter placed blame on Pereira for not consenting to the expensive testing to determine if Beau had neurological issues. The shelter emphasized their contractual obligation to return surrendered animals to the rescue and indicated that the decision to return Beau to Pereira rested with the organization. While acknowledging Pereira’s emotional attachment to Beau, they maintained that it was ultimately up to the rescue to decide whether to reunite the dog with his former owner. Overall, the situation highlighted the complexities surrounding pet ownership, surrender, and re-homing, underscoring the importance of clear communication and transparency between all parties involved.
