Open Letter to Manchester Dogs Home

27th November 2014
Dear Manchester Dogs Home,

May we commence by expressing our gratitude to the support given to us over the past years and in advance for the future.

Boxy’s Journey
Boxy was found by a member of the public in the Greater Manchester Area, who contacted the dog warden service. She was collected at 15:30 on Sunday and taken to the out of hours vets twenty minutes later. Once stable she was then transported to you at 10:00 on Tuesday but you were not in a position to accept her.

Boxy was taken to another vet for a second opinion at 13:15 you were then contacted to ask if you were now in a position to accept her – you were not. Obviously she needed some where to go and being kept in a boarding kennels was not the answer – we took her in with paperwork showing that she had been refused acceptance by yourself.

On Thursday morning, Boxy once again saw the vet. In the afternoon you were in a position to accept Boxy into care and as requested she was delivered to your centre at Manchester: where you then transported her to Cheshire.

Ailments
Boxy has had her ailment for months, probably even a year. In which her owner failed to have her seen is neglect and cruelty unfortunately she is not microchipped and her owner cannot be traced.

In all Boxy was seen by three different vets all confirming the same situation – an infected ulcerated abscess, which needs a biopsy blood sample analysis and scans. In addition the infection needs to clear prior on any operation.

Vet Costs
The cost of the vets for the three visits has, quite rightly been covered by the Local Authority. It’s the ongoing costs, that probably will be in excess of £1,000 that are of concern to us. We don’t have reserves and had to make a public appeal.

It is regretful that our post on social media, was misinterpreted by some of the public. As the first comment on your site states “I have seen the original post from Merseyside and It didnt seem to blame you for anything it just stated some basic facts”

We will be offering people who donated to Boxy’s cause a refund.

Your post on social media
I appreciate that in large organisations facts can get lost and often misinterpreted. Can I clarify the comments:
1 Your comment
Although the dog had received basic care we felt that she needed emergency treatment.
Our comment
You have not had the dog examined. Three vets have given the same opinion and that advice was followed.
2 Your comment
Once the dog had received the emergency attention from the vet we were more than happy to take the dog and continue its treatment ourselves.
Our comment
You were contacted at 14.20 on Tuesday after the second vet visit and was unable to accept her.
3 Your comment
As a charity we are extremely disappointed in the way that a non-profit organisation such as Merseyside Dogs Home has attempted to use the difficult situation that we have found ourselves in after the fire for their own gain.
Our comment
We were trying to help out a dog in need and yourself.
4 Your comment
Even after the fire we have taken in dogs from them.
Our comment
Not true, the last dog was Quentin who originally came over to you the day before the fire.

We appreciate you were unable to accept Boxy because demolition work had started also due to having no vet room access and restricted operations – we have never stated anything different and this situation was understandable.

Apology
We apologise for the public misinterpretation of our post please be assured there was no malice intended.

Charity Status
On a more positive note our Charity Commission application is progressing well and should reach approval early in 2015.

Boxy
As a larger organisation, I am sure Boxy will do well in your care and I look forward to seeing news of her on your site.

We hope this event does not affect our close working partnership

Yours Sincerely

Merseyside Dogs Home