HomeMy WebLinkAboutPublic Comment CC Mtg.
Upward Dog r
A 501(c)(3) non-profit organizA&hda Item No:
P.O. Box 4023, Carlsbad, CA 92�
Tax ID 45-4892004 % lam
of Bart Semardino
My name is Valerie Ashton, and I live in Carlsbad, CA. I am the founder and managing director of
Upward Dog Rescue, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. We have been an Adoption Partner with
San Bernardino City Animal Shelter since 2012. Since this is my first time here at a council meeting, I
would first like to thank the city for the opportunity to help such wonderful, amazing dogs. I could give
you many, many names of adopters of dogs rescued from your shelter who would all tell you the
same thing: thank you for letting Upward Dog Rescue save my family member's life.
A recent event has prompted me to come here today. On Thursday, March 27, 1 pulled a little dog
from the shelter who unfortunately will never get to meet a forever home because he died at our
veterinary hospital. His name was Inky Binky. Perhaps some of you were some of the 4,000 plus
people who saw his video on YouTube. I didn't name him Inky Binky, that was his name on his tag.
And ironically, having that tag around his neck is likely part of the reason he is no longer alive.
Dogs that come in as strays to San Bernardino City are released to go to adoption or rescue partners
after 3 days. But because Inky Binky had that tag on his neck, the shelter held him for 10 days. From
sometime on March 17 after he was picked up in Colton until exactly noon on March 27th when I was
in the lobby to rescue him. For most dogs, a 10 day hold at the shelter wouldn't be that big of a deal,
they probably would get kennel cough that hopefully wouldn't develop into pneumonia. But Inky Binky
was different. He had a horrific, massive degloving injury and two broken back legs.
After being picked up by animal control both of Inky Binky's legs were bandaged, with instructions to
change bandages every 3 days. That never happened. When I rescued him, he had the same
bandages as his shelter intake photo. He smelled septic and I was overcome with nausea. If I took
that poor of care of a dog, my vet would probably report me to authorities.
Although we were initially hopeful he would stabilize and we could do the surgery, Inky Binky
succumbed to his battle on March 31st. I will never forget this sweet little 4-pound dog, which brings
me to why I am here today.
Injured and ill dogs come into your shelter all the time. Your adoption partner rescues want to help
them. This is especially critical in cases of confiscation and microchip holds. My rescue and other
approved 501c3 rescue partners are willing to take on the veterinary costs when we rescue these
dogs. I believe this is a win-win for the city because it will save you money and leave an empty
kennel.
I know there are lots of news stories and petitions circulating about the shelter and it's employees,
and other networkers. Let me just say that I have no other agenda than to rescue dogs and get them
adopted. I want to work with you and I promise I will be reasonable and easy to work with. I am here
today to ask you to please schedule a hearing or roundtable discussion where adoption partners can
meet with Council members of San Bernardino and other cities that contract with the shelter. Let's all
work together to make your Animal Control program one you can be proud of. I know we can do it
and we will save a lot of lives in the process. Thank you!
Contact info for Valerie Ashton: valerie @upwarddogrescue.org April 7, 2014
UP' ar- d Dog RescAue
A 501(c)(3) non-profit organization
P.O. Box 4023, Carlsbad, CA 92018
Tax ID 45-4892004
Inky Binky — A462488
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Rescued March 27, 2014. Died March 31, 2014.
Contact- Valerie Ashton valerie D-upwarddogrescue.org