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Phone: (530) 413-7759

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donnypauling

05/22/2013

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If you look through my review history, you'll notice this is the FIRST negative review I've given, as it isn't my style to write negatives. But this negative review is well deserved, in my opinion!



This past Friday, May 17th, 2013, I found a turtle on the side of the road who had been run over by a car. I took it to Valley Oak. The turtle has been EUTHANIZED, even after 3 different staff members assured me he would NOT be! Here's what happened:



* On Friday I found this turtle, who had been run over by a car: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151963159783782&set=a.10150228241333782.389735.616998781



* I called all around and was going to drive him two hours away to have him rehabilitated, but finally found a local network of volunteers who take care of injured wildlife. There was a long list of them and I called the first name on the list. She and her husband didn't specialize in turtles but gave me the name of a volunteer who does. She also gave me the name of a local veterinary clinic that would give the turtle a place to stay and stabilize it until the volunteer could be reached to pick it up. I am naming the veterinary clinic publicly. You'll understand why soon: Valley Oak Veterinary Center - online at http://www.valleyoakveterinarycenter.com/



* While driving to Valley Oak, I left a message on the volunteer's voicemail and he called me back within minutes. He told me that I needed to make sure the clinic knew that either he or I would pick the turtle up when he was stabilized, and that one of us would care for him, because if I didn't do so they would euthanize him, as he isn't a native species (he was a red eared slider). I immediately called and told Valley Oak what the volunteer had said and stated that I did NOT want him euthanized and that I would care for him myself. This was the first call in which I was assured they would NOT euthanize him. I was told I could actually pick him up the next morning (Saturday) if I wished.



* Saturday morning I called. I was informed that the turtle had been given antibiotics and pain medicine and was doing well. He would live, and was in fact quite active. They were waiting for a technician to work on his shell, and I should check back on Sunday to see if he was ready for pickup. Again I mentioned my desire that he not be euthanized, even if I had to pay for what was done so far. I was assured for the second time that he would not be put down.



* Sunday I drove 45 miles (each way) from my house to Valley Oak to speak in person. The lady at the desk called another person to speak to me. She told me the turtle was very healthy and that one of their doctors who specialized in turtles would fix his shell with epoxy on Monday morning. Once again I made sure they knew I did not want him euthanized and would take him home, and would pay for the services rendered if necessary. The attitude of this woman led me to believe I was being a mild annoyance with all my check ins, but once again I was assured they would NOT euthanize him. I was told they'd put a note on the check in sheet I'd filled out informing staff that I'd be picking him up. I was also told they would call me once he was ready.



* Now feeling like I was being a bother, I didn't call on Monday. I waited for their call. It didn't come.



* On Tuesday, I didn't call because Bethany had an important school meeting that took up most of our day. At about 10 pm I thought about calling but decided to give them until this morning (Wednesday) because, again, I felt like I was being a bother.



* I just called. They euthanized him because he was a non-native species and fish and game does not pay for treatment for non-natives, just as the volunteer told me they would do if I didn't call, even after being reassured three different times this would not happen and after offering to make payment myself. I am SO angry, but was kind to the rep I spoke with on the phone.

claimed iconBusiness Response05/30/2013

Donny, we understand that you are upset and frustrated about what happened with the turtle you brought in, but please allow me to explain what happened in this case and provide some information you may not be aware of. I also apologize if the information regarding ownership and treatment was not made clear to you at the time you brought the turtle in. Wildlife that is brought to us is "owned" by the Department of Public Health (through Animal Control) or the Department of Fish and Wildlife. ALL Good Samaritan cases come under jurisdiction of these agencies and they make all decisions regarding these patients. This means that individuals ("Good Samaritans") that bring wildlife in are not the legal owner of the animal. By law, the Good Samaritans are not allowed to make decisions regarding the animals treatment. The hospital, by law, also cannot legally euthanize a Good Sam case without the approval of the governing officer unless there are humanitarian reasons. What the hospital can do, however, is provide supportive treatment until a decision is made as to what course of action to take. The hospital also cannot allow the adoption of these patients without the approval of the governing officer. Please understand that these are California laws, not just our own hospital policies. For your own personal information, it is also considered a violation of the law to release non-native species into the wild, regardless of what your best intentions are. What we did in this case was stabilize the turtle you brought in so that he would have the best possible chance of recovering and could be taken by the wildlife facility that rehabilitates the sick and injured wildlife we take in. However, there were complicating medical factors in this case that also had to be considered.The turtle had internal injuries that were not apparent at the time of admission which made the chance of recovery poor. The decision was made in conjunction with the governing officer to euthanize to relieve pain and suffering. Please understand that the cost of treatment is not a factor in these decisions and whether or not the Good Samaritan desires to pay for care is not a factor. We are often in the position of providing supportive care to Good Samaritan animals until a decision is made by the governing agency. We see a large number of Good Samaritan wildlife cases that are brought in from Butte County and beyond and as heartbreaking as these decision can be we must comply with the law and cooperate with the Department of Public Health and the Department of Fish and Wildlife. We are sorry that the decision was to put this animal to sleep and hope that you understand the difficult position we are in with these situations. These cases are upsetting to everyone including the people who bring these animals in to us and also the people at Valley Oak who are committed to helping and healing animals day in and day out.

This listing has been claimed by a business representative.

Details

Phone: (530) 342-7387

Address: 2480 Dr Martin Luther King Junior Pkwy, Chico, CA 95928

Website: http://www.valleyoakveterinarycenter.com

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