A GL Reader sends a heartbreaking story that we hope will have a happy ending. He found this little guy on Seventh Avenue. Hopefully, the person heartbroken about losing him will see him. Here is the email we got:
I found a kitten who was playing Frogger, dodging across the intersection of 7th Avenue and 15th St in Park Slope – managed to catch him (super friendly), wearing a collar (no tag though). Figured I could go to the Animal Kind Veterinary Hospital on 7th ave, and that they would take him, since the cat had a collar and it was in the neighborhood — but all they did was check to see if he had a microchip (none), and basically kicked us out, telling us to call 311 in the morning. Kind of a wtf moment.
While we understand the vet’s dilemma, that’s not exactly a heartwarming reaction. If he’s your email us and we’ll hook you up with the kind soul who took him in.
13 responses so far ↓
1 Anonymous // Nov 30, 2008 at 11:08 am
Although AK is a vet hospital NOT a shelter, they know man many animal rescue places and people and for them to say just call 311??? Is RUDE and insensitive. The drs at AK are sensitive and caring but THEY ARE $$$. And for them to be that rude? Also, you should know better thatn to take a cat there. KEEP the cat or put signs up.
2 Anonymous // Nov 30, 2008 at 11:26 am
AK is NOT a shelter, they could have told you about the Cat Clinic on 5th ave a few blocks away! or Hope Vet. That was rude. 311 can’t even solvef a garbage complaint. They will only tell you were to have the cat destroyd.
3 Mark Gibson DVM // Nov 30, 2008 at 1:32 pm
Well …. yes I am afraid our policy is not to take in stray animals. We aren’t an animal shelter, we are an animal hospital. You apparently did take the cat home with you and foster it which is what most people do. I know it would be much more convenient for you for us to have taken the cat. Hopefully an owner or new owner will be found. Why would you assume we should take every stray animal into the hospital? By the way, we currently have 5 cats in our hospital that need homes. Maybe “311” isn’t the best answer, but I’ll bet they have pet adoption and foundling information to give you.
4 neighbor // Nov 30, 2008 at 5:13 pm
While I have not had to use Animal Kind for any animal, I have been a neighbor for the past 6 years. While they have in the past made efforts to find homes for animals, in the last couple of years they have been clearly posting signs that they are not accepting strays. And, honestly, why should they? They are running a business and providing a service to the neighborhood. What space they have to board animals should rightly go to their patients.
5 Leigh // Nov 30, 2008 at 5:30 pm
In any event, they should be, as a member of the animal community, have a list of options to give any unsuspecting person who wanders in. 311 is NOT an answer. AK has great and caring drs, the people at the desk should follow suit, that is all we ask. 311 is a city joke as anyone who calls it knows. They would give the cat rescue person one answer: Animal Control, which= death. Just..be more with it, that cat hospital down the street? How hard can it be?
6 michael // Nov 30, 2008 at 5:53 pm
If I lived in the neighborhood and my cat went missing, I would hope that Animal Kind would hold onto my cat for me, and not direct the people who found my cat to call 311, destined for a shelter.
7 Brenda from Flatbush // Nov 30, 2008 at 8:48 pm
I had a similar experience at a different Pk Slope vet years ago, only worse: The lost dog I found wore a tag with this vet’s name on it (as the one who gave him his shots, I guess). When I brought the dog there, hoping they could reunite dog and owner through their records, or at least hold the animal (I couldn’t) while I advertised ‘lost dog’, they refused. I finally shamed them into it, and this was for a former client. I can see why a vet would need to stand firm or be overwhelmed with strays, but yes, obviously having a handout with local rescue groups on it (and CACC as last resort) would be a no-brainer.
8 Jimmy Legs // Dec 1, 2008 at 12:06 pm
It’s a tricky situation. clearly, they should have been more diplomatic, but there really isn’t a lot of networking between these various groups. the person from AK probably said 311 because they just don’t know who might be able to take in a cat like this. there SHOULD be a list of all the different types of groups in the city, but i also understand why there might not be. every group i know is already packed to the gills with animals and to ‘make an exception’ now means a snowball effect later. it’s hard to draw that line, but they have to do it.
9 laclabra // Dec 1, 2008 at 12:20 pm
Actually, calling 311 is a good idea, insofar as they will access Animal Care & Control’s database of lost and found animals, which can help you reunite the pet with their owner, if there is one.
10 Mark Gibson DVM // Dec 1, 2008 at 12:38 pm
We called 311 and yes, the only option they give is the CACC. The receptionist’s supervisor told me that we have a list of cat and dog rescue organizations this list should have been given to the good samaritan. I apologize for us having dropped the ball here. Thank you for letting us know.
11 Mark Gibson DVM // Dec 1, 2008 at 12:49 pm
Regarding lost pet identification: Having a microchip as a backup to an ID tag on a collar is my recommendation. The only collar you should have on a cat is a breakaway one, so they don’t get hung by the collar. Using such a collar means they may loose the collar with an ID tag on it. We routinely scan every lost pet for a microchip when they come in. We have returned countless pets to their owners as a result of microchip identification. I have one in each of my pets.
12 david // Dec 1, 2008 at 1:00 pm
All told, sounds like this cat’s doing a whole lot better than a homeless person who walks into Methodist…
13 Anonymous Blog Reader & Kitty Owner // Dec 1, 2008 at 1:11 pm
I am full of respect for Dr. Gibson for coming on this blog and posting on the issue. And I’m glad that Animal Kind will now have a list of rescue organization on hand in case this ever happens again.
Disclosure: Dr. Gibson is my cat’s vet and though I have sometimes had less than optimal experiences with the AK support staff, he has been a WONDERFUL vet toward my cat for almost six years. My cat has had several serious health issues and I am very satisfied with the care that she received. I recommend Dr. Gibson to anyone who asks me about vets in Park Slope.
I know this testimonial doesn’t have much to do with the story that started this post, but I didn’t want to see AK’s (or, at least, Dr. Gibson’s) reputation potentially tarnished too badly. I would not trust my cat’s health with anyone else.