Thursday, March 28, 2024

Saanich woman seeking answers after missing dog adopted by another family

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A Victoria woman is coping with loss and looking for answers after her family’s dog was put up for adoption by the BC SPCA since going missing in late May.

Jessica Underwood’s dog Rusty, a brown Pomeranian, went missing from her Saanich home on May 29.

But she says when she contacted the SPCA on Monday, June 4 after being told that a dog was there matching his description, she was told he wasn’t there.

Instead, Underwood says she was told that Rusty was likely being kept at the CRD animal shelter across from Elk Lake, just off the Patricia Bay Highway. But when she tried contacting them, she wasn’t able to reach an employee.

Underwood said that for days afterwards she played phone tag with the SPCA and CRD, calling on her breaks and leaving voicemails while at work.

It wasn’t until Friday, June 8, that Underwood was contacted by a BC SPCA employee who left a voicemail saying Rusty was in fact with them since Sunday, June 3, but he had been adopted to another family the day prior.

Rusty was transferred from CRD shelter to SPCA

Don Brown, CRD chief bylaw officer, told Victoria Buzz that Rusty was brought in to their shelter at 5 p.m. on May 29 with no license and no ID.

A Facebook post on the CRD Animal Shelter page confirms that a Pomeranian was brought to the shelter that evening.

In fact, ROAM (Reuniting Owners With Animals) wrote a comment on that post on May 30 saying, “This may be Rusty.”

A Facebook post by the CRD Animal Shelter showing a pomeranian was brought to the shelter on May 29. (CRD Animal Shelter/Facebook)

But Brown said CRD staff were unable to contact Underwood due to the lack of any ID. Underwood said Rusty did not have a tattoo, and didn’t wear a collar indoors because it was a choking hazard.

Brown said that there was no record of Underwood contacting them asking if Rusty was there.

“If she called the shelter, somebody would’ve told her,” he said.

But Underwood said she called the CRD animal shelter and left multiple voicemails between June 4 and 7, though she never spoke with any staff directly.

According to her, someone from the shelter called her while she was at work, but wouldn’t leave a voicemail.

Brown said that Rusty was eventually transferred to the SPCA for medical reasons on June 3, as he apparently had a case of dental disease. The CRD animal shelter Facebook post was edited on June 5 to reflect this.

When reached for comment, BC SPCA community relations general manager Lorie Chortyk confirmed that Rusty was transferred to their care on June 3.

Chortyk told Victoria Buzz that if a stray dog comes in, staff will check for any ID such as a collar tag, microchip, and tattoo to find the owner.

“If the owner has not identified their pet, there is a hold period where we hope the owner will come looking and there is a lost and found section on our website,” Chortyk said. “If the animal is unclaimed after that, we have to find a new home for the animal.”

Rusty was adopted by a new family on June 7

“The day after the dog was adopted into a new home, Jessica called. Apparently our staff called her back immediately and explained the situation, and felt terrible, but she never returned our call,” Chortyk said.

That June 8 phone call was the only contact made with Underwood, according to Chortyk.

When asked how that lined up with Underwood’s claim that she did speak with an SPCA employee on June 4—after Rusty was transferred to the shelter—Chortyk said it was possible that Underwood called a staff member, but didn’t give her name or the physical description didn’t match up.

If a previous owner comes forward after a dog has been adopted, the agency has the option of contacting the new owners to see if they are willing to give it up, “but since they are the new legal owner we have to respect their decision,” Chortyk said.

“The longer time passes the less likely they are to want to [give Rusty up], and we can’t make the request without [Underwood’s] permission,” she added.

Underwood told Victoria Buzz that she’s not spoken with anyone since receiving the voicemail on June 8 because she’s unable to get through to any employees.

Dog was a valued family member

Chortyk said an incident like Underwood’s is “upsetting,” and that it’s why they urge pet owners to always ID their pet.

But the suggestion will likely come as no relief to Underwood, who says the loss of Rusty is a huge blow after she recently lost her grandfather.

“I’m trying to hold my life together, and it’s just hard,” she said. “I’m absolutely lost.”

Underwood wants to see the SPCA and CRD shelter held accountable for what happened and for Rusty to be returned, if possible.

“I feel like they sold my child. My son grew up with that dog. We rescued him from a puppy mill and gave him a great life,” Underwood said.

“I feel like they did something wrong here, and didn’t give us time to get him back.”

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Myles Sauer
Former staff editor and writer at Victoria Buzz.

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