[Galadriel]

We were looking at the Gwinnett pet finder page last night and ran across a very sweet looking little girl, decided to run up there at lunch. Unfortunately, she was no longer there, though if she was adopted or euthed, I do not know.
While looking through the kennels, we came upon a little 4 or 5 month old mix...probably pit/lab. She was skinny, curled up in a ball, and shivering. We asked to see her, and after much fumbling on the part of the ACO, she told us she wasn't able to find her paperwork because this little girl was next to be euthed. She also told us her face was all scared up, got into a home check being required for any pits and pit mixes, blah blah blah.
So we had the woman get her out and take her into the bonding room. She was very skinny, very sweet, and very ill. So we hugged and loved on her and she made herself at home in Evan's lap, chewing on the end of his nose.
Then this ACO begins telling us that "pit bulls" are 'born with a psychogenetic disorder that will cause them to be sweet and loving one minute, then snap for no reason the next'. I was FLOORED! She continued to ramble on about the breed and I continued to argue with her. It was painfully obvious she had no clue what she was talking about.
In the end, we did not take the pup home. She had some serious health issues and they don't test for...well...anything. So we left with a very bad experience to look back on. They claim they go through the home checks ONLY for bully breeds to make sure the dog has a good enviro, and in the same breath tell you this dog WILL attack you someday. I'm so put out that I don't want to even look at another shelter right now. It feels like we'll never be able to find our dog

[Michele]

keep looking in the shelters. They are not all like that.....you just got a bad one.

[Galadriel]

It was so god awful depressing in there. I worked at a shelter many years ago, so I know what the environment is like, but this was just unbelievable. VERY small, all indoor kennels, no toys, no blankees, just a water bowl and a concrete floor, and filth. And from what I hear, this place is fantastic compared to the old facility.
The 2 officers we talked to came off very much like it's just a paycheck to them and they couldn't care less about the work they do or finding good homes for the animals they pick up.
WHY would they allow someone to give out that kind of information when they're clearly clueless?
We'll keep looking. It was just a very disheartening experience.

[Chiapit]

Thats heartbreaking....

And it being ran by the ignorant and uncaring is a shame...

[Miakoda]

Contact a local news media source (be it newspaper or t.v.) and let them know where you went, why you were going there, what you witnesses, and why you are appalled. Play up the whole "animal rights" thing here. The news people love a good story especially when they can "bust" someone.

(I know because a local dump of a shelter down around my area was ratted out in the same way & forced to close )

[Galadriel]

That's WHY they built a new facility in the first place. Looks like all they got was a new building. It didn't improve the staff or the care, that's for damn sure.
I'll drop some e-mails in the morning to all the local media. That's a great idea!