04/24/2025
Dear EMCSPCA Friends,
Regarding information published on Facebook about the dog, Cooper, at the Eastern Madera County SPCA in Ahwahnee…. The dog had been relinquished to us and was soon placed in a home as a “foster-to-adopt”. This policy allows the dog to socialize with a family, but is still owned by the EMCSPCA. It is the policy of the EMCSPCA that all animals are vaccinated and spayed or neutered prior to adoption. An appointment was scheduled for neuter surgery, but was a few weeks away. As the potential adopter was known to us through her relationship with an employee, we allowed her to take the dog, knowing we would have the dog altered and complete his vaccine cycle and microchipping at our expense. Shortly after taking the dog, she inquired about waiting until the dog was 18 months old to be neutered, per the advice of a breeder. We informed her that as not our policy and we had an appointment scheduled. She agreed to take the dog to the appointment. The morning of the appointment, she called the veterinary office and cancelled the appointment saying the dog was sick. They rescheduled the appointment for two weeks later. The veterinary office called the Center to let us know that the dog was not being neutered due to illness. The manager called the foster and was told she had called the Center as the dog was very, very sick, and had left a message. We made the decision to check on the dog and take it for medical care if needed. When the managers arrived at the home of the foster, she was outside and invited them to follow her into the home where they checked the dog. Again they were told that the dog was very sick over the weekend. They did not see signs of illness, which were described as vomiting and diarrhea. They were told the dog had been taken to a party at a park and may have eaten something there. They did notice the dog was holding its’ head to the side and had some foxtails in its coat. They told her they would take the dog to the vet. As they were leaving with the dog, she became very agitated. An appointment was arranged immediately, and dog was taken to the vet. The vet saw no signs of illness, but they cleaned the ear and prescribed medication and suggested the dog be observed for a few days.
I received a call from the foster, who was extremely upset, saying “they had taken her dog”. She was so agitated, I could barely understand her. I told her I would find out what the situation was with the dog. That included reaching the vet, and talking with the managers, as well as observing the dog. Before I could call her the following morning, I received a call from a Madera County Sheriff’s Sergeant saying they had received a call reporting that the EMCSPCA had taken her dog. I explained that the dog was ours, she had not yet adopted the dog, rather, she was fostering it until we had finished all necessary medical care. Shortly after that, I received a call from a person who said he was an attorney and suggested we just give her the dog. Later, I saw her initial Facebook post. I contacted our attorney who advised us that we should keep the dog as it needed medical care, and since the dog had not been adopted, it was still our responsibility. We moved the dog to a foster home that could provide that care, completed his vaccine protocol, and had him neutered yesterday. I have been in contact with Alicia, and also spoke in person to our employee, with whom she had a relationship, notifying them that all of the medical procedures would be completed, and we would arrange for paperwork to be completed even though we would not have an adoption counselor available. She picked up Cooper at 9:30 this morning. 4/24 and was given all of his records.
The Eastern Madera County SPCA’s first priority is the health and safety of the animals in our care. It is our policy that no animal will be adopted without being altered. The timing depends on the age of the pet and availability of veterinary appointments. Any animal in foster care is legally our animal until an adoption contract is signed.
Sharon Fitzgerald
President, EMCSPCA
Eastern Madera County SPCA is a volunteer organization dedicated to the humane treatment of animals.
