"Why are you people so incompetent?"

[ghost2]

I felt like saying the topic line to the people at the animal shelter, but somehow restrained myself. I think I'm a little proud of that.


Quick recap: The manager of the animal shelter--yes, the woman who supposedly runs the place and thus could be expected to be somewhat competent, one would think--is the one who told me that my cat Jack had not been neutered. So I paid for a "nonrefundable" neutering and rabies shot. On that day, Jack was examined by two more shelter employees and was judged to be sick, thus couldn't be done and was rescheduled for next month. The vet I then took him to for his illness casually mentioned that Jack was already neutered. (I had owned him for mere days at this point and hadn't personally checked him.)

Since that point, I have phoned the shelter and explained their incompetence to them using less rude wording. I also waited until Jack got over being sick, took him back to the one competent person I had so far spoken with (the vet), got his rabies shot, had the vet note the neutering on formal paperwork, and then returned to the shelter with the paperwork, explained the whole mess to yet another employee, and was told that I should get a refund for the "nonrefundable" and totally unnecessary neutering "probably in a few weeks."

I'm not counting the money before it's back in my account, let me put it that way.

Cute story to offset the annoyingness! I put Jack in the carrier for the vet visit. In the waiting room, he kept meowing at me to let him out and I had to keep saying no. Once we got in the examination room, I opened the carrier door. Jack stepped out, and the vet grabbed him and gave him the rabies shot. The second he let go, Jack turned and walked right back in the carrier with no urging. I bet he wished he hadn't come out in the first place! But he is all set for a while now, so that's good.

Comments

[nonelvis]

The shelter's incompetence is really annoying, but at least Jack is all set now, and there's a chance you'll get that neutering money back.

I've seen my cats hide in their carriers after a vet visit as well. Apparently a carrier is scary, but not nearly as scary as the vet.

[ghost2.livejournal.com]

I think that he's just happy he doesn't have to be hauled back and forth at unexpected times. He doesn't mind the carrier, though. He's been using it as a type of den during the day.

[persiflage-1.livejournal.com]

Oh honestly! That's taking incompetence too far!

My cat, Shade, will often do that - turn around and get back into the carrier without a peep of protest!

[ghost2.livejournal.com]

I could have cheerfully strangled someone, but I thought my chances of getting my money back were a lot higher if I remained polite. It was not easy.

[persiflage-1.livejournal.com]

LOL yes, probably!

[phlegethon-vii.livejournal.com]

I always thought it was harder to tell if cat had been neutered. I don't recall either of my boys having giant bollocks waving about down there before they were done, unlike my dog where it was fairly bloody obvious. In that case it doesn't suprise me that a relative layperson wouldn't be able to tell that your cat had had already been neutered...although you kinda expect someone who works at an animal shelter to have enough knowledge in that area even if they've no vet experience.

Hopefully you'll get your money back.

[ghost2.livejournal.com]

I actually asked the shelter manager if she was "sure" Jack had not been neutered, and she confidently answered that he hadn't been. It was a mistake that cost me at least $100, since I had to cart him back and forth in a taxi on several unnecessary trips and all of that took up hours of time when I could have been working and earning some cash. Plus, it was inconvenient.

The good thing is, they mailed me a refund check for the neutering clinic today, so at least I recouped some of the money. :)

[stellastars]

Goodness, that's both annoying and worrisome that the folks at the shelter don't have their acts together. Hope the money gets refunded as promised.

My family just adopted a kitty from a shelter and she has her check-up with our vet on Monday. My fingers are crossed that I won't run into any such problems!

[ghost2.livejournal.com]

They sent me the refund today, which is way quicker than I had expected. I think (hope) the odds of your running into any problems like mine are slim.

[stellastars]

Glad to hear they got the refund sorted out and faster than anticipated.

My new cat just got a clean bill of health from our vet yesterday, so it looks like everything is good and settled with our area shelter!