Jacob Hoffman of Fort Collins learned a difficult lesson last year when he found that the 3-month-old German shepherd mix he had just adopted had two deadly viruses.
Doodle had parvovirus, which attacks the cells lining a dog’s intestines causing deadly dehydration, and canine distemper, which can cause debilitating seizures.
When Hoffman questioned the shelter, Project REX in Loveland, about the diseases, he said officials offered little sympathy.
Because of other cases such as Doodle’s, as well as numerous failed inspections in the past year, the Colorado Department of Agriculture filed nine charges Monday against Project REX. They range from inadequate cleaning and sanitation to failing to provide adequate and timely veterinary care.
The not-for-profit, no-kill shelter could lose its pet-care facility license or face a $1,000 fine after an administrative law judge from the Department of Agriculture evaluates the charges against the shelter.
“When we contacted the shelter’s owner, Michael Brown, he said that we signed a contract at adoption and had two choices,” Hoffman said. “We could either bring the dog back or pay the vet bills ourselves.”
Some $2,000 later, and after months of watching his puppy suffer from two diseases that would eventually take Doodle’s life, Hoffman wants other potential dog owners to learn from his misfortune.
“Do your research of the facility before you adopt, and make sure you know what you sign on a contract,” he said.
Past inspections at Project REX have found conditions such as overcrowded kennels, dogs with cuts and injuries, and the continued practice of adopting out dogs with parvovirus.
Rachael Roberts, a certified veterinary technician at Care Animal Hospital in Arvada, said parvovirus is hard to kill.
“The virus can live on its own in the soil at a kennel for a long time.”
Roberts advises those wanting to adopt a dog to arrive at shelters equipped with questions.
“Observe how clean the shelters are and ask them how they deal with the parvovirus because every shelter has it,” she said. “Ask how common it occurs in the shelter, and if they vaccinate puppies for it before they adopt them out.”
A hearing to address the charges against Project REX has yet to be set.
Brown, who did not return phone calls seeking comment, also owns the for-profit store Pets Plus in Loveland.
Anna Haislip: 303-954-1638 or ahaislip@denverpost.com
