I am typically not a person to complain, but I had a very poor experience with a member of the staff. I am a veterinary internist attending the 2012 ACVIM conference. On my way to the conference, I ... Read More
I am typically not a person to complain, but I had a very poor experience with a member of the staff. I am a veterinary internist attending the 2012 ACVIM conference. On my way to the conference, I happened upon a sickly, distressed and abandoned/orphaned 8-9 week old kitten. I attempted to contact the LASPCA in Metarie; however, received their answering service which stated that they would likely not return my call before my return flight home. With limited available transportation, knowledge of the city and its animal control services, I had exhausted most of the reasonable options to help this kitten. I discovered this clinic listed on the internet as providing 24-hour care and thought I would be able to receive some insight, guidance and support from a local colleague. My telephone call was answered by a "Dr. Anton". I began to explain my situation and my assessment of the cat to Dr. Anton and while at first he seemed willing to help, he quickly became dismissive, belligerent and unhelpful. He mentioned several times that the cost I would incur for helping the kitten would be hundreds of dollars. I explained that while there was a limit to what I would spend on the kitten, I was willing to contribute some money to getting this kitten some help. He next suggested that I return the kitten to its natural environment, which I thought odd considering that I had explained its age, fragile medical condition and my concern that it would die of exposure and starvation. He once more returned to cost. I quickly came to what I had hoped he might offer and asked if he knew of any emergency hospitals that accepted strays for Animal Control or if he would be willing to consider extending the courtesy of accepting the kitten on behalf of the hospital. He once again informed me that this strategy would incur a cost, but never offered to accept the kitten. Having felt that I had exhausted every *reasonable* option, I asked him how much it would cost me to have the kitten humanely euthanized. Evidently, this desperate option was one he was unwilling to consider and he made one final personal castigation on my veterinary competency before he abruptly disconnected the telephone. Dr. Anton and the entire animal loving community can think what they like of my last desperate and frustrated measure, but humane euthanasia for an orphaned kitten is certainly better than returning her back to a certain, protracted and painful death at the whim of nature. I tried to explain this kitten's severely debilitated condition to Dr. Anton, but I was frequently interrupted and he was simply unwilling to listen to the details of this animal's poor condition. No matter this kitten's condition, to suggest turning it away and allow it to die from exposure and starvation is insensible at best and morally repugnant at its worst. I have absolutely no reason to doubt that Dr. Anton is anything less than a competent practitioner, but I am certain that he has room to improve in three areas: 1.) Engaging himself as an active listener; 2.) Improving his critical thinking skills and 3.) Establishing a focus on empathy (even infinitesimally). Like many of you, I have encountered numerous stray animals while traveling away from home. It is only the extreme cases that I involve myself in. Sadly, in the half a dozen or so instances that I have personally involved myself in, this is the first one where a fellow colleague was unwilling, unhelpful and unprofessional. I'm simply at a loss for words as to explain his apathy.Fortunately, there was a good outcome to this story. After being rudely dispatched by Dr. Anton, I contacted Metarie Small Animal Hospital who quickly and readily agreed to accept the kitten, provide her the minimal necessary care and surrender her to animal control for whatever her fate may be (hopefully a good home). I wrote their office manager a positive letter, praised their front staff attendant, Brian and made a donation to their hospital for helping me and (especially) the kitten out. In the future, please let Dr. Anton know that Metarie Small Animal Hospital will accept strays for the local animal control at a total cost of a $40 cab fare and a (voluntary) small donation. Read Less