Pet Owners’ Inspection of Care Facilities

Pet owners are far too trusting when it comes to the medical, grooming and boarding needs of their pets. One should never leave a pet any place unless first inspecting the entire facility.

Having witnessed filthy and/or unsanitary conditions in grooming facilities, boarding and breeding kennels and even some veterinary hospitals, I feel the majority of animal facilities appear clean up front. However, the stench and filth are not witnessed by pet owners unless they inspect the back area. Please don’t accept excuses for not inspecting the entire facility. Your pet’s health and/or life may be at risk.

The county inspectors are understaffed, so don’t expect them to enforce sanitary conditions. Neither do they have jurisdiction over veterinary hospitals. Since domestic animals are so dependent on humans for protection, surely we can’t continue to ignore inhumane or unsanitary conditions.

Should you witness substandard conditions at pet stores, groomers or kennels, kindly call (the county) at (714) 834-7085. To file a complaint against a veterinarian or a humane society that provided veterinary services, please call the Southern California Veterinary Medical Assn. at (714) 523-0980.

Ironically, this board is composed of four veterinarians and only two members of the public. Some feel that veterinarians investigating their peers is a good example of the fox guarding the hen house. It is questionable that this policy is in the best interest of pets or consumers.

HAZEL MORTENSEN

Chairperson

United Humanitarians of Orange County