I see two threads going on about the health of humane society/pound
animals.  I understand that they are usually short-funded and short-
staffed.  

I just adopted three cats from the humane society.

These are my issues with my cats that are directly related to the care, or
practice, of the humane society.

All of the cats shots are due--and the humane society only gives them one
type of shot--I forget the name--but it wasn't the rabies or feline luk.
shots.

All of the cats had really bad cases of ear mites.

All of the cats had fleas

Spot was sick with an upper respitory cold right after I brought him home
and I believe he may have a touch of asthma.

They said that they only adopt indoor or indoor/outdoor cats.  One of my
cats--Girly-- was a ferel cat and was fostered for two months to be more
social.  At the humane society the noise and activity became too much so
she took to a top ledge and rarely came down and would hide behind other
cats.  This wasn't informed to me by the h.s.--they said in two weeks she
would be fine.  Though, we are getting acclimated slowly--still had some
intense issues.  They told me that she was the least adoptable because she
was shy--well, that wasn't exactly true or forthcoming.

One of the cats has extremely bad teeth.  The initial cost for a dental and
teeth abstraction is going to be $250 approx.--just initally until we find
out the long-term neccessities of his teeth.  The h.s. acts like it is my
gig to pay--but they had him over a year!  I asked specifically about his
health and health record--they told me no issues.  They had Spot for over a
year--said he was unadoptable because of his age--they said he was 7--which
is fine--but come to find out the vet said he is barely five.  They told me
that George was 4-6 yrs. old--come to find out the vet said he is barely
1.5 yrs. old.  Him being a younger cat definitely would have made a
difference had I known--with my work schedule I was looking to adopt in the
range of 4-5 yr.s old.

Spot has apparently a nervous condition of dripping blood anally when he is
nervous, stressed, change in food, etc.  Again, I asked specifically about
his medical history and they said none and then a week later the very same
girl told me about this and was rude--like I should have known that.

I spent time with each cat, visited 2-3 times, asked extensive questions.
All answers they gave me were in the positive--even though it wasn't true.
Much wasn't disclosed to me until after I phoned and specifically asked
questions.  And then if I voiced a belief that I should have been informed--
they act like oh well--comes with adopting a pet.  When I voiced a concern
about financing Spot's teeth--they said, "Better start saving your money."
I about fell over.

I adopted the cats--and am committed to them.  Much of what wasn't
disclosed to me would not have changed my mind--but I would have definitely
addressed it before I adopted them.

In such a short time of spending with the cats--you don't know who has
allergies, what their previous history was, if the information being
conveyed to you is correct, etc.  Who looks at a cat's teeth, or knows to
look for fleas, or anal bleeding?  

We are working through it--but not knowing many of these issues did impact
our initial adjustment--or me in how I responded or took care of the cats.  

I didn't mean to retype my entire inital post--but did want to share this
with those that may be planning to adopt from a poud/shelter/farm/human
society.

Thanks,
Jen