oops, guess I wasn't clear. The shelter gave him a rabies shot, and that's all. Passed him off to us with skin disease, intestinal disease, and heartworms. I ASKED about heartworms, and being up to date on vaccinations and all, they acted insulted that I would question such things. Good acting, I'll say.

This dog was in their care for at least 4 weeks. I'd say he was neglected by them. Seriously neglected. Poor doggy. No wonder he begged us to take him with us. (We saw him, and left. Went back with the kids to let them see him. They let us walk him around. Hubby went to hand the leash back to worker, doggy grovelled at his feet, crawled forward on the ground between his feet, total submission and begging to be accepted. Please, PLEASE don't leave me here. We went home to think about it.)

Going to call and give them what-for. Up here, the adoption fee is a hefty sum. But, I figured, since they neutered him, and theoretically gave him vet care and all his shots, it was reasonable. But they did nothing beyond neutering (rabies shot was given in Alabama.) If *I* let a dog exist with multiple infections and untreated heartworm, I could be held criminally liable. Going to give them the option of returning the fee directly to my vet to pay part of the remaining bill (vet let us split it in three parts). Then will decide what I do based on what they say. If I spread word via internet or whatever that they do this kind of thing, the other dogs there will not get adopted. But if I don't, other well-meaning people will take home seriously sick pets that they may not be able to deal with financially or physically. Or emotionally, when they are faced with dealing with it or giving back someone they fell in love with.

And, which the shelter knew from our application, we not only have the 2 kids, but 2 cats and other small pets as well, and they may have sent ringworm into our house???!!!! Thank you SO much.

Whole situation sucks. I feel sorry for doggy. I feel sorry for us. I made a calender listing his daily medicines and skin baths for the next months, so I can cross off each dose as I give it to him each day. He gets 8 pills a day right now. May be more added on when lab tests come back. Poor doggy.