Dear Sir or Madam (I do use these terms with great reluctance),
It has been the sum of my experience that when dealing with organizations such as yours that no amount of cajoling, no logical reasoning, not even any impassioned plea for consideration will move you to act. I nonetheless take on the monumental tasks of pointing out certain idiocies in your current operations and demanding swift action and immediate public apology for your negligence.
I direct my ire at the so called “humane” nature of your organization. This Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) is mere pretense; a sham. In a desperate hour I turned to my local HSUS office and was denied help for my dear pets. Is it not enough that I am burdened with moving home and family to a new city? No! Apparently I must also be rudely treated by the very people of whom I ask help.
Let me state for the record that giving one’s beloved pets up for adoption is a sorrow beyond compare. My poor dears (Judi, Arthur, Jana, and Fabian) need a new home! They cannot survive the stresses of a move! But the HSUS seems to take the position that goldfish are not worthy of their care and attention. These precious goldfish come from the best of breeders. They are refined and dignified pets of such quality any person would be proud to adopt. Your organization takes in the basest feline and canine examples ever to be seen. Rabbits and guinea pigs whose blood lines are undoubtedly contaminated, litter your cages and display cases.
But my darlings, my purebred goldfish are turned aside. “Fish! The HSUS does not do fish.” I am told. When I explained my wretched circumstances your personnel giggled at me. I was ridiculed and humiliated in front of a crowd of onlookers. During one brief moment I believed help would at last be procured: one of your animal control officers (Sgt. D. Amada) declared she would take care of the situation. With great thanks I began to hand over my darlings to her. Then this officer declared she would “flush them down the toilet,” and laughing heartily continued “they’re better off in the ocean anyways.”
How is it possible that this type of behavior is condoned? How is this level of ignorance (for goodness sake, goldfish are freshwater not saltwater creatures) tolerated? The HSUS must take accountability for the suffering I and my goldfish have endured in our dealings with them. I demand an apology forthwith. The resignation of all HSUS governing board members at this time would not seem out of line. Your organization is failing in its purpose and I will settle for nothing less than its total dismantling.
I have written a letter to my congresswoman and senator in Washington DC. You will, I am sure, hear from them soon on this matter.
Outraged and appalled,
S.J. Marlin