I googled "Independence Animal Shelter" and it appears to be a city-owned facility. I would think that the city would have a great deal of leverage and responsibility over their employee's actions. For instance, did she pay the adoption fee for the dog or did she just take it as a "perk" of the job? Has she done this kind of thing in the past or is it a common practice? Why this dog?
I just can't believe with all the adopable dogs that go through an animal shelter that she has to have this particular dog that has a family already. What an incredibly bad decision on her part.
She's an employee of the city? Working in a shelter? With access to, perhaps, thousands of dogs? The city needs to tell her to give the dog back or lose her job! She can take her pick of dogs who NEED homes and are unwanted. Actually, I'd tell her that and then fire her as soon as she returned the dog and signed papers releasing it--but then I'm vindictive and suspicious. Anyone who would do what she is doing can't be a person that is kind to animals because look how she treats people.
It is hard to imagine that there is no grace period. Even so, I doubt it would be 3 weeks. Again, I have to wonder if the folks who had the temp digs could not have found some compassion for the man and his pet as he looked for a home.
I get that there are places that do not take pets but I do not know about you but how could you look someone in the eye and say, you made it all the way here, after losing everything but I am sorry for you to stay you must get rid of the pet.
There is something wrong with that. I do know that putting a pet in the kennel is costly. Especially where he stands with FEMA and all the resources available.
So many dropped the ball in this case.