An Auckland resident is frustrated after being told she can't adopt a puppy she rescued because she lives in the same area where it was found.
Papatoetoe resident Reha Kumar found what she thought to be a stray puppy roaming around south Auckland and expressed interest in adopting it. However, the council came to fetch the puppy to lock it up in a pound.
After several calls and emails to Auckland Council's Silverdale Animal Shelter, Kumar has been told that she can't adopt it.
A photo of the dog is now on Auckland Council Impounded Animal's, with a description asking the owner to collect the dog "as soon as possible."
Joining AM on Wednesday to stress her frustration, Kumar said she now fears the small puppy will be euthanised.
"I emailed the shelter on Monday night, and I called them early Tuesday morning after it was taken," Kumar said. "I was like, 'I'm happy to leave the dog here and also foster it till the owners are found, and if the owners aren't found, I'm happy to adopt it'."
She said the pound initially told her she could, but said once they came to check the dog, it was micro-chipped and taken away.
"Then I saw the photo of her, and she looked terrified, and she was so happy at home."
"So, I sent them an email Monday night," she said. "I sent in the adoption letter, sent in photos of my dog, sent in details about me, what I do, and the house."
Kumar said staff at the shelter didn't reply, so she called them the next morning "as soon as they opened."
"She was so rude, whoever talked to me, and she was like 'I've just got your email, I've got dogs to tend to, I can't talk to you'."
"I was like, 'I've found this puppy, if the owners aren't found, if they don't come through, can I please adopt it?'"
However, Kumar said the shelter told her she couldn't, and that dogs can't go to the same areas that the owners could be in.
"She said, 'Well what are you going to do if you're walking her one day and the owners see her and want her back'."
Kumar said she went door-knocking in the neighbourhood to find the owner.
"She was a very lovely lady and she told me that it's in Silverdale because they didn't have the cost to get the puppy out.
"I told her I'm happy to pay the cost to get the puppy out, pay for everything if you want the puppy, and she said 'Actually, I'm happy for you to take the puppy because it seems like you, you know, look after it much better.'
Kumar admitted on AM that she doesn't know what to do, as she can't have the dog unless the owner collects it from the shelter.
Co-host Lloyd Burr suggested she "find a back doorway."
"The owner doesn't want to go all the way to Silverdale, right? So, you've got to get the owner to put them in your car, drive them to Silverdale, they've got to go and get the puppy and drive back and there you go."
"But that's scooting around their policies," he admitted.
Burr asked Kumar what will happen to the puppy if they stick to the policy, and no one comes to take the dog.
She said after posting a photo of the dog to her local community group Facebook page, all the comments warned her of the likelihood of the puppy being euthanised.
Auckland Council has confirmed with Newshub that the policy around blocking adoption based on where you live, relative to the dog's rescue, is true.
They've also confirmed the puppy has passed the temperament test and is now pending a health check.
The puppy will be put up for adoption if the owner doesn't come forward.
