Lynne Smith shared Villalobos Rescue Center's post.
MAJOR CHANGE TO OUR VISITING GUIDELINES
I don't have a photo to go with this post. But after the incident we had yesterday that also included tourists, I think my words will be more powerful. As some of you already know, we are having a big problem with visitors and tourists who are not respecting our rules. As it is stated ON OUR WEBSITE and as YOU ARE TOLD BEFORE YOU WALK THRU OUR GATES....this is a working environment and if we are at the warehouse....WE ARE WORKING. We have asked nicely, pleaded, scolded, yelled, etc...PLEASE DO NOT APPROACH OR TAKE PICTURES OF US WHILE WE ARE AT THE WAREHOUSE. Outside the warehouse is fine but not behind those big iron gates. I myself was struggling one day to put a dog in a kennel and literally minutes after the tourists were told NOT to take pics, this woman set off her flash literally inches from my face, blinding me and the dog almost got away.
But yesterday was the straw that broke the camel's back. A woman came up to dump her dog. She was rude and pushy and kept saying that she emailed us and we told her to bring it. Perry (Tania's husband) who is soooooo nice kept telling her that she either made a mistake or had the wrong place because this was not correct. Mind you we had tourists everywhere and our dog walkers were walking dogs outside. Her dog began to get wound up and began raging at the other dogs across the street. Country Matt came out and tried to get the woman to leave and within a split second her dog got loose from her and ran across the street and attacked "Japonica" our most fearful little puppy (of course..had to be that one....sigh) He screamed as the bigger dog latched onto his face and my kids and workers ran over there to try and pull him off of the puppy.
As if this wasn't bad enough, tourists began coming over and taking pictures. My people were able to get the adult dog off of our puppy with minimal injuries but emotions were high. I had workers crying and were visibly upset yet....some of these tourists were not even ashamed or even try to hide it as they practically stuck their cameras in my workers and kids' faces. The lack of respect for our work and insensitivity was astounding and we are now moving forward with a new visiting policy.
SO......we are now changing the rules as such and will take affect APRIL 1st!!!!! These guidelines will also be listed on our website so there will be no excuse when you show up at our gates and try the ole...." I didn't know"
SUN/MON - Closed to the public
TUES - FRI - Tours by reservation ONLY/Cost $20 per person
SAT - FREE - Open to the public, no reservation required
(Only 5 people will be allowed in at one time so be prepared to wait in line for a period of time)
TUES - FRI - Tours by reservation ONLY/Cost $20 per person
SAT - FREE - Open to the public, no reservation required
(Only 5 people will be allowed in at one time so be prepared to wait in line for a period of time)
THESE NEW GUIDELINES WILL GO INTO AFFECT - APRIL 1ST
(our website will be updated soon to make reservations)
(our website will be updated soon to make reservations)
We are very disappointed that it's come to this, but our workers and more importantly the well being of our dogs comes first. For those that have a problem with these new rules.....you are exactly the people we are talking about.
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