Differences with city, stray volume, false accusations drive Parkview’s decision

Differences in philosophy between Parkview Animal Hospital and the Newton Police Department was a major factor in the veterinary clinic’s decision to ending its shelter agreement with the city, which will go into effect in just one week and has forced the city council to move forward with an animal control facility.

In a Facebook post from Sept. 30, Parkview said its decision to form a contract with the city was motivated by the veterinary clinic’s commitment to supporting local animals after the closure of the Jasper County Animal Rescue League in July 2020. Of note, the rescue league was a nonprofit and not a city program.

However, the veterinary clinic said as circumstances changed it became clear the objectives of Parkview and the objectives of the Newton Police Department no longer aligned, despite efforts to provide a safe haven for animals. Parkview also said it never intended to take on the responsibilities of JCARL.

Despite their efforts, the staff at Parkview have faced criticism regarding fees that they say reflects the necessary standards every pet owner should maintain. The veterinary clinic also said it has been wrongly accused of euthanizing animals for space, a practice that Parkview was adamant it does “not engage in.”

“Unfortunately, the praise we receive from a few is often overshadowed by the skepticism and distrust from many,” Parkview said in the Facebook post. “Therefore, effective Oct. 15, 2024, we will no longer serve as the pound facility for housing stray dogs or sick/injured cats from the City of Newton.”

Terri McKinney, clinic manager of Parkview Animal Hospital, told Newton News that when the facility signed on to assist the city with animal control it was to help stray dogs and sick and injured cats. Over the past few years, she said it has been a lot more than just stray dogs and sick and injured cats.

“There was a lot behind the scenes that we were not prepared to take on, and that puts us in to our business ethics and those kinds of things,” she said. “You have bite dogs coming in, and for us we don’t know the situation. Is it a provoked bite? But when we deal with them they’re very healthy and non-aggressive.”

When Newton News first reported about Parkview entering into an agreement with the city for sheltering services back in 2020, it was noted that this contract would only be temporary. It was also apparent that owners would need proof of vaccinations at time of pickup, otherwise the owners were financially responsible.

“Bottom line, it comes down to we are in the animal care industry and looking out for the best interests of that animal,” McKinney said. “Obviously, as a city entity, they have different things behind them so they have to look at different scenarios. There is more to it than an added fee here or there.”

From what McKinney sees, both entities had no idea what they were getting into in the beginning. The number of animals the city initially estimated, for instance, did not end up being accurate. Parkview was expecting around 100 to 120 dogs per year, but the clinic received double that amount of dogs.

Disagreements over the city’s vicious dogs protocols have also contributed to Parkview’s decision to end the partnership. McKinney said there was an instance where a dog was kept in Parkview’s custody for six months after a bite incident. McKinney said Parkview wants to look out for animals.

“That’s what we do,” she said. “I understand there is a business side to it but we’re on the pet side. So we have to step up and look out for the animal when it comes to certain situations. We had some differences that were in our best interests to kind of let things go.”

McKinney added that the veterinary clinic stood its good against efforts to euthanize the animal in this particular instance. To her, it was a happy and healthy dog that had placement ready outside of Iowa if the city had lifted its dangerous dog label. But she said the city chose not to.

“I would understand had a behaviorist or someone come in to meet this dog and then make that decision, and then we could have backed that decision. We had the dog here for six months and no one came to meet her, to see her, to witness her behaviors,” she said. “It’s one where we have to stand up for the animal.”

McKinney said she holds no ill will toward the city and understands where the city is coming from. But she is going to be on the side that advocates for animals.

“When we can’t override those situations, that kind of puts us in a bad situation,” McKinney said.

Of note, Parkview plans to maintain its animal control agreement with Jasper County, which provides significantly less dogs compared to Newton.