Bergen County Protect & Rescue

Review: On August 30, 2013 my family adopted a puppy from Bergen County Protect and Rescue. Two days later the dog began to show signs that it was ill. We called the veterinarian, and got an appointment for the 4th of August, which was the first available appointment because of the holiday week end. It turned out that the dog was severely ill, and cost us an additional $1500 (approx.) in vet bills. I went back to the rescue, which had guaranteed my family that the puppy was healthy. I was assured by the director of the rescue as well as his staff that they would do everything possible to make my dog whole again, and get him back home. They also told my wife and me they would take care of the vet bills associated with this illness. All of it was lies. Checking in weekly, their story began to change to well see if we can get the doctor to discount the bill, to we will help with a portion of the bill, to we will pay a couple of hundred dollars of the bill. Then they finally inform me to send them more copies of the bills with pictures of the dog to a fundraiser on the [redacted] page to raise money to help defer the cost of our vet bills. That never happened either. It has now been almost five months and I have received nothing. I could have easily just returned the dog and requested a new healthy puppy, but my family and I are people of integrity and honesty, unlike the people running this business. I do not want this to happen to another kind-hearted and honest people trying to rescue an animal in need.I have a 12 year old son and my wife and I have always taught him the importance of keeping your word when you commit yourself to certain obligations, and this is a slap in the face to that principle. How do I explain to my son that he is obligated by his word when an authority figure, who wears a uniform of a dog warden, very similar to that of a police officer, lies right to a consumers face, and is full of poor excuses as to why he cannot do what he has already committed himself to, it is utterly disgraceful.Desired Settlement: I would like to be reimburse for the extra medical expenses directly related to this illness, which I was originally promised by the rescue, in addition to a partial refund of the $300 dollar "donation" required to adopted the dog. Copies of the vet bills are attached the 1st total bill was $1196.20 and the 2nd related bill was $332.41.