CONROE, Texas – An investigation into Care Corporation, the company that cares for Conroe’s shelter animals, revealed numerous violations that could result in criminal charges.
The probe was initiated after a puppy named Casey came in with a mangled leg last month.
Care Corp failed to treat the animal, and by the time he was picked up by a private rescue nearly three days later, he had chewed off his injured leg and required multiple blood transfusions before going into emergency surgery.
“He lost so much blood,” Joy Southard, Casey’s medical foster said. “I can’t even imagine seeing him in a kennel on Sunday with that leg, and on Monday with that leg—and doing nothing. I think they gave him carprofen, which is maybe the equivalent of an Advil for us.”
While Casey is now recovering with SNARR Rescue, the investigation that his story sparked has revealed other violations that have seemingly plagued the shelter for years. Councilmembers reacted to results read aloud by Conroe’s Interim Police Chief, Lee Tipton, at this week’s council workshop.
“I move to terminate the contract as fast as we possibly can,” Councilman Howard Wood said. “This is disgusting.”
Chief Tipton’s findings into Care Corp revealed evidence of shelter animals not being vaccinated, inadequate amounts of food and water, animals being adopted without first being spayed or neutered, accepting cash only for adoptions, and the revelation that Care Corp had allowed its insurance to lapse while also not paying its franchise tax, making the company ineligible to do business in Texas since March 2023.
Interim Chief Tipton added that he accepted responsibility for what had transpired, given that Conroe PD oversees the city’s animal shelter.
Newly elected Mayor Duke Coon echoed that sentiment.
“We own this, and we take responsibility for this,” Coon said. “I, as the mayor, take responsibility. And to the hundreds of you emailing me, this is my promise. We’re going to make this better. We will get this right.”
Mayor Coon said while it was the previous administration that proceeded with the most recent contract renewal, he would make sure future contracts would be handled correctly.
The owner of Care Corporation, Sharon Hopkins, spoke briefly in front of city council, saying she was unaware how bad things had gotten at the shelter.
“I’m not 100% sure how all of this came to be,” Hopkins said. “A lot of this I had no knowledge of as well.”
Councilmembers asked Chief Tipton about the possibility of filing criminal charges against Hopkins. Tipton said that would be up to the Montgomery County District Attorney’s office.
Conroe City Council is expected to take a vote on terminating its contract with Care Corp on August 22. Mayor Coon says city personnel is helping to care for the shelter animals until a more permanent plan is decided upon.
If you are interested in adopting Casey, contact his rescue organization here.