1 person found this review helpful
MAIN LINE RESCUE INC
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March 11, 2013
1 person found this review helpful
I volunteered at Main Line Rescue until recently. It is very sad how the volunteers are nicer than the staff that is getting paid to do their job. The are extremely rude and think they are better than the volunteers. I volunteered at least twice a week using my own gas and time, and they can't treat me with some respect. I feel bad because I love the animals I met there so much, but I had to stop due to how rude the staff is. Also when you try to confront a problem with them they don't answer your emails and ignore you. Also they have the stupid color system which mean only blue people can take the dogs with a blue dot on their tag out. Once you complete 10 hours you go to orange, and you have to be "selected" to be green. Green is the top ranking and you can take all the dogs out. I don't agree with that because it is just a popularity scheme. I have seen "green people" be mean to dogs, not take them out of the kennel properly and even have the dog escape from them outside. By doing the color system they are just giving ranking orders and making the green feel inferior. Also their adoption rules are way to strict. Just because you don't have a fence does not mean your not a good dog owner. I don't have a fence and my dog is one of the happiest most loved dogs I know. It seems that they don't want these dogs to find a good home. They talk about how good they are about finding the perfect home, but i have seen several dogs come back after getting adopted. I am very disappointed in Main Line Rescue. I feel it is more about the people and the rescue getting noticed, than the actual dogs.
More feedback...
Would you volunteer for this group again?
No
For the time you spent, how much of an impact did you feel your work or activity had?
Some
Did the organization use your time wisely?
Somewhat badly
Would you recommend this group to a friend?
No
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2013
December 2, 2012
My husband and I have adopted two dogs from Main Line. One was a very scared puppy mill dog. We have gotten incredible support from everyone at Main Line to help our little girl and us be successful in dealing with a puppy mill dog. I cannot say enough wonderful things about the staff and Bill Smith. Yes, we had a fence check. Yes, we had our vet references checked. Yes, our other dogs came to Main Line to see if all would get along. I personally feel good that such scrutiny occurred. The bottom line is they want the best possible placement and fit for the dogs. For those that are critical or negative have lost this very important factor.
More feedback...
Would you volunteer for this group again?
Definitely
For the time you spent, how much of an impact did you feel your work or activity had?
Life-changing
Did the organization use your time wisely?
Very Well
Would you recommend this group to a friend?
Definitely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
2 people found this review helpful
October 13, 2012
2 people found this review helpful
Bill Smith, Director of MLAR, is taking advantage of the elderly with dementia. He preys on wealthy elderly people to get millions of dollars in donations for MLAR. The best part about Bill Smith is that he NEVER allows animals to be adopted. I would like to know how many animals get adopted per year? He can afford to hoard the animals by scamming the wealthy elderly. Can anyone identify with the complaint?
More feedback...
Will you volunteer or donate to this organization?
No
How much of an impact do you think this organization has?
None
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
1 person found this review helpful
August 9, 2012
1 person found this review helpful
My name is Tara, and I am reaching out to anyone who can help me get my dog Duece back! Three weeks ago Sunday my Rottie became lethargic, and didn't eat dinner. I thought because we had been outside in the heat all day, that he just wasn't hungry. I had my husband call the vet following Monday morning and tell them Duece's symptoms. He was laying around, not eating and had thrown up. The vet said to monitor the behavior and call back if he got worse. He threw up once or twice during the day and when I got home from work that night I called the vet back and was told I could bring Duece in but they were going to charge me for an emergency visit. I took Duece to the vet with my 4 year old and 10 month old since my husband was working second shift. When the vet came out to see us and I explained what was going on they assumed because I had small children that the dog must have eaten something the kids had left on the floor and that was blocking his intestines and that he needed to be xrayed immediately. I explained multiple times I have a 10 month old baby who can also choke so I don't leave anything on the floor. I had the xrays done and when the vet came back she said she believed something was lodged in his intestine and that he would need and ultrasound and emergency surgery. I asked to see the xrays and the vet responded by saying "are you familiar with looking at dog xrays?" After looking at the xrays and I asked what the next steps would be and what costs where involved. She stated an ultrasound was approximately $500 but that he needed emergency surgery and that would be no less than $3000. I asked if he was going to be ok after surgery and she said depending on how bad the object tore his intestines, they didn't know. I explained that we didn't have that kind of money. We have three kids. The vet then said well if you don't have the money you can take out a credit card or put him down. I again explained with having three kids I can't take out all kinds of debt and that I needed to talk to my husband. I requested the vet run an IV line into Duece so we could keep him hydrated overnight. The next morning Duece was worse so my husband called the vet and begged them to fix him, even saying if you will fix him you can keep him just don't make him suffer. The vet told us we had one hour to make a decision or Duece would die. The vet also suggested we turn him over to the Main Line Animal Rescue and that they would help fix Duece and adopt him out rather than us have to put him down. We couldn't stand the thought of putting a 10 month old puppy down. My husband turned Duece over to the Metropolitan Vet and signed paperwork giving him to MLAR. We called Tuesday to check on him, and Wednesday. Wednesday night MLAR called my husband to update him. They said " Duece has nothing stuck in his intestines, they are totally clear. He has parvo." My husband asked how they knew he had parvo and they stated it was a simple blood test. My husband said we want our dog back, we only signed him over because we were told he needed a surgery that costs thousands of dollars. They told us we couldn't have him back and we clearly weren't good dog owners if we weren't willing to pay for his surgery. I love my dogs, but I have three children, and I don't think how much money I have has anything to do with how much I love and care for my dogs. He was up to date on shots, had his license, was clean and well cared for. This is my families dog, my childrens dog and we gave him to these people under false pretenses and we want him back. I am asking for any help anyone can provide to bring Duece home to my family where he belongs rather than have him sitting in a shelter scared and alone. Duece is the best Rottie 3 little kids could ask for. He was born 8 days after my youngest son, and came to our home last Christmas at 8 weeks old. He has grown up with my 3 kids and we are the only family he knows. Please help me get my dog back, please!
More feedback...
How would you describe the help you got from this organization?
None
How likely are you to recommend this organization to a friend?
No
How do you feel you were treated by this organization?
Badly
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
9 people found this review helpful
May 8, 2012
9 people found this review helpful
We were initially very impressed by the Main Line Animal Rescue facility when we arrived for our scheduled appointment. Because we currently have a large 4-year-old Rotty, we expected some scrutiny regarding the selection of a second dog. The volunteer we worked with was very nice, and guided us through the facility to identify dogs who might do well in our situation. After significant discussion, several candidates were brought to the meeting pen and introduced to our family including our Rotty. One in particular impressed us all, and both ot the introduction volunteers said the meeting went very well. After the potential adoptee was taken out, Bill Smith came by. He seemed quite suspicious of us, but indicated that a home visit would be scheduled to check our fence. We were told that a "soft-hold" would be placed on the dog we'd met. By this point we'd all begun to fall in love with the animal we felt sure would be joining our family, and went home in a great mood. After looking at some reviews of the rescue online detailing their reluctance to adopt animals out, we began to worry a bit. Our fears were then confirmed about 24 hours later when we received an email form letter indicating that our application had been rejected. The message indicated that the reason for the "committee" decision would not be detailed or explained.
My opinion is that the management "committee" is more interested in publicity than in adopting animals into loving homes. I'd recommend that families who are trying to find that special addition look elsewhere rather than having their hopes dashed in the form of an impersonal and inexplicable email.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
See that they actually adopt pets, and in cases where applicants are truly not suitable, explain why.
More feedback...
Will you volunteer or donate to this organization?
No
How much of an impact do you think this organization has?
A little
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
January 6, 2012
I have adopted many dogs and cats from MLAR and am in awe of the work they do on behalf of the animals. Although their interview process can be rigorous, it reflects MLAR’s commitment for the welfare of the animals. I applaud MLAR and their staff for their hard work and dedication.
More feedback...
Will you volunteer or donate to this organization?
Definitely
How much of an impact do you think this organization has?
Life-changing
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2010
January 5, 2012
Over the years, we have adopted five dogs and two cats from this wonderful, wonderful organization. Their facility is the nicest you will ever see, and everyone there is helpful and caring. I will say that the adoption process is rigorous -- but you know what, I think it is wonderful. Bill Smith, the founder, personally checks each prospective home for a fence. The adoption counselors work to make sure the pet you ultimately adopt is right for you and your lifestyle. Every vet reference is checked. This is a hands-on operation that wants the best for every pet they place and that's the way it should be.
More feedback...
How would you describe the help you got from this organization?
A lot
How likely are you to recommend this organization to a friend?
Definitely
How do you feel you were treated by this organization?
Very Well
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2009
6 people found this review helpful
May 8, 2011
6 people found this review helpful
I was very disappointed by the way we were misled and ultimately denied a pet. After meeting with this organization, filling out questionnaires and going through a formal interview, we were told taht because our house had a doggie door, we would not be eligible to adopt a pet.
If they had been up front about this requirement, they could have saved us and them time.
The owner obviously has very unrealistic standards.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
Yes, as described above.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Lower the standards for adopting a pet.
January 10, 2011
I became aware of Main Line Animal Rescue when my wife and I were ready to adopt a dog in July 2010, we went to their website to look at who was available. We put in an application for a black lab named Rex and got a call from Helen to set up our appointment for the following Saturday. We came out to their facitlity which is truely a beautiful farm in Chester Springs, PA and got to walk through the kennel with Megan the kennel manager who was helping us with our adoption. We talked for probably about 20 minutes about our lifestyle and then got to meet Rex. We realized with Megan's help that while we loved him and he was a great dog, he wasn't right for our lifestyle. We are always on the go and do not have a lot of space and a lot of breakables in the house!! She asked us to trust her and showed us a 10 lb. Pomeranian-Chihuahua mix that ended up stealing our hearts. Just like other rescues they had to check our references and make sure that our fence was secure. Bill Smith, the founder, came out himself to check our fence and we just happened to be outside when he got here. We ended up talking to Bill for about an hour and learned more about what they do and how they do it. I had seen him featured on Oprah so we talked about the horrible puppy mills that he is trying to draw attention to and put an end to terrible conditions that these animals are forced to live in.
Because of this wonderful experience I attended their annual fundraiser in September called the Wag N' Train. it was western themed and a lot of fun! We will be adopters and donors to Main Line Animal Rescue for years to come.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
July 2010
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
help get more funding and attention so that more animals could be saved and adopted
More feedback...
How would you describe the help you got from this organization?
A lot
How likely are you to recommend this organization to a friend?
Definitely
How do you feel you were treated by this organization?
Very Well
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2010
July 22, 2010
8 people found this review helpful
This charity has unethical and legally questionable practices in the way that it deals with parties surrendering pets, those adopting the pets, and those applying to adopt pets. My sister adopted a dog from MLAR and subsequently went to China leaving me to care for the dog. When I was unable to keep the pet I called MLAR per the contract my sister signed to request their aid in placing the animal with a new family. Our vet's assistant, when she heard the dog needed a home, expressed a desire to adopt the dog. Despite her relationship with the me and the dog, she went through the proper channels by filling out an application with MLAR. Bill Smith, the director there, assured both my friend and me that she would be given the dog. Then he phoned me and asked me to bring the dog in so their vet could examine him. He said that my friend could pick up the dog the next day and take him home. I delivered the dog to MLAR and asked Bill's assistant Nancy to assure me that we would be able to pick up the dog in the morning. The next day when I went to pick up the dog, they had given him to another family. I was informed that lying to people to confiscate pets was routine and considered necessary. They admitted that I had care well for the dog, but they did not want my friend to adopt him because "they could not verify her vet records because she worked for the vet." Yet they allowed my sister to adopt the dog when neither she not her husband had ever adopted an animal before. Furthermore, they lied by assuring us that my family would be allowed to contact the adopting family for closure and in fact never provided up with that information despite numerous requests both by phone and in person. Finally, I was told that if I continued to request the information that I would be reported for harassment and that I had "no legal standing" in the matter because the contract my sister signed identified that MLAR "owns the animals and they can at any time confiscate them if they deem it necessary." People who adopt pets from MLAR are not adopting animal so much as borrowing them. In conclusion, the owner and presumable governing body of MLAR condones unethical treatment of humans and rather than considering the best interests of the animal, essentially loans the pets to the highest bidder. Their facility is assuredly palatial, but I did not see a single animal out running in the vast manicured acreage. This organization is not dedicated matching pets and owner it is dedicated to greed and control.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
that they essentially stole the dog I cared for and trained for 2 years. They assumed that they knew what was best for the dog even though they neither knew him not the woman who wanted to adopt him. They condone a policy of dishonesty and threats.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Remove the CEO. Institute policies against lying to clients. Change the language of the contracts to be reasonable. Work in cooperation with people surrendering animals to find the best homes for them.
More feedback...
What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
Nothing
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
directed to lie to me and my child.
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
do a lot of damage.
Ways to make it better...
I had been dealt with honestly and fairly.
In my opinion, the biggest challenges facing this organization are...
Unethical and questionable practices that are perpetuated by founder and CEO.
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2010
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