I got my first dog buddy when they open in 2007 he was blind in one eye and I don’t nobody was taking so I brought him to my home I Am a vet and suicidal with PTSD That dog save my life after 10 years he passed away I went back to Alaqua to spread his ashes but I couldn’t I told Lori when she gets another dog nobody wants call me she told me to wait whet away for 10 minutes came back with a dog that was there for 3 1/2 years I brought him home he passed away from liver failure after three years now we have another dog from her I donate every chance I get the place is amazing I have to stop I cry every five minutes while I’m doing this Lori is a saint and her people are very good at what they doPlease donate to them
Review from Guidestar
They insist on neutering/spaying puppies at 8 weeks old. I asked several veterinarians about this (10 of them) and they all recommended it be done much older. I also researched veterinary journals, which show several serious health effects from fixing too early (things like bone cancer, heart tumors, thyroid problems, prostate cancer, urinary tract cancers and geriatric cognitive impairment, as well as less serious problems like obesity, cruciate ligament rupture, hip dysplasia, incontinence and developmental changes). I asked to speak to their vet about it several times and she refused to talk to me. I also asked about providing a deposit to come back and get them fixed at a healthy age, but they refused. Then they withdrew my applications without ever reviewing them (but they kept my app fee). I would avoid getting puppies from them, based on the literature there is a good chance they will have serious health issues later on. Not to mention, they are extremely difficult to get along with. They just completely stonewalled me when I asked questions. They just don’t seem to care that much about the animals’ long term health either. It’s just “spay/neuter now, regardless of age, and regardless of what problems this will cause in the future”.
My daughter and I both have been volunteering at Alaqua since May 2014. To date (Sept 25th) we have spent over 100 hours at the refuge and have seen up close the fine work done by everyone involved. If I were an animal in a transition to my forever home, or in need of sanctuary, this is the place where I would want to land. Clean facilities, caring staff, full time vet and vet technicians, a complete OR, several ICUs/CCUs, 5 play-yards for the dogs, several dozen indoor/outdoor kennels, separate puppy whelping /weaning areas, the "Unconditional Love" program with local prisons where the dogs spend training time with prisoners, beautiful grounds, etc., etc. A really great non profit.
In the winter of 2013-14, we spent the winter in the Miramar beach area of Fl. I was fortunate to have volunteered at Alaqua. I have been around animals my entire 71 years and have never encountered anything like Alaqua. From the founder and staff, the attitude is totally about caring for and finding homes for the animals. The love is visible everywhere. And then there are the volunteers, they are amazing people who selflessly give of themselves to assist in the care and happiness of the animals.
And Dr. Amy the on staff vet is amazing. I will be forever blessed for the experience I had at Alaqua.
My husband and I had been talking about getting a dog for a while. One day, while looking online, I came across Alaqua Animal Refuge on "petfinder". They had a litter of boxer/lab/pug puppies. I saw one that was named "Ava". I sent in the application and they almost immediately called my husband to set up an appointment to meet her and adopt her. I have to say she is the best thing we have bought for $175!!! Whoever said money can't buy love, has never paid the adoption fee for a puppy. Alaqua Animal Refuge is exactly that! A refuge!!!! The grounds are Beautiful. They have a variety of animals for adoption. Anytime someone asks about a dog or a cat, I recommend Alaqua Animal Refuge. The staff are a group of wonderful people.
The beautiful yellow lab mix boy that is on his back with his head on my lap as I write this would have never been in our lives if not for Alaqua. Alaqua was very modest about this, but long before our adoption, a Good Samaritan brought the banged up, emaciated mess to Alaqua. Their volunteers, staff, and Vet patched him up and cured his mange and heart worm. We would never have considered a pet with so many problems. The rest is history! Kudos and gratitude to Alaqua!
I have NEVER hear anything bad about ALAQUA ANIMAL REFUGE. I have donated things to them and right now have another bunches of towels and things for them. When I am ready to adopt another dog to train as our service dog, I will get it from ALAQUA. Out service dog is 8 so she has not many years to go. ALAQUA ANIMAL REFUGE IS THE BEST.
We adopted our newest rescue from Alaqua last November. The dog we chose was from a terrible hoarding situation and therefore had a load of issues. The volunteers called every week to make sure they were offering all the advice possible to help her adjust. I have worked with different rescue groups but never one that so genuinely cared for the animals they place. How they do what they do and still make the cost of adoption so low is a testimonial to their dedication to the animals.
I have never been impressed by a rescue that I have visited until Alaqua! All of the animal areas were spotless! All dogs and cats had toys and horses looked wonderful with fresh water and hay! Two thumbs up for Alaqua for sure. They are the best!!!!
Alaqua is a very special place. From the time yu drive in the lane early in the morning to work yu know yu just might be in a little bit if Heaven. The ducks are on the lane the roosters are telling us it's morning Lover boy is munching down his morning meal and the horses in the right field are by the fence curious as to who is coming to work. I think everyone needs to work at Alaqua even for a short time so yu can appreciate animals live and life just a little more the staff the volunteers all work as hard as each other to share love kindness and gentleness to these animals who have yet to learn and understand how much they are loved
It's a place to cry laugh and love. I cried because of the terrible places these animals came from and how they get better and slowly learn to trust.
Love Alaqua thank yu for letting me volunteer
To me Alaqua Animal Refuge is a truly amazing organization. My first experience was when I visited their facility in the fall of 2010. I adopted an adult kitty they had named "Daisy". Everyone was so nice and of course I wished I could have taken several others. Daisy fit into our little cat family perfectly. Since then I've followed Alaqua on Facebook and try to contribute to them as often as I can. They are a true blessing for the unwanted and castaway pets that find themselves there while waiting for their forever home. Thank you founder Laurie Hood and all of the wonderful volunteers for all of your hard work. Lots of love from Steve, Robbie, Regis & Kelly, Freddie & Ethel and Daisy :-)
I first came across this wonderful non profit organization when we were looking to rescue a dog. I was flabbergasted at the site and how heaven like it was. The adoption process was brilliant. I began volunteering in January and I can only say how spiritually rewarding it is to be a part of Alaqua. It is a very very special place with wonderful angels as staff and volunteers.
Alaqua is by far an exceptional Rescue / Refuge. Their caring volunteers work well with other rescues, and the focus is truly on the animals. The animals are all well cared for. clean, fed, socialized.
Regarding the comment about Alaqua refusing to take in a stray, they were correct in referring the person to take the dog to Animal Control where a found dog report would be made, and a owner could look for their dog at Animal Control.
Additionally, Alaqua is committed to transparency which is important as a not for profit.
Concerning the comment made about Alaqua picking up somone's pet...
Given what this organization has on their plate I would say they still do a good job overall.
It is far more complicated than people realize.
Wow.! Well, I believe the volunteers probably mean well but need training-- i would say--- if i see a stray and feel it is in danger i too pick them up only to go door to door to find out who it may belong to and then i hold on to them and try to find its owner. I don't call animal control, only because i have had bad experiences and know things that cause me not to trust them as well as the place and the way the animals are kept--not healthy, or loving at all and their chances of finding a home are very slim---not to mention that peoples's pets have been put down because of simply not caring --too much trouble to find out who it belongs to. ...
So...I would contact the owner Laurie Hood, and speak with her and would definitely not call Animal Control---that would turn out to be a horrible experience or a death sentence for your pooch
Alaqua please stop stealing your neighbors pets. We live in a rural area and sometimes our dogs wander. It does not give your volunteers the right to pick them up. I went down to pick up mail and my dog walked down with me. I stopped to pick some berries and was on my property in the woods with my dog along the property line sniffing around. I watched an Alaqua volunteer stop, call my dog over and try to load him up in her vehicle. I guess I could have gone over to her but I wanted to see just how far she would go, and I was calling the police. They also took my neighbors dog which tended to lay in the street in front of my neighbors yard. We live on acres of land. If there was a problem with our dogs, they should have called the dog catcher, he lives right next door instead of taking it on yourselves to steal our animals. Our animals should be able to walk and protect our property with out being lured out by your volunteers. Never mind the constant problems caused by your volunteers when walking all these animals through our neighborhood. LEAVE OUR ANIMALS ALONE!!