Angels on Wheels is one of the best animal rescues out there in the Chicagoland area. All the animals in the rescue are in loving foster homes for as long as it takes up to adoption, NOT in cages in some shelter. All potential fosters must go through a thorough application process so Susan knows the animals will be well taken care of while in their care. Susan is absolutely wonderful at vetting the dogs and cats with the best medical care no matter the cost, and she is dedicated to finding the perfect home for every fur baby, dog, and cat. Some potential adopters often fail to understand that the rescue is an all volunteer organization and that the fosters have full time jobs and family commitments. Therefore they are not available to approve applications and for meet & greets 24/7. Many reviewers who have commented negatively here are often caught lying on their adoption applications or do not read the animals' bios making them not the right "fit". Because they are denied adoption, they feel the need to strike out against the rescue. It's sad. Susan founded the rescue years ago and works endlessly, without pay! She has a heart of gold! The entire Angels on Wheels "family" is something very special, as is every animal that goes through the rescue! The animals deserve only the best!
We adopted our cat 14 yrs ago from you. Chase passed away last week. We had 14 wonderful yrs with our loving boy chase. Thanks so much I highly recommend you rescues. He especially loved being on our screened porch. He was lovable and so sweet.
When my son was almost 7, the only thing he asked for as a birthday gift was a cat. He missed our family cat who passed away a few years before and really wanted to rescue a cat. We visited several shelters and rescues before finding Angels on Wheels. We are so grateful to have found them! An elderly couple surrendered a pregnant cat, Alice, and a vet tech fostered the mother cat and the kitties she had. There were four boys and four girls, so they were named after the Brady Brunch TV show characters. We fell in love with Greg and Peter! We kept their names, and these boys couldn't be cuter! Greg is sassy and playful. Peter is a scaredy cat who loves to cuddle on our laps. Thank you, Angels on Wheels for completing our family!
They are responsible for completing mine and my husband’s empty nest. We have two beautiful and amazing rescues from them, Macy and Molly. The love and unconditional caring for animals is obvious and their dedication goes above and beyond. I would highly recommend them to anyone looking to adopt and add to their family. Love, Karen, Chris, Macy and Molly xoxo
I've read reviews on this page and it upsets me to see how many are quick to write a negative review because the due diligence of AOW founder Susan or its fosters was an inconvenience or an attitude was misunderstood as rudeness. Seriously, ever consider what happens to pets that are returned or abandoned because people don't consider what size of breed of dog/cat fits their lifestyle or living conditions?! Well the founder of AOW does, and because of that she is thorough, efficient and tries her very best to place rescues perfectly with their future families. That is her mission despite all the numerous applications that are submitted each day or the non-stop inquiries with questions you wouldn't believe people would ask. AOW is an all-volunteer, non-profit rescue operating from its volunteers' homes in conjunction with their everyday life. All rescues are placed in volunteer foster homes for a minimal 2 week duration- this is so AOW can determine the animals behavioral traits and ensure the pet healthy for adoption and suitable for the adopter. I'm a 2x adopter and a foster parent with AOW, but more importantly I'm a parent to a special needs child. I appreciate the fact the Susan takes the time to consider an animal's behavior and personality when placing an adoptee with a family/foster with special needs, small children or elderly. Thank you Susan and AOW family!
Happy Caturday from Phineas and Rosie! They have brought so much love to our family. Can’t belive it’s been 7 years! Thank you Angels On Wheels!
Angels on Wheels is one of the best rescues I have ever seen! I have adopted 3 dogs over the past 5 years from the rescue. They truly care for all animals! Every animal is in a foster home not in a cage or at a shelter. They ensure all animals are happy and healthy. They work very hard in finding the right forever home for all of their animals. Can not say enough good things about them!!
Like other reviewer mentioned, this is a good place to adopt from if you’re a cookie cutter family. If you have a family with someone who has special needs, I would look elsewhere. They are quick to judge and the person responding through e-mails is rude, accusatory, and did not seem to understand the message we were sending her. I’m sure the foster families are great, but don’t waste your time meeting an animal here if there is something “off” about your family. However, If everyone in your household is mentally and physically healthy, I say give they place a go.
Angels on Wheels Animal Rescue 08/17/2018
I'm very sorry the meet and greet with your family and the dog didn't go well. Good luck to you and your family in finding a new companion. Since your spouse also wrote a review, I will respond to that one as well.
Showed many positives with how they treat their animals before adoption but unfortunately met the expectations with how they handled the situation at hand. Overall, if you are a cookie cutter family this is a great place to adopt from. If not, look elsewhere. (:
Angels on Wheels Animal Rescue 08/17/2018
I'm very sorry the meet and greet with your family and the dog didn't go well. Good luck to you and your family in finding a new companion. Since your spouse also wrote a review, I will respond to that one as well.
To say this has been a fantastic experience is an understatement. Susan was fantastic every step of the way. The process was very easy to make sure we were the right fit to care for the our puppy. Once the paperwork (NOT overwhelming by any means) was filled out we were asked to meet the puppy to make sure it was a good fit for us and him. ..... IT MOST DEFINITELY WAS A GOOD FIT! Susan took the time to answer all of our questions and explained everything that we can expect. Susan is obviously committed to finding good homes for these animals and has a passion for doing so.
If you are even considering adopting a pet I highly recommend Angels on Wheels (http://angelsonwheels.org/). It was simply a fantastic experience that brought our puppy into out house and our lives. Highly recommended and far exceeded every expectation.
Thanks Susan!
Roger
Roger
Six years ago we adopted a senior dog, our beloved Dude, from Angels On Wheels. We got to work directly with the foster for Dude to learn more about him and for Angels On Wheels to learn more about us. Because of the positive adoption experience we had adopting Dude, we added Dennis to our family two years later from Angels on Wheels. Every dog in their care gets exactly what that pup needs to become a treasured family member upon adoption. Dude had medical needs that were met and he was thriving when we met him. Dennis had behavior needs from a rough start that were being met when we fell in love with him. The fosters were experienced and helpful in making sure we were a good match for Dude and Dennis. Their priorities were always about the precious pets in their charge. We have stayed in touch with Dude and Dennis' fosters and with Susan, the director, and their good work continues to amaze us. Now we work with rescues in our area, and my benchmark is always Angels On Wheels. The best!
I first learned about AOW when we adopted a kitten. It was such a great experience to meet the kitten in a home and see how he plays, interacts etc. After that experience my kids and I always said we would love to reverse roles and some day be the foster family. We began fostering kittens this year and I can't say enough good things about the experience. The animals are given the best care and as fosters we are fully supported every step of the way. We have been enjoying being a foster family and look forward to continuing it for a long time.
I adopted my husband boy Kermit from AOW and could not be happier. They are a wonderful rescue and being someone in the veterinary field I’ve seen some nightmares. They checked all the boxes and even did a home visit which is sooo important. They truly care about their rescues and gave me one of the best dogs I’ve ever had!
I adopted my Cat Ivan from Angels on Wheels last September and they made the adoption process so quick and easy! I was able to bring Ivan home the same day I went to meet him and the foster family was so nice and caring of the other cats there. I love my kitty so much and when I decide to adopt any other four legged friend I will definitely go through AOW again! They are great to work with! Thank you for choosing me to be Ivan’s momma
It was sooner than later that I wanted a dog for our family. We had moved to a new house with a large fenced in yard. One early Sunday morning I was wandering through Facebook and saw our Winnie. I messaged Angels on Wheels and they replied immediately. I began the online application but before I finished, they’d already contacted a mutual friend and Winnie was ours!!! The family fostering Winnie called us right away and we drove 2hours South to get her. Our cost to get Winnie is directly related to her care and veterinary bills. We were reimbursed a substantial amount of money because we enrolled her in a discipline dog class. Angels on Wheels is a caring, loving, and responsible charity helping pets find their forever homes.
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I'd procrastinated getting my boys a dog for too long. Now that I was newly divorced in our own home, I finally started looking. Thank God I found Angels On Wheels' Facebook page! It was by chance that'd I'd had my morning coffee and was just playing around on my phone and I saw her...our Winnie. She was with her other siblings at a foster home. I contacted their FB admin and started my application. Thankfully we had mutual friends because before my online application was complete, they'd finished my references. We had our new puppy by that same evening!!!!! She has been our greatest gift to this family and we are so grateful!
I am always knocked out by the commitment and passion of Angel on Wheels. My two pups, both from AOW's, are too! Susan, her colleagues, and the transport and foster networks give 110% to the rescue and the wellbeing of the dogs and cats they give shelter to and find loving home for.
We were looking for a puppy for about 4 months but couldn’t find anything that jumped out at us. I saw Petey’s profile about 6 times but didn’t want a dog that big or over 9 months old so my granddaughter could bond and grow with it. One day I decided to read his profile that was quite lengthy buy Susan wrote it from a first person narrative and I knew immediately that I’d found my forever dog. I learned that he’d been hit by a car at 2 months old and eventually had to have his left rear leg amputated and I had just had my left leg amputated so I knew we could rehab together. Petty had also spent 7 months of his life in a veterinarian kennel so was not as emotionally mature as his age. When I spoke with Susan she said her family had been fostering Peter to make sure he recovered and thrived and when I met him and Susan and Scott I was totally shocked at Petey’s condition. He was getting around on 3 legs and was emotionally in great shape. The love he showed for them and they for him was stunning considering they’d only had him a few months. They even bought a swimming pool just for his physical therapy and they have pictures of it on their website. They did a phenomenal job with Petey and told us they weren’t supposed to get Petey when they went to Tennnessee but after seeing him they didn’t think he’d get adopted and wanted him to have a good life.
Angels on Wheels and Susan and Scott are not only a great rescue they’re a rescue with a heart. When they dropped Petey off and came to visit a few months later there were tears in their eyes when they left him. They left us 2 dog beds to borrow for him so he’d be comfortable and have his favorite smells during the transition. After adopting several cats and dogs over my life I will never do so again from anyplace other then Angels on Wheels because of their care and genuine love and concern they have for all animals make me feel comfortable with them since we are the same way. If you want to adopt a special needs furr baby or just a healthy forever furr baby this is the place to go my wife and I tell everybody about them in the hopes they’ll call them when they’re ready to adopt. Susan also left a great care package/starter kit when she left Petey here just to make sure we had everything we needed until we got to the pet store.
GREAT RESCUE GREAT RESCUE GREAT RESCUE!!!
I have had the pleasure of adopting two animals from Susan and Angels on Wheels. We adopted our cat back in 2013. Just last week we adopted another senior dog with special needs.
Susan has once again gone above and beyond not only saving another animal but pairing him with his forever home. I highly recommend her. She is one of the best there is in nonprofit rescues.
One of their volunteer foster moms (ours) was noticeably uncomfortable & unfriendly when meeting our new potential family. Also, our foster mom, she seemed to hold resentment that we surrendered our animal. Seemed cold when we met her and didn't even make a good profile for our pet's new profile description. Some need to lighten up and be more understanding.
Angels on Wheels Animal Rescue 05/23/2018
We are sorry you had a bad experience. We try to give people the benefit of the doubt. Many dogs that come to us are owner surrenders because they are too busy, no time, moving, had children, family moving in. It can be difficult for our fosters to remove that emotion given what they see.
Angels on Wheels has pretty amazing people working for them. I actually live in Columbus, OH and my friend saw Snoopy an American Bull dog mix on the Angels on Wheels Facebook page. She is friends with one of the ladies that works for them. She showed me the picture of him and I feel in love with Snoopy. Since I live in Ohio and Snoopy is in Illionis, Snoopys foster mom Judy contacted me we talked for about an hour. She asked me many many questions which showed me that she really cared about Snoopy and that he was going to a good home. She would send me pictures and keep me updated on everything. My friends friend Renee actually volunteered to bring Snoopy to my house to make sure he was happy and that he fit into our family. You could tell Renee was very knowledgeable, kind and aware to see if Snoopy was happy. She made sure he was happy before she left. That was in January of 2017 and Judy and Renee still keep in contact with me and I always share pictures with them. I am beyond thrilled that I was about to work with Angels On Wheels! These ladies truly love their animals like they are family.
We found our sweet Zoey through Angel's on Wheels. It was not stressful at all. After we got her the vet noticed a heart mumer and Angel's on Wheel took care of everything. They care about the animals young and old. The foster we got Zoey from is awesome. She watches Zoey when we go on vacation. When we are ready for a 2nd pup I will definitely go through Angel's on Wheels.
Angels on Wheels is such an amazing rescue. They don't just rescue cute puppies and highly adoptable dogs, they rescue the sick and the old. Even hospice cases that they know will never be adopted, just so they won't die on a cold concrete shelter floor. They are a foster based rescue which means that all of the animals in their care are in homes with families where they really get to know their personalities. It is the best way to know what home would be a great match for each pet. Susan takes so much time and care to find the right family for each pet. She wants to make sure they go to their forever homes and that they don't end up in a worse situation. The process can be frustrating for those who don't understand it, but it is necessary so that our animals go to the homes that are the best fit for them. As a foster, I am so grateful for that. I have fostered for Angels on Wheels for many years and I am so proud to work with some of the best people in the rescue world. Their hearts for these animals is prevalent in all that they do. I am not just a foster, but I have also adopted an Angels on Wheels pup. He is the best thing that has come along in our lives! He is such an amazing dog. Thank you AOW for allowing me to be a small part in your tireless efforts to rescue so many and for giving me the opportunity to adopt the best dog ever!
I have had the honor of working with AOW & Susan for many years. She & her organization take in so many different breed, age, medical conditions cats & dogs. AOW takes into account every pet & the adoption process seriously. Adopting a pet is for a lifetime & is a commitment. Susan takes this process to assure these wonderful animals are in the right homes. I have fostered, transported, pulled from CACC & been to Susan's home along w/ many other foster homes AOW works with. All of these fosters have the same goal in mind, show the pet-to-be the best of what human love & caring can be. When thinking about adopting, AOW is going to do what is right by the pet & placing him/her in the best suited home. That is what rescuing is all about.
I've worked with several rescues over the past 14 years. I love Angels on Wheels!! They really look out for the animals' best interest. They have an application process and yes, they ask questions, but it's all to find the best home for these furry angels. Each pet is fostered in a volunteers home and is properly vetted and vaccinated before being adopted. Every person that helps Angels on Wheels is a volunteer and many have full time jobs and kids and pets of their own. They are some of the best people I've ever met! I adopted two cats from AOW and they are fabulous!!
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I have volunteered with 3 animal rescue organizations over the past 10 years. Angels on Wheels is by far the best to work with as a volunteer. They understand that you need a break from fostering occasionally or you'll get burned out. They understand that not everyone makes a good pet owner and they ask questions of potential adopters because they want THE BEST for all of the animals they rescue. They have a formal process for adopting, which keeps the animals from winding up in research facilities (or possibly worse). However, they also understand regular people and don't keep people with children from adopting a pet, but help to educate them instead and find THE RIGHT pet, not just one that looks cute.
Our cat chickpea has been the most amazing companion possible! Angels on wheels made the whole process extremely simple and inviting. Their foster parents are amazing caring people and we have nothing but good things to say!
I'm very happy. Susan did a great job pairing families with pets. We adopted two dogs from Angels On Wheels Animal Rescue.
I love Susan and this rescue. She cares about these animals and ALWAYS makes sure they go to the right home. I have adopted two dogs from her and she made sure I was the right fit. I just can't say enough good about Angels on Wheels Animal Rescue. Thank you for all you do
I applied for a dog that I actually met with three times. The organization rejected me for no reason. When I asked why, there was no response. This organization would rather hold on to these dogs then give them to a home that loves them and will care for them. Don't wast your time filling out the 6 page application form.
Angels on Wheels Animal Rescue 05/23/2018
Without an approved adoption application you couldn't have met the dog and we don't often do events. I do recall once when a foster's friend came over with her children to play with the foster mom's puppy. Afterwards you sent in an application. Your application stated you were gone 10-12 hours a day with work and travel time. We didn't feel keeping a puppy in a crate for that long would be good for the puppy. We talked about dog walkers but you didn't feel you needed one.
I wouldn't recommend. Susan is rude as previously stated by other people on here looking to adopt. Susan is "thorough" to the point of being acusitory, shes way out of line. These are animals who need a good home, food, water, and love. Susan i encourage you to figure that out. Good luck to you and soon your soon to be 1 star business.
Angels on Wheels Animal Rescue 05/23/2018
I'm sorry you feel slighted. We are assuming we denied your application to adopt from us. We wish I knew why we denied it and perhaps we could go into more detail. It's a shame that you feel you need to give a bad review out revenge. We pride ourselves in placing our animals in homes that will take care of their emotional, physical and medical. This helps to assure the pets stay with their forever families.
Seems they would rather let their animals sit in the shelter than adopt them out to people who would love and take care of them. What a shame
Angels on Wheels Animal Rescue 05/23/2018
We don't have a shelter. All of our dogs are cared for in homes. They have back yards, and people who provide for them until we find them a home. They are not sitting on a cold floor in a building/shelter environment. We do pride ourselves and making sure our animals are adopted to families who are a good match. Not everyone is a match for a specific dog or puppy. A good matched family means we have few dogs returned to us and they remain with their forever families.
My family has always rescued our pets. We have adopted both cats and dogs through numerous rescues. Our last adoption was through Angels on Wheels and was a great experience. Susan was very thorough and made sure we were who we said were, verified our address and our references. I was completely impressed with how thorough they were in making sure their animals went to the right home. Not every home is right for every pet. I was so impressed with the good work they do and how hard they work as volunteers that I felt compelled to become a foster. It has been an absolutely wonderful experience. I have been a foster parent for angels on wheels for several years. I have had the pleasure of fostering both cats and dogs of all sizes, ages, and breeds. This rescue goes above and beyond for each and every animal making sure they have the best healthcare and go to the best home possible. It is never an easy decision to deny an application but once we have had these pets in our homes and have gotten to know them there are times that it is clear that a particular applicant is just not be the right home for this pet. This is a truly amazing and caring organization, I highly recommend them for anyone looking to adopt.
Susan and the Foster parent for Angels on Wheels was amazing! They got back to us quickly, and answered every question for us. They also followed through on calling our referrals, which made me feel that they really did care to find a good home for their pets. I would recommend Angels on Wheels to anyone!! I know if we are ever looking for another addition to our family, we will be sure to use them!!
Angels On Wheels is wonderful!! They care about where pets are placed, and that the adopter is a good match for their new furbaby.... Susan goes above and beyond for the wellbeing for the animals in the rescue.
Marcy Givens
We adopted 2 puppies in May 2015. We only had the intention of adopting one but couldn't separate brothers! The adoption process was very smooth and quick. Our foster family was wonderful to work with and we still stay in touch. They took care of the puppies since they were 2 pounds and love to see them now at 40!! The puppies have been a great addition to our family and we're thrilled to help these orphaned pups!
I'm a foster through angels on wheels and have had the pleasure of seeing first hand how wonderful this organization is. Everyone I have met who volunteers has only the best interests of the pets at heart. The woman who runs the organization would save every dog, cat, animal out there, if it were possible. I've fostered through other organizations and this one by far is the best. I appreciate that she won't just let anyone come in and adopt a new pet without verifying that they would be a good fit for the pet and the pet they are interested in is a good fit for them. If you want to foster for or adopt from an organization that wants only the best for these animals, one that loves every animal it takes in and will take the time it needs to get to know the animals and their personalities, then you have found it with Angels on Wheels!
I had a wonderful expierence dealing with this rescue organization. They were very thorough with their screening process trying to match the right dog/ cat to the interested family. They do vet checks, house checks and and personal reference checks. Their first and foremost concern is the animals. I love that they put their animals first. The person I dealt with, Susan Pratl, was very precise and professional. She knows her business and runs the rescue organization with the utmost concern for the animals she has saved. The adoption process was done in a timely manner.
I'm very happy with my dog Gilbert and Angels on Wheels. Thank you so much for saving my baby.
The person responding to the emails is very short and rude. My husband and I filled out an application and the response we received was crazy. No questions (as she continually wrote in the emails that she was asking questions) and then on top of that made quick judgments without even asking answers from the people who are trying to adopt. I literally wanted to tell her to "F*** off and who do you think you are? You do not know people who are applying". Making judgments on people is crazy especially when they just want to provide a home for a pet. I would totally not waste the time. It is like a doggie prison for these dogs.
Review from Guidestar
Whoever handles their email is incredibly rude. We inquired about a dog that was posted through petfinder.com and received a very snarky email back, implying all of our questions should have been answered through the bio (which none of our questions were).
These are the types of people who encourage individuals to buy from pet stores and breeders rather than rescues. Donate your time and money elsewhere!
My fiance and I were fosters for this organization and were treated horribly by the owner Susan Pratl. We spent our own money and time for these animals (and the organization) and did not receive an ounce of respect from her. From the first point of contact after we had been fostering for a few months, she was extremely rude and yelled at my fiance because he asked her a question about adopting a couple of our foster cats. I will not go into the long details here, but never have I nor my fiance felt more disrespected by anyone before!!!!!! I am all about giving poor animals good homes, but do not foster with this company.
Angels on Wheels Animal Rescue 04/23/2017
We provided you everything from a crate, food, litter pan, pooper scooper and paid for vetting. All we asked is that you provide the litter as we do with all of our fosters. Your fiance was very rude and argumentative to my Feline Foster Coordinator you had been working with as he got upset when he was told the adoption fee for the two kittens you wanted to adopt was higher than you wanted to pay. We had other adopters interested in them and indicated you didn't need to adopt them if it was to much. The Foster Coordinator asked me to intervene given the uncomfortable situation your finance put her in. After you adopted, you continued to vet your animals as if you were a foster charging the rescue for the continued care. We contacted you and said the care was your responsibility after adoption. You again took your kittens to our vet for shots under Angels on wheels for us to pay. At that point we removed you from our approved foster list and took you off the vet list.
Angels on Wheels Animal Rescue 04/23/2017
We provided you everything from a crate, food, litter pan, pooper scooper and paid for vetting. All we asked is that you provide the litter as we do with all of our fosters. Your fiance was very rude and argumentative to my Feline Foster Coordinator you had been working with as he got upset when he was told the adoption fee for the two kittens you wanted to adopt was higher than you wanted to pay. We had other adopters interested in them and indicated you didn't need to adopt them if it was to much. The Foster Coordinator asked me to intervene given the uncomfortable situation your finance put her in. After you adopted, you continued to vet your animals as if you were a foster charging the rescue for the continued care. We contacted you and said the care was your responsibility after adoption. You again took your kittens to our vet for shots under Angels on wheels for us to pay. At that point we removed you from our approved foster list and took you off the vet list.
My husband and I applied for a puppy. The website shows it could take up to 7 days to hear from them which seems a bit extreme...wouldn't you want to get your animals into a forever home a little bit quicker than that?! Other adoption centers contacted us the same day we applied. We sent an email 3 days after we applied on a holiday since we were all home, never expecting a reply that day since it was a holiday, because our kids were excited that we finally found a puppy we all agreed upon after losing our golden. We received the rudest reply to our email. When I replied back to them calling this woman's rude response out, I received no reply or apology. I do not believe this organization has their animals best interests in mind. The puppy we applied for is still showing up available. He could have been given a forever home had this organization done what they should have been striving for....finding him a home.
Angels on Wheels Animal Rescue 05/23/2018
Everyone who works at the rescue is a volunteer with families, and jobs. We don't have an adoption center, with paid employees to answer the phone. We say it can take 7 days because we check reference, which many time don't get back to us same day, we check vet references and if applying on a Saturday the vet won't be open until Monday. This is all done between work and family. We want to make sure the dog you are applying for is the right match and will be cared thus the reason for processing the application vs just having someone submit it and be automatically approved. We care where we send our animals especially given what we see when placed in a wrong home.
My husband I wanted to adopt a dog and we sent numerous emails along with an application and never received even one response. We had our last dog for fourteen years live in a house with a fenced yard and have someone home all day. Almost wonder if this is some sort of scam. I can't imagine you would place very many dogs with this type of response rate. Very disappointed.
I had a very abrupt email sent to me, with no reasoning. I applied for one of the dogs. All I got in return was, the board has not approved your application. I sent an email back asking for some clarification. I do not believe this is out of line. I have not received any thing back from them. I believe that is unprofessional and quite rude.
Angels on Wheels Animal Rescue 05/23/2018
The only reason we would tell you why your application was not approved as if it was something bad and we didn't want to teach you what not to put on adoption application for the next rescue you apply with.
i have fostered for this organizatiOn for the last two years and I think it is a very good rescue. The dogs and cats are completely vetted. Get their shots on time are deepened of anything with rhe top meds and all potential adopters are screened for fit. The foster always has a say in who adopts them. If the foster say needs a fenced in yard that is what they look for. Not good with kids - a family with kids is not going to get them. If we need a break we get it. If we can only work with puppies that is what we foster. I would highly recommend this rescue for adopting your forever friend because the babies you get will have been really loved and taken care of