I had such a successful and rewarding experience adopting my first dog, I have adopted a second dog from this organization. Both of my fur babies were very healthy and socialized. I would recommend this organization to everyone and anyone looking to adopt.
Review from Guidestar
The most moving and memorable experience in my life was adopting my rescue. This organization is the gold standard. They were responsive, responsible and absolutely a pleasure to work with start to finish.
Review from Guidestar
Hi, My husband and I adopted Griffin (aka Myles at 4 months old) in May 2021. He is Australian Shepard, Collie and possibly Lab mix. He is such a great dog, full of life, loveable and so happy. He is so very smart and has exceeded all of our expectations. It had been over 20 years since I had trained a puppy, but it was well worth the effort. He was trained in record time and is still mastering new skills at 10 months. Crossing Paths have been exceptionally supportive and helpful through the adoption process and beyond. I still keep in touch with one of the wonderful ladies there, Ruth. I send her progress reports and pictures often. This organization is very detailed in their profiles of the dogs and have many resources for helping with the placement and adjustment period following. Thank you all at Crossing Paths for your wonderful work and compassion.
Sincerely,
Rosemary Hedger
Hi everyone,
I have adopted two dogs from Crossing Paths. My first Bella is now 8 years old. She was only a little over one year when I first adopted her. She saved my life after the death of my lab. I cried the whole time when I called about her. I was told then I wouldn't be sorry. I never have. She loves everyone, my grandchildren who came over the last few years and her brother that I adopted a year later from crossing paths. My granddaughter told me she is beautiful and pets her beautiful face.
I adopted Jayden about a year after Bella. She loves other dogs. He is a simple dog with simple needs and so different from my females but loves me, Bella and my grandchildren. You still have to get him used to a new dog to join the pack but once he does he is their friend. They both have given me so much. I just realized my beautiful Bella is starting to age. I am so happy I found this rescue. They have given me more than they will ever realize.
A few years ago I helped this organization and I posted dogs on adoption sites, called and checked vet references, spoke to the potential adopter and if I felt it was a good home connected the potential adopter with the foster area in Alabama. I helped place hundreds of dogs every year. Dogs that were in a kill shelter with a 92 percent kill rate at the time. This group honestly represents their dogs and our return rate was less than 2 percent. They are reasonable to work with and not over the top as many rescues are. They pull dogs with good temperments . They do not adopt dogs with any known aggression or other serious issues. Every dog is altered, puppies are not shipped until they have three sets of vaccinations, and they always have a health certificate. I love the way this rescue operates. The work is so hard and so demanding and I give credit to MaryEllen T. and all of her volunteers. My mother, sister, coworkers, and friends have all adopted from them (not to mention my current two dogs). Every dog adopted was awesome and exactly what the rescue said they were. This is probably the best rescue that I know of. Do not hesitate to work with them. These are my dogs
Review from Guidestar
I just saw the new review from the person who adopted out an animal from this organization. Good for her that she had a good experience; but with whom? The PA affilate /Yardley Dogs (NOT the main Alabama facility) issue here is simple - they not only adopted out without decent vetting, but upon being informed that an animal they adopted out was in a compromising circumstance - they turned a blind eye to the situation AND (to make matters MUCH worse) told me to "report it to the authorities"! Essentially dumping their bad decision onto another agency, taking NO accountability for their poor decision.. Finally, having provided this sensitive information to them, and asking for confidentiality, they LITERALLY read my entire email to the adopter! Utterly unprofessional. This was a minor complaint, as the animals welfare was my number one concern - unfortunately, not to them. However, for the other poster to imply that I have a) lost sight of "the goal" and b) that I am part of the problem and looking for "power/control" is laughable. Reread my original post. I have been involved in rescue for 25 years! I currently serve as a member of a another, nationwide rescue organization, where I was heaviliy vetted. One in which I have fostered, transported, and provided home visit inspections for, in addition to general volunteering at fundraiser events. An animals welfare is THE most important part of rescue - all decent rescues. I am crystal clear on that. But this place has lost sight of that - not me. They are adopting out to adopt out and that solves no ones problem. For the other reviewer to imply that to adopt to a bad home is somehow better than euthanaisa is insanity! As far as a me looking for power and control - really?!? Exactly how do I have power and control here? Listen, I am well aware that volunteering for a rescue is incredibly hard and thankless work. It's a ridculously tough, unpaid job. Sadly there are many, many people with very big hearts who are involved, but have lost sight of the mission. The mission to place an animal in a stable, appropriate home where it will remain well cared for, for the rest of it's life. To simply move an animal from one state to another, to be dumped into yet another shelter, or worse, to end up living a life of misery is 'helping' NO ONE, most of all that poor animal. There are tons of other amazing and thorough rescue groups out there. But after all I've said, you really only need to re-read one other thing, the other posters one comment... "Most of the applications for local rescues were ridiculously stringent". Folks, that one statement should tell you ALL you need to know. You want that, the animal wants that. It's done for a reason.. because it's best practice for all involved. You will be more likely to get a pet that is THE best fit for your family ; a process that comes from proper vetting procedures. Not all dogs are for all people; despite the fact that there are too many without a home. Unfortunately, when you learn the numbers - there is no way to provide a home to all the animals out there. Adoption AND Spay/Neuter are the answer to overpopulation.
Previous Stories
This organization adopted out a dog with simply one vet call. Someone who knew the adopted the dog and was very concerned about the rescue's decision. This person called me to intervene as I have been involved in rescue for over 25 years. I called, with the promise of confidentiality, to express deep concern for the dogs care and welfare - short AND long term. They promised they would investigate.
This 'rescue' (as they call themselves) simply called the new owner and read to them ALL the accusations! Then had the audacity to tell me "there were satisifed"!?! Satisified with what, a lying persons claim that they weren't lying?!? Not to mention the compromised the confidentiality by relaying all those details!?!
Then they wrote me an email telling me if I had concerns to contact "the authorities directly". No concern for their poor decision, no accountabliity - just passing the buck onto our local agencies to clean up the mess they created!
Places like this that adopt out simply to find a home for a animal, whether it is a good home or a good fit, is no excuse. There lack of substantial investigation is simply taking an animal that has already been uprooted, at least once, and subject it to a situation where it will likely be uprooted again is a disgrace! Every new transition likely creates a animal that becomes less and less adoptable!
Do yourself a favor and DO NOT support this 'so called' rescue and their practices. Consider for a moment... that if they don't put effort into properly vetting you - what kind of quality information are they vetting about the animal for you... that you are about to bring into your home?!?
I first adopted from them back in 2010 and couldn’t have been happier with our dogs, which we still have (age 11 and 12 now). I recently lost my 2 senior Yorkies that I rescued just 4 short years ago and found that I wanted/need another small dog for myself. I searched and searched and searched for the dog for me. Most of the applications for local rescues were ridiculously stringent and overbearing to an absolute fault to these poor animals in shelters awaiting forever homes. I’ve heard from strangers their agreement in the absolute overkill in this adoption process. No one goes through anything like this to have a child. Crossing Paths is fair and responsible. I am very happy to say that we just received our very sweet girl yesterday. I have nothing but respect and kind regards for Crossing Paths and everyone who works with them to accomplish their missions, and I am thankful for all of the hard work they continue to do. I feel very blessed to have been able to adopt through Crossing Paths again. They are just an amazing organization. And anyone who says otherwise has (1) forgotten what the goal is here. To find good loving homes for animals who would otherwise be KILLED (I refuse to use the word ‘euthanize’ or the term ‘put down’ because it does not give the full impact of what happens) and (2) is probably part of the problem of thinking (and using) Rescue is an outlet for personal power and control. THANK YOU AND GOD BLESS EVERYONE INVOLVED WITH-CROSSING PATHS!!!