Friends Of Camden Animal Shelter

I went there to find a dog in need of a loving home. When I walked through the kennels I was brought to tears as every kennel housed one or more dogs that were matted and/or dirty. Their kennels were filled with pee that ran into the main walkways. I wanted to meet a dog, but they told me I had to fill out an online app and come back to meet a dog, I live an hour away. I filled out the app and asked if they were short on volunteers because of the conditions I saw. The "exec. director Kathleen Leary" said it was a lie/called me a liar, was extremely nasty and then told me "good luck in my search." I've seen similar nasty replies to others. I feel her ego was the determining factor in not allowing me to adopt. I am disappointed I cannot get the dog I wanted out of that disgusting filthy place where she has no business being in charge of even stuffed animals.

I learned about AAC in 2005 when I was looking for a second dog. I saw a dog on Petfinder that was housed at AAC and went there to see the dog. The staff could not have been nicer or more helpful. They brought Petey out and informed me that he had been in the shelter for 5 years! Seems as though Petey was brought back twice for separation anxiety, and AAC would only adopt him out to someone who already had a dog. I was amazed that a shelter would keep a dog for 5 years! The staff did a thorough check - they required two references, my vet's name and number, etc., and they called one of the references. I thought it was terrific that they took that much time and effort to ensure that the dog was going to a good home. Subsequently, they called three times to see how things were going. I even became friendly with a board member and a staff person who had grown very close to Petey over the years, and they visited him several times. Since then, I have donated to this wonderful organization. They are saving thousands of lives.

Regarding the review by Puppylove3: My name is Don Jennings, and I'm the Shelter Director at the Friends of Camden Animal Shelter (dba Animal Adoption Center). Thank you for your candor in reviewing your experience with our organization. Feedback like this helps us to do our jobs well.

I've been in this position since February of 2014, and can tell you that although we've struggled in the past with leadership and financial stability, the trustees and I are are working hard to restructure the organization for the future. All of our financial information is available here at Guidestar, as transparency is very important to us.

I can assure you, as well, that any restricted funds donated to the shelter since my arrival have been allocated appropriately, with a careful accounting as to their use. None of my interactions with any of our donors since my arrival last February reflects your friend's experience, and you can be sure I'll be doing my utmost to ensure that no supporter's experience ever is.

I hope you'll contact me at the shelter - and encourage your friend to do the same - with any additional questions you might have, and I look forward to the having the opportunity to show you both that we're making the changes necessary to keep our organization strong and viable in the future.

Thanks again for your feedback, and I hope to hear from you soon.

Regards,

Don Jennings
Shelter Director
Friends of Camden Animal Shelter
don@animaladoption.com

The Animal Adoption Center in Lindenwold NJ is one if the most fiscally irresponsible shelters I have yet to come across in all my years of Volunteering. A personal friend who had close ties to the shelter used to donate thousands of dollars to the organization with strict instructions as to what the money was meant for, and was told by the Director it would be used responsibly for what she asked. Once she realized her money kept disappearing yet nothing the money was ever supposed to buy ever showed up, she stopped giving. They cannot tell her where her money went or why the things that were so desperately needed never showed up. Needless to say she has stopped donating money as it too mysteriously disappears without explanation.