My beagle died in two weeks after I brought her home from the Humane Society.
I would not bring any animal there. It is cheap for a reason. My beagle of 10 years, was spaded and when I went to pick her up the doctor said that a sponge must have been left inside her after the procedure and that he saw something in the x-ray. He recommended taking her to a vet hospital, which I did. This place is filthy, doctors and staff are uncaring and they will do procedures that they think are ok without permission. My beagle could have lived a lot longer. My dog caught kettle cough, too.
I run a rescue and have been taking rescued cats and my personal cats to HSNY for more than 40 years. While it is a very small space for a clinic, the clinic floor does great work considering vast numbers of New Yorkers with very limited funds seek out the place for discounted services and hence in the past the reception room always was packed. The vets who have treated our rescues have been knowledgeable, helpful and professional.
After servicing the community for more than 100 years, this small clinic/adoption center has suffered some difficulties in the past few years. Board members, having served for many decades but now aged and dying, seem to not have been replaced yet; as a consequence, services are ongoing but greatly reduced in number; there are fewer vets and fewer staff overall to run the facility until a new board is in place and additional workers can be hired.
Additionally, at this time, per a City directive, there is construction underway to provide access for the disabled but also to improve the layout of the clinic. HSNY is still serving existing clients in its medical wing though, and is still evaluating adoption applications for potential matches with their roster of cats and dogs - albeit more slowly than pre-covid.
I plan to be patient while HSNY completes its renovations and gets a new board together. The entire NYC community wants the facility to be up and running vibrantly, as in previous decades.
I worked around animals for many years of my life and volunteered on the side, and I've seen how detached from humanity some animal care workers can be and this place certainly has a few: Let me say that the staff member that helped us on Friday was great, but they were the general exception. After narrowing down our choices to two cats that would fit in with our family, we went back on Sunday and that's when things went south. The staff member working the desk on Sunday was noticeably uncomfortable with the idea of taking one of them home on that day and had to make some inquiries if it was even possible. They also made comments like, "Well we don't even know if she's ready and a vet tech has to check her out first." That comment involved the cat she was most interested in. We felt rushed and when asked about their closing time (we got there at 3:30 and they closed at 5 that day) we were told "Yes, we close at 5 but we prefer to have everyone out and quiet by 4:15..." Funnily enough, it was 4:15 at that time. You're either open until 5 or you're not. Your doors are open or they are not. You can adopt on Mondays or you cannot.
My fiancé felt overwhelmed and rushed with the decision, knowing that someone can easily adopt the animal while you're deciding, so she decided we would come back on Tuesday; only after being confusingly told we could "possibly" adopt on Monday regardless of being closed, and then told again that they are in fact closed on Mondays and we'd have to wait until Tuesday. We then receive a call on the very next day ( Monday) that the cat we decided on has been adopted on a Monday, when they're "closed."
The staff member who spoke with us about it knew how upset my fiancé was, and while kind enough, missed the point entirely. Instead of rushing a decision, like many do, we actually took a little time to decide based on shelter hours and we were burned for it. We did not expect the cat to be held and didn't even bother to ask because, again, they were supposed to be closed on the one day we weren't there.
I also want to take time during this rant to say that a gentleman came in interested in volunteering and the same staff member at the desk seemed to not be remotely engaged with his interest or application process because they don't need volunteers at this time. The man looked dejected leaving and I don't blame him.
It's not hard to show the same attention to your adopters as you do your adoptees. Stop misinforming people and please for the love of God stop discouraging people from volunteering, if even passively.
The Humane Society saved my dogs life.
They went beyond to care for my fur baby. I don’t understand why there are bad reviews. I’ve been coming here for over 30 years and i’ve only had wonderful experiences
Don't expect this is a cheap unexpensive place to bring your pets. This place is unprofessional, they only do simple work like vaccines. I took my 10y dog for a haired soft tissue sarcoma and they charged me for the estimate visit, rebies vaccine, bloodwork, eco, biopsy, etc... which the high prices were unbelievable high more than a professional place. They did a surgery removal additional to the above mention of almost $800.00 dollars. One year later my dog develope the same issue on the sarcoma on the same place. Luckly i got to contact them through email and text messeges because they dont pick up the phone, only for donations this makes me think this people are hungry for money and do not care for pets.They told me that they were going to charge me again for the same procedure biopsy etc.. since they new that it was the same sarcoma that was deveope in the same place "$WOW! They wanted to send my "10y dog" to the BluePearl Pet Hospital for radiation and chemotherapy "$WOW! The Humane Society Of New York is not a safe place to take your pets, unprofessional, expensive, rude, don't pick up the phone, love for the money and "do "not care for your loving pet!
In July, 2021, an anonymous whistleblower at the Humane Society of New York reported that the animals in the adoption center were being warehoused - meaning that very few adoptions were taking place. The whistleblower also reported building was closed to the public under false pretenses. The Executive Director claims that the building is closed due to COVID, but, according to the whistleblower and two lawyers I consulted, she cannot re-open due to Americans With Disability Act (ADA) violations. The building is not wheelchair accessible under ADA guidelines, and re-opening could subject the Humane Society to another ADA lawsuit. They already settled one. COVID is no longer a viable or believable reason to keep a shelter filled with homeless animals closed to the public.
Regardless of why the building is closed, adopters cannot get inside to meet the animals, which is how adoptions take place. And, because the Humane Society lists just a small fraction of their animals on their website, potential adopters don’t even know that the animals exist and are therefore not submitting applications. For these reasons and others, few adoptions are taking place at this adoption center.
The building has now been closed for 27 months and, according to the website, will be closed for the “foreseeable future.” In the absence of public pressure, the warehousing will continue, and many of the cats and dogs who have been living in cages for over two years will be stuck in cages indefinitely.
In August 2021, I called the Executive Director and asked her to send the adoptable animals to other adoption centers that ARE open to the public or to foster homes. In response, she claimed that she is doing adoptions as always, which I know is not true based on my own investigation. She also said that shelter IS the animals’ foster home and their cages are like apartments. My heart sank when I heard a shelter director describe cages, which are very stressful for animals, as apartments.
Warehousing animals is not illegal, but it’s inhumane. The former Adoption Director of 22 years who retired in early 2020 is speaking out publicly about the plight of the animals at this "adoption center."
Review from Guidestar
During the pandemic I understand the new procedures getting an appointment. I went thru their new protocol (& understood the little delays) . first of all you could not get anyone on the phone everything had to be done on the internet. I did that, receiving a response in 2 days stating I needed to "text" a specific # in order to setup an appointment. Upon texting the #, I got a message "calls to that # were Blocked". Continuing this saga, I replied to the txt message that told me to call the Blocked #. They texted me back asking me for my phone #, which I did. I finally got a call from someone asking me if I wanted an appointment, which I responded YES.
This person told me the next available appointment would be THE END OF APRIL! This call was returned to me on February 16, 2022. This person did not ask about the severity of why I wanted the appointment or anything (no CARE whatsoever). This was quite disturbing to me.
Ignorance, wrong judgement and a rabies vaccine caused the passing of our cat!
12 years ago I brought an abandoned beautiful Korat kitty, named Jake home. He became a dear family member and my wife and I took very good care of him. In 2020 Jake developed hyperthyroidism. Our former veterinarian, had stopped authorizing the prescription food, that Chewy requested for shipment and suggested we should be ordering from him. He also didn't forward the blood results on time requested by specialists for further treatment.
Upon recommendation I contacted the Humane Society. A FATAL MISTAKE!
The people at the Humane Society said, they would conduct a blood test, but also administer a rabies vaccine. I knew from experience Jake would be suffering from it. THEY MISTOOK HIM FOR A RUSSIAN BLUE! It's written on the blood test! The amount of fat in a Korat's body is much less than that of a Russian Blue. I had to tell these trained, licensed "Experts" that Korat cats are known for their sensitivity to vaccines and URGED THEM NOT TO ADMINISTER THE VACCINE! They didn't listen, gave me an attitude and Yaron (Director of Shelter Medicine) administered the shot anyway, without my consent! One hour later I was handed back an unrecognizable cat!
When I arrived at home, he stumbled out of the carrier and needed to rest.
After a while, Jake drank some water, but he wouldn't eat. It is common, that cats become lethargic and don't want to eat for 1-2 days after receiving the rabies vaccine. I made sure that he always had water. On Tuesday he drank but he wouldn't eat. On Wednesday my wife rushed to the HS and received Mirataz to stimulate his appetite! A medication on top of a fatal vaccine, to fix the mess they've caused. It didn't do much. Jake ate some chicken broth and rested. On Thursday I was able to mix some of his favorite food with water, to keep him hydrated. He ate a bit more and we both were full of hope he would soon begin eating again as usual. He didn't.
We called the Humane Society. The operator, not so friendly anymore assured us: (Quote) "The doctor will call you back. You are the first on his list, I promise!" (Unquote). NOBODY HAD THE DECENCY TO CALL BACK! How inconsiderate. Or was it something else? It must have come to their mind, something may have gone very wrong...
On Friday Jake slept a lot. We were holding him in our arms and gave him water, which he rejected. Now it became clear: The rabies shot finally took its course. His system began to shut down. Jake's eyes became teary, he cried, knowing, we did everything in our power to help him. It was heartbreaking. Shortly after he fell into a state of "half-asleep". We both comforted him in our bedroom, his favorite place, where he loved to watch the birds, played with his two fellow friends and cuddled with us. Finally he took one more deep breath and passed. Luckily, he was not in pain. WE CALLED THE HS and received the exact same answer, by a now truly annoyed operator.
Following Monday, I was fed up with their ignorance and I told Sandra (Executive Director) that our Jake had passed. She made excuses right from the start. She would not listen and repeatedly said: "We helped. We approved the food. Your cat was sick."
Me: "Given that fact Yaron could have made a different decision." SHE ADMITTED, THAT THE KORAT BREED WASN'T LISTED IN THEIR SYSTEM. Imagine that! Her reluctance to just listen made me angry. I asked: "Why did Yaron, who administered the fatal rabies vaccine never returned my call, although I was promised he would? My cat didn't get to eat the food you've authorized, BECAUSE of the shot. The blood test made no sense, BECAUSE Jake isn't around anymore to receive further treatment". She had no answer to that.
You don't give paying clients who entrust you with their beloved pets an attitude. You don't make excuses, period! We all make mistakes, but not admitting it, insisting you didn't do anything wrong, not responding -especially in critical situations- all of that is NOT what I consider professional or "Humane" care. BTW: Yaron has never called, did not expressed his condolences nor a word of compassion!
I won't seek their services again, fearing, this could happen to our two female tabby cats (3 and 9 years old) as well. We need yet to find a veterinarian, who cares, who makes the right, measured decision, who listens to his clients concerns and who does respond!
Horrible. Horrible. The vet refused to fill a vital medication for my pet and didn't glance at medical records. The 'executive director' Sandra Defeo continued to respond to my requests without any relevancy and blantantly lying re: approval of meds. My pharmacy had to seek approval form a previous vet just to fill the prescription. They are evasive and unprofessional.
We adopted our last two dogs from this shelter. The staff was very friendly and helpful. They also gave us information on free dog training classes.
I took my cat here, and a rescued cat because they are cheap and location is convenient. I was not happy with the treatment my cat and I received in January.
And I am more upset because I brought a rescued cat to be neutered, from a friend. When I saw the cat, I thought he looked sick, and thought Humane Soc. may not neuter him if he's sick. They not only neutered him, as he tested positive for feline leukemia, they also vaccinated him, after I told the vet tech who came to me in the waiting room to ask if I wanted him tested and vaccinated, not to vaccinate him if he is sick. The woman at front desk was frazzled or acting strange because I wanted to ask questions before I had him seen/treated. She should have asked me those questions.
The cat got worse after this visit. When I addressed both the doctor and the director about them vaccinating him, they said it's policy. I emailed after about same thing twice , and got no replies.
They are high volume and do not give pets and people attentive care.
In October 2012, I submitted an application to adopt a dog. I followed the instructions, gave them all information that they asked for and dutifully faxed it over to them.
When a week passed and no word, I called, and was told that the person handling applications is "very" busy and will get back to me. I left my name and number. She never responded. So I called again. Same story. Left my name and number and explained that this is the second time I am calling. No one ever got back to me. The organization may be humane to animals but they are certainly unprofessional, arrogant and irresponsible towards humans.
Review from CharityNavigator
They made me wait over half an hour for each of my rabbits when I had them spayed. When I spoke to the doctor about whether the pain meds were included in the cost of the spay at the initial check-up I was told yes and when I picked up my first rabbit from getting spayed I got told that it was extra. When I brought my last rabbit in to be spayed, which all of the procedures were paid in full before the date of service, they tried to tell me that I owed money because the procedure is $115, not $100. That afternoon when I went to get my youngest, I was told that the vet needed to move my bunny's intestines to spay her because her uterus was underdeveloped. I had told the vet when he scheduled her spaying she would only be 19 weeks old by the day of the surgery. Then when I tried to actually get her so I can leave it took a very long time. When I asked where she was, I was told first, that they were "looking for her", then I was given the excuse that pick-up for surgery is always busy and takes a few minutes. I waited over twenty minutes. Finally, when I got home I found there was bandaging around my rabbit's back leg. When I called them, they essentially told me, oops, they must have forgotten to remove that when the catheter was removed, if there is no infection she's fine. I had to cut the bandaging out of her fur because it was so stuck to her that not even water was loosening it! My rabbit will not let me touch her now because I hurt her and restrained her trying to get the bandaging off!
Review from CharityNavigator