On July 10, 2016 Lost Dog and Cat Rescue Foundation put a dog up for adoption that a) had kennel cough; b) had a mouthful of rotten teeth; and c) was grossly malnourished. They represented her as healthy, saying she was only 5 years old and weighted 16 pounds. As soon as I got her home I smelled her rotten breath and heard her cough. I hadn't had a dog in about 30 years and yet I knew immediately that something was wrong. I took her to my local vets, and they were horrified that a dog in her condition had been placed for adoption. I did my best to rescue this dog, trying to give her as many days of sweetness and health as possible. Unfortunately and tragically, she died on July 23. I spent almost $5,000 to rescue her. You'd think that when i contacted lost Dog and Cat Rescue Foundation they would have been hugely apologetic, appreciative, financially supportive, and committed to never letting something like this happen again. No, they weren't. They excused themselves by saying they didn't know the dog was sick. They invited me to submit my bills for their consideration, but they NEVER responded back. I suggest you never adopt through them.

Horrible experience with these people- don't even waste your time with them. Today, we drove an hour to the Petsmart in Falls Church to adopt one of their puppies. We recently lost our beloved 17 year old dog who had been ill for over a year and our children were ready for another dog. We got there promptly at 12:00 when they began the event and after finding the dog we bonded with, we signed our name to be interviewed. Even though we came prepared with our application already filled out, the volunteers would not interview me until my husband, who was volunteering as a coach in a game, showed up. This is NOT part of their requirements, yet I said that that was no problem and that I could wait. I told 3 of the volunteers, including the nasty woman making the interviews which dog we were interested in. After an 1 1/2 hours of waiting, this couple comes in and also shows interest in the same dog we were interested in. As they are filling out the application, my husband comes into the store. Before I was able to tell the interviewer that we were ready, she goes to the back with the new couple to do their interview. When she comes out, we found out that she had already given the dog away to the people who came 1 1/2 hours AFTER us! When I politely tried to remind her that we were also waiting for that dog, she completely blows up like a madwoman yelling and telling us that the other couple was ready first and that if we want a dog we would have to pick one of the others. We were taken aback by her incredibly unprofessional behavior and tried to explain to her that we had, indeed been there first and waiting for her to finish the interview, assuming that we would be next. She would not even let us talk, much less listen to us; clearly she was never going to admit that this was her mistake and that she had not read the list AT ALL. Our children were miserable, especially our daughter who had been bonding with the dog for over an hour. We were so upset by the horrible treatment that we just walked out, vowing to never again waste our time with a rescue group. From now on, it will be a shelter or a breeder for us.

We have adopted two large hounds from Lost Dog and Cat Resue over the last 7 years, and have been thrilled to know the care they have taken to ensure that each animal is cared for and placed with the correct family. These volunteers give their hearts and time to care for the massive numbers of animals who need homes. Bless them for all they do.

I started volunteering with Lost Dog & Cat Rescue Foundation in April 2011 and have loved every minute of it! The volunteers are all committed to helping as many dogs and cats as they can. I adopted my second dog from LDCRF in November 2011 and I have loved every moment I have been able to spend with her. Prior to my adopting Anabelle, she was in a foster home with one of LDCRF's regular fosters and they took such good care of her before she came my way. I am thankful everyday for the work that LDCRF does and for helping me find my Anabelle!

Stay tuned for full details - so angry now that I'm incoherent regarding yet another FLAWED volunteer BAD decision early January that has resulted in broken hearts of children - they fulfilled requirements for the dog of their choice, looked online, came very early to meet, first in line, first submitting ap, first interview, perfection a to z until VOLUNTEER drew straws because she felt only fair to second in line. This is the FOURTH time I've experienced the ignorance, insensitivity and indifference of LDCR volunteers and board and this time I'm blogging, facebooking, twittering and filing complaints with county, nonprofit vetting groups. SHAME ON YOU AND YOUR LACK OF GUIDELINES, MANAGEMENT, AND OVERSIGHT. Your sad little group will get not one more penny or good will from me, my experiences (all fact based with dates, events, etc.- not one bit of heresay) will be shared at every opportunity. WaNt to talk about this??? Sure! Gillian 703 232-7184

Lost Dog and Cat is only impressive in the backwardness of their priorities. Our first experience with them, we adopted a sick little male kitten that they had picked of the streets at 8 weeks, cropped his nuts, and put him on the sale shelf before bothering to ensure his health. Our pity on him backfired in the worst possible way: he died after 6 months due to a congenital disorder.

After healing, we attended an adoption event of theirs. We faced enormous obstacles to adoption that were unthinkably prohibitive (this cat must go with another, this one is too young for your current cat) and contradictory (this one is too young to be fixed, though it is twice the age of all other fixed cats present.) The event was, at best, disorganized. Several cats supposed to be in attendance never showed after an hour plus being told we should wait for them. At least six cats were at the event who were not ready for adoption, were unfixed, and their health insufficiently verified that they should be around other animals. One cat up for adoption had an open weeping sore. The lead adoption attendant was at best, rude and obtuse. She seemed hell bent on not letting us adopt. We're employed 27 year old responsible adults with other animals for new ones to play with. These people need to get their priorities straight : 1 give your cats proper care, 2 find them good homes and don't bar good people from saving one.