Marilyn's Voice Inc

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Nonprofit Overview

Causes: Animal Protection & Welfare, Animals

Mission: To rescue, rehabilitate and find loving homes for severely neglected and abused dogs from commercial kennels, puppy mills and other unfortunate situations; to eliminate the puppy mill industry in Ohio by raising awareness through education, outreach, protests and other events; to help individuals find responsible ways to acquire dogs as companion animals.

Community Stories

10 Stories from Volunteers, Donors & Supporters

Eva Szommer G. General Member of the Public

Rating: 1

05/24/2019

No stars for this site. They are not are a terrible site. We have had 3 dogs that lived 15 plus years with us. My dogs lived happy and well loved. This is the worst site. I did not believe in shots and because they didn" visit the vet on a regular basis we were turned down. This is a don't bother site

2

redda General Member of the Public

Rating: 1

05/11/2019

My husband and I were very excited to adopt a dog from this organization, we offered all information that was needed . Our vet had passed away and we had our dogs records transferred when we went to another vet. Obviously that wasn't good enough. We even met with a staff member and met the dog also. I wouldn't recommend unless you don't mind a interrogation that's just way out of line. We would have been a perfect match no children and retired. Plenty of time to spend with Oscar.

2

C.j. L. General Member of the Public

Rating: 2

09/14/2018

This organization is full of crap! They say they are trying to find good homes for these puppies yet they will not allow me to adopt. I have tried to adopt several dogs from this site. Tried to get a puppy once and they told me I was too old. This is ridiculous I was only 50 at the time. So I got a dog somewhere else. Recently I went back to Marilyn's voice to adopt a cute Chihuahua. Without even allowing me to meet the dog oh, they told me the dog does not like men and I would not be a good candidate.
I understand they are looking out for the well-being of the animal. But are they really?
I pray for the little puppies that are rescued. But this organization is totally ridiculous with its restrictions. After reading reviews on this organization I see many people have had other issues and do not recommend either. For $325 I suggest you go buy a puppy from a reputable breeder. Not here.

1

Kitkatkate Client Served

Rating: 1

06/30/2017

The owner of the rescue was really nice when I adopted 2 dogs over the course of 4 years. Unfortunately, I had to surrender them both due to my home being a stressful environment after I had children.

The owner turned cold and after I surrendered them and never kept any of the promises she made to me about keeping me updated on their progress.

The older dog had to be euthanized this past April, and no one bothered to let me know. When I emailed her, the owner ignored me until I posted something on their Facebook page. She accused me of being an animal abuser and that my dog was so sick when she came back to them that they couldn't save her life. She could, of course, adopt her out for some more money knowing she was sick.

I treated those dogs like they were my children and she knew that. My vet was made aware of concerns I had and told me everything was fine and it was just normal with a dog her age, but nothing to worry about. She had vet records that I gave her showing they got regular checkups, yet she still accused me of neglecting them. I'll post her email to me below. I was already feeling incredibly guilty for surrendering them and grieving for my dog that was euthanized and she decided to send me this email:

"(my name) ,

     I don't think you realize how bad (older dog) was when you gave her back to us. She was emaciated and was in dire need of a dental, her teeth were extremely bad and completely infected. This was very painful for (older dog) but apparently you didn't notice. Her eyes required surgery to save her eyesight but that was overlooked as well. 

      (older dog) was an older dog and should have had a dental cleaning while in your care. We did a dental but her health was already failing.   The result was a very sick dog that couldn't fight back; her poor kidneys were shot due to the neglect and infection ravaged her body. 

     The last few weeks of her life her adopted mom spent $5000 and Marilyn's Voice spent $4000 to try to save her life when the adopter ran out of money. Both the new adopter and Cheryl held her and sobbed when she passed. They are both still devastated.   In terms of why we didn't contact you; you relinquished all rights the day you signed her back to us. You sent (older dog) back to us in horrible shape. You didn't see how this poor dog struggled at the end, it was Marilyn's Voice that was there for her!  For you to post such lies on Facebook  is unacceptable and will not be tolerated.  


(younger dog) has been adopted and is very happy. I suppose you have forgotten about how we helped you keep (younger dog) when you divorced your ex.  


You are ungrateful and should be ashamed.  Please don't aquire more animals, it is clear they are no longer priority in your life."


Now everyone can see what kind of person she is. She will kick you when you're down and blame you for things you had no control over. I also posted something on their Facebook page about how devastated I was a out my dog being euthanized and I included a photo collage to show my dog was loved and the owner deleted it. She also deleted my review on their page. So people that didn't know my dog could grieve for her, but I couldn't. And she's dragging my name through the mud because I trusted what my vet was telling me.

I hope others see this and can avoid the pain and heartache of dealing with the owner and Marylin's Voice.

1

JillB583 General Member of the Public

Rating: 5

05/29/2015

My daughter and I rescued a little Chihuahua from Marilyn's Voice in 2007, then we added a friend in 2010 (a Terrier mix). Not only were we given the whole story, the foster moms kept in touch with us via Facebook. When the Terrier mix started exhibiting separation anxiety we called the number listed on the agreement and talked to the director, Christine. She had their behavioral coordinator call me the next day and even came out to the house several times to work with us. I recommend this agency to all my animal loving friends. By the way, the Terrier mix is doing much better after the help we received.

2

riverroad29 Client Served

Rating: 5

12/15/2014

We adopted a jack russell terrier in 2014. She was a year old and we were told she was found running on a highway, probably a puppy mill dump. She had obviously been bred- my guess is that she lost her litter (too young and small) and was not profitable at that point. Their loss, our gain!

The adoption procedure was thorough, and I respect that. The foster family was absolutely wonderful. We have gained a delightful little dog!

Having read some negative reports from adoptions that did not go as well as ours, my heart goes out to these families. I have been involved with animals coming from abusive situations for many years. Dogs that have not been raised in loving families, particularly in their early years, can have issues that alter them from other dogs. We also have an adopted dog from a local shelter, now 12, who was pretty much a ferrell dog until she found herself in the dog pound and I brought her home at 11 months old. While she is a wonderful dog now and the absolute love of my life, she is still "different" and her adapting to family life was not easy. I think people need to understand that some of these dogs may or may not completely become "normal" pets, but the reward is great if they can at least adjust and learn to love in their own way. They just may not bond to humans in the same way as a "family raised" dog.

As I said, our adoption experience has worked out so well, we have a wonderful little dog that warms everyone's heart who meets her. She was obviously not emotionally scarred which is a bonus for her and us. She has changed over the months here, coming into her own little personality, and we are thrilled that she is ours. Jack Russells are a dog on duracell batteries! I am thankful for rescue groups out there on the front lines of fights we should never have to fight. I know the heartbreak of rescuing, but also the good endings of many. I will always be thankful for those who picked up and rescued our little dog!

2

nydogman Client Served

Rating: 5

06/30/2014

We rescued 2 dogs from Marilyns Voice over the years after doing tons of research about puppy mill rescues. The dogs we rescued had some issues that they needed help getting over and truth be told one dog is still having some issues but im sure we all would if we endured what these animals endured. I would not recommend this rescue if you are an inexperienced dog owner or if you dont fully understand the unique needs of a puppy mill rescues. The staff conducted a thorough interview of us and asked questions aboutout home. The foster moms of our dogs were always helpful and honest in the issues the dogs were having and we still talk with them and share photos of our babies progress. We drove to Ohio from NY to pick up our second dog and with our first the foster mom met us in Pennsylvania. Again, with any rescue, do your research on puppy mill dogs and their unique issues before considering using these folks. They are a lot of work but worth the effort.

3

Phaeton_Driver Client Served

Rating: 1

05/08/2013

You will NOT be provided with the entire history behind their rescues, just bits n pieces.
They will give just enough to bait you with the warmth of a rescue. We were told of 2 issues on the 8 yr. old sweetheart that we took home on a Saturday. After reading the vet reports we found out that this poor lil sweetheart had been to the vet 6 times in a matter of 6 weeks including a surgery we were NEVER told about! She had severe emotional scaring, rotting teeth, heart murmur (we found this out as we walked thru a Pet Smart Store with one of the volunteers!) No one told us before we made our huge emotionally torn decision. There is so much more to write but enough hurt has been endured by us & Lil Sweetheart that we had to return her to the Foster Mom after 3 days of discovering more major life/ health issues. Such horrible, sad & needless hurt & pain from this so called compassionate organization. They have hurt & it's deep!!!

3

chi84 Client Served

Rating: 1

05/15/2012

Recently adopted a dog from Marilyn's Voice. I was not made aware that the dog was not house broken (instead I was told he was doing really well with his house training...really well to me means rare accidents...not multiple times a day.) I was also never informed of the dog's agression. All of the reps from MV were INSISTANT that he was the sweetest little angel while in foster care. But how does a dog magically start biting the second he gets to another home? We went through trainers, every potty training idea in the book, money, and tons of time all to have to give the dogs back after almost 5 months. We loved the dog but couldn't risk him biting the wrong person (after he'd already bit every one of our neighbors multiple times.) Not only did we have to give up basically one of our family members but MOST of the staff at MV was very defensive and rude through the process. Do not adopt from MV...they omit the truth and then refuse refunds.

1

BIGK Volunteer

Rating: 5

12/16/2009

Marilyn's Voice is a grass roots puppy mill rescue group. Founded in April 2007, to date, we have rescued, rehabilitated, and found loving forever homes for over 300 dogs. We have done this solely with donations and volunteer support. I have been with this organization almost since it's inception, and while we have come a long way; there is still a long way to go. Our goal is to help end the puppy mill industry particularly in our home state of Ohio, but also all over the country. We have developed a growing reputation for excellence and professionalism in our community and within the rescue world. We take pride in what we do, growing stronger and more determined with each puppy mill dog we rescue. We take each dog into rescue, rehabilitate them physically and psychologically; and through an adoption application process, find the best and most appropriate home for each dog. We are active in protests of pet stores selling dogs obtained from puppy mills; educate the public through community outreach programs in colleges, schools, 4-H, etc. We are active in the legislation process to secure better regualtions to make sure that treatment of these helpless creatures is at least humane, until an end is in sight. We are a voice for the voiceless.

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