My husband and I adopted this sweet love from the wonderful team at Briggs Animal Adoption Center in Charles Town, WV. From the minute we stepped into this facility we were impressed. You can tell how loved, and cared for, these dogs and cats are. We definitely felt like "April" was meant to be ours. After consulting with April (had to have her choose us too!), the Director and the Animal Behavioral Specialist, we were thrilled to find that they all also believed April would do well with us! I appreciate how hard they questioned our lifestyle to ensure that April was the perfect fit for our family. Well, fast forward almost 8 weeks now - we could not be happier with our Peanut (new name. Lol). She is an absolute joy to have around and we just love her so much. I kept saying to my husband in those first weeks, "she was clearly loved while at BAAC - you can just tell it in her demeanor and personality." I do believe the staff and the volunteers are the reason we have such a happy go lucky sweet girl. She was with them for a long time and I am so grateful that she was loved there too. She is a perfect match for us. We take her everywhere - especially to the woods and trails. THANK YOU BAAC!!! We love you! (P.S. I could post 1000 pictures, but will settle on these two!)
This is an update to a review I wrote a couple of years ago. I adopted my first dog from NHES (Briggs) in the early 90’s. I am now on dog 6. Each time, the staff has gone out of their way to make sure that the dog and the person adopting the animal are right for each other (at least as best as anyone can judge). This has included visits between the potential adoptee and the other dogs in the house. Before the dogs are adopted out, they are given wonderful care to include all medical issues. When you adopt a dog from NHES you become part of their family with an alumni event each year. They truly care about their animals and I would recommend anyone thinking about adopting a dog or a cat - go to visit them and spend as much time as needed with the animals that you are interested in.
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I adopted my first dog from NHES (Briggs) in the early 90's. I am now on dogs 4 and 5. Each time, the staff has gone out of their way to make sure that the dog and the person adopting the animal are right for each other (at least as best as anyone can judge). That has included visits between the potential adoptee and other dogs already living in the home. Before the dogs are adopted out they are given wonderful care to include all medical issues. My last fellow was adopted out while still ill because he was not getting better in the shelter - the medical staff continued to take care of him until he was cleared. They truly care about their animals and I would recommend anyone thinking about adopting a cat or a dog - go to visit Briggs and spend as much time as needed with the animals you are interested in - a unique opportunity not afford by all rescue groups.
My first experience with Briggs Animal Adoption Center was in October 2008 after my first cat died. I wanted to adopt another cat or cats, and had heard good things about Briggs Animal Adoption Center. I visited the center and was given a tour by one of the adoption counselors. She was very familiar with all of the cats available for adoption, and described their personalities to help me make a decision. One of the cats (Wilson) was a male black cat, and I was told that he would be very mischievous, but also very affectionate. He was only 6 months old at the time. I decided to adopt him as well as a 4-month-old kitten (Fleck) because he gave me a really cute look and was very friendly. Wilson and Fleck were a huge part of my life for 15 years. Wilson's personality was exactly as the adoption counselor told me it would be. He wasn't as mischievous as he got older, but he got even more affectionate over the years. Fleck outlived Wilson by two years, and when he died in December 2023, I knew that I wanted to adopt my next cats from Briggs. My family visited there twice over a few weeks and we received the same level of help and guidance from our adoption counselor as I had 15 years earlier. We decided on two kittens, Bert & Ernie, to join our family and grow up with our two young sons (ages 8 and 6). I have always been impressed with the care that animals receive at Briggs prior to being adopted. The cats are all happy and healthy, and the adoption counselors are committed to finding the best fit for the animals and the adopters. I have recommended Briggs to numerous people since my first adopting experience with them, and I will continue to do so every chance I get.
I have worked with Briggs Animal Shelter in various capacities over the past 4 years. As an administrator at a local school, we had Ms. Megan visit classrooms with their shelter dogs, educating our students about cats, dogs, and the services Briggs provides to these animals. As a parent, my pre-teen daughter attended their Animal Advocate Summer camps 2 years in a row. She loved attending and learned about ways to advocate for animals, take care of the shelter pets, and interact with the animals. Finally, as an adopter, we recently adopted 2 kittens from Briggs this past September. Briggs does a wonderful job of caring for their animals, making sure they are socialized, vetted, and matched to the perfect family. We are so thankful for Briggs and all they did to take care of our babies, Rocket and Aelin in their first months of life! Briggs does so much to engage the community to ensure that the animals they serve get all they need for a happy life!
If you want to find a place in this world full of caring, compassion, kindness and respect for animals as individuals and not commodities, and a place where your spirit will be uplifted, go to Briggs Animal Adoption Center and the National Humane Education Society.
My husband and I are previous adopters from BAAC starting in 2005. Now 18 years later we’re getting ready to adopt 2 more dogs, and we could not be happier. I also started volunteering, and it’s the most rewarding job I’ve ever had, even though it is not paid. I’m not sure who benefits more, myself or the dogs that I walk and sit with!
With the previous adoptions and more recently walking their trails with dogs, I see firsthand how BAAC/NHES provides a service to the community as well as the individual dogs and cats. It is a clean, large facility in a beautiful rural space, with like-minded staff and volunteers who truly care about the cats and dogs. It has high standards for care and adoption. Many of the animals that come there have been abused or abandoned, and they are given the chance to recover and grow according to their individual needs and personalities, in a safe environment.
While my husband and I have a longtime relationship with BAAC, we did lose touch during a period of injury, illness and loss. Among our losses were our 3 beloved dogs adopted in 2005 and 2009. The last one passed away in 2021. We came out on the other side with a renewed sense of our values. We still have 3 cats and we want to share our life with dogs again too. It was with this mindset that I attended a local meeting where the featured speaker was Megan from BAAC/NHES. She is the great granddaughter of Anna C. Briggs, the founder, and she had brought along Tuba, a 6-month-old puppy, who was the hit of the meeting. I knew then that it was time to reconnect. Megan had forms for anyone interested to apply to become a volunteer, and I filled one out on the spot.
I’ve been volunteering there now for over 3 months. I got to know a number of dogs and I met one in particular, Piper, who is a special needs terrier mix. What can I say, it was love at first sight. I went home and told my husband, who responded that he had a soft spot in his heart to help a dog who had challenges on a par with his own. He went on the BAAC website and looked at other dogs I talked about after my volunteer sessions, including a Mountain Feist mix named Shamrock. He was especially taken by Shamrock’s bio and photos, and when I mentioned this to Ellen, the volunteer coordinator, she said Shamrock was a good friend of Piper’s! So, that was it. We have gone through the adoption process, including meetings with both dogs, and they will be coming home to us next month!
One of the uplifting things about BAAC is the way the cat and dog bios on the website are written. They also have a growing body of videos. They give a strong sense of the individuality of each animal and they’re fun to read and watch. It's a way to get to know each animal, at least a little. BAAC works hard to make sure adopters and animals are a good fit. But it’s also rewarding in and of itself to monitor the website and see who’s coming and going. It’s always exciting to see the “Adopted!” sign go up on an animal’s photo on the website. My husband and I can’t wait to see it go up for Piper and Shamrock!
I love their Dog education program. I have been taking my 3rd graders to this program for the last 5 years. Megan is always so organized and kind when we visit. My students love learning about dog safety and visiting the cat room and visiting with one of the dogs. I look forward to this trip every year.
Megan has been to our afterschool program several times. The kids absolutely LOVE the activities she brings. She teaches the kids about dogs and cats. She brings games and art for the children to do. One of the activities the children like the most is the canvas paintings. Megan and her staff sketch pictures of dogs and cats at the shelter on a canvas for the children to paint. She brings actual pictures and descriptions of the animals for the kids to see. They work very hard on their pictures. Megan and her staff are so enthusiastic! We love them and always look forward to their visits❤️
I invited the NHES to give a pet safety presentation for homeschoolers who regularly visit our library. We had an excellent experience! Megan was very organized and let us know what to expect ahead of time by coordinating details with us and customizing their presentation to fit our patrons' needs. The kids absolutely loved the presentation, and it was at an appropriate level for them. Probably the highlight was the very well-mannered dog they brought--the children enjoyed practicing what they learned about approaching dogs safely! I definitely recommend the NHES for school-age events and appreciate their mission.
We are grateful for BAACS. Over the years we have been fortunate enough to adopt these four wonderful family members. The adoption counselors were helpful and patient in finding a perfect match for our family with each cat or dog that we brought home.
I have been volunteering at NHES and the Briggs Animal Adoption Center for just under six months. After every visit I leave with a smile and feeling of joy. The dogs and cats are clearly loved and well cared for by a team of dedicated staff (and volunteers).
This is an organization that truly reflects its mission of fostering kindness to animals by children and adults. I witnessed this first hand many times. When helping with summer camp for middle school students, I saw how Megan and other staff taught the youth about animal behavior and how to be kind to the animals, while everyone was having lots of fun. Even at several of the fundraising events, that I assisted at, the staff made sure the animals, participants, staff and volunteers were considered. For example, there were cooling stations for the dogs, activities for the children, educational materials about the organization and lots of thanks for everyone.
The volunteer coordinator Ellen, is patient with all. She makes sure that every volunteer feels comfortable and enjoys there time with the animals. I have watched Ellen, Keisha and other staff go above and beyond to meet the needs of the dogs and cats. While I am at the facility walking dogs, the staff are very welcoming to me, but it is also clear that they are very familiar and affectionate about the animals.
The facility is clean and the grounds are well maintained. Though finding loving, long term homes for the animals is a priority, the dogs and cats are loved tremendously by staff and volunteers of NHES/BAAC. The more time I volunteer with this organization, the more impressed I am and the more I feel like part of a caring network.
Megan welcomed our 3rd grade class with a sweet smile. She had engaging hand-on activities that were both educational and captivating for my students! Our student's had a wonderful experience and it was the highlight of their week!
I adopted two great kittens form Briggs Animal Adoption Center in Charles Town, WV. I can tell they were well taken care of. They are friendly, healthy, and most importantly, happy. They have adjusted well to my home and I am looking forward to many years with them.
When I visited, I also spent time with the adult cats and they also were very friendly and content.
The staff are excellent and are doing great work! I'd recommend adopting from them anytime.
We came here to adopt a puppy. The ladies there are so helpful, kind and care deeply about the animals in their charge. They walked us through the adoption process, answered all our questions and made sure the right pup came home with us. Their location is clean, well kept and the animals are loved! We had such a great experience and ended up deciding to adopt TWO!
I was very impressed with the quality of care the animals received. I adopted a cat and was provided with litter, food and some of his toys to take home. I can definitely tell they have the best interest of the animal.
Our family decided to adopt again, so friends of ours told us about Briggs and their experience with the organization. So we did some research then submitted our application.
From the first impression, the facility was everything we'd heard and our adoption counselor was wonderful! We looked at the dogs available for adoption and took "Teak" into the visiting room. Our family couldn't get enough of him and we began the adoption process.
Two weeks later, we still cannot get enough of Camden! He had his first vet appointment today and they reiterated that Briggs is thorough with animal care and placement. If you are looking to add to your family, but want to sit down and have meaningful conversations about your home and what you are looking for, this is the right place!
Enjoy this picture of our sweet Camden!
I volunteer with the Briggs Animal Adoption Center by walking and just spending time with some of the dogs. The BAAC is a wonderful facility that provides a safe and loving environment for dogs and cats. Every single staff member that I've had the pleasure of observing is so kind and gentle with the dogs and it is clear the dogs trust them. Many of these dogs come from situations of neglect or abuse, or even litters of unwanted or stray puppies. The goal is to get all of these precious dogs into suitable permanent homes because that is where every dog deserves to be, but also to open up space for new arrivals (BAAC is a no-kill shelter). I highly recommend adopting from this great facility. Or, volunteer - it is very rewarding to feel that I've made a dog's day just a little bit more fun, or have helped socialize a dog to show better for people looking to adopt.
In February of 2022, I found out about the National Humane Education Society's program, Spay Today! I had my kitten, Mila, spayed through this program and it was a great experience. The process was efficient, and everybody was so kind and treated her with lots of affection and respect. When she got back, she was feeling and looking great and had no complications from her surgery. They are specific about the veterinarian offices they partner with, and made sure my cat had the best care!
I highly suggest Spay Today if you are looking to get your pet spayed or neutered!
I adopted my dog, Max, through a rescue local to me prior to having known about NHES and BAAC. I was in need of low cost neuter programs after receiving a very high estimate from my veterinarian. I contacted Spay Today and was greeted with warmth, professionalism, and thorough knowledge throughout the process. The process was made seamless due to the caring workers and their extensive knowledge in ensuring I was prepared prior to arriving at the vet for Max's surgery. I really appreciate all of the work this organization does not just for their animals, but also in helping their community through this low cost spay and neuter program through Spay Today. I will continue to support them in any way I can.
I adopted this sweet girl from Briggs in May 2022. From the day I brought her home she has been a joy I can not imagine not having her in my life.
We are so fortunate to have this excellent facility in the area. Sylvia handled Catlyn’s adoption, her professionalism and care in making sure she was coming to the right forever home was obvious how much she and all the staff care about each animal and finding them forever homes.
We adopted Winston from BAAC about three weeks ago. Throughout the entire process we were so impressed by the center and the care that they took to make sure that Winston was going to the right home. We are so grateful for BAAC and we are so happy Winston joined our family!
My husband and I have been adopting dogs since we moved to WV in 2003. We moved here with one dog (that I adopted in 1996 in MD) and two cats. In 2004, we adopted our first dog from BAAC. Tahoe (Aussie mix) was approximately two years old, very timid and absolutely terrified of men. While not really knowing what kind of dog we were looking for to be a buddy for our current dog, we just went & looked around. My husband spotted this furry mass in the back corner of a pen, barking and quaking with fear, but wanted to meet him anyway. Long story short, when Tahoe was brought into the visiting room to meet us, he ran straight to my husband, and the counselors were astonished. That was it, he was ours. We had our sweet, beautiful Tahoe until he passed away in January 2018, at the approximate age of 15.
Our second dog was from Briggs as well, adopted in 2005. Our first dog had slowed down considerably, and now Tahoe needed a pal to run around with. Smudge (known as Spirit at that time) was just recovering from sarcoptic mange; he had been living under somebody’s porch for a year, in Roane County WV, and chained up. Neighbors finally reported the owner, who claimed the dog wasn’t his. Anyway, if I remember correctly, the mother of one of the counselors at Briggs worked at a local shelter in Roane County and told Briggs about the dog, who would probably have to be put down, poor thing was a walking scab (we saw pictures). Briggs took him in and nursed him back to health, and he had just become adoptable around the time of Briggs’ yearly dog adoption alumni reunion, where you bring your dogs back to Briggs to visit and run around together. I went inside to check out the pups, and there Spirit was, in the same pen where we found Tahoe. Though my husband resisted initially, I convinced him that the little guy needed me (“Resistance is futile!”). I named him Smudge because of the little white smudge of fur that grew back on his snout while recovering from mange. Little Smudge (spaniel mix) was a force to be reckoned with, absolutely fearless but totally charming, and the alpha of a four member pack for years, until he passed away in January, 2019, also at the approximate age of 15.
Including Tahoe & Smudge, we have adopted 7 dogs since moving to WV, from various shelters/states. We have come full circle; our newest GS mix, Skyye (aka Hopscotch) was adopted from BAAC in May of 2022. She is the youngest dog we’ve ever adopted at 5 months, and gets along wonderfully with our two other adult dogs (one of which is teaching Skyye everything she knows).
After all these years, it was wonderful (and reassuring) to know that BAAC has never lowered its standard of care in ensuring that all their animals are a good fit for their potential forever homes. In fact, I noticed that they are even a bit more stringent than in the almost 17 years since we had last adopted from them; I applaud BAAC for their unwavering dedication. The founder, Mrs. Anna Briggs (with whom we had the pleasure of meeting several times in our early years of adopting) would be SO proud!
We had the pleasure of sending our son to a NHES summer camp. Which led to our adopting a wonderful dog from the adjacent Briggs Animal adoption center. The camp was very well planned and our son enjoyed it immensely. The dog is so sweet and I appreciate how thoughtful the dog matching process is. We definitely did not get the dog we had in mind- we got one that was an even better fit for our family.
I am so very impressed with this adoption facility and their great care for the animals and also for their adoption process. I have never seen such an awesome place for the animals to live, the cats without cages. And the loving care of the staff and their adoption process. All the animals are taken care of by vets and loved by the staff. They are super friendly and it has been a pleasure to adopt my new kitty from them. I am recommending them to anyone who is interested in adopting. And will definitely adopt from them in the future.
As an employee, I have had the experience of being surrounded by wonderful animals and the great staff that take care of them. I adopted my Sue from Briggs Animal Adoption Center about a year ago. From the moment I saw her, I just knew that she was the one. Sam worked with me on the adoption and Dr. Kerfoot made sure that she was in the best health. Sue enjoys coming to work with me often and the staff that once cared for her love to see how she is thriving.
If you're looking to adopt, you cannot go wrong with Briggs Animal Adoption Center. My wife and I recently adopted our bulldog mix, Brin (Formerly Beauty), from there in July of 2021. From the time that we entered the door, we were impressed with the facilities, staff, care, and attention provided for the animals. It is clear that the welfare of the animals comes first and foremost at Briggs. Sylvia did an outstanding job showing us around the facility, introducing us to Brin, and communicating her specific background and information. This helped us tremendously in assessing if Brin would be a good fit for our home and lifestyle. We would not hesitate to adopt from Briggs again in the future.
Thank you to Sylvia and staff for caring for the animals the way that you do! We know that Brin truly appreciates it (as do we)! We are very happy to have Brin as a part of our family!
If you are looking to add a new furry member to your family, then I HIGHLY recommend adopting from the Briggs Animal Adoption Center. I am never one to write reviews; however, my experience in adopting my new little kitten Archie (formerly "Snuffles") deserves to be shared.
First, the facilities were wonderful--extremely clean, a lot of space, and such friendly staff members that were there and happy to help with a big smile every step of the way. One of the biggest things that stood out to me was how they had a designated kitten room, which was right beside an even larger adult cat room (which had indoor and enclosed outdoor space) with not a single cage in sight! The kittens and cats weren't kept in metal cages or small spaces--they were all happily mingling and playing with each other, and the volunteers/staff--with plenty of room to run around and have a high quality life while waiting to be adopted.
After arriving, I was asked to fill out fairly detailed and extensive application paperwork which, again, was a positive. The paperwork and staff both emphasized, multiple times, that their priority is to make sure each animal is matched with the family that is best suited for the animal. And I think that is a really amazing policy and speaks volumes about how much they care and put the animals and their wellbeing first!
After completing the application, a wonderful staff member named Sylvia met me and reviewed my paperwork to ask any clarifying questions. She was so kind and thorough, while also being extremely knowledgeable in answering any/all questions I had. Sylvia then took me back to the "kitten room" where I got to play with some of the sweetest kittens I've ever met--all of them were so friendly and socialized.
Sylvia explained that Archie and his siblings were rescued from a high-kill shelter and fostered until old enough to adopt. It is clear that their foster did an incredible job raising and socializing all six kittens in his litter as they were all the sweetest and so playful. If you can't tell by this point, I just really had an all around fantastic experience and really do hope that you heed my advice and adopt from Briggs.
Sylvia and all the other staff members--thank you for everything you did to unite little Archie and myself! He is honestly the sweetest little nugget of love that just snuggles and purrs all day long! I am so grateful for you and your organization and have, and will continue, to recommend it to anyone I know that is looking to adopt in the area!
Sending my love and gratitude!
Matt
My daughter reminds me on a daily basis that she loved the Cool to Care camp at Briggs this summer and asks if I’ve signed her up for next year yet. She loved the staff and getting to spend time with the animals. This was a thoughtful, well run camp and I deeply appreciate Briggs commitment to animal welfare and sharing these values with our children.
My daughter has attended the Cool to Care camp every summer and loves it! The facility is so well organized and we love their commitment to humane education!
The NHES visited our summer learning program. What a wonderful opportunity for our students to learn about extending kindness to animals and how to properly care for them. The students were engaged and excited and it enriched our learning about feelings, emotions, problem solving, and care for self and others. Thank you for the visit.
I was so pleased to have Megan and Hayley from the National Humane Education Society visit Brunswick Elementary this summer to work with students in grades kindergarten through grade 5. Megan and Hayley did an amazing job in engaging the students with information about their work with animals and how this connects to kindness. They were both engaging and made sure all students had a chance to be heard. Their mission of kindness connects directly with our social emotional learning initiative and will be a great reminder for students as they learn skills in this area. The animal ambassador they brought with them, Andrew, was so loving and accepting of all the students whether the student was more animated or more relaxed. The ability for my students to connect with an animal in a somewhat therapeutic manner was so important especially after the isolation of the pandemic. As the school counselor at BES, I feel this program was one of the highlights of our summer experience and I am looking forward to having NHES visit again during the school year!
We adopted Ernie from the Briggs Animal Adoption Center in WV and couldn’t be happier. They are an excellent facility that takes great care in finding the right family for the dogs and cats at the shelter and they provide outstanding service during the adoption period.
We adopted our beloved Kip from the Briggs Animal Adoption Center in Charles Town, WV, on June 11, 2021. Kip is a seven-month-old Chihuahua-Schipperke mix who came to Briggs from Mississippi. We are so pleased that Kip received such excellent and loving care during his stay at Briggs. Our search for a dog was facilitated by all the professional and caring Briggs staff members, notably Samantha Mills. We could not have been more happy with the entire process from day one to the day Kip came to live with us. We are forever indebted to Briggs for the level of their commitment to the animals.
I went to Briggs Animal Adoption Center in Charlestown to adopt my sweet puppy! I had such an amazing experience with them, as they were very forthcoming with what to expect during the process of adopting. They make sure to choose the best fit for the animal which I was a huge fan of! It shows that they really care about their animals. My dog was up to date on all shots, spayed and microchipped before adoption! They also sent my puppy home with a few days worth of food to allow for her to adjust to her new food appropriately, as well as two months worth of anti flea/tick treatments. They were very informative on adoption day which made me feel comfortable about bringing home my new puppy! Complete with tips sheets to assist with training! I would easily recommend this organization to anyone looking to adopt a new fur baby!
We adopted our sweet dog Percy (previously named Zeke) from the Briggs shelter at the end of July in 2020. We read in advance that the staff at Briggs was very thorough with their adoption process, which we liked. We did not want to adopt just any dog, but one who would fit perfectly with our family of five.
After our first visit to the shelter on a busy Saturday morning, we knew that we had come to the right place. One of the staff members informed us, when we submitted our application, that they operated on the concept of "best placement for the animal," not "first come, first served." We visited with our puppy for a brief time, then decided to complete all of the necessary visits in order to adopt him. We were treated so professionally but warmly, and it was evident that the puppy was well cared for and loved while he stayed at the shelter.
Now, we have had Percy in our family for about three months, and we are so thankful. We tell everyone about Briggs, and we will make donations during the Christmas season. While the process is not quick or necessarily "easy," it is designed about what is good and healthy for the animals, which is what matters most.
We recently adopted a dog from the National Humane Education Society (through their local branch, the Briggs Animal Adoption Center). We were so impressed by their no-kill policy, their willingness to work with dogs who came from difficult circumstances, and even that they kept a dog behavioral expert on staff. They clearly cared about finding appropriate homes for their animals, as opposed to just placing them anywhere. They were up front about the needs of our little dog, and encouraged us to come several times to get to know him before taking him away. We appreciated how much they cared about the well-being of their animals.
We adopted 2 wonderful dogs from Briggs in Sep 2020. I was impressed with the staff and how caring they are. They really wanted to make sure each animal goes to the right forever home, and to me that is so important. We adopted Tina and Jax who had been at the shelter for 2 years, and the shelter was very straightforward about what the pups needs were and answering our questions. We loved that we were able to visit them multiple times to get to know them without pressure to adopt them, and even once we knew they would be a good fit, they waited till we finished getting their new home ready. They have a vet on staff which means vet records are detailed and helpful; their new vet was impressed with having a full history! I imagen having a vet on staff also helps every animal get their care they need and cost more manageable. Sam was amazing to work with, and I enjoy getting to sent updates about the pups to her. The adoption fee is reasonable, and application process is good.
I just adopted my new fur baby (Jo) from Briggs (this is my second adoption with them). They are a great organization. They truly care for the animals and have a top-notch facility with a great staff of people! They do an excellent job of matching their fur babies with their forever homes. I highly recommend them to anyone looking to adopt a dog or cat.
The National Humane Education Society is an amazing nonprofit group. I have experienced first hand their amazing work with going into schools and educating our children on the importance of loving an animal and how to properly care for them. My daughter has also had a birthday party at the Briggs Animal Adoption Center where the NHES educators gave our party guests an amazing experience. And lastly, we have adopted 2 dogs from the Briggs Animal Adoption Center in the last 5 years and please read my reviews below. Thank you NHES for everything that you do for these amazing animals!
We have just adopted our 2nd dog from Briggs (July 2020) and CAN NOT say enough GOOD things about their shelter.
*Our 1st experience and review of when we adopted Landon in 2015 can be found at the bottom of this updated review.*
We adopted our fur baby, Landon, from Briggs 5 years ago (2015). In July 2020 he passed away suddenly and we were devastated. We knew when we were ready to look for a new fur baby, we would be going to Briggs. We saw pictures online of all of their dogs and decided we were ready to adopt again. They had a lot of amazing dogs available and I would have loved to take them all home, but we feel in love with a 4 month old puppy named Laney. Our counselor Sylvia (who works with you and shows you all of the dogs available) was amazing. She took her time to tell us a little bit about each of the dogs and when we were done looking, we decided we wanted to meet Laney in person. We were given plenty of time to have a meet and greet with Laney and our whole family decided that she was “the one”! They give you time to go home and to think about your decision to ensure you’re fully committed to adopting that animal. If there are any other families interested in adopting the same animal, Briggs will decide who they feel is the best fit. We knew this from our experience with adopting Landon, so we were secretly REALLLLLLLY excited about making Laney a part of our family, but we knew ultimately, the decision was up to Briggs on whether or not we’d get to adopt her. Please be understanding of their procedures and rules. A lot of people don’t understand why you can’t just go in and adopt a dog and leave with it the same day. I truly believe that Briggs is doing what is BEST for the ANIMALS! It might be an inconvenience to you, but if you truly want what is best for each animal there, you’ll understand why they do what they do. A few days after we met Laney, we were told that our application to adopt her was approved and she was officially a part of our family! The next day, our counselor Sylvia, delivered her to our house. Sylvia came into our house to ensure we were ready for Laney and she sat down and went over paperwork and information about our adoption. The counselors do a fantastic job of making sure everything is in order and you’re ready for your new furry friend. They also provided “goodies” such as some medicine, puppy food and a beautiful “wrapped in love” blanket. These are some of the reasons why we just love Briggs so much! They really go above and beyond for the animals. We have had Laney now for a week and half and we just love her sooooo much! We are so thankful she’s a part of our family and we can give her a loving forever home.
*original review from 2015 when we adopted Landon*
BAAC is the most amazing animal shelter we have ever been to. After our first trip there, we knew we wouldn't look anywhere else when it came to adopting a new dog. A few weeks later, we met Landon and fell in love. Our counselor, Dan (and Kristi too) were wonderful and it was extremely apparent that their first priority was making sure that their animals go to the right families. We have welcomed a new family member into our house thanks to Briggs. (Our 13 year old pound puppy even gave her stamp of approval after going to Briggs for a few meet and greets) Every step of the way (before, during and after adoption) has been wonderful and BAAC and the people that work there are providing a great community service. If you are looking to adopt a new pet, please visit Briggs. Their adoption fee is not much more than the humane society and the level of care and treatment that their animals receive before they are ever even put up for adoption is amazing. They ensure their animals are healthy and up to date on all vaccinations before they even meet the public. :)
During our school shut down, I reached out to Hayley and Megan for help with giving our first grade students an assembly experience they missed because of the school closures. They quickly responded with an amazing video to push out to our first grade students with great information about animal education and their facility. We had a lot of positive feedback from students and parents about the video. As an educator, I will always use the National Humane Education Society as a great learning resource for the classroom. It has always been a positive experience and everyone involved have always going above and beyond to help children. Thank you for all that you have done to make this new way of reaching students possible. Great program!
I adopted my dog Bleu from Briggs last March, and I couldn’t be happier with my decision to do so! The facility is kept very clean and sanitary, and the staff are kind, caring and committed to the welfare of the dogs in their care. The dogs staying at Briggs have ample outdoor space to run and play. The staff spends lots of time with the pups taking them to their offices, on field trips and engaging in play and training. Because of this, they are knowledgeable about the dogs in their care, which allows them to ensure a good fit with adopting families. Briggs is a wonderful organization to support and to visit to meet your new canine companion!
I have worked in animal hospitals my whole life. With this said I have never been in any animal rescue as well organized, clean, caring, helpfull as Briggs. From the moment I walked in to meet Harley with Sam. She was honest and very informative about Harley and his fear biting. Went back again this time with my two dogs from home and they met Harley outside in the play area. Sam and Ellen the trainer were there this time. Everyone got along great. Next time Sam and Ellen braught Harley to my home. Harleys first night with us was last night. Everyone did great!! The time and training this rescue does is just over the top. They are a five plus star rescue! God Bless all of you. Very Thankfull, Kelly
We visited Briggs Animal Adoption Center in WV in January and was impressed right from the beginning. Adoption Counselor Sam was professional and caring right when she met us. We were able to meet Aspen while we were there and fell in love with him right from the beginning. Sam made sure to tell us as much information about Aspen as she could and really showed us how much she cared about him. She made us aware that Aspen was not used to people and was very timid and that it would definitely take some time for him to warm up to us and his new surroundings. We still wanted to bring Aspen home and give him the life he deserved. The whole entire adoption process was great and Sam made sure we had everything that we needed. Overall the adoption process at Briggs Animal Adoption Center was great and we are so happy that we can continue to give Aspen the life he deserves. Thank you Briggs!
I adopted my puppy, Trajan, in January of 2020 and little did I know at the time how much we would come to adore this puppy in so short a time. He has been a joyous addition to my life and becomes more and more a part of the family each and every day. I can't thank Briggs Adoption Center enough for matching us and for the wonderful experience I had through their organization. From the time I first walked into the facility through follow up weeks after adoption, BAC has provided a warm and welcoming experience for me and if I consider adopting again, I would begin my journey with them. Their facility is clean, spacious, and it is obvious the love and care the animals there receive. This makes for a great start to the adoption experience for both the pet and the pet owner.
I adopted Luna from BRIGGS in early March. The process was both thorough and seamless. I went in expecting to just see some dogs and maybe meet with one or two. I didn’t know that I’d fall head over heals, and find my puppy on that first trip. When I told Jen I’d like to meet Luna (then Krissy), she brought her into a very nice greeting room where I was able to interact with Luna. I quickly knew that she was the perfect fit. I think Jen knew too. She worked very hard getting all of our ducks in a row and within two weeks, I was welcoming home my sweet puppy. My experience with my adoption counselor, Jen, and every other staff member I met was wonderful. Everybody was so kind. I appreciate the work they put in to make sure that each animal is going to the very best home. Since adopting Luna, I have recommended BRIGGS to anybody looking for a new dog or cat for their family.
We lost our Shih Tzu to heart disease in Jan 2020. We went online and found the Briggs Animal Adoption Center near us in WVa. The facility is great and the staff is very helpful. They have great concern for their pets. We had to be vetted. We passed! We adopted a stray in Feb. "Trooper" is a Shih Tzu/Bichon cross. He has been our lifesaver through the covid-19 "stay at home". He gets us out 5 times/day. Snuggles on the couch, and sleeps with us. And the adoption fee was much less than their expenses for neutering, shots, & a tracking implant. Greatly appreciated by a retired couple.
My husband and I were looking for a dog. We had been to several animal shelters in the DMV area. But we couldn’t find the right dog for us until we came across the website of Briggs Animal Adoption Center (BAAC) in WV. BAAC is a bit far from where we live. But we were so glad that we went there. Because we found the perfect furry friend for our family. The entire experience with BAAC was fantastic. The shelter was very clean and organized. And the staff were very kind and helpful. The adoption fee was very reasonable as well. We were accompanied by an Adoption Counselor, Sam Mills. Sam showed us all the dogs and went through the adoption process with us. We did the meet and greet with two furry balls- Sansa and her sister Marigold. We fell in love with Sansa right away. She is the sweetest dog ever. Sansa was under the heart worm treatment at that time. It means that we could not adopt her right away until she completed her treatment. Sam said that we could foster her first, but we needed to bring her back to the vet in the shelter once month to perform the rest of the heartworm treatments. So we did. In the next three months, we had more interactions with the staff in BAAC, including the vet. All of them were wonderful. Now Sansa is heart worm free and we finally adopted her. She brought us so much joy, especially in this difficult time. So I would like to say “Thank you, Sam! Thank you, BAAC!”
Hello. I was invited, along with my therapy dog Seville, by the NHES to participate on two different occasions when they did presentations at two elementary schools this past Winter. Megan and Hailey were awesome at engaging the children and keeping them interested in the program. I could tell that the children learned a lot from each session. I would highly recommend trying to get on their calendar to do a presentation at schools or other events. It's so important for children, and adults too for that matter, to learn the proper way to treat animals, and take care of them. And what to do if they see a problem. A fantastic program! This group does wonderful work!
NHES is simply fabulous! Not only do they have these sweet animals as a priority, they work so well with the community. Year after year they have participated in a Career Day Program at the school where I work. This year, with our Career Day being cancelled due to COVID, they provided a video presentation to share with the students. They go above and beyond to share information with the community and foster a caring attitude toward animals.
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This group has participated for the past 3 years in my Career Day Program at Wright Denny Intermediate School. They always come on time, prepared, energetic, and ready to engage with the students here. I think they are a valuable asset to our community and share important information with students about being kind to animals and possible animal-related careers. I am the School Counselor but that is not a choice in the drop down menu below.
BAAC is the most organized and well managed shelter I’ve been in, not to mention the largest and cleanest. During the 2.5 years I’ve been volunteering and walking dogs I’ve witnessed how all of the staff work together to ensure every animal is safe, comfortable, and well cared for until they find the best homes. BAAC does an amazing job of coordinating events, raising awareness, and educating adopters to ensure every dog and cat that comes through their doors has the best life possible.
I retired from teaching several years ago and now spend several mornings a week volunteering at Briggs. The facilities are always clean and the staff is amazing. When you witness one of the staff members interacting with one of the animals, you can see how much they love their jobs. What I appreciate the most is that the staff diligently works to find the right home for each of its' residents. The unique needs of each animal is respected as the staff looks for a perfect forever home.
Amy Carroll
A few months ago, I found a stack of "Teaching Kindness: A Handbook for Offering Humane Education Programs" booklets in a storage area of our school. I distributed the booklets to all classrooms as a resource about teaching kindness to animals. Then about a month after that I received information about The National Humane Education Society and that they could possibly come to the school to present to our students. I was very excited to be able to help bring this program to our school. We had a presentation for our PK-2 grade students and it was wonderful. Both Megan and Hailey were great with the children and presenting the material about being respectful and responsible to animals. I really appreciated that the material shared was age appropriate for the audience. While they were there other grades not present at the assembly wanted to make sure that they were coming to do one for them.
Thank you Megan, Hailey and Avis!
Sincerely,
Mrs. DeMarco, School Counselor
Salem Avenue Elementary
Hagerstown, MD
We are so grateful for Briggs Animal Adoption Center. They helped us find the most perfect pet for us!!
We visited Briggs a few weeks ago and asked for a small, non shedding dog. There was one, but she got adopted. Katy asked if we were in a hurry. We said no.
Last Saturday she calls me and said that there are two ShiTzu dogs that just came in. We went that afternoon and saw Benji for the first time and we wanted him right then. Katy said another family was coming to see the two the next day. We were on pins and needles by Wednesday afternoon wondering what was to happen.
On Wednesday, Katy calls me and asks if we still want him. We said ABSOLUTELY! She then said that the other family was willing to take them both. We were so worried they would pick the other family. We are so grateful Katy chose OUR family to be Benji’s new family instead!
When he was dropped off, Katy went through a whole file full of information about Benji. I was so impressed! Benji was well taken care of!!!
Thank you!!!
Bobette McMullan
Last June we visited Briggs and found the perfect kitten - or rather, he found us. We were about to choose another kitten, and Figaro made a last-minute play, climbing from lap to lap, purring the entire time. We fell in love with him immediately. Six months later, we discovered his biological sister, who has a permanent eye injury, hadn't been adopted. We went to see her and were smitten. Both cats were a perfect addition to our home and have already bonded with our other cat, Leo, and our poodle, Annie.
We found and adopted the perfect little dog from Briggs Animal Adoption. The staff members were all very friendly and helpful. Their shelter was awesome and very clean. I would recommend them to everyone.
We visited Briggs animal adoption in WV looking for a new dog. We found briggs to be extremely clean and very organized. The staff were very kind. You could tell they love their animals we did adopt our Chloe They were very honest about her separation anxiety and that she had been returned twice. We have had her 4 weeks. She’s doing great. When we come home she greets us extremely enthusiastic but she hasn’t been destructive at all. They have called a few time to make sure everything is going well. It is we love our Chloe ❤️ Thank you Briggs
I cannot express how impressed I am with this organization and how they truly are committed to the needs of the animals. We set out to be dog owners after having had guinea pigs for many years and wanted to both meet potential dogs in person and also wanted a group who could guide/remind/suggest suitable rescues for our lifestyle and skill level as well as an organization which would be available after an adoption to address our questions. We found a variety of differing support levels with other rescue organizations besides the fact that in some rescues meeting the animal beforehand was not even a given. This organization provided us all of the above and much more, so much more! We adopted our Belle knowing that we had adopted a dog we could manage and they allowed us to adopt Belle knowing that Belle would indeed have a forever home. The counselors, front office staff, facilities and care of the animals is wonderful. Even if we had not found our dog here I would not hesitate to recommend anyone in the area who is committed to the responsibilities of responsible pet ownership to come by the facility and consider the rescues they have available.
I recently adopted my two kittens from Briggs Animal Adoption Center, and I couldn't be happier. The entire staff was warm, welcoming, and made the entire adoption process a smooth and positive experience. I was given all the information I needed, and I was even sent home with food, litter, and homemade blankets. Thanks to them, I now have two new family members who bring such joy to my home.
Briggs Animal Adoption Center and Kristi don’t just “say” they care about animals and trying to find them the right homes; they prove it with their actions. My husband and I had been trying on and off to adopt for the last year from rescues. We felt like we had been running through hoops through many rescues and we actually remembered why we ended up going to a breeder for our last dog. We treat all our animals like family, and give them the best medical care possible. When we walked into Briggs, we immediately could feel the difference.
Briggs had a very welcoming atmosphere. The facility was beautiful and it not only was clean, it smelt clean. I told Kristi that I had a very large Ridgeback, Hamilton, but he was a huge baby. He was even afraid of raindrops. I originally had my eye on a male puppy named Everett. She brought him in with two of his brothers. She told me at the beginning, she didn’t think it would be a good match. She thought he would be too wild. I really wanted a male puppy. She was right. She then brought in three Hound girls. They were all beautiful. I just really still wanted a male. She told me to bring in Hamilton and he would choose.
My husband and I brought in Hamilton that weekend. He was scared of all of them, but did much better with the Hounds. They were much calmer around him. Magnolia and I started to bond at that time, and she started to steal my heart. Kristi told me to sleep on it. The next day I called her and let her know we had chosen Magnolia to adopt. Kristi said, she thought Hamilton would do much better with her at our home.
Kristi brought Magnolia (now Colleen) home that Thursday. Within four days, Hamilton and Colleen were the best of friends. They play all day and cuddle at night. Colleen has actually made Hamilton a bit tougher, because he acts like he needs to protect her now. He is so much more active, and plays like a puppy. We couldn’t be happier. Colleen stole my heart since Day 1. Thank You, Kristi! Thank You, Briggs! You have made a Very Happy Home!!!
Sarah & Michael Wiley
Winchester, Virginia
Hello. My wife and i first learned of Briggs Animal Adoption Center through a friend who was in the process of adopting a kitten. Our daughter (9) has loved cats since she was 4-months old, and we finally decided we would adopt for her. I made a phone call, and spoke with one of the Adoption Counselors (Katy) there where i learned all of what needed to happen. Honestly, im so glad of this process.
First, i came to take a look at the cats....and really, have the cats take a look at me. A few of them followed me around, one sat on my lap, etc... The next step was to have everyone (the 3 of us) in the house come through and see how the cats reacted to us. One cat, Fred, chose my wife immediately. And as our daughter played with the cats, we noticed another was seemingly always nearby, Ollie. So, we went to Briggs thinking on adopting one cat, and we adopted two.
After we were chose by Fred and Ollie, the Katy was in constant contact with us, letting us know when the in-house vet checkups were and everything else we needed to know before we could transport them home.
We left with two cats, tons of information, food, litter, and a happy daughter. That was in Dec 2018. Those two cats are the most playful and affectionate cats i think i've ever been around. They love our home, and we love them.
The experience from Briggs, they way they placed the importance not on us "shopping" for a cat, but rather the cats interacting with us, was wonderful. As we all sat in the cat room, Katy would observe which cats she thought interacted and fit us the best. I think that type of....intuition...was key to have our current relationship with Fred and Ollie are now.
Thank you!! --- Brian
My husband and I adopted our sweet girl Puffin from NHES/ Briggs Shelter December 2018. We appreciate that the shelter is "no kill" and does so much to make sure that the animals are well cared for. Their cattery is a beautiful space. The cats seem at ease. The individual needs of the animals is acknowledged, such as diet, health, or need for isolation or quiet. The process for adopting a pet initially seems like a lot of work, but in going through the process you can tell that they want to make sure they are sending a pet to their forever home. They don't do same day adoptions, which reduces impulse decisions that leave pets homeless when something doesn't work out. They care about matching energy level, ability to interact with other pets, and personality. The animals all visit the vet one final time to make sure they are up to date on their vaccines and are healthy. They call regularly to check in. I realized that they really do care about the animals when the lady running the front desk got a bit sad upon hearing that we were adopting Puffin because she would spend part of her lunch break with Puffin. I would absolutely adopt from NHES/Briggs again!
We adopted our Pomeranian Hazelnut from The Briggs Animal Adoption Center in Charles Town, WV in Dec. 2017. They are a wonderful organization who does so much to help the pets find the best homes. The pets are well loved and cared for while they are at Briggs and we are so thankful for all they do! We love our Hazelnut and if we were to get another pet we would definitely go to Briggs! Sincerely, Patti and David Burleson~
When my husband and I were ready to adopt a dog we looked for a dog from Briggs because they are a no kill shelter. We found a special dog we liked named Junie. She was from a hoarding situation and was not socialized. She was fearful of people and every situation. The staff at Briggs had us come visit her several times alone and with our current dog to make sure she was a good fit for us and us for her. Because Junie was such a fearful dog the staff let us come in before they opened to have some quiet, alone time with her. We believe, had this not been a no kill shelter, she would have been euthanized because she seemed to be a harder dog to adopt due to her fears. She had been at the shelter for 6 months. Briggs delivered her to us with some food, toys, and a special blanket. They checked in with us at set intervals to make sure things were working out. We've had Junie for going on 5 months now and we keep in contact with the staff by sending monthly updates/pictures (I'm not sure we'd have had the same relationship our local spca). I know they love seeing Junie's journey because they are so dedicated to helping animals. This organization is very concerned for their animals and they strive to make sure you are the right fit for the dog to lessen the chances of a dog coming back or going to another shelter. They want to make sure they place their dogs/cats in forever homes. We recommend adopting a shelter pet because you are giving a worthy pet a second chance at a good life, the chance they should have had from birth. As for Junie, she changes every day. She has become the most loving and happy dog. We cannot believe the turn around she has made - shows what some love and kindness can do. To people who think they need a puppy we would say that while puppies are nice so are shelter dogs of any age. Junie , who is 3, acts like puppy because she finds something new every day to explore and enjoy since she never had a fun puppy-hood. Junie wakes up happy and goes to bed happy and we truly believe it is because she knows what it means to be rescued.
Blossom (adopted from Briggs Animal Adoption Center, WV)
by Joanna Klose, Blossom’s new co-parent (with husband Scott)
In April 2019, my husband began looking on the Briggs website for a dog that would be a good fit for our family. I had drafted the adoption application but was too “sensitive hearted” to look at candidates on the site…just knowing I’d want to adopt all of the dogs.
I had heard about Briggs from a friend of my Mom’s, Batina (spelling?), who had also adopted from Briggs. One of the things I like about Briggs is that they are absolutely “no kill”, which is awesome!! It also made me comfortable with going to the BAAC to see dogs knowing that they would all be adopted.
Also, I was impressed that Briggs founders had such strong convictions about animals being treated humanely and given all the care they needed while at Briggs. By the time an animal goes home they are current on vaccinations, have been seeing a veterinarian, treated with utmost care for their health and happiness!
Briggs’ website is loaded with helpful information about the Center, visiting/tours, how the animals are cared for, recommendations for what to have ready before you bring home your specific animal, about the philosophy begun with the founders and carried through to present, and much more.
When we did visit Briggs, it was very clear that the animals were highest priority with all the staff members. We had already sent in our application online and spoken with adoption counselor, Samantha Mills, who invited us for a tour with her. My husband Scott and I visited on Sunday April 29, 2019. After the tour, Samantha asked if there were any dogs that we were interested in visiting with that day. She added that it was ok if we wanted to go home and think about it or even look at other dogs when they arrived.
My husband, Scott (and I agreed) asked if we could see the brown & white “red tick hound.” Blossom was brought to us in one of the visiting rooms. Her tail was tucked between her legs, and she was very timid and skittish (understandable when we discovered she had come, with her brother and sisters, from an animal hoarding situation). Scott and I had gotten down on the floor and I had my shoes off. When Blossom entered the visiting room, we said “hi” and spoke happily but calmly to her, not making any movement toward her but allowing her to come to us. Slowly we were able to pet her while continuing to talk soothingly to her. By the time the visit was over (too soon
Briggs Adoption Center is great. Sylvia was very nice to give us a tour of the facility and introduce all the available dogs. She also let us spend some time with Briar whom we adopted. Kristi delivered Briar to our home. Kristi was very knowledgeable and provided us lots of good information.
My husband and I had the pleasure of working with the Briggs Animal Adoption Center in January, 2017. We had just lost a beloved dog and knew that we needed to find a dog - not just any one, but the right one. We visited Briggs and worked with a wonderful employee there who listened to our needs, and introduced us to several dogs. We ended up with not one, but two perfect canine matches. Brandi (now 14) and Maya (now 12) have brought joy and love to our home.
We were nervous about adopting older dogs, but they had been thoroughly vetted and cared for, and knowing that we'd have the support system of Briggs to help us with questions made it ok. They've been healthy and happy ever since.
The employee who helped us match with the right dogs messages periodically to check on them, and has been a great support if we've had questions about anything.
I would go back to Briggs in a heartbeat to adopt a dog, but hope we don't need them for a long time to come! They have a wonderful, clean facility, take beautiful care of their animals, and work hard to be sure they are matching the dogs (or cats) with the right person for them.
We were newcomers to the pet adoption process after having had our Jack Russell terrier pass away after sixteen and a half fun-filled years with us. I began researching adoption site and visited Briggs Animal Adoption Center several times as well as several other sites. I signed up for emails and began getting emails right away about adopting. So, my husband and I decided to visit Briggs first since it was the closest in proximity to our home. We were both impressed with Briggs and staff and facilities. We took the tour and then went home to talk about it. We decided we wanted to meet the puppies and dogs first hand so we came back for another visit. We fell in love with the second dog we visited with and started the adoption process. Briggs has an excellent adoption process with complete paperwork, a counselor who delivers the dog to your home and lots of helpful hints and advice on successful adoptions. Our new addition is a real sweetheart and we could not be happier with our choice. Thank your Briggs Animal Adoption Center and our counselor, Katie, for helping to fill the void in our life with a sweet, vibrant bundle of joy!
Our students truly enjoyed the animal safety program!! They stayed engaged the entire time and learned some valuable lessons on how to care for and approach animals. The teachers were impressed with how kid friendly the presentation was. I would love to have them back again next year! Thank you for coming out to our school!!
I am a guidance counselor at two different elementary schools in Wood County, WV. The NHES visited both of my schools. They were very professional and good with our students. They did three presentations at one school, Pre K-5, and one presentation for 2nd -3rd grades at the other school. All four presentations were slightly different. The ladies did an excellent job of teaching to their audience and changing the material to be age appropriate. They did a good job of teaching about kindness and how to be respectful and appropriate with animals. I would highly recommend the NHES presentation for any elementary school!
I am a counselor at Shoals Elementary school in Kanawha County, WV. The NHES came to our school and talked to our students about pet care and safety. The played games and had hands-on dress up clothes and other items for their games. They also brought a projector to display a power point and videos. The presentation was very informative and engaging for our K-5 students. We appreciate the NHES traveling to our school and educationing our students on pet care and safety. We hope to see you again next year. Mrs. Douglas-Chiles
Megan and the National Humane Education Society never fail to excite and educate our students as they bring awareness to the importance of kind and humane treatment of animals. They have been coming yearly and always incorporate other themes such as careers, respect, responsibility, etc, as needed. They come with great props, presentations and often bring a child friendly pet. The kids love it! Such a great program in which all schools should take advantage.
Thanks!
Joe Shepherd
Ranson Elementary School Counselor
Absolutely brilliant presentation! They brought Buddy (a living ambassador pet) & Lucky ( a stuffed animal ambassador) for the kids to engage and pet. The video was informative. An absolute MUST to have this team come deliver the NHES presentation. Compassionate, professional, committed and dedicated advocates! 5 Stars to infinity for this group! Thank You!
The representatives, Megan, Joshua, and Haley, from NHES drove to Bensalem, PA all the way from West Virginia to present to our school. Our students were so excited to see Apollo and Teddy and learn about ways to care for dogs and acts responsibly around them. The presenters were so lively and informative. Our students really benefitted from hearing the NHES presentation. Thank you so much!
We recently had Briggs Animal Adoption Center come to our school for a presentation. They presented to the kindergartners at our school and far exceeded our expectation with their presentation. The taught the children about their cause, different animal careers, and about dog bite prevention. DId I mention they brought 2 of the sweetest dogs with them?! We cannot wait to have them back again in the future. Thank you Briggs for teaching our students so much!
Megan and Hayley visited our school in Far Rockaway NY last week. Our Pre K and Kindergarten students thoroughly enjoyed their assembly "Kindness in the Classrrom".
Through conversation, song, story and role-playing, our students learned how to approach, pet and care for dogs and cats. Students were given stickers and booklets to take home. The students and teachers had a very positive experience and we hope NHES can visit again next year! Keep up the great work!
Teachers and Students from PS 104 Q,
We adopted Murphy (formerly Brutus) from Briggs Animal Adoption Center and the National Humane Education Society. The facility is really amazing, and the care that goes into each animal is readily apparent. The staff takes the time to get to know each animal so that they can really give you good advice and have knowledge and recommendations that can be helpful. We even had car trouble when visiting from out-of-state, and the staff stayed late and helped us make sure we weren't stuck or stranded!
Murphy is an absolutely wonderful dog. He is friendly, playful, energetic, and sweet, and just a true delight to have added to our family. He loves to play with his toys, follow his older sister (11yo Bich-Poo) around the house, and nap when we're all sitting together. A big thank you to the National Humane Education Society and BAACS for helping bring us together with our new family member!
Back in November, I adopted Lilly, a deer head Chihuahua mix. When I first got her, she was scared and didn't know how to act but she quickly warmed up to me. Lilly came from a hording situation amd lived with 12 other dogs and two cats. She was covered in fleas and extremely fearful of humans. I've worked so hard with her and she already knows a few commands and I am working on off leash training with her. Now 7 months later, she is a happy pup and is loving her life.
Thanks to you so many different animals have their lives made better. Not only do you take in and care for various needy animals, you educate the young so that they learn how to appreciate the different animals and how to care for them. By educating both young and old, many others benefit by their wisdom. Again, thanks.
This happened some years ago when I was still working (am retired). I worked at a chicken processing and an accumulation of fera was there. I tried to feed them and there was plenty of chicken they could get. Tnen the manager said the cats had to go because one had gotten into a delivery truck and if it had gotten to the vendor the whole truck would have to be condemned and the company couldn't have that happen.
I had been contributing to NHES for some time and in desperation I called and lo and behold Mrs. Briggs answered herself and said they would help. Her son-in-law called me the next day and saaid he was coming to help me relocate the cats. He did so, left me some money for food and some traps to catch the ones we hadn't caught and the means to return the traps when we were finished relocating the cats.
It turns out he had a history of our location and did some visiting whlle he was here. We are a very small community in a little known part of Virginia and the coincidence that everything worked out is an act of God and NHES.
I an eternally gratefull and believe in all the good works this organization does.
Thank you NHES,
Judith Grant
Modest town, VA 23412
Years ago I decided to donate to Anna Briggs’ rescue, although I lived very far away from WV. As it turned out, my son, who is in the uSAF, got stationed in a town close by. I went to visit him and we went to the brand new facility and he adopted two recently rescued kittens. That was 9 years ago and the cats are healthy, happy, and spoiled.
I love NHES.
I grew up not knowing about vets, shots, spay and neuter. A few years ago we began to have a problem with stray cats. No one wanted to help to do anything. I was caring for 40+ cats by myself. I was falling behind with spay and neuter because it was taking most of my money to be sure they had enough food. There was a lot of extra work involved for me because I tried to keep all inside that would come in. I contacted the National Humane Education Society to ask for help. A gentleman drove to my home in a small Pennsylvania town with two live traps and a cage. He showed me how to trap and transport to the vet, plus they gave the vet $650.00 to spay and neuter the kitties I took there. Needless to say, this help was a turning point for me and the kitties. Today, I have four rescued kitties, a 24 year old cockatiel, and a crippled horse. I lost my 14 year old goat this year. As long as I can donate to this organization, I will. They really do care. Betty S Schiefer
I am a veterinarian and a PTA mom of two children in the public school system in Brooklyn, NY. After learning about the importance of humane education from a conference for teachers, I wanted to bring the ideas to my children’s school. The principal of the school supported humane education, although I needed to explain why its important when teachers have very limited time to teach what they have as it is.
I had trouble securing a visit from a local humane education organization. I then researched and came across The National Humane Education Society (NHES). They were warm and welcoming from the first email.
I had also wanted a family workshop along with daytime assemblies and approached NHES about it. They were excited and came up with a program. We wanted therapy dogs present and they were able to connect with a local therapy dog group and arrange for dogs to be present at the assembly and the family night workshop.
There were detailed emails regarding everything from the topics discussed to the timing of the activities.
The day finally came for the assemblies and workshop. I was impressed at how the speakers wove messages of kindness, adoption, the needs of pets, into stories and songs. They adjusted their message delivery for the older kids.
The family night program was great too. There were tables with activities for adults and children. The adult table was geared towards social responsibility. The kid’s tables had activities such as making vegan dog treats, making cat toys and a game in which you paired a dog up for adoption with the correct family. We served vegan food for the attendees.
I hope to have the same program for the school next year with NHES. They are wonderful, hard working and I admire them for the work they do.
Marlowe Elementary would like to personally thank Megan Finn and the NHES for volunteering at our school's Vehicle Day. The NHES showed an exceptional level of professionalism, consideration and patience for our students during their presentation.
Not only did the NHES educate our students about the animal shelter guidelines, but they also demonstrated the adoption process using stuffed animals, which was a nice touch given the age of our students and the weather conditions.
Megan did a great job engaging the students, allowing for questions to be answered and even concluding the presentation with calendar giveaways per each child.
Overall, the staff and kids from Marlowe Elementary were very pleased with the presence of NHES and we look forward to working with them again in the near future!
I have had several experiences with NHES and all have been amazing. As a volunteer I have accompanied Megan and Megan to many elementary schools in the area. It is so satisfying to see the kids be so interested in proper caring for animals, most specifically Dogs and Cats. The Megans make the programs so enjoyable with there stories, songs, role plays and videos. The kids love it and are usually fixed on there presentation, especially when they bring a sweet pup. I have also been with them for painting projects they bring to the schools and the kids are usually so excited to paint pics of the dogs and cats they bring pictures of. They have so much patience with the kids and you can tell that they genuinely love their jobs. It has been a pleasure volunteering with the program and Megan and Megan and have founds new friends in them.
My husband and I also adopted a sweet pup at Briggs. The facility is great and we are so happy that Lily is a member of the family now.
I had the NHES come out to my after school program this past fall. They brought pictures of the adoptable animals at Briggs and my 36 kindergarten through 5th graders got to paint pictures of the animals! Even my kids who usually only want to run around got really into it. They got to watch a cute video before to get them into it and the Megan’s were amazing at handling all of their silly questions and stories. I get to have them back in June and the kids and I are SO excited!!!
I adopted a kitty from the National Humane Education Society/Briggs Animal Adoption Center, and they were nothing but accommodating and helpful during the whole process! We got a sweet kitty and often visit just to see what other animals are looking for forever homes! This is an excellent adoption center that clearly cares about its animals!
Wonderful and engaging program that will teach your young students the basics of animal care and kindness! The presenters including the K-9 beauty engaged the students by using visuals, games, prizes, stories and more!
I came down to the gym to peek in towards the end of the presentation you were giving to our prek-1st grade, and I was so intrigued I stayed for the 2nd and 3rd grade. Josh did a great job reading and sharing the story of how his dog came to be part of their family. I learned the safe way to approach a dog you've never met before (something I had never known before). The presenters were exciting and kept the students engaged and attentive through the whole thing. Giving the students calendars and letting them pet the dog at the end was such a treat for them!
Megan visited our school on February 6, 2018 to share the Kindness is the Classroom program with our students. We were delighted to meet Lilly, an Australian Shepherd Mix, from the Briggs Adoption Center. The program was perfect for our K-5 students. Respect, responsibility, and caring were an important part of the Kindness in the Classroom program along with animal safety and basic needs. I highly recommend this program for all students! *** Please donate, volunteer, or provide a fur-ever home to a loving pet, if you can! ***
Megan and Megan provide an excellent presentation on responsibility with animals. They are professional and have great patience with children. We love having them visit our school.
We found Briggs Animal Adoption Center before the holidays last year. We were looking for a local facility to donate to and happened upon this wonderful facility just down the road from us. After donating last Christmas we immediately fell in love with the place and the people. We started volunteering soon after and have been coming at least one day a week since then. Though usually we can't stay away and end up there 2-3 days a week! The animals are so well cared for. The facility is super neat , clean and well thought out. The staff goes above and beyond to make sure all of the animals get the attention they need and the loving homes they deserve. Our lives are so much better since finding Briggs and we only hope the time we spend there makes a difference too! It didn't take us long before we adopted a dog from Briggs too. Their adoption process is very detailed and involved which shows they care! We appreciate that they take so much time making sure that the animals have their best opportunity for a forever home after going through so much already in their lives. If you are looking for a wonderful place to volunteer with this is it! If you are looking to donate then donate here. Honestly it is the best place we know!
Our dog rescue dog "Buddy" passed away at home 2 months ago. It was hard on all of us, including our rescue dog "Toasty".
We knew we needed to get another one, but it took a month to be emotionally ready.
When the time was right, my husband contacted
Briggs Animal Adoption Center in West Virginia.
He went to meet "Cecilia", a hound & beagle mix. We ended up adopting her, and she has quickly become part of our family.
The staff at Briggs are great, and they make extra efforts to make sure that their pets are going to good homes.
The way this place is run is top notch.
I wish every shelter could be like this.
In July 2016 we adopted Ranger from Briggs Animal Adoption Center in West Virginia. We had spent several weekends visiting shelters after losing our 12 year old rescue to a hit and run and came across Briggs and were so impressed at the love and care the staff puts into the animals (before and after their stay at Briggs). They seem to treat every animal as if they were their own. Such a wonderful place for animals that need love and attention!
We've recently adopted 2 Terrier mix brothers from BAACS. Our experience from the first second I walked through BAACS door was superb.
The facility is immaculate and extremely well organized. Katy, the coordinator assigned to us was outstanding from beginning to end.
My favorite part of the process was when the dogs were delivered to our home by Katy. Obviously because of the dogs, but more importantly because of the folder Katy walked in with.....this is the part where BAACS really stands out and shines above other adoption centers. The folder contained all medical/vaccination info., ID, chip, rabies tags. It contained "BOLT" signs to post on outside and inside of front door to remind visitors that new dogs live here and might run out when door opens, she also provided "LOST posters" of each dog (if ever needed) which literally brought tears to my eyes that BAACS cared so much and literally thought of everything. The cherry on top was the snuggly blankets handmade by Mary Beth, Wrapped In Love.
Kudos to this fine organization!
My boyfriend and I adopted Hermione from the Briggs Animal Adoption Center in May 2017. Were it not for the incredible staff at Briggs she would likely not be alive today. When she arrived at Briggs she was injured and underweight. The staff vet took an x-ray and discovered bullet fragments in her skull. One eye and part of her jaw were severely injured from the bullet wounds and ended up being removed. But thanks to this organization's dedication to saving every life they can, my sweet little girl is now happy and healthy and will spend the rest of her life being loved.
The NHES presenter's enthusiasm and material had the students engaged the entire time!
The information presented was informative and relevant to an over all theme to BE KIND- THANK YOU!!!
Megan Flinn and Megan Hessenberger came to our schools in rural New Hampshire to do a presentation on kindness in the classroom. The teachers and students will all equally engaged and excited to learn about the humane society, as learning about this is close to all of us, especially in New Hampshire. The presentation was not only very important for students to learn, but was done appropriately that students were understanding of animal feelings, safety, and careers. As I mentioned, teachers were just as thrilled. I was excited about the materials they provided to the school to carry through and have follow up lessons with students about animal safety and welfare.These lessons relate to other subjects taught in school. Both of these ladies were incredibly enthusiastic and professional, we are so lucky that they had an opening for us to come visit and I look forward to a visit next year!!
My husband and I were looking for our first pet to add to our family. Katy, our adoption counselor, helped us through the whole process! From narrowing down what kind of dog would fit best in our family, all the way down to everything they would need to come home. They really equip you to be the best pet owners you can be, as well as helping your animal through the transition. We would highly recommend Briggs to anyone looking for their forever companion!
Megan Flinn, Megan Hessenberger, Minh Kilbride, Joshua Kilbride and "Apollo" the Therapy Dog are amazing! The Bethany Preschool staff and students always look forward to their yearly visit! They have an amazing way of connecting with the students and teaching them how to take care of and love their pets. We all enjoy it when they come to visit!
Though I haven't adopted a pet from NHES (yet), I am a very proud donor and supporter of all they do for the animals. While they take in and care for abandoned and abused dogs and cats at the BAAC until they find their forever homes (and are 100% against euthanizing healthy animals! I know Marley has been there for a long time...), they've also partnered with other organizations like the Potomac Valley Audubon Society and have donated many acres of their campus to restore the habitats of local birds and butterflies. They are passionate, dedicated people, and their organization is doing great work not only in West Virginia and the DC area, but across the US through their humane education and advocacy efforts.
NHES uses direct methods and public education to help dogs, cats, other domestic animals, wildlife, and communities nationwide. NHES corrects and prevents threats to these groups, both by direct means (couseled adoptions, Spay Today programs, and animal rescue) and with widespread education programs that reach thousands of K-12 students and adults. Programs and workshops cover topics such as responsible pet ownership, the benefits of spay/neuter, dog safety and bite prevention, methods for teaching humane education/animal welfare, and address the importance of compassion and empathy in young students. In doing so, NHES shows thousands of people the practices that improve the lives of animals and communities at large.
I started a kids humane education program at my local shelter along with a book buddies program
The response has been great. We even got the children t shirts for the club that say always be kind humane education kids club
Humane Society of Port Jervis&Deerpark
Hudson K-8 School in Birmingham, Alabama had the pleasure to experience NHES with both Ms. Megans and two adorable and unforgettable therapy dogs. Children from our Pre-School through 6 grade, continue to talk about the experience. Students and teachers learned the importance of kindness, respect, and safety when around animals and that was much needed. Thank you all for taking time to enrich our lives.
As a retired single female I found my second 'career' volunteering at Briggs/NHES walking the dogs around the grounds. I started my volunteering as a way to give back to my community and ended up with a greater respect for the dogs & cats they shelter, and the hard work involved in carrying for these lovable animals waiting for their forever home. The staff provided an extensive training session for the volunteers before being allowed to interact with the dogs which I had not experienced with other shelters where I volunteered. I learned new methods that I was able to use with my own dogs at home and have a great respect for this organization and the charitable work they do every day. When I'm ready for another dog I will be coming to Briggs.
They were very helpful and kind, matching us up with a perfect dog. THe adoption counselor basically held our hand every step of the way, constantly texting and giving tons of information and pictures.
Sunrise Elementary School was honored to host The National Humane Education Society to our school. Megan and Megan were absolutely fabulous and delivered an awesome experience to our 900 students. The program was interactive and age appropriate. Their love and enthusiasm for animals was evident. Our students and staff absolutely loved it! In addition to the wonderful program, our teachers each received curriculum to continue teaching character education through animals in the classroom. Thank You!!
We adopted a Jack Russel from Briggs and shared 5 loving years with her. Kindle was a bundle of vitality and she was the boss of our Golden and our Wolf Hound mix along with 3 cats. Briggs did a wonderful job of guiding us to find the right dog for our family and spent time and effort to be sure we were a good fit.
Also we have used Spay Today program to neuter our dozen barn cats, they made it possible for us to keep our community under control responsibly.
Lastly, my Dad used to volunteer to spend time with the cats in their home at Briggs and everyone was a winner!
We are fortunate to have Briggs in our community.
Adopted all 3 of our dogs from Briggs. Our adoption counselor Kristy Curtis has been imperative to helping us with everything from food to behavioral issues. She made it known from the beginning we could call her for anything and we have. We know the staff from the kennels to the office staff work so hard to take care of these beautiful little beings until they find their forever homes. I can't recommend them enough. They truly care about making sure that all of the animals are going to safe, happy homes. You guys rock!!!
NHES helped me to find my beloved dog, Red. They spent the time to find the perfect match for me and made sure it was right for Red, too. The adoption counselors took my needs and lifestyle into account when introducing me to potential pets. I remember her saying, "I think I know just the dog for you." They were so right! Red has changed my life and I'm so thankful to NHES for putting us together. I will forever be in their debt.
Aside from my personal experience, I know NHES to be a responsible and well-run nonprofit. They use the funds they raise with the care and respect their wonderful donors have come to expect. Their work to make this a more humane world is truly admirable. They save the lives of so many beautiful animals and are helping to educate future generations so that the world is a kinder place for all animals.
To all the staff - from the bottom of my heart, thank you so much.
We recently adopted a young dog from this facility. From start to finish, we felt like our adoption counselor became part of the family. It took us to few dogs to find "the one" and she guided us every step of the way. They have such a wonderful facility that we knew each animal was being studied and vetted to make sure that they were placed with the right family. And each family was studied as well! Our children were even retaining the education our counselor was giving at each visit. Our adoption was smooth, our new dog healthy and happy, and he has been such a joy to our family. We were so impressed with the detailed paperwork that came with him upon his delivery from just-in-case "lost dog" signs, to medical records, medicines, food, a blanket, and even "new dog in house" signs to post on our front door. We are recommending this facility for any families looking to share some love in their life.
I attended a community program at Briggs (NHES) to help plant trees on their wonderful campus and also took the opportunity to visit the facilities and tour the animals, along with my family. Having visited other animal facilities in the past, I was so pleased to see how first-class the Center is. The cat room is great - wide open and airy, with cats able to freely interact with visitors and allow the visitors to really see 'what they are like', how affectionate are they, etc. There were also numerous 'toys' and climbing areas for the cats to play on. The kennel area is also really well laid out with easy viewing of each of the dogs, who have access to runs outside for fresh air and exercise. For our next family pet, we will definitely be back !
This was an amazing experience! Megan and Megan were so helpful from beginning to end. They were very organized in setting up the presentation and flexible to meet our school's needs. The students loved learning about how to care for animals and were engaged the entire time (which is difficult with elementary students!) Megan even asked us what character education we wanted to target and changed the presentation based on the age group. We are incredibly thankful for their presentation and welcome them back anytime!
I am so thankful to the members of NHES for coming to our small town in Mims, Fl and educating our young people on the importance of animal care. There is no shortage of problems in this area, especially with pet abandoning and high kill percentages in our local shelter. I am so grateful for the wonderful and inspiring program that was presented to our students and for the instructional materials that were given to our staff to continue the lessons in kindness.
I adopted my cat, Fred, from the Briggs Animal Adoption Center in 2010. I received full information and ongoing support from the Briggs staff until Fred got comfortable in my home. I continue to volunteer at Briggs in their huge Cattery area. A very large number of cats live in the Cattery which has lots of entertaining toys and furniture for the cats to play and relax with. I believe a job requirement must be that the applicant love animals. All employees show affection and concern for the cats in their care, which is awesome to see. If a cat doesn't have an individual home, then Briggs is definitely a safe haven for the rest of their life.
Three days ago I adopted Eddie, a four year old terrier mix. I knew he was destined to be my dog when I saw his smiling face on an online animal website. I knew it even though he was in an adoption center four hours away from my home in Pittsburgh. What I didn't know at the time was Eddie's backstory. He had come to the center as a skinny stressed animal- a dog forced to live in confined areas with large unruly pitbulls. Apparently Eddie decided the best way to escape the daily attacks was to jump the fence. Instead of removing the offending pack of pitbulls, the owner placed the onus on Eddie. and decide he should be put down. I know this harrowing story because of the detailed history kept by the Briggs Animal Adoption Center, an organization that functions under the umbrella of The National Humane Educational Society in Charles Town,WV. Eddie thrived under the kind, watchful eyes of the people who work at BAAC. His wounds healed, he gained weight and his loving calm personality shone. I can't thank them enough for saving Eddie and taking a careful deliberate route to adopting him. He is perfection incarnate. I already love him and I feel certain he knows he is home.
Briggs is an amazing place! I am a former employee and also an avid volunteer and adopter! We got one dog and two cats from Briggs. One of our cats was born with eye issues and Briggs arranged surgery for her and she is doing great!
Some may say the guidelines are too strict, but they really are not - they are there to assure that the animal will stay in its new home and that both the adopter and the animal find the right fit and will be happy with the choice.
Briggs doesn't only help the animals it has, but also donates food to local food banks and helps out other rescues and shelters.
There is no better place to go if you want to adopt an animal!
BRIGGS goes above and beyond caring for animals. Their thorough adoption process and ability to get to know the adopters and adoptees to make a great match has proven to be the Blessing we call Fiona. She was named Fanny in the shelter, but we now call her Fiona or Looney on most occasions. This redbone coonhound has been a loving addition to our pack. The staff at BRIGGS remain supportive and when we have visited for fundraisers or Alumni events, she is well received and lovingly remembered. She runs into the center like she owns the place. We had medical issues with Fiona after her adoption and Dr Kerfoot and the staff were very supportive and helpful in her needed care(she was orig surrendered to the shelter with foot injury) The staff and counsellors are all so knowledgable, patient and thorough. The facility is clean, well maintained and has a great outdoor area where we brought our pack of 5 other dogs to introduce to Ms Fiona. On a scale of 1-10 and 10 being the best, I'd say of all the shelters I have been to, I give them a 10+. Thank you BRIGGS for all you do and we will be back for more when we can. Philip and Theresa Shenk--Berryville , Va
Briggs Animal Adoption in Charlestown, West VA is the very BEST!!!! The staff is extremely friendly, dedicated, patient and works tirelessly to find the right pet for you. We have adopted 2 dogs from them, Dexter, a 95 lb. chow/shepherd mix in 2003 (who lived a beautiful, long and happy life till the ripe old age of 13) and Fenway, a 1 yr. old, 42 lb., border collie/hound mix who we adopted this past September 2016.
The staff at Briggs worked with our family and current dog Gatsby, (a 2 yr. old border collie mix) to find the perfect match for us all. Our family feels complete again after the loss of Dexter. . . the house is full of life and we all couldn't be happier. I can't tell people enough how happy these animals make me feel everyday. Adopting a pet is the best thing you can do and Briggs makes it all possible :)
We adopted Mingo (nee 'Arnie') in July 2016. We had said goodbye to our beloved older cat earlier in the year, so we were worried about finding the right fit. Mingo has settled in wonderfully and is a doting (and extremely patient) 'little brother' to our toddler daughter. Briggs stressed the importance of finding the right pet, and we never felt pressured into making a hasty decision. Being able to take our daughter in several times to visit helped us find a pet that was right for our family. We loved our visits, and we would recommend this place to anyone looking to welcome a furry family member.
Adopted 5 year old Drake from Briggs. This was our 2nd experience working with this shelter. It was just as enjoyable as the last time, 9 years ago. Thank you so much to Jess for all her hard work, and patience with us. We also heard from them many times after he came home.
Our family visited Briggs on a sheer whim. We are new to the area and didn't know anything about the place but had passed by it many times. We decided to stop in one day to kill some time. We could not have been more impressed by the cleanliness of the facility itself, the large pens, the cat room (AMAZING. Literally zen, I'll never understand how many cats can live in one place so peacefully) and overall friendlines of the staff. One dog in particular caught our eye. We weren't really in the market for a dog, but we felt a connection and decided to pursue it. Our adoption process took several weeks- which I think was really wise. We were required to visit with the dog at least 3 times to ensure a match, but as we have 3 children under the age of 6, I was hesitant and wanted to have several additional visits. The staff was more than accommodating and understanding and allowed us to take as much time as necessary to feel comfortable. When he did finally come home I believe he adjusted much more easily because of these visits and his established familiarity with us. He was brought to us with food and medications and paperwork to get us through the first few months and the transition was truly seamless. I don't have enough good things to say about Briggs. I truly believe that it's apparent they have the animal's best interest at heart. They absolutely will not adopt an animal just to get them out of the center and free up space. Life term placement is the goal, and when time and care is taken to ensure such, good results ensue. I would 100% recommend this adoption facility.
Our elderly dog passed away about a year ago. Ever since then our three children have been dying for a new family pet. We went to about three animal shelters, and didn't really fall in love until we found Durgan. We knew right away that Durgan had to be ours. We visited him twice and still felt the same way. Brigg's staff helped us get all the time we needed and they really helped us with our decision. Durgan has now been at our home for one day, and we love him. Durgan is a great addition to our family. Thank you, Briggs, for helping us complete our family.
We adopted our dog Holly from Briggs Animal Adoption Center in Charleston, West Virginia in July 2003.. The process was easy and the people were caring and considerate to both us and the dogs that we saw. They take care of all medical needs be it shots, teeth cleaning, etc. for dogs and cats to be adopted. We return to Briggs for the "reunion" that they hold every year in October.
Our point of contact in adopting Holly was a lady named Connie, who later came to our home to see how we all were doing. That is the kind of dedication Briggs shows to all of its animals. We will definitely adopt from there again.. As Connie left our house she said to Holly, "Holly, have a good life," We can assure her that she has.
Margie and George Dellagiarino
I have a multi-cat, multi-dog household. Of the 15 animals I have had, 8 have come from Briggs (the other 7 were "happenstance," street dogs and stray cats, for example). I adopted my first animal from them in the late 1980s and my latest in 2013. Briggs is my "go-to" place when I decide to adopt another animal. As other reviewers have noted, they go out of their way to try to match adopting parents with the right critter for them. They have a good facility for allowing an adopter's current animals to interact with the potential new animal to make sure they get along OK. They also have rescued animals from horrible situations--one of my dogs was to be euthanized that day in high-kill shelter before being rescued; another dog of mine was previously kept chained in a back yard; another dog of mine spent the first years of his life in a hoarding situation; one kitten of mine was born under the hood of a car to a stray cat. Briggs tries to educate owners who are not taking proper care of animals and if that doesn't work, try to convince them to turn them over to their organization to find a better home. The educational efforts also help set them apart from many of the other humane societies in the area. I believe so strongly in their mission that I donated my recreational vehicle to them to turn into an animal rescue and travel vehicle for their educational efforts.
I have volunteered at Briggs and it is a very well-run, clean facility. The staff is very friendly with the intentions of taking extra-special care of the animals in the hopes of finding them well-placed homes. In the process, I found the most precious little beagle mix and since losing my minpin 5 months earlier, my heart was ready to love another fur baby. The adoption process was very thorough including checking references, insuring the dog accepted humans, cats and other close family dogs that he would come in contact with, ending with a home safety inspection. The dog that I adopted, at an extremely reasonable fee, was neutered, vaccinated, microchipped, and had his teeth cleaned. He arrived at my home with his remaining meds and a generous bag of food which he was accustomed to eating, and his next flea and tick treatment. He is the best dog I could have hoped for.
The rescue is located on many acres and has fenced in runs for the dogs, a large fenced and double-gated play yard, and lots of land to walk the dogs. The cate also have indoor and outdoor areas with lots of climbing and play areas. It is a first-class organization.
My husband and I adopted Gizmo from Briggs Animal Adoption Center in Charles Town, WV in April 2013. He is our sweet, spoiled rotten, lovable little boy. The process of adopting from Briggs could not have worked better-both for Gizmo and us. We met with several dogs, and felt we had made a choice. It was hard because we wanted them all!! We had a second visit filled out the final paperwork and scheduled the delivery of our new family member. Briggs staff brought Gizmo to our home and checked with us via phone over the next several months in case we had any questions or concerns. We take Gizmo back on Alumni days and will definitely use Briggs should we decide to increase our furry family!
We discovered NHES/Briggs Animal Adoption Center when we were looking to adopt a small dog. They had a large variety of small dogs on their website, so we thought we'd give them a shot. After perusing their website, I already had the dog in mind that I wanted to see that day; a neglected, tough little boy that had been at Briggs for over a year. I was determined to take home the dog that no one else wanted!! When we walked by his cage, he threw himself on the door and was practically foaming at the mouth, but I was determined to give him a try. The staff was so helpful and patient with us the entire time, and after about 8 different visits to see our little boy, we decided to make him a part of our family. Briggs was so helpful and supportive throughout the entire process, and even delivered the dog right to our house so that they could do a home visit when they dropped him off. Our baby has come a million miles from where he was before, and even lets people of all ages pet him now! We are so thankful for Briggs and their persistence on finding our little baby a good home!
Our hope was to find a new dog and instead we found the love of our life! THanks to the great folks at Briggs we are taking walks and sharing our life with the loving little sheltie mix who has stolen our heart. BRiggs great people made the adoption process so easy. God bless them for the wonderful work they do.
Our 14 year old Border Collie Mix had passed away a year before, when we found Biggs Animal Adoption Center. We looked at large and medium dogs with the assistance of our counselor, Sara. As Senior citizens, we realized that a small dog would be a better choice. Sara said she had the perfect dog for us. Loxie had been tied up in the yard, and the family moved away. After she was rescued and arrived at Briggs, they realized she was pregnant. The Briggs Vet took her home where she gave birth to eight healthy puppies. When the puppies were weaned, Loxie and her puppies came back to Briggs where we adopted Loxie, and all the puppies were also adopted. The people at Briggs are warm, kind, and generous with their time and help! Our dog, Loxie, is smart and sweet, so we could not be happier!
We were so thrilled to have Megan and Megan represent the National Humane Education Society to our elementary school's afterschool Compassion in Action Kindness Club in November of 2016. The goal of our group is to work to extend kindness in our community in as many ways as possible.
NHES was gracious enough to join us to present educational curriculum for our students and leaders for a full 90 minutes. The representatives centered the discussion around personal safety and kindness towards animals, an important subject we hadn't yet explored in our club. In addition, the students were thrilled to see Megan and Megan had brought two adorable puppies along from the shelter that were available for adoption, giving all our students a valuable hands-on experience of interacting with an unfamiliar animal.
Our leadership team and volunteers were very impressed with the passion and commitment Megan and Megan brought to the table. They are true professionals in every sense of the word and provided meaningful and useful information our students could use on a regular basis. Megan discussed sensitive information with ease and gave our students ideas and scenarios to think about both now and in the future.
It is both the NHES and our Kindness Club's goal to change social outlooks when it comes to the humane treatment of all animals. Megan and Megan are excellent ambassadors working towards this goal. We look forward to working with them and the NHES in the future.
When I was a little girl (many years ago now!), I lived in the small town of Sterling, VA. Also living in that small town was a wonderful lady who took in and cared for homeless animals. Her name was Anna Briggs and her home was called Peace Plantation. Since Peace Plantation was located near my grandmother's home, I was allowed to walk there from time to time, and Mrs. Briggs would allow me to follow her around as she cared for the dogs and cats. She became my hero because I had never met a kinder, sweeter lady, and her love for all the animals she had saved was clear to see. Time passed, I grew up and had other interests, and Mrs. Briggs and her animals moved away. Many years (about 45) passed, and one day on my way to work, I heard an ad on the radio about Briggs Animal Adoption Center in Charles Town, West Virginia. I wondered if it could possibly be the same Mrs. Briggs. I called and asked if it was, and sure enough, her grandson, Jim, told me my childhood hero (she was in her late 90s by then) was still active in the lives of animals. The very next weekend I took my grandson with me to visit BAAC and to see Mrs. Briggs again. What a wonderful place! I immediately wanted to volunteer so that I could be a part of their amazing work. I felt like I'd come home again! And later, as we sat together in the beautiful cattery, my 10-year-old grandson said, "I think this is what heaven must be like." I'm sure the cats who live there would definitely agree with him!
About 5 years ago my family decided it was time that we brought another dog into our lives. When we came across the National Humane Education Society / Briggs Animal Adoption Center near Charles Town, it really changed the way I looked at adopting a pet. It's not a place that you can walk into and then walk out 5 minutes later with a dog or cat. They take the time to make sure that the adopting family is a good fit so that the dogs (or cats) get a great forever home. We interviewed, found a young dog (Jayda) that we adored, and then scheduled to come back with our other dogs and all of our family members. Once the counselor determined the chemistry was good, she scheduled a visit to our home to see that it would be a safe and happy place for our newest 4-legged family member. I was really impressed with how much care and attention the entire staff put into helping the dogs and cats at Briggs find a forever home. I can't recommend this particular adoption center enough. They did a great job and we couldn't be happier with Jayda.
We have adopted several dogs from Briggs. The counselors were very helpful and knowledgeable. I was very impressed with the facility and staff. If you are considering adopting a cat or dog I would recommend Briggs.
This facility is great. The staff and volunteers love and respect the animals. The adoption counselors are great to work with and make sure all animals go to good homes. NHES offers great educational programs including a summer camp. I highly recommend this center if you are considering adopting a dog or cat.
I absolutely love this facility. I've wanted to be part of this facility since I first saw it. I started volunteering immediately after I became of age. Mr. Taylor has done a wonderful job ensuring life for this animals is a paradise while they wait for their forever home. The nhes workers do more than just tend to the animals while they wait for families. They try endlessly to get every animal in the home they deserve.
My son and I have been volunteering at the Briggs animal shelter for the past three years. What a blessing it has been to volunteer with such a caring and committed staff and dedicated NHES educators.
Just recently we adopted an older husky mix that was rescued by Briggs from a remote kill shelter in WV. The process was very smooth and our adoption counselor checked on our adopted dog several times to see how he was settling into his new forever home.
Last summer my son was attending their "Cool to Care Camp" which is run by the NHES, and he learned so much about caring for all types animals (not just dogs/cats). Megan F. and Megan H. were awesome facilitators dedicated every single day ensuring that all the children had fun, learned something, and built new friendships.
The facility is one of the best I have ever seen. It is clean, organized, and every single staff member is always willing to give you a hand. They truly love their animals, and they want the best home for them. We also had both of our GSDs spayed/neutered through their fantastic stay/neuter program. The counselor made all the appointments and assisted us throughout the process.
We also had the pleasure of volunteering at the local elementary school with the educators, Megan F. and Megan H. They teach the children how to care for dogs and cats by playing fun games, singing wonderful songs, and baking doggy treats for all our four-legged friends.
The Briggs Animal Shelter is top-notch and a vital resource to our community. We are so grateful to have such a wonderful facility with dedicated members and volunteers always committed to finding forever homes for all our furry friends.
My 6 year old had an amazing time at the Cool to Care Camp held at The Briggs Animal Adoption Center this summer. Megan H. And Megan (the camp counselors) were friendly and engaging. My son couldn't stop talking about everything he learned there. And for a couple weeks he wanted to be an "animal Doctor" when he grew up (that's a long time for him to stay stuck on being anything but batman!). Thanks for the great experience National Humane Education Society!
From my first dog adoption in 2001 to my most recent adoption in 2016, I have been a strong supporter of this organization and all that it does. Their Humane Education program provided throughout our Nation is superb and the Cool to Care Camp held at the facility is well received by the kids who attend. The highly successful Spay Today program is run by a dedicated staff that helps area pet owners receive low cost neuter surgery at various local veterinary hospitals. The Briggs Animal Adoption Center is staffed by compassionate kennel attendants and adoption counselors. Maintenance of the facility is top notch. With a veterinarian on staff, the animals receive the medical attention they need when they need it. Cats and dogs that are residents are fully vaccinated, vetted and spayed or neutered on site. I am proud to be a part of this organization by volunteering much of my time both at the facility and in the community, spreading the word about all the good work that is done at the National Humane Education Society, Spay Today and the Briggs Animal Adoption Center.
I have adopted 3 special needs dogs from Briggs. The Rottweiler spent most of her life in shelter before I found her. She was adopted before but returned when the the person couldn't handle her. Without Briggs it is likely none of my dogs would have lived to find a forever home. The education delivered by Briggs and the NHES teaches people how to be better stewards of animals and humane treatment of others. I wish there were more organizations like Briggs and NHES.
My first visit to Briggs was with a family member, who was interested in adopting a dog. I was quite impressed with their process, as they go to considerable lengths in order to ensure the match is a good one for both the adopter and the dog (or cat). 'Charley' was adopted, and has had a great home ever since.
A few years later, I spied a photo that Briggs had posted of Gifford, and it was instant love! We went to visit him, and learned of the life he had endured before being rescued. Due to his background, he was extremely shy, but the staff had been working with him to help him come out of his shell. Giffie has now been a part of our family for nearly 3 years, and I cannot imagine life without him.
I am now a volunteer, and love taking part in their events such as 'Footin' For The Animals', 'Pedals for Pooches', and visiting various pet boutiques and stores with some of the adoptable animals.
The love for all the animals and care given to them by the staff members is exemplary. I especially love knowing that being a no-kill facility, each and every one has a home until they find their 'forever family'.
My review of The National Humane Education Society is offered from an uncommon perspective. I am and have been an employee of the organization for many years and have adopted numerous animals. I have, in fact, known of the organization and been involved in different capacities for over 35 years. I can remember details of the facilities from nearly 40 years ago and while they were much smaller and limited in comparison to the Briggs Animal Adoption Center, the cleanliness, order and absolute commitment to the animals have been constant. As an employee here, in a non-management type position, I see the reality of the the day to day operations. I see the many people who come here with an injured or unwanted animal, the vast number of those who have adopted pets and return just to visit or attend the annual Alumni Day celebration. I see the many, many people who bring their pets to utilize our low-cost spay and neuter program. There are many volunteers who regularly come to spend time with the dogs or cats, or those that help with the various fund raising or information events. There are quite a few of the clerical or administrative staff who bring their own pets to work. It is normal that when an animal has been adopted and is ready to be taken to it's new home, the receptionist will announce over the p.a. that this particular animal is leaving for their new home and if any staff wants to come say goodbye, come to the front lobby. There is always a group of those that have cared for the animals directly that come to say goodbye. I see the truck loads of food and supplies that arrive regularly, the extensive and detailed procedures for cleaning and feeding. The special diets, the dog isolation/ intake building, the bathing and grooming room, the feline areas with walkways, climbing trees, the Education building for teaching events and fundraising events. There are vehicles to rescue and adopt pets with, machinery to maintain the grounds and facilities, the well-appointed vet room and full-time vet for in-house animal care. I see the many hardworking coworkers, the sometimes ill or injured incoming animals, the ongoing display of photos in the break room of newly adopted animals and happy owners. I see the stress in upper management when operating funds are not enough, the difficulty in telling another person we are full and cannot take in more. I could go on but my point is this, from my perspective, this organization is consistently and continually working to better the lives of multitudes of animals and, indirectly, improving the lives of many people. Briggs Animal Adoption Center is in Charles Town, WV, and I would invite you to arrive on any given day, during our open hours, and look to see if what I have outlined is true. If you do come, you will be pleased.
Review from Guidestar
Over the years, I have adopted 3 dogs from the Briggs Animal Adoption Center, which is under NHES. Every experience was wonderful with caring staff who go the extra mile to ensure the right fit for both the dog and myself. Couldn't ask for a better place for the animals while they await their forever home!
As an older person I can truly say how very important the work at NHES is. I grew up in an era where often people had no real idea of the needs of their pets. It was not unusual to see dogs chained in yards, cats and dogs not spayed or neutered, and health issues neglected. The devoted staff at NHES is a major reason the cruelty that was once accepted as a norm is now exposed and the life of pets vastly improved. The educators work tirelessly both on site and through school programs to educate a new generations and show them a better, humane way to enjoy their pets. NEHS, through its educational programs, addresses safety concerns and encourages dog training. I have no doubt that NHES is making a huge difference in the lives of both pets and owners. Their facility is first rate and that they have a full time vet on staff allows the educators access to expert information on health and nutritional needs. Behavior issues are also addressed making NHES the authority on companion animals. Schools have an opportunity to have a free program presented by NHES professionals conducted with humor, compassion, and knowledge. Change the life of a child and a pet by visiting NHES on site in Charles Town, WV or scheduling a program.
My daughter went to the Cool to Care Camps twice, and really enjoyed herself there. While she was knowledgeable about general animal care, given that we own two cats, she always learned something new about animals and their care. She enjoyed being able to work with some of the animals at the center, and the ladies who do the camps were more than able to keep the attention of a group of preteens and early teens. Both years were very positive experiences for her.
NHES is by far, my favorite animal charity; I first came aware of NHES about 20 yrs ago. They have taken from me 8 dogs that I have rescued & found homes for every one. I have come to know the principals personally & they would never, ever do anything but wonderful things for their animals; When no other animal organization would even respond to my requests for help, Jim Taylor,now the President helped me rehabilitate a German Shepherd by sending me funds to pay a dog trainer. I think so highly of them that they are in my, and my wife's will for a substantial amount. In addition we have made arrangements with NHES to take any animals that we have upon our demise and care for them until their deaths.
Three years ago, we pulled into the Briggs parking lot. I was scared to enter the facility, not understanding that this is a no-kill rescue facility, the dignity and care with which all the animals are shown, and the welcoming, helpful staff. Octavia, named because she gave birth to 8 puppies after being rescued, sat calmly in her area while we walked up and down past all the dog areas and was given an introduction to each one. When asked if there was a dog that we would like to meet, we immediately said, Octavia! Her soulful eyes looked deep into my heart and touched me in a way that no dog had ever done. Our wonderful adoption counselor helped us understand that we could bring Octavia into our lives, even though we already had Rubble, our cat, in our home. Without going into detail, Octavia rescued us rather than us rescuing Octavia. I cannot say enough wonderful things about the facility and the staff at Briggs.
My first interaction with Briggs was in March of 2001 when I adopted a wonderful Big Benji-type terrier mix from their shelter. Hudson had some issues not the least of which was that he despised cats. We already had three felines in our household. It appeared to be an impossible situation but with help from Briggs in behavior modification training we were able to change Hudson's attitude toward the cats and everyone lived together peacefully after that and Hudson remained a very good boy until his passing. Our home now includes two cats and one dog adopted from Briggs along with our sweet sheepdog. Our recently adopted dog is considered a special needs guy because of his shyness. Again with the help of Briggs' counselors our guy is making great strides. He attended the alumni event a few weeks ago and showed his developing bravado to the delight of the Briggs staff (and me).
I have participated in the fundraising events held by Briggs. Many of these events include pet participation (walks/runs for example) including many dogs adopted from Briggs. The camaraderie among staff, volunteers and participants is heartwarming.
It is a privilege to volunteer for this organization and especially to attend outside events at such places as Lowe's, Petco, Tractor Supply and farmer's markets where I can not only introduce the public to some of the wonderful dogs available for adoption but can let people know of the awesome job done at Briggs. Adoption counselors get it right by interviewing everyone who will be living with the potential adopted dog and encourage famiies to bring other pets to the center to test the interaction. Once adopted the counselors are available whenever needed to answer questions. Dogs and cats leave the center with current vaccinations, a supply of flea/tick prevention, food, information to register the microchip and the animal's health records (all are spayed or neutered) prepared by their full-time staff veterinarian as well as useful behavioral commentary added by staff throughout the time the animal's stay at Briggs.
I live about 30 minutes away from Briggs but it is worth the trip for me to drive either to the center or the Buried Treasures thrift shop to volunteer. Working with such a dedicated staff is pure pleasure and I am proud to play a small part in helping this organization succeed in its mission.
I have been volunteering with Briggs for almost 2 years and I have loved every bit of it. Sometimes I feel like a celebrity because when people hear I am from Briggs they instantly light up and gush about how much they love Briggs and everything they do. I have heard dozens of happy stories and met tons of ex-Briggs dogs, now in their "forever homes". Briggs is a no-kill shelter, which is AMAZING. You know that these animals are going to find a great home. While I am just a volunteer, the people that actually work at Briggs treat each of these animals like their own. They work hard to find the right fit for each of them. They also work with them to correct some of their bad habits so they will have a better chance of getting adopted. These people would do anything needed! I am amazed every day how loving they are.
rabradley12
I began volunteering at Briggs approximately 6 months ago and WOW....what a rewarding experience. I began assisting with the Saturday dog events at the local farmers markets, etc. and was always impressed by the staffs knowledge of all the dogs and cats names at Briggs and the attention they showed to all the animals. The real testimony of the staffs never ending love, compassion and commitment for their 4 legged guests was witnessed during the recent Alumni Day. I had the opportunity to meet former Briggs dogs and their now forever families. What caught my attention the most was how the dogs interacted with the staff. As soon as they heard the staffs voices or saw them, it was instant recognition, lots of tail wagging and of course lots of kisses. This type of love and loyalty to all animals at Briggs is the norm at Briggs.
As a volunteer, I feel like such a part of the Briggs family already and look forward to becoming more actively involved with their mission.
The National Humane Education Society provides financial support to Friends of Felines-Cape Hatteras Island which enables our TNR organization to micro-chip the feral cats we humanely trap, neuter, and release. NHES has been a major supporter of our organization. We are very appreciative of the financial assistance as well as the professional mentorship they have provided our small, all volunteer organization.
Debbie Martin
Exeuctive Director
Friends of Felines-Cape Hatteras Island
I first became aware of NHES many years ago and will, without reservation, wholeheartedly recommend them to you as a genuine and truthful organization. It has been my good fortune to have adopted 4 dogs from them over the past 29 years. In 1984 I adopted a wonderful, young Shepherd mix. She was a loyal and faithful friend for many years. As I write this, my younger Chihuahua mix is by my side and my other, elder Chihuahua is sleeping in her bed. These wonderful little creatures have and continue to enrich my life in many ways.
I have had opportunity visit NHES facilities both current and prior. I have also had opportunities to interact with their personnel at different levels within the organization. My honest opinion is that they are completely who they claim to be. There are policies in place to help safeguard the placement of animals into homes. The animals receive a level of care that probably exceeds that given in many private households. It appears to me that NHES is a most worthy and reputable group of people. My recommendation would be to tour the facility in Charles Town and interact with some of the folks, and then form an opinion.
I read the negative reviews about the fund raising technique that utilized the mailing of a $2 dollar check. Obviously some may misunderstand this or view the mailing out of $2 dollar checks as inappropriate; however, the sad truth is that fund raising is difficult and ongoing. I have observed NHES personnel diligently work towards meager funds generation through yard sales, bicycling and walking events and other labor-of-love efforts. NHES is struggling to generate additional funds through a first time effort in a nearby thrift store. It is obvious to me that they are in pursuit of every viable option to bring in the funds necessary to continue their noble mission.
I began putting food out for a stray cat in my neighborhood, it wasn't long before I realized there was more than one hungry stray cat coming around. I found myself watching at night for them and it was what appeared to be a mom and 3 kittens. I got online and began reading about stray/feral cats and found that before long I would have a colony of cats if I didn't get them spayed or neutered.
I was worried that it would be very expensive to take this on, so I began searching in my area for a vet to help me and tell me how to catch them. One of the vet offices I contacted told me to call Spay Today, a program through NHES, which offers low cost spay and neuters. I called and the ladies there were very helpful, and the cost was very reasonable. They even rented me a humane trap and showed me how to use it. ( I had to give a small deposit on the trap and they gave it back to me when I returned their trap).
I was able to get all 3 kittens spayed/neutered and the mom spayed along with rabies shots completed. I brought them home to my garage and was able to care for them and eventually they all were very friendly and ready for new homes. I ended up keeping mom and placing the kittens in homes. Thank goodness I found Spay Today and got the help I needed.
After a long day of work I was looking forward to going home to relax, but as I drove home a deer jumped out of the woods and ran across the road in front of my car. In that one second when I turned to make sure it made it across the road, I saw that it was a dog, not a deer. I immediately pulled off the road, put my flashers on and jumped out—not sure how I was going to get this dog but I had to try! I called him and he stopped and turned very hesitantly and, oh no, a car was coming. I began waving frantically and prayed the other driver would stop and thinking, “please dog don't run—just stay. A man stopped and saw the dog & put his flashers on too. I called the dog again and he came, the closer he came in the lights, the more of him I could see. I saw blood on his face (how was he hurt? was he friendly? what do I do now?) These were the questions running through my mind. I said another prayer and opened my car door—he jumped in and licked my hand as if to say, thanks. Immediately, I turned and went back to work—you see I work at The Briggs Animal Adoption Center (Briggs), a program of The National Humane Education Society (NHES).
When I arrived at Briggs, I then called the director for help. This was many years ago, and it was my first rescue of an injured animal. We took him to the vet room and help was on the way. We offered him some water and food (he was starving.) As he ate, we noticed he was covered in burrs. Gingerly, I began taking them off and again I was rewarded with a lick and a look of sincere thanks. I took off my Bermuda hoodie sweatshirt and laid it on the blanket. He laid his head on it. We got a trash can full of burrs off that boy and when the vet saw him she determined that he had been shot. She performed surgery and removed BB’s. She even removed one from his eye, which thank god he didn't lose. I picked up that sweatshirt off the floor later and as I looked at the blood stains, I cried that this gentle soul who had known nothing but pain and suffering had shown kindness when he was hurt so badly. I was allowed to name this sweet boy and I named him Bermuda Jake (of course you can figure where Bermuda came from and Jake after one of my sweet dogs at home).
This is the type of care and compassion that is given to every animal that comes to our Briggs. We love them all, though I daresay they teach us all so much more about compassion. Bermuda Jake spent a lot of time with me during his recovery in my office and what a great dog he was. You see that is something else we do at Briggs. We bring dogs to our offices to spend time with us while they are waiting on their forever homes. Bermuda Jake’s picture hangs at my desk. I was lucky enough to have placed him in his new home, and every time I look at that picture I am grateful that I work at a place like Briggs and NHES because it gives me—and all of us here—an opportunity to make a difference in an animal’s life, and we make this difference for thousands more through all of NHES’s programs—Humane Education, Briggs, Peace Plantation, and Spay Today.
Review from Guidestar
I adopted a cat and a dog from their shelter, Briggs Animal Adoption Center. Both experiences were wonderful. The Adoption Counselors were so helpful and really "nailed it" when they helped us select the perfect matches for our family! We had such a positive experience and even recommended Briggs to our adult daughter. She is now a proud mama to the most adorable Yorkie! We love Briggs and would encourage anyone living in this area to go check out all the precious animals they have rescued!!
Review from Guidestar
I regularly donate to animal and environmental charities. When I got a letter (and a $2 check) from this charity, I came to charity navigator to check them out and found that they only have 2 stars. Also I found it suspicious that the president and vice-president have the same last name. To keep them from continuing to send me letters requesting a donation, I have decided to cash their $2 check and give it to my LOCAL animal shelter. That way, the money will still go to animals, but to a place that uses the money much more wisely, and I won't get any more donation requests from them.
This is an organization that does wonderful work, in an underserved, over populated (meaning animals needing assistance) region. They pull animals from horrid situations, rehabilatate them and work with other rescues, in areas that have a higher adoption rate, to put these animals into good forever homes. But, on the other side, they send out negotiable $2.00 checks and multiple mailings to prospective doners. As a doner, I want to believe that the majority of the money I send to an organization, will go to saving and re-homing the animals. Not to postage or to checks that can be cashed by someone who does not even donate to the group. I received another $2.00 check today, which I put into my shredder. I honestly don't know if I will send them a donation. Will my donation be used up by those who cash their $2.00 checks?
Review from CharityNavigator
I used to donate to this organization....I stopped when they started sending me $2.00 checks. I have written to them repeatedly to stop sending me checks.....but the checks keep coming. I feel that any charity that can afford to send checks out to people at the risk that they may just cash them doesn't need a donation from me........that's a ridiculous risk!
Review from CharityNavigator
Upon visiting this site, I was impressed at their treatment of animals. It is a very inviting environment and reminds me of orphanages I have visited. However, when I applied to adopt an animal, I was initially approved, but later received a phone call and was told that because I have a child with a disability (5 y/o), I was not approved for the puppy I sought to adopt. Their reason was not due to concern over care for the animal, but they somehow thought that a child with a hearing/speach problem would create a problem for the dog. Very odd. I choose not to recommend this location and not to donate there.
I used to donate to this charity to help unfortunate animals find new homes. After I checked their rating on this site, I was very disappointed to find a rating of 2 stars. I will no longer donate until they improve their score with Charity Navigator. I e-mailed them to let them know why I will no longer donate.
Review from CharityNavigator