Hope For Paws

This organization does a great service by rescuing strays AND showing their work on youtube so people are inspired to get involved with animal welfare wherever they live.

It's frustrating that some REVIEWS are for OTHER ORGANIZATIONS with similar names! Examples:
- October 23, 2014, 1-star review talks about a bad experience with "shelter staff" and the "cat house." Hope for Paws in California, run by Eldad Hagar, rescues stray dogs and does not have a shelter or cat house.
- July 28, 2014, 1-star review describes experiences volunteering for "Paws for Life" in Pueblo - clearly not the same organization!
Guidestar and GreatNonprofits: does your system have a way to prevent and/or remove misplaced reviews??

As someone who's worked with nonprofits on management and fundraising matters, I'll add this:
Hope for Paws has grown a lot over the past year in terms of donations and visibility. It's a relatively young organization and a small organization (very few staff). It appears they have independent accounting professionals preparing their financials/IRS filings, and they're doing the right things by expanding their board to include some outside people.

While I can understand the August 28, 2014, comment about not receiving a thank-you note for a generous gift, I can also appreciate that Hope for Paws has grown so dramatically that they probably haven't set up systems to process the volume of donations they're now receiving (donations nearly quadrupled when you compare 2012 and 2013 IRS filings - the most recent available). Small nonprofits with virtually no staff often struggle with things like donor relations when they need to scale up quickly. I hope Hope for Paws keeps its grassroots spirit while making the adjustments that come with increased donations and visibility.

There is a mentally deranged, stalker woman in the animal rescue community and although I will not post her name others know exactly who I am referring to and it is very likely this same scary individual is behind all the negative reviews for Hope For Paws.
Hope for Paws has an exemplary record and reputation and Eldad is a saint. He is constantly busy which may explain not getting responses right away.

Don't pay any attention to wolffie001 she is Michelle Lynn Shaw Wolff BELL is a fraud & convicted felon see http://www.ripoffreport.com/r/the-stinking-rose-farm/williams-arizona-863046/the-stinking-rose-farm-victoria-uszenski-scam-dead-beat-black-widow-user-fraud-liar-1093658

And has started a hate campaign against Hope for Paws along with other animal rescue orgs. The woman is a crook that attacks people because even her own animals don't like her.

Hope for Paws backers, and works speak for themselves. She is just a loser that can't get it together enough to be a real animal activist. So she thinks if she can make everyone else look bad then some light will be shined on her... Look her up. She is in hot water with a lot of people she has slandered. One woman killed herself after this woman tried to ruin her life.

I am saddened by the negative reviews of this organization. Unfortunately, the rescue community in Los Angeles can be a tumultuous arena. Equally as sad, there are still more than enough animals that need our help. Eldad and Audrey are thoroughly committed to the welfare of these animals. I have personally received street dogs from them that are beyond fully vetted. They do NOT cut corners at all when it comes to the medical care of these rescues I have the pages and pages of medical that is released to me with each rescue. I am also astounded that people have an aversion to non profits who are animal rescuers actually getting paid a salary. BUT, people continue to donate to the BIG NAME organizations where the salaries are astronomical. The head of the ASPCA New York, makes upwards of $511,000 per year. The small guy has NO right to make a salary it seems. Huh??? Look at the other non profits of the world. Do people really think that the Red Cross or the Salvation Army runs solely on volunteers? I find that animal rescue is the only area in the non profit world that there is controversy regarding a salary.

Just saw them on National Geographic Channel this week. Professional, courteous-fan of the videos. One gets to see the animal transformation instead of second hand information. Really teaches people/My kids are addicted. Inspiring/ well deserved kudos. Know their stuff. Proof of how a small ngo can have more impact than a large multi million dollar nonprofit.

The work of Eldad and Audrey Hagar has had a serious impact on the Los Angeles rescue community in the most positive of ways. They have donated to countless local rescues (I confirmed this was true with each rescue), along with helping individuals rescue, vet and adopt out animals others couldn't.

The key to their success is knowing their strengths and how to best use their time. Eldad has superior skills at rescuing the hardest dogs, cats, etc and providing them with high quality medical care. He then generously donates to top notch rescues to foster and place these animals in loving homes. By doing so, he not only insures he has the time to rescue those others can't, but he builds the community by introducing his followers to other rescues that are doing great work.

He's a maven in his field and helping to pave the way for a great future for rescued animals.

I have worked with this organization, and very disappointed with them. They do rescue dogs, HOWEVER only to highly publicize the rescue in order to get more money donations, of which they spend about 1/3 on the dogs, the rest goes to them to live off of.

Eldad Hagar is a magician of pet rescue. He and his wonderful wife Audrey are dedicated to preventing cruelty to animals. Numerous suffering homeless animals have been saved and gone on to live happy adopted lives due to their efforts. Eldad meekly rescues dogs and cats and other non-human animals in the most difficult of circumstances. Sometimes this involves entering very dangerous territory where crime or environmental factors impact everything. He is nimble enough to simultaneously take photos and make video recordings of his rescues while he is undertaking them. He then produces brief fascinating artistic video stories online and is a genius of social media in getting these stories out to millions of people. He engages with his fans and is a model for them if they want to rescue dogs and cats and other critters as he does. Eldad and Audrey published in 2008 an exquisite "coffee table" book "Our Lives Have Gone to the Dogs" which sold out in two reprintings. Moreover they encouraged buyers of the book to donate them to children in hospitals. When brilliant rescuers are able to share heartwarming stories with others, learning takes place that helps more and more individuals respect the hugely constructive bond between humans and their pets and the rest of the natural world. Day by day, Eldad and Audrey lessen the divide between modern human society and nature. Eldad and Audrey are responsive to requests from other reputable individuals' and organizations' in regard to their animal-related endeavors. Geography is no limitation. Wherever in the USA or world Eldad happens upon animals in need, he quickly jumps in to create a solution. If he is called to help 3,000 miles away, he will get on a plane if there is a means to do so. If he needs a couple of other experts or an army to assist, he is magically able to summon them in short order. All the while, Eldad is a selfless man who sets the bar high for humility and service. As the late great animal communicator and author Ted Andrews would say, Eldad and Audrey are certainly doing their part to assist civilization.

I am a journalist and blogger. I have been writing about pets and wildlife for the past five years. In addition to writing for Family Circle and the NY Daily News, I write a blog called Pet News and Views. I also wrote a book called "The Everything Guide to Working with Animals" (Adams Media). So, I have met many people who work with and on behalf of animals. I have interviewed hundreds of people in the field, and when I think of those in this industry that I admire the most I always think of Audrey and Eldad Hagar. They are kind, selfless, caring individuals who spend countless hours rescuing stray and injured animals.
They are heroes.
Their nonprofit Hope For Paws has rescued hundreds of dogs and cats. They do not profit from this--only in goodwill from their many fans.
As I said, I am a journalist, and I have interviewed them, and know them. They are honest and caring. They have helped so many pets and so many people. Many of us don't think about this, but bringing pets together with people, not only helps the pets. So many people have benefited from their kindness.
And in am in awe of Eldad. He has rescued dogs from highways and some pretty scary neighborhoods.
We are a lot better off because of Hope for Paws.

I have been following their trajectory since they started, and I remain impressed not only with their hands-on work, but the way they run their organization. Great mission, lovely people.