My Nonprofit Reviews

A few years ago we had to put our dog of 13 years down due to old age. I was devastated. Although I knew I would adopt a dog again, I couldn’t bear to keep his things around. I washed his bed, blanket, leashes, and toys and donated them to Sterling. A month later I couldn’t bear to not have a dog in my life. I saw a dog on Sterling’s website that I knew I had to have. I went that weekend to adopt him but saw that there was already a big line. I stayed and waited and waited and knew it was meant to be when it was my turn and he was the last dog left that day. I knew again that it was meant to be when I went to meet him in his pen and saw all my old dogs things that I had donated the month before! We took him home that day and named him Ditto :) Our experience through the whole adoption process was great. The staff is incredibly nice, understanding, and compassionate. You can tell that they want what is best for the animals. Because we had such a great experience, a year later we went back and adopted Buddy. Both dogs have been a great addition to our family.

My cocker spaniel, Pookie, passed away at 13 years old in November. I was heartbroken and devastated, and couldn't bear to see his beds, blankets, and toys in the house. I washed everything with care, and donated them to the Sterling Animal Shelter. Even though I missed Pookie dearly and knew that I would mourn him for a long time, I also knew that there were many dogs in shelters that needed a home and needed the love I could give. I checked Sterling's website, and saw a spaniel mix that reminded me of Pookie. The website noted that he would be ready for adoption that weekend. I was already excited to meet him. We arrived at the shelter an hour before they opened, but there was already a long line. We were 10th in line and I knew that there were only 7 dogs available for adoption that day. I was nervous that I wouldn't get to meet that spaniel mix. Finally it was our turn and sign #1, that spaniel mix was the last dog available for adoption that day! He was timid and shy and a bit nervous around my husband and young son. But he jumped up on me and I just new that when we got him home we could make him feel welcomed and loved and that he would come out of his shell. Sign #2, I looked in his pen and low and behold, Pookie's items that I donated the month before were in his pen! I new it was meant to be. We took him home and have loved him and spoiled him ever since. I named him Ditto, of course.

The staff at Sterling were so great to work with. When I donated Pookie's things I cried when I dropped them off, but they comforted me and shared stories of their own with me. When we arrived a month later and were lucky enough to adopt Ditto, the process was easy. Five stars from us!!