My Nonprofit Reviews

While searching PetFinder.com, I came across a darling Corgi Mix on Pet Finder via Aberdeen Scottish Terrier Rescue named Doris. I fell in love :) I have had 3 rescues (USA Kill Shelter Rescues) I still have one Austin TX rescue, she is 14 years old!

I jumped directly to their online adoption form (note when using their form, if you are from Canada, you cannot submit the form at all if you are trying to add your Canadian postal code or choose a city from the drop down menu).

Their requirements for Doris were: to be with her mostly all day, indoor at night, there must be another dog there, cats ok, kids ok! Super! To be clear, phone calls and emails were civil.

The next day approx 11AM received a phone call, it was the rescue. I did not realize Doris's adoption fee was $1200 - that was not within our budget, but we could work with it! I did ask what was done to, or for the dog that made her adoption fee $1200 - these are important questions any respectable, prospective adopter should ask! Was it a special surgery or medication for an illness? These important questions the lady could not answer, she prompted me to call the proprietor of the rescue.

I called the proprietor. Left a message, and sent an email to proprietor.

I then called the original lady back, asking if she could kindly ask proprietor to call me.

Not five minutes later I receive this email:
"Good afternoon Shaneen, Unfortunately this is not a good fit. We wish you the best of luck in your search for a new family member.
Kind regards. ASTR" . . . they did not call any of my references.

On PetFinder Pro Member website, under their Member Code Of Conduct it clearly states within bullets #5 and #7:
• To give truthful information about the pets’ description and adoption fee, to the best of your knowledge
• To operate in a not-for-profit manner, with fees that reflect the spirit of animal shelter adoption.

After their abrupt email, I quickly visited their FB page and saw multiple bad reviews, this prompted me to Google the rescue, and when I did, I found a staggering number of bad reviews! I then took a moment to visit their website to see their other adoptable dogs. There are dogs same age as Doris, also from Korea, similar stories, potentially off the same flight. There was nothing listed on Doris’s page that mentioned surgeries, special care, special travel, medications, or illnesses that would total $1200 for an adoption fee. The other dogs fees were respectfully at $695, $795. There was another corgi mix listed at $1400.

It seems I was pushed away because I asked a question regarding her health in comparrison to the adoption fee. I wrote an email to them with my concerns, that their dogs could end up in the wrong hands because of their processes. I was considering taking other steps, as this was very very concerning!

Last night at 10:30PM - I received a letter from their lawyer friend telling me to cease and desist. The lawyers email subject header line read “Your abusive email(s) (plural) to Aberdeen Scottish Terrier Rescue”. None of my emails were abusive, they were short, except for the email of concern. The lawyer labeled me a self proclaimed “Superwoman” ? That I am trying to damage their image. He also stated in the letter that I “falsified” my postal code and country, and that is the reason I was tuned down immediately. As mentioned above, their adoption form is restricting, you cannot add a Canadian postal code nor choose a Canadian city from the drop down menu on the form. Oddly enough, they saw my application, and still called me, so I feel my “false address” was of no concern to them.

Charging substantial amounts for a dog significantly reduces the chance of that dog finding a genuine forever home :( When money is no object and the prospective adopter does not question the rescue and pays high adoption fees, it is fair to assume that the dog could end up with a bad owner. This is not a process that screams compassion.

If you feel pressured in any way or have a gut feeling just leave them alone, run away!