My Nonprofit Reviews

I've known and associated with this organization for about nine years. They are an amazing resource for quality information and advice about all things dog (and cat): behavior, nutrition, training, they cover it all with a bottomless depth of knowledge. They helped me re-home my dog in 2013 and he' continues to live a happy life because Safe Dogs By The River went the extra mile to find him the right home. Over the years I have gone from client to volunteer to board member with this organization. Thy are the best.

I just wanted to post a message of gratitude to Safe Dogs By the River for the help and support they provided when I had to adopt out my dog 2Spot, a 4 ½ year old Black Lab.

2Spot and I lived on Mount Hood. I raised him from a pup and he was a Mountain dog, that is, he was free to come and go. I usually left the door open so he could go out when he wanted to. In Rhododendron where we lived there was no traffic and few neighbors. 2Spot loved staying with me, so I never worried about him wandering off.

Then we moved to Portland and everything changed. Now I had to walk 2Spot on a lead, and his movements were quite restricted compared to what he had known on the Mountain. Eventually it became too much for me, the long daily walks and dog park visits to meet 2Spot’s energy and exercise needs. I was a bit overwhelmed, 2Spot was not happy, and I was about to move to a communal household where 2Spot would not be welcome, so I made the very difficult decision that it was time to find him a new home.

With the help of Chelsea and Safe Dogs By the River, we quickly found 2Spot a new home with a loving family. It was ideal, and I can’t thank Safe Dogs enough for their assistance not only in finding a new home for 2Spot but for making sure it was the right home, for the dog as well as the family. Chelsea interviewed the family, assessed the home and attitude of everyone who would be living with 2Spot, and had a few “meet and greet” sessions. After thorough discussions with me, I consented and agreed that this was the best outcome for all involved.

Although it was painful to give up my best friend, I was and am comforted knowing that the adoption was absolutely the best outcome for 2Spot. He now lives happily with his new family in Southeast Portland, and has formed a bond with a young boy in the family who has the energy and enthusiasm a healthy young Lab requires.

Thanks again to Safe Dogs By the River for making what could have been a difficult situation a joyful process and ideal outcome for all involved.

I recommend this organization to anyone requiring dog services, for their astounding breadth and depth of knowledge, from animal behavior to dog body language, force-free training, animal nutrition, adoption, advice and education, and just about anything relating to dogs, they are exceptional and without peers.