My Nonprofit Reviews

I'm giving this place two stars because I know there are two sides to every story, but the more I think about my experience with ASTR, the more disgusted I am. I know a lot of people here were not ok with their process. That part did not bother me. I felt like I had good communication, and they were on top of things. It was meet and greet, and then taking the dog home that continues to leave a bad taste in my mouth.

First, like many people note, you meet in a park. This means the dog is displaced from where it is most comfortable and already on edge by the time you're meeting it. In addition, the women wouldn't even let us go onto the grass because "they use pesticides". I really wonder if these dogs have ever been able to walk on grass. Regardless, it was very difficult to get a sense of what the dog was like because she was so scared, so all we had to base our decision on was that the lady who runs the organization said.

We were told this dog was very playful, doesn't make a peep, loves everyone, was good with kids, good with all kinds of dogs and is great riding in the car. Our experience is this: she most definitely barks (not a big deal), she is so scared all the time, like she has been abused-scared, she tucks her tail and skitters away from other dogs, she throws up in the car, and the biggest issue is that she exhibits aggressive behavior. There is no way I would currently let this dog near a child. I know behaviors can change when in a new situation, but I can't help but feel like we were flat out lied to.

In addition, this dog was "fostered" for two years, but was NOT potty trained. How do you have a dog for two years and not get it potty trained. Every time I tried to ask about her situation in the foster, I was given a bit of a run-a-round and no specifics. In addition, the women was very judgy. You are expected to make homemade food for the dog (though later the vet report stated she was given Costco kibble), and the Leppo vaccine is for "lazy dog parent... who let their dogs drink from puddles"

I would not use this shelter again. I am glad we rescued this dog from that place and we will work with a trainer to get her rehabilitated, because there is no way I'm letting this dog go back to the nut job of a women.