Richardson Animal Shelter — Attraction in Richardson

Premise: We were at another shelter nearby and decided to swing by this one after seeing a German Shepherd online here. German Shepherds are very difficult to adopt as shelters have several rules about GSD’s. 1. You must have previous ownership experience with a GSD (owned multiple in our lives) 2. vet records proving, (had in my wife’s purse) and 3. no children under a certain age. Check as we have no children. 4. Prefer no other pets in home. So as you can see GSD’s have multiple strikes against them from the start. Not because GSD’s are aggressive but because they are misunderstood by most people about how GSD instinctively seek to be dominate alpha, are highly intelligent, and require constant, consistent, repetitive training until mature. Many misread dominance for aggression and don’t have the time to train these beautiful protectors.

Problem: We were unaware this shelter was limiting visits to 30 minutes by appointment only due too covid 19. (Though not a single person or staff member was wearing a mask, and several standing around doing what appeared to be very little). We explained we were at another shelter and lived more than over an hour away making it very difficult to come back next day and asked if they could squeeze us in for 5 minutes to see the German Shepherd knowing GSD having less of chance for adoption. We were sharply declined to their rules.

Appointment Flexibility: Now don’t get me wrong I understand rules. This shelter sharply made zero attempts due to lack of empathy and vanity to possibly accommodate and possibly adopt this GSD increasing her survival going to a good, experienced, home. I think we all know appointments cancel and no show more often than not, and being it was near the end of people’s working day this was very possible someone would cancel or no show.

Resolution: At the end of the day this person/shelter needs to learn part of their job is to help find a safe, qualified, and good home for these animals when possible. Not to break the rules but to try work within the rules for those serious about adopting difficult to adopt GSD’s or other animals for that matter. Learn that animals not provided a chance are more than likely to be euthanized due to human rules. Q My fear is due to this lack of understanding/accommodations this GSD will now be more than likely euthanized when she could of been rescued.

Fortunately we did find and rescue another GSD from a far more polite, accommodating, rescue center. She’s a real...

I adopted a puppy which I was told was a black lab/retriever mix. I took the shelter's word for it. I am not a breed expert. Over the coarse of the week it became more than apparent from research and friends/family whom are more knowledgeable than myself concerning dog breeds that this dog was either full pitbull or atleast half. After my family becoming attached to puppy we were forced to return him due to HOA regulations, and homeowners insurance policies not allowing pit bulls. I also had truly wanted a lab in all honesty. When my boyfriend and I brought him back they took him but not before making us feel as if we were heartless for not wanting to keep the pitbull which we were deceived about in the first place. We were told and I quote "why does it matter what he is if you like him." I understand these shelters feel sorry for pitbull breeds as they are adopted less but leading people to believe they are getting something which they are not does no one any favors. She told me it didn't matter what the vet says only what the adoption papers say so I shouldn't care.....what happens when this dog becomes an adult and it is beyond obvious I own a pitbull in a community which has regulated they are not permitted. He is taken away from us anyways. Very disappointed from this experience and turned off of from shelters now. Which is sad because I love rescue animals and have three others. So do your research before taking home something from here because they do not mind fudging the breeds to get them out the door. And the front...

Found a stray cat and dropped her off here. I went to check on her a few times, and the last time I went she had been adopted :) It took only a few days for her to get a home. I'd say that's rather fast. Not to mention that when I visited the shelter, there was lots of people there taking turns playing with the animals. Everyone I spoke with that worked or volunteered seemed amicable, and loved animals. There are also people who come there regularly to just play with the dogs or cats, which I think is nice for the animals and the people. Also at my last visit I noticed almost all the dogs I'd seen before were gone. I know this means some of them may have been swapped with other places so there's more variety of breeds, increasing adoption possibilities. But it also means they may have all been adopted. This makes me very happy! The kennels for the cats come are different sizes based on the size of the cat. It's nice to have that taken into consideration. The adoptable dogs all have individual an indoor and covered outdoor living section. They're not cramped into tiny cages. There's also a section for cats that aren't yet adoptable, and you can ask the people at the front if/when those cats will be up for adoption. If you're in Richardson and need to drop off an animal I'd recommend this shelter. They'll get love and care. And if you're looking to adopt, this place has (at the time of my visits) a great variety of kittens, cats, dogs (both large and small), birds, and various...