Humane Society of Amherst County — Local services in Amherst

I want to thank all the staff at Humane Society of Amherst for helping me fill an empty spot in my heart and life (and those of my two older rescue dogs).

Having lost my sweet little rat terrier/chihuahua last summer, I'd been looking for a younger, small, female dog to become part of our pack. I was in Virginia for an extended business activity when I noticed the Animal Shelter sign on the highway. I went online, just to see what dogs were available, and found a beautiful, four- to five-year-old miniature pinscher female, marked "Urgent." The next day I drove the few miles to the shelter (one of the nicest facilities I've ever visited, by the way) and met the little character that apparently no one had wanted in the nearly three months she had been there. I have a Min Pin, so knew what to expect from the breed (wary of strangers, sometimes aggressive, bossy little things). Somehow we clicked right away (she jumped into my lap and licked my face), and four days later (after some extra help on the part of the staff to have her spayed and ready), I came home to Kentucky with my new little friend.

Everything about my adoption went as smoothly as possible. In addition, I was welcomed for several visits I made to ensure that my new girl would know me when we had to drive several hours, and I was made comfortable with her in a private room. Every effort was made to assist me in this definitely out-of-the-ordinary adoption. I am very grateful to the staff at this shelter.

This little girl is beautiful, polite, and friendly. My two older dogs were not quite sure what to think, but after only a few days, our small pack has settled into what I believe will be beneficial relationships for all...

Tried to adopt a cat from them at petsense, I was looking for an ESA for my ADHD. I visited Beta and hung out wit him for two hours and felt a connection. Beta was a perfect fit and they said the other applicant had not shown up and I was allowed to put an application in. Never got a call, so I called petsense and they said that the other applicant picked him up late and that they tried to tell them that someone else had put an application in for him. They didn’t care and took him despite petsense trying to fight it. Petsense did not know that the other people had until Friday to get him. Amherst humane society was supposed to give me a courtesy call, but failed to do so. Beta would have been a perfect ESA cat, but the search continues and not in Amherst. Petsense has helped me with further shelter suggestions. Petsense is not happy at all about the situation. Also Amherst doesn’t answer their phone either. Try Bedford humane society or even the central Virginia...

Heartbreaking experience. Filled out an application for a dog to get the process started for a dog in waiting for 10 days to see if its owner claimed it. Was told by Ms. McFadden that we needed to have our vet fax to her that our cat's shots were up to date and then we would be approved by the time the dog could be adopted which wasn't for a few more days. The next day, we found out that the dog was adopted and paid for! She could've called to see if we had everything taken care of and the money to go ahead and pay before she just adopted the dog out, and so early before the waiting period was up. Don't get your heart broken by this lady. Instead of fixing her mistake, as she admitted to me on the phone, all she said was that she was sorry. She could've given the other people their money back and told THEM she was sorry for...