
*READ THIS BEFORE YOU DECIDE THE ANIMAL RESCUE YOU WANT YOUR MONEY TO SUPPORT- I had true faith in The Watauga Humane Society. That faith is now shattered. I have been trying to rescue and find a home for two 14 month old puppy brothers, Max and Leo, since November of 2022. It is nearly August of 2023 now and Watauga Humane Society has turned me away and warned me; sorry, they’ve given me the “courtesy” of informing me they will turn me away again. My desperate pleas and telling Ashley I couldn’t even be in my home until I find the boys a place to stay lead her to tell me, “This call is a courtesy and you need to listen to me or I’m ending the call.” And, “I didn’t ask you to spend $17,000 (USD) on them!” Although, the first option on their webpage is a donate button. In November, a former App State professor and friend of mine who is now teaching at an American university in the Middle East, found two puppies dehydrated and starving on the streets of Doha, Qatar. In the Middle East, dogs are taken to pounds and are killed within a day or two. Unwilling to let that happen but unable to keep them herself, my friend found a foster facility that is the closest thing in Doha to a rescue. The woman at the facility reluctantly agreed to allow the dogs more and more time with her but it is nearly impossible to find a home for mixed breed strays anywhere in the Arab world. I am already caring for three older dogs. Two of them belonged to my father who passed away last summer. But I agreed to adopt Max and Leo since we couldn’t find any other options. I knew it would be a possibility my other dogs wouldn’t accept the brothers. But I believed with all my heart, in that case, our local humane society would take them in and find them a home. I have adopted from them when they were in the old shelter. I took a tiny puppy I found abandoned in the mountains to them in the multi-million dollar facility they have now. I have made contributions of money, crates, dog toys, leashes, etc. My mother donated monthly throughout her entire career at App State. And Max and Leo have had a very unique and difficult journey. So, I always believed, without question, they would help if we needed them. Instead I have been treated without any sympathy, guidance, or concern. And the lack of compassion for the boys has left me crushed. I was completely blindsided with Ashley lecturing me…”This is a business!” A business? Yes perhaps it is a business, but that’s not what the retirees, and working class, and struggling families, and college students, and countless other well intended people believe when we give our precious time and resources to The Watauga Humane Society. We believe we are helping a committed charity to save animals and make the world a better place. My latest dealing with this organization has been a slap in the face and a complete betrayal. Please continue to help save and care for animals. Please continue to make the world better. But consider doing that through genuinely heartfelt and sincere organizations rather than a cold business in a fancy building. I will update this when the story has an ending. Perhaps then we will all know who we really should invest our resources in. Follow up- Rescue dog and end of life sanctuary in Mountain City Tennessee heard Max and Leo’s story and immediately agreed to take the boys and find them loving homes. Melissa and the volunteers and staff at the shelter on Harbin Hill, RD were moved to help Leo and Max find there “happily ever after.” They do an incredible amount of work and service and they save and find homes for thousands of animals (over 30,000 thus far) with far less resources than the well funded shelters who turned Max and Leo away. If you have a calling to truly help animals in need, I strongly encourage you to give any time and money you can share to Rescue Dog and End of Life Sanctuary. For them it is simple…It is about the animals. Also, if you have the place and ability to add another sweet soul into your home, please go meet...
Read moreWe began attempting to make contact regarding a rescue dog starting on May 13. After repeated emails failed to get a response, my wife called the facility on May 19 to inquire about the dog we wished to adopt. Finally, we got some information. They required an in-person visit (which I think is great), and being that we were spending the weekend in Charlotte, I immediately got off from work, picked up my daughter, and drove the 1 hour to Boone. So, on May the 19, I met the beautiful dog my family was so excited about. He instantly made a connection, and we were hooked. My wife and I have raised this particular breed for 22 years, so we know how awesome these dogs are. Upon our visit, we found that there was another dog sharing a kennel with the dog we were interested in, and I asked about that dog out of curiosity. As it turned out, this other dog had been rescued from the same home, and these two dogs had been together for two years. Having raised dogs for my entire life of over 40 years, I'm well aware of the separation-anxiety that dogs can have. This other dog was adorable, and we had a visit with her as well. We decided to apply to adopt both dogs together, because I simply couldn't stand the thoughts off separating two dogs that had been through so much TOGETHER. The visit went great, and we were informed that only one person had applied for one of the dogs, and no one had the other (since they were not adopting them out as a duo). We left the facility just a little after closing, and were told that the new owners would be chosen the following Tuesday ((May 23). They said we'd get a call informing us of their decision, either way. Needless to say, when Tuesday rolled around, our family of 6 were way too excited. No call......all day and evening. We knew they closed at 5:00, so my daughter called to inquire right before 5. She was told that a decision had not yet been made, and that we would hear from them as soon as it was. Another day passes, and yet no call. So, on Thursday, May 25, we called back up there. My daughter was told that the dog had been adopted out and was no longer available. To say we were disappointed would be an understatement. The "cold shoulder" feeling from these people was all too real, even during our visit. I'm thankful of the people who work there to care for these animals, but I have serious questions about the integrity of some. The young lady we spoke mostly with during our visit, was wonderful. But there were two other ladies there who were simply rude, and even insinuated to us that these dogs didn't need to stay together, as I suggested. It was also evident, from the conversation between these ladies, that the one other applicant was known to them, and that person was awaiting permission from a relative as to whether or not they could even get the dog. I guess my biggest disappointment is that we feel these people did not put the TWO dog's best interest over their own. The "rudeness" of a couple employees there was simply overlooked at the time, but now seems so glaringly disappointing. Considering we never ONCE received a reply from our earlier requests, nor did they call us, as they said they would, to inform us of their decision, I feel very unlikely to choose this rescue organization to foster from again. It was a very disheartening, and sad experience. Hopefully, most others will not come to this conclusion, so that the animals they represent will all eventually find homes. However, based on our experience, we will choose another site to rescue from...
Read moreI adopted my kitten, Violet, from WHS on May 30th. I absolutely adore her and would not trade her for the world. They do a great job of getting to know applicants before adopting to them, and they do really well in trying to pair them with the right pet. They take great care of these animals before they are adopted.
However, I do have two complaints.
First of all, they do not do holds. I saw Violet online and knew I wanted to go meet her since I had been looking for a Siamese kitten. I went and met Violet on a Tuesday afternoon, and we spent probably close to an hour and a half in the get acquainted room. I fell in love, and had a staff member tell me that she thought this was a perfect match. I had to walk away for about 24 hours to get my addendum signed at my apartment and to prepare my room for her. I walked away that Tuesday afternoon in tears. I just wanted my kitten. If there had been an option to put a deposit down for them to hold her for 24-48 hours or so, I would have done it in a heartbeat. I walked away scared that someone else would adopt her. I'd already filled out an application and been approved to adopt her, so I don't understand why they don't do holds.
Second, regarding spay/neuter. This is included in the adoption fee, and there is a deposit of $100 that you get back once you get your pet spayed/neutered. However, they don't really tell you what's involved in getting them spayed/neutered through them. They tell you that you drop your pet off in the morning, then they take them to Asheville, and you get your pet back about 24 hours later. However, when I took Violet for her first vet appointment, the vet told me that the place the shelter takes them to get spayed/neutered is of low quality. I was told that they do not do pre anesthetic bloodwork (which most vets recommend) and they don't give any pain meds following surgery. Plus, they said that they frequently see pets who have been spayed/neutered through WHS with very poor incisions. Whether or not this is all true (I have not verified), I feel that it would have been responsible for the staff at WHS to inform me of what happens once my cat gets to Asheville, instead of just telling me that she'd be going there. They also don't tell you that it's an option to get your pet spayed/neutered through another vet, and they will refund your deposit as soon as you provide proof of surgery (which I will be doing).
Knowing these things, I still would adopt from WHS again. I just feel that these things could be changed, or at least adopters could be informed. However, I feel that the staff is very friendly and professional, and they know their animals well. The living spaces are well maintained, and they really do their best to make sure the right pet goes to the right home. The adoption fees are also quite reasonable - it was $80 for me to adopt a 3 month old kitten. I love my baby so much and I am so glad that I got to...
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