PAWS Chicago — Local services in Chicago

My girlfriend and I were looking to rescue a third dog. We filled out the necessary paperwork and finally got a response back after three days. Fortunately for us, I had a friend who worked there who helped get the ball rolling otherwise we could have been waiting for up to two weeks for a response or none at all according to the lady we spoke to at the front desk when we called.

The process is completely backwards and they blamed covid for it. I get it, but the pandemic has been going on for over a year now and yet they are unable to make the proper adjustments to make the experience smoother. After filling out the adoption form and pet comPETibility quiz it was on then to call us. When they did, the man we spoke to was unable to answer vaccinations questions and had no idea about electric fences or how they operated so I had to explain it to him. Then he set up a slot for a second phone call to discuss how to take care of animals (still had to complete while owning two dogs) and a slot to have a meet and greet with the dog we were interested in and then adopt. We planned the meet and greet for Thursday yet when he sent the email he had booked if for Friday so we called to fix their error.

We did not have much of an issue during the planned second call. We spoke with a Diane during this portion the process. She was nice enough but still was unable to answer vaccinations questions and admitted to not being able to pull up the dog’s profile. At this point in time we had spent roughly an hour and a half on the process.

When we arrived, we were placed in a room with dried up poop in the corner and pee in the ground that was never cleaned up while we were there. We spent about 15 minutes alone in the room at which time I was trying to calm my two dogs who were just in the car for about an hour while they had to hear the shelter dogs barking. My well mannered dog was never able to fully relax and the younger, more energetic dog really had a hard time being back inside a shelter.

Then walked in Joan, their “behavioral expert.” I can only wonder how they came up with that title for this lady. She came in the room, said her name, and just sat on the table facing away from us and never even asked my dogs names. I was trying to get my dogs to stop barking which would have been easier if this “behavioral expert” was prepare with treats and actually introduced herself to my dogs. After a few minutes she did just that, left the room and came back with treats and my dogs started to calm down a little. We spoke for a bit and she went to get the dog we were interested in.

When she returned, again my dogs started barking after seeing the dog she was with. I did my best to calm them back down but they weren’t having it, they were more interested in the third dog in the room. Just from judging the body language of Joan, I determined she had already made up her mind from the very first exchange we had when she walked into the room alone and that was we were not getting the dog. As a “behavioral expert” I would have expected her to actually have a plan of how to introduce two dogs to a puppy but that was not the case. She just held the puppy in her arms for a few minutes and told me that it was not going to be a good fit. I then suggested separating my two dogs so they didn’t have a pack mentality and she allowed it. My girlfriend took one of my dogs into a separate room and I kept the other one. My dogs attitude completely shifted after his brother left. My dog was highly curious with the puppy and wanted to smell him. Joan approved of this meeting as far as I could tell. Then we switched my for my more anxious dog. He wasn’t having any of it at first but then started to relax enough to get closer to the dog at which point Joan said it wasn’t a fit and we were not getting the dog. I tried to explain that it just takes time for him to warm up to new people, let alone animas since he’s been in the system before but in less than 10 minutes, the “behavioral expert” deemed it not a match. I thanked her for wasting 4...

Adopt somewhere else! This one is a mess. My current dogs are from other local rescues. Maybe this place has become too big for its own good. It is disorganized, the communication is awful, half the staff we encountered were unprofessional, judgmental, and egotistical. The rest were friendly.

We are ideal dog adoption candidates. To start, we were judged by one application answer, putting “as long as it takes!” for how much time we’d allow our adopted dog to get acclimated in our home. We are not ones to return dogs. But apparently the “correct” answer to that question is 3-6 months. The process from here was an unorganized mess. Our dogs we brought with us were kept in a small nook with a couple staff members, adding to their anxiety and stress from a long car ride and now being in a strange place. We were told someone will bring us back to see the available dogs. No one did. We already repeatedly said after thorough review of their website, there was a dog we were interested in. After asking two more times, we were told no one brings you back, you can just go. In the back room, we find out the dog we’re interested in is being kept separate where people are not allowed. This could have been communicated right away.

After meeting and falling in love with the puppy, we find out she has some behavioral issues. The lack of transparency about this on their website is concerning. All puppies had the same blurb online, gets along great with all dogs, etc. Seems to be some bait and switch behavior. This puppy we were told lacks confidence, is timid, “pancakes” to the ground. A lot of fear-based behaviors.

We then met with the “behavioral trainer.” She immediately judged our dogs saying it was “an odd pair” to have one larger dog one small. It felt very uncomfortable and judgmental. She then judged the fact that we use a prong collar, was very fixated on this collar, and repeatedly asked if we wanted a lecture from her on these collars. After 6 years of pulling issues, training, harnesses, etc, it was determined this is the best option for our dog. She then asked us how we introduce new dogs to our dogs. SHE IS THE TRAINER!! It is incredibly concerning that this woman is allowed to make Dog to Dog introductions when she does not know the proper methods, taking into account current behaviors, age differences, environment, etc. She then made us put on an alternate collar and leash so SHE could handle our dog for the interaction with the puppy. I’ve now learned from my own research and talking with an actual certified trainer that everything this woman did was beyond wrong! The initial interaction was the dogs going straight to each other and they let the puppy jump up and bite my dog. My dog reacted. The puppy reacted back. The “trainer” insisted my dog’s reaction was from fear. It’s more likely to be pain from sharp puppy teeth leading to fear as well as now distrust in this strange person controlling these poor interactions. I understand some puppies can bite. This is for the agency to know, communicate, and adjust the interaction accordingly. Instead of improving her tactics, the “trainer” let the puppy and my dog interact again, had tense body language, and quickly yanked my dog away. My dog needed a break. She was anxious and not at all her normal self. The puppy kept wanting to interact, she seemed to have no issues with our dogs at all. But the “trainer” decided she didn’t like this and asked if we wanted to see other puppies?? The “trainers” behavior and actions during this whole ordeal was appalling.

It was heartbreaking to think we were about to be going home with a new family member, but did not due to poor handling by the “trainer” resulting in poor initial interactions. I will never adopt from this company and I will never recommend this...

I am very dissatisfied with the level of service I received at Paws Chicago. I recently saw a post on Instagram for an American Staffordshire named Karl. One person asked on instagram how Karl is with other dogs. Paws Chicago responded and advised he likes having dog friends around and that they motivate him on walks. They said he can be a bit selective however to bring in resident dogs for a meet and greet as part of the adoption process. I also read he's good in a female household. I brought my female hound mix as well as my mother so we can see the dog up close and personal. From the moment I walked in the level of service directed at me was different than other clients, it was not welcoming. Once I finished my adoption survey and was ready to meet Karl, I was told by the first woman that he is not good with other dogs. I advised the instagram post said differently and she directed me towards another desk. That woman also advised Karl is not good with other dogs. I advised again the instagram post said differently. That woman then brought out a man by the name of Brian. From the moment he came out he was very negative and just started stating facts; no good afternoon, hello ladies, absolutely nothing like that and it seemed as though he was bringing up every excuse for us not to be a good fit. He did not want us to meet Karl even though the post says to come in for a meet and greet. He used every excuse and he automatically started with my schedule because he said Karl has separation anxiety. I advised I work part time Monday-Thursday 7am to 330pm and my mother is home all day. He then asked if we had a yard which I advised we do not. He then advised Karl is very territorial with his food, toys etc. The whole vibe was every reason to not adopt this dog. Lastly he advised if we can have pit bulls in our building which we can not, I said I thought he was an American Staffordshire. He then advised that that's a pit bull. At that point we just wanted to meet the dog since we drove so far. My mother asked if we can meet the dog. Brian responded no it doesn't make sense if you're not adopting him. I am surprised he let us grace dog town to at least see Karl from outside the room. Before we were able to walk into dog town, I was advised I had to leave my dog at the front desk. I was curious and asked Brian if he gives push back like this to other clients and he advised he has to make sure he explains everything which I advised I understand because I use to be a volunteer at Paws and you have to be honest with possible adopters. I advised it just doesnt seem like other people are given as much push back as myself. He then advised he doesnt understand what I meant by that. I left it at that however I really wanted to say I feel the color of my skin and me being African American is the reason i am being treated differently. After we finally saw Karl, I went to go get my dog at the desk to leave and one of the people behind the adoption desk advised to me that I should think about loosening my dogs collar because she is growing, however her tone was very condescending. I would like to make it clear that 1. my dog is no longer growing and 2. my dog was fitted for her collar at a pet store and I was advised as long as my fingers can comfortably fit inside the collar while on the dog there is no harm to the dog. The whole experience was very uncomfortable. I was a dog town volunteer for a little while and volunteered at one of the annual furballs (charity event) and never felt welcomed even then, but I continued for the animals. I honestly am not sure if this is how Paws wants to be perceived since my entire experience Wednesday was very negative. Despite this experience I wish the best of luck to all the current and future dogs and...