Animal Rescue League of Berks County — Local services in Cumru Township

After several attempts to contact someone in leadership, I'm leaving this review as a kind of PSA. TL;DR: Thoroughly read over your new pet's medical records before adopting, ask them for records from their old AND new systems, and ask questions about EVERYTHING YOU SEE THERE. Ask to speak with their staff vet if the adoption staff can't answer your questions.

I strongly support the mission statement and efforts of the ARL, so much so that I volunteered there in the past. However, I recently adopted a new pet from them, and I'm EXTREMELY concerned about the lack of communication regarding a major medical issue.

We first went to the shelter to meet our new cat on a Sunday, and when we decided he was the one we wanted, we agreed to return first thing Wednesday morning to pick him up. There was one other couple adopting on Wednesday morning, so they didn't seem to be particularly slammed. We completed the adoption procedure and paid, and I read over his medical file while they were getting him ready to take home. I saw he had been treated back in July for something called "rodent ulcer," but I didn't think to ask about it, as 1) there was no recent history of treatment (i.e. it was September and there was no medical history past July) and 2) I'd asked the lady at the desk if there was anything we needed to know, and she confirmed that he was all set.

A week later, I received a call from the vet at ARL about coming in to pick up the cat's medication. I had no idea what they were talking about. Apparently "rodent ulcer" is a chronic condition, and he was in the middle of a 30-day course of prednisolone treatment when we adopted him. So not only did they NOT disclose that he had a chronic illness and would be special needs, but they caused a sudden stop in his prednisolone treatment, which can be FATAL. They stated the oversight was due to a recent digital system changeover, and that the medical documents stored in the old system (the ones they sent to me) were different from what was in the new system (which still have not been provided).

THIS IS NOT OKAY. The vet informed us that he's been "in and out of here a lot because of this," and it's no wonder! Thankfully I have the experience and resources to care for a special needs animal, but not everyone does, and folks need to be able to make an informed decision about adopting pets of this nature. Further, the health and safety of an animal should NEVER be endangered because of this manner of negligence.

Frankly, I feel this fubar warrants more than a free prednisolone treatment and a half-hearted apology. I'd like a refund (even partial) of his adoption fee, to help cover the funds for follow-up vet care. I'd like complimentary vet treatment for a certain amount of time. I'd like a promise from leadership for serious review of their protocol, to ensure this doesn't happen to other people and that they're fully protecting the health and wellbeing of their animals. But sadly, it seems they're simply too overwhelmed to address this in any way.

All that said, I love my new pet. He's a chaotic, loveable little nightmare and I feel so blessed to have him in our family. He's certainly worth the effort. However, since the ARL is apparently too overwhelmed, make sure you're taking extra steps to advocate for yourself and your new pet. Ask for their medical records in advance, and make sure you're getting records from their old AND new systems. Read them thoroughly. Google medications and conditions that you dont recognize. Ask questions of the adoption team, and ask to speak with the staff vet if your questions aren't addressed to your satisfaction. Make sure you're doing all you can to make a fully informed decision, and don't assume that they'll tell you if...

I found a beautiful Chihuahua 830 this morning. I took him to the animal rescue league, hoping that they would be able to help me and instead it was the complete opposite. I was greeted by Jennifer Gomez. Before I finished signing any paperwork, she did inform me that if for some reason the dog would bite anyone or they thought that he was too sick to help, that he would be put down. If I felt that this doggy was aggressive, I would not have had him on my lap and allowed him to give me several kisses. This dog was actually adopted from this same animal rescue league. And the moment that we pulled up, he started to cry, and laid his head on my shoulders. I’m sure he knew where we were. After Miss Jennifer Gomez informed me of this issue, I did tell her that I would not be handing the dog over. I told her that even if there is one percent chance that the dog would be put to sleep I will not give him to the ARL. So I asked her if she would check to see if he was microchipped , and then we can go from there. I’m not quite sure why, but that seemed to upset Miss Jennifer Gomez. She continued to tell me “I’ll take the dog now” and when I asked her “do I have to give you the dog?”, she said yes. Then I asked her, “Is there a law that says that I have to hand him over to you right now, and she said well, no.” Why was she so deceitful? Miss Gomez them proceed to head into the building. And to my surprise, she didn’t come back out. Instead, she sent out Ms R. Harnish to intimidate me into giving her the dog. I told her that I would not give her the dog because I was scared that he would get put down to sleep. He might have gotten frightened, he may have been nervous for whatever reason, it’s not the first time this place puts animals down and I didn’t want to take the chance. That seemed to infuriate both Ms Jennifer Gomez and Ms. R Harnesh. I’m not quite sure why Miss Jennifer Gomez sent Miss Harnish out to speak to me or why Ms. R. Harnish feels the need to wear a bulletproof vest at an animal rescue league. The entire situation was completely ridiculous. They both proceeded to inform me that the animal rescue will not help me in any way, shape or form to find the owner of the dog which I thought was ridiculous. What was the point of checking if he was chipped, which he is. This is extremely unprofessional. I feel horrible for the animals that are in this place and I hope that they get adopted out as soon as possible. But these two ladies have definitely made this experience a nightmare for me and if I ever find another animal again, I will try my hardest to find their...

I rescued a female pitbull who was abused and neglected. About a week before she gave birth I realized she was pregnant. One of the female puppies was born with a broken back. She acted completely normal and was an active loving puppy. She just couldn't use her back two legs. I searched everywhere for someone to help her and finally the animal rescue league said they would be happy to help her. They said they'd do everything they could for her. I was supposed to bring her down the next day but I have two cerebral aneurysms and ended up being in the hospital for three days with complications from the aneurysms. I called the rescue league and explained to them what had happened and told them I'd be bringing the puppy down that night. Marcy, the lady I had been speaking with told me that since I didn't have the decency of calling to let her know I wouldn't be bringing the puppy in when I was scheduled to bring her in that they wouldn't take her anymore. I started crying because that was my only hope and I had been so thankful and happy that they were going to take her and give this poor pup a chance. When I asked what I should do with her now Marcy told me she would just put her to sleep. I don't understand how a rescue place that had me so convinced that they would help this puppy live a normal life and make sure she was ok goes from that to telling me to put her to sleep. It's ridiculous!!! I had then called to speak with the manager of the place and they told me he would call me back and never did. Thank God I found a great rescue that is making her a wheelchair so she can live a normal life. I spoke to many places that told me to definitely not put this puppy to sleep and that handicapped dogs and puppies can live perfectly normal lives. Use extreme caution bringing any animal to this place. They obviously do not care about...