AHeinz57 Pet Rescue & Transport — Local services in De Soto

Disappointed and heartbroken

My fiancé and I recently moved into our first home and we wanted to expand our family and adopt a puppy. My fiancés parents had adopted their family dog from Heinz and had made a few donations in the past including hand made tie blankets. So we were super excited to be able to adopt from them again. We started by submitting an application where we were very open about our living arrangements. That we lived in a larger townhome with a non fenced yard and planned on using a tie out. Our application was approved for us to meet two litters of puppies, we were so excited and went to meet one of the litters and of course fall in love with a sweet puppy. The volunteer we spoke to who cared for the litter told us to let her know if we were interested and the adoption process would begin. So right after we left Heinz I messaged her we wanted to move forward. Later the next night we received a phone call from the volunteer saying there was an issue with the application regarding the use of a tie out and that made us ineligible for the puppy and if I wanted to try to bypass the block I needed to speak with the owner. So I called the rescue and the receptionist told me the owner was unavailable, but I could leave a message and I’d hear back the next day. So I explained to the receptionist the situation we were in and she said it was a misunderstanding that had happened before and that it shouldn’t be an issue. The next day came and went with no phone call so I called before closing and was told she was unavailable again and that I’d be called the next day. I messaged the volunteer again and explained I hadn’t heard back but we were still very interested. She responded saying the puppy was on hold for us and that all we would need to do is sign a contract that states that Heinz is against tie outs. Which we were more than willing to do since after speaking with the volunteer we understood and planned on using a leash only. Fast forward 4 days of me calling every evening after receiving no call, I finally get a call from the volunteer late evening saying that after the owner and volunteer spoke that they decided we were no longer eligible for that puppy due to it being a large breed and we lived in a townhome with a tie out. Which at the end of the day. I completely understand. However we were very clear and upfront about our living arrangements in our application and we were approved to meet 2 large breed litters. I wish it would have been addressed more professionally before we got attached to a pup and were made to seem like it was a small misunderstanding and that things would be cleared up. I also believe after waiting for 4 days, that final phone call should have came from the owner, we never did get to speak with her. They did say however we were still eligible for smaller breed puppies. But after that unfortunate situation we agreed we wouldn’t be back and we would...

We have applied 4 times and got nothing but disrespect. The first dog we applied for, our application passed. My family including my siblings were so excited for a new addition into the family. A few emails later regarding the dog, they made it seem like we were getting him. The day we drove 40 minutes to De Soto to see the puppy, the people there had the AUDACITY to hand that pup to another family RIGHT IN FRONT OF US. My family was shocked, but stayed quiet. You guys said it was because they already had a meet and greet with him.. I understand that the facility does not run by first come first serve, but by finding the most fitting family for him, however you guys didn’t let my family to have a meet and greet with the puppy. But it was the first mistake, we got over it and there you guys introduced us to another puppy. We fell in love with him, held him and already had a name for him. You guys said to ensure that we keep the puppy this time, we have to write our name on it and then set up a time for you guys to have our place check- and we did. We waited one week later to find out our puppy to be adopted by another family yet you guys never went back to us to schedule with time with my family. You’re guys excuse was that we didn’t seem as interested as we were into the first pup. Let me tell you that after we came back from De Soto, my family bought the bowls, shampoo, collar, toys, we got him a cute little sweater for christmas. After the new do you know how heartbroken my siblings were? At this point my family had this funny feeling you guys were being biased or had something against us, although my family don’t want to believe you guys are racist.. 2 more applications and such delayed replies. In the end, nothing. Rejected. If you are a family or someone who is a PERSON OF COLOR, do not come here. Clearly white families have much easier time finding a dog (just look at their Facebook.. I have not seen any person of color...

I am a volunteer at AHeinz, I volunteer with the new momma dogs and their puppies, in the Adoption Center with our adoptables and sometimes at the events. This is a WONDERFUL shelter no kill shelter. Every person that is there at AHeinz LOVES our pups and cats and work to give them the best life we can while they are with us.. I see some reviews where people are upset because they had interest in a dog or cat and either were not approved or when they planned to come in they found the dog/cat they had interest in was adopted by someone else. I know this is disappointing, but please understand in this shelter our furry babies come first. We cannot hold dogs/cats, if an opportunity is there to adopt with the right fit we will move as we cannot guarantee the person planning to come in will (people are many times no-shows when they say they will come in) or they come in to see one the pups/cats and realize they are not a fit. We cannot risk having a dog/cat miss out on getting adopted because we held them for someone that may or may not show up or decide not to adopt. We do have some long term residents that have been there for years and our goal is to give all of our babies the best chance to have the loving family they deserve. One of the saddest parts of volunteering is seeing one of our dogs returned after being in a home. They are confused, sad, scared. So the vetting of people and homes is only to lower the chance of that happening and is not meant to be offensive or uncaring towards applicants. Other reviews note we don't have enough volunteers, anyone considering volunteering, please do!!! It is extremely rewarding and a fantastic way to make a difference for these dogs and cats that just need to be...