East Ridge Animal Shelter — Local services in East Ridge

The women who run this shelter are the rudest, most careless, uncooperative employees I’ve ever encountered at an animal shelter. This morning, I called them about a very friendly homeless elderly cat who looked to have mange and a very infected mouth that made it very difficult to eat anything. It was skin and bones and had been hanging around my parents East Ridge neighborhood for a couple of weeks and clearly needed HELP.

Over the phone I was told to either bring it into the shelter with my parents or one of their neighbors (to show proof of address). Upon arrival, we were met with a terribly callous woman who informed me that it’s mouth injury looked old and therefore they advised me to just take it back to the streets to fend for itself again. Are you kidding me?!! They also denied that the mange on its head was problematic (mange can be deathly when untreated) based on the logic, “Well its been getting long just fine up until now!” Umm...no it hasn’t. It’s skin and bones, and has infection!

I was offering to pay the $35 fee that normally only owner surrenders are charged, just as incentive to help this poor cat. I have worked in animal rescue (in my spare time) for about 5 years so I know all about overcrowding in no-kill shelters. However, I would have personally fostered that cat until they had free space.

More than anything though, their little plan to just throw this INFECTED, DISABLED, GERIATRIC, EMACIATED animal (btw this cat was NOT feral) back out onto the street absolutely turns my stomach. East Ridge, THIS is who we’re trusting to run our shelter?!! ...

I lost my dog a husky I was looking for my dog the people at the shelter was very rude to me because I called they had sold my dog I raised from a puppy they had no compassion to me , they made me feel as if I am a bad dog owner to me I feel they should have been happy the owner came forward to me I felt as they was about money and not about carrying because you love your dog she was not caring I didn't like her attitude we don't need people like her around so please don't lose your dog and call this shelter they will make you feel bad because you didn't call ,I don't feel good at this time I don't like that lady she should put herself in my place,no compassion, If she was a caring person she would be happy that the dog was with his owner and two Person happy she not one time say I am so sorry you lost your dog.that I will do what I can to help you, she doesn't belong. She must not be a dog owner because if you are a dog owner that dog is your kid it not like your car was missing it's your kid missing and you hurt we need people who really care all dogs owner give me a like what if it was your dog 🐕 I miss my dog if whoever bought my dog they should understand she doesn't...

East Ridge Animal Services is a no-kill shelter in an area where, unfortunately, many people are grossly negligent with their animals. The staff there (less than five people) works nights, weekends, and holidays to care for unwanted pets. ERAS takes in every animal who is homeless, unloved, or dumped by careless owners within their jurisdiction. Instead of resorting to euthanasia to make room for pets in need, they give them a second chance. In addition to that, they make sure animals have yummy treats, fun toys, and enriching human interaction to feel loved while in their care. They even have a trainer teach them manners to make them more adoptable! I applaud them for stepping up to care about these pets when their owners failed them. They always have an array of deserving animals who would be wonderful family pets. They're definitely worthy of a visit (and a donation, if you can!). PS - to the commenter who complained about their location, shame on you. They're a city-funded shelter and use their allocated budget...