TLC Animal Shelter — Local services in Homer Glen

A quick primer before my review as someone adopting an animal for the first time...

Animal shelters appear to exist in order to rescue dogs, cats and other small living creatures so that their lives can be extended. There's a one-star review on this page that relates someone's animal shelter experience to that of a restaurant, as if saving an animal's life is no more exquisite than ordering a soup and sandwich combo.

The respective reviewer was dissatisfied with their new pet's quality, the short workplace hours and the ease with which they were given a pet. Here were my thoughts as I incredulously read that review and compared it to my excellent experience at TLC:

(A) Their new pet would have been already put down (killed!) had TLC not accepted it and naturally, these saved animals may need additional care in the beginning. The point of a shelter is to save an animal that deserves a full life; the alternative to helping a homeless and/or sick animal is much, much worse. Using donations, this and many other shelters are able to provide some modicum of healthcare to the animals, thus giving them a second chance at life.

(B) The staff works limited hours because in-between, they actually have to CARE FOR and RESCUE the animals they try to save. They undoubtedly spend all their "free time" checking the health and temperament of future adoptees so that they can be destined to become a family's new pride and joy.

(C) The adoption process costs some money, but not too much. TLC - like other shelters - WANTS people to adopt a rescue and wants to make it easy too. A small charge ensures that pet owners aren't just taking a pet because it's free and the simple adoption process makes saving an animal's life easier than the alternative.

As for my review, I arrived at TLC and was genuinely impressed with their spacious holding areas. They're in Homer Glen (IL) and have a nice plot of land, so the building offers them lots of space to work with their rescues. I walked in and it felt comfortable right away; after all, how can saving animals be anything less than amazing? I was met by Casey, who immediately brought out the beautiful, female Rhodesian Ridgeback I came to (inevitably!) adopt. She was exactly what I had hoped for and Casey seems to have a sixth-sense with these animals.

I was told that my future two year-old doggie had a case of kennel cough (the canine version of the common cold) and that didn't deter me one bit; it's treatable and TLC already started her on a medication to get rid of it quickly.

We took her outside to the large, fenced-in lawn area and were able to sit/walk/run with her for as long as necessary. Once I knew that She Was It, I was deemed worthy to provide this animal with a new life. TLC doesn't just give you a pet; they interact with you, listening and questioning you in a friendly way. They want good homes for these pets, so they want to feel good when they release them too.

I received some dog treats, a collar/leash kit and lots of advice to help out with my new baby. They even took a photo of me and her for their Facebook page (a good one to boot).

In the end, I realized that TLC and other shelters are awesome, but you don't really understand until you go there to see what they do and more importantly, why they do it. You are not buying a car and not shopping for a television: you're saving an...

We have adopted pets from TLC several times since 1987, with our most recent visit just six months ago. After a year of searching via the internet and in-person to various shelters, we returned yet again (for the first time in 15 years) to adopt a shelter kitty or two. Dennis and staff are very welcoming and extremely helpful. The shelter is quite busy, and they don't have an excessive number of employees. This is not only a not-for-profit business to them, but one that they give 110% of themselves to whether it's over a long holiday weekend or the middle of the night to check up on an animal that needs extra special attention.

The shelter takes in and adopts out dogs and cats (and sometimes other small pets, too) from not only the local area but from kill shelters from states down south. TLC runs solely on donations while still maintaining reasonable pet adoption fees.

On our last visit we adopted two beautiful and sweet 8 month old kittens. The next day, settling in at home, they both seemed to have colds so we took them to our vet right away. They were both diagnosed with FHV and one of the girls had a pretty heavy duty case of conjunctivitis, as well. Because TLC cares about the animals and it isn't "just a business," and our kittens had a littermate still at the shelter, we called to notify them. Dennis' response was pretty fantastic. He told us he would put our kittens' sibling into quarantine to keep an eye on her and appreciated our call. In addition, because it was a long holiday weekend, if we needed any type of emergency care for the kittens (they had extremely high fevers) to call the shelter, as they could likely and gladly help us help our kittens make a full recovery.

This story seems like so little on the surface, but when cats/kittens cannot smell they won't eat or drink. Cats/kittens get dehydrated very quickly and we thought we were going to lose our little one just 48 hours after bringing her home and falling in love. Rather than getting upset and placing blame, we reached out to the shelter we have dealt with periodically for the last 30 years and they offered concrete and caring help. This is just one of the many reasons we support TLC in...

Went to this location on 04/06/2020 as it was suggested by another adoption agency. Checked who they had online and I saw Cash and Banjo. Cash was said to be friendly with other dogs, calm, playful, and trained. Banjo was said to be clam, trained and a cute one.

We were given Cash on a leash to walk around in there outside portion, alone, for 15 minutes, with no one checking up on us. He was pulling on the leash which wasn't a problem for me, I've trained other dogs leash manners. Listened to very basic commands, and seemed playful. Until they brought out another dog they had gotten in 30 minutes ago. The couple who had them were told to stay away from Cash. We thought it was weird until Cash tried to lunge at the other dog. Growled at him and kept pulling and growling. We asked to see Cash interact with another dog, the older gentlemen working that day told us under no circumstances because Cash was aggressive! Also was told Cash's owner died, the lady was truthful enough to tell us his owner was in prison and the neighbor was taking care of him up until this point. That's not what was told to us online, I have pictures attached for you to see they are lying.

Banjo was given to us after Cash, they said they called him sir wiggles because he wiggles his butt when happy. Sure enough he showed his wiggly side. But the moment we stepped out that door sure enough he pulled on his leash so hard he started to choke. I mean he was gasping for air I had to restrain him and hold his collar open for him to breathe. He was not 'Gentle, or even tempered'. I thought maybe it was just because he was excited so we gave him some time but he just wanted to be let loose outside the fence.

This Place lies to get move dogs through there door instead of taking time to be truthful to find its forever home. When they lie to people about the true nature of the dog it will just end back up in another shelter sad and alone possibly facing death.

I hope that someone can take these two in for there true nature and not on the word of a lying staff just trying to move dogs...