Kearney Area Animal Shelter — Local services in Kearney

COMMON SENSE My Grandkids who live near Sumner, brought their young border collie/lab to my house for 2 hours, so they could monitor an injury she had. They let her out, before they put on their shoes to follow her. Fuzzy had disappeared. I have a lake at my place and she apparently heard the neighbor kids playing and splashing in the lake, and she went to investigate. Immediately, upon seeing Fuzzy’s injury, our neighbor loaded her up, and took her to the shelter. When we inquired if they had seen her, our neighbor’s wife called for him to bring Fuzzy back home. He had just dropped her off. He walked back in the shelter, and explained the situation. They refused to let him take her back. We were there within 5 more minutes. Same scenario. They refused to let us have her. I wasn’t the owner, so they wouldn’t let me fill out any papers. Fuzzy was already under a Vet’s care, had her neck shaved, and was on medication for an infected possible spider bite. The Vet had told the kids not to put her collar on for a while. I called them, so they could give assurance that Fuzzy was under their care, and was being given antibiotics. Not good enough, and I then found out Fuzzy had not yet received a Rabies vaccination. No problem, let’s get that done. I gave them my credit card to expedite things. No deal! By this time, I was getting quite irritated, and my Grandkids were crying because they couldn’t get their pet. It was 4:30, and the animal shelter Vet was not there. We would have to pick Fuzzy up tomorrow morning. I called my Vet at West Villa. They could administer the shot as long as we were there before 6:00. No problem, right? Wrong! I still couldn’t do anything. Although the Grandkids were with me, they were too young to authorize the shot. I called my daughter at work, and she authorized it. No, not good enough. My daughter left early from work, to come settle the matter. They kept telling me they would not wait for her to get there. It would take more than 15 minutes to do the paperwork, and they close right at 5:00, with no exceptions. I again offered my credit card, asked them to please work with us, and told them it was necessary for Fuzzy to go home tonight to receive her antibiotics. With plenty of attitude, I was informed that they were following the rules. At 4:55, I was told we needed to leave, and they escorted us out the door, just as my daughter was parking in front of the building. The door was immediately locked behind us. My Grandkids were almost hysterical by this time. My daughter took time off work Friday morning to pick up Fuzzy. After paying $30 for Fuzzy’s 1st Offence, $20 boarding fee, and $20 rabies shot, all they asked for was her name, address, and phone number, and no signature was necessary. It would have been so simple to hand Fuzzy back over to my neighbor who brought her in by mistake. I realize we are partially to blame, and some of the drama could have been avoided if Fuzzy had a Rabies shot earlier, but she didn’t.

Some of this drama could have been avoided, if common sense would have...

Very poor service. My brother and his family adopted their dog from this place and had a great experience. So I took my daughter there to see about adopting a kitten for her as she loves cats! Wasn't greeted at the door when we came in, had to ask questions to get someone to talk to us, was talk right off the bat that it was too late to adopt an animal (it was a little after 4 and they didnt close till 5). I had asked about seeing a cat and was told there wasnt time cause someone else wanted to see a cat. So we left. We came back a few days later, I made the effort to get them to helped with the hiring process, had to jump through hoops jua to get approved. My daughter and I found a kitten we really liked and that liked us, so they told me i could put a hold on him and come back tomorrow and put another hold on him until i had all the requirements i needed. So I made the 30 minute commute to Kearney the next day just to tell me I cant place another hold on him and there must of been miss communication. Then I was told I would receive a call once my landlord emailed them with the okay to have a pet at my apartment. Never received a call but my landlord went out of her way a few weeks later to make sure I got the cat. Turns out the shelter got the email, emailed my landlord back for a number and got it but failed to call me and let me know. So I called them and I was told they didnt have the time to help me cause there were people that actually came in for help and they needed to tend to them first. And was told that the cat I wanted was already adopted out. Talk about a disappointing moment cause my daughter was super excited about...

Having read other reviews, particularly the recent one-star reviews, I wish to add my review and two cents. I can also assure you that this is not a “fake” review as other reviewers have accused. Over the last few years, I have adopted both a dog (Cash) and a cat (Nickle) through KAAS; both of which would not be alive today without KAAS’s skilled care prior to adoption. With both adoptions, staff was very welcoming, friendly, and eager to assist. Their screening process for potential adopters IS thorough, which I personally can appreciate very much. Homeless animals are very vulnerable creatures and KAAS does their due diligence to ensure that they go to a responsible and suitable home that can fully care for the animal. Their adoption fees are very reasonable, and a pittance compared to the true lifelong cost of an animal. Additionally, because many of the animals arrive quite ill and all receive veterinary care, they often lose money even with adoption fees. Finally, I want to personally thank the director of KAAS. On a holiday weekend, when the on-call veterinarian was not available and I was desperate for help, she provided excellent care and personal time to my found orphaned kitten. She is knowledgeable, selfless, and a blessing to have at KAAS. If you are looking for a new family member or place to donate your time or money, I highly encourage you to visit KAAS as I cannot recommend...