Great Plains SPCA Pet Adoption Center — Local services in Merriam

My husband and I had decided to get a dog, but we're pretty cautious people for the most part and have cats and wanted to make sure we got a dog that would get along with them and that would suit our family lifestyle. Been to 6 different shelters, it's been a weeks long process, and we finally met a dog we wanted at this place.

Told them we wanted to go home to discuss it, I don't think we were taken seriously, nobody suggested we put a hold on the dog or anything. 45 minutes later (driving home took a half hour) we decided we were sure about it and were ready to go get her. I called to let them know.

Well within that 45 minute window another family was at that exact moment meeting the dog. I asked if we could put a hold on it or adopt it and they said no, there is a family here meeting her and we can't do that in case they want her. I said we would head over anyways (takes a half hour to get there) in case they said no and that if they said no we would adopt that day.

We got there, and they informed us that the family had put the dog on hold and they weren't sure that they wanted her. Asked us if we wanted to place a second hold so that if that fell through we'd be the backup. Since we loved the dog we went ahead and did so, but it hurt very much that they'd allowed a family who wasn't sure put a hold on a dog that they KNEW we were positive about. Holds are $20, they made $40 on both families.

They called back the next day to say the family had extended the hold, were pretty sure, but not fully positive. That they'd call back tomorrow. I can't take that much suspense and bonding with a dog only to have it fall through. I have anxiety issues and just can't handle having my hopes raised and then dashed and can't do it another day. They said we still have second dibs if it falls through but at this point it's too much to handle emotionally. I told them not to bother calling.

Nothing against the dog, but the experience sucked. I cried for an hour after getting off the phone and we've decided not to keep looking right now because it would be too emotionally stressful to go through something like this again.

Just next time someone says they're ready to adopt and are on their way and you also have a family who isn't sure, don't let the unsure family place a hold. That isn't fair to the people who are literally driving to your center to adopt the dog that day. It feels like you cared more about getting that hold money than the dog...

I am not sure if there is a lack of care at the Merriam shelter now. But you guys were the first place I thought of when I found this small black female cat who ate like she didn't eat in a couple days. I was told that you guys were full, I understand that. I also understand that there are rules and protocols to follow, but when I asked for help on what to do or if anyone knew someone willing to help with this under a year old stray... I was told to keep her or "put it back outside where I found it". The person at intake did not check to see if she was spayed or even checked to see if she was a SHE. And putting an unspayed cat back outside? Yeah contribute to more strays? That's a great idea. Also, this cat had an respiratory infection and intake said she looked "okay". She was clearly not an outside cat the way she ate and the fact she had no microchip or collar. My vet verified that. I called other rescues and shelters and they too told me they were at capacity with cats. But I asked each place if they advise that I just "put it back outside where I found it" and every single one of them told me NO. I was even told by one rescue that was a heartless thing for any shelter to advise. Since this cat is clearly not feral and with a feral community why would I dump it back outside? So that's okay I went ahead and payed for a vet visit and treatment for fleas, parasites and the infection, got updated shots and checked for diseases too. I work 2 jobs and have pets and rescues of my own to care for, but I'll pull money out of my savings to care for the little life you clearly did not care to help. I will remain in contact with the shelters and rescues who don't just want to "dump animals back outside" and actually cared to give me advise, put me on a waiting list or at least reach out to fosters . Clearly she will find a better home and have better care with me, as I am not pretending to just care for her like it's my job. I care for her because I actually care for animals. This post was deleted when I shared it with staff and volunteers, who also told me that other shelters and rescues were basically telling me not to put the cat back out, just because GPSPCA told me the opposite. So they are saying that other places lied to me? They clearly didn't like hearing that other rescues thought they gave bad advice. I'm not the only one who apparently has seen lack of care or lack of prevention for strays. Read around and find...

Was very disappointed when we had a visit there last Sunday. I understand that things are different because of covid but our visit was very uncomfortable.

I'll start by saying I got our baby there 7 years ago and we are still in love with her! I've always bragged at what a great place it was to go.

However, i went with a friend this past weekend and found it difficult to interact with the puppies. It almost felt like we were pulling teeth to see what animals were there. Only showing us one section, then finding out there's more, then seeing others in there that weren't there when we walked through.

When we did visit with the dogs in a separate room, the volunteer stayed with us in the small room. I felt this was odd given the pandemic and all. Well the volunteer had treats in his apron and the only thing the dog wanted to do was beg and jump up on the guy to get the treats. It had no interest in us because he kept giving him treats.

We then take another walk through with someone else and wanted to see another dog. We were led to a different room and while we were waiting, there was a staff member outside the window yelling at one of the dogs in the outside kennels. He was very angry and loud.

So the dog we wanted to see comes in and this staff member stays with us too. We kept trying to interact and the lady kept throwing toys and bringing out treats and trying to tell us what behaviors meant. I'm pretty versed in dog training. I wasn't there for a lesson and yet still we just couldn't get to know the dogs at all because of the staff interference. Then to top this meet and greet off, the guy that was in the room with us before comes in this room too and calls this dog over to him. I don't understand at all what was going on. Is this their new normal? Are they instructed not to leave people alone with the animals? It's really sad. We could have walked away with a new family member but just felt so put off by the staff that we left. I only gave a two stars because of past experiences were so good. It is a nice clean place. And the animals appear to be well cared for, but if we're not able to interact with the dogs, we won't know if there's a connection.

It was a very disappointing visit.

As a follow up to this review the manager reached out to gather info. It was good to see the focus there is still really about the animals. Hopefully this was just a one off situation. I added another star because of the...