Great Lakes Dog Rescue — Local services in Metamora Township

We were excited to adopt a husky from Great Lakes Dog Rescue, but their process made it completely impossible. Despite my fiancé and I both having experience working at rescue organizations and being fully prepared to provide a great home, they put up barrier after barrier that ultimately prevented us from adopting.

One of the biggest and most absurd requirements was that every single person in our shared residence had to be available at the exact same time on a specific day for a meet-and-greet. We live in a shared household with people who work different shifts, so this was simply not feasible. We explained that we could arrange for the people who would actually be responsible for the dog (us) to be there, but they refused to work with us at all. It felt less about ensuring a good home and more about enforcing arbitrary rules.

Then came the age discrimination. While they never outright said it, it was clear from how they spoke to us that they saw us as "too young" to adopt—even though we are financially stable, have experience with rescue animals, and had a plan in place for the dog's long-term care. Instead of assessing adopters based on their ability to provide a loving and responsible home, they seemed fixated on checking boxes and making the process as difficult as possible.

To make things even more frustrating, my fiancé literally owned a pet store and has extensive experience with animal care. We went above and beyond to prove we could provide an excellent home—we offered to prepay all vet bills, show proof of pet insurance, and even sign a legal document guaranteeing the dog's care. How much more security could they possibly need?

On top of all that, the person we spoke to was on a huge power trip. They were extremely rude, condescending, and had an attitude from the start. The moment we mentioned that we were first-time husky owners, their entire tone immediately shifted, as if that alone made us unqualified—completely ignoring the fact that we have experience working with huskies and even more demanding animals. Instead of having a real conversation and assessing us fairly, they treated us like we weren’t worth their time.

At the end of the day, we wanted to rescue a dog, but Great Lakes Dog Rescue made it clear that they had no real interest in placing dogs in good homes unless those homes fit their rigid, unrealistic mold. This kind of adopter-hostile mentality is exactly why so many people turn to breeders instead—and that’s exactly what we had to do.

If you’re looking for a rescue that actually wants to place dogs in loving homes, I strongly recommend looking elsewhere. This place feels more like a sanctuary that refuses to let animals leave rather than a true rescue. With the way they operate, it’s no surprise so many dogs remain stuck...

My family visited four different shelters while on the search for a new furry friend, and I was blown away by the compassion and commitment of everyone we encountered in the rescue community. Great Lakes Dog Rescue was no exception. The director was incredibly responsive to my questions and went above and beyond to schedule a meet and greet. While we ultimately did not find the right match for my slightly neurotic beagle here, I was incredibly appreciative of the effort they put into finding forever homes for the dogs in their care. Please don’t hesitate to look at this wonderful organization when adding a new four-legged family member!...

The volunteers at Great Lake Dog Rescue in Metamora are extraordinary people. You can see all the love they pour into each animal. We rescued our girl in April 2024. When you rescue or adopt anytime you take on an animal you have to be willing to put the love and time into the animal. My husband and I poured ourselves into YouTube videos, advice from trusted veterinary staff, family & friends. We love our girl and are so happy we went to Great Lakes Dog Rescue . This rescue cares about each animal & the people rescuing their...