Take Paws Rescue — Local services in New Orleans

This review is solely based on the founder of the organization and not the organization itself.

After adopting a dog from this organization, we unfortunately felt she was not a good fit with our current dog. We were in contact with Italia, who was very helpful and understanding about the dog’s behaviors that led us to unfortunately giving her back. It was not any fault of the dog; however, only about 50% of the bio for the dog was true when we first adopted. After giving it a shot and trying to work with the dog for almost two months, my husband and I decided it would be best if she was in a home better suited for her. We even offered to keep her until an adopter/foster was found. Because she was not a good fit with our current dog, and we are in the process of moving, my father offered to keep her until a home was found (mind you, my dad was listed on the application as the person who would presume care if something happened to either myself or my husband).

Last night I receive a text that they have a potential adopter and would like to pick her up for a meet. I said no problem, told my dad and he was gonna bring her to my place to be picked up. This morning, Italia asks me some questions about the dog and then asks if she is with me or someone else. I reply that she is currently with my dad as he is helping watch her while we are packing, but she will be here and ready to be picked up for the meet. Not even 4 mins after that text message, I receive a phone call from Monique Bonnaffons (whom I have never spoken with prior) and she starts screaming at me asking who the dog is with and where is she, while barely introducing herself. I try to tell her she is with my dad, but before I can even finish she is screaming, “I want his name, his number, and his address!” I said, “ma’am, I am not going to give my dad’s information, what is going on?” And her voice gets louder saying, “I just got a call that someone in Lafayette has ….(said dog), if you cannot provide her today I am calling the cops for stolen property!” I replied, “I can promise you she is with my dad, I just talked to him last night” as she cuts me off to scream at me some more. I said, “I do not appreciate you yelling at me like this” and she says….”I don’t care what you appreciate!” I told her let me call my dad and see what’s going on. To which she replied, “you have ten minutes or I am calling the police for stolen property.”

My hands are shaking at this point, I’m trying to get ahold of my dad and of course he is not answering. I call my husband and tell him what just happened, he tries calling my dad and nothing so of course I am worried. Finally, my husband calls Monique to figure out what is going on and she immediately starts to apologize to him for the “misunderstanding.” Apparently, she had received an email from a shelter in Lafayette REQUESTING said dog….NOT that they had her. There was no research, reading, or even simply asking me if I still had her prior to the nasty, rude, threatening, and unprofessional phone call that I received from (whom I later found out is the founder/CEO) Monique. She tried to tell him that she was under a lot stress because so many people were returning dogs and they were receiving so many and she was stressed. He told her that he understands she is under a lot of stress and is not trying to down play the amount of stress she is under; however, the approach was rude and unprofessional to which she then tried to turn it on us saying it was all our fault and that we are terrible people for signing a contract and not keeping the dog and hung up on him. I still have not received a text message, email, or phone call apologizing for the “misunderstanding,” rude comments, yelling, or threatening to call the cops.

This review is in no way to bash the organization nor its cause. With that being said, I feel really bad for all those under you, Monique Bonnaffons, and you should really consider some lessons on manners, respect, and professionalism if you are going to pride yourself on being a founder/CEO...

Shared from a recent adopter: I had two wonderful but old dogs, Unica a black lab who dragged one hind leg and Katie a hound mix who had difficulty getting up with weak hind legs, so I thought I’d look into bonded pairs of dogs who might need a new home. I started looking at dogs listed in shelters that were near me in Massachusetts, then around New England or 2-400 miles from me. I never thought I’d find not only my two dogs, but a group of people who made both the adoption and the travel for the 1,465 miles up the east coast one of the easiest adoptions I have ever been part of! When I first saw Ruby and Milo McSniff on line, their pictures and information sounded like a perfect fit. Milo looked very similar to another flat coated retriever I had loved, both got along with other dogs and liked to play ball. After reading all of your information on the web site I doubted I could be considered for adoption since I could not travel to New Orleans. When I finally sent an email, I was unsure if I’d even get an answer- but a very positive answer came quickly, and then I was introduced to Robin who helped me through the rest of the adoption process. Both Robin and Sheila (the transportation guru) answered all my questions and put the best interests of the dogs first in their plans. Ruby and Milo came with multiple medical records, updated vaccinations and even microchips. The dog’s parents sent them with their food, beds, leashes, brushes, favorite toys… everything they needed for a trip north! Between the time that I began my search for a bonded pair and their arrival I lost Unica to a very quickly growing oral cancer. Katie seemed to have a little more energy having two new dogs in the house, but just three weeks after Ruby and Milo arrived I had to put Katie down when she could no longer stand or walk without support. Their joy, enthusiasm, and lovingly “sharing” their wet balls with me has made her loss a little easier. I truly appreciate the family who made the hard choice to rehome their dogs, and answered hundreds of my questions to make the move easier for them, as well as the volunteers from Take Paws Rescue who made the adoption possible. Many...

I have been a volunteer foster mom and application screener for Take Paws since July of 2021. I have fostered about 20 dogs and have screened maybe a hundred applications. I have also adopted one of my foster pups so I had to go through the whole application process. Take Paws Rescue saves thousands of dogs that would otherwise be euthanized. The organization is almost entirely volunteer staffed and its few staff members that get any monetary compensation are getting pennies if you calculate the number of hours they work. The organization is foster-based rather than a shelter because being in a home with individuals and families socializes the dogs to make them more adoptable. The adoption process can seem lengthy but the goal is always finding the right fit between an adopter and a dog. Vet references are checked, landlords are called and zoom or FaceTime home checks are made to insure an animal’s safety and well being. It is a time-consuming process and the organization is overwhelmed with needy dogs, too few fosters and too many applicants who don’t always follow through and waste screeners’ valuable time. If TPR is guilty of anything, it is caring too much and trying to do too much. But to not try just means more dogs die. The dog I adopted and those fostered are well cared for; they receive medical treatment and vaccinations; they are neutered and spayed. And 99% of these dogs go to great homes and have happy lives BECAUSE of the demanding adoption process. TPR is doing voluntarily the thankless job of saving animals’ lives- because the rest of society has failed in its obligation and responsibility to do so. I welcome any complainer in these reviews to join the effort instead of tearing it down. You think you could do better? Well roll up your sleeves...