Animal Haven — Local services in New York

I was a volunteer at Animal Haven for a year and a half. I would still be volunteering there if it were not for personal matters I am managing. I volunteered in the Animal Haven Cattery.

I learned much more about cat behavior than I currently knew during my time as a volunteer at AH. I also learned a little bit about dogs- purely as an observer of the excellence with which the dogs were cared for by the dog team/staff and volunteers. Being at AH was a growth experience for me on many levels.

Here are some highlights: The staff is hardworking, dedicated and incredibly protective of all the cats and dogs in their care. The staff is super knowledgeable and experienced in all aspects of animal care, rescue, adoption, fostering and more. The Animal Haven shelter environment is clean, cheerful and happy. There are cozy rooms, warm beds and linens for their furries. There are toys galore. Healthy food and treats for the cats and dogs. For the cats- always clean, high quality fresh litter. The volunteers are fantastic too and work hard. They are committed. All the cats and dogs are well cared for and loved like family.

I have read a few of the negative reviews. This is unfortunate, perhaps even unfair. I urge everyone to give their time volunteering at a shelter- whether it be Animal Haven or another shelter. It is my belief you will come away from the experience with a new perspective, with more compassion, with gratitude and respect for the staff who work tirelessly to run the shelter everyday and to find the best homes for their shelter residents. The amount of cruelty, neglect, abandonment, harm and more that staff of animal shelters witness on a daily basis could be a main reason why the adoption process and even fostering an animal can be arduous. When you see the volume of animal abuse you do your best to ensure this doesn't happen again to an animal in your shelter- in your care.

At Animal Haven their goal is to find the absolute best match and fit for each of their cats and dogs. Sometimes that means hearing no when submitting an application to adopt. Yes, it can be disappointing. I see this as something positive though. I feel better knowing that AH is selective. This tells me they are experienced to know who the best guardian will be for each individual cat and dog in their care. I appreciate that kind of discernment and devotion.

I believe what is meant to be will be. I have believed the fur baby (ies) meant for me would find me no matter how long or how short our time together. We find each other. We choose each other. I believe this too for all you- for the sincere, serious, ethical animal loving people wanting to become parents to a fur baby/child they will cherish and treasure as family.

If I may offer some comfort and peace. Have faith that your cat or dog is out there. If you were declined whether by AH or another shelter, try not to fight it. Try not to be bitter and angry. Nothing wrong with expressing your disappointment or even asking a shelter to explain why you were not chosen. Perhaps this will educate you and you will gain new insights.

Keep putting the positive energy into the universe, God or whomever you call upon for wisdom and guidance. You will be led to the pup or kitty meant for you. Keep trusting that your time is coming. And it is! Your cat or dog is on the way. Keep repeating that. It will...

DO NOT SUPPORT THIS SHELTER! They are liars, cruel, heartless and unprofessional. I came in with my autistic 9 year old son that was going through a lot of bullying in school and wanted a kitten of his own. They seemed so nice and helpful, my son picked out a perfect kitten for himself. We were told to come back in a few days because a vet had to "check him and make sure he's 100% healthy and cleared to go!", ok fine, we came back, picked him up, great. Our first day home we noticed he had diarrhea, I figured he was nervous and needed time to adjust. A MONTH later, he still had diarrhea and with blood in it. I called the shelter, they said prebiotics will cure him, then change his diet, buy pumpkin, one trip to their vet that did nothing and no change. We asked if they can please take him back, honor their word and cure him make him better and we'd come back for him, as we grew to love him and wanted him. We just had unexpectedly already spent so much money in medicine, supplies and anything possible to make him better and felt this never should have happened had they told the truth. We were brutally told off, accused of abandoning him when that's not what we said! We said they told us in the beginning he was "healthy and cleared to go" and knew he was sick and still gave him to us. We just asked after the HIGH adoption fee ($350), and all we had spent in a month trying to get him well that the least they could do is hold on to him get him proper treatment and call us and we'll come back for him! Many nasty emails later (will post them if anyone wants to see), we basically had to give him back. They even told us that instead of letting us have him back once he's all better, they'll be giving him to another family crushing my sons heart. These people have no compassion no feelings and are just cruel. I found out from numerous others that they've had similar experiences and most reviews here are fake. Please look elsewhere to adopt a cat, dog, puppy or kitten please. These people don't care about you and they certainly don't care about their animals. I will be looking into...

Very rude, disrespectful and inconsiderate front desk staff member. I explained how I have a disability and was interested in either registering my dog as an ESA or potential service. The lady pretty much humiliated and degraded me in front of everyone in that crowded room by completely disrespecting and undermining everything about me and my life from the instant she saw me. I felt so much anxiety and even shame in this moment and hope no one else with the intention of adopting a puppy should feel punished for doing so. Both me and my sister were not given a chance to speak and feel as though she had made up her mind, judged and profiled us since the second we walked in. She immediately tore up my life and application. It almost didn’t matter what I said. You would think going into meeting your new potential best friend would be an exciting heartwarming moment instead it was filled with humiliation and anxiety. Why?

Despite the facility being very nice and spacious, it is so visibly overcrowded with dogs that need a home. She gave me a limit of meeting three dogs and proceeded to say that every single one I mentioned already had tons of interest despite arriving two days ago and just put on the website.

After submitting my application I sent a follow up email and was met with no response. I then came into the facility the next day, was met with a shower of unnecessary insults about how terrible my application was.. just to end this conversation with "oh I gave the dog to my friend/ colleague." How unprofessional.

I then, realized from this experience that I never stood a chance and regret ever getting my hopes up. A simple reply to my email saying "She has been adopted" would have taken 5 seconds and helped me so much. On top of this if my application wasn't approved anyways the 10 minute worth of ripping my life apart could have been replaced with im sorry but your application is not approved :) I would have understood completely. This lady seemed as though she wanted to assert her dominance from the beginning and enjoyed it..... its an animal...