Humane Society of Huron Valley — Local services in Superior Charter Township

I honestly wasn’t going to say anything until I read other peoples reviews about similar negative experiences here. This is the weirdest/disappointing experience I've ever had visiting a shelter: My husband and I recently went to the Humane Society of Huron Valley for the first time, hoping to find a second cat to adopt. We drove from out of state, about an hour's drive, and planned to arrive at 4:15 PM, well before their advertised closing time of 5 PM. The website clearly stated that no appointments were required and walk-ins are more than welcome.

Upon arrival, we encountered two ladies at the front desk who neither greeted us nor made it seem necessary to check in. Nevertheless, I always make it a point to talk to someone first to get details about the adoption process and any rules they might have when meeting the cats. I told them we were just looking today and they told us that visiting hours for the cat rooms actually ends at 4:30 PM. This was frustrating as it was not mentioned on their website, but since we had driven so far, we decided to continue our visit.

We were directed to the kitten and adult cat rooms without any additional information. In the first room we visited, we saw a volunteer and a visitor with her dad, who was opening a cage (illustrating they are unlocked) to see a cat. There were signs in front of each cage indicating if the cat could be handled by visitors or staff only and I made sure to read them carefully. Nowhere did it state that we were not allowed to open cages and personally pet and handle them nor did the volunteer mention anything when we did.

However, in the second adult cat room, an older female staff member with short blonde hair and glasses immediately scolded us when my husband opened a cage (also unlocked). She told us we were absolutely not allowed to open the cages or handle the cats and that we shouldn't even be in there unless we were adopting a specific cat. This was confusing since no one had mentioned this rule at the front desk or in the other room. Her tone was condescending and irritated, making us feel like we had done something very wrong and like we should have known. She should have been calmer and nicer when explaining. When I clarified that no one had informed us of these rules and mentioned that people in the other room were doing the same, she seemed further irritated and went to scold the other visitors and the front desk workers!

This interaction left a bad taste in our mouths and we decided to leave. It was overall a confusing and contradicting experience.

I also want to add that anyone who is a cat owner knows they are diverse and dimensional creatures with different personalities, and one-on-one interaction is crucial to see if it's a fit for both the cat and potential owner. It doesn't make sense to choose a cat based solely on looks from a prior picture or first glance. This limitation makes it seem like they are not too keen on getting their animals adopted and, if they do, they don't care if they go to a home where it doesn't work out because the owner didn't get a chance to fully interact with the cat. Visitor interaction is also essential in helping cats get used to people and help provide sufficient play, stimulation, and affection. The cats here all seemed sleepy, bored, sluggish and many were hiding or very shy compared to other shelters I've visited due to this lack. I just don't understand how you can adopt a cat without getting to know he/she first...

All staff, signage, and the website should be on the same page about the rules and what needs to be communicated to first-time visitors. It should be clearly stated on the website whether appointments are needed or not. Visiting hours also need to be clear to respect others time. This shelter should seriously consider acquiring a different approach because their current methods are not helping these animals grow personally or get adopted. Moreover, the workers need to provide better customer service and treat visitors more...

I would first like to thank the humane society for helping me find my first furbaby, an 8 week old Kitten. 5/5 stars for the adoption process.

However, the 1 star review is for their vet clinic. I returned with my 10 week old kitten for a vaccine and regular exam. The veterinary doctor was phenomenal with making the exam a playful and gentle interaction. She left the room. Then two, what I assumed, were vet techs entered the exam room. One held my kitten down and the other prepared the vaccine. When the girl went into the front right arm for the injection, she couldn’t get a grip on the syringe to inject the vaccine. She went too deep and held the needle deep and moved it around trying to get a grip to inject it for 20-30 seconds as my kitten howled in pain. The other vet tech finally instructed her to remove the needle as I started to walk towards my baby uncomfortable by what I was witnessing. I asked her “do you have ANY experience?” They both were silent and one vet tech left the room to grab another tech. Then the girl who was giving the injection was in the room with just me stated “I’m a student currently gaining some experience”.

I’m disappointed in the fact that they didn’t let me know the person giving my kitten a vaccine was a student. I would have never consented to that, as this is my kittens first vet appointment ever and did not want a negative experience to be his first. I’m also disappointed that the experienced vet tech didn’t coach the student through the vaccine when she was clearly having a difficult time injecting the vaccine.

I don’t pay for student services, I’m paying for vet services. I was charged $65 to watch a student perform a poor injection and failed. I asked the front desk person to add an alert to my cats treatment chart “NO NEWBIES” she asked why, I explained to her what happened and all she did was baby talk my cat. She didn’t even put the note into the chart.

We will not be returning here, nor would I recommend these services to any friends or family.

I’m not sure if you (the reader) have ever given blood or received a shot and the person went too deep or went through a vein, but it is extremely painful and will cause soreness or even a bruise. I had to watch this student move the deep needle around my kittens arm while he howled in pain.

I have been the trainee in clinics before. The first thing out of my mouth is “hi I am so and so, I attend x school and I’m currently gaining experience for my clinical hours. Would it be okay if I performed this procedure on you?”

These 2 ladies walked in, didn’t introduce the girl as a student, and proceeded to do the procedure. I never want to hear my kitten cry like that again. Vaccines are suppose to be quick and as painless as...

UPDATE: well here we are 2 years later.. Tiggy passed away suddenly at home on sunday august 3rd this afternoon. He has been sick the last week or two so i informed the humane society and was told I can bring him in to be cremated at no charge. I assumed I would be able to keep his ashes but was told by the tech they did not cover ‘private cremations’ and he would be cremated with other animals. That sting… a lot. I’ve had Tiggy for over 10 years, he was a huge part of my life and I loved him dearly. I did not have the $220 so I had to say goodbye and leave without his ashes…. because of money yet again I was turned away. I would have even did a payment plan or something so I could have my cats ashes. Nothing was offered, I was just pushed away. I am traumatized and extremely hurt. I try so hard to give this place credit for the help but jesus… my cat is gone. I will never forgive myself for not being able to at least have his ashes or any piece of him. Im extremely hurt and upset. I have no words.

The techs attitude and lack of sympathy when I mentioned keeping his ashes did not help an already sensitive sucky situation either. Not sure what that was even about but do better please.

while i appreciate the staff, the kindness and gentleness they show towards my cat, i only have one complaint. i am currently unemployed and have been for awhile so things are extremely tight for me financially. life happens and some things are out of my control. my last visit, i explained how i couldn’t afford to cover the entire bill so they did take care of a couple of things. i actually went back today to have my cat rechecked to make sure his infection was healing fine and i was told by a tech (i don’t remember her name) that i would need to make sure to have the $40 for the recheck exam fee which is what i made sure of. when i went to check out, i was told that my total was $65. i explained again for the 5-6th time that i did not have $65 but i had the $40. the receptionist was kind of unsympathetic and very matter of fact about it. they did end up making sure i only had to pay the $40 but it is very embarrassing and stressful to have to explain my situation over and over in front of others and it makes me upset. i know people who have gotten vouchers due to being unemployed but for some reason, im always given a hard time. it makes me not want to return but i don’t want to let my animal suffer just because i’m going through something right now. i’m not sure if i’m talking to the wrong people but i can surely prove that i am in fact unemployed. he may have an ear infection and because i couldn’t afford the treatment today, he now has to suffer. i am extremely...