P.A.W.S. of Tinley Park — Local services in Tinley Park

PAWS is run by out-of-touch, inflexible people. They say adoptions are down and volunteers aren’t available, but if you do nothing to change, the only one to blame is yourself. Neighboring rescues are going above and beyond to connect to people and find animals homes (adopting 2-3x as many dogs and cats per week). PAWS saves animals, but the place is run like a prison. This review is based on being a past adopter and volunteer.

Adoption process: You can apply only on their website. No option for folks who can't fill out an app online. When I brought this topic up on the volunteer forum, no one from leadership acknowledged. There are a couple people who choose who gets appointments. If there is an error or an imperfect answer, the staff moves on. No call back, no inquiry, no education. The people behind the desk know little about the animals; the volunteers in the back know more about the animals, but little about the process. I witnessed the current president condescend a family of young adopters. They left discouraged. A couple came in hopes of adopting a long-term dog resident; they were turned away bc of reasons that could have be reconciled. As of this writing, that dog has been at PAWS nearly five months.

The facility: The grounds are muddy and a health hazard. It’s no wonder the dogs are often sick since there are pools of dirty water that well up in the play yards and lawn. I flagged this on the volunteer forum to no response. Dogs with giardia and kennel cough are kept in the same area as the other dogs. Only for ringworm and parvo do quarantines happen. Dogs get little to no training or enrichment. No group play.

Nearly every shift is dependent on volunteers. Most the front desk staff should not be in a position of customer service. They are typically cold and patronizing. When I was waiting to see a dog for adoption, four women were gossiping, while two volunteers were in the back taking care of 40+ dogs.

Volunteering: Each shift handles things differently, info is rarely shared, and dogs don't get the training and attention they need. Volunteer leads are variable; there isn’t a dependable, knowledgable leader working on many shifts.

On the forum, leadership is sometimes combative or passive-aggressive with volunteers for speaking out or suggesting changes. Cat adoptions were very low in the fall (like one or two a week), and when someone expressed concern, leadership responded combatively. Someone brought treats in for the dogs, and instead of directly talking to the person, the president called them out on the forum for bringing in treats and (allegedly) getting a dog sick.

There are many wonderful volunteers here. However, there are also unpleasant folks. Examples: I was condescended and YELLED at by another volunteer three times in one shift bc I listened to an audiobook while I walked dogs. This is unacceptable adult behavior. Another instance: a volunteer I worked with regularly was so by the books that cleaning was prioritized to the point of neglecting dogs. Dogs were put back in their cages after a few minutes of walking "as long as they went potty." Then this person would power wash all the outside kennels, like a crime scene, even though we spot cleaned messes. Moreover, the morning shift handled power washing, so this cleaning was redundant. Meanwhile, dogs were anxious, stressed, and lonely. It was depressing.

Summary: I now volunteer at a better-managed rescue in the area. PAWS saves animals, so they’re doing good. Based on their low adoption rate, bad volunteer conditions, and out-of-touch leadership—they’re just bad at it. I recommend other rescues in the area: TLC, NAWS, Halfway Home.

If you’re set on adopting from PAWS, be prepared to jump through hoops. If you want to volunteer here, be prepared for your shifts to be either full of animal walks, some cleaning, and animal playtime (if time allows), or miserable because of the...

DON’T WASTE YOUR TIME!! SCAMMERS!!

I saw a kitten posted on their Facebook page and instantly fell in love. I immediately filled out an application online and went to the shelter as soon as they opened. When I arrived, the staff was incredibly rude—to me and each other. The front desk ladies had brought their own dogs, who were barking nonstop. A manager came out yelling about the noise and how disruptive it was.

When I was taken to the kitten room and saw the kitten, I told them on the spot that I wanted him. But I was told it would take 4–5 days to process my application, and that the kitten wasn’t technically up for adoption yet due to being on medication until July 6. I was also told no one on-site could help because everyone involved in adoptions works remotely and only responds via email.

I went home and immediately emailed the adoption team, explaining how much I wanted the kitten. The next day, I received a short reply saying they had a lot of applications and that my vet records didn’t show my senior cat or my other cat, Tyler. I clarified that Tyler is my senior cat, called my vet to confirm all my animals were up-to-date, and sent over the latest invoice. I also told PAWS that my vet expected a call from them in case there was a miscommunication.

That was Friday. The whole weekend passed with no response. I refreshed my email constantly, waiting. By Wednesday, July 3 (three days before the kitten was “available”), I learned the entire litter, including the one I wanted, was adopted by someone else.

I was lied to. I was never given a fair chance to adopt that cat. I’ve spent months applying to shelters all over the area to be ready when I found the right kitten—and he was it. But their online system doesn’t work well on mobile, so I had to run home to apply. That’s the only reason I wasn’t already pre-approved.

The staff was rude. I was misled face-to-face. Volunteers didn’t even know basic info about the cats—like what medications they were on. The process was unprofessional and disorganized. No one could help in person, and communication was only through slow, impersonal emails. Why isn’t there an adoption counselor on-site like every other shelter?

I never even got to hold the kitten. I was told I couldn’t touch him because of medication, but no one explained what it was. So why was he allowed to go home early with someone else? It makes no sense.

After all this, I looked at reviews and found I wasn’t alone. So many others have experienced the same treatment. It honestly feels like this shelter is run to collect donations, not find good homes. Unless you know someone inside, you may never get a fair shot.

I have an amazing home—my pets are spoiled with high-quality food, medical care, toys, and a clean, safe environment. I have a one-year-old kitten and a senior cat. I feed my dogs homemade meals several times a week. My animals are family, and this kitten would’ve been royalty. But he never got the chance.

I’m heartbroken, angry, and deeply disappointed. I’ve adopted from other local shelters before and have never experienced anything like this. This place is a mess, and I wouldn’t recommend it to my worst enemy.

Please don’t waste your time here. Check out NAWS, South Suburban, Will County Animal...

I was in and out of that shelter for probably 6 months looking. It's Very busy, and crowded. You only get to meet with the dog in a small narrow "kitchen". I took their thoughts on the dogs seriously cause that's all you got. The volunteers out there WITH the dogs are wonderful, but remember, they are only volunteers. Their.responses, of an older dog especially, are just guesses. I adopted a sweet little male who just had bladder surgery with stitches needing to come out in a week. He was matted (it happens), legs yellow from pee (was told he must have been crated always because of his medical situation (ok, he's had his surgery, I'll clean him up after stitches are out). I specifically told them it was very important an older dogs teeth be in good condition. I got an 'oh, yeah, he's fine'). Found out after his free overall health check when we got his stitches taken out that 'NO SENIOR DOG SHOULD EVER BE REHOMED IN THIS CONDITION (was the vets comment on more than one issue.) I was already in love with the dog, had grooming scheduled immediately after vet visit, and used that time to decide what to do. After much agonizing, thought a,talking to many, I decided this dog would probably be a very sickly dog for his life. I found out at PAWS front desk that they actually knew the condition of his teeth, and choose Not to do anything about, or have that on his charts for adopters info. (His teeth and gums were SO horrible, they probably had to scrape, extract, and I'm sure deal with gum disease, and possible organ damage from the teeth that bad for so long. One woman at the front desk was so rude. This was just plain wrong to adopt this dog out in this condition, especially when they KNEW of some of the existing unresolved issues. Yes, they'll take your dog back & maybe "help" you pay for what they already knew. You sign a contract "As Is, no refund or exchange" I understand the contract for petty reasons, but this was deliberate information withheld & for THEIR vet to make such a comment should have been enough for them to make good on this adoption. I finally talked to someone on the phone from the Board. Was told she would call me after they have taken take care of the dog. I NEVER heard from them. My loss of the adoption fee, grooming, fee (my choice, but the poor thing was so bad) and just a mean front desk lady. This all was just plain wrong. I hope the person who readopted him knew his history because I did put it down on the comments when returning him. One star only because of the nice volunteers out with the dogs. Zero for the lady behind the desk and the board member I spoke to....