SPCA Westchester — Local services in Town of Ossining

I feel they pulled a real bait and switch. They wrote a glowing Petfinder description of a dog but when I arrived they immediately wanted to tell me all his behavioral issues (mainly over-excitability). It was like they were trying to talk me out of adopting him. Nonetheless, I was still interested and spent time in the play area with him. Then, after I brought my dog in to meet him, the "behaviorist" decided she wouldn't allow me to adopt him bc she thought my dog wasn't interested in him... bc my dog wouldn't immediately play with him. (Ever met one of those "experts" who is so threatened by the possibility of being proven wrong that they just shut everything down and refuse to hear anything but their own voice? Yeah, that's who I had to deal with.) Anywhere my dog goes - dog parks, other parks, new yards, etc. - he always spends the first 10-15 minutes investigating and sniffing around. He completely zones out and ignores everyone and everything while he does this. That's what he does, even still does it every time at the dog park he goes to regularly. When he's finally done sniffing around, he plays. And he plays with any and every dog he meets. But this 'expert' denies an adoptable dog finally getting a shot at a forever home bc my dog doesn't just walk right into an unfamiliar place, full of scents of hundreds of other dogs, and (while he is still on a leash and feeling insecure) just jump right into playing with a dog already in the play area and experienced and comfortable with it. Brilliant. The really sad part is this 'adoptable' dog is young and has some behavioral issues very similar to the ones my dog had when I first adopted him. The adoption workers back then were skeptical as to why I would want this difficult dog. But I adopted him, have trained him well, and (without knowing his backstory) all the workers at SPCA Briarcliff were commenting on what a good boy he is. So, considering the behavioral issues of this dog they have put up for adoption, our home would have been a great fit for him. And my dog would have loved to have a new friend. Instead, that poor other dog is still stuck in a cell every day, probably with staff still consciously or subconsciously selling visitors off of being interested in him. It's just really sad. As far as finding a friend for my dog and a new family member, how am I supposed to do that at SPCA Briarcliff? If the criteria is my dog 1) has to come into the play area when another dog is already in there and has been for a while, 2) has to come in around a dog he has never met before and be kept on his leash, 3) is given no time to get acquainted with the space or even explore it alone first, or 4) must show immediate interest in another dog despite this setup, then how could their ‘expert’ ever bestow upon us her great power of adoption? I have taken my dogs, and my friend's dog, to dog parks literally hundreds of times over the last 20 years (maybe even thousands) and witnessed countless meetings of dogs there and other places. I've seen when it works out and I've seen the ways sometimes it doesn't. I may not have credentials but I have pretty vast experience observing dog culture and its idiosyncrasies. Had my dog simply been allowed to explore this new space and get comfortable, and been allowed in the space with the other dog without the restriction of being leashed making him feel vulnerable, these dogs would have hit it off and the dog would have a new home and family. I also want to repeat that their posting for the dog was extremely misleading: "Friendly, Playful", "Funny", "Playfully entertaining and wants to be everyone's best friend." "Is good with other dogs." "House trained." - These are not the ways the 3 employees I met described him when I got there. Why not write an ad describing him the way you described him when I got there? That way, maybe you can appeal to someone who is ready and willing to take on the responsibility of caring for and training such a...

When contacting the office it’s required to leave a message or email and they will contact you in a few days. I was so thankful to receive an Call back and eligibility for an appointment. This was scheduled for later in the month. As a first time client at this location there is parking on premises it’s very big and the exterior of the building is beautiful. Cody’s Clinic was located to the right once you get into the doors. The clinic was packed beyond belief. Our appointment was for 3pm we arrived 15 minutes early but was not scene till about 4:15. One thing about my visit which is very unfortunate is that I can’t even tell you any staff members name because it was never provided by anyone. No one introduced themselves very busy and cold atmosphere. The people whose pets had surgery and were picking them up those staff members from the back were very kind and definitely engaged with their pet parents more. The woman taking the animals to the back for shots was not friendly. There was no introduction or greeting she called the kittens names and stated nothing was checked off on the Wellness Questionnaire sheet. I let her know that I was unsure about what I would need for the kittens and just required the basic shots necessary for their age. Front desk never even notifies you that you could not go in with your pets. I just caught on while waiting in the reception area. The woman took the kittens into back and came back within 10 minutes. Very fast once they were scene. Once I was finished I was told by reception to wait while they are working on the kittens profile so I could pay. Once home looking over the kittens medical report I notice numerous mistakes from incorrect address, telephone number etc. The kittens paperwork should have been identical and upon further investigation realized they were printed by different employees. Unfortunately Maurice screenshotted his screen instead of providing the proper medical history report for my pet. I tried to call no matter what time of day but unfortunately know one answers. I also emailed them with all the errors located on the receipt so they can be please be corrected and emailed back to me but I still not haven’t heard from anyone yet. Not the best first time experience but I’m very thankful for all that...

4 months ago , we were trying to adopt a puppy , we were pre approved , everything was fine until the day of the adoption event , that day we were waiting for our turn to see the dogs (3-4 hours ) we were interested in a Chocolate lab puppy , when it was our turn the director ( a tall woman , straight hair) to us to make some questions , we were the only ones stopped by her to be questioned , she made remarks based on our skin color , making assumptions that I she didn’t let us to answer , to explain or clarify , the other ladies also joined to her because she told them whatever she was assuming , We were discriminated , she wasn’t happy to see a non white family in front of her , she let the people behind us To go first because they were white and a little blonde hair girl was crying , we saw then taking all the baby labs , when she was sure no labs were left she told us that we can go to the tent where the puppies where in crates . I was so uncomfortable about her behavior but my children (teen children ) wanted to get a puppy and I didn’t want to make feel sad . We were #10 in the line and we were one of the last families to see the puppies ( More than 50 families ) so , none of the puppies left were large breed and we went home without nothing , they told us to check in few days , we did it and we saw a golden mix puppy , we called , they told us to go , we went there and one of my children couldn’t go because he was working , they told us that all the family must be there in order to get the puppy , they told us to “come back tomorrow at noon” , we went and they told us that the dog wasn’t there , once again they told us to “come back tomorrow , we went again to the shelter to learn that the dog was adopted the day before !!!!! This is racist !!! I’m against buying dogs but it’s fristrading , humiliating to try to adopt from this shelter !!! We don’t live in New York , we traveled 2 hours to see the dogs and try to help and we were discriminated , I don’t understand why a racist woman is “the big boss” There . Finally , my husband bought two golden puppies because he told me next time he won’t stay silent!!!! Keep promoting buying dogs , that’s what you are doing...