Odd...when searching for the business "Pup Squad" in the Yelp search box, the business Smashburger…read morekeeps coming up as a result! =/ *gulp* Visited the Pup Squad Animal Rescue location at Houston Pavilions Saturday morning to peep through available pups. The rented space is large, airy, and spacious enough for several kennels to line the walls without overcrowding. Due to the high ceiling, warehouse style accomodation, it smells fairly fresh & clean in here. It's also dark and cool, and most dogs were found napping their way through the morning...a stark difference from other adoption places I've been to. It was easy to move through the space, and foster parents sat next to their pups like proud parents, eager to do a show and tell if so requested. What I liked most about this place is that the dogs here seemed to be happy! I rarely saw nervous, jittery dogs. Most were in their kennel, eager to play with visitors; others in their foster parents' arms, and some napping, barely opening an eye to peer at us. Though I did not come away with a new child that day, I wouldn't hesitate adopting one from this group. I spent a good 20 minutes talking to a foster mom about this organization and I'm completely thankful and hopeful that there are still many altruistic people left in this world. If you're considering adding a member to your family, please put Pup Squad Animal Rescue on your list as a must-visit.

This program is great when you think that most people want to get a puppy when they get a dog, but…read moreif you want to do your part and get a rescue dog, your chances of getting a small breed puppy decreases to about zero. They have dogs in all shapes sizes and colors and all (I'm pretty sure) in good health. Our first visit there we were just curious but pretty interested in getting another dog to play with our very energetic shih-tzu and one that was small enough to accommodate apartment living. We walked around a bit and they did have some really cute dogs, but it wasn't until we spotted this adorable pup that I had the "gotta have this puppy" feeling. They told us he was a puppy mill dog and that he was a Tibetan terrier and maybe about 3 months old. We personally didn't have all day to make a decision and were hesitant to commit on the spot, but they guaranteed that we could have a one week home visit to make sure that we wanted to keep him and that he was compatible with our dog. They would hold the $120 check and if we didn't come back, they'd cash it. So, for $120 you get a puppy in good health who's been socialized through the foster program with as many/all of the shots and exams needed for the applicable age an optional microchip to have put in later rabies and county tags You have to fill out an application form, but they review it on the spot and if you're a shoe-in (i.e. you have a dog or know the risks/responsibilities of having a dog) they let you adopt. It was a painless process and we are very happy with our puppy. These dogs are rescues so I'm attributing that to the fact that we weren't quite sure of the age, how big he'd get, and if he was really the breed they said he was (we thought he was a bit jack russell for a while, but now due to his size, we are back with the Tibetan terrier.) The other great perk to having a rescue is that I know at least the VCA will give you a free first exam for having just adopted a rescue. A great program and system for adopting puppies! Just a note, puppy mill dogs, as I later found out, can have a lot of health problems on their own due to poor/careless breeding. Do your research!

I've had nothing but great experiences with Houston SPCA. I stop by fairly often to check out the…read morepets available for adoption, and it's always a positive visit. I actually adopted my husky from this location, and she's been amazing! The staff here are always friendly, helpful, and clearly care about the animals. It's a great place for any type of pet lover because there's truly an animal here for everyone. They regularly have a wide variety of pets available, including both small and large dogs with many different breeds. They also often have adorable kittens available for adoption. Pets here tend to get adopted quickly, so if you have your heart set on a specific dog or cat, it's a good idea to act fast because they don't stay long. Overall, it's a wonderful place to find your next pet and give an animal a great home.

Very clean lobby - professional, friendly staff. They get right down to business, they get you in…read moreand out quickly. We paid $45 per pet on an emergency sick visit plus medications.

I was judged the minute I walked in! They acted as if I was barely good enough to care for cats. As…read moreif I found my way to the pearly gates of the kitty heaven when I arrived from a couple of the volunteers. Finally after being berated and barely passing that test I was able to adopt! I own my home, no debt, have a very stable job, I do not travel, I have no other hobbies other than to care for my cats, I have over 50 years of experience with cats that lived as long or longer than the average life of a cat. I went there to find a companion because I lost my cat and Spooky Doo should have some kittens to help him too. On the first weekend after I pre-adopted, I was asked to stay for after 5:00 because Brenda wants to offer me something that I would like! She offered to let me become a foster parent and take all four kittens because they felt the place here, they were at wasn't the best place for the foster who had a stroke and couldn't care for them as well. I mentioned later that I should have taken them up on the offer just so I can have my babies and bond with them. Brenda said oh, that was never said, and we wouldn't do that, and they are safe! I spent 4 weekends going up to visit and was told the wait process and because of the 4th of July it would be prolonged. I didn't care much about that, but I understood thinking the process would be just a few days longer than expected. They are NOT proactive, and you will have to reach out constantly for updates on the next steps and when I would be able to get the babies. I was told they didn't schedule the kittens to be fixed until the 18th of July and sometime a week after that would be available. That's 8 weeks of waiting to adopt kittens that were already almost 3 lbs. and, in this case, they would be almost 6 months old before I was able to get them! Not only was it exhausting dealing with this organization and being policed and not able to talk while other adopters are there and told to move and wait for the other adopters while you are having a play dates with your kittens for 4 weekends. I spent a lot of time with the kittens and I fell in love with them but after this experience, I will not be getting now. I was devastated and couldn't believe Brenda the founder's commits on how everything is my fault as in something is wrong with me. All the instructions from the volunteers and her were turned around and told that's not what was said. Brenda constantly said that's not what we said, and her volunteers shouldn't have said that because they don't know....blah, blah. By the way Brenda, you should also hear how your own volunteers speak about you when you're not there or roll their eyes and sigh behind your back when you are there. She proceeded to tell me that they did a background check on me and said that they ALL felt that I was a lonely drunk! If they did their background well enough, I have NEVER committed any crime whatsoever! Who does this to people and blames all the adopters for their shortcomings, and she has sooo much to do besides this and then deflects to make me feel bad for their ill behavior and unprofessionalism. Unfortunately, someone else close to Brenda passed away which is very sad but take a break or have someone else take over for a while or shut down until you can get back on track. How are we supposed to know this and then... deflecting from the conversation again, she told me she lost her only daughter which is again truly very sad. Why are the adopters to be the ones that are always WRONG and made felt subhuman and out of their mind. We don't wish you, Brenda, to suffer all the losses of life! This is a horrible process to go through in life. Don't punish others because of your pain. Thank you for giving me my money back and I wish the best for all the kittens to find a lovely home like I have to offer and provide company to all of us pet humans even the lonely drunks!

I've known Brenda and Mitchell for years, and know how dedicated they, and their wonderful…read morevolunteers, are to cats. The volunteers also foster many of these cats and the rescue goes the extra mile to be sure that the most suitable adopter gets each kitty. Wouldn't you want to be absolutely sure no horrific outcome happens to a kitten or cat you may have fostered and grown to love, maybe for months or even years? I've noticed that many of the one-star reviewers took issue with the length of the adoption application, and the requirements for adopting, such as keeping the cats indoors, harnesses, and other ordinary parameters that any reputable rescue includes. If you research any well-known cat organizations--ASPCA, Best Friends, Alley Cat Allies, etc.--you'll find that they promote all of the stipulations that Save A Purrfect Cat Rescue requires for the best outcome for their cats. The adopter who let a friend/neighbor/family member "cradle their new kitten lovingly in their arms" outside, already broke the contract. Indoor means indoor. Period. Why couldn't the loving person have come inside to pet the new kitty? Any unforeseen disaster could happen when an animal is outside--no matter how slim the chance is, it still exists. When adopting a kitten, it actually IS better for the kitten to have a playmate, as kittens can play for hours, and children do not have the same stamina as kittens. Kittens, and cats, like to curl up with each other to sleep, as well as with the kids, but people who don't understand cats well don't understand this. In addition, many kittens and cats are bonded, just one more reason that a responsible rescue refuses to separate them. That is actually the mark of a great rescue, not a shady one. If having more than one cat is an issue because of finances, I'd be leery of adopting to that family also. The family may be the most wonderful, caring people in the world, but if an extra kitty mouth to feed and provide litter for could break the bank, maybe waiting until you're more financially stable is the best option for both your family and the cats. No judgment, just being real. And buying the smaller cans of food for just one cat is actually more expensive that buying the larger cans to split between two. I have both fostered for and had kittens and cats adopted through this rescue. Save A Purrfect Cat Rescue sent me pics of the babies in their new home, kept a bonded pair of kittens together, and is making sure that a young cat I found goes to the perfect home, as she is not really fond of other kitties but loves people. All the information they require of potential adopters truly is necessary to make the best match for both cat AND adopter. I have volunteered and fostered for several cat rescues in this city, and I have to say that, hands down, this rescue goes further to vet their potential adopters than anyone else. They take into account the cat's temperament, and the family situation and environment, including other animals and children, for the best of reasons. They are not in it for profit or they'd adopt to anyone and everyone. Anyone this stringent is so because they truly care.

The Houston SPCA veterinary clinic is honestly amazing. The staff is super attentive and friendly…read moreand the prices here are insane in the best way. You will not find prices this good anywhere else. Just a heads up though, this clinic is really for preventative care only, so things like deworming, microchipping, vaccinations, flea meds, all the basic stuff to keep your fur babies healthy. One thing I thought was awesome is that they take Apple Pay and Google Pay. They're also really timely and honest, and they even gave us a few recommendations for other clinics in case we needed anything more serious done. The whole place is very clean and the lobby is big and quiet which I really appreciate. The only issue I had wasn't even their fault. Some pet owners just don't know how to control their dogs. A girl came in with her dog and it tried to run at my cats while they were in their carriers in the cat area. Thankfully my cats didn't freak out and nothing happened, but that's on the owner, not this clinic. Overall everyone here makes you feel welcome and the service was way better than I expected. I'll definitely be back and Milo and Eclipse thank you guys for taking such good care of us . Y'all are doing amazing .

Today we visited Houston SPCA because we wanted to adopt a small dog. As soon as we walked in, we…read morecompletely fell in love with Sophie, an 11-week-old Labrador puppy. She was absolutely adorable. We were interacting with her, and like any normal puppy, she was playful and chewing on my jeans. I picked her up for a moment. At that point, a tall, blonde, white volunteer with a heavier build came over, took Sophie from us, and simply said, "I'll be right back, stay here," without giving us any explanation. We waited for a long time with no information at all. No one came to tell us what was happening or if there was any issue. Eventually, Will G., the manager, approached us and told us that the volunteer had reported that we made "rough movements" with the puppy and that our adoption could be denied. This was completely shocking because it is simply not true. If we had done something incorrectly, we would have appreciated someone respectfully explaining the proper way to handle such a young puppy instead of making false accusations behind our backs. The volunteer gave information that did not reflect what actually happened and lied about the situation. Her lack of communication, professionalism, and honesty completely ruined what should have been a happy experience. We came with the genuine intention of giving a puppy a loving home, but instead we left feeling embarrassed, judged, and extremely disappointed. The only person who treated us with kindness and respect was Giselle at the front desk. She was professional, welcoming, and genuinely helpful from the moment we arrived. Unfortunately, the volunteer's behavior completely overshadowed that positive first impression. Will G. also failed to handle the situation fairly. Instead of listening to both sides or trying to understand what had happened, he immediately accepted the volunteer's version of events without giving us an opportunity to explain. That was extremely disappointing and unprofessional. I truly hope Houston SPCA provides better training for its volunteers and managers on how to communicate with potential adopters and how to handle concerns fairly and professionally. One person's behavior can completely ruin an experience that should be about helping animals find loving families. We came excited to adopt and left heartbroken because of how this situation was handled.

The woman that runs this rescue clearly doesn't want her dogs being rescued. She is rude, abrupt,…read moreand doesn't answer questions, she just forwards an auto-response. Don't get your hopes up like we did about getting a dog through her. You simply won't hear back. And don't even think about emailing her to ask, she'll immediately shut you down.

Rude response discourages adopters. Adoption should be kind and professional, not dismissiveread more

This rescue wants to be sure all of their cats go to the best home for them. As I read the negative…read morereview of the person who was "just browsing" to maybe replace a kitty who had just passed, I had a huge red flag when I saw that she didn't think it was the rescue's business to ask how the kitty died. Why would you be anything other than transparent about that? Old age, or illness, whether the kitty is old or young, is nothing to want to hide. Did the kitty get out and get mauled to death? The rescue wants to make sure that ALL of their animals go to a home where the kitty will be viewed as family. And it is a responsible rescue's job to ask questions of potential adopters, especially on the subject of safety. Personally, the more stringent a rescue is, the better I feel about it. I can say that this rescue does their due diligence in choosing the best home for their kitties. Of course, in the case of those who fell in love with a particular cat that others also wanted, I get that there will be hurt feelings. I do know that this rescue develops a connection with every one of the furbabies they have for adoption; I feel better about this rescue than any other one in town. There are so many that will adopt to just anyone, and care only about the money they make from each adoption. As someone who fosters cats and kittens, I have a huge emotional investment in making sure they're adopted by someone who will love them like children. SaveAPurrfectCat Rescue wants that too, and goes the extra mile to accomplish that.

This is everything that a rescue should not be. The director asked me to adopt multiple cats, when…read morei was only prepared to adopt one. That one cat is being held by the director to entice other people (the cat is exotic). It was a grave, heartbreaking process as I waited days, then weeks for her to return my calls and emails. When we met initially, she made me stay all day at her rescue while she tended to other people/animals. My time was completely devalued. The next day, when I gratefully asked to rescue Olivia, with whom I truly felt a connection, she never returned my calls. She also continues to field requests for people who want Olivia, but has never released her. (I know this because she accidentally sends strange emails that are directed to other recipients. I'm not sure she understands how email works.) I doubt seriously that much re-homing happens with this rescue. Certainly it's subject to many factors that are irrelevant to provision for a homeless cat. The description for "Olivia" and her asking to be loved in a Forever Home was just this rescue owner's way of attracting people who found Olivia beautiful/charming. She herself admitted she's had hundreds of people interested, but "none of them were good for Olivia." This is why people go to animal shops/pet stores/breeders instead of trying to help rescues. I would have done anything necessary to provide a loving, safe, permanent home for Olivia, and she completely blocked that opportunity and unprofessionally at that.