My adoption process a couple months ago went very well. I arrived without any pets, and left with…read moretwo kitties! I walked in without an appointment, a couple hours after opening. There were some people there, either in the main waiting room or walking through the separate pet areas... wasn't too busy. Was greeted by staff behind the counter and I told them I wanted to look at some cats. They have you fill out some paperwork, mainly about what you're looking for and what your home environment is like (senior cat, kittens, other pets at home, kids at home, etc) to help them in finding an appropriate cat for you. You wait for a bit so they can find a staff member to walk through the cattels with you. You get to meet them, and pick some up in some instances. I deliberated because I intended to get a senior cat, but many of them had behavioral or extra medical problems. I ended up getting a disgustingly cute and impossibly smol brother and sister, and they've been wonderful. It may not be the cheapest, depending on which pet you want to take home, but obviously that cost goes into the program and really, can you put a price on a new family member?

We stopped by today to bring Christmas presents to the cats and kittens. Merry Christmas!read more

I don't know why everybody keeps putting stars on this place. If you adopt an animal and you bring…read moreit back, they will put it to sleep. This is not a good place to bring your pets, and they do not care. They killed my cat. I got stuck in a really bad position and I had to move but was getting a place in two weeks. They told me that I had to surrender which I did but I told him I would be back in a couple weeks if I could readopt I just had nowhere for the got to go at the time. The next day I called them and told him that I had a bunch of food and his favorite blanket, and a cat house for them. They proceeded to tell me that the cat was no longer alive. Unreal how anybody could even bring an animal here adoption fine.. don't ever bring a pet here to give it up. Go to a Manchester animal shelter, or MSPCA in Methuen.

Before I moved back to New England, I searched for animal shelters in the area. I volunteered at…read morethe Irving Animal Shelter in Irving, Texas, and I loved it. I was hoping to find a place where I could do the same. - The Animal Rescue League of New Hampshire is a really nice place. It's right on Route 101. There isn't a ton of parking here - maybe 10 spots up front and 20 or so in back. It's not a large place (not compared to other shelters I've been to), but it's nice. - I've described this place to people as "mostly cats and rabbits" because they don't have a whole lot of large dogs on site. At least, not many that the general public can view. - I signed up to volunteer. You have to first take a "class". It's two hours long and you have to donate $10 at the end - more as an act of faith that you're serious about being a volunteer. (Also, they really need the money). The class wasn't much of a class, to be honest. You don't learn a lot, you just hear about all the good things the shelter does or has done. After the class is over, you have to sign up again for training. And the training could be in anything from "small cage cleaning" to "walking dogs" or "laundry". You get to pick which one you come back for. The next time you come back is your first day of volunteering. I've come back to learn about their dogs, but as a new volunteer, you don't get to interact with many dogs. Many of the dogs here are "senior only" meaning, only a "senior" dog walker can take them out. A "Senior" walker is defined as someone who has booked 50 hours volunteering here. It's very technical. You have to sign up online to come in to volunteer - you can't just show up and help out (well, you can, but it's almost discouraged). They have a lot they need to get done and they do it by having volunteers sign up for specific things - laundry, cage cleaning, etc. What bothers me is that there are a lot of dogs here, and I have time and I've handled all kinds of dogs in the past - but I'm not allowed to help because I'm not a "senior" walker here. I just feel bad for the dogs here that aren't being taken out because a "senior" isn't around that day. - OK I digress. Otherwise, it's a nice facility. Lots of really nice cats. A surprising number of rabbits. There was even a turtle there up for adoption last week! The dog kennels are a little shocking to see - they're in a room that smells like bleach (this place is big on cleaning) with glass doors to the kennels. There is only one outdoor fenced-in area for the dogs to exercise off leash. Volunteers can take the dogs on-leash through the woods/trails behind the place. - I just wish the place had more land - they could use some outdoor runs for the dogs. Let them play and that way potential adopters can see them having fun and not barking behind glass doors! - It's a good place - very well organized and passionately run.

I am a huge supporter of All Better Pets and what they do. They give animals a second chance at…read morelife, and I know many people who have adopted from them, including my sister who adopted her cat from them a few years ago.

From the owner: Our mission is clear. We are the last chance for pets. We care for the ones that have no other…read morealternative to euthanasia. No human to be their advocate.These pets are homeless (stray) or surrendered and usually injured or suffering from an untreated but treatable condition. They often arrive to the ER looking hopeless.

We got the best dog we've ever had from Mary's Dogs…read more I think some of these 1 or 2 star reviews come from unrealistic expectations. The responsibility is on you - the owner. Not the rescue. Pet Rescues aren't dog vending machines that pre-program all attributes and spit out the perfect dog that you never have to train. They can say a dog is more house-trained than another, but that doesn't mean it's not going to have accidents, or need a bit more training soon after adoption. Maybe it's just a difference of perspective. Because when my wife and I decided to get a dog, we just looked at the available adoption places around us and sent apps and communication saying we're looking, what do you have available. Mary's dogs had awesome communication and helped us find the dog, Remmy (who was Ben when with them), who is absolutely perfect for us. Was I expecting them to do that? No. Frankly I don't believe it's their responsibility to find a 'match'. That's on you. They get so many animals, they can't psycho-analyze the dogs and run a complicated algorithm to match personalities and lifestyles, and also at the same time somehow predict what kind of effort you're going to put into it. Some of these 1 and 2 star reviews are from inexperienced owners, planning (planning!) on regularly putting the dog in day care or taking them in to work. At what evolutionary point did dogs learn to enjoy and thrive in a cubicle or day care? If you can't give your dog the attention, care, and training it needs and deserves, you're not ready to own a dog. It's as simple as that, sorry. You can't blame the adoption agency. My experience with Mary's Dogs was an absolute delight. Their representatives, specifically Danielle, were incredibly helpful and professional. Maybe we made her job easier by not being incredibly specific in the kind of dog we were looking for, or special needs. Again, perspective. But either way, it was a great experience working with them and I'd be happy to do it all over again.

I got my rescue Graham at Mary's just over a year ago. The adoption process was smooth and they…read moretake great care of their pets. The foster family was very accommodating of any questions, concerns or appointments to meet him before the adoption was finalized. I couldn't be more thankful to everyone at Mary's for introducing me to the best dog, friend and companion a guy could ask for!

They were very helpful in placing my rescue dog with me - we have had him for over nine years and…read morehe has been the best dog ever.

Rescued my black lab Aussie mix who was over one and needed a home after his brother was rescued…read more They were incredibly accommodating as I was away when he would arrive and arranged a foster. Oakley now has a loving home and myself and his brothers mom reunited them. Highly recommend

I am crazy about Gregory and finding him at the animal shelter in kennebunk. Well our oldest cat…read moreBella past away(8-21-2016).our other 3 girls got depressed. So after about a couple of watching them not acting right. They would not really touched the floor like it was lava. One of Minnie (who we also got there at the shelter in kennebunk) when I picked Minnie one her name and she wanted attention for loving.) Well Gregory acted the same way so I wanted him To be in our family. The unique thing was that he had the floor and the apt. The shelter at first when I said I wanted him and because he was younger and I am diabetic so they wanted me take home one of the older cats were already declared I promised I would not have him declawed. I also knew it is easier to fit in because they havent gotten in a set way of being. It also easier doer the girls. Took two weeks the girls were they acted normal and not watching them go deeper in depressed. But we are a happy parents of our furry kids

As both Mao's adopter and a registered nurse, I was extremely disappointed by the lack of medical…read moretransparency during his adoption. Before adopting Mao, I specifically requested his surgical records but was told his urinary issues had been resolved with surgery and was not allowed to review the paperwork. I never spoke with a veterinarian or medical staff, despite later discovering in his records that a veterinary consultation with prospective adopters was recommended. It was only six days after adoption, on the day we rushed him to the vet for another urinary blockage, that I finally received his complete medical records. Those records revealed that Mao had experienced two urinary blockages while in the organization's care, had only been off medication for one day before being medically cleared for adoption, and was recommended for a foster observation period before permanent placement to monitor for recurrent urinary issues. None of these recommendations were followed, and none of this information was disclosed to us before adoption. From the day we brought Mao home, he showed concerning urinary symptoms, including frequent urination. We carefully followed all instructions, fed his prescribed urinary diet, and monitored him closely. Despite this, he suffered a third blockage just six days after adoption and required emergency treatment. The outcome was devastating. After veterinary evaluation, we were advised that due to the severity of his urinary disease, possible kidney damage, and a potential diabetes diagnosis, he remained at high risk for future blockages even after additional treatment. He required another unblocking surgery and is now being evaluated for Perineal Urethrostomy (PU) surgery. Faced with the likelihood of ongoing complex medical care beyond our ability to provide, we made the heartbreaking decision to medically surrender him so he could receive the treatment he needed. My concern is not that Mao had medical issues. Animals with special needs deserve loving homes. My concern is that critical medical history, documented recommendations, and the seriousness of his condition were not fully disclosed before adoption. Full transparency allows adopters to make informed decisions and helps ensure animals are placed in situations where their medical needs can be properly anticipated and managed. Despite everything that happened, we loved Mao deeply during the short time we had him. In just six days, he became part of our family, which made the decision to surrender him even more painful. We wanted nothing more than to give him a safe, stable, and loving home, and we were fully committed to following his medical care plan. What makes this experience so difficult is the feeling that Mao was not set up for success before adoption. Given the severity of his medical history, the lack of disclosure, and the absence of the recommended observation and veterinary consultation, it seems he was placed for adoption without the safeguards necessary to ensure he was truly stable. Looking back, it is hard not to feel that Mao was denied the best possible chance at a healthy and happy transition into a permanent home. He deserved better, and I hope lessons are learned from his case so that future adopters and animals do not experience the same heartbreak. Do better.

I have adopted 2 kitties from them. It was a pleasure working with Lisa. My kitties are so…read moredifferent from each other. Jax is a super gentle boy. His siter, Cocoa, is my wild child. Crazy but completely lovable. So glad that I have them! Would highly recommend Paws for love!

I AM IN LOVE. 5/5, 10/10 whichever rating you go by, Paws for Love International is amazing…read more My partner and I have been looking and applying to a handful of kitten adoptions in MA by using Petfinder and Adopt-A-Pet websites. Both great search engines to research cats at all life stages with different personalities who are waiting for their forever home. There were a couple of kittens that caught our eye but they get snatched up quick by other adopters! Who can blame them, they're too adorable to pass up. Only a couple of them responded back after I sent in an application, but Lisa (adoption coordinator from PFL) responded in just a couple of hours after I set my eyes on my Emi (her original name is Lizza on their website and Adopt-A-Pet). Lisa was and still is SUPER responsive, informative, patient and adaptive to what we needed. You can tell, she genuinely wants you to feel secured with your choice and only wants the best for the cats. She even got me in contact with the foster who was raising Emi in Eqypt after she and her siblings were rescued from a horrible pet shop (they were all stuck in a small cage, in dire need of veterinary care). From the beginning, she said all the cats that are available to adopt are from Eqypt and will be flying from Eqypt once a month when you are ready to go forward with adoption. Unfortunately, we weren't able to meet Emi in-person, but being able to communicate with the foster who is taking care of her completely convinced me to adopt Emi. Mona, the foster was VERY responsive as well. Very caring and loving. She showed me so many pictures and videos of Emi, describing her personality and stories that makes her who she is. Mona sent me pictures of the food she was eating, her litter, toys, etc. and also updated me on her health and wellness checkups. If I had any questions about Emi, she was 100% honest and informative. She even updated me every moment up until she dropped Emi off at the airport with the cat transportation broker who was in charge of getting them through the 11 hr flight across the ocean to the US. (Carrier picture was at Cairo International Airport before her flight). Lisa coordinated picking up Emi from the airport and giving us updates on when and where to meet to pick up Emi. Everything went smoothly. I couldn't rave this part enough!!! All her vet and medical records were given to us with the carrier that Emi was in for the airport. This whole process took about a week from sending in an application! The adoption fee is very reasonable as well. It's been a couple of days now and Emi has acclimated very well in her forever home and our family she is an absolute treasure and I couldn't have asked for better baby. She is loving, playful, gentle and loves to cuddle. She is eating well, using the litter box regularly and is very comfortable with the both of us. Please consider Paws for Love if you are looking for a cat! Eqypt does not have any regulating laws to rescue stray cats from horrendous conditions and there is unfortunately plenty of them that still need their forever home.

Thank you so much to the mancheater animal shelter for your support when I'm in need for food for…read moremy pets

This is the little shelter that could. There are a great bunch of people who love animals and give…read moretheir all to every single one.

you are illegally doing things ...they don't live in NH and haven't been since the end of 2016 …read more... my buddy was from Tennessee as Stephanie said but my paper work says Mississippi .. been doin research Found that they have a place in Tennessee puppy mill????... so please reach out to me before ever adopting form this rescue they are not a nonprofit......stephanie asked for more money cuz my puppy buddy was supposedly pure breed ....and was not ..why would that matter anyways?... my puppy came from the south to Maine and then into my arms ..as Maine laws say all puppies/dogs need to be quarantine for 2 to 5 days depending on the age ..didn't happen in BUDDY's case or any puppies on that van...he started getting sick three days and then died at the vet hospital 3 days later do to this deadly parvovirus and he also had two parasites ...this so said nonprofit rescue are not fallowing the law ...also i was giving a picture of the puppy i adopted and then later found out that was not my puppy ..do to Stephanie saying she was not wearing her glasses at that time...i know people have great outcomes with her ...but i feel this is all so shady and a lot of laws were broken and now my family is devastated heartbroken with a 4000 vet bill. If only they followed the laws this would of never happened to any of us. There was 4 pups in that litter and all of them got sick My puppy Buddy is the only one that passed away . Please please reach out to me for more information....

I inquired about a pup at $450 willing to pay $250 and I got some speech of "get 3 days of sots and…read more5 days of meds" and this Stephanie goes on and on and how her family does without blah blah blah. Really, maybe her priorities need to sorted before taking on a task of such. Seems like failure as I have read other reviews. And her rant about breeder have minimal cost and obviously under some belief that good breeders don't vet clear their puppies with certified licensed vets. She is a wack job. And at the same time she is trying to build herself up as the almighty saviour she is crying it is a 24/7 job. Either suck it up or shut up and if some offers a reasonable price for a puppy/dog that you could purchase from a breeder oh and being worm/tick/flea free and with it's proper shots/deworming and certified vet certificate and without the Holier than thou attitude. It might be a rescue folks but there are others and great breeders that ensure quality pets that in the long run can save you money and heart burn by not dealing with the likes of Stephanie at Happy Homes for Dogs.

I used their self wash dog station and bought some things. Staff was helpful and friendly. I'll…read morebe going back there.

Friendly staff, competitive prices, great selection. Be on the lookout for deals throughout the…read morestore. Everything you need for cats, dogs, and small pets. So glad this spot is in Eliot!