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    Border Tails Rescue

    3.8 (48 reviews)
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    Updated 2 months ago

    Services - Border Tails Rescue

    Animal shelters

    Pet adoption

    Border Tails Rescue Photos

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    My girl and her son reunited, thanks to Border Tails
    Jami R.

    Yelp removed my review that has been up for 2.5 years, claiming I'm either an employee or related to one, but neither of those things are true. My only affiliation with Border Tails, is that I adopted my dog from there in April 2021, and I am forever grateful to them. I also feel very protective over them, because I've seen how much they help both dogs and people, and there are some really crazy things said about them that don't even make sense. I haven't personally experienced or witnessed anyone, especially Harleigh, being rude. However, even if that's true, you're rescuing a dog, not eating a five course meal in a fine dining restaurant. I didn't choose my dog from here because I had any expectations of customer service. If that's how you choose where your dog is from, I think you should probably ask yourself if your dog is really the priority. Anyway, my dog was found as a stray in Arkansas with another Mom dog, and two litters of puppies. Both Moms were Heartworm positive, and had intestinal parasites. Border Tails paid for two Moms, plus eight puppies to come to Chicago, for spay and neuter for all of them, vetting, deworming, and even covered the full Heartworm treatment for the two Mom dogs, which would have been thousands of dollars that I didn't have! Border Tails even went to bat for me when we had some issues with the Heartworm treatment clinic. In addition, we got to reunite with the other Mom dog, as well as one of my dog's puppies, thanks to Border Tails connecting us! Say what you want, but Border Tails is adopting out way more dogs than other larger and more established rescues, so they are obviously doing a lot of things right. Does that mean they are perfect? Doubtful, as I have yet to meet any human that is. But that's no reason to avoid them. They do give a disclaimer that they can't guarantee that the dogs are healthy. But I know they do their best to get the dogs healthy. At least they are honest about it. My family has had to put down two pets within the first year and a half of getting them because the rescue was dishonest (this is another Chicago area rescue that shall remain nameless). I've also heard so many horror stories about rescues lying about the dogs being Heartworm positive, intentionally not testing them, or cheating out on paying for the treatment. This is not what Border Tails does. They are also attached to a well established vet now, so they can literally walk the dogs next door for vet appointments. I will never be able to repay Border Tails for everything they have done for me. I dream about the day I can adopt a second dog. Even though I have moved out of Illinois, I will absolutely come back to BTR to adopt again, because I know how much they care about both their dogs and their human adopters. The negative reviews on here really make me angry. I wish you could see in BTR what I see in them.

    He was 4.2 pounds and no one wanted him because of an eye condition that we haven't had any issues with yet.
    Megan B.

    I am OBSESSED with Border Tails Rescue. I can't save enough good things about Border Tails. They have the best staff and dogs (incredible variety of ages, sizes, breeds). I adopted from them about 6 months ago, and have had the best experience. The staff truly works so hard and cares about each dog. They are helpful, responsive and you can tell the entire shelter cares about ensuring you and your adopted pet are set up for success not just before, and during the adoption process, but long after too. TLDR version: you'd be an idiot not to check out BTR, seriously.

    as you see there is no hip socket. he was born like this.
    Mark G.

    we rescued Dino (ripp) last year from btr. we first noticed at a very young age that he bunny hops everywhere. they said it was normal and he was in great shape. well we noticed a few weeks later that his left hip wasnt looking right. so we took him to our vet for a look at it. found out right there that he was born with out a left hip socket from birth. so we talked a few times with izzy and they decided to have there specialist look at his and perform a fho ( btr had agreed to pay for this surgery completely) well we drove 2 hours to the surgery center and they declined the surgery because he was to big and to young for it and recommended a total hip replacement surgery when he got near 2. Well we had been in constant contact with izzy about this and they suggested rehab on dino. (they had agreed to pay for the rehab) so after the first consulation with the rehab they sent the bill to btr which they paid, but wanted us to immediately pay them back for it. i have pictures of his xrays which i will post on this. if you are thinking about rescuing from them spend the money and get them xrayed so you wont be shocked when we have to shell out 20,000 to get his hip fixed. they lie and backtrack and blame us for his injury.

    Phillip B.

    Ok so I'm reviewing this place because the owner and I did have a conversation. After careful review while I'm not going to fully rescind my other review, in the end they made it right and I would give this place another look down the road and would recommend to others to give it an honest review and look

    Our sweet Olympus (formerly "Harvey Wallbanger")!
    Di D.

    We finalized our puppy's adoption today (Olympus formerly Harvey Wallbanger) and we are so happy we adopted through Border tails! Our entire foster to adopt process went smoothly and the staff here was super friendly and caring throughout. We got a thorough walk through to meet all of the available dogs when we first came to visit and we were given play time with our puppy to get to know him before making a decision The dogs here are very well taken care of and I am so grateful they have such big hearts to help so many pets find loving homes! I'm hoping to foster in the future when my puppy is older and i will definitely go through Border tails when that time comes! Thanks again to everyone at Border tails for all that you do!!

    Pantera (fka: French Toast)
    Andrea R.

    Border Tails Rescue is amazing. I was looking into a puppy from a litter and emailed them about it. They were quick to call back and make an appointment for me to go in. I was in and out of there with the puppy in less than an hour. They went over everything with me to foster-adopt the puppy and they made the process extremely smooth! I will definitely rescue here in the future again!

    My new furry friend!

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    Harleigh G.

    Thank you for this kind review!

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    Harleigh G.

    Thank you for this kind review! We love having you on our team.

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    Harleigh G.

    Thank you for this kind review!

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    Harleigh G.

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    4 years ago

    Highly recommend :))) Professional and has a passion for animals

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    Page 1 of 2

    Ask the Community - Border Tails Rescue

    What's the procedure (requirement)to take a dog to give unto adoption to you guys?

    Hi Zurdo! We are sorry to hear you might be facing the difficult & heartbreaking decision of surrendering a dog. We understand that unfortunately situations do arise that make families unable to keep or continue to provide care for their pups.… Read more

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

    Review Highlights - Border Tails Rescue

    After just a few volunteer visits, I have nothing but the utmost respect for the staff there.

    Mentioned in 3 reviews

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    All 4 the Love of Cats - Cat Adoption in Palatine, Illinois

    All 4 the Love of Cats

    (5 reviews)

    CAT LOVERS BEWARE...DO NOT adopt from this person Sarah!!!!! If I could give her a negative rating,…read moreI would!!! She makes one of the happiest things to do the most heartbreaking and miserable experience!!! My son and I had recently lost both of our sweet cats (Lucy and Ricky) within 4 months of each other due to cancers and heart issues. All we wanted to do was fill our home again with the love of a new cat. We fell in love with one sweet kitten and wanted to take him home so badly! She then proceeded to tell us we could not adopt one single cat because he was a brother to another. So we considered taking both, but she refused to see us or even let us see and hold the cats unless we took a pair. She said that we were wasting her time! She told us they were brothers, but with no proof. All she kept saying is that they were bonded...don't let people sucker you into taking two cats that way! She didn't care at all about the welfare of the cats. Then she proceeded to tell us that the cats were $260 a piece, when it is posted on the website that the adoption fees were $150 per cat! She vindictive and money hungry and is not at all concerned for the wellbeing of the cats!!! It's very sad for people to use their control over something like that when an animal could have a wonderful life in a warm and loving home!

    Got one star because it is impossible to give zero. I called the number for the Niles store, but…read moregot no answer. However, I immediately received a text from that number asking what I was calling about. No call back, no request for ME to call again, this person insisted on handling everything through text. Marvelous. When I said I was interested in adopting, I was curtly asked which location, and was informed that the hours posted are NOT necessarily the hours available, and that they NEVER do same-day adoptions. (Perhaps they wanted to run a background check on me - I don't know.). When I questioned why, they said something about too many returned adoptions. I'm not sure I follow the logic on just how making me wait would make me more inclined to keep the cat, but whatever. So, I then asked what options we had for arranging an interview/adoption, and their response was "What is your hurry? Adoptions are a 20-year commitment." As if I didn't already know that. This ain't my first rodeo. I can understand their desire to make sure their cats find good homes, but immediately assuming, and even accusing that I would NOT provide a good home is not the way to do this. I responded by telling them I found their suggestion more than a little insulting, but played along and explained myself and the housing situation the new adoptee would be encountering. I have heard nothing back since. I don't think this person is serious about finding good homes for the cats entrusted to their care. I suggest looking elsewhere.

    Anti-Cruelty - Adoptable female cat, Lotus, posing for a photo as staff prepare the adoption center for the day's visitors.

    Anti-Cruelty

    (464 reviews)

    River North, Near North Side

    Great staff. I had researched cats on line and knew the one I wanted to meet. The staff were great,…read moremeet went well and the adoption process was easy. The huge problem was my cat was starving. When I looked at the records this small cat lost 20% of her body weight in about 3 months. When I got her home and fed her the same food she couldn't keep it down. If I continued with feeding her that food, and I added a good quality canned food, same issue, she wouldn't have last 6 weeks. Luckily a friend gave me a bag of food which I tried. 3 months later she is healthy, great weight and happy. I know they are a huge number of animals to watch but even their vets commented on how skinny she was and how she was losing weight. There is some lack.

    Have been trying to adopt a surrender. We've talked to several people about this and each one…read morepromised to call back. We know the person that surrendered him and this is where he took him. First we were told he had been neutered and it would be a couple of days. They knew we were going to take the dog! Called today, got the run-around, put in hold and then disconnected. Called back and was told the dog was "transferred" but they would not divulge where he was taken. We were told a manager would call back ... didn't happen. Sent an e-mail to Darlene, the president, again no response. How sad. I used to donate a lot of money to this shelter, but stopped because of poor practices. I'll send my money to Felines and Canines. They genuinely care about the animals. Please don't take your dogs there!

    Tree House Humane Society

    Tree House Humane Society

    (224 reviews)

    West Rogers Park

    I am a crazy cat lady. With that said, I always look for excuses to pat more cats I can find. On…read moreone October off-work day, I made a reservation for the "Tree House Humane Society" cafe to see some cats in West Rogers Park. Reservation was done online and no deposit was needed. I paid $10 onsite which included a drink or pastry of my choice and 30 min play time with these feline beauties. When I arrived at the cafe at the scheduled time, the young lady at the cafe informed me there was only one cat in the cafe area but offered me to see some more cats upstairs. Honestly, that was a great trade-off even though she kept apologizing to me for the inconvenience. I was able to enjoy my iced chai and visited some kittens and adult cats in different colonies. Toys and hand sanitizers were provided as we entered and exited each colony. The barista lady introduced me to the cats that were awake for some playtime. Too bad 30 minutes went by way to fast and it was time for me to leave. "Tree House Humane Society" is near the 49B (Western) bus stop. I personally had to take 3 busses from my house to get there, so I do recommend driving since parking should not be too hard to find. There are spots by the building for the patrons I assume.

    What an impressive rescue shelter. It was the first stop on our journey to find a new cat. After…read morereviewing all of the adoptable felines, we fell in love with a small 1 year old cat that they called Toaster. She is perfect. Because of Bissell's Clear Out The Shelters" special (May 1- May 17) adoption fees were reduced from $115 to $70.

    Roll Over Animal Rescue

    Roll Over Animal Rescue

    (6 reviews)

    ***If you're looking to rescue from here BEWARE***…read more I adopted a puppy from this organization in 2019. Unfortunately after years of trying to correct behavioral and paying hundreds of dollars trying to correct this nothing worked. I reached out to Marsha Perry in 2020 to inform her of the problems and she simply told me to look into training (which we already had spend hundred on). In March of 2024 I reached out to her again to tell her I had tried everything and couldn't keep the dog anymore. Marsha said "ROAR has not been doing dogs for many years and has transitioned to mostly cats". She also said "can't he be kept in a cage or in a separate area of the house?" She became extremely vile, unresponsive at times and simply refused to help. At the time do adoption we were told they would take the dog back NO QUESTIONS ASKED, should "life happen" and we could keep him anymore. Clearly not the case. I continued to reach out to other rescues in the area and unfortunately a few months later my husband lost his job, we had to move in with family and their senior dog gets severe anxiety around other dogs. So keeping our behavioral complex dog was not an option. I reached out to a shelter in desperation and explained to them everything that Marsha had said to me. I even showed them emails and they were APPALLED! They were happy to take him in and take care of him. A few days later Marsha emails me with a very nasty tone "I can't believe you thought this was a better option for him." Ummm...you left me no choice! Please stay away from this organization. Not only will they NOT honor signed contracts, the owner Marsha will harass you, belittle you and be flat out be nasty to you. I have reported this organization. These people shouldn't be allowed to continue to foster animals. I can only imagine how they treat those poor animals.

    Well they let me adopt my best friend so I'd say I loved it ! Please adopt don't shop!!!!!read more

    Community Animal Rescue Effort - CARE - Volunteer works with a C.A.R.E. dog.

    Community Animal Rescue Effort - CARE

    (22 reviews)

    Stellar experience at C.A.R.E. Catherine was wonderful to work with. The facility was clean and…read morewell-kept every time I visited. And the animals seemed healthy and well cared for. This is the first time I've brought a shelter animal home without major health issues. After a God-awful experience fostering for a cat shelter on the north side of the city -- which lied to me repeatedly about the foster cat's condition and then heartlessly euthanized her -- C.A.R.E. was 180 degrees different and a breath of fresh air. Often shelter cats are underweight and saddled with at least one type of parasite, despite the shelter's best efforts. That was not the case here; in fact, the cat got a clean bill of health on her first vet trip, which she handled like a pro, leaving a trail of admirers behind her. That said, extra credit to C.A.R.E. for treating the less robust kitties, with cancer and similar illnesses, that other shelters are too cheap to deal with. If you're thinking of adopting or fostering, come meet the animals here.

    Applied online to rescue a dog. my dog passed after 12 years. Gail called me after a couple of days…read more& she told me that I was too old to adopt, (I am 74). My husband and I own a home with a fenced back yard. then this Gail also said that if I had to downsize, what would I do with the dog. I told her that I eoukd bring dog w/me. she was just making excuses for me not to adopt. very discriminating. I would never recommend this rescue, it's sad that there r so many dogs that need adopting.

    Greater Chicago Cavalier Rescue - Ryno, the wonder Cavalier!

    Greater Chicago Cavalier Rescue

    (4 reviews)

    WOW! I finally hit 500!…read more I wanted to make this review special--something that's close to my heart (just like my other 100 markers!). For those of you who know me, know that I love my pooch Ryno. He's a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, and yes, is treated like royalty. I have yet to meet a Cavalier that hasn't been sweet, awesome, and overall just a great catch! I have not adopted from this rescue, but know people who have, I've also met a few people affiliated with the rescue at various meet ups and dog shows throughout IL and even WI. :-) You couldn't ask for a bunch of better people! Here's a little about their mission (taken from their website): GCCR's mission is to help ensure the health and security of abused, abandoned, and otherwise endangered Cavalier King Charles Spaniels by rehabilitating and placing Cavaliers from shelters and similar situations, by assisting breeders and owners in finding new homes for their Cavaliers, and by providing to the public educational materials and consultation regarding Cavalier health and care. The growing popularity of Cavalier King Charles Spaniels has prompted increased breeding by unscrupulous breeders and puppy mills. This development suggests that owners' concerns about health as well as the number of Cavaliers in need will only grow. Placement of Cavaliers in new homes without appropriate, knowledgeable veterinary testing may result in unforeseen, serious heartaches for new owners. The GCCR as well as other dedicated Cavalier rescuers and owners are here to help.

    It seems like the two other reviews say it all!! I volunteer with the GCCR and can't believe how…read moresupportive, nurturing, and selfless this group of people truly are. We have members who have owned cavaliers for over 20 years and novice owners. All of which are dedicated to educating the public, raising awareness, and rescuing these lovely dogs. Please join our group on facebook or check out the rescue website: www.gccavalierrescue.org

    Border Tails Rescue - petadoption - Updated May 2026

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