Candace is amazing! She has made rescue and adoption her life's work. She has an innate ability to match you with the perfect dog for you and your lifestyle. Coordinating rescues, volunteers, fosters, and transportation is no small feat. Critter Cavalry is full of volunteers who are dedicated to animal rescue and welfare. There are those that believe rescue personnel should be fee free, but this couldn't be further from what is right and just for the animals. The goal is for them to have happy, healthy and supportive forever homes. The adoption process ensures this happens for each and every rescue. The two rescues I was lucky enough to adopt are the perfect pups! Healthy, happy and trained! Candace knows what she's doing read more

Highly recommend this rescue. This was our first time adopting and they made the process seamless. They were so thorough and made sure we were a good fit for our future rescue which I loved. We felt honored that they said yes and we got to adopt our favorite girl, Cali. read more

Critter Cavalry Rescue - Cali- the best girl - Animal Shelters Near Me - Franklin, Tennessee

Critter Calvary was the best experience I had in adopting my beautiful mini Australian Shepard, Pearl. Judi and Mayla went above and beyond. They love all of the pups as if they were their own. It was a wonderful process. They take the time in reviewing your application , answer all your questions and made it seamless took less than a week and I was able to bring My Girl home. I cannot recommend them enough. They are absolutely wonderful thank you again and I will be sure to recommend you guys to everyone I know. I may have rescued pearl, but she surely has saved me. read more

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We absolutely love how they helped us get our Phoenix. He has been a wonderful addition to our family and we are so grateful for him. The people/volunteers were so kind and sweet during the entire process. We recommend them to everyone we know. read more

Critter Calvary Rescue is simply the best! Going through the adoption process was wonderful. I liked that they vetted me by call from references and my Vet. Our little girl's foster family, Regina and Gabriella were so good to her and sent me pictures and updates during her foster stay. We met Tim and the van in Stauton, VA. Tim was so good with the van babies. He made sure they all got a little break from all the driving. When he put my little girl in my arms for the first time I started crying tears of joy. I promised her that her new life had just started and all she'd know from now on was love. I cannot thank Candace and her crew enough for the amazing job they do. I cannot thank them enough for allowing me to adopt my precious Joanie read more

Found a dog we liked, filled out the application, was approved and then, the foster parents decided they did not want to give him up. The Rescue waited three days before they let us know and we had to call them to find out that we were not getting the dog. Best to deal with a more reputable place. And their fees are not cheap. read more

I spoke to the receptionist about a kitten I had found, and she argued with me the whole call " you're not in Williamson you're in Davidson" " the cat can't be 4 pounds Its more likely to be 2lbs". Thank you for that information ma'am but I wanted to know how to help this cat. She was extremely rude and did not care about the animal. She did not give any resources just told me " we are super full right now. It's a major problem. You can send me pictures if you want." Horrible service. read more

I had a very positive experience with Critter Cavalry Rescue. I picked out a dog online that I thought I wanted to adopt and filled out an application. I included photos of my home and yard, along with personal references and my vet's information. Judi contacted me to let me know that the foster mom of the dog I wanted felt that he would do best if placed in a home with other dogs. Unfortunately, I have two cats but no other dogs. At first, I was disappointed, but Judi then suggested a different dog and sent me the info on him. She put me in touch with his foster mom, and the rest is history. The transport from TN to VA was excellent, and Tim, the driver, kept me informed along the way. Coal is a perfect fit for our family, and while I've had him only four days now, I can't imagine life without him. I've dealt with other rescues in the past, and this experience truly stands out as the best. The fact that CCR chose not to give me the dog (I thought I wanted) because it was in the dog's best interest tells you all you need to know. I highly recommend! ** ** I noticed a past reviewer accusing CCR of profiteering, and I know for a fact that this is false. I sent no money to CCR. I dealt directly with the transport driver and the vet hospital that neutered my dog. read more

Critter Cavalry Rescue - Coal, my amazing 15 month old Cockapoo! - Animal Shelters Near Me - Franklin, Tennessee

Volunteers are amazing . The transport fee in the description is hard to understand. Read carefully. We were very happy with our new family member and the mission of Critter Cavalry Rescue. Special thanks to Judy! read more

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Just adopted the sweetest dog! Everyone we worked with at Critter Cavalry and the foster affiliate were very caring people and made the process easy while still ensuring we were a good home for our new pup!! read more

I have worked with this rescue for years! Candice and Vivian are the best and care for both animals and people to the best of their ability. Highly recommend fostering for this rescue and adopting from them. read more

During a very sad time in my life, I attended The MARS adoption event (2011) and adopted Skeeter from Critter Cavalry Rescue. I met Candace Giles there, who was very thorough in her background search of me, because I was adopting one of her fosters. I am glad she did. After speaking with Candace, I was touched by the countless hours and work that her organization puts in, to help animals in need. So, my husband and I began to foster for CCR. We also became "failed fosters" to Xena and Aries. A pair of GS siblings found underneath a bridge in Nashville, that were taped inside a box. The stories of these poor pups is heart-breaking! It was truly an eye-opening experience. You have no idea how hard it is to care for these (mostly dogs) for weeks and then having to give them back, because they are on transport to their forever homes. There are vet visits, sitting hours, acclimation, socialization, basic skills training. So much that the potential adopters do not see, goes on behind the scene. CCR is a wonderful organization, with many volunteers. Our Skeeter is going strong at almost 15! I would definitely adopt from Candace again, or even foster, if we still lived in TN. read more

Amazing foster group!!! Kind, caring dedicated with nothing but love for animals. I would recommend this group to anyone serious about saving an animals life. We need more Critter Calvary on this world. read more

Fantastic group of dedicated people doing everything they can to keep animals out of shelters . I have a kitty and a dog from them and I could not say enough nice things about everything they did to help me connect with my fur family . Thank you critter calvary! read more

Sorry, Candace. you posting your own reply 4 years after I wrote it is a thinly veiled attempt to raise your rating. I work with a rescue in Ala. that transports pets to New England, so I'm well aware of the costs involved. I stand by what I say that you are running a rescue for profit, regardless of your 501c3 status. You claim you feel sorry for my pets? I wish I could come back in my next life being treated like I treat my pets. I have adopted 3 dogs from this rescue, and I have fostered for them, and fundraised for them. Your shabby and dishonest treatment of me is not only your loss, but sadly it is another loss for the dogs you exploit for personal gain. read more

I can't say enough good things about Critter Cavalry rescue and couldn't have asked for a better experience as a first-time rescuer! Yes, they are very thorough and ask for a lot of information, but they do this to ensure the animals they rescue go to the right homes and don't have to endure any more trauma in their lives. If we had listened to all the negativity, we would not have Honey, our beautiful Pom Chiweenie, previously known as Treasure and let me tell you she has been a real treasure to us the last 5 plus months. We love her so much and couldn't imagine our lives without her! She had previously endured so much being found on the streets of TN alone and scared with puppies when she was just a puppy herself. I don't even want to imagine what she went through. CC worked with the local shelter to ensure she was saved, spayed, had most of her shots and went to a great foster while awaiting her forever home. Everyone we dealt with from Carol with the application process, Shannon who checked references, Karen who was part of New England area transport and helped arrange her interim foster mom Alyssa, have all been great. We were able to speak to Karen and FaceTime with Alyssa and Honey while still going through application process. We were lucky to pick her up only a couple hours from us, Tim and Harold were great with transport, and we had her home with us only 6 days after starting the process. Karen still follows up periodically to check on her. In my opinion, these volunteers go above and beyond to help these animals find loving, hopefully forever homes. If you are looking for a pet, please rescue and please give Critter Cavalry a shot, you won't be disappointed! read more

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We recently adopted a precious 2 yr old black Labrador and can't speak highly enough about this wonderful organization. Candace Simpson Giles was great and all the representatives we worked with were kind, professional, and responsive. The adoption process went quickly and smoothly (rated 5 of 5). Our sweet Labrador came out of her wonderful foster home happy, healthy and ready to become a member of our family. Thank you Critter Cavalry. Your commitment to providing animals to good homes is exceptional. Your thoroughness in ensuring each animal is matched with an appropriate adopter is so important for all involved. Highly recommend. read more

Such a great experience with Calvary Critter Rescue. We are so happy to have found our new puppy. read more

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Critter Cavalry Rescue is my new, go-to for pet rescue and adoption. I can't recommend them strongly enough. Their communication was stellar! Prompt, courteous and thorough. The communication from the foster mom was equally fantastic. We adopted a baby lab mix puppy who started life in the wild, found in a barn a couple of days after her mom and siblings were found, and you can imaging what a scared little baby she would be. While she was a little nervous at first (who wouldn't be!) she was interacting and chasing us around after a few short minutes. The team at CCR asked for pics which we gladly sent. I'm not going to comment on other negative reviews but take them with a grain of salt. Anyone can have a bad day and since this rescue is staffed by volunteers, communication standards can be difficult to maintain. I experienced NO problems with the several members of their team over the couple of days it took to fill out the application, go through the interview process, sharing photos of our yard and contacting the foster mom. We are now waiting (somewhat impatiently), for the transport of our second puppy! LOVE this rescue and appreciate all of the volunteers (staff, foster parents) and their leadership. read more

Critter Cavalry Rescue - Office manager! Sleeping on the job on her first day! ;) - Animal Shelters Near Me - Franklin, Tennessee

I just adopted a wonderful rescue puppy through the auspices of this organization. I cannot sing their praises more highly. From the beginning of the application process through the final pick-up of our new fur baby from their transport operation, their attention to detail and genuine care for the dear rescues in their charge is ever so apparent. I have dealt with some other rescue organizations where there was not only a great lack of communication, but also an aura of callousness and disinterest. Critter Cavalry is truly interested in the welfare of their furry charges and do all possible to find the most loving homes for their rescues. At the same time, they are transparent and establish open communication with hopeful adopters. They have phenomenal fosters who are able to provide the rescues with a loving, secure and attentive temporary household in preparation for their forever adoptive families. Once an adopter has been chosen, every detail regarding the logistics of the payment of fees and the process of pick-up in coordination with their transport up from Tennessee to the Northeast is seamless! I am heartned to know that there are animal rescues such as this one! Thank you for all that you do! read more

I had a very pleasant and somewhat easy experience with critter Calvary adopting my loving, sweet, calm flat coated retriever mix rescue. I was pleasantly surprised they checked all references. The only reason I can't give them a 5 star rating is the Vet records caused me to have to do some extra work on my part. I had to reach out to the foster for more info after I received the dog. The foster was very communicative and quick responses. I also didn't receive the rabies tag they have to mail it to me. The communication was great. The transport was seamless, but I expected to have the dog food the dog had been eating at the foster and a toy pr something to help him transition easily. Considering it is all volunteer based I understand the imperfection. for my first rescue experienc. I'd use this rescue again and refer others to them. Very nice group of people doing hero's work. read more

This rescue organization is phenomenal. They are quick to respond to any and all questions that you may have. Candace is so sweet and very informative. I could not have asked for a better experience. All of their pups are loved and taken care of like they were their own. It was a quick and easy process. They do thorough background checks to keep the pups safe. This organization is top notch. I highly recommend them to anyone interested in adoption rescue. I am so thankful I found them. Colleen read more

Everyone from Candace who helped us get started with the information we needed to adopt our new family member "Bandit" to Peggy her foster mom, who was so kind and helpful in all our conversations and Judi who kept our girl overnight so we could pick her up in the morning and was just so nice. We thank them all for what they do and are glad we now have Bandit in our life. read more

Critter Cavalry Rescue - Animal Shelters Near Me - Franklin, Tennessee

Critter Cavalry was great! They responded to me in a timely manner. They did incredible work with the dog I adopted, who had been neglected. They did every thing they could to make this easy for me, including finding someone who would bring my dog the extra distance to New Hampshire from their usual drop-off location in Connecticut. I highly recommend them. read more

We had a great experience adopting a dog from CCR. The volunteers were friendly and responsive. read more

Critter Cavalry Rescue - Dogs - Animal Shelters Near Me - Franklin, Tennessee

The only response would have been to return Lois. I had reached out dozens of times, filed a stollen dog complaint with the chip company, reached out to vets in your area... not a single attempt on your part was made to rectify the situation and hold the women in question accountable for the lies they told...3 years later saying you are sorry, when I do not know if Lois is even alive ,is offensive at best. read more

We are so pleased with the Critter Cavalry Rescue experience. Communication with both agency and foster family was excellent. Transport was seamless and convenient. We are so in love with our rescue Leo. These folks are true animal angels who give dogs a second chance at life. read more

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I cannot find the words to describe how truly amazing the people are at Critter Calvary! From our experience with Judi and Candace through the application process, to Tim through transport - they were all extremely helpful and knowledgeable. Beyond all that, their connections and resourcefulness were instrumental when our secondary private transport fell through last-minute. Candace and Tim were able to jump into action and make sure our sweet pup was cared for until we could drive down to get him There is no better rescue organization than Critter Calvary! Thank you for bringing Trevor into our lives and completing our family!!! read more

Critter Cavalry Rescue - Animal Shelters Near Me - Franklin, Tennessee

We adopted a Great Pyrenees mix and this oragnization was amazing helping us to know that we were matching with the right animal. We were a little nervous about adopting a 100lb dog who was a year old. Critter Rescue was so honest with us in calls after we were accepted to adopt him describing him perfectly. They set my mind at ease and this dog is everything we hoped he would be and more. This rescue cared for him so beautifully. He arrived in perfect health, very clean and fluffy and was very affectionate and kind from the moment we met him. Critter Calvary and its volunteers are doing amazing work. If you can adopt through them, I highly recommend them! read more

Critter Cavalry Rescue - Animal Shelters Near Me - Franklin, Tennessee

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I would recommend critter cavalry to anyone looking for a loving companion. We struck gold with both of our adoptions. read more

Critter Cavalry Rescue - Animal Shelters Near Me - Franklin, Tennessee

CCR did everything right and brought us our sweet Lena and our home has never been the same. She needed a home but who rescued who is up for debate. read more

Critter Cavalry Rescue - Lena came to us 2 1/2 years ago. Thank you Critter Cavalry! - Animal Shelters Near Me - Franklin, Tennessee

We just received our new family member, Sadie from Critter Cavalry Rescue. She is a Welsh Corgi/Chihuahua mix. It was the first time that we used the internet to find a pet and have it shipped for hours to get to us. We were a little concerned to start, but CCR quickly put our concerns to rest. The woman that we worked with (Judi) as superb! CCR made this a great experience from start to finish. First, they make sure the adopting family is a good match for the animal. Then, they make sure the animal is a good fit for the family. Our new girl was thoroughly checked by the vet to make sure she was in the peak of health - CCR sent all her vet records with her. Prior to receiving Sadie, she was so well cared for! The foster-mom Ada, was so helpful in providing the details about Sadie's personality and care. When we finally received her, it was as though we already knew her. Ada cared for Sadie as if she were her own - and it showed when we received her. The delivery van arrives over night, so be prepared - that's just how it's done. Ours new pet came after 3AM. The drivers were also quite personable. The van was clean and odor-free. The transport cages were comfortable sizes for the animals. We would highly recommend Critter Cavalry Rescue to anyone looking for their next special family member. They were outstanding! Keith & Kathy Vogrin Bethlehem, Pennsylvania read more

I fostered for them (out of state) for 5 years. Nearly 70 dogs. We loved each and every one! Candace became a friend--she was super responsive to us if we needed something--put me in touch with a behavioral coach if there was an issue (i.e. pulls on leash or other small issue) and a vet if a medical issue, and made sure I had access to what I needed for the success of getting the dog placed. I loved that they really care about the dogs and gave them the care they needed. They don't just take the cute and healthy. They really Rescue! We ended up adopting one of our fosters from them. They are wonderful to work with and we'd still be doing it if we hadn't moved away from their adopting region. The weekly transport from TN to CT is operated by Tim (husband of co-owner of rescue) and another helper. They are the best! We lived an hour from where the transport passes through Maryland and it came around midnight. We were updated by Tim of the arrival time when he was enroute. Always a pleasure to see them! I would highly recommend Critter Cavalry Rescue. They care where their rescues are placed. read more

I found a dog on Petfinder at animal control in Lawrenceburg TN. I called the the shelter and spoke the director, Renee. I explained that I lived in Ky and needed a couple of days to drive down to get her. She was so kind and said she would make some calls to see if a rescue could help me. Candace at Critter Cavalry and her fosters did just that! They managed to get her vetted, spayed and driven to Nashville where I picked her up. I would have never gotten this sweetie home without their help. I know that Critter Cavalry takes a high volume of dogs and cats in dire need of good homes. Running a rescue has to be exhausting on so many levels. I was lucky my dog did not have any serious health issues. In some cases they do and the shelter can't always make everything perfect but do their best. You must know the risks and be willing to commit if you adopt a neglected, abused or abandoned animal. I highly recommend this rescue! read more

No star would be a better option. I can't believe this organization could ruin such a special moment as an adoption. Back story. I was looking online for a kitten to adopt, I found a kitten on the website. We're I absolutely fell in love with now They have these filters, so you can look for specific Types my specific type was for a male kitten. When I found the kitten I was looking for and I thought everything was okay.I contacted filled up the forms and adopted this kitten. Come to find out the kitten is actually a female, and nobody at this organization or the previous foster parents ever decided to check the cats veterinary record, stating that the animal is actually a female. Everything that was posted online about this animal says he's male. When I asked gwen the lady that I adopted the cat through if it was a male, she said, yes. Now when I contacted the organization through email, I was ignored when I tried to text them about the issue. I've seen that my message were read and ignore it again. And finally, when I called candace simpson to try and resolve this issue.I was laughed at and hung up on. Unfortunate how this situation was handled by these people. read more

Adopting with Critter Cavalry was such a wonderful experience. From communication, foster home connection, description of the pet and pick up at transport, everything was seamless. After losing our beloved Beagle a few month ago, the volunteers kept in touch with us to find us just the right match with our current dogs and home lifestyle. I have been a rescue volunteer myself for over ten years, so from my own experiences with animal placement, this is and was a gold star experience. Thank you, Candace and Carol for the most beautiful Beagle " Lil' Blue Bea" who is now happily in her forever home with us. We could not be more grateful for your efforts and all the work your dedicated volunteers do for the animals. read more

Critter Cavalry Rescue - Happy first day home. - Animal Shelters Near Me - Franklin, Tennessee

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I highly recommend adopting from this rescue! The communication was great and everyone I spoke to was so kind and willing to answer any and all questions. They kept us updated through every step of the process. Our puppy is sweeter than we could've imagined and im grateful we found this rescue to work with!! read more

We adopted Indy, formerly Puppy Cade, in February. He has filled our home with energy and unconditional love. The adoption process was thorough and simple. Adopting a new furry family member can be a little uneasy, but all of our questions were answered and we were able to speak to his foster to ask questions about his day to day. We are thankful we were able to meet up with his transporter a few hours from home. Indy is a smart, easy going pup who loves to be with his humans. We are thankful to Critter Calvary and their volunteers who work tirelessly to find the best homes for their rescues. read more

I adopted my dog (Laika) from Critter Cavalry way back in April 2013, and I was so happy with the experience and the group that I decided to foster for them. Laika is such an amazing part of my life, and in order to have found her way to me, someone needed to foster her, so I just wanted to give back and put that same energy back into the world. I've fostered well over 100 dogs in the past 8 years, and it's been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. Sometimes fostering is stressful. Every dog is unique, and I think Candace and our other volunteers do a great job of matching up compatible dog personalities for my personal lifestyle. For example, I don't have a fenced in yard, so we know that high energy dogs that need to run around a lot will not be happy here. The thing that sets Critter Calvary apart from less reputable groups is that I never feel pressured to continue fostering a dog that is absolutely not working here. I never feel stuck with a dog. We have a wonderful network of local volunteers and there have been a handful of times when a dog is just not working well here, and we can almost always swap foster dogs, or step in and help eachother out somehow. It's really great to have that support system of people who have also worked with lots of different dogs that I can bounce ideas off of, or who will step in to help me out when I get overwhelmed. There have been times where I have too much going on in my life, and I take a short break from fostering, because I know that I just don't have the emotional capacity to be helpful to a dog, and Candace has never made me feel bad, or pressured me to take a dog when I am not in a good place. I never feel trapped with a dog that I can't handle. I have never had any experiences with the group that has led me to ever question their dedication to the health or care for a dog. The dogs have a long ride up to CT, and when they come up on transport, their have clean crates, the dogs aren't stinky, and it's absolutely obvious that Tim and his co-driver take excellent care of them on the way up and make sure that they're not sitting in filth or uncomfortable. Every dog that comes up has a clean bill of health before they get on transport, and has been vaccinated. These dogs all have different histories, some are owner surrenders, some are a basket of puppies that end up on someone's doorstep, but most are strays that come from overcrowded shelters and a ticking clock. Emergencies can happen, and the dog's health always comes first. I have an open dialog with Candace if I suspect anything is unanticipated is wrong, and we'll work together to either get a vet consult, a dog behavior consult, or in rare cases, a visit to the ER. I have never been put in a position where I quesiton anyone's dedication to happy, healthy dogs. A common complaint that I see is about phone calls. I'll be completely honest... I'm a millenial and I'm terrified of the phone. I also have a full time job and a life, and every few months, Candace has to kick me in the pants and remind me that the phone isn't my enemy and that I really should get better at calling people back quicker. Other foster parents have large families and life just gets in the way sometimes. We really do try to respond to emails quickly and respond to phone calls quickly, but all I ask is that people understand that we're all just human, we're all volunteers, and there's always some emergency somewhere that takes up our time, so maybe if you're applying for a dog that's already adopted, it's possible that you get put on the back burner for a minute for a response. We don't have a customer service center. We're just people. Be nice, send a follow up email and ask for an update. If you act like a jerk, there's a good chance we won't respond at all. Don't be a jerk. We're saving dogs here, relax. Rescuing dogs can be a thankless job, and my heart has been broken over and over by how terribly people can treat man's best friend. Sometimes I'll get a dog that has absolutely no reason to ever trust people again, but yet they do. Over and over. Dogs have this amazing ability to live in the moment and not hold a grudge. I am constantly humbled by their willingness to let go of their distrust in exchange for some cookies and a cozy lap. I am humbled by the absolute pure joy in their hearts when I come in the door. It's a constant reminder to myself that I also possess the ability to be that joyful if I could let go of past grievances. I struggle with social anxiety, but when I see a dog who has every reason to be afraid of humans absolutely melt into butt wiggles and a wagging tail and a big smile when they meet their new family, it's a reminder that I can't control other people, but I can control how *I* interact with the world. read more

Critter Cavalry Rescue - Animal Shelters Near Me - Franklin, Tennessee

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We adopted a pug from CCR and couldn't be happier with the process. From initial application, vetting, and final adoption, everything was done quickly and thoroughly. Great experience! read more

Critter Cavalry Rescue - Animal Shelters Near Me - Franklin, Tennessee