My daughter contacted the Milo Foundation to adopt a puppy. She was told there were five puppies available & she was assured of getting one. They went to visit the puppies at the foster mom's. My daughter is overweight, but my almost 14 year old granddaughter is not. The foster mom decided my daughter's family was not "active enough". Guess it is still okay to discriminate against someone because of their weight. Disgusting. They were denied the puppy. My granddaughter had gotten to play with the puppy & fell in love with it. This woman, and the Milo Foundation as well, were unnecessarily cruel. That puppy would have had the best life ever. It would have been loved & cared for significantly better than most dog owners. Instead, my granddaughter's heart was broken by a pathetic excuse for a human being! Please don't donate to this organization! They owe my daughter & granddaughter an apology! read more

WE have been looking for a dog for about 2.5 years after our Aussie died. I have found Milo to be very helpful, but do agree with some of the other reviews that sometimes I got misinformation about dogs I wanted to see. I just happened to look up their adoptable dogs page after going to another shelter and being beat out yet again for a dog that we really wanted to meet. I think this time we were first. Loved that Tam was in foster care. The woman that was caring for him was wonderful and had so much great information on him. I think truly a better experience bc we just met her at Milo and did all the paperwork there which was so easy. Everyone was so friendly and helpful. Our experience was great! However we had been over to Milo once before to see a dog and felt that we were not given all the correct info on him. Our dog Tam is a dream boat and we could not be happier. I do agree that these places are overwhelmed and really do care about the dogs so I think we all need to cut them some slack and just show so much gratitude bc they are saving these wonderful dogs that then become part of our families! And I agree I think most at Milo are volunteers! Thanks Milo for all you do..... read more

I am giving 2 stars out of respect for their mission. Their intentions are great. But, as others have said, it feels like they have bitten off more then they can chew. It's incredibly noisy there and chaotic. We adopted 2 beautiful kittens from them, left Poppy there for a few days because she had diarrhea and was on a med, but brought Cricket back. She was very happy for a week or so, then started slowing down. Both cats contracted a small cold from a MILO visit to get vaccinated (neither cat had ANY contact with another cat since coming to live with us).. Cricket took a sudden nose-dive, we rushed her to the vet, she threw up a 3 inch roundworm, and spent the night in hospital with a high fever. We don't believe she was de-wormed properly, and there was no specific indication to follow up on the Milo docs. Also, at the vet a diaphragmatic hernia was diagnosed, but her main issue was not clear. She came back, rallied part-way, but never seemed great. She seemed almost ok for a few weeks, then took another nose dive. We took her to SAGE, where she was hospitalized again, and came back with a diagnosis of FIP. We put her to sleep that night. The worst nightmare ever. MILO never recorded Poppy's diarrhea meds. They never responded to my request to know what they were. I spent a small fortune diagnosing and treating poor Cricket. MILO told me someone higher up would call to discuss this with me. They never did. I reported to them that Cricket died of FIP, and they might need to take precautions. Never heard anything back from them (that's not really so important, doesn't mean they didn't pay attention, just that they didn't get back to me). I won't draw any conclusions for you - these is just factual, Roundworms, vomiting, diarrhea, fever, cold, diaphragmatic hernia, lack of responsiveness on several accounts. And, after 50 days, just long enough to really fall in love with an extraordaniary, beautiful and loving kitty, I have her ashes in a box. It is suspected that the virus that causes FIP, which is initially benign, mutates into the malignant form partially when the body is weakened by stress. The massive worn infestation she had and etc. may have contributed to that mightily. In fairness, my neighbors also adopted from MILO, and all is well with them. Because our other kitty really needs a playmate, we have already adopted another kitty. We went to ARF in Walnut Creek. It is an amazing place! Highly, highly recommended. It is unfair to compare the two - obviously ARF has a ton of resources and money that MILO doesn't have. It feels really lousy to criticize a rescue organization that I donated money to and was going to volunteer for. Every one there was pleasant, and all the cats and dogs there deserve the best. I really hope they can find a way to improve conditions there. read more

Milo decided to delete our posts on Instagram, so I'm posting here where they can't easily scrub things that don't paint them in the best light. My fiancé and I attended the Bay Area Pet Fair this past weekend, Sept 2019, and applied to adopt one of their puppies, Paola, whom we were specifically told was available for adoption.... Well, after about an hour of spending time with the litter and going through the proper application process with Milo employees, we were then told that she actually was NOT available for adoption from the fair because she was specifically handpicked by Milo's founder to be showcased for adoption at their anniversary party on the 19th. Why even bring her to the pet fair? Why let people interact with her if she wasn't available? We were heartbroken to have to say goodbye to Paola after thinking we would be bringing her home. On top of that, I was treated very poorly by a rude Milo employee during all of this. We left feeling very disappointed with Milo and its "mission," especially after having previously adopted a dog from the foundation, who we provided a loving home for for 14 years until he passed in March. Attached is a pic of Paola's bio, which shows the foundation's eagerness to draw people to their anniversary party, where tickets to attend are being sold for a minimum of $150. Is saving loving animals your mission, or is making money your mission? read more

Milo Foundation - Pet Adoption Near Me - Point Richmond, California

I couldn't agree more with Average J's review and she expressed it so eloquently. I adopted both my dog, Ginny, and my cat Jesse, from MILO years ago and I was so thankful that they had rescued them both from kill shelters in the Central Valley. If Both were foster to adopt so I could get to know them and care for them while they were recovering from their neutering. I was glad to pay the fee for each and consider it a donation which allowed MILO to continue the incredible work they do in saving animals. I agree that MILO has had difficulty over the years but it seems to me that it comes from so much love for animals and difficulty in saying no to any animal in need. I plan to continue supporting them as much as I can so they can continue doing the great work that they do. read more

I was looking to adopt a cat as my last cat had died some months ago. Cats have always been a part of my life and it was time to fill that void. A friend suggested Milo Foundation was the place to go. She suggested I logon to their website and see who was available. There were lots of adult cats to choose from, some on the premises, and some in foster homes. There were several that I liked, but one grabbed at my heartstrings: a small cat, who was just a year old but did not seem bothered by the humans roaming around. And yes, I did adopt her. Milo Foundation goes to great lengths to find good homes for their constant influx of healthy animals needing them, and is rigorous in making sure the new owners understand the needs of their new pets but also they're own responsibilities in the care of the animals. I heartily recommend connecting with Milo if you ever want to adopt a cat or dog. This is the place to go! read more

First of all, I want to call out the people saying Milo is over priced. Some dogs, yes, don't need to cost that much. But my family adopted a German Shepard/ Belgium Malinois, These dogs from a breeder or normal pet shop cost $65,000, (also trained) We purchased Chloe for $500. Now somebody tell me they over price dogs! Second, I can say that from other reviews the rude volunteers are from Marin. I volunteer at Point Richmond. The dogs have beds/cots, and do not sleep in their urine. They are treated with compassion and love. The get walks 3 times a day from the volunteers or potential owners. We feed them the correct and healthy amounts. We also socialize the dogs os they will be kind around people. Third, evaluations are only for the dogs. Some dogs have abandonment issues or have had traumatic experiences. We have 4 Milo dogs and found that filling out forms and or paying for the dogs were brought on with complete sincereness. In conclusion, Milo is the best rescue center for purchasing a pet. Thank You, Clio. read more

The people at Milo are how people should be. They are extraordinary in their caring about the animals and their customers. They go the extra mile and our family and friends appreciate all they do so give them your support when you can. read more

First, the good: + As others have mentioned, the volunteering opportunities at Milo are great. They are very flexible and make it very easy to come in and help and/or foster. The slight downside of this is that you have a whole array of volunteers coming in and out of the shelter; I've had both good and bad experiences with the people who work there. Whatever. They're there on their own time to help out pups and cats. Power to them. + John, in particular, is great. You can tell he really cares about both you and the animals at Milo. + I find it wonderful that they have an expansive sanctuary (hundreds of acres!) in Marin for adjusting pets. Although I haven't been there personally, it sounds like a great idea. Next, the not-so-good: - Unlike Susan below, I have to disagree that "Milo will work with you to find the best match." I never received that impression over my many visits there. - I see people complaining about the 350-500 USD adoption fees, and Milo apologists rejoining that rescues are immensely expensive undertakings. Yes, they're high, but I side with the Milo-vians on this one (at least on the lower end of the spectrum). Let me tell you a story, though. A month or so ago, my mother was looking for a pup to adopt. She found a 'perfect fit.' If you're reading this review, you know the feeling: when you feel an innate connection with a pup. Her brother and she were rescued from a high-kill shelter in central California. However, after filling out the adoption forms, she was told that the adoption fee was 800 DOLLARS. You read that right. Eight Benjamins. Her brother? Six. When we asked why their fees were so expensive, we were told that it was because they were 'unique' and 'had a nice temperament.' Basically, these dogs were really beautiful while being well-behaved, so Milo felt that it was justifiable to raise their adoption fees accordingly. I have zero qualms about high adoption fees because of health care costs/surgeries/pup happiness/etc. That's fair, and something I'm more than happy to support. However, the practice of increasing pup adoption fees for aesthetics and temperament is really, really unnerving. By doing so, Milo is essentially pricing out potential forever-homes for the sake of making more money. The temperament of the dog should have NOTHING to do with the adoption fees. 800 dollars is well within the realm of breeder prices, and the aforementioned practice is exactly what breeders do!! Lets take a moment here to remember that their motto, stamped across volunteer t-shirts, is "thank you for not breeding!" This actually makes sense - Milo doesn't want to have to compete with breeders. I have to emphasize here that these puppies may have been an anomaly. Maybe most of their pups/dogs/cats are consistently priced within the 350-500 range. It doesn't change the fact that they felt that it was OK to do this, though. I just had to get this story out there. If Milo needs to charge 800 dollars for puppies to stay afloat, then something is seriously wrong with their business model. read more

FIrstly, I adopted my cat from the Milo Foundation almost three years ago. I've thought over the experience often, trying to make excuses for the foundation, but to no avail. Most of the bad reviews on here are about the horrible customer service. I had an experience with that, but it was overshadowed by the horrible condition of the poor animals in the "shelter" or "rescue...." This review is to bring attention to the horrible health conditions the Milo Foundation ignores. When I walked in to their location in San Rafael, I immediately knew I wanted the big fluffy kitty in the corner. Getting closer, I realized she did not look happy. She was severely matted and there was even some hard feces stuck to her fur :( After seeing this, I decided I DEFINITELY needed to adopt her. After jumping through their hoops, I feel I finally rescued her! When I asked the Milo Foundation about the horrible mattes in her fur, they said that they left them there so the new owner would know how bad it can get. THEY didn't know how bad it was.... this cat was in pain from the matting of her fur, and it was so close to the skin that the mattes were pulling her hair out! After realizing the severity of this, I also realized she was extremely sick with an upper respiratory infection, and could barely breathe. She was hiding and coughing up mucus :( I got her groomed - they had to shave soooo close to the skin because the mattes were too close to the skin. I also took her to the vet who told me she was way too sick, and should have been treated at the Milo Foundation. She was severely dehydrated and not doing well. After some antibiotics, fluid injections, some time and love, she started recuperating. It took her a year to get comfortable in her new home, and she continues to surprise me every day with new quirks! I support adoption - but I will never give a penny to the Milo Foundation ever again. I guess I'll be heading to the Marin Humane Society, or a REAL rescue, next time! read more

For an organization whose motto is "Don't buy, don't breed - Adopt!", it seems pretty hypocritical to charge some of the astronomical fees that Milo does for adoptions. I preface my review with full disclosure: I didn't end up adopting from Milo. But I did scrounge the internet for months before selecting the dog I wanted to adopt, so I'm pretty familiar with the variety of practices and policies among a bunch of different Bay Area rescues. And although I was consistently impressed by the selection of dogs Milo had available, I was always a little put off by their adoption fees. $350-500 seems steep for a rescue. Now, I fully support the important work that rescues do and happily paid a fee to another rescue for my dog to offset the costs of spaying, vaccines, deworming, and other vet work in addition to quality food, toys, bedding, etc. And I also understand that some dogs are more popular than others and that rescues often use the adoption revenue from popular animals to offset the costs of care for less market-friendly animals. Finally, I know that rescues really want to discourage impulsive adopters from selecting puppies they're ultimately unprepared to care for. BUT I was pretty upset when I checked their page today to find that they have five puppies posted with a hefty $600 price tag. Given that nearly every other rescue in the area charges $150-350, Milo seems to be charging far beyond the standard costs for rescue work. Whatever good work Milo may do and good intentions they may have, $600 is hardly adoption; that's a purchase. It seems disingenuous to market it any other way. I don't know where all that money is going (although I am aware Milo has recently built a large, new facility), but I think adopters would be well-served thinking seriously about how they want to invest their hard-earned dollars. There are tons of rescues in the Bay Area with equally adorable, equally well-cared-for animals for a fraction of the cost. Alternately, if spending $600 is comfortable for you, consider adopting a pet with a more modest fee from somewhere else and putting the difference toward sponsoring another animal's adoption fee. Then you get to do good work twice! read more

If it were possible to post negative stars, I would. I would like to start by stating I'm currently a dog owner. I purchased her 11 years ago from a breeder and for years have wanted to add to the pack, but never had adequate space to do so. My intention was to this time, not purchase but rescue. I have many friends that donate to this and other sanctuaries like it and have heard so many wonderful stories of rescued dogs and the amazing connection they and the new owners experience. Now I've been lucky enough to purchase a large property and have been slowly moving towards that goal. So in the past couple of months I've scanned Petfinder.org in search of a dog or two to catch my eye. The Milo Foundation happened to have a couple of adorable options. I called to verify one particular dog was there and still available,. To which the person stated yes, he was. Upon arrival after the one hour drive there, I was informed they just sent the same dog to a foster home and I could contact them and arrange a visit another time. Then after filling out the adoption questionnaire (which does not cover ever aspect of my, much less any potential adopter or home environment) I met with a brash and downright condescending staff person there. After her cold, rather condescending review of my paperwork, I was welcomed to view some other available dogs she felt would be a better fit. After viewing, I asked regarding a couple of dogs that caught my eye. Two dogs were needing to be with other dogs, which opened up the idea of adopting a few. In the discussion that followed, I was repeatedly interrupted with the words "you can't adopt him/her" or "you aren't going home with him/her" without allowing me to fully explain the situation that I was into the idea of adopting more than one dog. I found myself so completely frustrated and turned off by the experience, I stormed out. Now, the idea of dealing with another shelter and condescending control freak employees, I'm seriously considering purchasing puppies rather than rescue. In essence, because of this staff persons smug, close minded attitude and inability to acknowledge the possible scenarios, a few of those poor dogs are now sleeping on that cold cement floor (some in their own urine) for a few months more. I hope someday she will realize the terrible disservice she has done to these animals by not truly listening to potential adopters and learning the full situation. read more

I tried to adopt a puppy off their website. The puppy's name is Savannah. She is a dachshund/Chihuahua mix. I filled out the adoption form. The foster father emailed me very promptly and stated that the Milo Foundation had an adoption fair. Savannah was going to be there. One of the 2 main concerns that the foster father had was the size of my current dog who is 70 lbs. He wanted to make sure that my dog was not going to injure Savannah because of the sheer size. The other concern was my 19 year old son. Will he also be too rough on the puppy? In both concerns, we both wanted to make sure that everyone can coexist. So I brought my family along from Castro Valley to San Rafael to meet this puppy. I could not bring my dog due to time restraints. My 19 month old got along great with Savannah. Still, we wanted to make sure that my dog can get along with Savannah. We agreed to have our dogs meet in San Rafael that same weekend. No where in our conversation was there any hidden prerequisites or other reasons other than my dog COEXISTING with Savannah (you will see why later in this review). Sunday rolls around. I again bring my entire family (with my dog this time) to San Rafael to the foster parent's house. We meet the foster mother. She is immediately negative to the size of my dog. This doesn't make any sense because I told the foster father how big my dog was but it states clearly in my application to adopt Savannah that I had a dog that was 70lbs. How did my dog and Savannah get along? In my opinion, my dog didn't really care. He sniffed Savannah and then went on his own way doing his own thing. The whole purpose of the 2 dogs meeting was to ensure that they both can get along. The foster mother kept saying "Oh I am not sure..." and "hmm I don't know" in an attempt to grasp for reasons why it would not be a good fit. She then stated that Savannah requires a small dog so that Savannah can have a play buddy. Huh?!?! Where in the original ad did it state that Savannah needed a play buddy? When during the conversation with the Foster father did it state that Savannah needed a small dog? I would have NEVER taken my family out to San Rafael TWICE if this was a stated fact. Here is the link to the original ad: http://www.adoptapet.com/cgi-bin/public/petsearch.cgi/pet_details?pet_id=1622453 "Savannah is the big girl of the group and from the very beginning was the adventurous one. She is playful, confident and sweet. She loves being held looking over your shoulder, so that she feels safe but can also look at the world around her. She is playful and loves wrestling with her brothers and sisters." Where in that does it state that she needs a small dog? What's even shadier is that after our meeting, the Milo Foundation changed the ad to state this: "Savannah is the big girl of the group and from the very beginning was the adventurous one. She is playful, confident and sweet. She loves being held looking over your shoulder, so that she feels safe but can also look at the world around her. She is playful and loves wrestling with her brothers and sisters, and would be best in a home with another small dog to play with..." It was clear to my wife and I that, Savannah was not coming home with us. We sensed that Savannah's foster mother had a strong bond with Savannah. I do feel there is a fine line between foster mother and pet owner and in this case, this line was blurred. So getting back to Sunday, we were told that we would be getting a call from Lynne Tingle that same day regarding possibly a fostering of Savannah for a few days to see if we all mesh. Instead, I received an email from the foster parents stating this: "Hi I am sorry its taken so long to get back to you all. After careful consideration, we feel that unfortunately you might not be the best fit for savannah. We are sure you will be great parents for another dog, perhaps one a little larger and that might work better with darren (my dog), but we feel that she will need someone her size to play with when the family is busy with the kids or not at home... Its critical to us that we find savannah the best home for her individual personality and needs - and we hope that you understand. We hope that you will keep checking the milo site and find a wonderful dog that will work great with your family...please let us know if we can help in any way. all our best" No phone call. Nothing. Unfortunately, I feel this is more of an issue with the foster parents rather than the Milo Foundation itself. However, it is the Milo Foundation who chooses these foster parents to house these pets. Therefore, they also have a responsibility in this ordeal. It does no good to the dogs that need to find a permanent home when the foster parent cannot handle that title. If the foster parent wants the pet as it's own, then the Milo Foundation shouldn't say that these pets are adoptable. read more

It's kind of surreal to see people discount this place whose sole purpose is to RESCUE ABANDONED DOGS. So what if the dog was adopted to a different family? So what if they would rather screen you to make sure you're not going to be another person who 1)gives the dog back or 2)abandons them too. Take it as a good sign that Milo is careful and particular and thoughtful when they work with you on their precious dogs they have taken such care to rehabilitate. I can see why it is difficult to adopt in the Bay Area, as there are too many of us and thankfully many are interested in rescuing not buying from a breeder. Like everything else here, you need to be patient and wait your turn. These people are doing the right thing, there is no doubt about it. read more

I recently rescued a dog from Milo, and had the most wonderful experience. Everyone who works here is so lovely, especially Carol! They were very involved after I took the dog home, which ensures the well-being of the animals and new owners. I'm so grateful for Milo and the new addition to our family! read more

Found a wonderful dog at the Humane Society. Paid $ 175 plus $ 20.00 for license. The dog is spayed, and healthy, and sweet and a love bug. I highly recommend you look there. read more

Milo doesn't really seem concerned with helping families adopt their pets. I am in the doghouse with my wife for repeatedly trying to adopt from Milo and she has now taken over the dog finding responsibilities. Milo is close to my house and I was super excited to see about getting a dog. But now that I've been to Milo three times in the past month trying to inquire about adopting a dog it has just been so bizarre that I am giving up and looking at other shelters. The first two times I went in on weekends and they were understandably busy. Both times my family spent about an hour looking at pets and waiting for some assistance after I let some workers know what we were there for. We never got help so the third time I went in the afternoon during the middle of the week. There were several workers, at least 5, and no one looking to adopt besides my wife and I. I filled out the adoption questionnaire (for the third time) and finally got to speak with a lady about getting a pet. I asked for advice about their dogs and she seemed to sort of half listen to what type of behavioral characteristics we wanted and then pointed to the dog closest to us, said something about being busy and walked away. I looked at the info on the dog and there were 4 things that were the opposite of what our needs were. The dog was not good with cats (I have a cat), not good with children (we have a 7 year old), super hyper (I need a dog with moderate exercise needs), and a male (my wife and daughter prefer female). My wife was very upset but I talked her into looking some more. We found a dog and then I inquired about seeing the dog from another worker. I was given the dog on a leash and told to take her for a walk. When we got back I said the dog was nice and the worker just took the leash and put the dog away. I tried to ask about what was the next step but the worker either didn't understand me, didn't hear me or just didn't care. My wife wanted to know about the pets that were in placement with foster families but she did not see any info lying around and nobody really seemed to want to help. We left and my wife is currently looking at other shelters that can actually provide assistance in adopting pets. read more

First thing to conquer is the awful smell of urine and feces and the grate cages with an insane noise level in the kennels. Second thing to overcome are their prices - you can buy a pet for these prices anywhere. I was looking to buy a dog and was told that the dog would need 24/7 company for the rest of its life despite of no apparent signs of abuse. The staff seems upbeat but not very knowledgable about dog behavior and training. Go to Marin humane society in Novato - great prices and the place doesn't stink. We got a fantastic sweet dog there that didn't need a bath when we got him home. HONESTLY LOOKING BACK I am so glad I did not support this organization. If you do end up doing so anyway - please have the money earmarked to go towards cleaning up the place - it stinks so bad. read more

our family had the WORST experience at the Milo shelter and would NOT recommend to any one. first off, the so called manager in charge was one of the most unprofessional people I have come across in a long time. our family was extremely interested in getting a dog. staff referred us to him and we wouldn't even look at us when we asked questions. all he did was look at his phone!! who does that?!??! mind you, staff was trying to walk one of the dogs but the dog wouldn't walk because it was so scared. I don't think dragging the dog on the floor is cool either. Train your staff and get a new manager that can truly represent animals in need. read more

I'm giving this place 2 stars as opposed to 1 because I just can't bring myself to 1 star an animal shelter. As a matter of fact, I hesitated to write this review for quite awhile, because what kind of a jerk writes a negative review about a rescue foundation, right? But then I thought that I would have wanted to know about an experience like ours if I was in the market for a furry companion. Here is our story; it is long, but well worth your time if you are seriously considering adopting a dog from Milo: June 2012. After months of consideration, my husband and I decide that we would really love to adopt an animal, for us, and for our kids. Our eldest boy has wanted a dog for a very long time, and we feel that we are in a time of our lives where we can handle the many varied needs of a dog. While we're pretty open to breeds, we are leaning towards a Lab of some sort, preferably a youngish adult, because we know they tend to be great with families and very friendly. A couple of weeks later I'm surfing Milo's website and come across a dog that fits that description. Maia is a yellow Lab, a little over two years old, and, best of all, her description matches what we are looking for... key words like, "very friendly", "happy", "a family dog", and "raised around children" jump out at me. We decide to go see her that weekend in San Rafael. When we meet Maia, she seems shy and somewhat nervous, but we think it must be the fact that she's been in the shelter for the past week. What dog wouldn't be a little freaked out, right? She's also not very interested in our kids, but she's just met them. We remember her description ("friendly" "family dog", etc) and figure she must just be upset about being in a shelter. We decide to adopt her, mainly based upon her glowing description. After all, we can trust Milo Foundation, right? Wrong. We should have given more stock to our own experience with Maia at the shelter, because what we saw there was what we got. Zero interest in the kids. Not friendly or happy; she was mopey, nervous, and oddly, over-the-top needy with adults only. She also turned out to have bowel issues from Day 1 (extremely soft poops) that we were never able to get fully under control, even though we took her to the vet twice and tried various medications. Milo Foundation did not disclose this issue when we adopted her, though they must have known about it. Basically, Maia turned out to be nothing like her description. We tried very hard with her, though, because we really wanted it to work out. We took her on nice long walks, sometimes 3 times a day. We made sure never to leave her for long periods, even taking her with us on vacations. We hit dog parks regularly, so she could socialize with other dogs. We watched the kids around her and made sure they understood how to treat her and play with her. In short, we tried everything we could to make her a part of our family. Unfortunately, after a year it was plain to both my husband and I that this was not going to work out. Maia was so much work, and so needy with us, but the kids weren't getting any benefit of having a dog. We made the decision to return her. When I called the office to tell them that it wasn't working out, the woman who answered was very rude, which I did not appreciate. We already felt badly about returning her - why make me feel worse? She asked for a description of Maia, and a picture, which we provided. In my description, I mentioned all of her positives and negatives (including the bowel issue, which Milo Foundation never commented on, though they did ask for the paperwork from the vet). However, I tried as best as I could to couch the negatives in a good light. We did hope she would get adopted quickly, but we wanted people to go in with their eyes open. Much to my surprise and disappointment, when I checked the website a couple of days later I saw that they had not posted anything that I'd written, but instead had just uploaded the same description from when we first saw her online (the one saying she would make a great family dog, etc). I couldn't believe it. At the top of the ad, it said she had just been adopted. Now, I don't know if someone went in and saw her before the ad even went up, and the Milo people told the potential adopters all about Maia's issues. Maybe they just put up the old ad because they didn't want to write another ad using our info if she'd already found a new family. But if there is even a possibility of them sweeping everything we'd experienced under the rug so that they could adopt her out yet again to some unsuspecting people, then that is pretty terrible. *** This is the longest review I've ever written for Yelp, and it's taken quite a bit of time, so I think I'd better end wrap it up. To recap, though: Caveat Emptor with Milo Foundation. Our experience was not a good one. read more

This review is in response to the one-star reviewer who wrote about an adopted puppy that had distemper. I have adopted two dogs from Milo Foundation, one of whom is still with me. Although Milo Foundation has had its ups and downs as an organization, and my second adoption was not without issues, I would adopt from them again in a heartbeat. I strongly recommend them as a place to adopt a new friend for life. I adopted my first Milo dog from one of the "mobile" days in San Francisco. I thought they were a bit cavalier in handing me the (purebred, adult) dog to take for a walk with little inquiry (just a simple form to fill out, but I hadn't even completed it before they handed me the leash). But compared to other rescue groups that had treated me like the enemy, I found this level of trust reassuring. I took that dog home that day -- as a foster-to-adopt -- and he was beyond marvelous. I adopted him and adored him. When he passed on, I went back to Milo for a newly-listed puppy of the same breed mix. This was in 2010. The older puppy was fresh from the kill shelter, was a terrified ground-hugger, had just been neutered, and clearly had an upper respiratory infection. But I took him home anyway. I had mentioned the pup's coughing and crusty, snotty nose to one of the Milo staffers, when we were in the get-acquainted yard (with other dogs and children), but she dismissed it as kennel cough and said he was on medication for it. Long story short, my pup was diagnosed soon after that with probable distemper. He became extremely ill, but he survived with no long-term effects. I wrote to the Milo folks and chastised them for having exposed so many people and animals (including my elderly dog, who was fortunately up to date on her vaccinations) to a canine-deadly disease. I received an apologetic response from the director, and was reassured that they would improve their quarantine practices. And they have. Their new adoption facility allows them to isolate ill animals. Where I take issue with the other reviewer is in making this a money and -- to be blunt -- "consumer" issue. When you adopt an animal you take on their health and behavioral problems and deal with it. It never occurred to me to ask Milo for a refund of the adoption fee (which I had doubled as a donation) or reimbursement of medical expenses. I was just grateful that my puppy survived. He would have been dead already if they hadn't taken him out of the kill shelter. This wasn't a dog purchased from a breeder, with a health guarantee. He'd been rescued from a primitive, filthy facility (a notoriously poor shelter in a rural area). I knew that when I adopted him. The thing about Milo is they do the best they can with what they have to work with. They truly love the animals and want to see them placed in forever homes, and most of the animals they rescue come from high-kill shelters with low placement rates. They are one of the few adoption groups that lets you foster to adopt, which is perfect if you have other animals at home (sometimes dogs, like people, just do not like each other). They do not treat potential adopters as the enemy, which I have experienced with other rescue groups. And they take back and re-home animals that adopters can no longer keep. I see those dogs listed on their website occasionally, so I know that they really do stand behind their adoptions. Yes, it's true that Milo has made mistakes in managing their animals in the past. But they continue to improve their animal husbandry practices. They should be supported and encouraged. They save a lot of animals. I forgot to mention that my current Milo dog is a treasure, despite his rough start in life. He's smart, sweet tempered, eminently trainable, affectionate, dependable around strangers and children, happy, healthy and a joy to have around. He's a perfect dog. read more

I have heard great things about Milo. But my family experience was not good. We were so excited to adopt one and even went to their office multiple times. We gave our request about a month in advance, but they told us after 2 months later every puppies we wanted have been adopted. They told us we were not a right family for that type of puppies. I felt like you have to know someone or someone there has to REALLY like you so you can adopt your dream pet. read more

Our experience with MF was positive and the dog we adopted (see my profile pic, Petey, he's the larger of the 2) was a wonderful, sweet, loving, awesome dog! He was 5 when we adopted him and lived another 8 adventurous years before lost him to a brain tumor. We were devastated. But he helped us give some great final years to our then senior dog we already had and then later help raise/mentor another puppy we adopted who absolutely adored him (i.e. Murphy the smaller dog in my profile pic). From the time we saw his picture posted on their adoption-available website, we were in love. We found the adoption process reasonable & the staff likable & caring. Lynne herself answered all my email questions & concerns promptly & was ALWAYS polite. I was amazed after reading her backstory about MF on their website! We travelled 3 hrs to their sanctuary outside Willits (an awesome facility!) to pick him up and were given a tour of the place by one of their great volunteers (so sorry can't recall his name...oops!). We were told that their more "difficult" dogs were sent there (although he never showed any sign of this for us), so we took a 4x4 mule out to the pen to get him. Petey jumped into the cart, licked my face, sat down next to me and we were off! He didn't leave our side for the rest of his life. Petey found his forever home with us and not a day goes by we EVER regretted our dealings with MF or any of the adoption process. He gave new life to our aging German shepherd/husky mix and we spoiled them both rotten! ;-) ALSO, after seeing all those dogs and cats at their sanctuary, I would not hesitate to adopt from them in the future. I have read the wide range of stories/experiences from my fellow Yelper(s), which run the gamut of love to hate about MF. I have a couple things to say on the matter as I have adopted many, many pets from different pet adoption agencies throughout the years AND I do occasional volunteer work for & an adoption with a local pet rescue A-Leg-Up Rescue (i.e. the puppy Murphy in my profile pic). In my experience: 1) We have found these adoption places are VERY protective of the pets they rescue and therefore it might be mistaken for "rudeness" or for being "over-zealous" in their screening process. 2) Adoption fees you pay may seem high, but it isn't just for your potential pet, it's for the many, many, many, many pets in their system. 3) Keep in mind these pet adoption places may seem "callous" in their questions or demands about potential homes, but after years of seeing neglect & abuse, they MUST be tough in their screening process in order to protect the pet. 4) I once approached ARF about a potential adoption, and I was greeted with what appeared to be an especially rude response, despite what I thought was my extensive "resume" of experience. At first I was bitter, but after rethinking it, I contacted another person there and it was a totally different experience. Maybe the 1st lady was having a bad day, who knows!? FINALLY, in closing, I'd say any "toughness" you may get is just because these pet advocates MUST make it hard to adopt these pets. They MUST vex out red flags in order to protect the pet. If they seem hard, it's only because if they didn't, they couldn't perform the work they do 24/7. Deep down though, they have HUGE HEARTS, because if they didn't: a) they wouldn't put in the long hours (nursing sick animals & such), b) or do the tireless/thankless volunteer work (picking up poo/vomit is not glamorous!), c) or offer up the space in their homes (with no reimbursement and they rarely ask), d) or go to countless pet adoption fairs (heartbreakingly watching as many pets get overlooked), e) or carefully screen pet adoption apps (lets face it many peeps should not own pets, even though they might disagree), f) & often they pay lots of $$$$$$ out of their own pockets in order to protect/provide for our most precious companions (rarely ever expecting reimbursement). The list is endless, but getting back to MF, approach them with respect, drop any preconceived attitude and get to know what really goes on there. It's all about the animals! I say Hooray for MF and the people who work there! Keep up the good work you guys! ;-) read more

I am forever thankful to milo for my two cats. I recommend them to everyone. They really care deeply about all the animals.

I got Jackson when they didn't have a location, and they were doing adoptions at the Pet Food Express on Telegraph and Alcatraz. One day, my friend says, "wanna go look at puppies?". Answer: yes. Only thing is: I grabbed two hundred dollars cash and ran out the door. Does that sound like looking to you? We get there, and I pet some puppies, but there's one I can't seem to look at cuz a nine-year-old volunteer is cuddling him. THAT'S MY DOG LITTLE GIRL! I ask her about it nonchalantly. She says he's really bad, and I don't want him, so I ask if I can just hold him for a minute. She reluctantly agrees, and as I'm lifting him from his pen, he takes his little paws and wraps them around my neck. Love. That was it. It didn't matter that as I was signing adoption paperwork, someone was returning his brother from the same litter, and said, "that dog is a hellion, don't adopt him". We were already in love. The first year was hell. Puppies are. Don't buy a dog unless you're willing to take care of a child. The love's not lost, it's only grown, and I donate to Milo when I have spare cash, because I know the good work they do firsthand. read more

Apparently you can't work and have a dog. As much as I would like to be at home all day I can't afford to not work. Have a yard, experience with puppies. Walk daily and have resources to provide for a dog. Humorless, self righteous volunteer Karen was disrespectful and rude. read more

Wow, I can't believe so many people have written reviews about Milo Foundation on here! That makes me so happy! I'm one of the people that helped start Milo about 6 years ago. As an animal rescue shelter, Milo has had to fight sooo hard to establish the reputation it has today. Until 2 years ago, Milo didn't have a store, and had to just jump around weekend to weekend from store to store to hold its adoption events. Lynne, the director and founder, is amazing with animals, and has so much trust in people with them. Even though I was only 18 when I first started volunteering with Milo, she trusted me to take back little puppies to my apartment and foster them. We handled so many abused and sick dogs, and everyone at Milo does a truly amazing job with healing them and turning them into great animals. You can be assured that you are adopting a great animal from the Milo Foundation. Whenever I go back to Berkeley I always visit them and see how they're doing. Definitely one of the best memories I have from the Bay Area. read more

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Milo has taken in so many dogs/cats that would normally not get a second look and be put down at various shelters across the state. They spend a lot of money making these animals healthy again and finding them homes. The Humane Society's and other shelters alike won't give these animals a "second chance". And why complain about how "picky" they may be when choosing potential adopters? Obviously the system that the shelters use isn't good enough since most of their dogs/cats end up right back at the shelter eventually. Milo, Thanks for doing all you do for those who don't have a voice! read more

I have experienced the most unprofessional, in humane treatment I have ever experienced. I have been looking for a kitten for the past two months on line and in person in the local Bay Area. Today was my third trip into Milo and I went in at 11 AM because they had received a kitten in the day before and I was highly interested in adopting if we were compatible. I called before heading down there personally and was reassured that he was still available and could not be adopted out for another three days after they did a mental health check on him. So I was there at 11:02 AM and ready to meet and greet him. I was informed that I couldn't get him out but I could view him through his crate or play with him through the crate with one of his toys. As I engaged him through the cage he warmed up to me. He rubbed up against my hands and rolled around in his cage with friendliness. I than was told by another staff member that they had given him his shots that day and that I could get him out of his cage and have a meet and greet with him. I was thrilled at this point because I felt I had the opportunity to truly see if there was a bond there or if he would be comfortable with me. He let me pick him up out of his cage without any resistance. When I got him out I sat with him on my lap and even being a young kitten he did not jump down but sat in my lap and continued to let me pet him as he nudged my fingers before he eventually got down to play and interact with his toy. I than was informed by staff member that I could either adopt him and or foster him a length of time to see if he was compatible. Also that I could get him that evening if I decided to. After talking to my husband who was there with me and spending about 30 minutes in the room with him I was certain he was the one and was going to be my forever friend. We did talk to the manager there and did verify that we indeed wanted to adopt the kitten and because we rent he disclosed to us that we had to have permission from our property manger my husband made calls while we were still there inside and than had to step outside to make a few more calls to get the person who could give us the authorization and our property manger wanted us to fill out paper work before they could verify us and we asked them at Milo if they had a printer so we could finalize the adoption right than. Which they than told us they did not. So we asked if we could bring the paper work back in and we be able to to put him on hold until we got the needed paper work. They informed us they would give us time and let us know if anyone else was wanting to adopt but that we had first priority. Not even 40 minutes later we are called to say someone was more qualified than we were to adopt him. My husband had answered the phone and he asked how someone could be more qualified. They said because the person was a homeowner and not a tenant. My husband than asked how does that make them a better pet owner over economic purposes. That is was racialism. I could go on on how ill logical that this manager's response was to my husband's questioning. But that is not my argument or my intention here. It is the fact that this staff was misinforming us and getting our hopes up all the mean while. At the end of my day, I am still heartbroken over the fact that I thought I would be bringing my forever friend home and that my long search was over. I hope in writing this that the management realizes that I have invested feelings, time and emotions in my quest and I could really have done without their false hopes, poor communication and lame ass excuses to turn a quick buck and get out another number out of their doors. Pathetic management which is truly sad because I could tell the staff and volunteers are true care takers. read more

I am a huge Milo fan. When I adopted my first dog from Milo, they were great! They were completely committed to the dogs. I adopted a fearful pup and they were willing to do what was best for him. Instead of insisting the dog was neutered before he left, we made an agreement that once he settled in our home, we would fix him. Other agencies would have kept him till the surgeries were over causing my boy more stress. This fearful dog has turned into one fo the loves of my life. Since then, I have adopted another dog and three kittens from Milo. I love., love LOVE Milo. ONe other thing about Milo I'd like to mention. I teach a photo class and brought the more advanced kids to take pics of these beautiful dogs. INstead of the dogs cowering in cages, we were able to take them to the backyard area to photograph them. Because of the friendly atmosphere, the dogs were playing, running happy!! Isant that the point? read more

We had a terrible experience with their mobile unit team during a recent event in Berkeley. The crew was very disorganized and many of the folks milling around questioned their process as there was no apparent order for dealing with applications. We filled out our application and were told that 'if we were patient, we would be interviewed in just a few minutes time.' We were shunted from one person in the crew to the next person. Initially we were told that we had to wait for the 'foster mom' to interview us. Then this 'foster mom' told us that she had given our application to another person in the team who was carrying our application on top of the sheaf of other applications. This person said she was ready to interview us, but then would get distracted and start interviewing someone else. We waited close to 30 minutes (both of us are seniors) and every time we tried to get this person's attention, she would turn her back on us and wait on someone else. This appears to be something akin to a personality contest where the most patient and pliant folks who don't mind watching this power game get first dibs at the crew's attention. We fully filled at our application so we also wondered why she was interviewing folks who apparently hadn't done their due diligence in advance. At a minimum they can use a 'take a number' system to avoid the appearance of favoring folks they already know or who are willing to take this kind of abuse. It's not like getting bad and rude service at a restaurant where you can simply take your business elsewhere. The team knows that they have the prized animals and are more than willing to keep their audience hostage until they get their act together. read more

I have known this group for many years. Long time saver of animals. Sorry to read Marvin had a bad experience. Why did you not just call and tell them this rather than write a bad review?? It would be good for people to keep in mind that there "workers" were actually volunteers doing their best. If you have ever volunteered yourself you would have realized. . So- yes they sounded like lame volunteers and or at least not trained well- hard to know- but go and ask for the person in charge. Leaving these folks a bad review is lame - they are saving lives that the world has thought to throw awa. Yes it would be good for the rescues in general to run themselves more like a real business with better customer service.. But that is across the board on that point..Not just Milo. Great dogs and cats- I have adopted two from them with good experience. read more

I'm really happy to see all these reviews with people saying they adopted the best dog from Milo. I have a similar story. Nine years ago we adopted the best dog in the whole world from an adoption event at the Safeway at College at Alcatraz. Everything the foster parents said about her proved to be true - smart, easy to train, loyal, friendly. Because of unfortunate health problems (inoperable liver tumor) we had to put her down this past September. **tears** Today we got another little border collie/lab mix puppy from a Milo Mobile Adoption event. The volunteers are incredibly knowledgeable and genuinely want to match the correct dog with an appropriate home, not just get rid of the dogs to anyone who walks by. She came micro-chipped and we got a 20% off Pet Food Express coupon to help us load up on pet supplies. Something you'll read over and over again throughout these reviews are about the people and volunteers who make the Milo Foundation great. The foster parents, volunteers and their fearless leader Lynn all go above and beyond to ensure the dogs and cats of Milo the best life possible. Even if you are not at the stage in your life where you feel you can adopt a dog, I encourage you check out the website. They are always rescuing dogs with medical conditions that require substantial veterinary work, and they are currently updating their sanctuary in Willits - all on a budget funded by donations. read more

I've seen some responses to the review I posted, and I stand by what I say about this organization. It's not a matter of "wanting pleasantries and no questions asked." It's a matter of being respectful to people. They were not. As far as questions, I welcome questions. I encourage questions. Sometimes, I may not even like the answer I'm given to those questions. However, there are ways of speaking to people in a respectable tone, especially in front of a child. As mentioned in my previous post, I had to respect her decision. I may not have agreed, but wouldn't have given a bad yelp rating because of it. Now that, would have been petty. However, raising your voice to a family who is in no way being rude, augmentative, or confrontational is unacceptable. This was our experience. She read our paperwork, and began to raise her voice before we even spoke to her. That is the truth. That is why I gave a negative yelp review. Furthermore, if they had given more basic information before we expressed interest in the dog, that would have been helpful. As mentioned, the information on the their website regarding this dog conflicted with what we were told. Honestly, that is all secondary to the over the top reaction given to our family. Being told no, is one thing. Being yelled at is another. It concerns me that anyone would encourage people who had a bad experience with one rescue organization to "go to a breeder." Wow! Is that who Milo deems a worthy person to adopt an animal? I dare to say, I think not. But the over the top reaction is reflective of our experience with Milo. Fortunately, we did not (nor will ever) go to a breeder. Nor would I encourage anyone to go to a breeder. We found a wonderful rescue organization who worked with us that very same day. We have a wonderful dog who is very happy and very loved. I hope others who have negative experiences with Milo find another rescue organization. There are several reputable ones all over the bay area. read more

My little sister adopted a dog from Milo about 3 years ago. We saw Milo at the Pet Fair at the Marin Civic Center, interviewed, and did paperwork there, and had Chloe in our arms about a week later, with all her paperwork, microchip, and shots done. It was an easy experience with a fantastic reward. Last year my parents were interested in adopting a dog, and I of course started sending my mom pictures of Milo dogs everyday until she finally saw one she liked. They brought Chloe back to Milo to make sure the 2 dogs would get along (since my sister uses my parents as her dog-sitters), and they had little Delilah in their home a few days later. All the dogs are happy, healthy, and are fantastic additions to our family! read more

The Milo Foundation was such a gift to us when we needed to re-home our Australian Shepherd. Re-homing a pet is such a sad and difficult process, and we are SO grateful for their expert guidance and assistance. They have a wonderful reputation, and we personally know several people who have rave reviews of them as an agency and about the dogs they adopted from Milo. So, we were thrilled when they agreed to accept our Aussie to their almost 300 acre sanctuary in Mendocino County. He is a beautiful dog and a valued family member, but because of some serious behavioral issues, we were told by several experts, rescues and trainers to put him down. Hoping to save his life and find someone able and willing to give him the training and exercise he needs, we posted him online ourselves. But, we quickly realized we were not equipped to facilitate the rehoming process ourselves. Milo graciously agreed to help us and facilitate the process, and listened attentively to our and our dog's needs. The Executive Director, Lynne, understands Aussies and behavioral needs and we are so lucky she accepted him and was sympathetic to our situation. THANK YOU MILO! read more

Milo Foundation - We are SO thrilled Milo accepted our dog into their almost 300 acre sanctuary in Mendocino County! - Pet Adoption Near Me - Point Richmond, California

I looked at a lot of shelters around the bay area before finding a cat that I really connected with at Milo. Soon after getting her home, I discovered that she had worms..IN HER EYE!! AGH! Milo maintained great communication when I informed them of this situation and even offered to reimburse the vet bills. I declined the offer and my cat received an appropriate new name: Noodles. read more

When I went looking for my dog I stopped by Milo on a whim. It was a big room with tons of dogs, big and small, and tons of volunteers looking after them. Someone handed me this small puppy to hold, and once he licked my face I was done. I was in love. I went to the woman who owns it and even though he was 8 weeks old she already knew him and his quirks. I don't know how, but she's like the dog whisperer. They got kicked out of this spot a little while ago cause of neighbors, but they still have a sanctuary up near Mendocino. They need support and I will always support someone who loves and takes such care of dogs. I would totally give them a call again if I could get another pup. read more

Milo does not have the best interests of their dogs in mind; they have placed themselves as middle men between shelters and potential homes and anointed themselves both judge and jury as to who is deserving of a dog. Before sending in an application to Milo, I checked Yelp reviews to help assure myself that it was a credible organization and not just a bunch of crazy animal people who are either profiteering off of unwanted animals or making a general societal nuisance of themselves. Even having read the number of negative experiences on Yelp, I decided to give Milo the benefit of the doubt and sent in an application for a number of dogs, all medium-sized and of various mixed breeds. To the foundation's credit, I did receive a very quick response---but was rather shocked at the answer that they sent to me as it only confirmed other people's negative experiences. It seems that they took a cursory glance at my street address and decided that I was unfit to adopt *any* of their dogs. They wrote that because I live in a city apartment, the dogs about which I inquired would not be suitable for me. I am knowledgeable of dogs and have experience handling them, and I think that I understand what sort of breeds can sanely live an apartment life and which cannot and would not think of adopting a dog only to make it miserable; having said that, I can perhaps understand if they think that I don't know anything about dogs and have different opinions on breeds than I do. However, even though they have a number of needy animals in their care of various sizes and breeds, they did not end their email suggesting that I take a look at another Milo dog that may be more appropriate for my living situation. Instead, they pointed me toward other groups that may adopt to me when they wouldn't! If Milo truly cared about dogs and finding dogs happy "forever homes," I believe that, firstly, they should have suggested to me another Milo dog that would've been better suited for me, and secondly, they should not have told me to find another presumably less responsible group that would adopt a breed to me that Milo would not! One disappointed star for Milo. read more

my dog Speedy is from Milo, and thanks to them they not only gave me a dog, but they gave me a best friend. Shame on cheesy journalist that should aim stories at themselves than defensive little pets that need homes. read more