Pound Dog Rescue changed the way I approach having a dog, I can't recommend them enough! All of my dogs over the years were rescues, but my current dog was the first to be adopted through PDR. I was deeply impressed by their dedication and care for their dogs. This inspired me to become a foster with PDR last year, and I've fostered half a dozen of their dogs so far, with plans for many more! All of my past dogs were very loved, cared for with all the resources we had, and we did what we thought was best for them. After losing one of our senior dogs a few years ago, it became clear that our second dog needed a sibling again. We had a type of dog in mind that would suit him best, and while looking for the right dog we came across one through PDR. After learning a lot about the dog by reading their bio, we decided to apply. Yes, the application asks a lot of questions. This made it clear to us that PDR was a legitimate and thorough rescue. Also yes, of course they want your personal information. This is not a simple transaction, you're not buying a piece of furniture. You're adopting a family member who will be with you for hopefully many years, through thick and thin. The sad reality is that there are a lot of people who mean well, but when life circumstances happen and they have to make tough decisions, the dog is always the one who pays the price. This is a huge reason why a lot of rescues and shelters exist in the first place, they see this happen way too often. PDR is committed to their dogs, to ensure they're getting the best possible chance at a forever home. Forever! Before PDR, I had always done training myself (with advice from books and online dog trainers), but had never attended group classes with a professional trainer. This was one of the first positive changes for me. Another aspect that became clear to me was that this rescue was prioritizing the dog. The most important thing for PDR is to find each dog their best home. This rescue isn't about pushing dogs on people, and they aren't willing to risk a dog being surrendered simply to make it quick for people to fill out a form. Pound Dog Rescue has a process that helps these dogs find their best match. It's thanks to this process that we adopted a dog that is the absolute best fit for our family. PDR required a certain level of in-class training with our dog, based on her needs. This is to ensure that we learn the right tools to help our dog be confident, well-mannered, safe, and happy. I'd never done formal training before and I was nervous at first. However training classes enabled us to understand our dog better, communicate with her easier, and achieve things we otherwise wouldn't have. While my previous dogs were all happy and social, they just didn't have the skills that our current dog has. It's this formal training that's given us a level of freedom with our current dog that we didn't have with our others. She can go anywhere with us that's dog-friendly while feeling relaxed, well-behaved, and fulfilled. We had so much fun in training classes with our dog, that we continued on past the PDR requirement, and we still attend advanced classes to this day! As for the fees, yes the dogs aren't free. For some, the adoption fee might feel a bit steep, but I can attest to the immense care these dogs receive through PDR. I also personally get a little offended when people balk at an adoption fee. Dogs are living beings that cost money to be healthy and well cared for, having a dog is a financial commitment as much as it's a lifestyle one. You don't have to be wealthy to have a dog, but you do have to commit to its well-being, which is exactly what PDR does the minute they accept a dog into their care. Some of the rescue dogs have an uphill battle before they can recover from however their past left them, and of course veterinary care isn't free either. The dogs are assessed and given whatever they need to get healthy again. PDR isn't the type of organization to say no to a dog simply because treatment gets expensive, and they're not going to pass any known illnesses that could have been resolved onto the adopters to deal with post-adoption. If a dog needs further medical care after adoption, you can bet this is in their bio. So overall, yes PDR is a rescue for those looking to adopt a dog that fits with their lifestyle, ability, location, and family. If you've decided to look into adopting a dog for your family, you honestly can't do better than PDR. All reputable rescue organizations are doing fantastic and very difficult work, but I have not come across a rescue more dedicated to the dogs in their care. When looking to adopt a dog, for me, I don't think there is anything more important than this. read more

We've been working with Pound Dog Rescue for 5 years as fosters and I can say I honestly have never seen an organization work so hard to do right by the dogs they're rescuing! They work so hard to provide top-notch vet care and make sure the dogs get into the perfect home. We've fostered over a dozen dogs with them and adopted our 7th foster, so we have the behind-the-scenes knowledge of PDR, as well as the experience as an adopter. We also donate to support them because we believe in what they do & their integrity! I was really surprised to see the negative reviews posted here, so I want to take a moment to dispel any concerns associated with those comments. 1) Pound Dog is not in this for money. The adoption fees often don't even cover the veterinary care they receive (spay/neuter, microchip, vaccines, preventatives, & any other surgery/treatment like dental or heartworm they need) let alone food and supplies. They are not flipping dogs. Every one of our fosters had their spay/neuter & other vet care while they were with us and many had other large surgeries or treatments. Needless to say, the adoption fees are not a money-maker, but just recoup some of the costs of caring for them. They aren't in it for the money. It's about doing right by the dogs, getting them well, and ensuring they find their happily-ever-after. 2) The adoption process is rigorous because they want to find the perfect home for these dogs and ensure they will not be given-up ever again. They make sure the dogs are in foster care long enough to really get to know the dogs. They are super dedicated to making sure the bios for the dogs are detailed & transparent, so there are no surprises. They make sure adopters are in it for the right reasons and that their lifestyle (exercise, work hours, family members, etc.) matches the needs of the dogs. They require positive-reinforcement training with a reputable facility to ensure the dogs and owners are supported from a good training foundation. That's why they have such a high success rate with adoptions sticking and very very very few dogs ever being returned (which is a huge problem at other rescues). They set the bar for what an adoption process should look like! 3) Discarded mill dogs come into PDR's care because a local person has finally made an in-road with the breeders to ensure they don't kill dogs they don't want. Instead, local rescues are taking these dogs. Otherwise, the would be taken out back and shot or set loose into the wild. Taking unwanted mill dogs isn't a 'dubious' practice - it's lifesaving! Overall, I cannot say enough good things about the Pound Dog community and the rescue. We're really grateful to volunteer with them and to know when dogs come into their care, they will be set up for happiness and success forever-more. Don't hesitate to support & work with this amazing organization! read more

I adopted my "Manitoba dog" from PDR in late 2024, and found out about Pound Dog when we adopted my family dog in 2014 from PDR! When I was looking for my Own dog, I was searching petfinder and encountered several rescues along the way through my applications. I ended up ONLY being comfortable with pound dog because I knew their bios were honest, and that the dogs would come with actual vet records and microchip etc. Some other rescues I encountered while searching for my "furever" unfortunately would have short vague bios that I'd later discover were NOT accurate at all. I also encountered rescues who would say vetting was done, meanwhile it had been done in another country and/or there was no paperwork to show a local check up had been done or that vaccinations had been administered. One dog I visited from another rescue was being fed Kirkland dog food, per its foster, who also said she had to buy it herself. In these cases, I can see why someone might wonder "wait, where is the adoption fee going?".. but this is not the case with PDR. Needless to say, after visiting a couple dogs and dealing with a couple of other rescues, I always had PDR as a point of comparison and ended up concluding that I'd wait until I could find my Furever dog at PDR as I was confident in their vetting, bios, and level of care the dogs get (and no Kirkland dog food!). My girl Leiki came with a huge bag of expensive top knotch food, a full package of vet records, and she is exactly as described in her bio. The interview and application process is standard (not long at all IMO) and I found it to be in line with most rescues I encountered (application, phone interview, then a meet at the Foster's house, then a couple days later bring the dog home). For those who commented on the lengthy/invasive process, it's really not? I had one rescue call my references BEFORE I even had the phone interview myself.. so to me (and most people) PDR's process is very reasonable and not invasive at all. My family trusts and prefers working with Pound Dog, as a result of their honesty, integrity and full commitment to the dogs care!! read more

I don't usually write reviews, but after seeing the negative comments about Pound Dog Rescue, I decided to do one. I currently have two wonderful dogs that we adopted from Pound Dog and I also had the chance to foster for this rescue. I was amazed at the commitment made by all of the volunteers involved, especially the couple who started PDR. To see the love and care for all the dogs by everyone involved, was truly special. This non profit rescue saves so many dogs every year. All expenses are covered from donation/fund raisers. To read the complaints from people about the cost of adopting is absurd. These dogs have all been vetted, spayed/neutered and microchipped, not to mention the additional costs of any medical needs that arise. Having gone through both the adoption and fostering process with PDR, I am so impressed by how thorough the write ups are as well as the many steps they follow to make sure the dog is a good fit for adoption. The extra effort this rescue puts into making sure the dogs are going to good homes, makes PDR a rescue that can be trusted to put the needs of the dogs first. It is a true testament to them to see so many dogs in our neighbourhood who have come from PDR and are now living their best lives. I would 100% recommend looking into Pound Dog Rescue if you are planning to adopt/ not shop for a dog. You will not be disappointed. read more

We had a wonderful experience with PDR when we adopted our little peanut in 2022. They had a thorough vetting process which is appreciated since many through caution to the wind when it comes to pet ownership. I really like their long write ups of each rescue. It really shows how they take the time to get to know each rescue that comes into their care. I like how they made sure to vet people so that new changes in people's lives don't interfere with the wellbeing of animals and that it forces people to think carefully about what their plans may look like including new possible family members. Their fee is on the higher side of rescues we looked at but we thought it was fair considering they made sure that the neutering fee was included (this is very expensive on its own!) as well as that our puppy was microchipped both things we planned to do anyways. I loved that they threw a puppy shower and that we got to meet all the potential puppies in order to see which ones fit us the best based on temperament. I will be forever grateful for our peanut! We love our annual Santa photos that PDR runs each year! Would highly recommend going through the process with them if you are serious about adopting ! read more

Pound Dog Rescue is a high quality rescue that is very detail oriented and invested in the care of their dogs. As a veterinary professional I have seen a lot of rescues and how they deal with medical issues, and PDR goes above and beyond. Many complicated cases are given the best quality of life through the investment and time they put into their care. We also foster for them so we are well-versed in their adoption process and the rescue always has the best possible fit, not the "good enough" fit, in mind for their dogs. They are truly invested in the best outcomes for these rescue dogs who have been forgotten by others, from puppy mill discards to emergent medical cases to seniors left outside to fend for themselves as "strays." They fundraise endlessly to help cover the day to day and emergent costs associated with rescue dogs. I can't say enough good things about this rescue and the support they provide for their adopters during and after successful placement. If you are looking for a thorough, low volume/high quality, personalized rescue, there's nothing better. read more

Pound Dog Rescue is one of the best rescues I've ever had the pleasure of working with. I've adopted 2 dogs from Pound Dog and both have come exactly as described in their very indepth bios. I understand that the process is long, and detailed, but I wouldn't have it any other way. They really do match the dog to their perfect family, ensuring that you have the support, resources and knowledge to handle the new dog you want to welcome into your life. I know the cost can seem high at first glance. But remember that these dogs come with all of their shots, a spay/neuter (something other life saving surgeries) and have been rehabilitated and house trained by a loving person. The costs they incur far outweigh the adoption rate you're giving. Keep in mind, if you were to buy a puppy from a breeder (reputable or not) you'd pay FAR more and still have to go through all the first year expenses. We continue to support Pound Dog in all they do going forward and we're so thank you for our pups. read more

I would 100% recommend this rescue, and I do so everyday. It's very clear from their application process that they are extremely thorough in ensuring that these dogs are adopted into homes that are right for the dog, not just because someone wants the dog. We are in a global crisis right now with dogs roaming in the northern provinces without vet care, puppy mills constantly breeding without any regard for health, and the pounds and humane societies are now having to make very tough decisions. Pound Dog Rescue is doing their part to not only save these dogs from these terrible situations and giving them a lovely foster home while they "get to know them", but they have a thorough process in place to ensure that these dogs don't end up back in the system. I have always had excellent experiences with founder Kim. I have adopted two dogs from Pound Dog Rescue and am proud to support them! read more

Pond Dog Rescue has been nothing but amazing for us. I have a friend who fosters for them and has nothing but positive things to say about them. We applied for our 1st dog in 2022. The application form is very thorough, and so it should be for a lifetime commitment. We ended up adopting Pig Pen from the Charlie Brown gang. Before receiving our new puppy we had paperwork to read through and certain supplies that were a must. Eg. martingale collars. Our puppy was picked for us and matched our family perfectly. Everything was easy to follow and they were always available with any questions we had. We adopted our 2nd puppy summer of 2024. Same process. They are very knowledgeable and well organized. I highly recommend Pound Dog Rescue for your next fur baby. read more

There are a lot of dog rescues in the GTA. Some better than others. We did a lot of research before choosing Pound Dog Rescue, our favourite by far. As noted by one of the negative reviews, YES, Pound dog has a very intensive application process. They recognize that a dog adoption is a VERY big decision, and want to make sure any potential adopter is properly vetted. Pound Dog places pets in the RIGHT homes, not just any home, which may upset some. If that's the case, you can find tons of high volume rescues that don't spend the time Pound Dog fosters spend with their dogs. And for that reason, Pound Dog returns are so infrequent you can count them on your hands. We love Pound Dog, and will continue to support them. read more

Pound Dog Rescue is fantastic! The best interest of the dog is always the top priority. All dogs are given adequate time to decompress in their foster homes to get a true sense of what the dog's personality is like. Pound Dog prioritizes the dogs health and ensures each dogs health has been thoroughly examined and ensures any health concerns are addressed prior to the dog being posted for adoption. You can tell the love that every single dog receives while with pound dog by reading the detailed bios which gives potential adopting families a great idea of what it would be like to own the dog. Cannot go wrong with either fostering or adopting through Pound Dog ! read more

Pound Dog Rescue is by far the best adoption program in southwestern Ontario, and it's not even close! My partner and I have fostered 13+ dogs with PDR and we can attest to the fantastic work that Pound Dog does throughout the Waterloo Region and surrounding areas. The adoption process is very thorough, ensuring that all dogs will arrive in their perfect adoptive home. The success rate for PDR placing dogs in permanent homes exceeds 99% and the organization is not willing to settle for anything less than a perfect fit. If you are truly searching for your perfect fur-ever friend, please consider rescuing through PDR - you will not regret it! read more

Pound Dod Rescue is exceptional. Their main concern is for the dogs in their care, so they do have a thorough adoption process, but it is to make sure the dog is going to a suitable home. The fee is very reasonable considering the dog has been thoroughly vetted and it even includes the microchip. The foster parent brings the dog to his new adoptive home, which I feel is the best thing for the dog. The dog is familiar with the foster so this causes so much less stress for the animal. All in all, Pound Dog Rescue is a very caring and really looks out for the dogs in their care until a suitable home is found. read more

My experience with Pound Dog Rescue has been absolutely amazing! From start to finish, it's clear they truly care about the dogs and ensuring they're placed in the best possible homes. The team at Pound Dog is incredibly communicative, providing updates and answering any questions I had along the way. They really take the time to understand your lifestyle and match you with a dog that fits perfectly. It's evident that their priority is the well-being of the dogs, and they go above and beyond to ensure a good fit for both the dog and the adopter. Highly recommend them to anyone looking to adopt! read more

Pound Dog Rescue is very thorough and fair, they make sure each dog goes to the best home possible. The fees are reasonable as they include all the initial shots, spay/neuter, microchip and anything else necessary to ensure the dog is healthy before going to their forever home. Many rescues do not even do the bare minimum, PDR goes above and beyond for their dogs and it shows. We're forever grateful for them bringing our dog into our lives. read more

So grateful for this rescue. Our rescue, Etta, has brought so much joy to our lives. Pound dog requires you do training with your dog and I'm so thankful they do. The training helped our confidence as well as Etta's. Pound dog is available for guidance every step of the way which is very helpful. Thank you Pound dog rescue for everything you do. read more

Without question, this rescue is top notch. Their process is very thorough with the welfare of the dogs front and centre. Their fees are completely reasonable given the expenses and care they put into their dogs. I think they set the bar high for what ethical rescue looks like. read more

From the moment I reached out, the team at Pound Dog have been transparent, supportive, and incredibly real. I am elated to have adopted from this organization. The respect they have for these dogs and their life-long journey is top-tier. read more

We adopted our furbaby through this amazing rescue. The safety and wellbeing of the dogs are their highest priority and because of that they are more rigorous in their application process. We chose this rescue for the same reasons. read more