I've adopted 2 pets from Toronto Animal Services North Region…read more First was Riley, an 8 year old Lhaso Apso who was found wandering the streets. From his condition, it was evident he was homeless for many weeks and unfortunately, showed signs of being abused. It took a few months for Riley to build his trust with humans again, but for the 6 years we had him, he brought untold happiness to our home. Recently, I've adopted another dog...Finnegan, a 1 year old Shih-Tzu/Pomeranian mix. Finn was turned in to animal services as his owners could no longer care for him. Like Riley before him, he has personality with a capital "P"....and has, in a months time, become an old friend. When thinking of adopting a pet, why not look at an animal shelter or humane society? They have numerous animals looking for what they call "forever homes'. Some animals come with little or no background, so they are assessed and information is provided based on professional observations. Some animals are turned in by their owners, for whatever reason, and some background information is available. Some animals are rescues from a life that is unfitting anything. Besides dogs and cats, they have other animals as well, rabbits, guinea pigs...the list goes on and on. The people that I have been fortunate enough to deal with at Toronto Animal Services North have been stellar. They truly love animals and are careful to ensure that pets available for adoption are placed with individuals who can provide proper care for them. Sorry if I can't recall names, but everyone there was pleasant, knowledgable and obviously loved their jobs. They made the adoption process so much more enjoyable and they seem thrilled when one of their animals finds a new home. The cost is minimal and there are companions waiting to be found here. Please, before visiting a pet store or breeder, give a pet in a shelter a chance. You won't be sorry

The only reason I'm not giving them a 1 star rating is that they might be good at the actual…read morespaying and neutering, but I never found out! Calling them for the last 2 weeks, no one ever answers the phone, literally, not once. I'm talking calling 20-30 times per day, 2-3 calls at a time. Then their answering machine....the message is literally 3 minutes long. THREE MINUTES for what should be: "Leave a message after the tone" !!! So leaving an actual message for callback is very frustrating, as the message says so much information it kills your entire train of thought. Among other info, the message stated that they will call you back within 24 hours. It's been a week, no callback again. When we did get through to them months ago, we asked for spaying of 2 of our cats. The receptionist was very rude and we felt like she was just trying to get us off the phone so she could go back to playing Solitaire on her computer. She told us the fax number where to send all of our info and that it set up through that. Ok, so I faxed all of our information about both our cats. We did not receive any call back or anything, so after 2+ weeks passed, I got frustrated and called them again. The same (rude) receptionist picked up and said that they did receive the faxes and booked the cats for spaying. One was due to be spayed the next day, and the other in a week! Needless to say I was very upset, since they first off, booked both my cats on different dates, even though I requested they both be done on the same day. More importantly, I was upset at the fact that no one called us to tell us about the booking dates in the first place! Needless to say I cancelled. So yea, price wise this place maybe cheap, but they have absolutely NO customer service what-so-ever. Worst receptionist I've ever encountered with any business!

The Toronto Humane Society is a great place for anyone looking to adopt or support animal welfare…read more The staff and volunteers genuinely care about the animals, and you can tell they put in a lot of effort to make sure each one gets the right home. The shelter is clean, well run, and offers a lot of resources, not just for adoptions but also for pet care and education. Even if you're not looking to adopt, it's worth visiting or donating because they do so much for animals in need. They also have a variety of programs, from fostering to veterinary services, which makes a real difference in the community. You're even able to book "corporation events" for your company a great activity for team bonding and take care of these beautiful fur friends.

I came with my work to volunteer and learn more about the organization and facility. We received a…read moretour of the facility and were informed what each area was for and the type of work that they do. There's a special species section with rabbits, guinea pigs, turtles. When I think of the humane society I think of cats and dogs. Some of the dogs couldn't stop wagging their tails when we got close to their enclosures. They stuck their noses and paws through whatever crevice they could to get closer, I think in the hope that we'd pet them =(. We were told not to pet them. Upstairs there are some 'cat condos.' These are larger spaces for cats to move around in with different levels. There's one where kittens and cats can stay together and someone can play with them or another where an obese cat was supposed to be getting some exercise but he was just laying there. We filled separate ziplock bags with dog food puppies and adult dogs and then got to play with a puppy! The dogs get a minimum of 4 walks a day with some receiving 5 or 6. There's lots of different volunteering positions available. Just check their website for openings.

I am so broken for what this place did to me today. I connected to a dog, Bobby, they had on their…read moresite for a month. I read his description and saw his picture and I just knew he was meant for me, you know. I called them, they sent me a form to fill and filled it honestly. They called me to set the date for the meet and great and with more addition question like, where you live? Have you lived with a big dog? Etc. I ended the call with high hopes cause everything was going amazing and I thought this was it! I'm getting a companion in my life I can care for. He was my baby on my mind already. The day of meet and greet came by which was today, went in 30 minutes early cause I was anxious, it's like having a new baby. I had everything ready for him at my home. Have been preparing ever since I got the call. I showed up and i could tell straight ahead, he wasn't going home with me. The employee didn't even want to let me through the animal shelter door. Asking question about where I live and how often I'm home. Making excuses like he's big, he's strong, he needs training, he has separation anxiety, did they let you know about that?, who did you speak to? Then after all that, they started suggesting other dogs for me. Like how insensitive are this people. A dog is a lifetime companion and you're choosing different dogs for me like it's a temporary situation for me. I'm not a fostering the dog. I connected to the dog I choose, he is the one I see in my life and they treated him like he's a chess piece to me. I said I would do whatever suggestions you want. I will hire a trainer, I will get medication for this anxiety, I would have a caretaker with him when I'm at work so he doesn't get anxious, anything and everything you tell me to give him a good life, I would do. They finally let me meet him and I was in love with him. He was so beautiful and I could just see how he would change my life. But I knew I had to leave him behind. I'm writing this review in pieces, mentally, I left the animal shelter in tears. It's like going to the hospital excepting a baby only for them to tell you it won't be happening. Coming home to all the things that you got and did for him to feel at home in your home is so heartbreaking and something I never knew I would experience like this. I am gonna try again to find my forever companion but after my experience today, I need a few months to mourn my almost baby. My advice to the animal shelter east service, please include issues and concerns of the dog on the description and what's family and living conditions works for them . I hope this review is a lesson for you guys to do better.

The shelter is completely disorganized and truly makes me question their priority of the animal's…read morewellbeing. On Wednesday, I saw a dog that was available that was perfect for me. I've rescued dogs my whole life and knew this would be the perfect home. They do not accept emails so I set an alarm to be up and ready for their opening at 10:30 to be able to call. I get through, and the 7 million directory voices make me press a bunch of things until I finally get their *full* voicemail where it says try again later and the phone then automatically hangs up. From then on for hours the line was busy and I could not get through to even a ring. I took screenshots of all this. I got a hold of a human by noon and at this point the dog was already taken because "phones were off the hooks." I know.. I was the first caller so he would have been mine. Then that night, I see an add for another sweet dog in the West location's shelter. Perfect. I set an alarm and THE SAME THING HAPPENS. Now I lost two dogs that I would have been perfect for and kudos to the person who got through to a human because I genuinely do not know how they did it. All I can say is if your priority is rehoming the dog into a good family, the dog should not be "claimed" between 1030 to noon, without background checks and inspection. Regardless, now I'm upset because it seems like the shelter's priority is who has the quickest fingers to dial, rather than who will make a stable home for a rescue dog. Also, it's covid- get a call waiting system.

I definitely do not want to complain about a volunteer-run, no-kill shelter, but YES, the process…read moreis quite long and extensive. This "review" is mainly for people who are thinking of adopting thru this organization so that you don't get deterred. First, it does take about 2 full weeks from the time you submit your application to when you can pick up your new, furbaby. Also expect at least 2 phone interviews and a bunch of email exchanges with a volunteer. In the day and age of Amazon Prime, these 2 weeks are like a torturous roller coaster full of ups and downs! After the first week, your momentum will probably dip. There'll be times where you feel like giving up, but if you're intent on adopting thru a no-kill shelter - as I was - and have your heart set on a particular pet, STICK WITH IT. Answer the same questions time and time again, provide all the necessary info/documentation they ask you for. In the end, I do feel like this organization truly does care about the animals in their care, but they're not really in a rush to adopt out their cats/dogs, ASAP. They do take their time and the process is about 1-week/1-2 steps too long, imho. Result is solid though as they make sure the animal you're taking to their forever home is healthy and happy!

We adopted our black Lab from The West Seneca SPCA on her 1st birthday. Her name was Serona, we…read morechanged it to Happy which suited her perfectly. She was always playing frisbee or stealing sticks when I was picking them up. She steal them out of the bucket on the tractor. Playing in the pile of leaves in the fall. She loved to go for walks or a ride in the car. She also had a best friend who is a Dashound whose name is Winnie. She still looks for Happy too! Happy also loved to go swimming in our pond. Unfortunately Happy passed away Nov. 2023 from a stroke. She was 13 yrs old. I miss her so much. My cat misses her too, he goes over to the table where I have her container of ashes and her picture sitting. And just looks at her, it's like he is talking to her, why did you leave me? They grew up together. He is 12 now. He ias lonesome. Linda

No one answers the phone.. waste your time listening the robot talking. Who pays these employees?read more

The shelter is completely disorganized and truly makes me question their priority of the animal's…read morewellbeing. On Wednesday, I saw a dog that was available that was perfect for me. I've rescued dogs my whole life and knew this would be the perfect home. They do not accept emails so I set an alarm to be up and ready for their opening at 10:30 to be able to call. I get through, and the 7 million directory voices make me press a bunch of things until I finally get their *full* voicemail where it says try again later and the phone then automatically hangs up. From then on for hours the line was busy and I could not get through to even a ring. I took screenshots of all this. I got a hold of a human by noon and at this point the dog was already taken because "phones were off the hooks." I know.. I was the first caller so he would have been mine. Then that night, I see an add for another sweet dog in the West location's shelter. Perfect. I set an alarm and THE SAME THING HAPPENS. Now I lost two dogs that I would have been perfect for and kudos to the person who got through to a human because I genuinely do not know how they did it. All I can say is if your priority is rehoming the dog into a good family, the dog should not be "claimed" between 1030 to noon, without background checks and inspection. Regardless, now I'm upset because it seems like the shelter's priority is who has the quickest fingers to dial, rather than who will make a stable home for a rescue dog. Also, it's covid- get a call waiting system.

Bad experience with a volunteer, contradicting the adoptable status of a specific cat, sermonizing…read morehow fast ALL cats need to go out the door, but firmly insisting ... TO ME ... I RECONNECT down the road later due to her misunderstanding my wording? Misunderstanding my emails, albeit I was very articulate in explaining my over 30 years of experience in owning cats throughout my life time. **I WANTED A SPECIFIC CAT **NOW** AND I WANTED TO ***PAY FOR IT NOW*** ... BUT THIS PERSON told me ONLY e transfers are accepted as a method of payment??? NO CREDIT CARDS, NO DEBIT CARDS, NO CASH OR CHEQUES.... ONLY E TRANSFERS????? No wonder Toronto Cat Rescue CLAIMS they have hundreds, and they sermonize how essential it is to expedite their cats' forever homes .... I SUGGEST TO LOOSEN UP THE VARIETY OF METHODS TO ACCEPT FEES FROM ADOPTERS TO GET THAT FLOW MOVING FOR CATS TO GET THEIR PERMANENT HOME!!! YA THINK????

It goes to show what kind of people are having a difficult time with this organisation. My fiance…read moreand I walked in to a petsmart one day, saw our beautiful baby Kira, left a call and applied immediately. The next day we picked her up. No issues, hardly any screening and no problems with the answers we provided. Medical issues with cats can present at any time and can often be invisible for weeks if not months. To put that on a rescue who is in a constant financial deficit is not fair at all. If you cannot financially provide for an animal, especially a kitten, DO NOT get one. The lady we spoke to on the phone during our adoption application was on the verge of tears with how happy she was, calling yourself 'ideal adopters' quickly shows exactly why the rescue had issues with you. Our Kira came to us FIV+ and likely needing medical support. We did not complain nor even think about contacting the rescue, we knew what we were signing up for adopting a cat, if you are unwilling to take that risk then buy a cat from a breeder who can provide health documents from the parents.

No amount of praise I write for ACR could be enough. I found my baby Fiona through their rescue…read moreagency and the entire adoption process was seamless. I learnt so much about Fiona's quirks and habits through her foster mom. When we decide to adopt another Cat, it will surely be through ACR.

Was in a position to donate a brand new fluffy bed (thanks to Chewy's excellent customer service)…read moreand several cans of cat food that my cat refused to eat ‍ Annex Cat Rescue is a volunteer business and a volunteer came right to my house to pick up the items. Would definitely contact them if ever I could foster to adopt.

...they always ask you to GO BACK to the same spot you saw the animal recently to see if it is…read morestill there...everytime, so annoying - the reason I called is because it was there! If I can't go back then they will not help, they don't care at all about the animal...what is the point of letting them know about an injured animal if you get this response every time....and they always ask you always to bring whatever injured animal you saw in yourself, it is too hard sometimes to do that...being they are so far away from Durham region...and I don't drive so is impossible for me....Also the little injured chipmunk I found that someone drove in for me disappeared once they got it, I never heard about it again...no update. no nothing...it was heartbreaking wondering what happened to it

My neighbors, know how much I love all animals..... and that's the reason why I'm living a vegan…read morelifestyle. One Sunday morning, my neighbor called me. She asked if I have any bird food, because I have bird feeders in my backyard. I quickly jumped out of bed to give her some. When I saw her, an injured pigeon, in her backyard! I quickly catches it and brought it inside. Called TWL. I didn't hesitate to drive the poor, scared, thing there! The staff at TWL are the BEST!! One of the staff is vegan and I was even happier!! All animals are beautiful and have the right to be loved and live....All. They're all special! I loveeeee birds!!! I hope "Jessie" is ok. I'm waiting to hear.

Mattie's Place is first and foremost a pet rescue. They have cats and dogs looking for forever…read morehomes who are being fostered during their wait. At this location, they have a variety of pet items for sale: some new and some donated. I always find something to buy! The purchase price goes towards the organization so I'm happy to financially contribute and support the circular economy at the same time. I've been bringing my foster dog for nail trims and ear cleanings for a very reasonable $20 which goes towards this rescue. I believe it's every first weekend of the month. Please check their Instagram for updates and info. The people who work here have always been friendly and welcoming. The vet techs have been very professional. I keep coming back! Operating hours are posted on google.

Amazing organization, thanks to volunteers many dogs are saved , including a sweet abandoned staffy…read morethey helped me find a home for..God Bless Denise for her help