READ BEFORE CONSIDERING TO ADOPT A PUPPY!…read more Home At Last Dog Rescue spayed my Heeler/Golden Retriever mix at just 10 weeks old--well before the age recommended for large breed dogs. I adopted her at 11 weeks and only learned she had already been sterilized when a volunteer casually said as I was leaving, "Keep an eye on her incision. She was spayed Thursday." As a result, she now suffers from urinary incontinence, leaking urine while sleeping, requiring lifelong medication, repeat diagnostics, and possibly surgery. This is not an unpredictable outcome--it's a well-documented risk of early spaying in large breeds. Each puppy's profile under one year old should clearly state that the dog will be spayed or neutered before adoption. That simple line might alert someone that the procedure is happening far too early--and give them pause to consider the lifelong hormonal complications they could be inheriting. Had I seen that information, I may have realized what I was walking into. Had I not spent time with the puppies on adoption day--snuggling with her and her siblings, watching them play, and identifying my lifelong best friend--I would NEVER have adopted a puppy spayed this early. You shouldn't either. The incontinence doesn't become apparent until you finally realize that this puppy is trying so hard to be housebroken but just can't make it for the normal length of time between potty runs. There were eight puppies in this litter. Eight puppies all spayed or neutered too soon. Buried deep on their website is this statement: "To help reduce the number of unwanted animals, our dogs are sterilized prior to adoption unless there is a medical reason that this surgery can't be done at this time." There is a medical reason--recognized by veterinary associations--not to spay large breed puppies at such an early age. The AAHA (American Animal Hospital Association) recommends delaying spay/neuter for large-breed dogs until 12-18 months of age to reduce orthopedic risks and hormonal complications. My dog is a Heeler/Golden Retriever mix, and she now lives with the consequences of their "one size fits all" protocol. A puppy needs the hormones allowed by delayed spaying to support normal development of their bones, joints, and urinary system--removing them too early can disrupt these processes and lead to long-term complications. Home At Last Dog Rescue claims to carefully vet their adopters. If they trust these individuals enough to adopt a dog, why not require a signed contract to ensure spay/neuter at the medically appropriate age? When I adopted my previous golden retriever at 7 weeks old, I gladly signed such a contract. It's a responsible, balanced approach--and one this rescue refuses to consider. In their response to me, the rescue stated: "We've adopted out nearly 25,000 dogs over 15 years--roughly half of them puppies--and have always followed pediatric spay/neuter protocols with the support of 19 veterinary offices, without similar reports or documented patterns of complications related to urinary incontinence or long-term hormonal issues." I have her medical records and offered to submit them, but they never asked for them--so my dog becomes yet another 'undocumented complication.' Adopting from this group isn't inexpensive. I paid $550, and they required another $200 donation as a "benefactor" for another dog's medical care. Yet when my own dog's complications became clear, there was no support, no refund, no shared concern--only a blanket policy stating they don't assist adopters with medical care after the adoption. While I don't believe this rescue intentionally hands off dogs with medical issues, their protocol--despite being supported by some vets--carries known risks. My own vet, and many others, do not support pediatric sterilization in large breeds. This wasn't disclosed, discussed, or even acknowledged as a possibility. Think very carefully before supporting this group. Ask hard questions. You will find that once you sign the adoption papers, you--and the dog--are on your own.

Horrible organization. Attempted to adopt from them four times. Finally received a phone interview…read moreafter the fourth application. Was ultimately told I could not adopt because I do not have a fenced yard. This in spite of living across from a walking trail which I informed them I would use four times a day. Have since adopted from another organization and met multiple owners who adopted from HAL, none of whom had fenced yards. Have also met multiple dog owners who were denied adoption from HAL. Common theme, all those denied adoption were 60+, all those who were allowed adoption were under 50. So.....HAL discriminates based on age.

So happy I was able to adopt my English Cream Golden Retriever from To Love A Canine. I am apart of…read morethis program that trains rescue dogs to become service dogs and was thankfully able to get my wonderful dog for free as a military veteran. The adoption process was easy since I'll be going through the program and they found me a dog that is everything and more than what I wanted and expected in a doggie. She is so relaxed, calm and very lovable. She loves attention and needs it constantly which is what I want. I can't wait to get her trained so she can help me in the home on days where I can't get out of bed because of my back and difficulty doing so. I am so thankful for the team at this rescue for making the adoption experience easy and fast. After they found me a dog that would match my preferences, they emailed me a picture of Navi ( her new name is Navidad, since we bought her before Christmas. We met Navi the next week, and I basically got to bring home my new furry daughter the same day. I was able to meet the foster family who had her to ask questions about her and to find out her favorite treats, food she eats and to get any other information I wanted. Brought Navi home and she bonded quickly with me and my daughter. She dragged me up the steps and somehow knew where we lived. It's like she knew she was home. It's been almost 2 months now since she's been adopted and it has been the best experience of my life. My dog changed me in so many ways, and for her being my first dog I am so happy I got her. Her temperament and personality matches ours and we love her so much. If I decide in the future to get another dog I would adopt from To Love A Canine Rescue again.

This rescue has so many wonderful and caring volunteers. We have gotten two dogs from them, and…read morethey made the transition very easy.

This place is so wonderful. There are three whole floors of clean, well-maintained, free roaming…read morespaces for cats and kittens. The rooms are organized so that cats are in the best and most comfortable environment for their age and personalities. The staff is so kind and knowledgeable about the cats. We adopted two kittens here and were given cute little blankets to take home with them, and all the information we could possibly need for pet care and vet visits. The adoption fee was super reasonable considering the kitties came fully up to date on all their shots, spayed/neutered, and microchipped. Can't say enough good things about Kitty Cottage!

We adopted our girl Biscuit from Kitty Cottage and we had a great experience! Facilities are clean…read moreand the staff is really friendly. All of the cats appeared healthy and happy and the cat rooms were open and accessible. Great place to adopt from!

Kim is so sweet! The staff is very nice. Kim is very responsive at answering my texts about…read moreboarding dates, updates, etc. She'll send you photos of your dog. My dog gets excited arriving at Tiny Miracles and is happy to come home, tired and content.

We board our pups here when they can't come with us. It's the only place we trust. Kim and her…read morestaff are wonderful!

A wonderful and educational experience. You get to meet wolf dogs not 100 %…read moreWolfs but many are 95% wolf Or more. This is the closest many people Will get to meeting wolves (wolfdogs) up close and personal

Highly educational. The guides could not have been better. The wolves are beautiful and up close.read more

We just adopted a dog through AHOTO. Everyone on the organization that we interacted with was kind,…read moreprofessional, responsive, and very knowledgeable. We highly recommend them!

I adopted my cat through AHOTO. They asked me to foster and it was obviously a fail. The…read morecommunications and support were great. Natalie is very attentive to all their cats and kittens and super helpful with adoption. She knows which cat to pair which human with, and is always spot on. I would 100% always adopt from them.

I just got a new puppy. It's tough with new puppies because they need all their shots and…read moreboosters. Plus a micro chip. My vet wanted $150 to do the micro chip and register pup for only one year. I found the Garden State Animal Rescues micro chip clinic and I am glad I did! They were so kind and personable to deal with. They came to my house to do the injection and they registered my pup with home again for life! The fee? $30 because I live in monmouth county! Not only did they do that service, but they gave me info on training and suggested a probiotic for my puppy's upset stomach. Cannot say enough good about them! Thank you so much Garden State Animal Rescue!

Highly recommend for their excellent service, quality work, reasonable rates, great car wash. Tino…read moreis the man!