Only good things to say about STAF having adopted several cats there over many years. Recent adoption was a previously adopted cat returned after a rather traumatic home situation. Volunteers (Jean, Amanda, Julie, Amy) were so helpful, supportive, friendly. I can't praise them enough. In just 5 days my "scaredy" cat has left his hiding place, explored the house and is happily settling in. I think this reflects the good care he received at STAF while awaiting a new home. read more

Save the Animals Foundation - Community Service/Non-Profit Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

We recently adopted 2 cats from STAF, Buddy and Asher. We are so pleased with the entire process and the results. Everyone at STAF is so dedicated. They do absolutely everything they can to make sure that all of the animals' best interests are considered and taken care of. What I appreciated so much is how much detail I received from them. I knew what each cat was eating, their history, medical information and more. We received a huge goodie bag filled with food for each cat, litter, toys, treats and more. Having this makes the transition from the shelter to home go so much better. We worked with Jean who is amazing! Thank you so much for your concern, the details you provided and your honesty. (You alerted us to a potential minor issue with one of the cats which never happened.) We absolutely love our cats and owe so much to the dedication of the volunteers at STAF who made this happen. Susan & Mark read more

I chose to adopt my cat from STAF due to several recommendations from people I personally know. I filed the application and got a phone interview a couple of days after. We reviewed the application and discussed my home life and set up a time to visit the shelter. My son and I visited and I had a few cats in my list that sounded like they'd fit our laid-back style and I was pleased that my list was similar to the STAF volunteers list (I love their website with the background stories for the cats). Went to see Amy, met her and she was super sweet, but wanted to see the other cats on my list. Got to meet MJ and Cadbury, before being claimed by my Pretty Girl- who was not listed on the site. She was being treated for something, so i couldn't take her immediately, but i visited about 2-3 times a week before bringing her home the week of Halloween. So, got to bond with her and the other kitties. She had been adopted before, then returned for not coming out of hiding for 3 days. On the 4th day, she came out for us and she's been attached ever since! So, if you get a cat that's not quick at opening up, give them a chance to exist without pressure. And just when you think you've done all you can, give it 1 more day. And to the family that got the sweet orange boy MJ- I hope he's as sweet with you as he was with us. I would've left with him as well! Everyone at the shelter was nice. I worked closely with Amanda and she always made sure everyone knew when I'd be coming for my weekly visits. STAF checks up on the cats afterwards and were always available to chat about my kitty if needed. Sent me home with toys, food, and litter. I jist finished up the food. Adoption fee is cash only, but there's a Walmart across the street. read more

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This is the largest no-kill shelter in Cincinnati, OH. They take in dogs and cats that other shelters aren't able to properly care for. Most of the dogs and cats get adopted into forever homes. Those that don't have a forever home at the shelter and are well cared for by many volunteers. read more

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My partner and I just adopted our cat from STAF and had the best experience! They handled everything very responsibly. Throughout the process they showed how they truly cared about matching us with an animal that fits with our lifestyle and made sure that the animal would be in good hands. We loved that they had a list of adoptable cats on their website with bios you could read. Once we found one that would be a great match for us, we left an email and filled out the application. This was followed by a phone interview to go over the application and then a scheduled visit to the shelter. The volunteer showed us the cat we were interested in as well as some other cats that she thought would be a good fit. We reached back out after our visit that we wanted to take one home! We worked closely with Jean and Julie. They both were extremely knowledgable and nice. They answered any and all questions that we had. After we brought our kitty home, they checked in and made sure everything was going okay as he adjusted to our home. They went above and beyond by providing us with a cat carrier, scratching post, food, litter, and toys. They provided all of his health records and proof of all his vaccines. They even provided local vets that they recommended we could go to. Overall we had a wonderful experience and are so grateful we found STAF. We are so happy that we have a new furry friend in our lives :) read more

My boyfriend and I adopted a bonded pair of kittens early last week. We had an amazing experience working with the shelter. We worked with Jean Kandel and she was the best! So easy to talk to and made the whole process super smooth. The animals were well taken care of and the volunteers are dedicated to their work. read more

This is Joe Hardesty. I just adopted my dog this morning December 5 at STAF. It was an easy and great process. I volunteer there and am so impressed with the quality of care the animals receive. All the staff truly loves what they do and treat the animals with the best of care and love. I am so happy to have found my baby TIA. I highly recommend STAF to anyone looking for a pet or to volunteer. This is a fantastic organization. read more

Wonderful and well maintained shelter for the animals in need. Each and every animal is well cared for, with so much work put into ensuring all the animals are comfortable, healthy, and happy. Everything is kept clean and safe, thanks to the kind volunteers. read more

I adopted a cat from STAF over the summer. I cannot say enough positive things about my experience! All of the volunteers I interacted with were extremely friendly and helpful. They were very knowledgeable about each of the cats. They answered questions about each cat's history and personality. It was clear that the volunteers care deeply about the animals there. I was also impressed by how responsive the organization is! I heard back from every email and phone call extremely promptly. As a first-time pet owner, I feel like STAF really puts forth a lot of effort to help ensure a smooth and successful adoption. You cannot take your cat home on the first day you meet, so you have time to prepare and cat-proof, and be sure that you are ready. My cat was neutered, vaccinated, and microchipped, and I was provided detailed medical records. The small adoption fee includes a very nice carrier and a great starter kit (bags of food, litter, toys, and a small bed inside of the carrier). All-in-all, it was a very smooth and enjoyable process - and I ended up with the perfect cat! I would highly recommend STAF to anyone looking to adopt in the area. It is a fantastic organization and a great asset to the Cincinnati area. I am so thankful for STAF! read more

Save the Animals Foundation - First time I met my sweet cat, Batman, at STAF - Community Service/Non-Profit Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

As a volunteer and cat parent to two cats adopted from STAF, I can't say enough great things. Volunteering at STAF is so rewarding and only takes an hour or two out of your week (though usually more depending on how much time you want to spend with all the cats). Adopting from STAF is also a great experience, the adoption coordinators are so friendly and make sure you are introduced to all the cats that might be a great fit for you and your home. read more

Save the Animals Foundation - Our two cats adopted from STAF - Community Service/Non-Profit Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

I would highly recommend you check out Louies Legacy (the absolute BEST) or other local agencies before supporting this company. Although it is run by volunteers, they are incredibly unprofessional with replies (grammar and lack of responses in general). They also act very patronizing about how you train your animals, which is odd as they are not professionals. They require a fenced-in yard or constant leashing for all applicants. We love our dogs so much that we 1) would never leave them outside in a fenced yard all day as we don't believe in leaving dogs outside and ignoring them and 2) spend the time, money, and energy to properly train them so they can go play toss or use the potty without being leashed, even though we do supervise these unleashed actions. It is pretty standard for most people to train their dogs this way, and anybody can be a great dog owner without having a large fenced-in yard! Although I understand companies have their own policies like this (and that is okay), it is quite unprofessional to avoid application emails and messages. A simple automatic reply stating that we don't meet their beliefs for the proper way to train a dog would suffice. At the end of the day, they really are just missing out on giving these animals to homes that are so dedicated and loving towards their pets. I feel sorry for these cats and dogs missing out on finding forever homes with incredible families who would love them so much because of their trivial beliefs on how they think an animal should be raised. Don't let this company deter your adoption search¨ read more

For those that don't volunteer here, you probably don't know the situation that many of the dogs and especially cats come in for. If you did, you wouldn't be so critical of their adoption process. That being said, I have volunteered here for over 3 years. And I have personally seen, mostly on the cat side, what horrendous situations many of GOD's beings have come to us from. If you saw them, you would be a LOT less critical of the adoption process. read more

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STAF is amazing! They are 100% committed to the animals. They are an all volunteer organizations based out of a shelter in Red Bank Rd in Cincinnati Ohio. If you are looking for a furry friend or a volunteer opportunity look no further. read more

What a wonderful adoption center! The volunteers and staff were so kind and knowledgeable on the animals. I knew the kitty I was interested in from Pet Finder, but they still allowed me to pet and love on the other cats as well! They take great precaution and care of their animals, ALL ages. Definitely not a deal breaker because of all the other awesome qualities this place has, but they even send you home with a good amount of stuff to help make your kitty feel at home. They give GREAT advice as I already had one cat at home and how to merge them successfully. All in all, I could not have wished for a better experience. Everyone there truly loves all of their animals and even keep up with the adoption a few days later. 100/100!!! read more

I can't recommend STAF highly enough to capture my admiration and appreciation for this organization and its dedicated volunteers. I went to the shelter to meet a cat I saw online, but he was too shy to deal with my two dogs. Instead I fell in love with Briar, a special needs cat I adopted three months ago. The vet assistants at STAF worked with me almost every day for three months to teach me how to care for Briar properly in my home. (I finally got the hang of it!). Their kindness and patience were amazing. Every cat in the shelter is important to STAF - they treat them with care and with love. read more

The experience I had with this organization was disturbing and demeaning. It seemed to me that there was no real concern for the dog as all the focus was on whether or not the person seeking to rescue the dog would be a good match. My extensive background being a handler was clearly not considered. I even brought my dog who is a retired Therapy Dog with a CGC. Instead, the focus was on my yard not being fenced even after we indicated a fence was on order. No consideration was given for the dog who had been abandoned from a previous owner to run the streets. The dog apparently suffers from anxiety. The first time I was permitted to see the dog was in a4 room with 6 people in the room at the same time. The Foster was in that group and gave a background story about the dog, however the dog didn't associate with her. Instead the dog plastered herself in total fear against the wall. For the second meeting I had with the dog I insisted no one else be in the room except me and my husband. What I didn't realize is this poor fearful dog was brought into the center from the foster's home and the foster person wasn't there We were told the dog was placed at the shelter when the person had to place her there so she could attend a funeral. As I understand it, the dog was in again and out again of the shelter. During our second visit this fearful dog plastered itself into a corner. In the half hour I was given with the dog, I was able to reach her and actually pet her. She showed she wanted more by leaning into my hands and making eye contact with me. We had connected. I indicated interest in adopting her as soon as possible. I was told the problem was us not having a fenced-in backyard. I got the impression the STAF volunteer didn't believe us. I think she grouped us with many others who had lied to her in the past. I felt like a criminal. I had carefully presented references on my application however those people were not contacted in order verify my skill with dogs. I was told my application would be reviewed by "the board". The board came back with the answer that the dog would be given to me on a trial basis of a day or two for four times to see if the day or so would prove the match would be a good one. I couldn't believe this "solution". I let the organizaiton know that the solution was not a good one for the dog. I wanted to adopt this dog because I could see real potential for her and we had connected. The dog needed stability as soon as possible - not being bounced from the foster, to STAF, to the foster, to me, to STAF, etc. The board countered with the offer to allow the dog to come stay with me for a week and a half in order to see if we were a fit for her. The proposal of moving the dog around would create separation anxiety and other behavior problems for her and any person who would be deemed appropriate for her. Obviously, "the board" didn't review my background and wasn't considering the dog and her need for stability. I wish I had read reviews for STAF before I tried to do business with them so I would have saved myself being put through such a demeaning experience. Not getting the dog broke my heart for her but I withdrew my application because I didn't want to adopt the organization. They led me to believe there would be this back and forth with the dog, plus several house inspections and yard inspections, and a review months after to see if the dog was getting along OK. No Thank YOU.!! read more

Flexible hours for volunteers, fun local fundraising events, great volunteer staff, and amazing dogs!! Such an awesome organization to volunteer for. They really care about their animals and make it their mission to find them the best homes possible. Always looking for volunteers so if you have a free morning or night during the week, we'd love to have you and so would the animals! read more

Volunteer there weekly and got my last dog from there. It's a wonderful place to volunteer and you get to see so many wonderful animals get the homes they truly deserve. Fully donation funded so everyone is there because they really care. read more

Save the Animals Foundation - Sibling Great Danes that were adopted - Community Service/Non-Profit Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

I have volunteered at STAF since 2019 and have met so many wonderful people and animals. All the volunteers are so dedicated to the animals, and who can say no to extra animal cuddles. I always look forward to my volunteer day each week! read more

When I started volunteering at STAF (Save the Animals Foundation) I thought I was in the company of the finest people on the planet. They just can't do enough for the dogs waiting for their forever homes to find them. Let me Begin by first sharing this quote with you that says... "Don't believe everything you see, even salt looks like sugar. I began volunteering at STAF in 2013 and had occasion to meet this gorgeous 3 year old mix named Pearl. One year later she allowed me to pet her. We became best friends from that moment on. I was honored, flattered and privileged to assist in Pearl's care while being Fosteed as she cannot live in a shelter environment. About a year ago I became aware of some suspect behavior exhibited by the co foster parent and immediately shared my observations with JoAnne kirckpatrick and shelter manager Diane Parsons throughout this past year. On Christmas Eve I received an email from JoAnne kirckpatrick consisting of one sentence that stated "either adopt Pearl or stop worrying about her". That would be the last time I would ever from JoAnne kirckpatrick. I visited Diane Parsons at the shelter and shared my concerns and she said "Jamey you are in charge of pearls well-being while JoAnne is gone for four months. I was terminated two weeks later, January 29th 2019 in retaliation for being a whistleblower. My concerns were swept under the rug with absolutely no follow-up or investigation. I would not turn the other way. I would not keep my mouth shut and I was terminated from a volunteer position that I loved dearly. You should know I was the 2017 recipient of the "Golden Paw Award". It means nothing now. STAF has created and environment for Pearl to the extent that Pearl is going to regress, progress into a deep depression and God forgive me for saying this but her life will likely end. Shame on you STAF for sweeping this under the rug which makes you culpable should the unthinkable occur. "You never look good trying to make someone else look bad" I promise you that was not my intent today. Questions or comments welcome: Jamey Saturn10@gmail.com or 513-581-5589 I just thought the community should know about this. read more

Save the Animals Foundation - PEARL - Community Service/Non-Profit Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

STAF is full of the most kind-hearted, selfless volunteers. It is kept clean, organized, and withholds all of the animals' best interest and as their highest priority. read more

Don't even try adopting here, it's not worth the headache. Tried adopting a cat with my girlfriend recently, we went in and had to fill out a fairly substantial application, which I wouldn't have cared about if they had been upfront about how picky they are! The lady turned us down based on the cat-owning habits of my mom (she let our first cat outside on occasion) and to top it off she was very judgmental and rude about it! It took a fair amount of self restraint not to curse her out. I know STAF cares a great deal about their cats, but there is a way to talk to people and to express their concerns. They did not even give us a chance to defend ourselves, judging us on how my mother takes care of her own cats. I don't even have a problem with being told no, but STAF needs to make their vetting process more transparent so people don't waste their time! Do better people! read more

The absolute BEST place to adopt a dog in Cincinnati. Yes, they may go over your background with a fine tooth comb, but it's only because they care. (That's a GREAT thing...) The process really isn't that difficult or lengthy, it's simple. Remember adopting is a big life decision and owning a dog takes paitence! In comparison to the SPCA and others, STAF actually takes the time to make sure every pet is super healthy and well groomed. I was amazed at how much care they give their rescues. They REALLY work hard on behavior issues and training too. The effort their volunteers put in is beyond outstanding. These people are true people pet. Adopt a dog from STAF or go pay them a visit. You'll know why STAF deserves far more than 5 stars! read more

I went to STAF on Saturday and was not disappointed. I filled out applications for both a dog and cat, as I have not decided on which animal I would adopt (maybe both!). Filling out the application at first felt extremely odd. But once I went to my interview appointment, I realized how much I actually appreciated this step. This organization is a sanctuary first and foremost. They truly care for the animals. They want to make sure you are a good fit for the animal, just as much as they are for you. The dog and cat visits were different. First I had a dog interview. I was brought into a room with 2 volunteers who read through my application (and back and forth e-mails from the previous week). We discussed my lifestyle and what exactly I was hoping for. Then they brought in dogs that they thought would suit me. I saw 3 dogs in total and like 2 of the 3. One was a bit too hyper for my liking. Once it was over they told me to think about the dogs I had seen and reach back out if I was interested. I loved that there was no pressure to take home a dog that may or may not have been a good fit. Once I find a dog that I am interested in, they stated that there is a more involved process of visiting the dog and then a home visit where I can see if the dog is good fit for the home. The appointment lasted 1 hour. The cat interview was a a little different in that I went to each cat room to visit the cats, instead of them being brought to me. I also had an interview with one of the cat volunteers. She stated that the cat adoption process is also lengthy. The cat areas were quite remarkable. They had so many rooms with cats in them. Some of the cats are not adoptable. I fell in love with one cat who was super friendly, but he was not adoptable as he had too many medical conditions. The volunteer told me that this is first and foremost a cat sanctuary. Most of the cats here will live out there lives, but some can be adopted out. I love that the cats will always be welcome back here in case you cannot keep them for whatever reason. The reason for the low stars is because of the next step in the process. I was not informed until a week later that I was denied my application to adopt a cat due to inconsistences. I asked what they meant by inconsistences as I had been honest during the entire process and they did not provide specific details. I believe there may have been a misunderstanding or misconnection between what the volunteer who interviewed me had written based on our conversation and what I had explained on my application though I'm not sure how. Overall, I would not recommend this shelter as they are not open with the reasoning behind their decisions; however, they do appear to really care for the animals. read more

The most amazing organization I have ever been associated with. I've been a volunteer for just about 4 years. I come in for my shift, clean, feed, play and generally see how well the dogs are doing/ adjusting to their new home, the shelter. I will bring a pup home with me on the weekends to spend a few days of fun and a nice comfy spot on my couch or in my bed to sleep. This organization is 100% volunteer run. It doesn't get much better than this. read more

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STAF takes exceptional care of cats and dogs in desperate need, heals them - body and soul, and then finds them a loving home.

I have volunteered here for 5 years and cannot imagine going anywhere else for my next family member! The cat and dog teams are both amazing. Plus the social events are really fun :D Great place to volunteer and to adopt from!! read more

I adopted my dog, Norman from STAF in June of 2021. The staff here is great and truly cares about their animals and the homes that they go to. I was able to take Norman home for a home visit prior to deciding to adopt him. They provide you with a leash, collar, and harness during the home visit. I've had Norman for over a year and STAF continues to check in. I love attending their events and getting to see the other STAF alumni. read more

This is a super place to volunteer or adopt. It's completely funded by donations, check out their website staf.org

STAF is an amazing place to volunteer. The work they do and level of compassion with which they do it is beyond words.

I have been a volunteer at STAF for almost thirteen years and I have loved every moment. STAF is 100% volunteer run and is such a great organization. All the volunteers truly care about each and every dog and cat that come through the doors and they are treated with nothing but love and kindness. It is a no-kill shelter, so the animals have a home for life, if they don't get adopted right away. The time and resources the volunteer team puts into these animals is way beyond what most shelters are willing or able to do. I highly recommend adopting from STAF. You'll work with people who put the animals interests above their own and the most important thing to them is finding them a good and loving fur-ever home. I adopted my fur baby from STAF a year and a half ago and it was the best decision I ever made I also recommend volunteering for STAF! I always look forward to working my weekly shift (every Monday night) but there are also a lot of other ways to get involved. All the volunteers are extremely kind and welcoming and not only love animals, but are people friendly too read more

We brought home a dog from STAF in 2011. He passed away recently so we returned to STAF to find another companion. I looked on their website, selected a dog to meet, had our application approved, and made an appointment to meet the dog. We were placed in a meet and greet room and interviewed by two staff. We were never shown the dog we requested to meet. They showed us a small dog that was not spayed or ready for adoption and a bonded pair of small dogs. They made up all kinds of excuses for not showing us the dog we came to meet. Then they gave us the name of another shelter to look for a dog. The staff was unprofessional and it was obvious that they had no intentions to process a dog adoption. The only thing positive about the STAF was that the building was clean. read more

We had a terrible experience at Save the Animals Foundation. After losing our cat of 14 years to cancer, we made the decision to rescue two adult cats from a shelter. My daughters and I spent hours on the STAF website, looking at pictures and descriptions of adoptable cats and making a list of the ones we wanted to meet. Last Thursday, I took my daughters (ages 5, 7, and 9) to the open adoption session, a visit we were all excited about. Little did I know how disappointing it would be. After filling out a lengthy application in the waiting area, we were brought back into the main shelter for an "interview"...although I think "interrogation" is a better term for it. While my girls waited, I was asked a variety of nosy, probing questions, which I answered honestly. Apparently, I sent up some "red flags" when I told her that my previous cat had been declawed 13 years ago and that he had gone into the backyard occasionally. By the end of the interview, the woman pretty much blatantly told me that I may not get a cat. I was stunned. "But we're offering a cat a loving, safe home," I told her. "Oh, I know," she assured me. "But we have a committee who decides who is fit to adopt, and I'm just telling you now that we probably won't all agree." Oh, did I mention this place is sheltering SIX HUNDRED cats!? 600 cats crammed into several small rooms, literally piled on top of one another, sharing dozens of litter boxes. Many are diseased and injured. And she is telling me that they can't risk sending one to MY home? Right, because it would be better off in that cramped, urine-smelling environment than a warm, comfortable home where it would receive the undivided love and attention of my family? Anyhow... after the interview, they did show us around and let us meet some of the cats. The girls fell in love with Elliott, a long-haired orange cat. The woman told us they had a 2-visit minimum, which meant we would have to come back to at least one more open adoption session to meet with MORE members of their committee before they would consider us for adoption. She also stated that they would need to meet my husband first, to make sure everyone in the house is "on board" with the decision. Again, give me a freaking break. It's a cat, not a child. I believe it was pretty obvious, after observing me and the girls interacting with dozens of cats, that we are not cat killers or torturers. She sent us home with what she called "homework" -- a packet of information about caring for cats -- with instructions that we all read it. I left with a very unsettled feeling, but I figured I would try to convince my husband to return on the next open adoption day, as the girls really wanted to adopt Elliott, as did I. Well, I didn't have the chance to try. The next day, I received an email from STAF with the following message: "Dear Melissa, Thank you for coming to Save The Animals Foundation last night to see some of the wonderful cats we have. It was great meeting and working with you and your girls. Unfortunately, I am writing to tell you that we will not be adopting to you. Please do not take this personally. It was clear to us that you would be a very loving home. You and your children were great with the cats. Your situation is just not the right fit for us." YOUR SITUATION IS JUST NOT THE RIGHT FIT FOR US????? Oh, okay. So the 600 cats' current situation is a better fit. Right. Sounds perfectly logical to me. These shelters make it seem like purchasing a pet from a breeder or private seller is the worst thing you can possibly do... but then they make it virtually impossible for you to rescue an animal. In what world does this make any bit of sense? STAF seems to be in the business of hoarding cats, rather than finding loving homes for them. read more

Just left this establishment & honestly they broke my heart. I almost cried as Peggy delivered the news that we would not be considered to adopt (indoor/outdoor issue). My poor Kiki didn't get to welcome home a brother tonight. We won't give up, got a big room for Kiki & a companion to live & play. read more

I'm going through the adoption process now, and many of these reviews are so wildly inaccurate that I thought I'd share my experience. 1. A lot of people have noted that the place smells. It's an animal shelter. They have over 500 cats at any given time. Of course it smells. However, it's not excessive or extreme, and totally reasonable if you've ever spent any time around dogs or cats. 2. The application is rather long and detailed, but there are no unnecessary questions. The interview isn't an "interrogation"; it's just a friendly volunteer asking questions about your home, your family, etc. None of the questions were intrusive or inappropriate, and it was all over in a matter of minutes. 3. Some have mentioned that there are sick/diseased cats. Again, it's an animal shelter and a sanctuary. If there are sick cats, they're receiving treatment. They have entire wards of FIV-positive cats who will spend their entire lives at STAF. That's what the organization does. During our first visit, one of the cats we met appeared to have an upper respiratory infection. The volunteer took note of it, and when we went back tonight, he'd been treated and was in good health. They don't just let them get sick. 4. You do have to adopt two if you want a kitten. Companionship is vital at that stage, so it makes sense. If you only want one cat, they have a lot of older cats that would make wonderful pets. Okay, now that those are out of the way, here are the best things about STAF: 1. It's seriously cat heaven. We almost feel guilty adopting because the cats seem so happy where they are. They're organized into several rooms with toys, scratching posts, and cat trees. They have people there to love and pet them. The cats seem relaxed and at ease. Visiting is really a wonderful experience. 2. The volunteers and the shelter manager are delightful. They're all polite and friendly, and not judgmental at all as others have suggested. They're thorough and professional and they definitely know what they're doing. 3. The volunteers know the names and temperaments of each cat, and can make great suggestions about which cat would be a good fit for your family. We have three dogs, and they introduced us to cats who have been around dogs and would be a good match for us. I volunteer with another local rescue, and we could definitely learn a thing or two from the way STAF does their adoptions. It really was an amazing experience from start to finish. read more

I'm a volunteer at STAF as well as having adopted a dog from here. The volunteers do everything in their power to give the animals quality time with the volunteers. I volunteer with the cats but usually volunteer in the same set of rooms each week. I've seen people complain about the conditions and the cats being sick. Listen, they have 600 cats and are a NO KILL shelter unlike the SPCA and other shelters around. Unless the animal is in pain and its quality of life is being reduced they don't put the animals down. There's a reason they're over protective of the pets, this isn't a revolving door for handing out pets. If you come for the adoption times and want a cat you have to come back several times, why? Because they don't want them to be mistreated or brought back. The staff is selective because we care about these animals and don't want anything bad to happen to them, and in most cases bad things have happened to the vast majority of these animals. I have been volunteering here since 2012 and my fiancé and I decided we wanted to adopt a dog, when you come in there is a smell, just like at the SPCA or most shelters, why? Because we have over 600 cats and 20-30 dogs at a time. You first meet and the staff asks what you're here for: cat or dog. Then you fill out an application and someone will go over it with you and ask what you're looking for in a dog (size, age, male, female, etc) then if you're looking for a dog they will take u to a holding room where they bring the animals to you so you can meet them in a quiet calm less stressful environment. If you find a dog you like you can take them outside to one of their play areas and get to know the dog even more. If you still like the dog you can put it "on hold" and schedule a home visit. However, before you can have a home visit a volunteer will come to your house and do a fence check to make sure that the dog will not be able to get out from your yard and run away. To give you an idea of the time frame for this we put our dog on hold on a Saturday and picked him up the next Friday and had him for the week and once that week was up we decided to keep him. STAF will send you home (on your home visit) with a crate, food, bowls, treats, and several toys as well as two collars and leashes. You can keep some of the items (for a cost) if you decide to keep the animal. We love our dog so much that we are thinking about going back and finding a companion for our current dog. I told my fiancé that if we're going to adopt from a shelter STAF is the first and only place I'll go because of how well they take care of the animals and how thorough they are with everything. In regards to the cat rooms being dirty... There are volunteers that clean the cat rooms twice a day, and their food and littler is changed either once a day or once every other day. The cats water is changed at least twice daily and the rooms are vacuumed messes cleaned up twice a day.... To the people that think they're dirty and the cats are sick... Being in close proximity with other people will get you sick too. read more

Save the Animals Foundation - Community Service/Non-Profit Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

I applaud STAF for supporting stray animals with their due diligence and detailed attention to prospective forever homes. Because of them, we're happily parenting our precious boy, Bayard, who is a joy and welcome addition to our family. For sure, the process was longer than what we experienced with other rescue orgs, but it wasn't necessarily time-consuming in the grand scheme of things. After they received our application, we interviewed with them, then followed-up with a meet/greet with our other beloved beagle. Next came the home/fence inspection, but they communicated their expectations up front. They absolutely don't require fences because they anticipate the dogs will be outside all day. They really just want to make sure these guys and gals can't jump the fence or be harmed in any way. Finally, we brought Bayard home for his week-long home stay, and he's been with us ever since. From start to finish, we were treated with kindness and respect, and it was clear how much all the STAF folks cared about these beautiful animals. My emails were answered quickly, and K. was easily reached via text. (We still communicate :) ) The volunteers even accommodated my COVID worries since I wasn't vaccinated at that time. I'm very happy I didn't let the negative reviews scare me off and highly recommend STAF if you're wanting to provide the perfect home for their boys and girls. read more

Save the Animals Foundation - Community Service/Non-Profit Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

My wife and I adopted two older dogs back in 2010, when they passed away went back to STAF to adopt again in 2015 and would definitely go back again in the future. Compared to getting a dog from SPCA or a pet store, I can see how the adoption process might seem a little interrogative to some of the negative reviewers. You are required to fill out a 5 page questionnaire, two visit minimum, and a home visit. Fenced in back yards are required for all dogs in homes with children under 11. But, you can really tell that the volunteers care about the animals. They do reject applicants only because they have the interest of the animals first and foremost. They don't like to see pets returned after a couple of years because someone had a child or moved to an apartment that doesn't allow pets (there are a lot of places that do allow pets). The volunteers also foster the animals so they know if they are good with kids, other pets, are high energy, etc. and work to pair people with a pet that is compatible with their life-style. For people who comment on the numbers of cats at the shelter (and there are hundreds), STAF is a no kill shelter and takes in all cats and dogs, including cats that are FIV positive (they are kept separate from the other cats). Not a lot of people are willing to take on these special needs animals so a lot of these cats will spend the remainder of their life at STAF. It really is a tribute to the volunteers that are willing to dedicate their time and energy to helping these animals in need. read more

This summer, I adopted from STAF for the second time (first time was in 2015). My experience both times was fantastic! Jean was wonderful in helping me meet and spend time with kitties that fit my preferences. All of the volunteers were very friendly, too. My vet commented, at our first appointment post-adoption, that STAF is considerably more thorough than most other shelters in terms of the medical checks, etc. that they do. I would recommend that you adopt from STAF! read more

AMAZING people who genuinely care about every animal they help. They drive all over the tri-state area and several states to save animals who are in the most horrific condition, emotionally and sadly, physically. Several, including the wonderful puppy we just adopted, were scheduled to be euthanized just because they existed. As to the reviews that claim its too long a process, too many animals are in training or foster, or that they won't allow renters to adopt...that's 100% untrue. We rent an apt we share with our 7 yr old beagle/pug , a cat, 2 fish and to a lesser extent :) us. It isn't a mansion but we take a lot of time walking, playing, dog-park-ing and play-dating our dogs. My wife also works from home so she's there. I know a lot of really great apt dwellers don't have that luxury. We were interested in MANY dogs that we thought we would be a great fit with, for all the reasons above but ultimately we had to admit that love =/?= the best , healthiest, happiest fit. Diane and Kristen are AMAZING. Diane was our pup's foster mom and she is a STAR. Kristen worked so hard as well and they both absolutely LOVED our dog! I wasn't sure Diane wasn't going to change her mind and keep him herself! :) The application is long because there are TOO many people who think it's "fun" to have a dog and then they boomerang back. The costs incurred by STAF for medical and behavioral issues actually puts them at a financial LOSS. No, it's not fun to wait and sometimes you aren't the best fit. It's not a personal judgement though I know we were hesitant about the scrutiny. But it's to vet people who may leave a dog in a crate 99% of the time, not have the time/resources to exercise them or provide any extra care they will need (vet care, emergencies etc) OR worse, scary situations where people adopt to use dogs as bait for dog-fighting. It happens A LOT as sickening as it may be. It isn't endless months on end. I think from the time we submitted our app to our first meeting was about 2 weeks during which we had sporadic emails from Kristen our Adoption Liaison. We had to wait a week for a slot to open then 4 days to hear that we'd been chosen after our vet references, landlord approval went thru. Then 3 days for us to pick our puppy up for his foster period to make sure everyone was happy in the home. That time was VITAL for us to really gauge how our other dog (who still missed her brother ) would feel, how the puppy would engage, how we would balance our lives and set new routines to make everyone feel safe etc. After 10 days (including a MedVet ER visit which STAF paid for ,after our puppy had a scary vomiting marathon due to reasons unknown), our adoption was final! Yes, it was probably a full month. No they are not always 100% accessible. They are unpaid, FULLY loving, knowledgeable VOLUNTEERS so it may take a day or two. But we now have the PERFECT fit for our family and he is EVERY bit worth the wait. Yes, you can drop a $250+ "donation" on an organization that operates out of a parking lot and works on the impulse adopter- then reminds them their "donation" is non-refundable when something happens. In fact, that's how we adopted our older dog. She was emaciated, though we just thought she was a small breed and we "rescued" her in a Petsmart parking lot 6 years ago from a rescue that I have to believe thought they were doing a good thing. Within 24 hours, she was at our vet being de-wormed, treated for kennel cough, given fluids for extreme dehydration and most frighteningly fighting a high fever from infection from spaying a day BEFORE she was put in a too-small crate, baking in the hot sun without water. We ended up paying $250 that day THEN another $975 the next week for medical services and shots. She only had one set they knew of . But hey! we got her THAT day so that was fun! Please don't misunderstand me, There are ABSOLUTELY wonderful animals at these rescues/shelters that are usually run by people who may not have the medical knowledge they should but do have the generosity of spirit to donate their time or love. We have NEVER regretted adopting our baby girl. But we weren't strongly vetted. We could have been an awful fit for her needs. She almost died from her medical issues and we were blessed to have a vet (Dr Bob Biederman Plum Street Clinic !!) who let us pay as we could because we aren't wealthy. Not that they asked or checked, but we lived in an even smaller apt then too. With another dog and 3 cats. We were lucky it had that magical happy ending for us and our girl but if we'd boomeranged her back? We'd still have been out all that money and it's so unfair to put a poor living soul who has already been thru that much pain, to bounce around because it's not all kisses and cute sweaters. I believe most people go into the adoption process genuinely wanting to save an animal. If so, STAF will work with you respectfully, honestly and kindly until you meet your perfect match. It's worth EVERY second read more