The adoption process was very fast here. Everyone seemed professional and friendly, and you could tell the volunteers knew a lot about their cats. I was surprised - but it all made sense when after adopting my cat I had to take her in for a nearly $7,000 emergency surgery. Our new cat had what appeared to be a piece of a toy causing a blockage. At this point I knew it wasn't anything from home. I reached out to the Woonsocket Cat Sanctuary to see if they were aware of the issue, or could recognize the toy. They were very standoffish about this, and avoided my questions. I then asked if they were able to share a gofundme to help us pay for the medical bills, they refused as it was "against policy". In the case of adopting a sick cat by accident they will not be any help or provide any support. read more

Customer service was terrible. I drove two hours away & was not informed appointments had to be made prior to arriving. When asked how to schedule an appointment she was rude and dismissed me. read more

My family adopted a male kitten and could not be happier with him. The women working here are very nice and took the time to answer all of our questions. read more

The Woonsocket Cat Sanctuary - Newly adopted - Animal Shelters Near Me - Woonsocket, Rhode Island

I am responding to a review from approximately last Friday , September 9, 2022 by Talia Patino. Ms Patino claims that the person to whom she spoke was rude on the phone, and she makes an incredibly ill informed judgment that the Sanctuary staff therefore must mistreat the cats in its care. First, the phone call was taken by Deborah Adam, who has been the Sanctuary Director since 1998 (that's 24 years!!). Deb is one of the kindest, caring human beings on the planet, and is NOT a rude person. She manages by knowing the limitations of how much the shelter can handle at any given time. She did NOT hang up on Ms Patino; in fact she was in mid sentence speaking to her when she realized there was no one at the end of the line. Second, The Shelter does prioritize Woonsocket cats, however it does make some exceptions when there is space available. Deb told Ms Patino that she was taking in 5 cats that particular day. Not only is space an issue, vet appointments are not always available. Deb was explaining all of that when, for some reason, the connection was lost. Third,. It is extremely hurtful and unjust to make any kind of accusation about how our cats our treated when Ms Patino has never set foot in the Woonsocket Cat Sanctuary. It is without exaggeration, one of the most spacious, clean, and loving shelters that anyone could imagine. I am speaking from first hand experience. I founded the Woonsocket Cat Sanctuary in 1993. Deb took over as its Director when I moved back to my childhood home in Florida in 1998. I return at least once per year to take over management for an average of two weeks when Deb goes on vacation. Every year I marvel at how difficult the job is, and how well Deb manages the shelter resident cats, the volunteers, the adopters, and the unending phone calls from the public seeking assistance. "Three ring circus" is an apt description of the activity, seven days/week, 365 days/year. Ms. Patino has a lot to learn about animal rescue and about human relations. read more

The Woonsocket cat santuary and the volunteers are fine. I actually met some very nice volunteers, but Deb, the director, is HORRIBLE! She is very rude! if you have the misfortune of having to deal with her, your wonderful and exciting experience to be introduced to a new kitten will be a terrible one. I do not know how she became the director of the cat santuary she has NO compassion! I am leaving my experience that I had with her, so you won't make the same mistake I made by going to this cat santuary. I wanted a kitten for my other cat at home. Deb made me jump through hoops to adopt. I thought I was getting a healthy kitten, but the kitten had ring worms. It took her 3 weeks to inform me. My 5 year old grandchild and myself had been kissing and cuddling the kitten. She notified me by calling my cell phone and left a voice mail message to call her in regards to the mother and the kitten. There was no mention of ring worms. I did not hear the message for a couple of weeks due to having an issue with my cell phone. There were other means of her contacting me. They had my home phone number, my email, and my home address. She did not even try these other ways to reach me. When I addressed this with her, she stated they were volunteers and did their best. I could have understood this if the call was not very important. I was informed that my beautiful kitten may have ring worms because the mother had ring worms, and it was very contagious to animals and humans. I was very upset because my grandchild was carrying, hugging and kissing the kitten. Also I had my other cat as memtioned. I took the cat to the veterinarian to be tested at the expense of $126.00. The kitten tested positive! The doctor started my kitten on 2 medications a liquid and a spray at the cost of $139. 00. I called the cat santuary to see if they would reimburse me because the kitten was in their care when he got the ring worms, and I thought I had a healthy kitten. Deb stated that I would not be reimbursed because I waited too long to return her call. It did not matter to her that there was a reason for this. We got into a heated discussion. I was so upset! I love my beautiful kitten, so I will pay whatever it takes to make him better. It is quite apparent that Deb did not care about the kitten. What would have happened if I could not have paid for this treatment? I love my kitten and will give him his wonderful forever home. PLease if you are thinking of going to the Woonsocket Cat Santuary please reconsider. read more

The staff here was extremely judgmental and rude to my dear friends who were trying to adopt. They would not allow us to see their sickly kittens, and we had to work hard to convince them to allow us to fill out an application. My friend is a home owner and an RN! They offered her two older cats, but had no idea if these cats were fixed or what their back story was. My friend then explained that her daughter and son were hoping for a kittens/younger cats and then the staff claimed that the kittens were reserved for families! My friend was their with her daughter and me. Exasperated, I exclaimed that they are a family!! It wasn't until we left, that it dawned on me that perhaps they thought we were a couple and didn't want to adopt to lesbians. A truly awful experience! read more

I had a similar awful experience as Kelsey. I emailed with a Woonsocket Cat Sanctuary staff member about a cat and what I would need to bring with me to adopt a cat, and was informed "Bring vet records adoptions are cash and carrier is needed." I was also informed they were not able to hold pets for someone. I live about 2 hours away and made sure the cat I wanted to meet and possibly take home was still available, and she was listed on their web site today so I made the drive to RI. I also left within 2 minutes. As soon as I arrived with vet records and a cat carrier, I was informed the cat I was interested in was already adopted, that because I rent my apartment I would need to bring the lease, and fill out an application that would need to be approved by a manager who would get back to me. I hope they treat their cats better than their customers. read more

Awful experience. A cat showed up at my doorstep in 8 degree weather so I posted it on Facebook to see if it belonged to anybody, kept it for the night waiting for any responses. I got nothing back and brought it here the next day. Someone by the name of Debbie was extremely rude and had a horrible attitude saying "I was never told to bring it there" so they refused to take it in, despite the fact I told them I 100% can not keep it as my boyfriend is severely allergic and my landlord allows no animals. Some cat sanctuary. read more

The most dedicated, caring people work so hard here ! The kitties are worshipped and they won't let them go to just anyone.... truly a lovely place read more

We got both of our cats here. The prices range from 120-150 depending on the age of the cat but they come with their first year of shots and spayed/neutered (it would cost more than 120-150 to have the shots and spay/neuter at a vet's office). Both of our cats came home healthy AND litter box trained! The cats at the sanctuary are treated very well and they do not kill any of their animals. You can tell the people working here really care about animals. I would recommend anyone adopt from here! read more

What a wonderful experience I had adopting a kitten! The shelter is nice; a large, open room with free roaming cats and kittens and some cats in giant cages, the cages were large enough for a kitty condo, bed, litter pan. I was highly impressed. The adoption process was easy! And the volunteers were wonderful! Everyone was extremely pleasant, and seem to truly care about the cats and kittens!! read more

I got two family members here, both were stray cats that were rescued by this shelter. The staff was great and the adoption process was fairly easy. Both were healthy, well behaved animals after adjusting to their new family. read more

A couple of years ago we found 2 stray kittens on the side of a busy street. No one around seemed to know (admitted to knowing) anything about them. We took them to the Cat Sanctuary since we found them in Woonsocket. Both kittens were so loaded with fleas that they were anemic! I was able to give them a good size donation to help with the kittens' care until they were ready for adoption. A couple of months later they were healthy, vaccinated and neutered (2 boys), and off to their forever homes. I was very happy! (We couldn't adopt them because we already had 7 of our own at that time.) The shelter is run entirely by volunteers and as other reviewers have noted, it is clean, comfortable, and everyone there seems to really care about the cats. It is a NO-KILL shelter - so any cat they take in is kept until adopted or passes on to their next life. This is a wonderful organization, and one that we are very happy to support! BTW - they run truly great indoor yard sales all spring and fall. read more

I went here to adopt a cat and left within 1.5 minutes. The woman who greeted me, who I assume was in charge, told me they don't have any cats and then asked how tall I am. Odd, but I answered that I am 5'10". I was wearing a jacket and she proceeded to ask me if I am skinny because she uses cat models. I told her I am curvy and walked out. This was an awful experience and I won't be back. I want a cat, not a stupid modeling gig or to be told I'm not skinny for her cat modeling. So rude and crazy. I did not feel respected. Don't bother with this place. read more

The Woonsocket Cat Sanctuary, is truly a sanctuary for Cats, many of whom would be put down in any other situation. The staff is dedicated to these animals, and the animals do come first. The work to care for these animals is intense, and never ending. The head of the organization is dedicated to the cause, and has a calming presence that helps control a sometimes chaotic environment. She is born leader. Many people from the community, volunteer or do community service, which helps make the lives of these cats a bit brighter. They have many beautiful adult cats as well as kittens. Most are sweet, trusting animals, and a good option for people looking for adult cats, as well as kittens. There is also a "yard Sale" type environment above the sanctuary that pays for much of the many expenses. IE: Food, litter, medical attention, Rent, etc. Lots of nice things for sale at greatly reduced prices. read more

We got both our cats here, sisters. The price included all shots and spaying as well as a follow up visit to the vet. The cats were clean and though shy, due to being in a home of 17 cats, have blossomed into part of the family. We would definitely adopt from here again, it was a well organized shelter and they are doing a great service to local cats. read more

We recently adopted our cat from here and it is a great shelter. Amy made the process very easy, as she showed us around and introduced us to every single cat. Amy knew all of the cats' names and personalities, proof that these cats are well taken care of and loved. The shelter is currently full to capacity, and if I could take more, I would, but I highly recommend adopting a cat from this shelter. The process was easy and it is comforting to know that thses cats are so well taken care of during their stay. read more