I've been volunteering with United Hope for Animals for about a year now and have had many positive experiences. Rescuing animals is not for the faint of heart, and comes with a lot of dirt, heartache and possibility of illness. Fortunately, the people who run the group are willing to overlook all the obstacles and still help the poor creatures who desperately need them. I have helped them photograph dogs, worked adoption events, fostered dogs and am now fostering cats, and know that the good this organization does far outweighs any negatives. I would not hesitate to recommend them to anyone who wants to volunteer, but this type of work requires a lot of strength and determination to help those who need it most. The joy of helping saving a life is the best feeling in the world. read more

I have been volunteering for UHA for almost three years now, and I can't imagine why I haven't been doing it longer. I was "recruited" into the group after I witnessed a weekend glamour shot day while I was walking dogs at the Baldwin Park Shelter. Volunteering with UHA fulfills a part of me that had been unfulfilled since I had my first pet fish. I am surrounded by people who love animals as much as me, who don't mind having extended discussions concerning potty training, dog behavior, cuteness levels, and types of poop. I feel important, I feel accomplished, I feel like I have people to turn to if I'm having trouble. UHA's main concern is the individual, whether it's the animal or the person. It isn't about numbers, it isn't about politics. It's about finding the best home for one animal, the best fit for the owner. I couldn't imagine a more amazing, selfless, and helpful set of people and animal rescuers. They've made a difference in countless animals' lives, countless owners' lives, and definitely, in my own life. If you're looking to adopt a new fur baby, or just need some help or information, UHA is your rescue! read more

This review is long overdue, we've just been too busy enjoying our new puppy to write it! We can't say enough wonderful things about Claudia and the organization she volunteers for, nor can we ever repay her for the joy she brought into our lives with our fur-baby, Lucy. My wife contacted Claudia about her ad in Petfinder.com, and she responded very promptly. She kindly offered to bring Lucy by our house after I got off work on Friday, and spent at least two hours of her Friday night sitting on our damp lawn as we got to know Lucy. Ultimately, she offered to let us keep her for a week-long trial, and even ran home and returned with a spare crate, potty pads, some toys and food because we hadn't expected to fall in love with a puppy so fast. Long after we adopted Lucy, Claudia was readily available by phone for any "emergencies" we had as first time pet-owners (i.e. Is it too hot to leave her home alone without a/c?...What do we do with her when we go on our honeymoon?) and saved us many late-night visits to urgent care (i.e. We think she got stung by a bee...I feel a bump....She just threw up, what do we do?). Claudia's warmth, patience, and generosity are unmatched. It's clear that she loves dogs and sacrifices a great deal to find them the best forever homes. She loves to receive pictures/updates about Lucy, and has welcomed our invitations to visit, despite being strapped for time with so many dogs to care for. We are so grateful to Claudia and the other volunteers at United Hope for the wonderful work they do. Thank you, Claudia! read more

I had the pleasure to volunteer for this organization for a year and let me tell you UHA has the most kind and friendly people I've ever met in my whole life! UHA is a group of volunteers that spend six-eight hours on SATURDAYS! at the shelters taking great photos to enhance the beauty of cats dogs bunnies birds you name it. They have saved cats dogs from the shelter they take in injured old blind no exception. If you're looking to adopt UHA is your rescue has wonderful pets looking for a sweet home and if you're not ready to adopt try fostering you won't regret it. read more

I'm writing this review on behalf of my brother who's own dog became extremely ill after fostering one of their dogs. This review is strictly written regarding fostering. I know the core value of finding the animals a home is graceful, but they have to work on taking better care of their volunteers. For anyone looking to adopt, this may be a great organization. For those looking to foster, make sure that you ask a ton of questions before taking on the challenge. If you have a dog, make sure that you have antibiotics ready for your own dogs when you take in a foster, if that's possible. My brother's dog caught kennel cough from one of their rescues and he had no idea what was wrong with his dog until he took it to the vet. After a $200 vet bill, he came home with some antibiotics and a diagnosis. It would have been nice if they made foster parents aware of the risks involved. What was odd is that they had him administer antibiotics for the foster twice a day, but assured him that the foster was not sick and did not have kennel cough. "It's just preventative"...really...? I swear I saw the foster dog with a running nose and it wasn't sick? We didn't think any of it until my brother's dog got sick. It was terrible! He's dog was lethargic for days and lost its appetite. We thought he was going to die and that's the worst feeling in the world for any dog owner. Reading up on symptoms of kennel cough, you'll find that lethargy and lost of appetite are part of more severe cases! If they had only made my brother aware of the dog's sickness, he could have kept the foster quarantined and kept his own dog safe. Fostering is about saving a life, but it should also be about maintaining the precious life of our existing fur babies. To top it off, I believe her name was Meena was not happy at all when asked to find a new foster, not at all. read more

Love this group! Volunteers have made presentations to the kids over the last 2 years to teach them about shelter animals. They also devote so many hours to take photos of animals that make them "more adoptable" and I'm sure that has saved numerous animals lives at the Baldwin Park shelter. read more

Don't bother with this group. Contacted them by email to start and was treated with rudeness when I didn't have the name of the dog I saw on the net. Then after dealing with someone named Meena for several emails, was told to contact someone else. Very unhelpful group. They don't seem to care if you get your dog or not I guess. read more

They work so hard to save countless lives. Bravo!

I want to say that I am very diasppointed in the lack of professionalism and respect that I experienced dealing with a representative of this group. I applied to adopt a shelter dog from them in mid-February and was directed to call the contact person for the dog I picked. SHe told me, upon my inquiry, that it would take between 2 to 3 days to process the application and I would hear from them. I did not hear from them. A week later I called, not wanting to harrass the volunteer who was handling my case, understanding that she was a volunteer and could not get onto the case straightaway. I was told that she had not been able to access the applications from the IT person who adminstered the website. She informed me that the dog was still available. I called back another week later to ask and she said they still had not processed the application. I waited patiently for another two weeks and called at about 9.30 in the morning on a weekend and she said she had just gotten out of bed, could I call back later. I said no problem. I called back in the afternoon and asked about the dog and she said brusquely they still had not processed the application and that they had 50 dogs to place. I said I wanted to know how long more it would take as I had the option of adopting another rescue animal if it was going to take 4 more weeks. She then said please do so, she was thinking of letting the dog go with another animal to the another applicant anyways. She hung up before I could say I would have appreciated her coming back to me earlier if for some reason she did not see it fit to let me adopt the dog. This has been a very unpleasant experience, of not being kept informed of the process, and of being strung along for four weeks when she could have informed me at the get go if that was her intention. I am afraid I would not donate to this organization for the disrespect I was accorded. I hope they treat their animals better than they treated me. read more

I recently adopted a puppy with the help of Claudia of United Hope for Animals and it was a totally positive experience. I really wanted to help a dog in need, but was dreading the experience of going to the animal shelter. With Claudia's help, it was so fun and easy. Claudia was so kind, loving, helpful and accommodating. I had such a great experience, that I am working with her again to find another dog as a companion for the one that is currently blessing my home with such love and joy. read more

I learned about United Hope for Animals during our search for a new dog. I found a cute dog available to adopt on www.petfinder.com and the contact was listed as United Hope for Animals. Turns out that they are volunteers who work through the San Gabriel Valley Humane Society and help get the dogs adopted. By walking and caring for the animals they get to know their personalities. The volunteer who contacted me, Claudia, was excellent. I told her what I was looking for (medium sized dog, great with kids, OK with cat) and she made an appointment for me to come to the shelter. When we were there, she brought out a few dogs, one at a time, who she believed would be a good match for my family. Turns out that the cute one I originally was interested in wasn't good with cats, but another one she brought out was perfect. We adopted him that afternoon and things have worked out great. United Hope for Animals doesn't charge for their services, I just had to pay the usual fee to the shelter ($120, but that includes the spay/neutering, microchip, and shots). Thanks United Hope for Animals for making finding a new dog a whole lot easier! read more