Long overdue but here's my review. Last year, when we visited this animal shelter, it looked very…read moreclean and the customer service was great. We had visited other shelters that day but this one was very impressive. The staff was very professional and answered all of our questions. They also let us meet multiple dogs and it looked like they really took care of their animals. We couldn't be happier with our little guy today. It's crazy to think a year ago we picked him up but he's a member of our family now.

I'll die on this hill...adopt, don't shop…read more In May 2022, I said goodbye to my sweet 15.5 year old golden retriever/yellow lab. She had a wonderful life...but it was her time. Fast forward to 2024, I entertained the idea of somehow welcoming a dog back into my life...I wasn't sure how, but I wanted to get back into the doggy world...and that's when I discovered all different opportunities at the SDCAS.... 1. Dog Day Out- this is a fantastic program to take approved dogs out for the day and market them to the world as being available for adoption. These dogs are sweet, friendly, non-reactive, and just love being out of the shelter. SDCAS gives you everything you need for the day. Our first experience was with Sal- a super friendly pitbull. He loved getting out and proudly wore his 'adopt me' vest! Our second Dog Day Out was with Zane- a beautiful, sweet rottie/husky mix. While we were out with Zane, we decided to foster him. Speaking of fostering.... 2. Foster- if you've ever wanted to foster a dog, this is the place to do it. They provide everything you could possible need. This is a great way to learn more about a dog, post pictures and tidbits about the dog on their website so others learn about them and hopefully adopt them. Fostering saves lives! 3. Adopt- We were a foster fail after a week with Zane. We got to know him SO much and he is absolutely perfect for our family. We wouldn't have known this unless we fostered... Highly recommend SDCAS! 5 stars!

We just adopted two cats from this rescue. They partner with Cats and Crystals Cafe in Oceanside…read more It's a beautiful set up. You go in and play with the kitties for a fee that helps the organization and then you can adopt from the rescue if you would like to. We fell in love with sibling kittens right away and adopted them. These little guys are so well adjusted. They are litter trained and are very comfortable with people. The adoption process was easy, and the people were all so friendly, helpful and responsive. It was a great experience.

My family adopted Leo (Mufasa) from TTF and it was such a great experience. I appreciate their…read moreinterview process that makes sure these fur babies get to the best homes. Leo was heathy, neutered and up to date on all his shots making him ready for his forever home.

It has been almost 2 1/2 yrs since our 13yr old Cavalier KCS Spaniel passed away and several months…read moresince my eldest moved 7-hrs away with her tortoiseshell that I'd care for, every other weekend. We (husband, teens, & myself) have missed having another furry member around - albeit we also have a hamster, but they are nocturnal so we only get to interact at night with him. I started to look around for rescues, gathered names, and ended up opting for LYFF after spending weeks just looking at pictures and reading bio's, until I was ready. I have no doubt that I selected the best-to-me rescue as everyone I interacted with was extremely courteous and easy to talk to between the application interviewer (Daisy) and the volunteer staff both at the cat event off Marron and the facility itself. We ended up adopting our sweet and cuddly boy we renamed Jasper from Amele. Tomorrow will be a week since we welcomed our fur-baby into our home and are overjoyed by our decision and him picking us when at the facility. I can only speak for myself and my experience: If you're looking to add a cat to your family then I'd highly recommend LYFF.

I had a very disappointing experience with LYFF. I submitted an adoption application because I was…read moreinterested in providing a loving home to one of their cats, and I was ultimately told that my application was not approved. When I reached out for clarification, I received a response stating that the decision was not specific to a particular cat and that I would not be approved for any future adoptions through the organization. What was most frustrating was the complete lack of explanation or transparency. I completely understand that rescues have to be careful about where their animals are placed, and I respect the volunteers who dedicate their time to helping cats. However, that does not excuse treating applicants as though they are not entitled to basic communication or respect. After being denied, I was given no explanation whatsoever beyond a generic message saying the decision was final. When I expressed my confusion and disappointment, the response essentially amounted to "we don't have to tell you why," followed by a lengthy explanation about how carefully they review applications. That may be their policy, but hiding behind a policy does not make the experience feel any less frustrating or impersonal. If you are going to ask applicants to provide extensive information about their home, lifestyle, references, and ability to care for an animal, I think it is reasonable for applicants to expect some level of transparency in return--especially when they are genuinely trying to provide a loving home. I would have appreciated a respectful conversation or even a basic explanation of what concern led to the decision. Instead, I was left feeling judged without being given an opportunity to understand or address whatever concern they had. I hope they reconsider how they communicate with potential adopters. The process made me feel as though I was being discriminated against based on factors unrelated to my ability to provide a safe, loving, and stable home. The animals deserve excellent homes, and the people applying deserve to be treated with courtesy and respect, too.

Lcal is a sinking ship. Current leadership values policy and black and white rules over what is…read morebest for the dogs and the families that love them. Let me tell you my story as an 8 year supporter of lcal. We adopted our first dog (a boxer) through the founder, lisa (who is an absolute angel) in 2016. We loved our dog deeply until she passed away in 2022. When she passed, I started volunteering weekly with the rescue, walking dogs, trying to fill the void that my dog's passing left. I learned more about rescue and started fostering dogs through lcal. We took 4 foster dogs from intake through adoption, one of the fosters staying with us for 6 months! I also attended adoption events with these fosters, donating hundreds of hours promoting the rescue. I attended fund raisers, donated supplies and cash, and supported the lcal thrift store. I was invested in the mission. In December, I told the foster coordinator that we are looking for a dog to permanently add to the family, ideally a boxer between the ages of 2-5. I would send her listings from shelters, and she would explain why each dog was not going to work for lcal to pull for me. I appreciated her advice and was waiting patiently for a right fit. When she texted last week asking me to foster a boxer, Tyson, I was overjoyed! I expressed to her that we would love to and that we would hopefully adopt Tyson. Unfortunately lcal decided to advertise him on social media the next day and quickly got multiple applications from well vetted adopters. We were told on a Sunday (after having tyson for 4 days) that we needed to decide by Monday if we wanted to adopt. Otherwise he would go to a meet and greet on Wednesday and likely be adopted. On Monday evening, I texted the foster coordinator telling her that I had some questions about the adoption. She did not get back to me until Tuesday morning. We discussed my concerns (we have 4 cats and I ideally wanted more time to see how Tyson would interact with them) but I clearly told her we wanted to keep Tyson. She said she would ask the board for more time. Later that afternoon, I was told that because I wasn't sure, they were moving forward with the other adoption and I was no longer eligible to adopt Tyson. I was in shock. I responded that I wanted the dog and that I had put aside any uncertainty and please can we adopt Tyson. I was told no and that they would immediately come pick him up wherever I was. The lcal president contacted me and was so over the top harsh and rude, I felt like I was being treated like a criminal. My family is heartbroken. Just as we were bonding with what was likely the perfect dog for our family, he was forcibly taken away. Shame on you lcal. You've put deadlines and policy above what is best in complex situations. I understand the reasons for your policy, but you refused to have even the slightest flexibility for a long time supporter. You wouldn't even give me a few hours to get my questions answered before moving on to the other adopter who hadn't even met Tyson. You are burning your fosters, the very backbone of your organization.

Thank you LCAL for connecting us to the dog of our dreams! Our family found your matching process…read morestraightforward and supportive. Your staff and volunteers were also incredibly helpful as we transitioned him into our home. We didn't expect you to take care of the details for his neutering appointment, but you did. You went above and beyond and we will be supporting your work and thrift store for years to come.

First time fostering cats and I couldn't have asked for a better organization to shepherd my…read moreexperience. Steph spent dedicated time and care to work with me and monitor the wellbeing of the kittens I was given everything I needed (bed, food, litter, toys, etc) but not only that - a fantastic ample support for asking questions and sharing progress with the larger team of volunteers. What I love about this organization is that they genuinely care about the pets they take in and are willing to go the extra mile and due diligence to save and protect every little soul. Each volunteer working for this organization genuinely cares.

we "fostered-to-adopt" a kitten from Furballs Furever and it was an easy, wonderful experience. We…read moremainly dealt with Haley and she helped make the whole process seamless from start to finish. I would recommend this rescue to anyone. A+.

They really care about who is adopting their cats. We adopted 2 beauties from a very caring foster…read morefamily!

I wish I could give more than 5 stars!…read more I have been patient in looking to add a kitten/cat to our family and stumbled across Marigold on a fosters Instagram page which prompted me to submit an application. Kat reached out the very next day after reviewing our application and pre approved us. Yelena reached out for all coordination afterwards. Marigold was not even posted on the rescues page but they were so kind and were able to get us in to meet her. The foster mom (and dad) were wonderful and have been doing this for so long (60+ kitties). We instantly fell in love with Marigold and were able to be selected to adopt her (pat on our back for being able to provide a good home). She came from a hoarder home and was lucky to survive from malnutrition. We came back to get her after getting she completed her shots/spayed. Not even 24 hours in, my one year old tabby loves her and she is settling in perfectly. I will say I have had not so great experiences with other rescues in the area and Dirty Little Paws surpassed all expectations! I hope one day I can repay them and foster another baby in need.

THE OCEANSIDE CAMPUS…read more I came here to just check on the dogs I saw on the news that were rescued from the hoarding situation in Vista. My heart literally broke when I saw that news. Unfortunately, they are in a safe area not accessible for the public and no they were not up for adoption as they are apart of an ongoing investigation. :: CAMPUS :: It's very tucked away off of Hwy 76. Not as big and glamorous looking as the San Diego campus. Sadly there weren't very many guests visiting or adopting dogs, I felt like my car and another car were the only visitors. But I did see some play areas for the dogs as I was driving near the facility which made me happy. I saw quite a handful of staff working or walking around the campus and they genuinely look like they do care about the animals - not just work here to just have a job. Anyone reading this... I truly encourage you to adopt a pet from a rescue. They are loving animals looking for a home.

Terrible Experience! I assumed care of a almost 3 yr old chihuahua that had been neglected,…read moremalnourished and un trained. He bite me- of course he has been abused and here I was another person he didn't know, He was humping my dog (yes he is neutered) and I tried to stop this. The bite has healed. I reached out to them because I have 2 older dogs and this little guy was not right for our home, he is young with lots of energy. SD chihuahua rescue would take him because of the bite. After talking with a counselor their recommendation was "Humane Euthanasia" OMG!!! I was appalled!! they did not even meet this dog, the recommendation came from my phone call with them! what kind of organization is this! I will no longer provide any finical or word of mouth support to SD Humane

A wonderful rescue! Although this review is a few months…read morelate, I wanted to say that because the fosters did not care about our ages, but were more concerned about the surroundings for their dogs, we became the proud "parents" of a foster named Ashton. He is a wonderful pup who attracts attention where ever we go because of his sweet demeanor and beautiful coat. Previously, we had filled out 14 applications, but no one contacted us because of our ages. SPOT believed in "never too old to love a rescue, "and here we are with a happy ending for both us and Ashton!

Professional rescue group. The ladies running it are older and seem retired. My husband and I have…read morebeen on the search for a 2nd dog to fill the void in our home when our senior dog passed. We ended up adopting a senior MinPin that was mellow, independent and able to coexist with our younger big dog. They were pretty accurate in Macaroon's personality and she seems to be hitting our expectations. I like their approach in that they rescue their dogs out of shelters into foster homes so that potential adopters know exactly what the pet's personality is like in the home environment. Their fosters are also patient with the dogs and will initiate housetraining so busy adopters like my husband and I are able to get right into the home routine with the new pet. Their adoption fee is definitely more since they don't get county or city funding. Our senior dog was $150 and their younger ones are about $250. A bit high but justified since they got to provide essential vet care until the animal is adopted. I wouldn't hesistate to give them a try if you see an interesting dog from them on PetFinder. Fill out their application and someone from the group will be in contact with you in a few days.

Such a wonderful experience! Very well organized and so much love towards finding these pups the…read morebest home. Highly recommend and my husband and I look forward to rescuing another one when the time is right

We loved EVERYTHING about this rescue! I put in an application that I was interested in their dog…read moreLola, they gave me a call a couple of days later to talk over the phone, then we met the rescue organization at a park near our home and we fell in love with Lola and took her home that day! They answered all of our questions and more! We have had no issues with the dog whatsoever. The organization was completely honest and very kind! So happy with our new dog and she is so wonderful!! Definitely adopt from this rescue!!

On Instagram you suggested that one of the dogs was going to be put down and to please make a…read moredonation to try and save the rest of them. We have rescued and fostered 25 dogs and 32 cats. I'm living on social security and don't receive any funds to take care of those animals and I am offended that you would suggest one of the dogs is going to be put down so donate to save lives of the others instead of focusing all the great things that you do which is reflected in the reviews of people who have worked with you. Very disappointed.

I adopted my new girl Shelby from Wagging Dog rescue a little over three weeks ago at a pet…read moreadoption event in Encinitas. It appears that they have dedicated foster parents who help transition these pups from shelter life to permanent placement in their forever homes. They were very honest with us about the dog we were adopting struggles with timidness and fear. They sent someone to do a home visit and we had to do an initial foster to adopt agreement for 2 weeks. If all worked out fine for both Shelby and our family then we were cleared to adopt. Which we did last Thursday. Shelby has had all her initial shots, was spayed and treated for fleas when we adopted her. All we needed to do was provide the love. Done. I would highly recommend Wagging Dog Rescue to anyone who is considering adopting a new member of their family.