DON'T TRUST THEM, THEY ARE LIARS. I went asking about 2 dogs and was told only one dog in the whole…read moreplace was suitable. After spending 4 hrs mtg and wtg l told them I wanted to come back during their free adoption event to adopt (as many others were obviously doing). I wanted to think about it because I would rather use adoption money to go towards the dog's medical treatment. I was nastly told by a staff woman standing at the desk and overheard, "fine if the dog doesn't get adopted by then". So I asked if I could make a deposit or do anything at all to try to hold the dog and was adamantly told no "first come first serve period"! I totally understood that if I waited he may get adopted and had seriously considered going back to pay the $500 fee. However, I received a call back that they gave me the wrong dates of the free waiver event and wanted to let me know because and I quote on phone recording "my meeting went well and they would love for me to be able to bring the dog home". Again I was told to get there first because it was first come, first serve if he wasn't ADOPTED in the meantime. l want to be clear that my complaint isn't with the young lady whom helped me with my 1st meeting, or the call back person, and the lovely receptionist, they were great. So I called back, left a message, to ensure that it was the 14th not 13th because I definitely wanted to adopt the dog, will be there first in line if he wasn't ADOPTED over the weekend. After once again driving THREE HOURS there, I STOOD IN LINE FOR 1/12 hrs TO BE "FIRST IN LINE'. I tell them I want to adopt the dog!, I received a call that everything went well, my dog and their dog met and there were no issues I was made aware of. Staff person says wait she has to talk to a manager. Mgr tells me no I can't adopt the dog they have someone with an APPOINTMENT LATER WAITING who wants to see a behaviorist first and get more info and says quietly so no on but me hears, they're not even sure yet. I am absolutely lived and yes yelling because they're not supposed to hold dogs that are starred because they are considered highly needed to be adopted out because they have been there for a long time and not doing too great in the shelter and NOT for people who say they are just INTERESTED. This is why they have the fee waiver event isn't it! So now with a nasty smug attitude and smirk at me she states they're doing what's best for the dog and they have lots of APPLICANTS.
I was told when asked about my online application being in the system they didn't take online applications only the people who came in person and met with them. They didn't tell me I could make an appointment with a behaviorist that would ensure my HOLD on the dog like they did for the other people. SO THEY ARE IN FACT LIARS, BECAUSE THEY WILL HOLD A DOG FOR WHOMEVER THEY PLEASE, that must have given them some damn good reason to do so. Now after over 12 hours of driving back and forth, putting my dog thru it all, spending hours waiting and meeting with the dog and staff, they give the dog to someone else with absolutely no courtesy of an explanation of why. I get that they want to do what's best for the dog that's been there a long time and was sent back after a previously failed adoption. But you should know they certainly don't give a damn about you, your heartbroken feelings and what you go thru. PLEASE don't for a minute believe anything they tell you. Even if you have 3 1/2 acres of private land, stay at home, spent over ten thousands dollars in medical care on other dogs, have over 10 yrs experience with a pit mix that you took from the street and spoil it ridiculously, used professional trainers to ensure that you've learned from previous mistakes and do your best now; because that's not good enough for them. Yes, I called the President to complain, and are now playing telephone tag with Deb. who may not bother and that may be for the best because I am so upset I am shaking now. Yes, I know in the end they will say too bad they lied, they don't care as long as the animals get adopted, because they were able to make 'special arrangements' at the discretion of their managers. Even if they had said they were sorry it really means nothing to them. You have been warned, your feelings and efforts have absolutely no bearing on adoption at the MSPCA.
2 more things: BE AWARE they intentionally withhold info on descriptions. they may not tell you a dog has been returned because it wasn't suitable with children before, will jump all over you, has serious medical issues, bite when being fed etc., info from me and others that I spoke with in line and my brother who adopted a cat that had a botched spay done by their vet(in Salem), they refused to believe him, take responsibility so he had to go somewhere else to have fixed.
