We adopted an adorable little girl from Bichon Brigade and it could not have gone better. The vetting process was very thorough and efficient ( it took just 48 hours) and it demonstrated how much they care about finding the right home for their dogs. Lisa (from Bichon Rescue Brigade) and Irish (the foster parent)could not have been more accommodating and extremely easy to work with. The entire experience was very pleasant and professional. Our little Zuzu even came with a huge bag and food and treats, along with vaccinations, being spayed and microchipped. A first class organization! read more

Bichon Rescue Brigade - Zuzu - Pet Adoption Near Me

See all

Great experience with everyone--from the application process to the meet up with the sweet pooch. Although I was unable to complete the adoption due to family circumstances that suddenly arose, everyone at BRB was understanding. Extremely communicative and quick to respond and answer all my questions. I would definitely recommend to anyone who wants to foster or rescue a furry friend in need. read more

I believe if they spoke to potential adopters and fosters over the phone they would solve a lot of communication issues. Jessica can be a bit particular and have a need to be "right" when trying to discuss any type of misunderstanding. These are volunteers and probably aren't getting paid/ educated/and trained in how to write/speak to people. (Maybe true animal ppl) Patience and understanding is needed when corresponding with Jessica. I hope the dogs are being cared for by better people. read more

Unresponsive! I went through the application process, all my references were contacted and gave glowing recommendations. I was later contacted and advised that my adoption application was approved, my residence passed the check and I would hear back soon regarding meeting the dog and moving on.... This was over a month ago! I've left messages and sent emails. NO RESPONSE!! Very unprofessional and disappointing. read more

My ESA dog I was blessed to have with me for 9 years passed away 2 weeks ago. Since I'd fostered & transported for BRB in the past (since 2017), I asked them to pull a look-a-like black poodle from San Bernardino labeled "rescue only". A poodle with a very bad story, from a hoarding situation that had lived outdoors 4+ years. Pull order put in and received word I could go get him. This past Saturday I made a 4-hr RT drive to pick him up. Had learned he had a brother getting left behind and exited him too (went to another foster home). Tragically a one in a million freak accident occurred a few hours after being in my home and new dog Gunner escaped. He was reunited a few hours later and taken to the emergency vet. I offered to pay the bill for the rescue and Buffy (President) declined the offer. Instead she took him out of the hospital for the overnight observation at midnight against the doctor's orders. Was told I could pick him up the next day at 8am. Lisa then used the fact that I had battled TNBC (got a clean Petscan two years out last month with NED) to discriminate against me because I was having some complications which surgery will remedy in 2 weeks. BRB then flipped the precious dog off on the woman who found him hiding under a car who they've never met or vetted (this woman saw my flyer with my number online that I was looking for the dog and instead of calling so I could pick him up decided she was claiming him). I had selected this dog to be my new ESA dog because he needed me and I needed him. My black poodle dog who looked just like him was rehabbed into a wonderful companion and loved to the moon and back. This rescue twisted the events of the accident and then took actions to intentionally keep him from me when I was planning to adopt him. I made the correction to what caused the accident to be sure it could never happen again, but that was not good enough. Buffy also accused me of being obsessed with this new rescue because I told her I loved him..... you bet I am, obsessed, as I picked him out from a shelter that does nothing for the dogs in their care. Apparently loving and caring about the well-being of a dog is not a trait BRB likes too well. My mistake was trusting this rescue who I asked to pull the dog from the shelter for me... should've asked any rescue to help. I always thought BRB was reputable all these years, but other reviews on this page seem to ring true. Buffy used to work with Marti of Bichon Fur Kids who is 100% not reputable and spun off this new rescue years ago when they had a falling out. I guess birds of a feather flock together. Trust I will be following to be sure this little boy stays safe. BRB is punitive and likes to punish people. There's plenty of great rescues out there, save yourself the headache because you'll end up with a shattered heart when the dog you were going to have join your family becomes collateral damage. read more

I'm not sure what all the fuss is about. Everything the volunteers do is for the dogs. Isn't it worth it to filter out psychos if all you need to do is fill out extra paper work or go a few extra steps? I adopted my dog from this organization and we had such a great experience that we became a foster home for them. All of the people involved are volunteers, who care deeply about dogs, and the dogs they rescue are very well taken care of. They will gladly help anyone through the adoption process with answering questions. Remember these are VOLUNTEERS, they have full time jobs and are doing this for free. If you want to adopt the dogs then you must care about them as well. Is it really that big of a deal to work with them to ensure the dogs find the best home possible? read more

I went through the somewhat niggling adoption process with no problems. I made changes to my yard and had 4 glowing references (per Jessica), including one from my vet. I finally get the "'You're approved" email, contact the foster mom and agree to pick up my dog on Sunday afternoon. My 72yo friend drove me so I wouldn't be frazzled by the 3hr drive. That was the least of my problems. Christy, the 'foster mother', was a raving lunatic. She had some sick need to prove that the pup liked her more than me. I even had trouble getting her to put him down so I could see him. Then she starts with her litany of issues. "You know he limps?" "Yes that's fine" "He takes 2 meds" (looking at me expectantly) "That's ok." "He barks you know, he barks like Gracie." Gracie was the nonstop-barking dog being used as a deterrent. Well when she said he barks like Gracie I just looked at the crazy barking dog and at my dog not making a sound and laughed!!! That's how insane she was. She thought I was in bizzaro world with her and not with the evidence of my senses! I did get about 3 minutes with Shadow and in that time I booped noses, got kisses, rubbed his belly, and picked him up like the lion cub in The Lion King. Crazy ole Christy didn't like that! She squints at me and says "I'm not comfortable giving you the dog." Notice she used the liar's way of being vague when she had no reason. Of course I asked what she was talking about. She said "I have to call Lisa." So she walks out of the room and I follow figuring she'd talk and then hand the phone to me. Oh no, I walk into the room to hear her saying "she has an issue with the barking...." Of course I automatically said "that's not true. I never said that!" Oh dear God, she turned around to me, her face was beet red, her eyes were slits, and her face was contorted with anger. She looked like a monster. Then she started screaming at me, backing me up through the house. I literally couldn't understand what the heck was going on. Don't lie and you won't go nuts when somebody overhears you!!! So she calls Lisa again, I get to talk to her and I said I think she's over attached to the dog. Lisa let's out a big sigh and says put her back on. Nope she won't give me the dog and every time it gets close to me, she calls "Shadow!" so the dog changes course to go to her and she gives me this weird triumphant smile. How sick do you have to be to need that validation? There's something extremely strange going on there. So then this goon runs in, sticks his finger in my face, and starts flailing his arms and screaming "maybe not today. Today is not the the day. Maybe emotions are not good, etc." It was total lunacy. I sat staring (probably with my mouth hanging open) until my friend came in to get me. That explains Gracie, the crazy barking dog. Crazy people have crazy pets. So now we drive another 3 hours, all for nothing. DO YOU THINK ANYONE EVER CONTACTED ME AFTERWARDS? OFFERED AN APOLOGY? JESSICA IS ACTUALLY DODGING MY CALLS. I think they're all related and are at about the same level of brain damage. They're certainly ignorant as hell. Btw both dogs were dirty and hadn't been brushed in a while. The cherry on top: Crazy ole Christy ADOPTED THE DOG!!! Not like a normal person who says "I'm sorry you drove so far, but I just can't give him up. Can I get you a cold drink before you head back?" No, lie, lie, lie and pretend there's something wrong with ME !!!! Jessica told me that the lunatic adopted the poor dog on Wed night when she figured out I want going away. She answered the phone "what can I do for you, hon?" What???!!! How about an explanation of the insanity on Sunday???!!! She says nutcase has adopted the dog and then takes on a really snotty vicious tone: you didn't have very good references." Now, these had been references over the phone, so this crazy witch is such a liar she has completely forgotten that she emailed me how fabulous my references were. (Don't lie if you don't have a good memory.) You said I had glowing references. At that point she starts screaming at me so loud that I couldn't understand a word so I just hung up. Of course I immediately forwarded to her and the whole BRB group the emails raving about my references. So Jessica is a liar and Crazy Ole Christy is an Olympic level liar (and nut). Save yourself the abuse and stay far away from BRB.0 read more

As far as I'm concerned, every review for this organization is five stars, in spite of what the reviewers themselves chose to give. If you're like me, you'll see that the negative reviewers illustrate exactly the type of people who shouldn't be adopting dogs in the first place, so the BRB's system works! The BRB crew is a small, devoted, and very loving group of volunteers, who scour Southern Orange County (and beyond) for the at-risk doggos with the best personalities. They then painstakingly work with their network of fosters and potential adopting families, to make sure the puppers are healthy, happy, and a great fit with their new forever homes. Having both adopted my fur-daughter and currently fostering a fur-refugee through BRB, I've seen both sides of the process. The other reviewers are right, there are some hoops to jump through if you're interested in adopting. I, for one, think that's a good thing that results in happy adopters and most importantly, happy adoptees. If you think filling out some paperwork and getting on a few phone calls is too much of a hassle, you're probably not going to be a good dog owner. If you want to save a life, find the perfect companion, and support a great volunteer organization, get in touch with the BRB! read more

This organization consists of ill-equipped volunteers. Also, These foster/caretakers act like they know everything. For your information, Adopting is a two way street-- Since you guys can't provide/don't have historical data on this particular dog, it's only fair, before we decide to adopt, to meet the dog. You claim there's 10 people in line to adopt your dog... then why the heck did you call us multiple times to make sure we are ready and "want" a dog? Very sketchy. Red flag! Thanks, BUT We'll pass. And, oh, make sure you put us on your DO NOT CALL list. read more

I can understand the passion that people have for animals, but I don't understand the unwillingness to work with potential adopters. You cannot even meet the dog until they deem you worthy of meeting. Doesn't the reaction of the dog to the owner matter? It's a lot of hoop jumping just for a meeting. I filled out an application and provided references. One of my references spoke with me about the interview and the questions they asked of her, had nothing to do with what I actually wrote down. The volunteer asked my reference if I had a patio. I found that odd since I specifically answered that I didn't have a patio. In addition to answering their questions, they asked me additional questions. It seems to me that they would just pose the question in the application. What really strikes me as odd is that they won't even talk with you on the phone. A phone question would really expedite the process. You think that would be important. I'm 4 days into the process and still no phone call. My advice: If you're willing to jump through hoops and be somewhat scrutinized, this is the place for you. I have no doubt that they take good care of their animals and genuinely mean well. However, I think the SPCA or pet adoption events are a much better way to go. I just can't support a group that thwarts the efforts of sincere people who want to adopt. It only serves to shore up puppy mills and crappy owners. read more

If you are looking to adopt a dog, this is the place to try first. I have adopted a Bichon Frise and have been very pleased with the consideration given me for the type, size and age requirements that I have. I cant not recommend higher. read more

I have adopted two beautiful babies. Wonderful organization and have made lifelong friends. I am so grateful. read more

If I can give this place no stars I would. Do not let them take your dog in. They will judge you and harass you on a Sunday at 11pm. I had to give my puppy up and thought I would give them to a place that helps you adopt your puppy instead of taking them to the pound and this place ended up judging me because they found fleas on my dog. I had given him a flea bath 2 weeks prior. All his shots were all up to date and the usual for my dog was always on time. Lynn apparently thought that I had abandoned my dog and let him get infested with fleas and did nothing for him. I had taken him to the vet a million times to see what was wrong with him because he was so itchy and they thought it was allergies so the vet gave me meds for him. I spent countless amount of money on him and here I am being judged by someone who hasn't even seen me. I had to block her number because I was so annoyed by the harassment. read more

I have found this rescue to be quite caring and wonderful. I am a newly approved foster for the rescue, and have been so pleased with everyone I have spoken to within the group. It amazes me that anyone could write a negative review about a RESCUE, people that volunteer their time and homes for discarded and unwanted pets. If a rescue is kind enough to take in your unwanted pet, I would be immensely grateful to them, not the opposite. Bichon Rescue Brigade - Thank you for the many homeless pups you save from shelters, take into your homes, and for the sacrifices you make in your daily lives to care for them and give them a new chance at life. read more