Post Script for people who don't understand fostering: those of us who care more about the comfort and safety of the dogs than our selfish wants will sometimes open our homes to a dog temporarily. Even if we already have dogs, we will make room for one more, because the shelter is over-full; or because the dog is deteriorating there; or even because the dog is sick and needs a place to convalesce. (Those of you shopping for dogs like they are merchandise may be surprised by this. Yes, people deliberately take home old and sick dogs!). This does make it harder to adopt the dogs in fosters, but *it is better for the dog*. It also allows for a bit of distance between abusers and dogs. Post Script for people who want only bred dogs: read about inbreeding, and then if you still want a dog with genetic problems, go pay a breeder. read more

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I am so gratefu to Cincinnati Animal Care. A doe was hit by a car two months ago and I have only started seeing her again during the past week. Last night, she got up from laying down and was hopping, using only two legs. Yesterday was Easter Sunday and I left a message about the deer. By 8am, a sweet woman called back and said a warden would come see the deer today. By noon, Deputy Mastin was here, evaluating the deer. Deputy Mastin said she was using three legs today! He said she can definitely survive like that. He was wonderful to talk with. I wasn't able to sleep at all last night, thinking of the deer suffering. The reassurance from Deputy Mastin means everything! Cincinnati Animal Care, thank you for being there. read more

A few weeks ago, I fostered a dog for the first time from Cincinnati Animal Care (CAC) after they put out a desperate plea for help during a significant snowstorm and brutal cold stretch. They were asking the community to step up for dogs stuck in the shelter, and we were happy to help. When we arrived, we waited over two hours because there were so many people there. I didn't mind the wait -- it actually made me happy to see so many dogs going home. Eventually, we were given a dog named Ace. We were told he had some minor tremors and visual deficits, but no one explained why or gave us any real medical history. He was on medications, which didn't concern me because I'm an experienced ER nurse and comfortable administering meds. I initially agreed to foster him for one week to help during the storm, but after seeing how sweet, calm, and loving he was, we decided to continue fostering him until he found either another foster takeover or, hopefully, his forever family. However, as soon as we got him home, it was obvious he was sick. He was coughing, sneezing, wheezing, and had nasal discharge. I reached out multiple times to the foster team. It took a few days to get a response, which I tried to be understanding about given the snowstorm. When they did respond, they asked for a video and then told me to come pick up antibiotics from the clinic. No one physically evaluated him. No exam. No in-person assessment. But I wanted him to feel better, so I picked up the antibiotics and started them that evening. Thankfully, he began improving and adjusted well to our home and resident dogs. We were initially told he was dog and cat friendly -- he was absolutely NOT cat friendly. Fortunately, we were able to safely separate them. Over the next few weeks, we fully embraced him as part of our family. We bought him a new collar, harness, toys, and special food. We gave him structure, warmth, love, and consistency. We had no intention of taking him back to the shelter -- we planned to continue fostering him until he found the perfect home. Then everything changed. One night, Ace suddenly began vomiting and then experienced a prolonged grand mal seizure that lasted several minutes. We called the emergency foster line over nine times. Each time, we were routed to an automated message saying to call back if it was an emergency. Eventually, I received a text telling me to call again if it was truly urgent. When I finally reached the foster manager, I explained that Ace was still unresponsive, drooling, and not returning to baseline. As an ER nurse, I know what a medical emergency looks like. This was one. I was told it was NOT an emergency and to bring him into the clinic the next morning. I repeatedly explained that he was still altered and actively symptomatic. I also explained that I had to be at work at 6 AM, had no way to transport him in the morning, and could not safely monitor him overnight while he was crated and then left alone once I went to work. I even called both my regular veterinarian and the emergency vet -- both told me he needed to be seen immediately. Despite this, the foster manager continued to say that if I chose to take him to the emergency vet, I would be financially responsible. This back-and-forth went on for nearly an hour while Ace was still in a compromised state. They finally agreed to allow us to take him to the emergency vet "for observation," stating they would pick him up in the morning, call us with an update, and that we could bring him home afterward. We rushed him to the emergency vet. The staff there reassured us we absolutely made the correct decision. They wanted a full history and asked us to stay while they stabilized him, which we gladly did. We didn't leave until almost 2 AM -- four hours before I had to be at work -- but Ace's well-being was worth it. The next day, we heard nothing. I texted the foster manager twice with no response. When we finally called, we were told Ace was "fine," but that they felt we "weren't fit to be fosters" because we went against their advice -- which they claimed was in Ace's best interest. We were told we would never see him again and that if we ever wanted to foster in the future, we would need to schedule a sit-down meeting to review expectations. I was stunned. We opened our home during a crisis. We medicated him daily. We advocated for him when he was sick -- twice. We stayed at the ER until 2 AM to ensure he was stable. And somehow we were the problem? The reality is this: this decision was NOT about Ace's best interest. It felt like it was about avoiding an emergency vet bill. Communication was poor from the beginning. We were not given complete medical information. Our concerns were minimized. We were initially denied emergency care during an active seizure. We were promised updates and the opportunity to bring him home -- and that did not happen. If you're looking to foster, I would completely AVOID this place. read more

Very poor communication on the pet's history resulted in a disastrous foster experience. Ending with an attack on my smaller dog. Took him back and was THEN told he wasn't supposed to be around small dogs. Hassled about the return. Find a pet somewhere else, there are many deserving shelters out there. Will never go back. read more

Super friendly and caring staff. Patient and very good communication. Donations always appreciated read more

Cincinnati Animal Care - Animal Shelters Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

I think this is a very good place for animals. I recently adopted a dog from this shelter and they were very helpful in making this happen. They take good care of the animals and provide medical care that is top notch. The adoption fees are very reasonable and they even have times that are "specials" on fees. You can follow the animals on their website to see if what you are looking for is available and when you find it, it's time to meet and get to know the animal that will lead to an adoption if the match is right. I would return to their facility again. read more

BEWARE: Their Priority Is NOT the Animals I'm heartbroken. I had a wonderful connection with a dog at this shelter and entered into a Foster to Adopt arrangement. Everything went great--he was sweet, loving, and got along beautifully with my children and cats. But soon after bringing him home, it became clear he was sick. I immediately let the shelter know. Despite me expressing serious concern--especially as a single mom--they prescribed medication without a vet visit, which did not help. I told them multiple times I wanted to adopt him, but I couldn't take the risk of adopting a sick dog with no proper diagnosis or treatment. At the end of the foster week, I was given a heartbreaking choice: Adopt the dog still sick (with no vet evaluation), Return the potentially contagious dog to the shelter, or Continue fostering him--but I'd be required to advertise him and take him to meet other families, as if he weren't already loved and settled. I had to make the awful decision to return him. It felt like choosing between my children and the dog I had bonded with. Now he's back at the shelter--in a cage--instead of in the loving home he had. I'm devastated, and I honestly question this shelter's priorities. It felt like adoption numbers and processes mattered more than the well-being of the dog--or the families trying to help. Please think carefully before trusting this shelter with your heart. read more

great with animals. show true care for the animals in their care. I have adopted several dogs from them. I also know they provide food for people needing assistance for their at home pets so people dont have to give them up due to financial hardships read more

The staff here are very loving towards all the animals and seem to really get to know all the animals well. I do believe they do the best with the limited resources they have. My issue stems with fostering. I fostered a dog that aggressively bit my resident dog. He had to have THREE surgeries and almost lost his life. I reached out to inform them of this and they NEVER replied. They never checked in. I recommended the dog I fostered be in a "only dog" household because of the bite, and no response. I'd just beware if you foster here and your resident animal is injured: they will not support you. I do understand they are very busy and understaffed, but I think a quick response can go a long way and would help me feel supported and more willing to consider fostering in the future. read more

Deputy Mastin was a big help in capturing a couple of cats at my house that needed some help, he was very nice and I appreciated it, great job! read more

At best, Cincinnati Animal Care on Colerain Ave is a poorly organized place, and at worst, incompetent. I have been emailing for several weeks about a dog that is listed on the website. At first, there was no response from the general email contact for a few days. That is understandable, so I called the shelter, and the person who answered the phone gave me the foster department email. I then exchanged emails with the woman who responded, and she included me in an email with the foster and told me to contact her after a few days if I had not heard back from them. I contacted her several days later, and I have not gotten a response from the foster or the shelter. This dog is still listed on the website several weeks later. I again contacted the foster department after calling the shelter; they said all I could do was contact the foster department. I emailed two days this week and still no response. Is a foster person just given the right to choose not to get in contact with the shelter? The best interest of this dog is not being served, and I am left to ponder how many other dogs have lost opportunities due to problems like these. read more

This whole fostering and adoption thing they have going on is ridiculous. The dog we were interested in was at the shelter since October 2024.. And we became interested of asking questions about the dog and wanted to adopt him. Apparently someone has already "fostering" the dog we wanted. I simply asked if they can hold the dog till we get paid to pay to adoption and licensing fee to obtain the dog. Instead, they threw a first come, first serve basis in my face and couldn't hold the dog till he got "fostered" by another "family"! We're deeply saddened how this whole ordeals turned out. So never again, will I come to this "shelter" when they said they couldn't hold the dog but yet held another dog by the previous feedback left on here that the dog being held for "event" when they couldn't get the dog they wanted as well as we did. Better off finding other animal shelter that doesn't have the "fostering and adopting" process. Horrible experience. read more

I very much appreciate what these folks do to help the animals, but at Christmas time I gave them over $300 in food donations, which equaled over 400 pounds of dog food. I called them to see if it was ever received from the supplier, and I never heard back. I don't want any recognition, but a simple acknowledgment was all I needed, so I will not be donating to them ever again. I know they're busy, but an email or a phone call takes less than a minute. read more

We adopted our sweet Poppy in April. Cincinnati Animal Care was fantastic. Poppy's foster Shannon Ebert was so nice and so helpful in the process of adopting. We could tell she really cared about her fosters. The surgery process for spaying was easy and they explained everything afterward. Thank you for taking great care of the animals. We appreciate all of you. We still send her pictures of our beautiful girl. I would recommend adopting from Cincinnati Animal Care Northside. read more

I've fostered and adopted from Cincinnati Animal Care. The staff really cares about the animals! Sometimes I wish there was better communication, but they have a lot of their plate and do their best. I think it's a great place to volunteer or adopt a new best friend read more

Cincinnati Animal Care - A picture of the dog I fostered then adopted. He was on the brink of death and they saved his life - Animal Shelters Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

We adopted a cat from CAC a little over a year ago, they were absolutely amazing during the whole process. Gave us a full medical history and recommendations for a great vet. She came microchipped, vaccinated and spayed and they had a full breakdown of her personality and behaviors that was spot on. They really care about their animals and I'm so grateful to have such an amazing local shelter! Also not sure what the other review is talking about, I signed a whole contract stating that if my girl needed re-homed AT ALL during her lifetime that I was required to reach out to them first for assistance and they reminded me of it before I walked out the door with her. read more

Cincinnati Animal Care - Peaches (formerly Coffee) - Animal Shelters Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

Okay so I don't like leaving negative reviews on animal shelters but this is information people need to know. I have not had a single good experience at this shelter. My boyfriend and I have tried to many times giving them the benefit of the doubt but at this point we will not be going back ever again. We live about 30 minutes away from the Colerain location and every time we go to try and find a cat if we can even see them there are only a small amount of cats to choose from which is odd because I know there are many cats and kittens in need, but it seems they are only interested in dogs. The most recent time we visited I called ahead to ask if they had any cats and what ages and no one answered the phone. We then drove all the way to the shelter to find out they don't have any cats there right now because they are at another location for an unknown amount of time. 50% of the time we drive to the shelter we are unable to see ANY animals for some reason or another; none of which are listed on the website. There seems to be a lack of communication within the organization itself. Again I really do try and support my "local" animal shelters but at this point we are beyond frustrated and half the staff is actually friendly anyway. And again don't bother calling because no one will answer. read more

Do not adopt from this agency. Once you sign the paper work you are totally responsible for the disposition of the animal you adopt. They give no return window for intractable problems with the animal. If you attempt to return an animal you have adopted they keep you waiting in your car for at least 30 minutes then demand your drivers license and give you a clip board with a form to fill out. then it's another thirty minutes before they come out to tell you that they will not accept the animal you want to return--that it is your responsibility to re-home the pet yourself. Never mind that it is not house=breakable, or aggressive toward other animals or people or a brainless barker or a fence-jumper or extremely destructive or any other serious problem that makes it an unacceptable pet. It's your problem. They tell you to either re-home it or have its euthanized--that it is not like returning something to Walmart. I have never adopted from a municipal shelter that was so irresponsible or unconcerned about the disposition of animals they offered for adoption. Please read the paperwork very carefully when you fill it out and be SURE that you can manage whatever animal you decide to adopt. There is no return, no recourse, and no sympathy for whatever problem you may have encountered. Animals adopted from municipal shelters are an unknown quantity unless they have been fostered and assessed. No shelter should have a no-return policy and I am astounded this one gets away with it. BE AWARE AND BE WARNED!!! read more