I adopted a dog here last summer. I stumbled upon the post online on a Thursday & decided to apply. That evening I received an interview phone call (I actually ended up chatting with the volunteer for an hour!) The following morning I received an email that I was invited to meet/adopt. I paid the $75 deposit and scheduled a meeting for Sunday morning, to give myself a day to think it over. Friday night I spent some time looking into the rescue since the previous steps had happened so quickly. After reading reviews, I was definitely upset & VERY hesitant after reading how their meet and greet process goes and where the dogs come from. Saturday I mulled it all over, and decided to go visit the dog Sunday with a list of restrictions. I went early to stake the place out, it was definitely sketchy in a back parking lot and felt weird. Eventually the dog rounds the corner with his foster parents and we meet. The dog was exactly as described & his personality and demeanor matched perfectly to what I had heard about him. He jumped into my arms and I knew then there was no way I was leaving without him. I spent an hour there with the dog & the fosters. They answered all my questions, didn't rush me, and I really got a sense of the dog. Months later and he is still the same dog I met that day- I know this isn't the case for everyone, but I'd say give it a chance! read more

Doggie Protective Services (DPS Rescue) has left me with some concerns about how this organization is operated, and I strongly encourage anyone considering donating, fostering, volunteering, or adopting to do their own research before getting involved. First, look at the organization's public records yourself. DPS continues to represent itself as a federally recognized 501(c)(3), but federal tax exempt recognition is not the same thing as being in good standing with the State of California. Public California records have shown the organization as suspended/not in good standing. Don't just take my word for it, search the California registries yourself and look at the filings and status. This is only the beginning of many concerns. It seems that an extraordinary amount of control in this organization is concentrated in the hands of one person, Tera. For an organization that relies so heavily on donations, fosters, and unpaid volunteers, there is not much transparency or checks and balances in place here. There are no boards, and it's simply a dictatorship. Who holds leadership accountable? How are major operational and financial decisions reviewed? And how are donors supposed to understand where their money is going? People should also review the organization's publicly available tax filings themselves. At the time of writing this review, the most recent filing I was able to locate was for 2024. Rather than blindly donating hundreds and thousands of dollars, I encourage donors to look at its IRS filings, California registration status and come to their own conclusions instead of letting the term "501(c)(3)," mislead them. Do not misunderstand me though, the volunteers and fosters for this organization are some of the most incredible people. My criticism is not directed toward those people. Many of them are the reason dogs are fed, transported, fostered, taken to appointments, brought to events, and cared for everything in between going to their forever home. Tera on the other hand has little regard for the volunteers and fosters who genuinely keep this organization running. She is manipulative, disrespectful, and verbally abusive, and destroys relationships with people who have faithfully dedicated their time and homes to these dogs. Meanwhile, Tera lives in Kentucky while these volunteers keep her organization afloat for her... The dogs deserve better, and so do the people who sacrifice so much for them. If you are considering DPS, research before you commit. Look beyond the social media posts and adoption photos. The dogs deserve a responsible rescue. Donors deserve transparency. And the volunteers and fosters doing the actual work deserve respect. On another related note, there are some threads on Reddit about her dark history as a "dog broker" back in the 2000s. It's worth a read. Pretty juicy details in my opinion! So great, nothing has changed! read more

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Alright so this will be lengthy, but if you are adopting or fostering for this rescue- this is going to be helpful to you. So we had been fostering for them for around two years. My last foster dog was a sweet guy, but returned by the family for personal reasons. I had him close to a month. When we picked him up from the family they had informed me he had cytosporidium & giardia. Well we have four dogs and if you know Giardia, you know it HIGHLY contagious. So you can see in my texts the lack of communication first of all because they say they didn't even know he had these things and was brought in to my home and ALL FOUR OF MY DOGS HAVE IT. Have had it for months now and I have spent $600+ for emergency vet care. They started out giving me the meds, but then would just stop replying. So here we are. This is not even the messed up part. Of course you foster for a month you will get attached and they always were okay with me meeting the family who adopted my fosters because I offered free dog sitting to anyone who adopted my foster pups. Well, unfortunately, the Rescue set him up with a family that did not have another dog and my foster was required to be with another dog. So the family was going to have to adopt a second dog. Anyways, the family ended up saying that they just didn't really know how they were gonna figure out adopting two dogs and ended up backing out. I'm not really sure why that was even an option anyways- they should've just been denied because they didn't meet the requirements. Anyways, moving on, they picked another adopter and told me I could just drop him off at the event And I said oh no, it's OK. No worries. I would like to meet the family. Right off the bat I knew that the woman was not the adopter because she literally took two minutes. And was like OK I'll take him and was not compassionate or loving towards him at all so I knew it was a set up. Dominique that has worked there forever and has been taken under the wing by the director, Tera... Faked taking an adoption photo with this woman!!! Then a few days later, I go on their website and they had posted a family picture with people I did NOT meet. So this Rescue went above and beyond to FAKE an adoption just so that the foster would not meet the family. FUCKED UP! I think that's absolutely insane. Especially after fostering for a Rescue for two years and helping them out whenever they needed. This Rescue is cold and expects the fosters not to get somewhat attached, but that is not human. Tera should be happy her fosters do get attached and want the best for the dogs. I have also seen on Reddit the response to other fosters and they are not kind. Here is my thing. I talked to many of the other fosters that foster for this Rescue and they say that they will NOT DONATE MONEY to DPS because there is not a board of directors and so you don't know where the money is going. I also have a problem with that because I was not able to get a sufficient amount of medication from them to treat all of my dogs when my dogs got Giardia from my foster dog. The entire situation is so messed up. So not only are all of my dogs sick now, but I have no idea where my last foster dog ended up and just got to see the family picture. Which they have now taken down because they must have realized that they didn't want to get caught in their lie! The depths that people went to in this entire situation is just sickening and while I want to keep encouraging people to adopt rescue animals I cannot support this Rescue. I would highly suggest Coppers Dream, which also has more affordable adoption prices. Tera you have my number if you wanna call me and make this right!!!! At the VERY least you could cover these vet bills after all I did to help DPS. And to the family that adopted sweet stovepipe if you ever see this and want to get in touch I will still offer you free doggie daycare due to him being my foster dog. You can email me anytime. rrybak2013@gmail.com Read the reviews. There are TONS of fosters saying DONT DO IT. It's a shame because really the crisis in California is terrible. And I really would suggest that people still foster for other rescues. But please do your homework on a Rescue before you start giving them your time and opening up your home. Tera shame on you for expecting people to not have feelings. I went damn well above and beyond for this Rescue and you and I both know it! Maybe you should start listening to all of the fosters that are leaving reviews and change your ways or you're not gonna have anybody else left to help you! read more

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A hard "no" for this group! I wish I had seen the reviews on numerous sites before getting involved w/ them. Horrible experience and have witnessed some harsh interactions. My best friend had similar experience. Some of the volunteers are wonderful, but management poor, unprofessional. read more

I recently adopted a kitten. The people of DPS are so kind caring and amazing! They listened to me, asked me questions, vetted where my new furrbaby was going to be, and even sent her medical records after adoption! This is an amazing rescue and the people who volunteer their time are earth angels! Thank you for my precious baby! read more

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TL;DR: Be cautious about fostering for this organization, and read reviews of other foster experiences first. I wish I had; our experience is not unique. While I understood there were no guarantees around adoption, the way we were treated throughout the process felt transactional and disheartening--marked by poor communication, lack of compassion, and an especially painful handoff when we had to return the foster dog we had bonded with. -- Going into this experience, I was sure I wasn't ready to adopt a dog, having lost my beloved senior Shih Tzu only a couple months before. While I knew what I was signing up for with fostering (no guarantees were made very clear), I wasn't prepared for how instantaneously my partner and I bonded with the first dog I fostered, "Lady Elizabeth" ("Ellie" for short). Within the first hour of bringing her home, we knew we were at risk of becoming foster fails. The attachment surprised us both, and the next morning I reached out to express our interest in applying to adopt her. I was told we needed to wait until she was listed on the website, which I respected. Looking back, though, it felt as though being her foster family somehow worked against us rather than in our favor. Over the next week, we continued caring for Ellie: transporting her long distances for her spay appointment (I opted to drive an extra 40 miles to bring her directly, rather than have her transported with the other foster dogs), supporting her recovery, and providing supplies and comforts to help her heal. We were happy to do this, of course, but I share it to illustrate how invested we were in her wellbeing. A week after bringing her home, I was emailed instructions for filling out a bio and submitting photos for the website with a 48-hour turnaround time. By then, she already felt like family to us, and it was gut-wrenching to write about her as if we weren't hoping to be her forever home. I submitted everything promptly and included a reminder that we were still very interested in adopting her. That interest was not acknowledged, and communication from that point forward felt increasingly cold and transactional. We were not given a heads up when her listing went live; I found out only because I was checking the site frequently. When applications opened, we submitted ours immediately. We were later told there were multiple applicants and that interviews were ongoing. For the next week, we waited anxiously with little communication. When I followed up, I was told we would know by that evening. Instead, I received an email saying Ellie needed to attend an adoption event. At that point, it became clear we had not been selected. On Christmas Eve, we were informed another adopter was chosen--a family who had already adopted from the organization multiple times. While I understand that decisions are complex and fosters are not guaranteed priority, the favoritism didn't seem fair. It was also confusing why the decision was final; in preliminary conversations, we were told potential adopters would have to set up a meeting with us and DPS (something that contradicts what I'm now reading in other reviews). We were devastated, but held onto hope that something still might fall through. What followed was the most difficult part of the experience. We were given little guidance about the handoff at the adoption event. I tried reaching out to the owner of the organization but got no response. When we arrived, a volunteer told us we could wait with Ellie until the adopters arrived. About twenty minutes later, a staff member abruptly took Ellie from my arms, without acknowledgment or thanks, before the adopters had even arrived. (Never mind that she took her away with my late dog's nice harness and retractable leash--something I was happy to donate to the new family, in addition to a bag of Ellie's favorite toys and clothes gifted by our family members at Christmas. But I was stunned by the lack of regard, compassion, or appreciation.) We left feeling so used and objectified, the whole experience was so transactional. I'm sharing this in the hope that future fosters go in informed and that the organization reflects on how its foster families are treated. I understand it's walking a fine line. Obviously, attachment and heartache are par for the course in the life of a foster. But clearer communication and compassion training for staff could go a long way in helping them feel more supported--and ultimately have a positive impact on the dogs they're caring for. The way fosters are treated is an extension of how the dogs are treated. And both matter. read more

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We have been fostering dogs with this shelter for quite some time now, and the experience has been nothing short of incredible. My wife and I have fostered around 10-15 dogs so far, and every single journey has been supported with care, compassion, and professionalism. The shelter truly goes above and beyond for both the animals and the foster families. They provide everything you need -- food, crates, toys, bedding, medicines, and more -- so you can focus entirely on loving and caring for the dog. They also stay on top of each pet's health, grooming, and well-being, with regular check-ins and appointments. If something comes up, their foster helpline is responsive, calm, and reassuring. You never feel like you're handling things alone. What stands out most is the heart behind their work. Every person we've interacted with genuinely loves these animals and treats them with dignity and patience. They are tireless, compassionate, and deeply committed to finding the right homes. Honestly, they feel like God-sent people doing work that truly makes a difference. If you're considering fostering or adopting, I cannot recommend this shelter highly enough. You'll not only help change a dog's life -- you'll also be surrounded by a team that supports you every step of the way. Look no further. This is exactly the kind of organization you want to be part of. Here's a photo of one of our foster dog, Mustard. I cannot comment about the cost of adoption because I haven't adopted (only fostered) any pet from here, however if I were to adopt one, this is where I would get one from. read more

Doggie Protective Services - One of our foster dogs, Mustard - Pet Adoption Near Me

I've been debating for a while about writing this review, but after reading several Reddit posts and reviews here, I'd like to share my experience in case anyone else has felt this way or had something similar occur. I was a foster for a while and recently adopted a rescue through DPS, but that process was SO uninviting. My parents came with my partner and me to the adoption and the coordinator who was helping us was rude to all of us, making what's supposed to be a joyous experience stressful & bitter. She asked to take a photo of us and my mom asked, "oh is this for Instagram or Facebook?!" The lady said, "we don't post on social media." That's obviously false. Then when she went to take the picture, my parents were originally in it until the lady asked to take one of just my partner and me. When we asked if she could take another with all of us as a family, she basically ignored us. Then when we asked about the history of the dog (e.g., where he came from) they said they are not allowed to share despite knowing. Why not? They wouldn't answer that either, but after talking with our pup's vet, even they agree that history should have been shared. Later that day we went to a pet store and the person working there immediately recognized the harness our now adopted dog was wearing (from pet food express) and asked if we adopted the dog from DPS. Turns out, she used to work there and had horrible things to say about it (with the caveat of not all volunteers and all people). It just seemed like they were waiting to take our payment for the adoption fee and wanted us to leave ASAP. Obviously, this shouldn't reflect your decision to adopt any dog or cat through DPS, because at the end of the day it's the animals that you're there for, but...it would be nice if the process came with a bit more respect and joy! read more

We were very skeptical on going along with this rescue based on reviews AFTER we came across a post they, or someone, had made on Nextdoor. The dog advertised was up our alley. Family oriented breed, puppy, and per the bio a very possible suitable addition to our growing family. I shot out the application and it was very lengthy. It took me us some time to complete but in the end we though it as a good thing. A good screening process etc. We received the email that we would hear within a few days. Low and behold we heard back in 24hrs. This was Christmas eve at this point. Quite a shock in a good way. We scheduled the phone call meeting and as it said, it did take about 20 minutes. The person I communicated with really read the application and answers and had me elaborate. Again, very thorough we though, which is a good thing. Then BOOM, email saying we've been chosen to adopt. We were in shock. A process we thought that would take some time, maybe a week, took about 5 days. We arranged to meet the day after Christmas at the safe house and met the fosters and the pup. The fosters were very sweet and took their time answering all our questions. In the end we chose to adopt the puppy and everything worked out wonderfully. The safe house was very inconspicuous and inside was stocked and didn't seem in disarray which was a good sign. As for the pup... he is exactly as the bio stated to a tee and we are lucky to have him. Sure, the fees are a little, maybe a lot, higher than other agencies, but hearing how they rescued, fostered, paid for neutering/food/vaccinations, transportation, etc it made sense. Plus, the breeds they rescue and advertise do seem to be on the attractive side, but that's the way they do it and how they operate as any other business would. We have no complaints and are grateful. read more

I adopted my dog almost 10 years ago. He recently passed from old age and I miss him a lot. He was about 3 or 4 years old when I got him. The bonus of getting a mature dog was that he was potty trained, knew a lot of basic commands and didnt have any separation anxiety. He used to go to the office with me too and was the envy of the other dog owners for his politeness. DPS was great at making suggestions for me as a new dog owner, including training (mostly for me imo), insurance, etc. The adoption fee was a little high for me, but I would do it again. read more

HEARTBROKEN AND DISAPPOINTED -- OUR DPS ADOPTION EXPERIENCE FELT MISLEADING AND UNFAIR We recently had a very disappointing experience with DPS during what should have been an exciting adoption process. We attended a meet-and-greet, instantly connected with a puppy, and made it clear we were interested in adopting and even taking the puppy home that same day. After completing a phone interview, we were told they would get back to us. We waited there for over an hour, only to receive an email saying another family had been selected. A few days later, DPS contacted my wife saying the adoption had fallen through and we were once again being considered. However, this time we were told we would be required to complete four training sessions with their recommended trainer, Jimi, before moving forward. When we contacted the trainer directly, she mentioned she had never heard of this type of requirement before, but was willing to help. The sessions were $85 each -- an additional $340 on top of the $650 adoption fee. We were then told we needed to pay a non-refundable $50 fee by 5pm on 5/20 to reserve another meet-and-greet slot. The email notifying us of this was sent at 11pm the night before, giving us very little time to ask questions or make an informed decision. Despite struggling to get anyone on the phone and only receiving sparse email responses at odd hours, we still sent the payment at 4:57pm in good faith. A few hours later, DPS informed us that because we seemed "on the fence" about the required training, we were no longer being considered for the puppy. What makes this frustrating is that we were never given a fair opportunity to show we could provide structure, training, and a loving home on our own terms. It also did not feel like these requirements were being applied consistently to every adopter. I hope someone at DPS -- especially Tera -- reads this as constructive feedback. Potential adopters, especially first-time families, naturally have questions during this process. Having no accessible phone support, delayed communication, short deadlines, and unexpected financial requirements made the entire experience feel disorganized and unfortunately more focused on money than finding the best home for the dog. We truly hope this was an isolated experience, but it did not feel like the process was handled in good faith. read more

5* for the process and communication when applying for an adoption, as well as the pickup. 1* for the deception and high prices. After browsing Pet Finder for weeks, I found a little cutie Yorkie girl and applied for adoption. Unfortunately, DPS let me know she was already lined up for a home, so I looked at their website and found another cute guy. He was advertised as a Yorkie mix, with typical Yorkie attributes, described as low shed, energetic, and gets along with both other dogs and humans. I've owned a Silky Terrier before so this sounded about the right temperment. Sounded like a dream dog! I put in my app and was surprised that I got him so quickly (within 2-3weeks). DPS communication was great. They text me, provided clear instructions, and scheduled an interview and a date for me to meet him at an adoption fair. I drove 2.5 hours out to meet this little guy, even though I noticed some things about DPS. First off, the adoption fee is SO much higher than the dogs I've adopted in the past. It felt almost like I was buying a dog. I shopped around other rescues in the bay area and noticed DPS was $100-200 more, but figured it was due to bay area prices and the fact they advertised more plus services/neutering. But it seems they only adopt out cute dogs, puppies, or highly-sought breeds. So I understood the price. BUT, I later learned that they advertise based on the highly-sought breeds to attract adopters and justify that high price. I wondered do they ONLY rescue cute/desirable dogs? I was too excited to notice some red flags on adoption day. When I came to meet my new dog, named Rocket now, the DPS staff had to coax him out of his kennel. I took it as if he was shy to his new environment. The first thing I noticed was that he didn't have the Yorkie fine low-shed fur and was taller than the typical breed. His fur was coarse like a Cairn. I asked the staff if he was mixed with Cairn and she casually said Yorkie, Maltese and Cairn, with a disclaimer that they didn't really know because they can't be 100% sure with rescues. I noticed she threw in all the highly sought breeds first, but I know mixed dogs and he had no Maltese. He looked mostly Cairn than Yorkie, but I just let it go. She tried to pick him up and he did a little snap so she stopped. I was allowed to spend time with him and walk him around. When I came back holding him, the staff said "oh! He must like you". Of course, I didn't think much of it since I was able to interact with him just fine. The process of paying was so easy (paid by cash) and I was on my way. I was surprised how easily I was able to take him home. In the instructions, it stated he must have a dog tag, collar, and leash before they would release him. I thought wow, they really want to know you are serious to adopt to weed out those who didn't. I went out of my way to get the tag, struggling because I didn't have a name picked out yet. So I was surprised to see I was able to take him home just like that without them checking if I had all the "required" items. Looking back, I now see all the inconsistencies that my excitement blinded me to. When I took him home, I realized he wasn't the friendly boy as described. He was scared of everybody and everything!! He did like other dogs, but not people. Apparently not everyone can pick him up as easily as I did. I guess he really did choose me. In looking up my dog's profile from the local shelter where they got him from, it clearly states he is a Cairn Terrier. Yes, I agree he is mixed with some Yorkie by how his face looks, but DPS did not disclose this in his profile, putting him down as Yorkie mix instead. I felt this was an advertisement tactic to get more adopters, but deceptive in a way. If he was labeled Cairn/Yorkie mix, I still would've been interested, but why hide it? My experience with other rescues were that they were honest and disclosed everything they knew about an animal. DPS only wanted to highlight the desirable aspects and not any potential issues. As adopters, we need to know as much as possible to see if it would be a good fit. I still kept Rocket since I've had experience with adopted scared dogs before. With lots of love and exposure, a nice healthy diet, his fur has grown out nice and soft and he's more trusting of humans. But definitely was not what I thought I was getting and I would've appreciated it DPS gave me these warnings, because the staff clearly knew he didn't like everybody by the comment of me being able to pick him up. I probably would not adopt from here again as there are many other rescues to support that take in all types of breeds, regardless of popularity. read more

Doggie Protective Services - Local shelter identified as Cairn Terrier but DPS advertised as Yorkshire Terrier mix. Why not put Cairn/Yorkie mix? Felt a bit deceptive - Pet Adoption Near Me

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"My adoption experience - unfair and maybe racially biased" I wanted to share my experience trying to adopt a rescue dog named Hampton. Unfortunately, it was deeply disappointing and left me feeling unfairly judged -- and possibly discriminated against. I applied for Hampton because his bio described him as a calm, 6-year-old dog who was already trained and low-maintenance. When I got a call from Cindy, I was excited to talk more. But right away, I felt dismissed. She questioned why I didn't bring my cat with me, and I explained it was out of respect for my younger sister's space. I also shared that I work full time with weekends off, my sister is home in the afternoons, and we're fully ready to give a dog time, care, and training if needed. Despite all this, Cindy quickly told me I wasn't suited for Hampton. She started listing behavioral issues -- barking, biting, and not being trained -- none of which were mentioned in his bio. The description change felt confusing, like the information had suddenly shifted. What hurt the most were the personal comments. She implied my "family" wasn't right for the dog -- even though it's just me and my sister -- and kept bringing up that I was a "first-time pet parent" as a reason I wasn't qualified. Even after explaining our availability and commitment, I was brushed off. At the end, she said she would only consider me "if the dog doesn't get adopted tomorrow," which felt like I was being treated as a backup -- not someone seriously considered. The way I was spoken to made me feel judged for things beyond my actual application. Honestly, it felt like assumptions were made based on my background or where I live. Whether intentional or not, the tone and treatment felt discriminatory. Lastly she said she would email me about specific dogs that would and I quote be better suited for someone like me. I have yet to hear back. I truly hope this organization takes a deeper look at how applicants are evaluated. I know I could have given Hampton a loving home, and I hope others in similar positions are treated with more fairness and respect. read more

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I volunteered to take a 5 year old dog with epilepsy so its remaining years could be good. They decided my age was a factor so the dog is still in foster care. I'm in great health and very active. The dog had 1-6 years left. God only knows how long we will be here. My first rescue was from them and he had a great life. Unfortunately Bob Marley lost out because of their age discrimination. I would have made precisions for him. read more

We got a wonderful, loving, well-behaved, and healthy dog Blue from DPS. DPS made the adoption process simple and smooth while also doing their necessary checks to make sure Blue was going to a good home. They contacted the foster family on our behalf to have all of our questions answered and on adoption day the process was so smooth. Blue has been an absolute joy to have in our lives and totally completes our little family. Additionally, DPS has every-other-week adoption events where you can meet all the puppies and get your puppy fix! A great organization dedicated to saving pups and kittens in need that gave us our best furry friend! read more

Doggie Protective Services - Pet Adoption Near Me

We had a great experience with DPS. We filled out the adoption application and within a few hours received a call from Caroline. We did a phone interview and found out the following day we were chosen to adopt Chutney (formerly Cheers). We paid the $50 deposit, scheduled a date/time to meet her, and got her medical records. On the day, we met at a Pet Food Express during one of their adoption events. Chutney was waiting for us in the back and we were given the opportunity to walk her around and get to know her a bit. We immediately knew she was perfect for our family. We paid the remainder of the adoption fee, confirmed she was microchipped and took her home. They even gave us a 20% coupon for Pet Food Express to buy her a few things. Overall, a great experience! If you're hesitating due to their negative reviews, don't. I saw first hand during the adoption event how much love and care they put into their operation. Are the adoption fees perhaps higher than a shelter? Yes, but they are comparable to other rescues. Plus you get a pup that is vaccinated, has a health check-up, spayed/neutered, micro-chipped, and thanks to the wonderful fosters a sense of their demeanor. read more

Doggie Protective Services - Pet Adoption Near Me

This review reflects just the application process and the way DPS operated with their adoption fairs. We submitted several applications for different dogs (over a period of a few months) and showed up to adoption fairs to meet the dogs we had applied for though we never received a call or confirmation of the application (they have disclaimers for this lack of follow up due to high demand, so we were patient). However, when we arrived at the fairs to meet the dogs who were at the top of our list, we were told we couldn't even meet them because there was already a "waitlist" and that those people would meet them first. My problem with this whole process is that it wasn't exactly clear how one even gets on a waitlist to meet a dog. Or what the point of these adoption fairs is if there is no way to even meet the puppies one has applied for. I reached out with these questions a few times and received no response. Since that time I've talked with a few people who've adopted from them or attempted to and they confirmed what I felt was the case-- this organization is biased against families who do not work from home and possibly even people who don't have large houses with big yards. Though I noted that I work from home 2-3 times a week and we are homebodies, we were never even given a chance to meet any dogs (outside of the adoption fair). I understand that it's not ideal to leave a new dog home, especially younger dogs, but our family had time set aside (a few months) to ensure we could be home consistently to ensure the dog had time to get used to a new home and routine. We also had plans for care on the days when we would be away from home. It is clear that this organization favors wealthier and more privileged families. I don't subscribe to the elitest notion that only rich families should know the love of a family dog or that only wealthy people can provide a good, safe, home for a dog. That this organization operates on these assumptions is problematic. read more

Don't become a foster family for this organization. Read the reviews carefully. Their process for placement of pets with families is awful. This organization is not carefully screening families not ensuring pets are matched with the families best suited for them. Additionally they charge over 3x what other rescues are charging. It seems they are simply placing dogs with any family, even those who have never met their dogs just to close the deal and pocket a large adoption fee. Beware before adopting from them and if you want to foster, please consider other organizations in the area that truly need your service. There are many worthy rescues in need of foster families. read more

DPS seems like a genuinely well-intentioned organization, but please be aware that their adoption contract DOES NOT transfer ownership of your new pet to your family. Instead, they assert "superior title" for themselves in perpetuity and reserve the right to reclaim the animal at their sole discretion and at your expense. I understand that this is not unique to DPS, and that their intent is to provide legal cover in the case of abuse. Some organizations will amend the contract if you can demonstrate that you are responsible, but DPS said it was non-negotiable. You might be willing to accept the legal risk of not actually owning your own pet, but my family was not so we had to back away from the adoption process (and the $50 deposit). DPS' puppies are the cutest in the bay area with the most sought-after characteristics you'll find anywhere without going to a breeder, so they have leverage to dictate stricter adoption terms. Just be aware that if you adopt from DPS, your new pet is not legally your own and DPS will forever have ultimate say in that pet's future with your family. Please consider what this fact would mean to you before applying to adopt any of their adorable pups. read more

My partner and I were interested in rescuing a dog and with so many various organizations, we tried our best to select one that best described the potential pup. We were pleased with the thorough dog descriptions on the website and decided to take a chance. We had originally inquired about one dog and after completing the lengthy (but completely understandable!) application process, we were shortly notified that our first choice had been adopted, but that they would be happy to connect us with another pup. We chose another guy that we thought would be a good fit and had a quick phone interview. I am so thankful for their honesty regarding that dog. Apparently he was a friendly guy, but did nip at people he didn't know. While I'm comfortable with most dog training, biting was something I didn't feel ready for so we selected another dog. DPS was very understanding and matched us with our next choice as it seemed like a much better fit. We paid the deposit, met our girl a few days later and even had the opportunity to meet her foster mom that day! They gave us plenty of time to ask questions and we didn't feel rushed at all. After about a half hour or so, we were convinced that we had found our new baby. The staff were so kind in ensuring our dog was safely collared and that we received her primary medical records even before our meet up. A few days later we got her full medical notes and were able to take her right to our vet for an initial check up. While her history was limited, she was in perfectly good health and overall our adoption experience was fantastic. Pricing was definitely steeper than the local shelter but being able to touch base with our foster mom and get helpful information meant everything to us. Thanks DPS! read more

Doggie Protective Services - Maddy - Pet Adoption Near Me

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We chose DPS as I have several friends who have either fostered or adopted through them and they had only good things to report. I love that they place the dogs with fosters first so they get chance to get to know them, whether they're suitable for children, other animals etc and to get an insight into their personalities. The application was extensive and thorough and we were thrilled to be given the chance to come and meet our now new family member. We weren't rushed at all when we met her, we had plenty of time to play with her and make a decision. The volunteers at the safe house were knowledgeable and kind. Our pup certainly matches up to the description from her foster mom and we're having a wonderful time getting to know our sweet girl. I have no hesitation recommending and supporting DPS. read more

We recently adopted our newest baby girl from DPS, she was our second rescue from them. DPS was responsive, helpful, and committed to placing their fosters into the right home. We won't hesitate to adopt from them again. Thank you for everything you do. read more

DPS is a scam! I definitely will never recommend them to anyone. Adoption Process: Caroline Fenyo called to interview us and emailed us with the opportunity to adopt Scooter, now Niner. We made our deposit and set a pick up date. I was told I would get the medical records within 24hrs. Fast forward 48hrs, no medical records or no reply to my emails. I decided to call Caroline. She answers the call rudely and says you will get documents by end of the day. Doesn't even say bye. She literally hangs up on me. If it was different circumstances, I would have given her a piece of my mind but I was in love with the dog already so decided to keep my mouth shut. After Adoption: We adopted Niner on 01/08/25. We took him to his first vet appointment on 01/09/25. We learned at the vet appointment that he will need a dental procedure since he has both puppy canines and adult canines growing together. Fast forward to 01/27- we take him to dental specialist, we got quoted $4800 for this procedure. The insurance company won't cover it because it's a preexisting condition. I contacted DPS to see if they would help with cost- they didn't even bother to reply back. I didn't have a good feeling about this rescue after reading the Yelp reviews and I should have trusted my gut. They are truly about making money... it's not about the animals for them. Either way... I love Niner and will do anything for his health. Just find a different rescue that actually cares about the animal and the people that rescue them. read more

I'm writing this review after my recent experience working with DPS. I ended up with a dog in need of an urgent foster. I ended up in contact with one of their volunteers, who has also fostered for them and adopted a dog through them. They were amazing! Organized, responsive, and professional; I've worked with other volunteer run animal rescue groups and to be honest any group run by volunteers can have hit or miss levels of service because it's just regular people doing their best so it was refreshing to have such a positive experience. I ended up finding an adoptive home for my unplanned foster on my own but I'm writing this review because I've seen a number of negative reviews that need to be balanced with a more logical review. People have complained about both the adoption costs and the lack of response when applying for a dog. The website is CLEAR regarding the application process!! Only some applications will get a reply because of the sheer volume of people applying. They respond to applications that are answered completely, and that look like good fits for the dog in question. The application is long and I suspect many people don't like the level of detail required. But it is to get animal.into a good home. The adoption fees are higher than a dog from the shelter. Because these dogs are given all shots, heartworm testing, and neutering before being listed. They also have time in a foster home so their behavior and personality is known before they are adopted out. This is huge! Shelter dogs are great but you have to be prepared for a lot of unknowns when you adopt them. Adopting from DPS gives you a greater understanding of the dog you are choosing. read more

My wife inquired about one of their puppies and they were very responsive to get my wife to fill out an application. Once she did, they reviewed all of our information and we were happy to get the chance to meet him; driving all the way from Patterson. We instantly fell in love and brought him home the same day. He is the best puppy and is very smart. They just followed up with us to see how he is doing which was very thoughtful. Would definitely recommend getting your next furry friend from DPS! Thank you read more

FIRST TIME DOG OWNERS BEWARE! If you are looking to actually rescue a dog, LOOK ELSEWHERE. They misrepresent themselves as a rescue. No actual rescue is charging this much for dogs. The minimum price to "rescue" a dog is $600. They conveniently always have litters of puppies, along with some other animals which they advertise as desirable breeds (often inaccurately). I love the dog I purchased from this adoption agency, but I was definitely taken advantage of as a first time dog owner. They absolutely scammed me with respect to the price. I recently found out he was taken into DPS's custody from the SPCA and then resold to me for $600 more than SPCA would have charged. I'm sure they are doing this with many other animals who are not part of the litters they "rescue". DPS is basically a group of dog breeders disguising themselves as a rescue using the cutest SPCA dogs they can get their hands on. I was specifically looking for a hypoallergenic dog who would not shed. He was advertised as a mix of two hypoallergenic breeds. I learned on the car ride home that he definitely sheds! They don't even offer refunds if the dog doesn't work out, so imagine if I were actually allergic to dogs! I expressed during my "interview" with them that shedding was a dealbreaker. Very disappointed with them. I considered rehoming him before I just fell too much in love. They don't seem to care much about making sure the dog is going to a good home. Their interview process is totally bogus. Everyone is approved and able to adopt. If they really wanted to make sure that a dog was a good fit with an owner, they would allow a grace period for a refund of their absurd prices. I was pressured to adopt my dog immediately or risk someone else taking him. After I adopted him, I sent them a few emails asking about his history as I noticed more things about his personality and breed. I also needed help confirming that his microchip is active and registered to me. They never responded to any of my messages. They got my money and were clearly done with me. A few weeks later I learn the dog has worms and he was sedated and fixed less than 24 hours before I adopted him. He was also one month too young to be fixed. Of course they didn't respond to my messages about these matters either. They don't care about the dogs at all. ZELLE?! And a $50 nonrefundable deposit BEFORE you even meet the dog?! DPS is so obviously a scam and if I had known anything about adopting a dog, I would have seen it. The $50 you pay online is their cover so they can say they sold the dog for $50 and maintain nonprofit status. Then you Zelle them the rest of the money so it isn't taxable or able to be linked to DPS. This organization needs to be shut down. Kudos for their foster-forward approach if that's legitimate. They have such a track record for being dishonest thieves. Makes me wonder if they are being completely honest about their foster approach. Save yourself $600. Just go to SPCA and find your dog before DPS does. read more

APPLICATION AND ADOPTION PROCESS: One hour after submitting the application, I received a call from Caroline. She asked me a few questions that I answered as honestly as possible. She noted that because we were first time dog owners we'd have to hire a trainer. She recommended the name of a trainer and told me to follow up via text to get the trainer's information. After that, I was approved to adopt the dog and was escorted to the back of the store to Zelle the org $800. THE DOG: The dog's profile had, in my opinion and experience, misleading claims and missing information. First, the post said that the dog was good with other dogs. After the first day or two, the dog began barking and lunging when she saw other dogs on the street. This behavior escalated each passing week. Twice she got off leash and ran towards another dog, barking and trying to get at it. Once, she saw or heard a dog near my apartment and broke down my screen door to lunge and bark at the passing dog. Because the dog was reactive, she had to be walked at 5 AM every day. Also, Crucial information was absent from the post. It wasn't until the phone interview that I learned the dog had "some" separation anxiety. Some separation anxiety was an understatement. The dog was on the highest dose of anxiety medicine possible for her weight. [And a note on this medicine; this medication was not given to us when we adopted the dog, nor was it mentioned at any point until the fosters brought it up.] By the end of her tenure with us, she was on two different medications. She howled, barked, and cried nonstop no matter what we did before leaving. For the three months we had her, my husband and I left our home in shifts. We did not leave the apartment together unless we had the dog with us. It was pretty hard to do that when the dog was reactive towards other dogs, so we just stayed home a lot. THE TRAINING: I'll keep this brief as it doesn't directly pertain to the org. We tried everything. Nothing worked. GIVING HER BACK: For weeks we contemplated what to do about the dog. We loved the dog despite her issues. She was sweet, smart, loyal, and funny. Good days with her made it easy to look past the frequent bad days. We tried upping her medicine, per the vet, but it didn't work and only made her drowsy. We tried a dozen training methods, but nothing stuck. As first time dog owners , which the org was made aware of, we were out of our depth. We grew fatigued from the early morning walks, the secret spy missions just to get her to go to the bathroom without seeing any other dogs, and the constant growling and barking when she'd so much as hear another dog in our complex (of which there are many). My husband and I were distraught, to say the least. I'd rather give away all my earthly possessions and live in a cardboard box on the freeway than ever go through the traumatic experience of returning my dog to a rescue org I don't trust ever again. When I reached out to DPS for help, we were treated as the bad guys. They denied any alleged misrepresentation or withheld information. Instead, they cited the fact my husband were first time dog owners as reason for the dog's mistakes. We were not offered support until it was too late. THE PHONE CALL: The weekend before we decided to give back the dog, DPS offered to call us and give us tips for how to work on the dog's behavioral issues. We accepted. My husband spoke to Rachel. She gave him a lot of advice that we had already tried to no avail. Towards the end, I asked to speak to her regarding the difference in the dog's profile vs real life. She immediately became defensive and rude when I tried explaining that the dog was not doing well in a city environment. Indeed, it was later revealed that the dog used to live in a rural area with other dogs. Rachel dismissed our concerns as nothing more than inexperienced dog ownership. She ended the call by saying we were free to return the dog. THE RETURN: It was then that we decided to return the dog. We live in an area with lots of dogs and it seemed to only stress our dog out to be surrounded by so many animals. It was a difficult decision that I do not wish on anyone. Rachel/DPS remained unhelpful during this time, only giving us a location (outside pet food express), time, and date to drop off the dog. When we arrived, unsurprisingly, Rachel treated my husband worse than if he was a piece of gum on the bottom of her shoe. It was a very hot day, over 80 degrees, and still they took the dog. I'm not 100% sure, but the dog might've been shown that same day at the adoption fair. I hope the next owner received her medication and an honest depiction of the dog's behavioral issues. We made some recommendations based on our experience with the dog as to who should be allowed to adopt her, but I'm not sure if they took them into account. read more

We used DPS to have a puppy party at the Stanford Alpha Phi open house. The puppies were genuinely the most adorable dogs ever, and everyone absolutely loved playing with them. DPS came with all of the supplies they'd need to set up, and supplied 7 adorable puppies! I cannot recommend them more highly! read more

THEY ARE MEAN AND LIERS : I want to share my foster experience, something I never expected to end with so much heartbreak. I picked up Spatula a month ago. They handed her over to me without asking any questions-it was my first time fostering, so l assumed that was normal. From that moment on, she became my whole world. We spent a month together, and I made it clear from the very first week that I wanted to adopt her. Despite knowing this, Foster DPS told me to bring her to an adoption event, where they claimed all applications would be considered equally. I tried to stay hopeful, but deep down, I thought they would understand our bond. I believed they would see how much she depended on me, how much we belonged together. I thought they would care. They told me, "We need the dog for a moment." I handed her over, and I never saw her again. They told me she had already been adopted and that she is gone. They didn't even let me say goodbye to her. Separating her from me doesn't just affect me emotionally--it affects her, too. Taking her away so suddenly, after everything we've been through together, is heartbreaking for both of us. To make matters worse, Spatula had her spay surgery just three days ago. She's still recovering, and the added stress of being taken away from the person she feels safe with could seriously affect her well-being. This organization showed no compassion or empathy. And they charge $800 for an "adoption" . They prioritize money over the animals and the foster families who care for them. They didn't care about what was best for Spatula or the pain this caused. Truly a heartbreaking and unfair experience. read more

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It all happened so quickly. I filled out the application the moment I saw his sweet face and perfect paws sitting so patiently waiting to be adopted. Within hours I received a message that my application had been chosen to adopt "Pinball". He's a six-month old Javanese Mix and the sweetest, goodest boy evah! Our hearts were so broken after our previous dog had passed that we couldn't be more thrilled to have rescued this bundle of joy. However, with all of the negative reviews for DPS, I was worried about what we were getting ourselves into. I had NONE of the issues that some people on this app have mentioned. Expensive for a rescue? Maybe-- but then again, even though there are volunteers at DPS, Pinball (his new name is Whiskey) came fully vaccinated, neutered, microchipped, one month of free insurance, a pound of dog food, and all of that costs money. Not to mention his transport from where he was originally rescued. All that alone can add up to hundreds of dollars in fees. His fees goes towards saving the next goodest dog. DON'T LISTEN TO THE NEGATIVE REVIEWS. DECIDE FOR YOURSELF OR YOU MAY MISS OUT ON THE NEXT LOVE OF YOUR LIFE. To have a dog that you can just begin loving and enjoying without all of the other stuff is really worth it. The volunteers were so lovely and made the process easy for us both. Thank you DPS for connecting us. We all love Whiskey and will give him the home every dog deserves. read more

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I fostered a dog through DPS Rescue and had one of the most disappointing and disheartening experiences I've ever had with a rescue. Despite giving them detailed behavioral information--like the dog's separation anxiety, mouthiness, escape attempts, and fear-based barking around strangers and men--none of this was reflected in his adoption bio. Instead, he was advertised as a universally friendly and carefree pup, which was completely misleading. Fosters are kept entirely in the dark during the adoption process. I wasn't allowed to meet or speak with the adopters, wasn't told anything about them, and wasn't even informed that a man was adopting the dog--despite explicitly warning DPS multiple times that he was uncomfortable with men. There was no meet-and-greet, no transparency, and no respect for my role as the person who actually lived with and cared for the dog. When I raised my concerns respectfully, I received an extremely hostile and unprofessional email from the Executive Director. She told me I was entitled, immature, and not welcome to foster again--simply for advocating for the animal in my care. Since sharing my story, I've heard from multiple others who have had similar experiences with DPS--both fosters and adopters who were misled or mistreated. To potential adopters: please be cautious. You are not necessarily getting the full truth about the dog you're adopting. Behaviors may be left out of bios, and the foster who lived with the dog has no role in helping you prepare for their transition. That can set you--and the dog--up to fail. To potential fosters: please know that your voice will not be valued. You may be asked to open your home and heart, but if you question anything or speak up for the dog, you may be shut down or even punished for it. I wish I could say my experience was unique, but it wasn't. DPS may have impressive numbers, but what's happening behind the scenes tells a very different story. read more

5 years ago, I adopted the best pup in the world from DPS. When he passed this last year, I decided to start fostering with DPS, as a way to honor my pup. In my time fostering with DPS, the organization has been very supportive, providing all the supplies needed for the foster pup and offering a network of involved and helpful fosters to answer questions and training assistance. And, I have really enjoyed my time fostering several dogs, before I became a foster fail and adopted my foster dog! DPS made the fostering experience and the adoption easy, and I appreciated their transparency about the process. I have recommended numerous people to adopt and foster from DPS. read more

I adopted both my dogs from DPS and continue to foster dogs with DPS. Taking on a dog is a big responsibility, the folks at DPS make the adoption process simple and take care of all the required vaccines and spay/neutering. Would take on adopting another dog through DPS, but I don't think my girlfriend will let me. read more

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We adopted our second dog Garnet and what I love about DPS is that we were able to focus our energy and time on making sure Garnet was adjusting well and not on paperwork and any other logistics. DPS had all of her records and information for us and when we took her to her first vet appointment with our vet, she had everything she needed. On the day we picked her up in Palo Alto, we were able to meet her with our other dog in a low key environment so that the 2 of them would not be overwhelmed. We had everything we needed and what we didn't have we were able to purchase on the spot with a discount. Garnet has been such a wonderful addition to our family and I can't iterate how simple the process of adopting her was. We were asked a lot of good questions up front but I knew it was to ensure that Garnet was going to a family that would take care of her for the long haul. read more

Doggie Protective Services - Pet Adoption Near Me

I have fostered for DPS for 3 years now. I have had many dogs in my home to tiny new borns, to older dogs. I have always been given all the supplies needed to care for the dogs as well as medical care. There's also a foster hotline you can text 24/7 for any help at any time. I have fostered for another rescue before DPS offers so much great support! A few weeks ago I took in a "Special needs" 6 month old pittie mix. The rescue was upfront with what they knew of the dog. He was pulled from a shelter in Berkeley and had only been with the rescue for a couple of weeks. He had been seen by the vets for some breathing issues and leg deformities. With all that said, it was hard for us to know exactly what that meant for this pups future. That goes for any pet that you adopt out of a rescue. But one thing was for sure, he was going to need a family with patience and time to give him the exercise he needed to get his legs strong. In just a matter of hours, we felt this dog belonged in our family. So we adopted him less than 24 hours from taking him in. DPS works really hard to save the lives of as many animals as possible. The people who work for them are loving and caring and all share the same passion to save lives. read more

I have many concerns about DPS for both fosters and adopters. They are pressing to move hundreds of dogs through the site per month and charge $800 or more for the dogs. They do the minimum for the dog and as others below say they require the animals to be at the adoption event within 24 hours of being spayed. Others may not realize that they ship the dogs in a van with 15 or more dogs to Turlock and back and then require that they sell the dog the next day. Other concerns: With the high throughput, they are leaving dogs in a seemingly unheated warehouse alone at night when there isn't an adopter. This is not a kennel or a facility, it is just a space in an industrial part. They do not train fosters or give them any information on the animal. The fosters do not know whether the animal is vaccinated for rabies. My dog bite me and they did not answer my question. They have run out of food at times and I have seen examples of cruelty as others also report. read more

I submitted an application for Confetti. A couple days later I received an email requesting a phone interview from Dominique. I replied that I was available any time the following day. No reply was received. I sent sent her another email that she replied back a day later and was as to call her at 6:30 that evening. I watched my email all day and gave up. I had family events to take care of. I sent another email to Dominique asking when we could talk. she informed me that she was available the next day until 5:00 pm I ask for a 9:30 am appointment. No reply. i asked one more time and she said I could call her that evening and this was at after 6:30 again. I called her today and talked to her. I was informed that she was just leaving for the store and she would text me her number when she got back. it never happened. I looked on line tonight to see if Confetti was still available. she is no longer listed on the DPS site. I was lied to multiple time by Dominique. this was going to be a pet for my grandson and myself. I have a very disappointed boy now because his dog he was hoping to get is gone. I will keep looking but NOT at DPS. read more

Very organized rescue, saves a lot of dogs, has lots of resources! I've volunteered here and there over 10 plus years, and I'm impressed with the ability of those running this rescue. My last foster, Gnocchi, was adopted by an amazing family. She was older than the typical DPS dog and needed extra TLC (had expensive dental work) and I appreciate them not leaving her behind when they took a bunch of dogs from a kill shelter. I'm very disappointed that they don't allow communication between foster and adoptive home - even in special circumstances because unfortunately there was an ugly battle between them before. I asked multiple times if I could speak to the family so I could explain a few things - Gnoccji had an odd war of eating, and was just so broken when she came to DPS. I was texted a couple of times about questions the adoptive family had, I couldn't answer with a quick simple text with DPS the middle man. My worst thought - is she even still alive?! She was such a fragile little dog - what if something was missed that I could have helped explain? While I understand the bullying that happened with a former foster is terrible - it would have been nice if they could come up with a way for me to communicate to Gnocchi's new family. I appreciate how many dogs DPS has saved, and they don't have time for certain extras, but it sure would have eased my worry and helped support the new family if we could have been allowed some contact. I probably will foster for another rescue in the future because of this. read more

If you're looking for a scam, look no further! These guys are out to get your money and hand over pets that are in pain and injured. Pets that need to be seen by a vet because they are VISIBLY in pain. They downplay it. They blame it on the dog "faking it". You gotta be kidding me. Every adoption agency I have ever been to that is worth their salt, puts SAFETY and HONESTY first in the adoption process. Not over $700 in fees, ludicrous regulations that don't permit you to inquire about the dogs temperament, health or even a simple conversation with the foster parents. Take a look at the reviews- they're all on the same day (or near the same day) and they're ALL from the foster homes drumming up business. SHAME ON YOU. THESE ANIMALS NEED VET CARE AND HOMES MORE THAN YOU NEED TO FILL YOUR WALLET. Also- I looked into it and they have not filed their annual reports to the IRS, so they are POCKETING THIS MONEY UNDER THE TABLE! Look, I get having special needs dogs. I get charging $150- 250 for an adoption- this is standard practice. However, the state of things is that kennels are overcrowded, dogs need homes more than this shady company needs more undocumented funds. Shame on these guys for their dishonesty and greed. This agency is a FRAUD. read more

We love the dog that we adopted from DPS, but I have serious concerns about this rescue group. I was surprised like at the high cost of adopting a "rescue" from this group - $800 is way more than the cost of shots, kibble, and neutering/spaying. Rocket Dog and other SF rescue groups charge 1/2 that fee! It also wasn't disclosed that our dog had a retained baby canine tooth (very visible on exam) which we had to pay $1000 to have removed under general anesthesia right after we got her. Furthermore, they do NOT respond to questions after the adoption is complete-- at all!!! I emailed multiple times to ask about the baby tooth and also to get information about where and under what circumstances our dog was found. The response after emailing them 3 times was "at a shelter in central CA". That's it. Dogs that have been strays or come from hoarding situations have very different behaviors and needs compared to dogs who were surrendered, and it's helpful to know this background info. Finally, my sister mentioned her friend fostered for a group out of Palo Alto and was shocked at how disorganized and poorly run it was, so she only fostered for them once. Checked and it was DPS. So NOT responsive, NOT transparent, and NOT interested in your dog after you've left the premises. Sadly, I suspect they just get cute adoptable dogs from other shelters, then turn around and sell them for $800. read more