I applied to adopt a specific dog from this shelter. Linda let me know that dog was not a good fit, so I thanked her and let her know to put my application on hold. A week later she called me while I was at work saying she had spoken with my landlord and that my apartment did not allow pets. I was quite confused because I had never heard of the woman she had spoken to, and I had asked her to put my application on hold and was now midway into adopting a dog elsewhere. I tried to calmly get to the bottom of the miscommunication, reminding her that I had sent her written proof of my pet policy over email, and that this was not my landlord she had spoken to. I suggested maybe it was a wrong number, or a new employee at the leasing office. She snapped at me "Would you just be quiet and let me talk!" At this point I told her to withdraw any of my information from her system, and never contact me again. I called my landlord and she said she had never spoken to Linda. This strange miscommunication should never have happened, as I had already requested my application be put on hold. It also could easily have been resolved if Linda had listened to me and conducted herself with professionalism. I am so happy I will be picking up my dog tomorrow from a more professional shelter. For these reasons I can unfortunately not recommend this shelter. But please, adopt (elsewhere) don't shop! read more

I have worked with Linda and Ed from Gerties Small Dog rescue for several years. Reading negative reviews makes me feel sad. Linda and Ed are marvelous, honest, and very hard working and really care with a massive heart about what they do. They are strict about requirements to adopt from them. That is only because they want to do their very best to make sure any adopted dog is in the safest hands possible and that potential adopters are fully prepared and able to take the best care possible of any dog they may adopt. It is a lot about the dog and minimizing return to shelter situations. They really do dig deep into potential adopters, again this to make sure any adopted dog will be safe. Linda and Ed have made Gerties Small Dog Rescue their life, they have an excellent track record and are well respected in the community as well as within animal and rescue circles. read more

I have not personally adopted thru gerties. But I have delt with Gerties many times. The people that help run Gerties are great people. They care deeply for the dogs in rescue. They take finding the dogs the best home possible seriously, and make sure it's the best fit for the dog. They are willing to help out anyone when they can. They have helped me with things a few times. One of the volunteers knows I have a dog with issues, she has offered to keep him a few times when I have had surgery or needed to be gone for a longer period, so that he didn't have to go to a kennel. They have thought of my dogs when the rescue has items that they can't use. My 12 year old was having issues getting on the couch, they gave her a set of steps so she could still get up to nap on the couch. They put everything they have into their rescue. read more

I really didn't want to leave a negative review as I appreciate the services that animal rescues provide and I don't want to discourage someone from adopting one of their dogs but due to my experience with the owner Linda Cortese~Fadden, I must warn others. The story itself is a long one but basically I have come to learn that this rescue is barely more than a money grab. My mother passed suddenly in August and no one in the family was going to be able to keep the dog she adopted several months prior from Gerties. We advised the rescue of this and were told by Karen Labarr that the contract stipulated the dog be returned to the rescue but told us if we could find it a good home, as long as the new owners make contact with the rescue, everything would be fine and the new owners could keep the dog. It should also be noted that during the time in question Gertie's was advised that they would be the beneficiary of the donations from my mother's wake. So the new owners make contact with Gerties and everything appeared to be fine. Fast forward two weeks and remember by this time they had received all the donations from my mother's wake. I leave work to a message from the people we rehomed the dog to that Karen had come and taken the dog claiming we violated the contract. And naturally Karen takes all the paperwork the dog had, even the original contract my mother had signed. So at this time I contacted Linda to ask about the contract and was treated in the most unprofessional way possible. She denied to show me the contract my mother had signed or any contract for that matter and when I told her I was going to get my lawyer involved she started claiming I was threatening her and shut off communication with me. So buyer beware with this organization. read more

Linda at Gertie's is a very judgemental and rude woman. She literally told me that because my two cats aren't going to the vet every year (which I personally think is a scam) that I was showing a history of neglect and disregard for my pets. I could not be more furious. That's not something you say to a loving pet owner, and my love for my cats is obvious in my application. After I applied, I placed a follow up call to be sure it was received and ask some basic questions, and was treated like I was overstepping and impeding on her day. Then she got the app, and called me back to question why there are four people living in my house. Really? You didn't ask how big my house was or get excited by the prospect that someone will be home to care for the pup at all times? If you go here, you WILL be talked down to. Would never recommend. read more

We adopted from Gertie's 5 years ago & it was the BEST experience!! They consider all the pups in their care their babies and dedicate their lives to caring for & finding the very best homes for them. We had nothing but a wonderful experience & I know several people who have adopted from Gertie's who feel the same way...I can only assume the two negative reviews are from people who did not qualify to adopt according to Gertie's very high standards...they will never allow one of the babies to go home with someone who is not a perfect fit. Linda & Ed are extremely kind & loving and continue their work even through personal hardships; they are just that dedicated. I highly recommend Gertie's!! read more

If I could give a 0 rating I would. This was a terrible experience. The woman that everyone talks about in the reviews is an awful, hateful, rude person. I called to ask about my application as I knew I could not meet the pet until it was approved. She told me that she didn't have it and that I should not call back because she did not want to be answering calls all day. Not only that, but she also said that there are at least 15 applications for that same pet just sitting on her desk. After she started yelling at me, I hung up the phone. I do not tolerate disrespect. She CALLED ME BACK to yell some more. I told her to tear up my application and that it is a real shame these poor dogs have to be in her care. I am sick to my stomach thinking that if she treated those poor animals as she treats humans, they are most likely being abused or neglected. read more

Very slow to respond to emails, animals listed are not actually available for adoption.

I have been a foster mom for Gertie's Small Dog Rescue for about 4 years now. I adopted my little Chihuahua Jack and another one, Beau from Gertie's. Although, in the beginning of the adoption process, it seemed a bit "strict", I still went for it because I really wanted to adopt Jack. Needless to say, I got through Gertie's totally strict adoption process - Phone interview, Vet check, 3 personal references, and literally an inspection of MY HOUSE by the President of Gertie's. After fostering 6 dogs with Gertie's, what I have learned is that YES Linda can be abrasive and "rude" as some will say. But I've also learned her reasoning and her compassion for EVERY SINGLE DOG that comes into her home. Gertie's is not just a "dog shelter", Gertie's Small Dog Rescue is a place for every small dog that got discarded for any reason, Linda & Ed don't really care where the little dog comes from. They open up their heart and their home to any and every little K9 who comes their way. I will stand behind Linda's "rudeness" all the way. Gotta love the dogs! read more

My wife and I first adopted from Gertie's 5 years ago. Over the years we have come to personally know Ed and Linda. You would have to look high and low to find someone who cares more about the dogs they rescue. Their vetting standards are extremely high to insure that the dogs are going to people who not only can afford to properly take care of them but have shown that they have a proven record of providing proper medical care for them. We have adopted 3 dogs from them. The first 2 included a Bichon Frise that had spent the first 7 years of her life as a breeding dog in a puppy mill. She was a mess when Gerties obtained her. Her foster mom, Lois, had her in her care for 18 months teaching her the social skills to be able to thrive in a forever home. We just lost that little girl last week at the age of 14 1/2 and she will always be our little princess. In 2018 they rescued a sweet terrier mix from South Carolina that had major health issues ( heart worms, mammary tumors). We decided to adopt her but Ed and Linda would not release her to us until they had addressed all her issues with their vet. So yes, Linda can be a little abrupt with you if she doesn't know you. But once you do get to know her and Ed you see the love they have for every dog that comes through their house. They want to make sure every dog they adopt is going to the correct home. I would recommend them to anyone looking to adopt a small dog. read more

I do not recommend this rescue! Linda, the owner and caretaker is horribly rude. She will talk down to you for absolutely no reason at all. It's gross and horrifying to see. You can see the anger in this woman the moment she shows her face. Linda pushed me over the edge though when she began to scream at me because I asked a simple question. It was not an offensive question and only had to do with the care of what I was interested in. She told me she doesn't need to give any answers and proceeded to scream like a Raving lunatic for over 5 minutes. read more

I adopted two puppies in October 2012. I couldn't be happier. They were and have continued to be very healthy. Linda did a thorough investigation of our home and brought the puppies with her to check us out. That way she knew these puppies would be safe. Not only that but my brother adopted an older dog and because he is a senior also, his dog came with a discount. Thank God there are people out there who love little fur babies and find homes for them. Sharon Dillon read more

I adopted my pomeranian from Gertie's Small Dog Rescue in November 2013. The dog was healthy and clean. Linda was thourough in her investigation of a good home and very easy to deal with. I couldn't be happier and will definitely adopt future dogs from Gertie's read more