just reading random reviews and came across Houligan's Rescue and was truly disturbed. We adopted an older dog from them a few years ago and Debbie and Mel made us aware there might be issues..still we fell in love with Daisy, I think she trusted us, we got her! She was an amazing dog and I have to thank Debbie and Mel for what they have done to save these dogs. They are strictly volunteer and it was amazing the dedication to dogs there. I visited it was so sad to see the many dogs that were there but all were cared for. They do not have a lot of money but dedicated volunteers who do everything to give these dogs another chance. read more

My sister adopted their dog through this place. It's been awesome for them - the dog is doing great. - The main reason I am writing this review is to let you know there's no physical location for this organization. See, my nephews wanted to look at animals, and I like animal shelters. This popped up on Yelp and we drove out to find it. It's not there. Or rather, if it is, it's just someone's home and not a place of business. - This organization is volunteer-driven and holds events at places like the local PetSmart, etc. Like I said, my sister has had awesome luck with their cool dog they adopted from them. We were just disappointed we couldn't stop by and see more animals. read more

I am very disappointed in Hooligans' Rest. I see them around town and have walked a few dogs. The volunteers seem eager to have the dogs adopted, but when I applied for a dog, it took 2 months before they sent an email... "I believe that we will approve your application subject to the dog you choose and a home visit. A few caveats: Houlagans doesn't offer training classes, and we do not guarantee that any of our dogs are housebroken. We do refer people to select trainers, but we don't have the wherewithal to fund the training. ***Likewise, as our dogs kennel outside, we cannot guarantee that they're housebroken.*** Even dogs transitioning from foster homes can regress and require more training." (Emphasis mine). I'm not sure what their motivations are. They wanted 2 references, a vet reference, and after two months, haven't made any arrangements for a home visit. Also, the director, Mel, was very curt with me at the time I met the dogs. Previous reviews would seem to line up with the comment above that "Likewise, as our dogs kennel outside, we cannot guarantee that they're housebroken" - Why are the dogs outside? That doesn't sound very healthy for them. Last week I got this message from Allison: "I see where Ms. Jennings invited you to join us for a hike. Did you want come out and walk Monty? It's one of the best ways to get to know our dogs. I see you have concerns about a dog being house broken. We don't have anyway to know if a dog is housebroken. My experience with new dogs is there are always 'accidents' when they come into a new home. " Now it appears I have to hike with the dogs before I can adopt one. I work on the only days they 'hike' the dogs so it's not possible. For an organization who wants to place dogs, they seem very reticent to actually do the placements. I'm not sure what this organization offers over the local shelters. I'm not opposed to a background check, but this group really doesn't seem motivated to actually place the dogs. read more

This is not a rescue.Its abusive hoarding.The pics of dogs on site are a smoke screen.Had a friend meet a dog they liked from site.When they saw him he was filthy dirty covered in crap.And looked sick.all skin and bones around a bloated belly.The head of this they met scared them away more.Mel is a bully and tyrant.They felt it.That poor dog had no chance to get a home.4 dogs died in 4 months there.2 they gave no reason.1 was snake bit they did mot treat.Other they let a tumor grow over his eye to a softball until to late.They put him down.most rescues post vet bills to generate help for dogs they take good care of.not here.They hide everything.Overrun by mice.snakes.flies brush.grass.bushes.Its disgusting.Please visit kennel if they let you.They dont because dogs are not like pictures.You can see how they are fed.fast feed.All the food is dumped over fence mixing with mice terds and dog poop and pee.Dogs so covered in crap because so much grass in kennels you cant clean it.They lay in it.They are forced to eat the food on ground.Dead mice in water bowls.move a dog house but be prepared for mice or snakes scurrying out.None of this is a lie.If you can sneak in somehow you will see.Its disgusting.I only mentioned some of it.Go see for yourself.But dogs shake in fear when mel comes out and she will bully you too so u stay quiet.A brutal cold spell for 2 weeks.these dogs had a little straw in a little plastic dog house.That was it.How many more died? Please go investigate.4 people on board are using this as a right off.They dont post any finances especially vet bills.Its a disgrace.Again spend time there.Go look at the ears of dogs chewed raw by flies.Dont pet any unless you have gloves.They are covered in pee and poop.Those nice pics on site you will see is a scam by alison the board member who takes the pictures.But its not real life GO SEE FOR YOURSELF! I AM NOT LYING.Theres so more horrors I seen but go see yourself.They have so much to hide you may not be let in.They need shhhhhh stay quiet people.or you will be bullied by mel like she does dogs.hopefully she wont throw a metal bowl at your head like sake the dog.just for barking for a treat.mel is a sick hoarder.go see read more

We adopted from them about 3 years ago. Our lives have been changed for the better and we couldn't imagine living without our dog. This group is a bunch of great people that really pour their heart and soul into this. read more

Love this place! Very loving dog people! I had a pup from there for only 2-1/2 years died due to bone cancer, BUT I am heading back there to adopt another one! read more

They have great pet dogs, if you are the right "person or people." All adoptions are definitely not created equal. My experience was not great at all. It took me back 50 years. read more

My family and I had found the sweetest dog at this rescue and really wanted to adopt him. We put in the application and everything and was told that our dog of choice was sick and that they wanted to get it better. We waited to get him after several weeks we contacted someone at the shelter and they said it was being processed. A week later after we put our application in and got it approved we were told that the dog we wanted had been adopted already through a foster fail. This annoyed us because we were promised that if we had an application in then whatever dog we wanted was unavailable to anyone else and the fact that someone one who worked for the shelter had taken the dog instead of us was wrong. read more

Our family was super happy with Houlagan's Rest. The foster family we adopted from were so patient with us. (Tim & Lori) We could feel and see how much they loved and cared for Toby .(aka Bam Bam) and his sisters. We would recommend this rescue organization to everyone. They will always be a part of our family .Thank you for all you do!!!! Carmen & Family read more

Very disappointed..found a dog we liked at Southern States...it was late so I faxed them the application. After almost two weeks I heard nothing...I called and left a message with no response..again I called and was texted that I would be contacted. I was not contacted... texted the person asking if I should look elsewhere..It's now almost been three weeks...they texted me saying that they were going to contact my last vet to check records and that I should call the vet to tell them. I did and the vet said because it had been five years they had my payment records but not my dog's records in their new system. I texted and explained this to them and was told I could not get the dog... REALLY!!! My daughter was going to sign up as a volunteer at their dog hikes...not now!!! I can't tell you how disappointed she is... I feel so sorry for those dogs..especially if they are being treated as poorly as the review I just read on here. read more

After finding an awesome looking dog after days of searching I reach out to Houlagans' Rest. I email my application in and explain what I do for a living and give her a little bit of my back ground. I called the number for the dog and Debbie Jennings answers. She lets me know that she is at lunch and that she'd call me back. No call that day. The following day I email her and give her information about a program that I'm a part of that's going to pay for the adoption fee's for Veterans. I'm trying to stream line the process so I could pick the dog up by the weekend. I follow up with a phone call and again Debbie Jennings answers and tells me she'd call me back before 5pm. No call and at this point no reply to any emails either. Today I wait a little later and call at 7pm, no answer. I get a return call a few minutes later and its Debbie Jennings. She hasn't even looked at my application and then asks me for a vet reference. I inform her that I was military and I haven't been able to own a pet on my own before. I tell her that I had pets growing up. She wanted their vet....Doesn't make sense to me and so I tell her that I don't understand how they're going to base an adoption on someone else vet reference. Then she tells me that the board would have to review my application. I asked when the board meets next and she tells me in the middle of the month, thats two weeks away. At this point I'm highly annoyed and she has an attitude because I stated that she's had my application all week and hasn't gotten anywhere with it. After that we cut the conversation short, and end the conversation. I don't know how Houlagan's Rest does business, but maybe they should have someone else handling their phone calls and pet adoptions. Maybe the board should get together and find someone else to replace her. That would have to be decided two weeks from now though........good luck until then if you want a dog from them. read more