Extremely helpful, along with kind and compassionate to help resolve a very difficult situation involving a stray foster dog. His name was Duke later his name was changed to Specs. Specs was a cross between a Dalmatian and a Great Dane. He was massive in mind and body. His strength was far more than I could possibly manage. He was a wandering soul with an independent mindset. He was also an intact male around 18 months old. He could climb a six-foot fence with ease and agility. Trying to keep him contained was a physical struggle beyond anything I have ever experienced. And it should not go unsaid that I raised Arabian race and endurance horses. Handled many different ages and sizes during the breeding season. Specs scared me more than all of those stallions put together. Why? Because his freedom and independence outweighed any consequence he may have thought about - if at all. When it became clear I was not going to be able to do any more for Specs' health and well-being I reached out to Animal Control - who were not helpful. However, since I picked him up from the Quady Winery area and that was county - I was able to call the Madera County Animal Shelter. Amy Toler was able to make an emergency intake for Specs. The fear he would get loose, again, and cause harm to someone, someone's property, or breed a fenced-in dog (given his ability and documented journey, in and out of high fenced yards), Specs, also did not do well with cats. My two cats had to be kept in a separate closed room while he was with me. I placed him with the Shelter, listed him on the lost and found data base. I was able to visit him on a number of occasions before I left for a job in Pacific Palisades. Without the shelter's help, advice, and care for Specs, I dread to think of what could have happened. read more

checked out a sweet kitty named spring back in october, fell in love, took her home, renamed her and she is the best cat i could ever ask for . highly recommend this place to others read more

Madera County Animal Services - willow (almost a year old) - Pet Adoption Near Me - Madera, California

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I been calling about a dog being in my yard for almost 2weeks now and she's messing up my yard and growling at my kids to the point they can't play outside because they're scared and still no responses or capture like this is really sad and disappointing...last thing they told me was if I can catch the dog for them like if I'm getting paid to do so read more

Madera County Animal Services - Pet Adoption Near Me - Madera, California

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I would highly recommend visiting Madera Animal Services to find a pet. All the staff were helpful and friendly. The pets are spayed and neutered before you pick them up and have all their vaccinations. Very happy with this place. read more

Madera County Animal Services - from Madera Animal Services - Pet Adoption Near Me - Madera, California

I have to step in here to clarify that this is a county-run shelter, not a rescue group. However there is a rescue organization called Friends of Madera Animal Shelter (FMAS), and they work very hard to try to save as many animals as possible and do work in conjunction with some PetSmart stores. Sadly, the county of Madera does little to support the shelter and the rescue group is all volunteer and works on a shoestring budget made up of fees and donations. Please, if you are thinking of adopting, don't let the negative reviews (all understandable, yes I get it) sway you from looking here. I have three dogs from MAS and I love them more than anything. Much of this area is rural and financially strained, and some animals come in with health issues that require a little more love (no judgement here, realize that won't fit some people's circumstances). But please understand that the shelter and its support group do not have the resources to cover more than the basic treatments required for adoption, and that they work from a facility that is in serious need of an upgrade. Don't be afraid to open your heart, there are wonderful companions to be found at both the shelter and at the PetSmart adoption events facilitated by FMAS. read more

I adopted a 10 month old kitten through Pet Smart, which holds these cats for Madera Animal Shelter. After about a week with this kitten, we found a lump around his neck. I decided to bring him to the vet and found he has severe gingivitis, which is causing his lymph nodes to swell, hence the lump. This was a free consultation just to see what he needed done. The bill for all work would cost me $286 at Banfield Hospital (which is next door to Pet Smart). There was no FIV testing done before getting this kitten and he might have this disease, since kittens usually don't have severe gingivitis at this age. If he was around other pets, they could contract FIV! I'm a first time owner and it saddens me to find that this shelter doesn't test these animals thoroughly before having them adopted. What happens to owners who can't afford to pay for high vet bills after just a week of adopting the pet? Madera would take the animals back and then wait till some other family takes the animal in. They will NOT give these animals proper treatment before sending them to Pet Smart. They should disclose the animal's health problems, so new owners would know what to expect when a health check up is done. They gave me an option to give the animal back. Can you really give your pet back to negligent people who won't take care of health issues? If I couldn't afford this, I would be heartbroken. Better to adopt through a different shelter. It's so unfortunate for these animals to be in the care of people who only want to get adoption money in and getting rid of these animals, rather than actually giving them the care they need to be healthy. Why would anyone want a new pet that is already sick? Update: My poor kitty is FIV positive! read more

Came to Madera animal services to drop off some puppies that I found on the side of the road. one of the male workers rudely told me to put them back where I found them because they had no room for them. Completely uncalled for. A lady came out to help me with the puppies and got the situation handled for me read more

DO NOT EVER ADOPT A PET FROM Madera Animal Shelter!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! they currently supply Petsmart with animals for adoption. I am an animal lover in my 50s who has adopted 14 animals from various pet rescue networks over the years. My 15th was from this group. I was won over by a cute kitten they had on display and adopted her. While the kitten certainly is still the sweetest thing, she started to show signs of sickness after 3 days. She needed an emergency vet visit by the following weekend. She was suffering from a serious bacterial infection as well as ear mites. These animals are adopted out with an assurance of medical health. Again, in all my adoptions this was the first pet that turned out to not have a clean bill of health. While it is understandable that mistakes can be made, there should be a procedure in place to deal with things if bad health ends up being the case. Petsmart in San Mateo had no idea what to do. They referred me back to Friends of Madera Animal Shelter. I talked to them, they said there was only one person that coul help me and I left a message with a Kirsten Gross who they said was the person I should deal with and she has yet to call me back after 5 days. I called madera again today and they said Kirsten gross was the only person I could deal with. She of course was not available and again has yet to call back. It is not like you can delay medical visits for a sick pet particularly an infant. So now I am $500 in the hole for vet visits with no action on the part of FMAS which adopted out a sick pet. They may be satisfactory when they adopt out well pets but god help you if you end up with one who is sick because they will wash their hands with you. read more

Staff were friendly. Facility was clean. About what you would expect from a county facility. read more

Madera County Animal Services - Pet Adoption Near Me - Madera, California

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Sad to say my experience here was very unpleasant. I saw an advertisement on Facebook by Friends of Madera Animal Shelter for a Black Friday special on pet adoptions. Coincidentally we just had a roommate relocate for work, taking his dog with him. Our dog was in need of a new companion. The advertisement on social media said they were open until five o'clock, after going online I realized that they were actually only open until four. We had already left from work and were on our way. So we gave them a call. They told us on the phone, as long as we got there before 4pm it was fine and we could still look around/adopt. They would just have to close the gate or something along those lines. They also informed us we couldn't bring our dog for a meet and greet, which was weird to me. We showed up before 4pm. We waited in the front for awhile before anyone came out. Once staff finally came to speak with us, we told them what we were looking for and the lady told us to go back and look around. The living conditions were pretty disgusting. I have been to shelters before and the fact these dogs were living in their own feces was disturbing. They clearly had no intention to clean the stalls either considering they were closing for the night. Which not to mention, one of the volunteers was sure to let my fiancé know that they were closing, as soon as we got back there. We found a little Shepard mix we were interested in. We went up front to talk to the staff and inquire about the little guy. They told me he wouldn't be available for adoption until Saturday and we could come in then and fill out the paperwork for him, but would not be able to get the black Friday deal (which is whatever to me honestly, I will pay full price if they want to be douches). They basically rushed us out the door so they could close up, but not before the lady at the front's son, whom either volunteers or works there, told us that the dog barking in the Kennel was annoying and how he wants to punch him until he shuts up. With how the conditions are here I would not be surprised if animals adopted here are often sick. Unfortunately, I won't be going back to adopt. Taking my business to Fresno. Just a lot of rude staff here. Probably not the best line of work for you. As for the volunteers, take some pride in what you do or don't do it. read more

Madera County Animal Services - Pet Adoption Near Me - Madera, California

We adopted a 2yr old cat from Friends of Madera Animal Shelte through Petsmart, good personality, got along with people very well. Was told that he lived with other cats. Got him home he became very aggressive with our other cat and has had on and off diarrhea. Called multiple times just to be told that "Dianne" will contact us...three call... and no call back. We have taken him to Banfield for treatment, but more testing means more $$$. This is really unfair for the animal and to the people that are adopting. read more

I have very mixed feelings. We adopted our Lulu, a 10 month old cat, from the Petsmart in Gilroy about a month ago. Since Lulu seemed healthy, no signs of a cold...litter box looked good etc, we didn't take her to the vet for her first visit until today. Our vet was concerned because her paperwork didn't say if the shelter tested for FIV. I called as soon as I got home to ask, thinking that they tested but it just wasn't in the paperwork. I find out that THEY DO NOT TEST FOR FIV! My husband and I are both extremely upset. Lulu has been around out other 3 cats for almost a month now. They're all getting along great, but I mean still what if Lulu had bitten one of our other cats! Nobody told us at petsmart that she hadn't been tested. Her paperwork says NOTHING about not being tested. There's no signage at Petsmart about the cats not being tested. At the very least it should be made known that the cats HAVEN'T BEEN TESTED. I personally believe that the cats should be tested. People should know as much as possible what they're getting into when they adopt a pet. I would also like to say that of our 4 cats (who were all adopted as kittens) we never had any issues with a cat getting a cold. Lulu is now on a week of antibiotics because the vet thinks she might have a cold, even though she's acting/eating normally. I would not adopt from this organization again. It's outrageous that they're trying to fly under the radar on the FIV issue. (and if you're not trying to "fly under the radar" then you should MAKE IT KNOWN THE CATS HAVEN'T BEEN TESTED!!!) It's also concerning that so many people on yelp have ended up with sick cats from them. read more

I was pleasantly surprised when we went here to adopt two cats/kittens. After going to the hell hole CCSPCA, I was expecting a similar situation here. Not at all. Friendly, helpful and knowledgeable staff and a clean, well run facility. We adopted two sweet, healthy kittens. read more

Please aDopt a pet from this shelter! I adopted my beautiful dog Hutch a few months ago...best thing I ever did for myself. Feel free to follow him on Instagram at das_hehe. The animals at this shelter deserve a chance at life. If you can give them a loving home....PLEASE do so...you'll reap 10 fold.....I promise. read more

Adopters beware...I adopted a kitten from PetSmart (supplied by FMAS) on 12/17; kitten had arrived at the store only the day prior. The kitten was vaccinated only once by FMAS on 9/28. Kitten should have received three vaccinations prior to 12/17. Kitten had bad case of ear mites and constant sneeze. Kitten continues to sneeze with green discharge. Kitten has feline herpes. Shame on FMAS for adopting out kittens not properly vaccinated. read more

I would give them zero if possible. Horrible, horrible place. I have only ever met one kind person working there. I have been lied to by these people. I and other good people have been harassed by them, even with full proof of care. They also don't allow anyone to speak out against them on social media whatsoever. They have also been known to quote false laws and regulations. This place and the people in charge of it are not at all what they seem. While some have had pleasant experiences with them, many, many good people have dealt with only heartache and harassment from them. Hopefully an investigation will be happening soon. It's long overdue. Personal recommendation; avoid taking animals to them at all cost, and do anything possible to help get and keep animals out of that place. read more

We adopted a puppy from this shelter. The puppy was neutered already, microchipped, and up to date on all his shots which was a plus. We called ahead and they knew we were coming but when we got there they were so disorganized and had misplaced all of our paperwork. We were very happy to get our new little buddy but even just as we were driving home we found 2 ticks on him. We took him to the vet soon after and he had more ticks, a double ear infection, and tapeworm. We were very disappointed that the shelter didn't warn us of this because it was fairly obvious to us within the first day we had him that he had a tapeworm. We could tell from his feces and behavior that he had some kind of worms and it really shocked us that the shelter failed to notice or mention it. We love our puppy but the very expensive vet bills (over $250) due to the poor condition the shelter gave him to us in made us somewhat disappointed in this shelters services. Please adopt from them, but just beware that the animals may not be as healthy as you think at first so be prepared. read more