ODHS is an all volunteer run rescue with amazing fosters who love the dogs in their care! We have adopted from ODHS three times knowing that the dogs they rescue have a backstory that no one truly knows. It's hard work adopting a rescue dog but we felt supported all along the way. *Note that most of the negative reviews are from several years ago and things have definitely changed based on our experiences. read more

I love the incredible support and perfect dog we got at ODHS. I had been looking for a dog to keep me company, and had gone to numerous places, met several dogs, nothing clicked. Then I saw a dog on the odhs and knew he was mine. The first time I held him, all was right with the world. I've had him 2.5 years, he fit right in with our family. ODHS had been delightful, we love the alumni page and even met up with a few other dogs that were rescued with MarvLevy. I highly recommend ODHS read more

Old Dominion Humane Society - MarvLevy a few weeks after we brought him home. - Pet Adoption Near Me - Fredericksburg, Virginia

Read all the 1 star reviews! Be very cautious about doing business with this establishment. I thought something was fishy when they accepted my application in less than 24 hrs with no phone interview, no facetime/zoom call and told me they were holding the puppy for me. I was then told I had a window of 5-6:30pm to pick her up. I would have been driving from 4 hrs away, met the dog in the dark, then driven 4 hrs home in the dark to arrive at 9 or 10pm with no time for the puppy to see outside etc. This would terrify a human! I asked about meeting at 11am instead. I was offered Friday at 4pm, still driving home in the dark. I asked about meeting her on Sat because they open at 11am. "Crickets" - no response at all. In the meantime I read their disclaimer that multiple families can be offered the same dog at the same time and whomever emails back to confirm the 1st meet & greet slot gets 1st pick. I gather they don't read the applications. This is a bizarre & negligent rescue establishment. I have 3 rescues and never experienced anything quite like this. The other rescues had a very thorough interview process that included facetime. Once I was accepted, they worked with me to find a mutually acceptable time to meet/greet & take the dog home. No special collar was required because the dog came with a collar, leash and even some personal items. I knew a fair amount about the history to determine if the dog would be a good fit. I was absolutely horrified by the stories other people shared and glad I looked up reviews before getting any deeper. I feel so sorry for the animals that end up there. With so many other places to adopt a pet, go somewhere else! read more

I had just started doing the Saturday stroll with the dogs. The first time was great. The second time I showed up no one was outside to great us at the time given to meet. We knocked on the back door. Another walker answered as he was being issued a dog. As that was happening the dogs were barking behind the worker. She turned around and screamed "Alright they know ". Finally she got to me and said she had the perfect couple of dogs for us to walk. We went back outside to wait. She came out with what seemed to be a black Cocker Spaniel. I put the back of my hand down for the dog to sniff. I don't want a dog in my car if it doesn't feel sure of me. The dog then bit me and the worker jerked the dog back and called it an asshole. I had to go to the emergency room to get the bite cleaned out and a tetanus shot. We verified that rabies shot was up to date. After the dog is quarantined for 10 days they are supposed to report if the dog is healthy or sick. The county has been try to get this information and ODHS has not responded. Now I'm being told I have to get the rabies shots. I will do what needs to be done to me but I really feel sorry for those dogs. In my opinion, they at the very least need to find out from the volunteers that come to help, if there are any animals in the homes or things that might set off certain dogs. I will no longer be going there to walk the dogs and it's a shame. read more

We adopted our dog via ODHS in early May 2021. The process was easy. We found a dog we were interested in meeting, then applied online via their website. We were contacted a short while later by a volunteer to let us know that the dog had been adopted, and to invite us to an adoption event a few days later. We expressed interest in a different dog, and they agreed to hold him for us until the event. We ended up getting caught in traffic en route, so I emailed to let them know we would be late, and ask if it would be a problem. They quickly responded to continue the trip and get there when we get there. We were able to introduce our kids and dog to the puppy in an enclosure outside the facility.There were two enclosures in the yard, one larger than the other. The larger of the two had toys for the dogs to play with. The smaller one was too small for actual play and more appropriate for a meet and greet. After a neutral interaction between our dog and the puppy we were still on the fence about moving forward. The facility was pretty busy, so we went off to the side to wait until we could try to retun the puppy and say no thank you. The puppy ended up falling asleep on our laps, and was incredibly relaxed about it, so we ended up deciding to bring him home. (Still not sure if the delay was by accident or by design, but if by design, it worked!) The volunteer who checked us out went through the puppy's detailed medical history, upcoming vaccinations needed, what to expect, and what was expected of us. ODHS neutred the puppy a few days prior to sending him home with us. He was up-to-date on his shots, but needed a booster in the few weeks following adoption. He was microchipped and we were given the information to register him to us. He had been infected with scabies, and had been medically treated by the foster family for a few weeks. We paid an adoption fee of $350. This was our first time going through the process to obtain a rescue. It was pretty painless. Our puppy was found abandonded and in terrible shape. He is now very healthy, and a lovely, sweet-tempered, fun, and joyous addition to our family. He is a good friend to the other pups in our neighborhood. He is a testament to the kindness of ODHS volunteers - especially his foster family who nursed him back to health. They have a deep love for animals and it shows. read more

Old Dominion Humane Society - Our happy and healthy puppy. - Pet Adoption Near Me - Fredericksburg, Virginia

First of all, I am not one to write reviews, but this time, I thought it was necessary. I adopted a dog two weeks ago and was so happy, and I still am. Unfortunately, she had a kennel cough. I understand that happens, but nothing was disclosed, and they have not replied to my email. My two senior dogs got sick, and unfortunately, one was quite sick. I am disappointed in Old Dominion Humane Society. read more

We foster with this group. They are volunteer run and so very dedicated to the dogs in their care. Wonderful organization.

I was really close to adopting from here this week but backed out last minute. Fredericksburg is like an hour and a half commute so it's a bit far to drive for something that might not be happening. They ask for Driver's Number on the application, weird. I got approved for a dog and most places would have a conversation about how the dog is and what to expect from a dog. Most places would also include leash, collar, food, supplies. Most places would have a two week window with a return policy if it doesn't work out. Most places would give you an abundance of information about the pup to help you decide if it's a good fit for you and for the dog. This isn't most places at all. This place did none of that, so I said no thanks. I'm not driving all the way out to Fredericksburg, to pay $300, for a dog with no food, no supplies, little to no information. Wow. What kind of a place gives no food with the dog and doesn't even tell you what kind of food the dog eats? read more

Look up the definition of racketeering! This is it. They place dogs in homes with KNOWN aggression, and other problems that go undisclosed, then when returned, they refuse refunds or trades for another dog! The president told me "your story is not uncommon, we had a family just this morning with an almost identical story"! #1 their listings make it clear they have dogs with diagnosed conditions like Lyme, Kennel Cough, and more they make clear they refuse to treat. They allow the dogs to suffer until they get adopted?! Also, even with visible proof of a bite on my toddler, they demand the pup is brought back and I have to shell out another $300 for another dog! I adopted a dog who only got to be with us for 5 days, because he BIT my toddler and held my toddler to the ground, who was only watching TV. His online profile has been updated to "mouthy player"! He has food aggression no one mentioned. I also found out from his breeder that he as an OWNER surrender. He was a competition hunting dog who couldn't perform as well with Lyme, so he gave him up. The shelter just said "somehow your dog ended up in a shelter, that's all that matters". Well, I taught him 19 commands in 4 days, and bought him the medicine he needs. I tried to give it to the shelter, but they claim it's too hard to give dogs medicine and wouldn't be able to adopt him out. Not true. Here is your dog AND his medicine. I LOVE this pup and I hope he finds a great home with no kids under 16. He is an awesome snuggler, and is very food motivated. They had this dog listed as available before I could even get him to the shelter! Their total lack of compassion for the dogs medically suffering from preventable and diagnosed conditions, disregard for the safety of the people adopting, and their blatant drive for more money is concerning. Please adopt elsewhere, from a shelter who cares about the dogs and does their best to end up in appropriate placements, not placements who will return them and keep the "donations". read more

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seven months ago, I adopted a dog name Wookie wasn't the one I was going for , I was looking for a Riley, but Riley was not there, so I walked Wookie for a little bit at an event that he was participating. Aa I waited on information for Riley, who was not there and was not chipped at the time remained at the center. I fell in love with Wookie, and Wookie felt comfortable with me . I adopted him immediately. He was not responding to Wookie , so I changed his name to Riley , and we have been together now for 7 month. I am very blessed to have such a wonderful well-behaved dog. The staff was pleasant informative and kind. Thank you for all you do. read more

These guys are great! I saw a dog on their site and within 8 hours my adoption application was excepted. Three days later we adopted Felix, a Puerto Rican 'Sato'. He's the happiest puppy and we're grateful to these guys made the adoption possible, and so fast! read more

Old Dominion Humane Society - Felix - Pet Adoption Near Me - Fredericksburg, Virginia

This rescue organization does not deserve a star rating. Just sharing my experience. besides flip flopping on the adoption decision for me, I observed unprofessional behavior during my visit at this facility. An approved adopter came in for an appointment to adopt on Saturday afternoon and was not able to take the dog because a volunteer interfered with the adoption and said they intended to adopt the same dog and attempted to fill out the application on-line but required the assistance of another volunteer to complete the application. It appears by reading other reviews of this rescue, these shenanigans are a common occurrence. read more

Staff is RUDE, unprofessional, and care more about their personal biases than giving the dogs a loving home. I applied for a specific puppy, Funky Q, online after seeing him in person at an adoption event. Was told I needed written landlord approval. My lease stating "pets are allowed with approval" as well as a verbal agreement over the phone with my landlord wasn't good enough. I asked if I could pay his fee and pick him up once the email goes through- they tell me NO HOLDS. My landlord sent the email but unfortunately Funky Q was adopted that day. Two weeks later they make a post about how Funky Q is still there. I come back ecstatic, I have a formal email from my landlord allowing approval, I fill out another application for Funky Q, have the cash and supplies all ready to take him home. Front desk ladies want nothing to do with me once I asked them to look into my application. They said "we didn't get an email" So my landlord sends TWO more copies and even a screenshot of the correct email(directly from the business card the lady grew in my face when I wanted to double check the email) Front desk "I don't know what to tell you we still don't have it. You're not adopting a dog today." Leave the place upset, get a new email stating they received my email and I'm approved. I return so happy and ready to take home this puppy. Same rude lady at the front desk then tells me that "we have a lot of interns that don't know, you're not approved, you need to leave. Funky Q has an appointment to be adopted" which is funny because they don't have holds? Or maybe they only hold dogs for personal reasons. I have never in my life have been treated so rudely when all I wanted to do was give that puppy a loving home. The following day I found an 8 month old pitbull puppy at the Spotsy animal shelter and he will be a spoiled boy. Only $85 adoption fee vs a RIDICULOUS $300-$400 adoption fee. Thank you ODHS for being such jerks to me that I ended up finding my fur baby at a place that cares and isn't price gouging their adoption fees for underweight and sick puppies. read more

We have fostered for this organization and have adopted from them, too, and had the best experience! ODHS staff and foster families truly love these dogs and take amazing care of them while they await their forever families. They take care of so many dogs and have a wide variety to suit anyone's preferences. Our rescue is the sweetest pup, and we are so thankful to ODHS for bringing her into our lives. read more

Old Dominion Humane Society - Pet Adoption Near Me - Fredericksburg, Virginia

This organization doesn't care about these animals. They don't tell prospective adopters anything about the dog. They don't do a 2 week trial to make sure the dog is a good fit. If the dog is a bad fit and you need to return it, they steal your adoption fees. This place is crooked and sloppy. read more

Such a great rescue!! We just got our dog from them a few weeks ago and couldn't be happier. We got to meet with her foster so we knew a lot of her preferences off the bat. They make sure all their dogs are spayed/neutered and up to date on everything, including heartworm prevention which I don't always see at rescues. Our dog also got a microchip as part of her adoption fee. The staff were super nice and friendly and informative. Definitely look for your next pet here!! read more

Ended up taking a 1 hour+ trip out here to see a puppy that I was already approved for that was advertised to be there on their website at that date. They told me that the puppy couldn't make it and instead to come back Saturday and he would be there for me. Took the 1 hour+ trip again on Saturday and when I arrived I asked where the puppy was AGAIN. Apparently, someone had already adopted the dog that they told me would be waiting for me on Saturday. Overall about 5 hours wasted and many miles on my car for nothing. They offered no solution to make things right. Normally, I would say pass on this "business" but for the animal's sake check them out anyway... just don't believe anything they tell you. read more

I was basically told that they wouldn't allow me to adopt a dog because I'm a single mother that works part time. When I am actually very successful, make a lot of money. I have a loving family and my own beautiful home that's well fit for an animal. AND plenty of time to care for a new addition such as a dog to our family. I'm actually offended that Dallas the volunteer expressed this as her concern, like I don't already know the struggles of my life. By the sounds of it she couldn't walk 1 inch in my shoes. It's a shame her ignorance allowed a possible great home to be passed up because of her judgement for a single mother. Perhaps if I was a man her judgement would have been different. read more

I have rescued other dogs in past from different organizations so basically understand the process. With this group they allowed me to drive two hours when the only dog I was interested in was already pre-approved to a new owner. I had been exchanging almost nightly emails with the dog's foster mom so my level of interest was well known. This is a very unprofessional way of running a rescue business. Almost a bait and switch technique. If I lived in the Fredericksburg I would try one of the rescue organizations in the DC or Richmond area where you maybe treated in a more professional manner. My interactions with this group were absolutely heartbreaking. read more

Believe the bad reviews. I didn't and I wish I had. I went to go see a dog I've been looking at for a while on I had a scheduled appointment at 12-12:30. So we got there at 12 and it took about 10 mins for them to bring the dog out to us. The first red flag was they kept called this male dog a she/her but we let that go. While waiting the hectic front area we saw one of the volunteers try to pick up a chihuahua and the dog turned around and tried to bite. So instead of just leaving the dog on the ground the volunteer grabbed the leash from the adopter ( I'm assuming that who it was) and pick the dog up by the leash with just the martingale collar around the little dogs neck. Appalling! Anyways the dog was brought out by the foster mom. We started to ask questions and she just did not seem interested nor could answer the questions about this dog who had been in her care for a month now. When asked why this pup was brought back to the shelter. She did not answer we asked again and she seemed to just pull something out of her ass "i don't know I think financial reasons". We spent most of our time trying to get her to answer our question or talk to one of the many extremely unprofessional volunteers to see if we could get the vet records. We finally did after some attitude. The lady was very sweet who talked to us about the vaccines but also told us word exactly "make sure you like this dog because if you get him and bring him back 12 hours later then you just made a donation. So SPEND AS LONG AS YOU WANT LOOKING AT THE DOG". We said okay sounds good. We walk back outside where we sit for about 3 mins and we decided yes we was this dog. As we are getting up a volunteer comes over to the dog and said I need him someone else has adopted him. We are confused she said with hand on her hip and not a shit to give "well we gave you 25 extra mins we are all volunteers we cannot hand hold" well no one said we had to decide at 1230 in fact we were told the opposite. WHY WOULD THEY SCHEDULE APPOINTMENTS FOR THE SAME DOG BACK TO BACK. WHAT IF WE DECIDED AT 1228 we wanted this dog then what are you going to tell the people who just walked in at 1230. This volunteer had not a single ounce of empathy we spent most of our time with him trying to find anyone who knew something about him to speak with us. UNPROFESSIONAL DISGUSTING APPALLING BEHAVIOR. No one knew anything about the dogs at all. read more

Very unprofessional. They made up a policy about if a appointment is cancelled, you can no longer adopt. They expect grace and understanding because they are volunteers but dont give any in return. They have 1 email contact with who knows how many people responding. No phone number contact anywhere and very rude when responding as well. Their ego was hurt when I pointed out that the dog I was interested in is sick and lethargic. Instead of taking it as feedback because I worry about the dog, they got upset and cancelled any further appointments. I like the mission, I like the dogs, but as a supervisor in customer service and support, the people need some training big time. Hopefully this goes as feedback. However, time will tell.... read more

When I called the number listed it kept going straight to voicemail (which comes up as Old Dominion Humane Society) eventually the lady who answered told me I had the "wrong number" and immediately hung up; despite the voicemail even saying it was old dominion. I called back to clarify and to point out the voicemail even says IT IS old dominion and she told me again that the best way to contact them is through email but "she had nothing to do with old dominion". This is a shelter "trying to foster/adopt their dogs" and yet this is how they treat their potential customers by blowing them off. What is the point of listing a number to contact, if one: you never answer and two: when you do answer you act as if it's not in connection with the shelter? read more

Old Dominion Humane Society - Call log - Pet Adoption Near Me - Fredericksburg, Virginia

HORRIBLE EXPERIENCE! I was looking to adopt a puppy for the purposes of surprising my children on Christmas. When I asked if we could adopt and allow the fostering parents to hold onto the puppy until Christmas, I was told that I was no longer accepted due to their policy of not allowing pets be "gifts". Despite a back and forth, they are still refusing our adoption at this point. RUDE CUSTOMER SERVICE and I hope they do not treat their puppies the same way they treat honest people trying to adopt. read more

First off, I appreciate what they do for the animals (that's why you get 2 stars). Their app was easy to fill out, and they were quick to respond. I also volunteer in rescue work and have since 12 years old. We had lost our eldest dog unexpectedly this year due to cancer and missed having a large dog. My husband and I took interest in one of their puppies and I applied thinking all would be well. After all, I'm in the same field and believe it's better to adopt when able. I was denied because my youngest's dog is not neutered yet (due to health concerns but the vet and I have a plan and he IS getting neutered right at a year old). I explained all of this in my app and was completely transparent. I asked them if the dog I wanted wasn't spayed. If she wasn't, I would completely understand and endorse their concern. I wouldn't want an accident to happen. They responded that she is indeed spayed..... okay.... so what is the problem? I was very open that he is getting neutered and we are just waiting to minimize health risks. They were extremely judgmental and refused to answer the question - told me that there is no reason I would not be able to fix my dog and they do it as early as 6 to 8 weeks. We can agree to disagree. I have vets and friends in the veterinary medical field who completely understand why my dog is getting neutered later. I obviously am not looking to breed given that the dog I wanted was SPAYED and all my other animals are fixed. It was shame and so off putting given that they could provide no logical explanation and tried to tell me I was wrong. I'm in the same exact field as you. I ADORE and spoil my pets. I was transparent and honest. Ridiculous, judgmental, and rude. read more

My husband and I were rudely runoff one day when we stopped by simply to look at the dogs through the window. We were told that we needed to leave because the dogs were eating. We decided to give it another shot. We filled out the "application" on line as directed. We found a dog there that we really wanted to meet. When I inquired about the dog's availability, I got a one word email reply "YES" . After that, no more response from them. When I went online today, the dog was no longer available,. What the heck? Between the rudeness and lack of follow up, I can not, in good conscience, recommend this place. If you are going to run a business, than run it! In reading the other reviews, looks like you have a problem. read more

Put in an application to adopt a dog, received confirmation from ODHS of approval with date and time to pick up the dog, we responded with confirmation email to verify we would he picking up and the dog at the designated time, received another email from ODHS of the specific type of collar to bring when we picked up the dog. Arrived at designated time to get dog, was told they closed at 4 (email sais we were to pick up dog between 4 and 5) young girl at counter said it would be up to Chrisy/Christy? If we could go ahead and pick up dog, then the story changed they dont have our emails, showed proof of emails then they said come Wednesday between 4 and 5 and pick up the dog, then the story changed again, the dog was already adopted. During this conversation a young girl stood in front of the dog's cage, the dog we were there to get, terrifying it by constantly spraying it with water. We drove 1.5 hours to pick up a dog, got a bunch of stories which kept changing as to why we couldn't get the dog. Left without the dog. Don't get your hopes up if you plan to adoot from them. Worst situation for potential adopters I have ever been in. read more