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    Retrievers and Friends

    3.0 (233 reviews)

    Services - Retrievers and Friends

    Pet adoption

    Community Service/Non-Profit

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    Robert Y.

    Retrievers and friends of Southern California is truly an exceptional organization and everyone there is dedicated to the well-being of the pet and committed in finding the perfect home for each and every one of the amazing rescues that they have available. A pleasant and wonderful experience. I submitted an application in the afternoon and the following day I received a phone call from Anne to set up a virtual home appointment, which was done the next day. My wife and I had selected a couple of dogs to look at a male and female WFT (Wire Fox Terrier ) And spoke to Liz by phone as she wanted to make sure we were familiar with this breed of dog And explained to me some of the characteristics Of this breed, as well as explaining that these particular dogs would require extra time and patience as they had come from a breeder And not socialized in a household environment... And she also suggested another little terrier puppy that we may be interested in. After a visit to the facility and interacting with all three dogs We chose a sweet little two-year-old female Wire fox terrier named Cher ( renamed Mia) in addition to coming home With our new addition to the family, they also sent us home with a nice little Care package Of food... Treats.. toys and bedding, along with a leash and harness. Mia is a beautiful, sweet and gentle little girl that has adjusted nicely to her forever home and she ask for nothing except to be loved and cared for and gives back so much more in return. Thank you so much to Liz, Anne And Nancy, for giving my wife and I this opportunity to have sweet little Mia in our life we love her dearly.

    STOP If you are an average person with a job and want a puppy then dont proceed with this rescue. I started off by emailing about the puppy and told to fill out an application. I did. This application ask for every aspect of your life. On Tues I was then contacted saying I was a candidate and need to do a home visit. Made to seem like a puppy was in my future. Thrus we did the video home visit. Right from the start of the video call I could tell Ann did not like me. She interrogated me on everything from why I crate train to how am I go to keep up with a puppy. Now mind you my husband and I are in our late 30 early 40s and go on daily walks. Ann kept telling me how a puppy is better suited for a retired older couple because they are home 24/7. We are only away from our home 3 days a week for work. At the end of the interrogation I was told that Liz would get back to me with an answer. Fingers crossed still a little hope. Well Liz emailed back saying that my home isn't good for a puppy but how about an older dog. I asked Liz why not a puppy which she told me I have long work hours and to busy of a schedule. She said this was based off my application and that she only did the home visit so she wouldn't get in trouble. Well here is the thing just be honest with families from day one. Tell me that you are never going to approve me so I dont waste my time jumping through hoops. Anyone looking to adopt a puppy good luck. Especially if you get Ann who seems to only want retired people to get puppies. Also I believe NO dog should be locked up for long periods of time on their own. This includes the "OLDER DOGS" Liz mentioned. Guess back to the breeders I go.

    Pamela W.

    I was very disappointed as I went through the long process in my adoption process to adopt a fur baby through this organization. I did everything I was asked. Liz was taking weeks to approve my adoption, I finally had to ask did I pass the adoption?. The cat I had my heart set on would have received so much love and care. I was not told earlier on that they only will approve to adoption of two of the cats together. It was never on their website to confirm that the two cats had to be adopted together, nor was I told when I first touched base with LIZ. I just felt the whole process was very unprofessional. When people are loving enough to want to adopt an animal and go through a long process with their high hopes of having a fur baby as part of their family only to be disappointed with an excuse. At this point they need to change on their website that both cats need to be adopted together so people understand, instead of stringing people a long. I don't recommend this organization. The good news is I've reached out to another organization and they got back to me right away. Very professionally handled and they are very excited in my request to adopt a fur baby. UPDATE! I was so pleased to go through a lady that works for rescues and she connected me with a a foster Mom for my sweet fur baby. I was able to adopt my sweet Banjo! They were very professional, compassionate and kind. They got back to me right away, and the process was quick and easy. I was even given all his supplies. He has all his shots, he is fixed and is even chipped. This is the type of professionalism that Liz from Retrievers and Friends need to adhere to.

    Taking it all in!
    Jason P.

    Update: we adopted a wonderful dog from Retrievers & Friends and we couldn't be happier with her. Bringing her home has been a breeze as R&F had already been working with her. They run a very tight ship at R&F. It looks more like a resort for animals than a shelter. The grounds were immaculate and there was an army of volunteers looking after and socializing animals. The entire staff was helpful, friendly and very knowledgeable. If we ever need a new friend for our dog, we will find one with Retrievers and friends. I trust them. I know they're going to find a good dog for us. As for all the negative reviews: I can only speak to my experience, and I can say that my experience with R&F has been great! Most of the negative reviews are coming from people with hurt feelings. I get the disappointment, but you should be happy that the dog you wanted has found a better living situation. It happened to me too and I was happy that she was going somewhere nice with someone who's with her 24 hours day. They care deeply for these animals and they are extremely picky on who they choose to adopt. They prefer someone who is retired or works from home, but that's not always feasible, I'm sure. Bottom line: if you're looking to adopt, try Retrievers & friends. They will find the right dog for the right person. Just remember - they are not running a business here. It's a charity for animals. They are not working for you as a paying customer. They are working for these animals and they do it well! Good luck!

    Loving her new toy.

    We adopted a beautiful chocolate lab six days ago and wanted to share our experience. Retrievers and Friends is a wonderful rescue staffed by kind, knowledgeable animal lovers. They are very focused on the welfare of the animals and work hard to place them with the right home. They are professionals, and we recommend that you listen to their advice about making an adoption. We would definitely adopt another dog from them and will recommend them to everyone. Their facilities are very nice, very clean, and have a good mixture of indoor and outdoor kennels and meet and greet areas. Their fee is also low. This is a wonderful rescue!

    Maple and her very happy new owner!

    I had a wonderful experience at Retrievers and Friends. Liz was prompt in answering all of my questions. Yes, they have rules BUT that is because they want the best possible match for the dogs they care for. Their grounds are absolutely beautiful! We adopted the very best dog from them and we are over the moon. Maple is settling in nicely. I enjoyed meeting and visiting with not just my new baby but also Liz. Rescues have rules for a reason, these pups have been through enough, so this rescue tries its very best (via their rules) to make sure the home their pups are going to is going to be the very best fit for that particular pup's situation. I just can't say enough about them. They truly care about their animals. Their animals are happy and not just cared for but pampered! I wish I lived closer so I could volunteer. I wouldn't hesitate to apply with them. I look forward to keeping in touch with pics and chats and showing them the life we are providing for Maple. She is such a special girl and I am so thankful and grateful. Please remember that these are volunteers. I understand being disappointed, but kindness goes a long way. THANK YOU Liz and all the volunteers from one very happy family!

    Dave P.

    Just have to write a follow up on my earlier 5 Star review on this incredible shelter! My wife Debbie and I were so impressed with our ENTIRE experience when originally searching for, eventually finding our puppy, Toby at Retrievers and Friends as well as the love and care provided by their entire staff! However, all of that initial experience doesn't compare to how they reacted and responded to what tragically happened six months later when we lost Toby to a totally unknown or predictable spinal disease! When Nancy and the staff learned of our tragedy we were immediately invited back and sent home with Brody AND Cody!!! (Double the Love!) NO FEES of any kind!!!! (Had to make an anonymous donation )

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    Ask the Community - Retrievers and Friends

    Review Highlights - Retrievers and Friends

    Liz remembered Duke that I had adopted (with me 9 yrs) and felt there was a better match for me than the 2 available.

    Mentioned in 104 reviews

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    I was going to leave this place a 1 star review. But after messaging back and forth, and actually…read moreunderstanding a few things. They get a 5 star.. I went to Petsmart to adopt a kitten names Cookies. I filled out the application, and was told by Petsmart to call them and see if I could get an immediate answer. I called them 17 times, no answer.....I was livid... I was even more upset when I get the notification via text message, that they would not allow me to adopt Cookies because I said we would "Declaw" if he started scratching or getting aggressive....I didn't even know what that meant...Again, I was pissed... We were messaging back and forth for well over 30 minutes and they explained to me what declawing was, and why it was bad for cats. Thank you, I was given useful information of something I knew nothing about. Granted, Cookies, was going to live his best life with us, but it wasn't meant to be. On to the next.

    Retrievers and Friends - petadoption - Updated May 2026

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