Seattle Pug Rescue works directly with Nortons Ark as their primary vet. They are well aware that Keith Norton has had his veterinary license suspended indefinantly and Melissa Nortons has been permanently revoked. They are known backyard breeders who have EXTREMELY unsanitary conditions (think hoarders with animals times ten) and have done irreparable damage as well as death to numerous animals they've treated. DO NOT SUPPORT THIS RESCUE UNTIL THE STOP WORKING WITH NORTONS ARK! Here are links verifying this information. "In October 2018 the Veterinary Board permanently revoked the veterinarian credential of Melissa M. Norton (VT00003993). Norton maintained wet and unsanitary facilities for animals, and kept inadequate records. "https://www.doh.wa.gov/Newsroom/2018NewsReleases/18153SuspensionM1846NewsRelease "In March 2014 the Veterinary Board decided that the credential of veterinarian Keith D. Norton (VT00003742) would remain suspended as originally ordered in a 2010 default order. Once Norton complies with all of the terms and conditions of the original order, his credential will be placed under oversight for at least three years. "https://insurancenewsnet.com/oarticle/State-Revokes-Suspends-Licenses-Certifications-Registrations-of-Health-Care-P-a-556959#.XsMqqG5Fxuk read more

Pugs are adorable dogs that make loving companions. Unfortunately, each year many are given up by their families for various (often sad) reasons. Luckily, the hard working volunteers at non-profit Seattle Pug Rescue take these abandoned dogs in, give them foster homes, and work tirelessly to find permanent homes for them. As a pug owner myself, I urge you to adopt a rescue pug rather than buy one from a breeder. Last year SPR placed over 60 dogs! Visit the website and click on the available pugs to see the dogs available now. Pugs are truly adaptable and will be your best, most snuggly friend when given the chance. They are highly social and can't be left alone for really long periods of time. You should know this organization does a thorough interview and home check to make sure that you and the puglet are the best fit possible, and there are adoption fees to cover costs. read more

I feel that I now have to update my story as more details have emerged. They state that ALL owners are pre-screened, etc. Funny that my dog was taken directly from the adoption event I dropped him off at and given to a friend of someone there. Someone that was not screened. I contacted the rescue after seeing an online youtube video posted by the girl that adopted Benton. Not only was the video insulting to me, she confirmed that she was never screened by this rescue. The rescue states that they never separate bonded pairs. These two dogs were BEST friends. Slept together every night, ran together outside, etc. They were together, what? 2, 3 hours before separated. I'm very sad with the experience I've had and if I could do it all over, I would have found a different rescue. read more

I give the Seattle Pug Rescue a 1, but I'd give them a 0 if that was possible. I was interested in foster pugs, I have a wonderful, actually, i'd use the word "ideal" situation to foster pugs in, but they turned me away because I have a ball python?? WTF? There is NO WAY a ball python could ever kill a pug, or even cause practically any damage to any animal that size. Their teeth are tiny, and they only hit about 5 feet MAX! One bite from a scared defensive pug would kill or rip that snake in half! They dont strike back, they curl up in as tight of a ball shape as they can for defense, hence the name BALL PYTHON!!! These people discriminated against me because I have animals that they clearly hate and fear, and would not do any research about them to let me foster. They have clearly made the decision that they have enough foster homes that they can be bigoted about people who have reptiles, despite the fact that ALL of my reptiles are completely harmless. Also despite the fact that a ton of people sent them literature and facts proving that my reptiles were harmless, they came back with very rude replies in response to every single person that tried to help me stand up to them and appeal their decision. I sincerely hope that no pugs ever have to be turned away because of these peoples avid dislike and ignorance, as if we had no reptiles we would have passed with flying colors as a foster home. Poor pugs! read more

We adopted our boy Obe from Seattle Pug Rescue back in 2007. We had a great experience with Seattle Pug Rescue. Folks, please remember this is a VOLUNTEER operation. People do the best they can; it may not always be perfect. Just be thankful that someone is trying to help these dogs find homes. read more

Seattle Pug Rescue does a huge service for pugs seeking homes. They take their work seriously, and make sure prospective owners are up for the job. We have adopted two pugs through the SPR and love them both dearly. BTW, please ignore the bad rating from Anymous A (September, 2010). I remember quite clearly that person showing up at the SPR facebook page, calling names and causing a commotion. YEs, it was unfortunate that the event was held at the same time as a Seahawk game, but no one was forced to attend. I'm sure they will be more careful next time. read more

We got a 2 year old pug from SPR. The dog was dropped off at our house covered in a strange film and smelled terrible, we had to get her groomed twice to remove the odor. She began to vomit from the first night she was at our house, this continued for THREE weeks! She also had a terrible ear infection. She had some behavioral issues as well (e.g., chewing, excessive barking, not potty trained) although we were not deterred by this and were willing to work with her. Over the three weeks her health deteriorated. At first we thought the vomiting was from adjusting to a new environment but it continued to worsen. We contacted SPR numerous times and they told us to bring her to their vet for to get treatment. They were snarky and rude when we insisted she was given to us without proper medical care. They stated that the dog was under observation at Norton's Ark Mobile Vet Clinic in Redmond for an entire week before living with us and that she was in perfect health/behavior. They insisted that we leave the dog at Norton's Ark to receive care. This is when things get much worse. We drove her to the clinic the day they requested. I was truly appalled and sickened by the conditions and the dog's health makes perfect sense after seeing Norton's Ark. The "clinic" is located behind rows of empty shipping containers and garbage. On the property there is a dilapidated trailer in the woods that says "Norton's Ark Mobile Animal Clinic" and a trailer-like house. Since the mobile clinic seemed to be rotting into the ground we decided to go to the house. We knocked on the door and through the window we saw about 20 pugs and a few french bulldogs barking crawling all over each other. A woman answered the door and the smell of fecal matter and urine wafted out. She led us to the "clinic" an additional trailer-clinic attached to the house. When we walked into the "clinic" there were animals roaming free and broken down vet equipment strewed around. It smelled so bad that my husband became ill and had to leave the facility. I was appalled by the negligence and animal hoarding conditions I witnessed. I cannot believe that SPR has these people provide vet support! After minimal research I discovered that Keith Norton (the man who owns the vet clinic) has had his VT license SUSPENDED since 06/10 and Melissa Norton's license is on probation (you can check their license information here: https://fortress.wa.gov/doh/providercredentialsearch/SearchCriteria.aspx#) for allowing her brother to practice under a suspended license. I'm shocked and truly appalled by Seattle Pug Rescue. It is amoral to have the dogs health get screened by unlicensed vets at Norton's Ark and then adopt them to unsuspecting families with health conditions. read more

Two months after I adopted my pug, someone from SPR finally got back to me about the microchip. They referred me to their vet, who would do it free of charge. The vet recognized our dog immediately and verified that she was surrendered as a 7 year-old, not 5 like the volunteer had insisted. As much as it was a pain to have to rent a car to get her chipped when it should've been done before, it was nice to have a better idea of how old my dog is so I can anticipate how many more years I can enjoy her. I still stand by my original review, as no one should have to go through that kind of ordeal with a local rescue. read more

We feel so fortunate to have added an SPR rescue, Bruno, to our home. He brings us so much joy and laughter! SPR is a volunteer organization and the adoption process takes time. SPR receives many applications for pugs and they're committed to finding the right home for the pups. Many, though not all, of the dogs have been abandoned or neglected at one time. SPR wants them to have a permanent and loving home. Finding that ideal match takes time; applications are reviewed and home visits are made before the pugs are placed in their new homes. I'd recommend that anyone looking for a pug fill out an application with SPR! read more

heart breakingly i had to give up my 2yr old black female pug named pixie. she only loves people and i have 2 other small dogs who came to me before her. i raised her from 5mo. i luv and miss her so much!!! spr found her a home in 2mo. i'm so greatful. judith perez email judithahirsch@yahoo.com i hope her new family will let me know how she is. thanx, judi read more