Wow wow wow! I'd…read morelike to preface that it was my first time going here this year but have visited multiple times in the span of two weeks lol I found out about this place when I went on adoptapet.com and found a kitten that was so cute so I decided to go visit her in person. Right off the highway, tucked behind a starbucks is where their cozy building is which comes with a fenced off parking lot. You have to ring the doorbell to be let in! It was quite a commotion the first time I went where it looked like 5 groups of people were being helped. There wasn't really a clear line or anything so I sat on one of the couches to wait for someone that was available. (Definitely in need of some more volunteers!) I had to approach someone since it was pretty chaotic. I ended up speaking with another visitor who told me that you have to go on their website and sign a disclaimer /liability waiver which totally makes sense. Then afterwards, a volunteer took a look at my "application" (you don't have to commit to fostering or adopting, just covering their asses!) but I was interested in fostering. After I got the all clear, I was brought into the kitty room which has free roaming kitties who have been socialized. There's another room for cats who should be in a single home and of course the main attraction, the kitten room! There were SO many cute kitties waiting and ready to be adopted! I honestly wanted to take them all home, but I could decide so I left. That's why I had multiple trips. I ended up going back to socialize with them and find the right fit! My boyfriend came along this time and we had an idea of who we wanted but decided to sleep on it. We came back and picked up our new kitten and the process was so seamless! We went here so many times, we were practically seasoned to be volunteers already. Shoutout to all the friendly staff who helped us and talked to us about some kitties backstories! It was also nice to see that each time we went, there were 6 being adopted at a time! So beautiful to see strangers fall in love with their new kitties and such a nice community to be around. If you're interested in volunteering, sign up on their website and trainings take place on Sundays! Go, go, go!!

Decided to foster a dog for the first time and thought of CARE because they are literally begging…read morefor help. This HAS to be the most unorganized unprofessional shelter. I ask about a dog upon arrival and she was absolutely shocked that I wanted to meet him. "REALLY?!?" Uhh... what?! Is that how you really get dogs out the door? What's wrong with him? After I get him home I realize the amount of drugs they have this poor dog on and how terrible he looks. They tell you absolutely nothing about the dog, why they are on meds and how important they are to stay on them and how to take them off the meds. So I come home with a collar that's too big and slips off his head, a few toys, food to last maybe a week, and a folder of how to reach and update the shelter. Well... NO ONE answers emails or answers the phone. So how am I suppose to get ahold of anyone? This dog had major behavioral issues. Over a few weeks time he attacked my dog and bit my mom. After several attempts to contact the shelter to bring him back I got NOTHING! So I brought him back and they tried to turn me away. "Do you have an appointment?" they ask... NO! You don't answer anyone! Now I am an animal lover through and through. I would never do harm even with the aggression. BUT this is never allowed in my home and is a liability that I am not willing to deal with. I told them I would leave him on the front step if they didn't take him back and he is not allowed to torment my home, dog and especially my freaking mother! RUN FAR FAR AWAY FROM THIS SHELTER!!!! They are absolutely terrible and I would rather urbanization than to see how poorly these dogs are treated. It's DISGUSTING!! Do Better "CARE STL"!!! Shame on all of you!

The St. Louis Senior Dog Project is an exemplary organization whose mission is to find homes for…read moreolder animals who are often forgotten and left behind due to various circumstances. STLSDP, is a foster-based program, endowed with compassionate volunteers, who provide medical, physical and emotional care before their rescues are placed into their forever homes, It is often the last hope for these older animals. I applaud their diligence in the adoption process as well, as it ensures the most successful placement for every animal.. Adopting several senior dogs through STLSDP has been extremely rewarding. Every dog we have adopted has brought immense joy and love into our family. These older animals desperately need a safe and loving home to finish out their remaining years. Please adopt an older pet and thank you to STLSDP for providing these loving animals with the consistent and compassionate care they so richly deserve.

I reached out via email because I was in a dire situation, having taken in a friend's elderly dog…read morebecause she had been placed in assisted living. Explaining my situation, I made clear that I needed assistance and was asking for any information, if they could take this poor dog, etc. All I received was a very cold response via email - "At this time we have no openings. I'm sorry." I then inquired about other places and said that I was desperate. I got another response asking a couple of questions, and for a picture. I sent them my replies, and then another cold, unfeeling response: There are many cavalier rescues and beagle rescues. It was so unhelpful. I just thought people would try harder to help.

Been there for a few different things! Animal related or with an animal and they are Awesome! Truly…read moreCare!

Carole is the most kindest human!…read more If you're in need they help as much as they can with pet food each month! They have a low cost vaccine clinic for pets shots. They have cats and dogs for adoption! They give you time to acclimate the pets. There are volunteer opportunities. All the staff members are willing to help you. There are tons of resources here. I've only list of the ones that I saw on the signs. I have personally never adopted from here, but I do come to volunteer and donate, and I have always loved how pleasant the staff is always so kind!

Got my sweet girl from here about a month ago. She has changed my life completely, I didn't know I…read morecould feel happiness like this before. Thank you Five Acres for taking such good care of her. The cats here are very well taken care of, happy and healthy. You can tell the employees here truly do care and love for the animals like they're their own. We came in "just to look" and walked away with our baby within 45 minutes. The adoption process is very smooth, and I love how you're able to interact with all of the cats to meet them before making your decision. Such a wonderful place.

Since moving here, I've been hoping to find an organization to volunteer with. I decided to come…read morehere and check it out. I was impressed by the cleanliness and overall health of the animals. The cat house is amazing, and I loved how many cats were able to free roam around the offices and large room. So, I decided to start volunteering. In the couple of weeks I've been volunteering, I've been impressed with the staff. They work so hard and are so helpful to anyone who comes in. They genuinely care about the work they do and every single fur ball they meet. The place is so clean without having that whole medicinal and cold vibe you see in some shelters. The cats are generally happy and have all sorts of enrichment opportunities at their disposal. Five Acres also does a ton of services for the community. There's an entire area and staff dedicated solely to helping pet owners in need. That's awesome for anyone struggling to get back on their feet.

Adopted a cat from this organization and she has been wonderful. The process to adopt was simple…read moreyet responsible and they have emailed to check in monthly. Could not recommend more!

Great organization! Their goal is to keep pets with their people by offering affordable services…read moreand products for the people in the areas they serve.

Prior to sending my dog Connolly, I read every single review I could find. I didn't sleep a wink…read morethe night before he was dropped off and even shed a tear or two. I can now, without a shadow of a doubt, say sending him to Sorenson was one of the best decisions I have ever made. Connie has jumped out of a moving car (luckily turning into a driveway), broken a plate glass door, and threatened to rupture ear drums with his piercing demand barking to name a few. When visiting him for his coming home training, he was truly a changed dog. He was calm, attentive, and eager to show what he learned. THIS was the goal. I have trained my previous dogs, but had finally met my match. I am so confident that he has the tools now to succeed and expand his world by getting to go places and meet new people. Max was our trainer. I highly recommend him and suggest you request him. When I went for MY training for how to continue this work at home, it was clear to see he loved my dog and my dog absolutely loves him. Connolly is an Irish Setter mix and stubborn as heck, for him to adore the person who has effectively stopped him from being a little tyrant speaks volumes. Max gave us detailed instructions as well as amazing photos and updates throughout Connie's stay. It is clear that this isn't just a job for Max, dogs are his passion. He did the arduous task of training Connie and it is now up to me to reinforce all that he has learned so he doesn't lose it! So person at their wits end with the dog they love, I hope this review calms any nerves you may have about sending your dog to Sorenson for training. Ask for Max, I promise you won't regret your decision!

Paid $2000 fro a month of dog training. Then got hit up for an e collar that I was told cost $215…read more Went back next day to get an e collar and they tried a switch and bait wanting to charge me $285. They train by shocking the dog. That's lazy so called training. And paid extra for unleash training which doesn't work unless you shock them. Taking my dog to a real trainer that doesn't use a shock collar and I get to be involved not just a for an hour but every class. Save your money and frustrations. There are less expensive real trainers that don't use E collars and you don't have to board them.

THE BEST. We have…read morethree pets with very different needs: a very shy terrier mix who can be skittish with new people, a high-energy German Shepherd who needs lots of exercise and often goes on hunger strike when his routine is disrupted, and a cat with special needs who needs one-on-one time away from the dogs. We've boarded the dogs and had sitters come to check on the cat previously, but when we went on a week-long holiday, we really wanted all three animals to maintain their routines at home. Mallorie came recommended with high praise, and we quickly understood why. Both dogs warmed up to her and her husband, Cody, within moments of meeting them. Our cat, Dot, is not always receptive to new people and can be a bit standoffish with strangers. She let both Mallorie and Cody pet her the first time she met them. These are true pet lovers who really understand how to approach and communicate with animals. We opted to have Mallorie and Cody stay at our house overnight and visit the dogs as necessary during the day. We returned from a blissful week away to calm, happy animals. They were glad to see us, but we could tell they'd gotten plenty of exercise and attention in our absence. The big guy ate all his meals, and the small dog and cat had gotten sufficient loving. As an added bonus, our house looked slightly better than we left it. And did I mention that One Lucky Pooch's rates are VERY reasonable? Our pets would no doubt be thrilled to have Mallorie and Cody stay with them... we'll have to plan another trip soon!

They were very understanding and caring when we had to put our BUDDY down. They appreciated our…read moredonations of BUDDY's leftover food, treats and bedding. I may volunteer there.

I see some of these lower star reviews are from many years ago and so much has changed including…read moredirectorship and how the shelter is run. I have been volunteering over a year now and have been able to be part of many FURever happy endings. I see some negative reviews on here and wanted to speak up... I ask that you take a moment and walk a day in our shoes... no 1 person is perfect AND all of us are donating our time and sources to be here, with 1 mission in mind- to help find homes for as may dogs as possible. We pride ourselves in the love and care we provide each dog that comes to Dirks. We get to know their personalities and spend a lot of time determining what type of home would best suit them. It is NOT one person who decides a dogs adoption... it's a collaborative effort. Our goal is to find the BEST fit so they are not returned or repeat being let down. We work hard to provide all the snuggles, care, love, training they need and sometimes it's exhausting, messy, not fun BUT 100% worth the efforts. :) It brings me so much joy to know I am doing my part in a small way to help advocate for dogs who are not able to do so on their own. There are so many stories I could share on the many dogs who have touched my heart... I guess my favorite is getting the opportunity to be part of a rescue mission where several of us drove over 5 hours in the snow to rescue a litter of 8 month old goldens who had been kept in a barn and never let out. We had to carry them out as they were petrified; they had NEVER been out of their pen. We all worked together to get them the care they needed and ready for adoption. I even got to name one of them. They are all now adopted in amazing homes getting the life they deserve! I got to be part of something BIG... saving a dogs life! Pretty cool feeling. I am thankful for all those who have gone before me to make Dirks what it is today... I LOVE being part of this mission.