I cannot speak highly enough of the staff at Pixie. My husband and I found ourselves faced with the incredibly tough decision to find a new home for our little fur baby due to changes within our family. We struggled and knew that we just couldn't put him on Craigslist or hand him over to the humane society. A friend had adopted from Pixie before and had nothing but good things to say so we gave them a call. From the first moment in explaining our situation, Shannon was incredibly compassionate and reassuring that we were making a good decision for our pup. She arranged an intake appointment for us and from walking in the door until we left with tears on our faces, we knew that we were handing him over to the best group of people. Due to his younger age and good manners we were reassured that they would find him a loving and happy home quickly and not to worry. Amy (Executive Director) also gave us her card so that we could call or email any time to check on him. We will not be in a place where we can have a dog for a while (obviously!) but we were so moved by Pixie's staff that when the time comes again we will definitely be back to adopt from them. In the meantime, we cannot say thank you enough for helping our family out with this difficult decision and for showing compassion for us and for our little one. You guys rock! read more

This is a really well run animal shelter. Unfortunately, you can't just drop in and browse, but I think this is a good thing. You have to fill out an application, and make an appointment, which I'm sure helps to weed out the impulsive people, and insures that the prospective adopters are really serious. I took a dog home on a trial two week basis, and quickly learned that I should not have a full time dog at home - it made me a nervous wreck even though he was awesome (his name is Ichabod, and if you are looking for a really smart, small dog - you should really give him a look - and he's super cute). I'll stick to dog sitting my friend's dog occasionally. The people I dealt with were really nice, and very prompt with communication (especially Shannon). It's a top flight organization, and I highly recommend it. read more

My wife and I had more than a sad but necessary parting with our two cats of 11 years. Pixie Project helped us greatly by listing them on their site and then offering excellent compassionate advice on how to proceed. We were successful in finding them a wonderful family to adopt them. While this was still very sad for us, we are so grateful they went to a good home. Thank you so much Becca and PP for helping us. read more

I love this place. We adopted 2 kittens and a dog from here. The staff is fantastic and the pets have been great. I really appreciate that they take their time to find you the right fit for you. Couldn't be happier with the black lab they paired us up with. It's been 2 years now and it's been great. Also/ I just called with an urgent need for vaccine records at 4:50 on the 4th of July weekend and they were able to respond immediately- sending over the records. FANTASTIC SERVICE read more

After working with another shelter and receiving very little info about the cat we were adopting it was wonderful to work with pixie. They care about the animals and want to support the adopters as well as the animals for the long term. I would go here first and stay off craigslist. read more

The last review I wrote was prior to adopting a pet from Pixie. I have now adopted a pet and I can safely say that Pixie was amazing throughout the entire process. In Dec. 2017, I stopped by Pixie on a Saturday and fell in love instantly with a cat. I left the shelter and called my mom in tears because I found the perfect cat but I was going out of town for 1.5 weeks in a few days, so I wouldn't be able to take him home for 2 weeks. What if someone adopted him by then? Yes, he was older, but that's popular in Portland. I came back to Pixie a few days later and also e-mailed. I expressed how much I wanted this cat. I explained that I was going out of town but that I would adopt him the day I flew back to Portland. Becca and Kate were great throughout the next 2 weeks. In person, they told me they would do everything they could to hold him for me. He happened to get a kitty cold, so they had to take him off the floor and keep him in isolation. They kept me updated throughout the 2 weeks on both his health and his adoption status. I sent some photos I had taken of the cat and explained tearfully in another e-mail (now from SF) how much I wanted the kitty and couldn't imagine life without him. A few days before I returned to Portland, Becca told me she would change his status on the website to Pending Adoption and that she would keep him in the back just for me. She knew how much I wanted him and could tell that it was meant to be. On Dec. 30th, I arrived at Pixie on barely any sleep right before they opened. The cat was mine! I took him home knowing he was recovering from a kitty cold still (he had some eye discharge). Pixie gave me eye antibiotics. A few days later, I reached out to Irvington Vet to schedule a wellness appt. They switched his eye antibiotics but otherwise thought he was in good health. Unfortunately, the next 1.5 months involved a lot of vet appointments for my baby. His cold rapidly got worse. Within days, his cold moved to his ear and ruptured his ear drum. I kept Pixie updated throughout the entire event (especially since the ear drum rupture and $700 visit to Dove Lewis on a Sunday AM all happened within my first 1.5 weeks of having him). Becca, Kate, Amy S., and Amy F. were all fabulous throughout the entire ordeal. I had to go back to Irvington Vet multiple times throughout January and February. We had to go through multiple rounds of antibiotics and antivirals, plus different kitty liquid vitamins and eye ointments. Pixie got me the antivirals for free (pills that were going to cost me $300). Pixie also gave me free pill pockets for the pills as well as a pill popper. As my cat started to improve, Pixie told me that they felt awful for everything I had had to go through and they got me a free pair of prescription eye glasses from Fetch. They also gave me some free cat food, some cat toys, & a tube of laxatone to help with my baby's hairballs. Finally, they did his dental for free, including removing 2 teeth. Because he had been sick, we had to keep re-scheduling the dental last minute. They were flexible regarding the entire process, and on the day of the dental, kept me updated throughout the entire procedure. Although I went through some unexpected medical costs and people were shocked that Pixie let me take home a sick cat, there was NO way Pixie could have known that my cat was going to go from some eye discharge to a full blown ear infection/ear rupture within a week. The days leading up to his adoption (and the day of his adoption) he was fine except for some eye discharge. No one could have predicted that this would lead to over $​1,500 in vet bills in my first 1.5 months of having him​ (​not even Irvington Vet, who I saw in between adopting the cat and the ear rupture). There's also no way that Pixie could have known that it would take weeks for my baby to get better & that I would have to spend tons of money on vet visits and meds. They knew my baby was recovering from a cold when I adopted him, but they also knew that he would have a ​better chance at a speedy recovery in a loving home instead of staying longer in an animal shelter. Pixie has been splendid in the aftermath of this whole ordeal. They have more than made up for what happened and they didn't even really have to since it really wasn't their fault, but they did. The free dental (which probably would have cost over $1,000 when you consider the teeth removal), the free meds, the free advice (how to get my cat to take pills, what kind of flea medicine I should use, how to stop my cat from eating all of his food at once and vomiting, how to trim his nails, should I be worried he hasn't pooped, should I be alarmed that he sneezed, should I be alarmed that he coughed up a hairball, what should I give him to prevent hairballs etc.), the free toys, the free food, & more make up for everything. I love Pixie and whole-heartedly recommend them. I fully plan on using Pixie in the future for any animal adoptions. read more

If you are looking for a pet to adopt Pixie would be my first choice of animal shelters. When you're there ask for Shannon she is super sweet! read more

Are you other reviews crazy? or just bitter? I got my dog from the Pixie Project on MLK and take him to daycare at Dogstar in the Pearl at least once a week. I have found that the staff at both places, whether its the owner, a rep, or another worker, are some of the nicest animal-lovers i've met. They love my dog almost as much as i do! When i my dog was housed at Dogstar (PP dogs hang out there so they can get interact with other dogs, and it also gives them the chance to be seen by more people), i took him on a walk around the Pearl. i fell in love with him and knew that i wanted to take him home. they gave me the application to fill out, and while it was a few pages long, i admire that they take such care in making sure the dog will go to the right place. 15 minutes of my time is not much to ask... i was lucky enough to be approved (i'm sorry that these other people weren't, there was clearly something that worried the agency). when i went to the MLK location, the staff there was super nice and very helpful. they helped set me up with the right food, some good toys, and answer any questions i had. they didn't have much info on the dogs past because he was just dropped off at another humane society with no info on his past. just some lame excuses why some irresponsible dog parent couldn't stay committed to the dog (who is the sweetest, by the way). i still by the food from them, as all their proceeds go to helping take care of the sheltered animals. plus, they offer to ever help find him if he runs away and to help with any medical issues with the pet. i have recommended the Pixie Project to all my friends, and would vouch for them to anybody who wanted to adopt a pet. the staff at both places (including that "not very charming or personable bottle-blond fetus" that you so rudely took a stab at) are awesome and i will go back to them for my next dog! read more

My fiance and I were looking for the perfect kitty to join our family and they certainly delivered. We met Luna (then Skillet) at their cattery and fell in love instantly. She was exactly what we were looking for and we were able to meet her in a warm, loving environment. In addition, when we brought her home, she caught some kind of kitty cold and got super sick. I e-mailed them and they responded within 30 minutes, supplied us with extra kinds of food to try, probiotics, and lots of written support free of charge. When we started to panic, they had us bring her in to their vet and gave her a good check over and some medicine, again, free of charge. Not only did they ease our new cat parent worries, but they did so lovingly and without putting extra financial strain on us. They truly love their animals and want to make sure they get the best care they can without putting out their owners. They even have checked back in to make sure she's okay. Thank you Pixie Project! We will definitely be adopting again from this shelter! read more

Management was very rude to a group of volunteers who came to play with the cats. Volunteers were a part of an organization that supports adults with disabilities in feeling included in their community, but the way management treated them and spoke to us made us feel like a bother rather than a valued community partner. Will not be volunteering, adopting or referring people to adopt from there any time soon. read more

Exceptional, kind,professional and a major blessing to the community.I cannot say enough about the entire experience, management or volunteers.Any funding that can be guided to them is so warranted. I am so grateful. read more

I adopted my cat here in August. She had been in a foster home with a great foster mom. I asked about her health and was told she was healthy. Upon adopting her and getting her actual records she hadn't had an exam in almost a year which ended up being fine but not ideal it felt irresponsible that they wouldn't check her out right before I adopted her. Cut to seven months later my cat gets a bladder infection. I'm 23 and I was scared I wouldn't be able to afford her vet bill. So I reached out to the pixie project. At first it seemed like they were going to help me at a lower cost. Initially whoever I was talking with said they'd be open from 7am-10pm. The next day when inquiring about if they were still open at the same times that day, so I could pick up something for my cat to try to collect urine so they could test it. I was told they were only open from 11-6 which was totally incompatible with my work schedule. My cat was very sick, so I got frustrated, and asked why there wasn't a clearer line of communication about something as simple as their hours. They took great offense to this and told me basically they were doing me a favor and it was my fault I couldn't afford to go to the vet. I didn't even respond, and just took her to my neighborhood vet where she received excellent care. I was told it wasn't even sterile to collect urine without using a needle. So basically the pixie project had no regard for my urgent need to help my sick cat, and instead wasted my time by telling me there was a way they could test her urine without it being sterile, than tried to shame me for needing more affordable health care for my pet. I try to the best of my ability to love and care for my pet, I don't understand why they would even say they could help if they're going to act completely unprofessional, rude, and lacking in compassion. Would never have anything to do with them again read more

I adopted a cat in November from the Pixie Project. My cat experienced a couple minor medical issues after I adopted her, and the Pixie Project took care of everything for me in a most gracious and helpful way. The staff is caring and wonderful. I would recommend the Pixie Project to anyone who is looking to adopt a cat or dog. They are sincerely concerned about the well-being of the pets, and they do everything they can to make the adoption process as stress-free for you as possible. Special thanks to Sheena and Amy, the Vet Technician! read more

I am pretty much obsessed with this place. I adopted the most wonderful doggy from the Pixie Project. On top of that, they helped me with everything including referrals, crate, food, toys, tips, meds. I couldn't believe how helpful and full service they are ... and how much they care about their animals and take care of them. Not only do I have the best pet, but I know he was treated with such loving kindness while in their hands including vaccines, flea upkeep, chip, and more. I'm so grateful to have found the Pixie Project and my awesome dog. Special shout out to Amy for holding my hand through the adoption and taking such good care of the animals as well as us 'soon-to-be' owners! Thank you from the bottom of my heart!! read more

All I can say about the Pixie Project is that they are in it for the animals. They take dogs from local humane societies in order to make room for more animals. They have MANY volunteers and employees to look out for the well-being of the animals. The animals are all happy, healthy, clean, and well socialized. They offer a variety of pet supplies and outlets for donation. They want to adopt the animals out to wonderful, lifetime homes but even if your new pet (from Pixie) doesn't work for you, they will accept it back into their organization. I can't seem to find anything wrong with this organization. read more

I have had 3 rescue pets and love my experience with the Pixie Project the most by far! I have never felt so supported, encouraged and informed with a new family member as they have provided. I am a forever supporter and volunteer of this amazing organization! read more

Will not be going back. I have been volunteer dog walking for the past few months with a client of mine whom has mild developmental disabilities and is incredibly successful and experienced with animals. Without ever having a hiccup or having a concern brought to our attention we were asked that she no longer hold the leash, therefore not assisting in the volunteer work. Not once has she been observed to accept this kind of judgement. Rather than speaking to me in private, the individual who I've assumed to be the manager stuck her head out of the office and gave me this information. This caused my client to have an expected and rightful meltdown in the lobby. From this meltdown the assumed manager blames me. Again, what we walked away from learning from Pixie is that there was undue judgement causing us to never return and inform our community. The respect for individuals with disabilities was a judgement of grouping the community as having "disabilities" rather taking the energy to know an individual human. Want to let the readers know that not all employees treated us this way. Please pass patience and acceptance. read more

I wish passionate people would be a little more level headed. I read a little about Amy after receiving a nasty email after a meet and greet that went a little awkward for me. You see, we have a situation at home where MY older dog was going to go home with my mother in a few weeks. She is visiting from L.A..My mother used to care for him and stay with her everyday when i dropped my daughter off on the way to work. I would pick them up every day after work. We moved to Oregon and I feel he may miss those quiet days suntanning in the sun on her patio where he is showered with love and affection from my mother. SO, on my application, I did not list my other dog because he was going to be leaving with my mother anyway. My husband saw the picture of the dog I was dying to adopt and disliked it for its appearance (it's a Xolo). I am in love with the breed. Their personality, their sturdiness, and the fact that it is hairless and also, after buying all our dogs from breeders, i finally realized the importance of rescuing a dog. When I saw this dog on Pixie's website, I knew it was perfect. My husband commented on how ugly it was and why I couldn't resuce a Yorkie or something cuter. I told him that wasn't my priority. Finally I convinced him to go with me to a meet and greet before he left for his trip. Someone from Pixie called me and told me every member of the family had to go and see the dog so if I wanted to have a chance, we would have to do it that day. The foster mom was very nice and let us pet her goats and let my kids play in her backyard while getting to know the pups. I really wanted to take one home to do the two week trial but my husband did not want the pup. I told him before we left to go see the dogs that I left our dog out of the application because he was going to be leaving in a few weeks with my mom anyway. When he saw that I wanted to take the "ugly" dog home, he used that to sabotage the meet and greet and said that the pup would not get along with the other dog we had at home. The foster mom immediately asked me if we put that on our application and I said yes. I did not feel like arguing or bringing up the fact that our dog was going to be leaving with my mom yet. I was going to get a puppy first and then let them know he was going to spend his good old retirement in peace. I told the foster mom that I did not feel comfortable leaving with a puppy if my husband was not 100% on board. So we left. I cried all the way home because i knew we were missing such a great opportunity to have this great dog and companion for our girls and family. You see, my older daughter had an incident where she was assaulted at school and has been going to therapy. Her therapist said she is in nurturing mode where she wants to be the nurturer.She is a rescue owner and thought it was a great idea. Anyway, getting back to the rude email... I got home and checked my phone since i left it charging on the kitchen counter. My friends were already at the house with my mom ready to barbecue so when i saw there were no missed calls, i was a little sad and anxious because i felt the uncomfortableness coming from the foster mom about the unlisted dog on the application. He later told me he opened it and that made the missed call disappear. :( My husband and I talked about the dog some more and he finally changed his mind! I couldn't believe it, but had an uneasy feeling because I knew Pixie did not know what the situation was, and that because I did not hear from them, that my chances were slim. I called the foster mom anyway and told her i could bring my other dog by and to please give us another chance. Well, later that night, I got a nasty email from Amy saying I was a liar and that she didn't believe me that my husband changed his mind and that I was trying to get the dog while he was away on a trip! She also told me I was not concerned about my older dog and that I did not care about the hard work they do and that the foster mom had a death in the family and I wasted their time! I have never been so offended. I did not demand to see the dog that day, nor did I lie about my husband changing his mind, nor did I lie about my dog on the application! My husband threw me under the bus because he did not want an "ugly" dog and because I did not want to cause a commotion or reveal to my kids that my dog was going to retire peacefully at my mothers house... I get called a liar and an uncaring dog owner! Amy claims to want to give people a pleasant adopting experience. This was faaaar from that. It was extremely unpleasant and I feel personally attacked. My husband was appalled at the email she sent me. He said he would talk to her and I have emailed her about it but have not heard from her. Rude, offensive, unprofessional, and unpleasant. read more