Special Pals
About Special Pals
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Pets & Animals
This place is spotless! Never even a small whiff of anything unpleasant. There was a good selection of dogs and cats, and most of the dogs were smallish and adorable. The staff was friendly and knowledgeable. I get to pick up my new "baby" on Monday, and can't wait! I would definitely go back if I wanted another dog.
Special Pals is a no-kill shelter and has an interest in getting each and every animal to the BEST possible home. They will not place pets in homes that want a yard dog, or a dog who will spend their lives outside in a dog run or at the end of a tie out. The cats also will be adopted to indoor homes only. These precious animals have had uncertain and often times abusive beginnings and deserve loving indoor homes where they will be pampered and loved as a member of their human families.
The adoption process is meant to ensure these babies won't end up being abused, neglected or abandonded ever again. Remember at one time, their previous owners convinced someone that they would provide a wonderful, loving home.
I volunteer there and I completely understand why they are so protective of the animals. These little guys give nothing but love and it is appalling the way they have been treated and in many cases just discarded when they have become inconvenient. If it takes a little extra effort to find them a loving, forever home it is truly worth that effort!
This is one of the cleanest shelters I have ever seen. The dogs and cats are all very well cared for. Please don't pay any attention to the reviews below by disgruntled people who were unable to adopt a pet. I'm sure there was a good reason. The people who run this shelter are very caring and special people. I can't imagine ever giving up any of my pets becaus it is a stressful time. I would not blame anyone for being cautious about an animal going back to this kind of environment. I also do not believe dogs should be left outside...it is simply too hot in Houston and too many animals are left outside alone and uncared for once the newness wears off. Pets are a lifetime commitment and Special Pals wants to make sure the animals are getting a new forever home where they will truly be cared for and loved.
I donate hundreds of dollars to Special Pals because I know how love and dedication have made it possible to bring this facility from a very dark period in it's history to the ongoing success story it is today. Yvonne lives to make this facility work in order to be able to place very special pets with the right families. She puts more hours toward fundraising than you could possibly imagine. Her own life literally takes a back seat to her mission to provide safe and supportive homes to the animals she and her staff care for. I think of myself as a compassionate rescuer of animals, but I cannot profess to have made the sacrifices that Yvonne has made. It is my hope that anyone reading my review, will take a moment to help through donation and service to Special Pals. The damage IKE has caused has created a great need for assistance. Please help if you can. GT
I have known Yvonne who manages Special Pals for many years and doubt many people have the dedication she has to helping animals of all kinds. She runs a no-kill shelter and often rescues pets scheduled to be put down by other shelters. Many of her pets have special needs including older pets. Whatever it takes she somehow provides.The recent hurricane in Houston damaged many shelters in the area but Special Pals was not damaged as badly as others so Yvonne has taken in many pets from other shelters as far away Kima.Go by for a visit and take a case of pet food and your checkbook. You'll meet some special people and may come home with a new special pal.
Special Pals is a literal CESSPOOL with the rudest workers i have ever encountered. I took my daughter there to pick out a dog. While we were walking through the kennels, giant roaches were EVERYWHERE and a mouse ran across the walkway. There were even roaches in the poor animals food and water!!! The workers were positively rude in answering questions or even trying to get information. The only reason to adopt from there is to get the animal out of there!! I will go the elsewhere in the future
actually special pals is a great place. Every animal is loved there and they have reasons for denying. An outside dog is not really part of the family. When you turn a dog over to them they want them to go home with a family that wants them not that will give them up when its stressful. It should be like a kid and I would not give up my kid when I am stressed. They try to give their animals the very best home. They arent rude, they are caring and protective over the animals they take care of everyday. I personally like what they do. And if you knew more about the shelter and the people there, you would know that they are good for our community
We made a mistake - we admit it. Family stress caused my wife and I to take a pet to Special Pals, hoping to find a new home for him. After leaving our pet, we found that the stress level increased, and made several attempts to reclaim our pet, and agreed to make it a regular adoption and pay the necessary fees.
We were told that they would have to keep our pet for several days due to their rules. We were also given false names when we asked who we were speaking to, and they refused to answer when we asked the name of the director. We asked that this anonymous director give us a call, and were told that this would just "piss her off". Many calls later and we are still being told that they are holding our pet and he is not available for us to adopt and return home.
The question becomes - do these folks really have a heart, or does the treatment we received reflect the real, behind the scenes attitude of the personnel at this shelter. I know that the problem originated when we made a poor decision - but the later actions of the Special Pals personnel just made everything worse during our Christmas season.
I will never recommend this facility to another individual for any reason, and share this opinion with anyone who asks about my experience. These people need to "get a heart".
The scriptures say "you reap what you sow". I personally don't think that the Special Pals director deserves anything less.
Tommy - Missouri City, TX
Everyone that works here is VERY rude and if you live in an apartment they make it almost impossible to adopt a dog. I got a written letter from my landlord that said I had paid my pet deposit & he was aware that I would be getting the dog & provided a copy of my lease that said I had paid for everything BUT the dog was not on the lease because we didn't have her when we moved, just our cat. A written letter from our landlord and phone calls wasn't enough, these people just seem as if they do not want you to have the dog AFTER you pay for it. My advice is to go to the SPCA, they are much nicer & actually care about their animals.
Hello PetLovers,
Just a word of caution. This is a questionable operation. My son picked out a dog for adoption on Sat. No one called to let us know the status of the application, so I called again to check, several days later. They said our app. was denied because the dog would be playing outside during the day and not inside. They only wanted to let people adopt their dogs if they were inside 24/7 and w/ 24 hour adult care (sorry - I have to work for a living - last I heard, dogs love to run & play - has this changed???).
So, just a word of caution Pet Lovers - this establishment is not on the up & up. When I asked where their policy was that the dogs had to be kept inside 24/7, and with 24 hour adult care, she said I don't have to give you our policy requirments, and I don't have to post them in our shelter. When I asked if I could get a copy of my survey back, she said no, I don't have to give you that. Very confrontational lady - not very nice at all.
WE WENT TO SPECIAL PALS IS NICE PLACE AND GOOD SERVICE. ALSO THE PETS ARE WITH SPECIAL CARE THERE WE NEED MORE PLACE LIKE THIS ONE.THERE ARE A LOT DOGS AND CATS NEED TO BE ADOPTED, WE NEED TO HELP THEMS.....
Special Pals is a great place to go if your looking to adopt a pet. We have adopted several pets from this business and they are now special members of our family. They have a lot of puppies, kitties, dogs and cats that need good homes. This is a no kill shelter so I have high respect for the owners.
Call often to see if they have a specific type of animal that your family is searching for. They are open Monday through Friday and Saturday too! Parking is accessible from Greenhouse Rd. The staff is very friendly and helpful and the facility is clean and loving. Do your part and adopt today! the adoption fee is very reasonable.
