Houston Spca

The ppl who work there are so rude! I used to love the Houston SPCA but now they are just playing rude! About a year ago my cat got lost and we looked to the spca to see if anyone had turned him in, when we got there they must have thought we were making the whole thing up to steal one of their cats because they said we would have to fill out an adoption form and pay and adoption fee if they did indeed have my cat. Unfortunatly I did not see him there but the attitude of the staff was so ugly and unproffesional I felt very unwelcomed! about a week ago my other cat got hit by a car and i took him to the er vet, the next morning they said he had improved and may have a chance at living, Sadly we did not have the money to pay for the surgery he needed so we took him to the spca to see if they could help us. The first thing the lady at the desk said was very coldly, "Sorry we cant do anything for you cat" I then told them to please put him down so he wouldn't be in pain anymore. Thankfully they did so. It was extremely hard for me to see my cat die... I loved him very much. After the lethal injection she checked to see if his heart stopped and said "Hes gone" like in a who cares tone. If I wasn't so busy crying I would have probably gave her a piece of my mind. Bottom line is The staff is extremely rude and I agree with the reviews of Denise L. and maria t. I actually complaind about my neighbors who had a skin and bones pitbull chained up and starving they came maybe a month later and by then the dog had already died despite my efforts to throw food over the fence to feed it, the dog was to scared to move...

Posted 11/04/09 | Report Abuse

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After 21 straight days of visiting I adopted a beautiful, 1 yr old, male German Shepherd. The placard on his enclosure indicated "illness". On the fifth day a visit to one of the supporting Vet Clincs disclosed some worm problems. Medications given. From day one Max had extremely soft stools to diarrhea and was constantly scratching and chewing at himself. The $500 insurance ran out quickly as did additional hundreds of my own. Could not determine the problems.

The vet and I decided the "illness" was not the owner but the dog!

Seven different food changes in as many months. Finally avoided all vets after reading Dr. Pitcarin's book and put Max on a 10 day fast recipe. The itching disappeared and he became quite healthy with a vegetarian kibble and later canned dog food with kibble, a selection suggested by an aquaintance who had had three German Shepherds that lived to be 20, 21, and 22! They lived on a large farm in North Carolina.

Several times I inquired about the previous owner but the SPCA would not divulge a single bit of information about them nor about the dog's condition. Yet in the admissions paragraph on their website the last sentence says they gather information so as to inform the new adopting owner!

Hello . . .

Beyond the health problems Max has nipped 5 people, 4 during the first six months I had him and another just a couple of weeks ago. I had him in a training program at the SPCA and a few private counseling sessions as well for aggression. Money is a major problem as I live on Social Security now.

Do I blame the SPCA? Not really but without knowledge of previous ownership conditions, it is nigh impossible to understand present behavior. So in this case, yes, partial blame I lay at their doorstep. Max is a fabulous dog but I have failed him perhaps more so than the SPCA by not being more determined in my controlling his behavior through the three parts of Cesar's constant hammering. The initial 4 bitings so close to adoption, I feel, could have been avoided. The last one almost two years after adopting him, was totally my fault by failing to secure a door that allowed a man to approach Max, even though both knew each other during earlier times of the day. The man made an advance that appeared threatening to Max in his home. Still, it was my responsibility.

I am seeking help at this time to correct my relationship with Max and I expect to visit the SPCA of Houston to at least get an appraisal.

Posted 10/01/09 | Report Abuse

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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We adopted our third cat at the Houston SPCA and we are very pleased with the adoption process. After 12 years, we decide to get another cat. Our two cats are 12 and 11 years old and they are still with us, thank goodness. The wonderful thing about this place is that they now offer VCA vets that you can take your pets to get examined and they warranty the cats for any common diseases listed for 6 months. It was great since we had discovered that our new cat had worms and they took care of the bill. Ten to twelve years ago, I had to pay for that out of my own pocket. The only thing I had to pay for was for his flea medicine. The vet that I went to was friendly and good with my cat. Also, they were offering buy one get one free for $70 the day we came but we opted for just one and was only charged $35. I will continue to adopt and will continue to go to Houston SPCA to get my pets unless things changed dramatically.

Posted 07/04/09 | Report Abuse

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The Houston SPCA used to be a great place. They are suppose to be there to HELP the animals but over the last several years, they have really started turning thier backs on animals. They used to have cages out front to drop of animals, they closed those and when i questioned why, i was told because people would wait until the shelter closed and put the animal in the cage and my resonese to that was SO WHAT at least they are dropping them off there and not on the streets. THEN just a few months ago, they decided to charge for dropping of your pets or strays. Now, i know they need funds to take care of these animals but charging to drop off strays, come on people. Me, personally, i hate to see a dog on the streets, so i will pick it up, but i dont have the funds to pay for every stray animal i find.and im sure alot of other people dont have the $70 to turn in a litter, so now the only option these people have is to toss them on the streets. i went there a few months ago and most of the cages were empty and that was due to them charging for admittance. they started charging to make money, but by doing that, they aren't getting any animals and with no animals, how are they to make money.. STUPID.,,, and they used to spay/neuter for people on Government assistance but now they stopped that too.. They are so big on spay and neutering but yet they close the door on people who need help. im very dissapointed in the Houston SPCA, and i hope with enough bad publicity they will go back to what they are suppose to be there for and that is to help the animals

Posted 05/11/09 | Report Abuse

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

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i called on a friday to report a horse that is located on 34th st. that is left unattended for long period of time and with no food to be seen, let alone standing on three legs, on concrete. i called spca on friday 11/14 to give a report, came back on monday, to see the horse there. called spca, told that a ms. sunberg was handling the matter. called lelft mess. on voice mail. no return call to me. wednesday, horse still there. called spca. given a name by mr. price. left mess on voice mail. no return ph. call. friday. again. horse still there. called again, given another name. by b. mcclintock. but, first. i ask to speak to manager. the girl there would not let me speak to a manager. stating there is no one to speak to me. but, talking to another girl there in the office repeating everything we were talking about, when she was instructed by this person to hang up on me. look people, it not about us. it's about the animals or pets. L. graven, you should look into what you hire. just poor behavior. just rude people over there. rude.

Posted 11/21/08 | Report Abuse

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

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Unfortunately, my beautiful puppy that I adopted from the SPCA was recently diagnosed with distemper- a deadly and highly contagious virus. It begins as an upper respiratory infection and progresses to the brain causing a long and miserable death. He did contract distemper from the shelter (according to the ER vet) and this happens more often than anyone would like. When I called to let the shelter know what happened (after having to put my dog down), the staff was incredibly cold and said that they could do nothing to protect the other dogs and that there are too many animals to know or prevent any further adoptions of animals that only have a couple of weeks to live. They had no intention of quarantining, disinfecting or anything. So please be very careful. Although I do not blame them for not knowing that Marley had distemper, I do blame them for not doing all that they can so that other dogs and owners do not have to go thru the incredibly sad and traumatizing experience that he, his dad and I just went thru. I expected for the SPCA to be more compassionate and, spoke to the VP of the shelter and he assured me that they WOULD do all they could, but I have a feeling the call center, although incredibly cold and insensitive, was just telling me the truth. Please be careful. I would never want anyone to have to do what we had to do. However, it is so important that these sweet dogs have a home. Don't give up adoption, but ask about respiratory issues before you take them home and fall in love.

Posted 08/31/08 | Report Abuse

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We found a dog, the sweetest dog ever, My kids brought it to the SPCA thinking they would find a home for her. She tested positive for heart worms ( a most times curable condition) The SPCA does not treat dogs with heart worms they kill them. We adopted her back the next day. Took her to my vet having her treated for heart worms and any other health problems. Her health improved quickly and dramatically. After some months we inquired as to the advisability of having her spayed. My Vet said he had not had a problem with dogs being treated with heart worms, Apparently evenif they do not feel the dog is ready they will do it anyway. After many reassurances we brought her in to be spayed. The SPCA had down the wrong information concerning her treatment. Finally they are so busy (not busy enough to really tend to your dog) That when she was bleeding internally it took them way to long to notice, even when she could not be wakened hours later they took no action...not until it was too late and she was critical. Even at that point they did not do tranfusion but waited too long to even think about it. Daisy died of nothing more than neglect on the part of the SPCA. Pay the extra and have your personal vet only deal with your dog. They told me "we never have a dog die after spaying" I hope they don't tell you the same thing. Mine did die and I miss her terribly. She was the sweetest most loving dog I have ever known. She deserved better. I am a regular donator to the SPCA in an effort to save animals.

Posted 05/18/08 | Report Abuse

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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I have adopted a dog from this SPCA. I was very happy with my experience there. The price is definately right. They allready have their shots and are spayed or neutered.So that is a couple less things to worry about. They also gave me literature to read so that I could better take care of my new family member, and recommended a cheap vet.

Posted 10/27/05 | Report Abuse

1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

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We recently adopted a 6 month old kitten from the Houston SPCA. After Hurrican Katrina we decided that we would get another cat. We immediately found Joe a loving brown tabby. After filling out all the paperwork and paying the small adoption fee of $65 they made the appointment to have him fixed the next day.

2 days later I picked Joe up and they were very thorough in their explanations of every test and procedure they did. They neutered him, gave him all of his shots, tested for felione leukemia, and even gave him his first dose of advantage flea medicine.

Another wonderful thing is they give you a list of veterinarians who provide free full examinations for pets adopted from the SPCA. Joe had a minor respiratory infection which is normal for shelter animals but other than that, he is in perfect health.

We love every day with our new little guy.

PROS: WONDERFUL people and service to society
CONS:

Posted 09/30/05 | Report Abuse

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I like the fact that they screen the potential owners and try to get a good fit for what you are looking for and whats best for the animal. I have adopted 2 cats from there and look forward to getting a dog soon!

Posted 08/27/05 | Report Abuse

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I love the SPCA for taking unwanted and lost animals off the streets and finding them a home. We got our dog from there and would do the same again. There is not reason to spend hundreds of dollars on a dog when there are so many that need a home at the SPCA. The facility is very clean and the staff is always friendly and helpful.

Posted 06/27/05 | Report Abuse

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We adopted our last dog from this SPCA . The animals are treated good and their areas kept clean. The staff is very helpful in the adoption process and the end result was wonderful.

PROS: Healthy animals and caring people.
CONS: Adoption process takes a few days.

Posted 06/02/05 | Report Abuse

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