PetFinder

I lost my baby two months ago exactly, and it has been super hard on me. I didn't know it until she passed how much I relied on her for emotional support sometimes from the issues I have. That being said I want to adopt a new dog soon so I have been going to local shelters and looking on Petfinder.

Pros

It helps show you all the available dogs (and cats, etc.) near you
Easy to navigate and filter to what you are looking for
Gives backgrounds on the animals
Explains if the animals would be good around other animals/children

Cons

It is almost impossible to meet every single criteria they want
If you do make the criteria, the dog is probably already adopted, in the process, or on hold.
Some of them seem like scams - as I have seen the same dog photo on a few different listings with the same name
The range is small on a lot of them which is difficult when you live in the middle of nowhere.

After filling out the application, having a home visit and several matches, I still receive no response. I have found matches on the website, send inquiries to try to adopt the dog(s) and never hear back from ANYONE! Of course, I still receive daily emails showing "possible matches" to my filtered preferences but it's just a waste of time thinking anyone will reply to your inquiries. It's probably best to just go to a local shelter.

My dog ran away. The very next day, she was up for adoption at a local shelter, but they claimed that she was already adopted, and they posted her as adopted on petfinder. But I found out after that, that they actually sent her to a high kill shelter, who promptly killed her. I told petfinder about this, and they don't give a s**. If that happened to my dog, it can happen to anyone. And the original shelter who had her killed? They DEMANDED that I pay them $50, which I refused of course! Adopt from your local private citizens or from a reputable shelter, but seriously steer clear of petfinder!

Quality breeders are always involved in rescue but this group is biased against them and thus favors cast off puppy mill dogs that are purchased by rescue groups to resell, dogs that are from Back Yard Breeders, encouraging more back yard breeding, and non-quality breeders that will not stand behind the dogs that they adopt through rescue. All quality breeders have contracts and will willing support other dogs of the breed to rehome them when something happens and one of the dogs comes into their homes and will work to ensure they are placed in a quality home - this is rescue. Quality breeders do not BUY dogs to rehome, they take them in willingly and rehome them at their own expense. Petfinder refuses to acknowledge these breeders as advocates, supports, and rescuers as well so they are missing a key component of dog people that not only support their breeds, protect their breeds, rehome dogs of less quality breeders that are from their breeds, owners of their breeds, and basically are the reason that there are healthy dogs available for people that want them. Unfortunately, it is a biased organization against the most significant and important group of dog people in the country.

Petfinder may be informative, but how to choose a rescue organization?
I can tell you that Carroll's asr is awful, coaxing for donations while behaving like tyrants. They have special needs pets, while possible adopters are treated like an absolute intrusion. Rude, cruel, misrepresentative, full of excuses but begging for donations! Apparently they can fly away for weeks at will, as they did the day after I was told my application and privacy invasions would be done.
Don't encourage these people, as it's obviously all about them.

I contacted these people twice first I wanted a Russian blue kitten. They say no no reason why. 2nd one got approved then talked to discouraging foster mother said kitten is not good with people. Had another cat at time no vet. Has not needed one. Would have gotten one right Away. For kitten. Would not give me a chance. Better to fudge truth if you really have your heart set on animal. Why its better to buy from private owners or pet store horrible place. Treat you like 1st degree. When so many pets are. Approved Then abused. Turn down one that really could give animal true love. Should be investigated.

Ive reached out multiple times about adopting some of these cute doggos but they always respond with the same BS copy and paste response. They dont answer questions and its been 2 weeks and still haven't heard anything back. Go figure both doggos are still there. Until they get some competent people i dont see things getting any better. Im 30 with a huge fenced in back yard, ive had animals my whole life, and i work from home. Perfect scenario for some new furry best friends but..

I have been looking for a small, young or baby dog for over a year. Several puppies caught my eye and after filling out many applications, I either got no response or one organization requested pictures of my house and my 2 deceased Springer Spanials, who died at 15 and 16 years old. I would think they would be most interested in my vet referral. Ultimately I purchased a beautiful toy poodle from a private breeder listed on the AKC site. When I brought her to my vet for her first appointment my vet said my new puppy has no idea how lucky she is to have landed with me. Too bad these organizations were not interested in my vet referral.

I have submitted numerous applications and made many attempts to adopt the alleged homeless dogs with no success, nobody ever calls back or emails. I finally realized that it wasn't the intent to put the dogs up for adoption but to collect sponsorship money based on a cute picture of the dog you really want. This is sad and trashy.

I was looking to get a dog as a service animal and wanted to rescue because I believe that every dog should have a loving, caring home. However, much to my dismay, I put in close to 20 applications and about 30 inquiries and I only got TWO responses- both of which told me the dog had been adopted. Otherwise it was radio silence from the shelters. I sent separate emails, called the places that had numbers listed, and waited for weeks with no response. They think nothing of asking you to fill out tediously long applications, but then they never get back to you. I finally gave up and bought a puppy from a breeder. I am seriously disappointed and will NEVER use PetFinder again. Horrible service, especially considering these dogs need RESCUING, you would think they would be motivated to place them in loving homes.

Although I understand this is a go-between to adopt a pet through other agencies, Petfinder should vet who they allow to post pets on their site. Most of these agencies don't get back to you, even after applying directly through them.
I would rather be declined than ignored. It's extremely frustrating. If an agency on their site has way too many negative reviews/issues, they shouldn't be allowed to use thier site, because it makes Petfinder look bad.

For over 8 months I have put in multiple applications to various shelters that have dogs listed on PetFinder. I then have to email or call the shelter because I hear nothing from them; it is as if my application, which they all request before I am considered worthy of adopting a dog from them, disappears into a black hole.
I have to email or call the shelter to find out where they are in consideration of my application and often by that time the dog has been adopted out to another party. Most of the shelters have horrible procedures and communication.
I have wanted to do the right thing and adopt a dog in need of a home from a shelter but the way things are going will likely end up buying a dog. Side note: We pretty much fit all of the qualifications shelters request such as a large fenced in yard, people often home for the dog, ability to take the dog for a walk as well as vet checkups, etc,. Experience training a dog and having had dogs but none of that seems to matter.

I have a 10 acre fenced in yard and the reason provided for not allowing me to adopt was that my fence, although higher than 4 feet, is not 6 feet high. What? I'm not sure what kind of scam these guys are running, but I suggest you go to BDRR.org or your local shelter. I wonder when the last time the pics on this site were updated. I have noticed that the only positive responses on this site are from people who have adopted anything but dogs. Horrible!

Ok since we are all on here to get a dog to love and part of our family. Let me point out a few mishaps that happened to us.
1, We did email about a dog that was up for adopting with Speak of Dog in Etobico.We only got one liners back or nothing.
2, We told them they ages of our grand kids no reply.
3, I admit I did something wrong with the application, but contacted them for help and gave my cell number.
4, No help no call.
5, we lost a dog because they accepted way to many applications, and never bothered to call us ones we e-mailed our application to them.
6, Please do not use Speaking of dogs they may be volunteers, but helping you out or answering questions is not on their radar.