PetFinderReviews 353

After filing an application on a particular dog, the Foster parent went through a list of problems of why we did not qualify, like not having a fenced in yard, I told her that that was not a problem, I would install an invisible fence, she went from one subject to another, I realized that they weren't problems, they were Excuses, I'm convinced as a Foster Parent, she did Not want to give him up, which I understand, that's Why I won't Foster, so Don't get your Heart set on any particular dog, because more than likely, the Foster parent will not part with him, I will be going to local shelters & adopt from there.

I had called wanting to get more information on a horse located in Arizona named paloosa. I grew up with horses so I have experience, and the fact that I'm willing to drive 10 hours just to visit the horse should show that I'm more than willing to do everything I can to provide this horse with a loving home. The lady that had answered my call was demeaning, hostile, and unprofessional! Y'all really want to find homes for these animals? Cause the problem is the ones fostering them. She didn't even get to know me or my background. I feel sooo bad for these animals on this site, only want a loving home but can't because stuck up ignorant people don't let it happen!

I used KittyKaretakers on Petfinder and they recommended me an animal hoarder. Petfinder doesn't check organization registries (https://agriculture.ny.gov/animals/shelter-and-rescue-registration) before adopting from agencies like this. I'm not sure how they do their background check as they claim but it's clearly not as thorough as they claim.

KittyKaretakers is not registered with the IRS as a charity, non-profit, or tax-exempt organization, has not appeared on the IRS Business Master File for months, and had their tax-exempt status revoked for failure of filing proper tax forms for 3 consecutive years already. THEY'RE STILL ACTIVE ON PETFINDER. I reached out to them two years ago and they were called "Kitty Karetakers" and now they've removed the space: "KittyKaretakers". I'm not sure if that changes their history or track record but it's all-around shady and Petfinder is just as guilty in giving them a platform.

Please go to official rescues/organizations for adopting a pet. Even if it takes longer, at least you know the animal and you are in good hands. Please don't support illegitimate animal organizations or the sites that enable their illegal business.

My girlfriend and I saved two kittens from a terrible home one week ago, and even with our best effort medically, and taking the little male to the vet twice, we ended up with no option other than to have him put to sleep, he literally could not survive due to genetic defects and extreme sickness from before us.
In the aftermath we wanted to find a kitten to adopt in two weeks to be a friend to our little female that is doing wonderfully. I applied on petfinder for 2 kittens.

Surprise to me that the heartless woman who was my "case worker" berated me on the phone for wanting to adopt, and mocked my loss of my kitten that my girlfriend and I have been greiving for for the last week. This is unreal, and disgusting. These people are the absolute epitome of trash, and horrendous awful rudeness. Do not even bother. They have no management system to report their poor employees and I was not looking forward to being bullied about the loss of my new kitten who I loved and cared for so much.

Stay far away from these wretches.

I literally have made numerous attempts to adopt. Every time I do I get notified that the dog is taken. ( Well remove the listing)!
Then I tried calling because 1 particular dog a teacup poodle is " supposedly available named KIKI, from Dover, Mass. The mailbox is full all the time so you can't leave a message and they won't take applications for review. ( Which I already filled out/!
I also own 3 home's the requirements were you be within a 50 mile radius of Dover, Mass. I own in Methuen, Mass. I own next to Wells, Maine beach summers and Largo, Florida winter's. I have tons of time and meet every requirements up to even pad training.
But these terms are ridiculous. I am a 59 year old retired nurse and have tons of love and we lost our toy Pomeranian 2 week's back who was spoiled rotten and pad trained.
Unfortunately it's their loss. I also am a interior designer and live in beautiful homes with no carpeting in the event of an pee accident. I have huge porches on both homes near the beaches so the dog isn't stuck in and can satisfy her curiosity when I go out on them.
I can't help but be angry. I told them take me off the email list as I believe it's false hopes and advertising.
Why bother being teased by something that obviously is a scam.
They also get extremely poor ratings.
There's got to be a reason.
John Markey, Methuen, Massachusetts
Wells, Maine/ summer
Largo, Florida/ winter

I see a lot of negative reviews for this site and I'm not sure the site itself is to blame. I looked at this site as being kind of a Craigslist for animals only safer for the animals. Petfinders posts pics and bios of pets for shelters throughout the U.S.A. If you had issues with trying to adopt an animal, I believe it is the shelters who are at fault in having outdated information as to whether or not a pet is still available. In searching for a dog for myself I spent over a year searching on Petfinder.com as well as a similar site and at local shelters in my area. Each shelter promoting adoptions on Petfinder has their own adoption process. Some seemed to be extremely lengthy. Also, so many people have been adopting pets since the pandemic began that going through all the applications takes awhile especially if the shelter is all voluntary. I just wanted to explain this so you don't become discouraged from adopting. I actually was able to adopt my dog from a profiled dog that I found on Petfinders and she is perfect for me and my circumstances. If you are in a hurry to adopt and don't want to take the time to apply, do a meet and greet in your home, and pay sometimes a nominal fee depending on your circumstances, you may instead want to visit your area shelters and find your new pet.

Petfinder isn't a shelter themselves. They're sort of a catch-all for many shelters. They don't seem to require these shelters to meet any sort of customer standards. More often than not, the shelter hosting the animal you want will require you to go to their site and fill out a lengthy application. Some of these are more in depth than filing taxes; some are quite basic. And some require a "donation" to apply. 9 out of 10 times, an application filed the day the animal shows up on Petfinder is a waste of time because the shelter has already found a home for it by then. The hope being that you'll find something else on their site now that you've been lured in with the cute photo of the one that wasn't available. Nevertheless, the listing lingers on Petfinder; I guess until the shelter finds a new photo to fill that listing slot. You will likely never hear from the shelter again once you apply.

They're good if you want links to lots of shelters, but don't believe that the animal advertised with Petfinder is actually available. It's just bait.

I have been trying to adopt a kitten to no avail. I am glad to see that the process is a stringent one but unfortunately, I believe it is a process that is based on personal feelings. I was led to believe that I was the lucky one to adopt Miny... heard nothing after being told "I'll get the paper work done". That was days ago. Seems everyone is told this. While waiting so long I could have filled out paperwork for another kitty. I am very disappointed - I thought Petfinder was better than this.

Read all the reviews... they are true. I didn't believe them at first but unfortunately they are true.

What a shame, the kitty I wanted to adopt would have had a home filled with much love and Iaughter and would have had the best of everything. I am so sorry Miny, we wanted you so badly.

Looking at these reviews and my family's experience on petfinder I am a bit concerned these agencies aren't really trying to get animals adopted and are using the website to just collect information on people. My mother inquired about an animal at a supposed rescue and was immediately rejected. What was concerning is that the response used information of our late cat that was only available on her private Facebook page as reasoning. Her page was also accessed from a foreign location during this time and again from a different location a few days later. I am worried that people on this website present as shelters in order to received your names, emails, and numbers to sell to marketers, spammers, and possibly hackers. It IS possible that there are rescues who are very strict and think they know best for the animals in their care, but considering what happened with us I would be cautious about presenting your information through petfinder. Your local shelters are probably your best bet at adopting.

I have tried to use pet finder in the past and always found it untenable. Always one barrier after another to actually adopting a pet... the proverbial always "another hoop to jump through". I get the need for screening folks interested in adopting but when the process is so onerous that good prospects give up trying... are you REALLY helping homeless pets?

I am also convinced that this organization has a systemic bias against the poor. The fees are often outrages. Heads up you dinks... some of the best, most loving homes for animals are provided by people from the lower economic groups and I have seen some of the worst homes belonging to the ultra wealthy.

So for all those looking for your "forever" best friend call your local shelters - stay clear of pet finder and breed rescues (which often have no intention of adopting out an animal and are just a cover for breed hoarders to get around local animal limit laws)

HappyHomes are the most insensitive, obnoxious pet "rescuers" I gave ever met. We lost our 20 year old pet cat last week and our entire family is devastated. We wanted to get 2 new kitties. We found one a few miles from our house and asked to buy one of three in a litter these people supposedly "rescued." They said I had to buy all three. I offered to pay for all three so they could get a good home for the other two, but we thought two was what our family could handle. The woman became rude and hostile. I would never use this website or recommend anyone else use it. These are not rescuers, they are mean insensitive people.

I've tried for over two years with PetFinder to get connected with ANY shelter or rescue organization able to find an Australian Cattle Dog. Eight years ago Louie was found in Florida and he's a happy dog. However, he wants a buddy.
PetFinder provides dozens of pictures and descriptions of AUS Cattle Dogs. Only one organization ever responded.
Unfortunately, it seems that most rescue organizations utilize the marketing services of PetFinder as a tool to find a new home. It just isn't working.
We're greatly disappointed in the way this organization operates.

I have, time after time, filled out application after application after reaching out to the rescue to make sure the dog I am looking at is still available only to never hear a word back from them. When I go back in a day later to look at the dog again, they are no longer there. I am tired of looking and getting my hopes up only to get crushed because they are no longer available (mind you after asking the rescue and being told yes). I want to give a dog a good home, I want to rescue but I'm going to have to go to a breeder. My heart can't take much more of this.