Home » Animal Shelters» Potsdam Humane Society » Review » I feel sorry for the animals

I feel sorry for the animals

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Potsdam Humane Society
Reviews: 265 | Posted: 1 year ago | Avg Rating: 4.7

Pros: the animals

Cons: the staff

I would NEVER go to Potsdam to find a pet again! My dog of 7 yrs died unexpectedly, so after a month or so we took my 6 yr old son to find a new pet. We told the staff we already had another dog at home that was not yet 1 yr old. We spent about 2 hours at the shelter looking at dogs and cats. My son picked a dog out. We took it outside and played with it a few time and my son fell in LOVE. We started on the final paperwork as my son played with the dog. I gave the paperwork to the staff and they said since my other dog was not fixed we could not adopt the new dog. I explained the our other dog is a English Bulldog and we paid $1500 for him. We thought we might want to breed him at least once before we get him fixed. I also told them that he is an inside dog and there is no chance of him getting out and causing unwanted puppies. They said sorry but if any pets in the house are not fixed we can not let you adopt a pet. My son was HEARTBROKEN!!!! He cried and cried.
If that is their policy fine but we told them when we walked in the door we had another dog and they never said a word about it. We talked to them many many times in the 2 hours we were there and still they said nothing until we fell in love with a new dog and filed the paperwork. I feel that is just crule!!!!!! They acted as if we had done something wrong and they couldn't have cared less that our hearts were broken and my son was so upset!!
We went to Massena and found a new pet and they were so nice!!!

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by Andrea D. (thunderpaws01)
1 year ago - Flag this

Sorry you had that experience at the shelter. I have been involved with that shelter and don't remember that incident. I don't believe that refusing adoption because your dog is not fixed.

by Alex A. (allenaw191)
1 year ago - Flag this

It is a tough situation, but you should not be upset with the Animal Shelter because as everything does, they have rules and that just happens to be one. You should not blame the animal shelter because I am sure they have good reasons for having that policy. Not all animal shelters are the same and when you select animals, it would be good to research before choosing because then you would have never ran into this problem.

by Heather O. (osowieha191)
1 year ago - Flag this

I hope that you do not let this one bad experience taint your perception of the Potsdam Humane Society. Everyone is only human - this mistake was surely not made to intentionally hurt you or your son. Try to understand why they have that policy - they exist to put abandoned animals in homes, and the procreation of new animals increases the chances of abandonment. Better to be safe than sorry - because it could very well be the puppies you breeded some day that need to be put to sleep because they've spent so long waiting in a shelter to be adopted.

by Anonymous
1 year ago - Flag this

This comment has been removed.

by Jonah S. (JonahSmith)
8 months ago - Flag this

Yea I mean seriously we need to lower the number of euthanizations in this country.

by Anonymous
1 year ago - Flag this

This comment has been removed.

by Darlyne P. (Darlyne)
1 year ago - Flag this

I hate to say it, but I had a similar experience with the Potsdam Animal Shelter. About a year ago we were looking for a young companion for my Boxer. We also had a 14 yr old beagle that had not been neutered. We found a beautiful American Bulldog at Potsdam shelter and were very interested in adopting him. When told that we had a 14 yr old unneutered dog, we were informed that we were "irresponsible" pet owners. My dogs are in a 2 acre invisible fence system and do NOT get loose. At 14 yrs old, we had no intention of neutering this dog, nor would any vet recommend it. My animals are like my children and I was extremely offended that they would judge me by an unneutered pet. This dog then spent another 2 months at the shelter when he could have had a very loving home. However, having said that, I have been told that the shelter is under different management and is a better place for it. I only hope this is true, as I did put them as my shelter of choice.

by Jeff K. (jkruser)
1 year ago - Flag this

A very sad situation when a loving family is turned away for adopting a pet. I can see why a pet leaving the shelter would have to be fixed but why should they have any say over the pets you already have. This is typical Big Goverment at work. They want to have control over everything!

by Rachel C. (Snapple37c)
1 year ago - Flag this

It's unfortunate that there are so many people out there like you. There are millions of pets that need homes, and don't get them because they aren't "purebred". The fact that people do not get their dogs spade and neutered amazes me because every dog that they create is one more homeless dog that will lose a potential adoption. What disgusts me about this is that these people claim they love their dogs, but by this breeding process, they are turning them into profits, just like puppy mills. If your son was SO "heartbroken" over the lost adoption of this dog, then let go of your precious $1500 investment and get the dog neutered. You chose a profit over your son's heart-warming excitement of the possibility of gaining a new best friend, and giving it a home and a family.

Instead of directing your uncalled for anger at the staff of the Potsdam Humane Society, maybe you should stop and think that these people are working for little pay, coming in daily to care for, train, rescue and help animals who have no home,through no fault of their own, to find a family. Many of the staff and volunteers at Potsdam Humane Society have adopted or fostered many dogs that no one wanted. Denying you a dog was not a personal attack against you or your son. These people are just trying to protect and maintain the pet population.

by Patti G. (pegorby)
1 year ago - Flag this

Even if you paid $500,00 for your dog, there is no need to put his health in jepordy and bring more puppies into this world. For every puppy born, a dog is killed in a shelter because there are simply too many animals and not enough good homes. As for your dog, his risk for prostrate cancer has now gone through the roof. I do not blame the shelter staff at all for sticking with their convictions.

by Tiffany Z. (tcjade)
1 year ago - Flag this

Good for the PHS!!! There are MILLIONS of unwanted dogs and cats, I think BREEDING is CRUEL (the correct spelling by the way). Why would you bring more animals into the world when there are already so many that need a good home? Oh right I know, to be selfish and turn a profit. Responsible pet owners ALWAYS fix their animals, PERIOD.

by Anonymous
11 months ago - Flag this

This comment has been removed.

by Erin K. (eakinnally)
11 months ago - Flag this

I don't understand why anyone would pay $1500 for a dog, unless you're planning to make money off them through breeding. This means you have an investment first and foremost, a pet second, and your intention is to use this animal to make money, not for a love of the dog or it's lineage. I'll find out whether you can own an unneutered animal when applying for adoption at PHS from the horse's mouth and will repost with results.
To the person who mentioned Invisible Fencing, even if your dog is trained well and supervised when outside, it's possible for him to get out. All he has to do is run over that little cable, and that's it. There's a beep, a shock, and then nothing keeping him from getting struck by a car, shot by some jerk or knocking up someone else's dog - though I hope that by age 14 the old boy's shooting blanks! What's his story, btw? Why wasn't he snipped when younger? I know some people don't believe in it, for whatever reason, but I don't get it. Males are much cheaper to fix, much easier to fix, and they don't have to board overnight.

by Bev P. (bjp37p)
11 months ago - Flag this

It's too bad that other people have to ruin it for the good ones. Don't be mad and negative comments about the shelter. It has rules for a reason!! Yes they should of asked more questions in the beging. And I am sure they have learned from this too.
Everyone is wonderful there. From the moment you walk in until you leave. You know by there demeiner that they really care about the animals.
Take care and remember they are there for the animals. Not everyone is able to do their job. Can you just imagine the emotional roller coaster they ride everyday???
Beverly

by jana s. (flowerhead910)
10 months ago - Flag this

I'm glad to shelter did the right thing. You should neuter your dog. How many more unwanted dogs need to be killed before people become responsible and have their pets fixed?

by Jamie S. (jamiejo1980)
9 months ago - Flag this

I hope you can come to understand why they did what they did, they are only looking out for animal kind.

by Jean D. (mommafran77)
9 months ago - Flag this

It is just too bad that some people think they are exempt from rules. That is what the HUMANE SOCIETY is for is to stop unwanted litters. You paid $1500 for a purebred for moneymaking and you diss the animal shelter for their rules. You should be ashamed of yourself because most people go to the shelter for a dog to LOVE because they don`t have the $1500 to spent on a dog, they just want a companion to love and not make money on them. You should be ASHAMED for makine these remarks.

by Jackie P. (JPinover)
9 months ago - Flag this

It's unfortunate that the adoption procedures weren't fully explained before hand. However, so many people come in to just look without intention of actually taking home a pet that sometimes serious adopters get lost in the shuffle. The shelter has this policy for a reason, pet overpopulation and behavior problems are probably the biggest. While this particular day was disappointing to you and your son, I hope that you will give the Potsdam shelter better feedback in the future.

by Nancy C. (catsfancynancy)
9 months ago - Flag this

I believe the shelter did the correct thing, spaying and neutering is the only solution to the pet overpopulation.

by Allyson & Matt (kielmeier1)
9 months ago - Flag this

When I adopted my dog, Klaw'd, over nine years ago from the Potsdam Animal Shelter, I picked him out immediately, although I wanted to take them all home with me. I was devistated when I was told that because I rented, I must get a "permission letter" from my landlord in order to adopt him. My landlord lived in New Jersey. I had my heart set on Klaw'd, and had to wait for a couple of day's to do the final paperwork and adopt him. At first, I was very upset. Now, I understand why the shelter would take that precaution- not all tenant's/landlords are animal lovers, and let's face it, renting with an animal, especially a very large dog, is very difficult in the north country. Nine years later, we own a home, across the street from the rental, and Klaw'd is one of the most amazing animals ever. Thank you, Potsdam Animal Shelter.
Allyson

by Youngbraille
9 months ago - Flag this

I don't think the family is having an issue with the shelter's policy itself, it is just a matter that no one told them up front that this was their policy. It is difficult when you have children and to then try and explain this to them. It is a sad situation for the family to have their child experience this, and hopefully the shelter staff have taken this experience and are up front about their expectations of families/people that adopt in the future.

by barne152
9 months ago - Flag this

Are you kidding me? Your response or review is poor judgement. It is not the employees fault that they did not immediately ask you if your other dog was fixed. If you were going to have puppies from the dog you have at home why would you want to adopt another dog? You should have explained to your son that the best way to prevent unwanted animals who end up in the animal shelter is to have them fixed and as much as you don't agree with their policy on not allowing you to obtain a pet from their shelter you completely understand. My 8 yr old daughter (at the time) understood why we could not adopt another dog due to our dog at home not being fixed, and after much crying we decided that we could donate a bag of dog treats and hope that the dog there found a loving home. It appears as though you have left your son with the impression that the Potsdam Animal Shelter is a negative factor in the community.

by Magix23
9 months ago - Flag this

Unfortunately, people have policies and can determine what animals can be adopted. It's not the Humane Society's fault that you were unable to adopt. They were adhering to their policies and it cannot be helped that your son fell in love. It's unfortunate you weren't able to get the animal that you wanted, but they didn't purposely want to make you fall in love only to tear it away from you. They love the animals and want them to find the perfect homes. I'm glad to hear that in the end, it worked out

by Sarah K. (sarahmk)
9 months ago - Flag this

All Animal Shelters and Humane society and even the SPCA have this rule. This is to insure the safety of all animals involved.

by Anonymous
8 months ago - Flag this

This comment has been removed.

by Anonymous
8 months ago - Flag this

This comment has been removed.

by Dunkie30
8 months ago - Flag this

I believe that is a very good policy. Kudos to the Potsdam shelter, they are only looking at the best interest of the animals. We already have enough unwanted animals.

by Kiyota
8 months ago - Flag this

I agree with this person. The staff can be quite cold hearted at the Potsdam Humane Society. I've long been an animal lover and when it came to having to give up my beloved Rottweiler, Ranger, I was beyond devastated. I had adopted him from the Massena Animal Shelter since he had been there so long and I had volunteered there. It took me a week to get his trust and he was with me a long time. When I had to move, upon my grandmother's illness, I couldn't have him because of breed. I was forced to bring him to potsdam. When I brought him in, he was shaking and clinging to my leg for dear life. I put my hand on his head, comforting him the best I could and was yelled at for 'encouraging his fear'. Utter bs to me. He was scared and I was attempting to comfort him for that. I later found out, when I brought a stray to the shelter that he had been put down apparently after a 'disease' plagued him. I don't believe for a second he was ill. He was perfectly healthy while with him, veterinary checked and everything. I had him tested for genetic diseases that they said killed him. They didn't really care. This is the new management. The new manger said they have a lower kill rate than the people before, but I haven't seen that. They are rude and uncaring of people's feelings towards their animals and the animals in the shelter. Those animals don't get loving care. Volunteers giving them the love they so desperately need. The policy they have about animals being spayed is good for pets leaving the shelter. That I won't agrue with, any shelter has that policy. But having your other pets spayed or neutered, is bs. What if you are breeding AKC registered show dogs? Are they going to tell you to spay or neuter your champion because they don't like that fact it is capable of breeding? I truly dislike the Potsdam Humane Society. I wouldn't reccommed them for anyone to go there.

Massena Humane Society is the best shelter to go to or the SPCA in Odensburg. At least they care about their animals.

by Andrea D. (thunderpaws01)
8 months ago - Flag this

I find that the people at the Potsdam Humane Society are very approachable and do what they feel is best for the dog. I remember Ranger, he was an absolutely lovely boy, but he just did not do well in the shelter environment.

by LillyOfTheValley13
8 months ago - Flag this

You should check out the Jefferson County SPCA * They are very friendly and nice * I'm sure they would help you find the perfect dog

by robertbur9
8 months ago - Flag this

I agree with you. The world is over populated with people should all humans be neutered? I have a pure breed boxer that I love dearly. I will be breeding him and taking one of his puppies and raise it.

by Andrea D. (thunderpaws01)
8 months ago - Flag this

I hope you find good homes for the rest of the litter. Good luck!

by fay s. (febreze)
8 months ago - Flag this

I side with the shelter, you may have told them you had another dog but, did you tell them right away it wasn't nutered, there would be no reason for them to ask that until you found a pet and had to do the paper work.there are so many unwanted pets put to sleep ever day, sad to think you want to breed more. all my pets are fixed i have a purebreed maltese with papers she cost alot of money it doesn't matter she is spayed and will not be having babies.

by lynnich
8 months ago - Flag this

Kudos to the Shelter for sticking to their guns. Seems to me somebody cares more about their investment than their little boy's broken heart.

by Kathy B. (LaborOfLove)
8 months ago - Flag this

This reply is to the person writing about Ranger - I am one of the Manager's of this shelter and BOY did you leave ALOT out of your reply. I refuse to go down to your level on this forum but I am sorry you did not deserve to have Ranger. You kind of forgot to mention your living situations and the fact that you were kicked out of several places. Ranger was here as long as he could be. He was losing weight and becoming increasingly depressed. We begged on the radio - in the newspaper for a home. We took him to every adoption event we had. We sent Ranger "Home" when he became too sick to be here. We did it as an act of compassion and everyone that works here was present and most of us were crying. We adored that dog and to this day wish his life would have been better. Perhaps you should not have animals until your own life is situated better. Please do not throw stones at this shelter or EVER say that we don't care. We loved Ranger - and did the best we could when you could not take care of him.

To the original poster - Management has changed here. We look at everyone's individual situation. Not having an dog fixed is not an automatic No to adoption - we do however encourage everyone to spay and neuter their pets. 10's of thousands of animals are put down every year because someone wanted to just have one litter. Unless you are a reputable breeder, do clearances on your dogs, and are breeding for the betterment of the breed - There is NO REASON not to spay and neuter your pets.

by Kathy L. (Katsmeow47)
8 months ago - Flag this

I am sorry to hear about your experience. But as others have said here, you didn't research your animal shelters about their policy's. I went through this at the Ogdensburg SPCA. Oh yeah I was upset too at the time. BUT! I am a animal lover to and I didn't do my homework either on researching the animals shelters policy's. So shame on me. I say you learnt a valuable lesson like I did. So don't blame the animal shelter in Potsdam for doing their job of protecting the animals. Someone has to since they don't have loving owners to take care of them.

by meyervm
8 months ago - Flag this

a 2 acre invisible fence may keep your dogs in, but it does not keep unspayed dogs out...

by meyervm
8 months ago - Flag this

and by the way, how dare you taint a perfectly wonderful charity by posting negative comments about it. if this were a forum or an online review site, that would be one thing... but to post a negative comment for a charity site is just plain CRUEL as you claim the shelter is. regardless of the actions of the staff (which by the way, i found the staff to be honest, caring and attentive) every animal in every one of these shelters deserves the makeover that this site is willing to give; thus why ruin any shelter's chances by posting negative comments? it just doesn't make sense to me....

by Jon T. (plumbaroque)
8 months ago - Flag this

I think while some people have thier hearts in the right place.....thier brains are not at the same level.....How does having a dog that is not fixed have anything to do with the rescue of another animal, that is fixed...If this really happened...SHAME on anyone with this mentality....

by Pat T. (patturner)
8 months ago - Flag this

I have to say something! Your swipe at the Potsdam Animal Shelter made me choke!
I am a volunteer at the shelter and see the wonderful love and carie that goes out to animals every day. They love them.
Spending enormous amounts of money for purebred dogs from breeders is misguided. Bulldogs have been engineered by breeders so they have terrible breathing/skeletal problems. You must have been viewing that dog as a money-maker, not a pet - so be honest. And rules are rules - the one you didn't like is a sound one, there to protect animals and solve the problem of why we have to have shelters in the first place.
It's depressing for me to see you had to satisfy your sense of revenge by trying to taint this fantastic shelter.

by jenpierce
8 months ago - Flag this

I too have to agree with many people on here that your review was not exactly nice, fair, and off base. Why would you pay 1500$ for a a dog anyway, when there are hundreds of dogs looking for a good home for a heck of a lot cheaper than that, because people didn't care to neuter/spay. As a past volunteer at the shelter, and a parent of a shelter adoptee (Terry, adopted 15 years ago!!) I will never have anything but good things to say about the Potsdam Humane Society.

by Carol W. (OttosMommy)
8 months ago - Flag this

I'm sorry too that you had that experience. I do think though that maybe you could understand their position a bit. They do not let their animals out of the shelter without being altered. And the need for a shelter is for the abandoned and overpopulation of pets. Maybe you could have presented to your child that we are going to "look" at all the pets at the shelter today and we might get to get one for our own? How would you have reacted if their were no dogs their of your liking? And most of all, I find it difficult a child or an adult can become that attached in so short a time.

by Sarah M. (DjsMommy05)
8 months ago - Flag this

Ok I don't live anywhere near NY at all but I just happened to see this browsing through ZOOTOO and could not believe some of the comments you people are making. Don't judge her because she owns a purebred and doesn't want to neuter it. She was GIVING THIS OTHER DOG A HOME!!! The shelter should have told her their policy up front before she and her son even started looking at the animals. What they did was coldhearted and RUDE! To do that to a child is unthinkable and they should be ashamed of themselves. I understand Spaying and Neutering in fact I think it is a good idea. But not all people want to do that to their animals. I have purebred toy fox terriers and when I went to our local shelter to get another dog after losing one of our other pets they never once said we had to have our young female purebred toy fox terrier fixed. So seriously just some thought could have been used by whoever was helping her pick out a pet they could have asked questions about her dog at home. "is he fixed" "no" "oh well then I'm sorry but unless he is we cant give you another dog its shelter policy" then she could have said "oh ok i understand" and taken her son home. They should never have handled it the way they did especially after the child became attached. And you people attacking her for her feelings are PATHETIC. you should be nicer. She gave a review that was her opinion if you don't like it don't attack her, if you have anything to say just say "Well it's good they have that policy but not good the way they informed you of it." then leave it alone!!! (sorry if this hurts someones feelings but seriously some of you need to realize how painful that situation must have been for that child as well as his mom)

I'm sorry that happened to you Genie. I hope your son enjoyed the new dog as much as he did the one at the other shelter. I'm sure you gave it a great home as you would have the other dog you were denied.

by tori b. (b33ch3r10)
8 months ago - Flag this

i see the reason the shelter would want your pet to be spayed because in the end, they will probably end up having to take care of any unwanted puppies your precious bulldog has. i highly doubt that they would refuse and adoption for that reason alone. the people there have hearts and want to see the animals adopted but they also don't want the risk of puppies being born without them having a home. that is no reason to aviod such a great shelter that deserves the makeover more than anyone else.

by Robert M. (beagleboy88)
8 months ago - Flag this

If you really have feelings concerning the number of puppies and cats that are born annually to people and then abandoned at the local humane society and later have to be euthenized you would understand why they have this policy. I know for a fact that the Potsdam Humane Shelter has been undergoing a a fund raising drive for sometime to be able to enable them to accept and care for more of these unwanted animals and possibly be able to become a no-kill facility. This is a major undertaking since Potsdam is located in a rural area where the human population is very low, this is near impossible to accomplish without the help of organizations like zootoo. I was very satisfied with the treatment I experienced with this shelter and the one thing that impressed me the most was the interview they conducted before I was able to actually take the puppy home. They asked me many questions that basically gave them a good idea that I wouldn't be returning the puppy to them because I didn't realize that cute puppies can also cause damages by not being house broken, chewing your slippers, etc., they grow up and aren't cute anymore or they require a lot of attention. They asked me about my house and yard (was it fenced in, etc.), would they have shelter when they were outside, my experience experience with pets, did I presently have other petsand yes, I did have other pets. I had a cat and I also had another beagle at home. I was also asked if the were spayed or neutered. They both were and had been since they were about 6 weeks old. Had they not been I would not been able to adopt the dog. The onle option I would have had was to have them operated on before adopting the puppy.

I feel that the breeding of dogs should be left to the legitimate professional breeders. I have been told by many people, over the years, that you should let a female dog have one batch of puppies and they will make a better pet. There is no scientific proof that there is validity to this. I know many people who have bred there dog and raised the puppies and sold them with no proplems. I also know two families with no medical experience with animals that had horrible experience in attempting to breed there dogs. In one case the mother and all the puppies died during the birthing. In the other case the mother died as did one of the puppies. The puppies that lived were given to an animal rehabilitator and I have never heard (or wanted to) how these puppies turned out. Both of these families had young children who were devistated by these events and the last I knew the parents would not consider ever getting them a dog again.

It certainly wasn't the kids fault or the dog's fault this happened. Had the pregnant dogs been seen by a vet regularily this tragedy may not of happened .

Better yet, had they had the dogs spayed it would not have happened. I commend the Potsdam Humane Society for their policy. They not only try to protect the dogs they have for adoption from ending up this way they are also trying to encourage people (except quailified breeders) to have their pets spayed or neutered.

by Libby B. (cmhsdoglover)
8 months ago - Flag this

I don't know whose side to take. The dog that you own should be fixed because even if you are going to breed him the puppies that you sell take away homes from dogs that really need one. The story abot the 14 year old dog is a different story, whats the point of nuetering a dog that is 14?? BTW Get your dog fixed!

by Brittany B. (bbrundage)
8 months ago - Flag this

i have also been to the shelter with my family to get a pet i had two other dogs and home and i told the shelter that...and they also told me after i found another dog that i wanted before they also told me that i couldnt adopt the dog because the other dogs were not fixed...!!!!! i dotn know what was wrong but i felt helpless that i coudlnt give that dog a caring home becauseu of the other pets...!!! it was horrible..!
they should at least let you know ahead of time thta if you have another pet that it has to be fixed before you can adopt again..!!!!! at least or they should make you look at a guidline of things before adopting...!!!! something to give you a heads up about what might happen if you own other pets.!

by TristanNichols
7 months ago - Flag this

If you think that this is ALL the shelter's fault, you are SO wrong. Did you know some pounds have to put animals down if they're there for more than a week?! So if you're greedy little profit kills another animal, then fine. You DO know there is a reason for Potsdam's shelter being in 11th. They care for animals too, you know.

I feel sorry for the animals

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