Bottom line: Every adoption here saves the life of another dog. Here's my story. We adopted our beloved dog, Red, from Almost Heaven Golden Retriever Sanctuary. It is a happy-ending story that enriched our lives. We recommend this shelter wholeheartedly. We lost our Boots in an auto accident when a good samaritan opened the door of my totaled car and he bolted into traffic; Boots was killed instantly. Our hearts were broken. Of course, Boots will never be replaced. Red, however, has filled his paws very well, haha. He helped us heal and is our beloved boy now in his own right. Starting the adoption process was tough. Where to begin? We support the ASPCA and other animal welfare organizations and understand their methodology and honored place in the community, but we wanted to save not just our new dog, but the dog who would take his or her place in the forever-home line, too. We knew that adopting from a no-kill shelter would mean that not just our lucky dog, but another one would live out its natural life in relative comfort and safety, even if it was never re-homed. Red's online picture brought us to Carol and Almost Heaven Sanctuary. He looked nothing like Boots, but there was something in his gaze and stance that told me he was the one. We visited the sanctuary in person and I remain impressed by the operation. It's clean and well-organized. The staff is friendly and knowledgeable. All of the dogs look healthy, happy and comfortable. Each has plenty of room in his or her run and kennel, and in the spacious common areas. All the dogs receive personal, loving, human supervision and attention every day. This is an honest review. As other have said, Carol can be brusque. For a moment, please imagine yourself in the driver's seat of a largely one-woman-mission to save dogs' lives. Who am I to judge this person who is doing more to save animals than I ever will in my entire lifetime? I quickly realized I was dealing with a mom raising a couple dozen kids she loves with all her heart. I was more crabby than not while raising just my own two and I am lucky that people cut me a break during those hectic times. We had what we needed to house, feed and care for our children, including medical care. But folks, Carol's dogs never grow up. She never really has enough resources stockpiled to rest easy. Her challenges are huge and unrelenting. Frankly, who cares if she is warm and friendly to people? She is absolutely everything to those dogs and isn't that what you turned to Yelp to find out? Get a dog. Save a dog. It was an easy decision for us. We are eternally grateful.
Jan 2022
I just adopted a dog from Almost Heaven and had a great experience. Carol and Mike were super kind and made the adoption process very easy. I can see from the negative reviews that some people had bad experiences, maybe because they were not found to be a match for their desired dog. But I can tell that Carol strives to ensure each dog finds the right home - and I really respect that.
Jan 2022
I've adopted 4 dogs from Ahgrr and fostered many others. It is a small rescue that takes in many medical cases that other golden rescues turn away. They take Goldens, golden mixes and other breeds as space allows. You cannot go there and shop for dogs . It is not a public shelter. If you are serious about adopting a rescue dog the process is fast and easy.
Bottom line: Every adoption here saves the life of another dog. Here's my story. We adopted our beloved dog, Red, from Almost Heaven Golden Retriever Sanctuary. It is a happy-ending story that enriched our lives. We recommend this shelter wholeheartedly. We lost our Boots in an auto accident when a good samaritan opened the door of my totaled car and he bolted into traffic; Boots was killed instantly. Our hearts were broken. Of course, Boots will never be replaced. Red, however, has filled his paws very well, haha. He helped us heal and is our beloved boy now in his own right. Starting the adoption process was tough. Where to begin? We support the ASPCA and other animal welfare organizations and understand their methodology and honored place in the community, but we wanted to save not just our new dog, but the dog who would take his or her place in the forever-home line, too. We knew that adopting from a no-kill shelter would mean that not just our lucky dog, but another one would live out its natural life in relative comfort and safety, even if it was never re-homed. Red's online picture brought us to Carol and Almost Heaven Sanctuary. He looked nothing like Boots, but there was something in his gaze and stance that told me he was the one. We visited the sanctuary in person and I remain impressed by the operation. It's clean and well-organized. The staff is friendly and knowledgeable. All of the dogs look healthy, happy and comfortable. Each has plenty of room in his or her run and kennel, and in the spacious common areas. All the dogs receive personal, loving, human supervision and attention every day. This is an honest review. As other have said, Carol can be brusque. For a moment, please imagine yourself in the driver's seat of a largely one-woman-mission to save dogs' lives. Who am I to judge this person who is doing more to save animals than I ever will in my entire lifetime? I quickly realized I was dealing with a mom raising a couple dozen kids she loves with all her heart. I was more crabby than not while raising just my own two and I am lucky that people cut me a break during those hectic times. We had what we needed to house, feed and care for our children, including medical care. But folks, Carol's dogs never grow up. She never really has enough resources stockpiled to rest easy. Her challenges are huge and unrelenting. Frankly, who cares if she is warm and friendly to people? She is absolutely everything to those dogs and isn't that what you turned to Yelp to find out? Get a dog. Save a dog. It was an easy decision for us. We are eternally grateful.
I just adopted a dog from Almost Heaven and had a great experience. Carol and Mike were super kind and made the adoption process very easy. I can see from the negative reviews that some people had bad experiences, maybe because they were not found to be a match for their desired dog. But I can tell that Carol strives to ensure each dog finds the right home - and I really respect that.
I've adopted 4 dogs from Ahgrr and fostered many others. It is a small rescue that takes in many medical cases that other golden rescues turn away. They take Goldens, golden mixes and other breeds as space allows. You cannot go there and shop for dogs . It is not a public shelter. If you are serious about adopting a rescue dog the process is fast and easy.