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  • Report:  #932823

Complaint Review: Home for Good Dog Rescue - Summit New Jersey

Reported By:
Maureen - Brigantine, New Jersey, United States of America
Submitted:
Updated:

Home for Good Dog Rescue
PO Box 324, Summit, 07901 New Jersey, United States of America
Phone:
908-598-8212
Web:
http://homeforgooddogs.org/Home_For_Good_Dogs/Home_For_Good_Dog_Rescue.html
Categories:
Tell us has your experience with this business or person been good? What's this?
In June 2012, I spoke with volunteers at Home for Good Dog Rescue in Summit/Berkeley Heights NJ regarding adopting a dog.  They were very persuasive in claiming the dog I was considering adopting was one year old and housebroken.  I am a senior who was recently widowed and it has been very lonely so I wanted to adopt an older, housebroken dog from Home for Good Dog rescue - the main concern I shared with them was adopting a dog who was housebroken.  After a few days with the new dog, it was clear she was not housebroken. 

I found myself on my hands and knees several times each day cleaning up after the dog who would not go outside -- I walked her ever three hours starting at 7AM each day.  As an elderly woman, I began to feel ill and dizzy each time I found myself on my hands and knees cleaning up after the dog.  In an attempt to make the adoption work, I tried to give it more time, however, I began to feel increasingly ill and on the 10th day after the adoption, we contacted Home for Good Dog to explain the unfortunate circumstances and to begin the process of returning the dog. 

On that day, they advised us to give it more time, to let the dog "acclimate to her environment" and try to make it work - they told me that if I changed my mind to let them know and they would reimburse me for the $335 adoption fee.  Three days later, I contacted them to let them know that I was becoming ill, my hands were bruised from continuous cleaning of dog urine and feces, and given the dog was not housebroken as they described at the adoption, I had no choice but to return the dog. 

I agreed to foster the dog until a new home was found and they decided to pick the dog up from my home 14 days after I adopted her.  Upon picking up the dog, I agreed to give them approximately $200 worth of goods (dog crate, leash, collars, food, bowls, etc.) and was told they would reimburse me the $335 fee.  After following up to inquire about the fee, they informed me they would not refund me the money because I returned the dog after the 10-day window.  I reminded them that on day ten, when I called about returning the dog, they advised me to give it more time and agreed they would refund me the adoption fee. 

I wonder now if they intentionally asked me to hold off until the 10-days passed because the agreement was, which I was foolish and did not read the fine print of the application, that they reimburse the fee if the dog is returned day 10 or sooner, and after day 10 you lose the fee - I should have been more careful with them but trusted what they told me at the time.  Not only did they not refund me the fee, they also kept the $200 worth of dog items that I could have returned for a refund. 

When we inquired about these items, they would not respond on the topic.  As a senior on a very fixed income, it was challenging for me to lose nearly $600 and they made no attempt to make a good faith effort to handle the matter in a way that I feel was fair and equitable.  They ended up with my adoption fee, the $200 in goods they took from me and another $335 upon the dog's readoption.  They reneged on their commitment to refund me the money, leaving me stunned and very disappointed with how I have been treated and I would never do business with them again.


3 Updates & Rebuttals

Alyson Van Alstyne

West Milford,
New Jersey,
I had very pleasant experiences with Home for Good Dog rescue in NJ

#2General Comment

Sun, November 03, 2013

I was very surpised and sadened to read that this person had such an unpleasant experience with Home for Good Dog Rescue.  I have 2 dogs that were adopted from Home for Good Dog Rescue in NJ, and both experiences were very pleasant.

The people who were fostering the dogs were honest with us, told us as much as they could about the dogs.  But you have to understand that rescue dogs are not usually around the foster familes very long, and a dog's behavior can change as their environment changes.  Even dogs that have been in your home for a while can change their behavior as they adjust, and that can be positive or negative.

As for the Rescue group, they were very responsible, they did the best investigation to ensure they were putting dogs in good homes, they followed up with us for both dogs, to make sure they had been spayed per the contract.  They were careful that the puppies and dogs they were trying to adopt out were not sick or carrying any illness that would existing pets sick.  They are very protective over the dogs.

Dogs, like children, are all different, and each adoption is different.  One dog may have an accident in the foster home but perfect when you bring her home, another may be fine for the foster but have accidents for you.  One thing for people to remember, is that crating a dog, even a rescue dog, is not cruel, and it takes time to learn you pet's signals.  The crate is the place where your dog can relax, its a safe zone.  It also protects your home and property from you pet.  When you make going into the crate a positive experience for your pet, it is a wonderful way to keep everyone safe.

I certainly understand the financial issue the person had, but Both of my experiences with the group were very pleasant, and I wanted people to understand that other familes have had very wonderful experiences with the group and have wonderful family members thanks to the efforts of Home for Good Dog Rescue and the voluteers and foster families they have working with them. 

 

 

Report Attachments

Dorothy

Enfield,
Connecticut,
U.S.A.
This is NOT Good Dog Rescue Enfield CT

#3General Comment

Sun, September 02, 2012

Please note this report is NOT related to Good Dog Rescue Enfield CT.  This report is about another rescue group HOME OF GOOD DOG RESCUE in New Jersey.


Home for Good Dogs

Summit,
New Jersey,
United States of America
Rebuttal

#4REBUTTAL Owner of company

Mon, August 27, 2012

Under the provisions of item 9 (see full description below) in our contract, a refund cannot be issued to you as the adopted dog wasn't fostered for the 2 week period. This is Home for Good's policy and is in the best interest of the dogs. The woman also didn't disclose her medical issues on the adoption application.

9. I understand that I will have 10 days to return the dog for a full refund. Thereafter, there will be no refunds of any fees or donations except as noted in paragraph 2 above. However, if I choose to return the dog, I agree to foster the dog for a period of at least two (2) weeks prior to returning the dog back to Home For Good Rescue. I further agree to provide Home For Good Rescue updated photos and a short biography of the dog to be re-posted to Pefinder.com for the 2 week period. If I return the dog immediately upon notification to Home For Good Rescue and prior to the two (2) week notification then I will not be entitled to a refund in part, or whole.

Best,
Home for Good Dog Rescue

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