Montgomery County SPCA

I have adopted no fewer than 12 dogs from here in my 60+ years. Some where not a family dog and the shelter took them back without question (never asked for a refund), but about ½ of them were simply outstanding animals. One in paticular was a black standard poodle that was walking the last mile when we saw him. I walked up to the attendant and asked what was his story and was told he was going to meet his maker. I told him not today and grabbed his leash and went to the front counter and adopted him. You never saw an animal so happy to be free. We found out later from here that he had been a show dog but needed an operation that made him unfit to show and his owners dumped him here. He was by far one of the best animals we ever had the honor of knowing. He lived to the ripe age of 20 and when he did need to be put down to save him from the pain he was in, I was with him until the end and we both cried cause he knew we wanted to help him. You too can have a memory so rare that you remember it to your dying day and Maxwell will always be in our hearts and god willing we’ll meet again on the other side. The Montgomery County SPCA is the place to start that journey. Stop in frequently cause new faces show up every single day and they all deserve a 2^nd chance at happiness.

Exceptionally poor customer service and impersonal staff. I called and visited a dog every single day for over a month and every single day I got the same robotic voices on the phone saying the same things and the same blank faces at the front desk pointing me down the hall. They have no call list or anything of the sort where they can let you know if/​when a dog is put up for adoption, and little to no online presence advertising their adoptable dogs. Even after the dog I was calling about was medically cleared to be put up for adoption, it took the manager nearly two weeks to actually get around to doing a temperament test. Obviously getting dogs adopted quickly and freeing up space is not a major concern. In addition, about 80% of the time I saw dirty kennels and dogs crying at their flaps to go outside. To top it all off, they apparently can’t take five minutes out of their day to call people who applied for adoption to tell them their application has been rejected and why, which I feel is simply in poor taste.
There are plenty of rescue organizations in the area who work much harder to make sure their public interactions are pleasant and the animals in their care are treated well and find homes quickly. If you must go to this place specifically, the weekend staff are always extremely pleasant and as helpful as possible.
Shelters like this only serve to remind me why puppy mills are still getting business.

This incident happened about 4 years ago, hopefully it has changed since then. I adopted a cat from the Montco SPCA. I visited and found a sweet young adult cat and asked about his history and had him taken out of his cage to play. After I paid and came to pick him up, the receptionist says «Wait I forgot to give you his medicine!» I was confused as there was no need for medication mentioned to me before this time. ONLY as I walked out the door was I told that he had «a respiratory infection» and he needed to continue his antibiotics for this. I was assured that the antibiotics would clear it up.
About a month after I brought him home, he stopped eating. Took him to my vet and paid for bloodwork, and two different medications, and was told that he has FIV, feline immunodeficiency virus. It is only transmitted from cat to cat, and I do not have other cats, so I know he had it before I got it. My poor cat wasted away for 4 more days before I decided to have him put to sleep.
I called the SPCA to inform them that I adopted a cat with FIV from them, and the person I spoke with on the phone did not give half a crap. I was absolutely not looking to be reimbursed for anything, just wanted to warn them that if my cat had any contact with other cats, they might be at risk. I was told «We don’t have any cats with FIV» and that was the end of the conversation.
The entire experience was awful. Who doesn’t disclose medical conditions before an animal is adopted? And then is dismissive and rude when you try to tell them there was a serious problem? Apparently this place. I’m just glad I got to give my poor guy a loving home for his last month of life. I would never adopt an animal from this place again.

These are honestly the biggest idiots I have ever met in my entire life. I have worked with animals for a long time and it seems like these people have no idea what they are doing and care very little for the welfare of these animals. Upon asking these imbeciles questions about their operation they were unable to furnish any sort of intelligent answer and just told me to go to a different shelter. I think they were tired of working so hard that day and just wanted to get back on their Facebook page, which I clearly saw some of the girls checking. Honestly this place is pathetic, I truly feel for the animals that have to be here with these «professionals». Seriously, go anywhere else but here.

We brought in a stray (non-​feral) kitten we found on a 95 degree day. They assured us that even though they were not technically no-​kill, they had a 95% placement rate. Three days later, we called the place and they said they could not keep it (presumably it would have been euthanized). We had to take the kitten back and find another location.
Also, digging deeper into their 2014 stats, it looks like they euthanize approximately half of cats brought in. I’m not sure what voodoo statistics they are using to get a 95% placement rate, but I would stay away from donating and/​or dropping any lost animals off here.

I read these reviews and I am saddened that some had such a horrible experience here. I searched the internet first and then went to go meet Roscoe. When we met, the young man bringing him out was very nice and able to answer a lot of my questions about him. We filled out an adoption paper and we were picked. This is contrary to another review stating the animals were held. Our dog is an adult most likely pure bred desirable breed. This was our first visit to the SPCA and we were chosen. At our second visit, we saw the dog had a yeast infection in his ears (common to dos of his breed). The SPCA took care of it the next day, along with trimming the nails. When we came to pick Roscoe up and take him home, we were given clear instructions on what his needs were. Instructions were written and verbal. We were also given medicine for the infection and wash for future use. We were told what to ask our vet as well. They encouraged us to bring him back if anything happened. Nothing has… he is a great dog.
There seems to be a lot of volunteers here and the people who worked the front desk were really helpful. They even called down to the vet for me when we were picking him up because of a question I had. I liked my experience and plan on making annual donations to the SPCA. Consider dropping your old bedding and towels, they can use them.

First I have to say adopting here was pretty easy. The ladies at the front desk were helpful and friendly. They even sold me a large carrier for $ 5. Overall, great experience with the adoption.
Then, after a few days my new cat came down with a cold, stopped eating, etc. No problem because the first two weeks of vet care are covered. I call to check on him and am transferred to the most unhelpful person who did not know anything about my cat and didn’t feel the need to clarify. I literally had to ask, «So where is my cat?».“I don’t know what to tell you.” Okkkkkk. I suppose my call was a major inconvenience and he didn’t have the motivation to transfer me to someone who would have details on my cat. I figured he was probably someone in the kennel and my cat was still in the clinic. But he should have explained that and not left me wondering what happened to my cat after I checked him in. Whatever, I called the next day and one of the front desk staff pulled up the records right away. Pleasant and efficient, what a concept.
So one encounter with Mr. Attitude isn’t all that bad. When it was time to pick up my cat the guy on night shift asks if I have a carrier. I told him I brought the cat in his carrier so it should be there with him. It’s nowhere to be found. Not his fault, but what is the point in selling me a carrier if you are then going to give it to someone else?
So he calls someone and they tell him to use whatever is there. I follow him to the clinic, where he points to this tiny carrier, «Is that yours?» I don’t know how my forest green LARGE carrier that I described is supposed to be this tan paw print carrier but ok. I am annoyed because now he is trying to give someone else’s carrier away and it really isn’t size appropriate for my cat. Then I spy some carriers that are exactly like the one I was sold but in maroon. «Oh they need those for the truck». Ok, I guess I’ll try to shove my cat in this teacup chihuahua carrier. So we go to get my cat and the guy says, «Can you get him out of the cage and I’ll put the top of the carrier over him?». Are you serious? This guy is afraid to grab my cat. What vet makes you put your animal back in the carrier? Fortunately, my cat was too terrified to fight us. If you are afraid of touching animals get another job man.
In summary: if you have to deal with anyone at this place, I hope it’s a woman, because they are the only ones doing their job.

My wife and I were looking to adopt a dog. I had never done so before, so I went to the closest SPCA (this one) to visit the dogs, possibly play with a couple of them. Contradictory to what others have said about the personnel, I found them to be friendly and helpful. I walked through the kennel, found a couple dogs I liked, and went back to the front desk to inquire. They told me I couldn’t play with any of them until I was approved. I had no obligation to adopt, but I was surprised that I couldn’t even interact with one before getting approval to adopt a specific dog. Thus, I submitted an application and waited 24 hours for approval. Then when I went back to visit the dog and have playtime, the staff asked me to start the adoption process. I was taken back. I hadn’t spent any time with this dog, and they wanted me to take him right away? I felt pressured and wondered how could anyone bond enough with a dog without playing with him first. The closest I got to the dog was letting him sniff my hand through the cage.
I left the shelter and went to the Delco SPCA. As soon as I walked into this shelter, they told me if there were any dogs I was interested in, I could just ask a staff member for a leash and play with the dog outside. No application or approval needed, and I could spend as much time with the dog as I wanted. This experience made me realize that Montco is on the lower end of the SPCA spectrum. How can this shelter expect me to adopt without interaction? I recommend people travel a little bit farther to Delco where the facility is bigger, the staff is friendlier, and you have free reign to interact with any dog you desire.

We adopted our girl kitty from this facility about 5 years ago. We had to wait a week after doing the paperwork so they could spay her. but I was called early to get her. Apparently, they had put her under and shaved her abdomen to find that she had already been spayed!
Ok, mistakes happen, but last night, when we had to surrender our boy cat, the woman at the desk gave me so much attitude about it, telling me that I was not being a responsible pet owner by giving him up instead of having him put down. Yes, it was summertime, and yes, he had some medical issues, but if there was any chance at all that he could be adopted and loved, we wanted to take it. Seeing how they treated me before even taking them, I knew they wouldn’t treat him well at all. Having absolutely no other options, I took him to his vet for the last time.
It’s not their policy I have an issue with — I knew all that going in. I knew my cat would have had a hard time being adopted in the summer because of overcrowding. It’s the fact that she made a very hard decision even worse. No one gives up their animals willingly, and we struggled with this decision for a long time. Between these two events, I really get the sense that the people that work here don’t care that much about the animals and would prefer to not have any there at all.
Last night, the SPCA was our last choice. After how I was treated, it’s not a choice at all.

Coming from someone who used to work for a kill shelter with what used to be one of the highest kill rates in the tri state area, I can honestly say this place is far from the ‘lifesaving’ place that it’s employees — or managers– or whoever that guy who keeps replying to everyone’s posts seems to think it is. Sir, if you are working there in an effort to change things, I commend you — but I also feel very bad for you — because it’s obvious their system is far more broken than anyone would ever care to admit.
The décor is not welcoming, and neither is the staff. When I walked in there were 5 – 6 staff people standing around the front desk basically doing nothing but talking with each other. When I asked where the small animals were kept they pointed me down the hallway and that was that.
That was the only interaction I had with them. I went in, saw the small animals — then was informed I couldn’t touch anything or anyone without a staff member present by a volunteer (well, good luck with getting them to pay attention to not only a paying adopter, but anyone else who isn’t involved in their personal conversations; no — please… don’t bother yourself trying to help me… I’d just like to save a life — it’s ok… your post lunch talks are FAR more important), and promptly decided I’d prefer to adopt from elsewhere. It’s more than obvious where their priorities lie.
I also find it funny that they do not work with rescues. The Pennsylvania SPCA works with rescue, along with just about every other SPCA that I know of… but not them. Why on earth WOULDN’T you want any and all of your animals to leave alive, regardless of whether you had the amenities required to treat them? They also don’t foster out any kittens during kitten season, which any shelter worker knows is an immediate death sentence once they become full in the summertime. Just knowing that alone is enough to make one scoff at their «year end numbers» — which, it seems… are far lacking in transparency. The number of animals they deem as «unadoptable» is far more than it seems it should be. Simple research into shelter management systems and high live exit strategies would be an excellent thing for the board members to look into (and impart the information on such strategies to the staff), it seems, as well as some serious classes on how to drum up support and donations in a suburban area. However, judging by the fact that the kennels look like they haven’t been replaced in 20 years (I’m going by an actual account of a woman who went there over 20 years ago with her grandmother to adopt a cat, and was recently there and said the kennels hadn’t changed a bit), and the lack of enrichment for the animals, it’s obvious they’re not too interested in that either.
I normally dont leave bad reviews, truthfully. I hate doing them. But this needs to be changed. I’m leaving this review because I care deeply about animals. Deep enough to know that they deserve better than what they are getting at the Montgomery county Animal Shelter and if enough people step up and say something about it — maybe something can be done. I also care about the staff that care for animals and know that those inside that facility don’t deserve to work hard and watch death as much as they probably do on a daily basis. It doesn’t have to happen; live exits are totally possible; Animal Advocates and Rescuers, as well as the general public WANT to help, they just need to be given a chance. If Philadelphia can do it — and they receive over 30,000 animals per YEAR — it’s a RIDICULOUS notion that Montgomery cant.

I have had several bad experiences with the Montgomery county SPCA. I never thought to look up reviews until now. The woman who I believe may have been previously employed there pretty much nailed it. A few years ago I went to one of the branches trying to rescue a severely underweight Neapolitan mastiff. They told me verbatim that they wouldnt cat or dog test her and they go by the typical behavior of the breed. They said it was a liability if one of the dogs or cats in the meet got injured. That being said, the dog wouldn’t be adopted out to a home with cats. They also told me under no circumstances would they adopt out a pit bull mix to a home with other animals That left a pretty bad taste in my mouth. They weren’t even willing to work with me to save this dog. This weekend we stopped into a different branch and fell in love with one of the pit bull mixes they had there. Her kennel card said she was good with kids and dogs as she previously lived with both. She had been turned in about 48 hour prior to our visit due to the fact that her family was moving and couldn’t bring her. We Inquired about her at the reception area where they were MORE than friendly and eager to give us as much information as possible. They had said she actually hadnt had a behavior evaluation by a manager yet and that they expected that to happen within the next few days. They also made a comment that since she was an am staff mix she would require an application. I found that to be a bit weird and wondered to myself if either of the 2 small dogs that tried to rip my head off would require the same. So, unable to control my excitement, I called today to see if she had her behavior test and to set up a meet with my resident dog. The woman said she had failed her evaluation and was no longer up for adoption. She wasn’t allowed to give me any additional information. We were heart broken. I feel like maybe if we were informed of her issues we could decide if it was something we were able to rehabilitate. I didn’t understand why she had a kennel card with her information if she hadnt even been evaluated. Again, the staff there were more than willing to help and very pleasant. Even the woman on the phone thanked me for calling in. I love the SPCA and all they stand for, but I feel like the Montgomery county SPCA is less tolerant of any kind of behavior issues and are more willing to euthanize for space rather than work with a dog whos issues may be minor.

I had such a horrible experience with this SPCA location over the last week… between my experience, and what I’ve read on Unilocal about them in the meantime, there is no way I’d bring an animal to this location again.
Last weekend I rescued a small female cat that showed up on my doorstep. It was an unbearably hot weekend, and that night was stormy, so I took her in and put her in our spare bedroom to stay safe. I spent most of the night in that room with her, feeding her and playing with her, and she was incredibly friendly and affectionate. The next morning I asked around the neighborhood and no-​one knew who she belonged to… so I called the Conshohocken SPCA to ask about bringing her in. I figured there’d be a better chance of her owner finding her through the SPCA than me continuing to ask around on my own. They told me that she’d be held for 7 days while they waited for her owner to claim her… if no-​one claimed her after 7 days, she’d be put up for adoption. I asked if I could have «first dibs» on adopting her since I was already growing attached… the girl on the phone said they couldn’t reserve her for me, but that I was welcome to come back on the morning after the 7^th day to adopt her.
That’s where things started to go wrong. After bringing the little kitty to this SPCA location to be located, I called the next day to see if her owners had claimed her yet. I mentioned to the guy on the phone that I was interested in adopting her if she wasn’t claimed, and he told me the total opposite of what the girl had told me the day before — that, in his words, I was the LAST person they’d let adopt her. Turns out they have a rule against adopting an animal out to the person who brings them in, because there might be shady people who will turn in a pet for free medical care and then just pick it up a few days later. I swore up and down that this was not the case with me, that I was the good samaritan who took care of a stray, and that I hadn’t been told this before turning her over… his attitude was basically «oh well, we can put you down as a ‘last resort’ before euthanizing her if she doesn’t get adopted by anyone else».
A few days later, I called a second time to check in again and see if the kitty had been claimed. She hadn’t. I spoke to a manager this time, and explained that my veterinarian was willing to give them a confirmation that 1. I hadn’t owned this cat before and 2. I am already a very responsible pet owner. The manager told me to leave a voicemail for another manager, to see if there was anything he might be willing to do. I left a voicemail for manager #2, who never called me back and was unavailable when I called towards the end of the 7 days to speak with him.
After 7 days were up, I called the following morning before adoption hours to check one last time to see if the cat had been claimed by her owner. I figured if she was now up for adoption, my fiancé and I would go right at the start of adoption hours to plead our case and hopefully take the little girl home with us. Instead, I was told that she’d been adopted by someone the day before. So not only were they wrong in telling me that I was allowed to adopt her at all, but they got the timing wrong as well, telling me to come AFTER 7 days instead of ON the 7^th day. I was in tears.
It’s amazing that an organization that wants to find loving homes for animals would make it so difficult for it to actually happen. Given this horrible experience, if I ever find a stray animal again I will bring it anywhere BUT this SPCA. There are too many wonderful shelters in the area — Kitty Cottage in Norristown, for instance — for me to have to deal with these ridiculous people again.

Hardened by the system… There is a shih tzu/​bichon mix named Rocky who was owner surrendered that they are refusing to let anyone adopt, bc he «might» bite someone… he has not yet… they are going to put him down… bc he is not friendly… I spoke to the manager, tried to get him to let me pick him up, contact a rescue group, and he refused… I understand that they legally can’t let me take him bc they think he is a threat, but to refuse to contact a rescue group that will take this dog is just a down right shame…

I adopted an older kitty from this shelter thanks to one of the volunteers who guided me to her. She’s healthy, well adjusted (she moved with us from an apartment to a house within 4 weeks of adoption without a hitch) and she gets along with our other cats. She is just a love and has an adorable personality. I would encourage people to look at an older cat when they are adopting. Kittens are cute, but they need alot of socializing and supervision.

This modest facility houses dogs and cats and rabbits and gerbils. (Smaller animals are in a separate room.) I first came here years ago, and if it wasn’t for this shelter, I never would’ve met my lil’ itty bitty kitty to adopt.
Occasionally, staff will take the residents to a nearby mall or store to show off.
If adopting (only about $ 20), bring cash or a check plus a driver’s license. Spaying/​neutering is included (and mandatory). If your cat (dogs too, I wager?) gets sick within two weeks, it’s covered: my cat got sick, and they were friendly and considerate — we were able to get antibiotics without a problem.