Glendale Humane Society

If your looking for an animal at the GHS I suggest you pack your patience or look elsewhere. This place is closed most of the time. When they are open you can’t see animals. You have to apply online, then take a parenting class with no kids allow, then take a training lesson and on top of all that you have to pay an expensive fee to adopt the animal. Traditionally your able to walk around view the animals and if you want one that is available you could adopt it. This place doesn’t do that. Viewing a specific animal is all by appointments only.

We adopted our little love from here, and I wanted to share how wonderful the Glendale Humane Society is. They are so thoughtful and take such wonderful care of the dogs. I see the reviews below that the process is lengthy or «odd». You’re adopting an animal, why shouldn’t they take extra care to make sure it is a good fit? And really, it took a couple of phone calls and an afternoon, not bad at all. My boyfriend and I didn’t think much of the class, because we have had dogs before, but we learned so much! We were so glad they provided that, everyone who owns a dog should take it. And no, they don’t take you through to meet and look at the dogs. They are not on display for you. The employees here know what they are doing and put great care into everything they do, respect their process and knowledge.
I cant rave about them enough, they are friendly, and helpful and we couldn’t have had a better experience. THANK YOU!

I have been a groomer of dogs and cats for 37yrs. I wanted to volunteer some of my free time doing anything at all to help the animals have a more enjoyable stay until they find their forever home. I was NOT greeted with a smile or a welcoming attitude. I was not allowed to go in the back and see how the animals are housed and cared for. The woman running the place made me feel very unwelcome and unwanted. The office is a mess. It made me wonder what the animal facilities looked like. It was a depressing atmosphere. When I asked for an application to become a volunteer the unpleasant woman handed me an application for adoption! I would recommend anyone looking to adopt a pet to stay very far away from there. If they will not let you see their facilities then something is VERY WRONG! Please do your research before going there. You will not be welcomed with smiles or a happy atmosphere. Go to the Burbank Shelter. Their facilities are clean and everyone there is happy and welcoming.

If I could give this place 0 stars, I would.
Here’s the things that are wrong with it and if you are considering finding a new furry buddy this is NOT the place to do it.
1) all the other reviews that have low stars are pretty accurate. Read them too and take heed.
2) its in a weird place, in no way is it a bright and cheery atmosphere. it doesn’t even look like they try to make it happy .
3) you cannot see the dogs. What??? In fact the adoption process is quite extreme and odd if you ask me. First you have to go online, pick a dog and set an appointment to meet the dog after filling out their application. Mind you, they have to read your application and THEY will call you with an appointment time (seeing how they operate I’m assuming if they don’t like your application they wont even bother to call)
After your appointment to meet them and you do decide to adopt their dog, you have to attend a puppy parent class that is at an EXTRA cost on top of the adoption fee. the adoption fee is already $ 450. And you have to take another 1 hour class session with their «humane society dog trainer». and THEN you can take them home.
4) the staff is unfriendly. i feel like this gives people even a worse impression about shelters. their staff absolutely does not do a good job at welcoming potential adopters. they make you feel awkward and even somewhat unwanted.
do they want people to adopt their dogs? seems like they don’t the way they make it so difficult and unpleasant.

I have been calling and trying to get ahold of someone for the last 3 days and nothing!

This place has changed so much since the last time I adopted from there. I went to donate a ton of towels, blankets, and toys for the animals as an attempt to teach my kids about the pound and why it’s a good thing to adopt but was stopped at the entrance and told we were not allowed into the facility. Apparently, if you’re interested in adopting a pet, you have to go through the website and «order one»? I was told having people interact with the animals there only upsets them. If that’s true, then why don’t any of the other animal shelters do this? How do they expect to have animals adopted this way? I called and spoke with someone several weeks ago about bringing in donations but was never informed about the new policy. I also called and left a message this morning about bringing my kids in for a visit — never received a call back. The lady at the door came out and said she is the only one there, yet another employee came out as we were leaving to take in an animal. I’m scared to think about what might be going on behind those closed doors if they are working so hard to keep people out!

About 3 years ago I came to the Glendale Humane Society to leave off some cans of cat food since my own cat stopped eating it for some reason only cats would understand.
I parked in their parking lot, and as soon as I got out, one of the employees or volunteers approaches me and sneers and demands to know why I parked the car in their lot. I told her that I was going to the Humane Society office to leave off some food for the cats. She never changed her contemptuous facial expression even after I had explained my well-​intended act.
I understand some people who are really into animals do not like other human beings, but this woman is definitely not a good PR or spokesperson for the Glendale Humane Society. Keep her behind bars taking care of her dear, precious animals and away from potential benefactors who want to help out.
She totally turned me off to ever wanting to go to the Glendale Humane Society ever again. It’s great that she loves the animals, but at the same time she undermines the very organization that is there to help them.
So terrible how one person can be so negative to the point of changing the perception of a supposedly benevolent organization, that helps animals, into a place that one can not stand.

I didn’t get a warm and fuzzy feeling when I walked in the Glendale Humane Society with my son.
They wouldn’t even let us look at any animals. We specifically asked to see «Birdie» and the lady at the counter said she bites, so you don’t want to see her. It would be nice if they would add that little tidbit on their website.
We asked to see other dogs and the drill sergeant at the counter would not let us. Good luck finding homes for your animals people.
I should have read the Unilocal reviews before I brought my son to the Glendale Humane Society because it was pointless coming here.

This review is solely based on volunteering at the GHS. I have been trying to volunteer here for the past year, but they never seem to open their enrollment dates. I used to volunteer at another humane society, and they had openings every 6 weeks. Apparently the next time I should check back with GHS is after the fall!

I wanted to write a review about a dog I adopted in October 2012. His name was Koby at the shelter, but I changed it to Bixby. He is an amazing little guy, and I am so happy I was able to adopt him. The staff is extremely dedicated and very affectionate to the animals there.
Let me tell you about the process. I know when I was looking, I was very curious about how the process would actually go. It is exactly the way it says on their website. You cannot go back to the kennels, but you can request a dog and they will take you across the street to meet the animal. My first impression wasn’t very positive. The attitude of the volunteers towards me was a bit discouraging. I was very serious about adopting the dog. I walked in with an application, and a letter from my landlord saying it was okay to have a dog. I later found out why they are so protective. Koby had been there for a year and a half, and they wanted to make sure he wasn’t going to be coming back if I were to take him. Also, when I was filling out the adoption paper work, a man stormed in demanding a Doberman. They didn’t have any, so he demanded to walk through the kennel. They declined and handed him the book with the photos of all their animals. When they asked what kind of dog he was looking for and the purpose, he responded with, «all purpose medium dog.» He was a bit shady looking and all of us were convinced he was looking for a fighting dog.
I immediately regretted any ill feelings I had, because I’m sure this is probably something they deal with far too often.
Anyways, I got to play with Bixby. He was extremely affectionate and I had a great time. We then had to set up an appointment to meet with the dog trainer there. His name is Paul and he is incredibly friendly and extremely respectful. At this point, my faith was restored in the shelter. He works with all of the dogs on a daily basis, and has an extreme passion and love for animals. They also claim he was the original «dog whisperer» and can back it up with a number of his published books years prior to Cesar’s show.
He showed us a few tips, let us play with the dog again and gave us the okay.
We then had to come back for the 2 hour seminar. The seminar went for 2 ½ hours, and neither water nor snacks of any kind were provided. For a start time of 11am, I was pretty miserable. Again, this wasn’t the fault of the shelter, it was my poor planning to bring a bottle of water with me. It’s not their responsibility to feed and hydrate me. I’d rather have that go to the animals there. Just more of a heads up if you’re going into it. The seminars are always on a Sunday, and the soonest you can pick your animal up is the following Monday.
Bixby had been at the shelter for a year and a half. He’s a bit aggressive, so no one really wanted him. I’ve had him since October 20^th now, and while he does have some aggression, it doesn’t compare at all to how much love and affection he possesses in his small 20 lb body. When we showed up on Monday to pick him up, it was all hands on deck. We couldn’t even park in the parking lot across the street because every single person that worked there came to give him his final walk and wish him fare thee well.
It just goes to show how much every single person there, whether they’re paid or not, cares about the animals they’re taking care of.
The following Saturday, Paul came to do the 1 hour in house training. He brought a volunteer with him who had started working there the same week Bixby was transferred in from Riverside. The way his eyes lit up when he saw both of them was adorable, and he wouldn’t stop kissing them. The most aggressive thing I’ve noticed about him is that he will do whatever it takes to kiss you. Seriously, he’s a ninja in sneaking up and surprising you with five minutes of kisses as you’re trying to fight him off.
Bixby has adapted greatly to the world outside of a shelter. People may have reservations about having a dog in an apartment, but since we can’t let him out in a backyard, he ends up getting five to six walks a day. All my neighbors love him, and he’s made friends with people and dogs all over the neighborhood. My parents have two Chihuahua mixes that he befriended instantly. One is a boy, and they remind me of a couple of testosterone filled teenagers constantly trying to one up each other.
I would recommend this facility to anyone. The training the dogs receive prepares them immensely for the world they’re about to enter and are nurtured with so much love and affection. I understand the lengthy process, because it really is a big decision having a dog. My entire schedule revolves around him now and I couldn’t be happier.
I am forever grateful for the Glendale Humane Society saving Bixby’s life, and taking care of him for so long until I could come along and take him home.

Extremely rude service don’t expect to see any dogs instead they hand you a book to look at. They weren’t helpful at all. Don’t come here unless you want to be treated badly.

I can’t say enough about this place. Before you decide to adopt, they let you take the dog to the little play yard across the street. And, they also require you to take a 2-​hour training class, so that you can effectively deal with any problems like excessive barking, house breaking etc.
The adoption fee also covers the cost of one of their expert dog trainers to visit your home a week after the adoption takes place, to help you deal with any challenges that may arise.
They feed the dogs holistic dog food & take excellent care of them! The shelter is quiet and the dogs listen to soothing Beethoven music on the loudspeakers.
It’s not overcrowded and the staff knows just how to match you up with the perfect doggie!

I was completely disgusted by the Director of the facility which I spoke with over the phone. I called to try to adopt a puppy who was left in their care, by a friend moving out of state, until we could pick up the puppy the following week.
We were told we had to go through the formal adoption process which included a $ 325 fee. When we ask for the fee to be waived, the Director, knowing nothing about our financial situation, asked «how are you going to afford a dog when you cannot afford the application fee?» How insulting!
We want to rescue the dog not buy him. In doing more research, I have found this shelter does not accept stray animals and go to other shelters and rescue the better breed of animals then basically turn around and sell them for $ 325. How sick!

I came here in June 2010 when i was looking for a dog, before I got Aero. The dog I was interested in, a female Viszla, was not cat friendly and somewhat high strung. Nonetheless, the people at this shelter were super friendly, their dogs looked well taken care of, and I felt comfortable here. I ended up adopting Aero from Westside German Shepherd Rescue in West LA, but I still recommend this place to friends looking to adopt a good dog (or cat).

Very cool and nice people.

I haven’t used this facility, but after calling them to see if they could take a kitten I found who’s around 6 months, I found out they do not take strays.
I thought this was good information to know for anyone who might wonder if they can just drop off a healthy stray kitten there. They directed me to the Pasadena Humane Society, but they are a low-​kill and put to sleep kittens who are under 2 lbs.
I hope this is helpful!

Glendale Humane Society is a No-​Kill shelter which means they save healthy and treatable pets. Most of the animals in their care are rescued from high-​kill animal control facilities throughout southern California including Downey and Riverside while the rest are owner-​surrendered.
They’re a very small facility so they can’t rescue all the Downey dogs and cats, 75 – 100 of which are euthanized every day. Every day. They take in all the ones their facility has the room for.
All the volunteers are really helpful and dedicated, particularly Starr whom I had the pleasure of meeting today. She was incredibly informative and the GHS is really lucky to have her.

Find your best friend here!!!
We wanted to adopt a dog last year. We’re pretty much ideal dog-​adopters — we love dogs, we’re experienced pet owners, big fenced yard, dog sleeps inside, kids are old enough, etc. My childhood dogs were mutts from the pound and so was my last beloved pooch, who lived to be almost 18. I didn’t think it would be a problem to find a nice rescue pup or pound puppy. With all of the online sites it seemed like finding and adopting a pet had become much easier over the years. BOY was I WRONG! It was really hard (at first)!
I tried the online sites and connected with a bunch of private rescues who wanted 10 page questionnaires asking what kind of dog food I bought before I could even meet their dogs. I went to the Pasadena Humane Society and all the nice, adoptable non-​pittbull-​type dogs had waiting lists! It broke my heart to see those sweet pittbull mixes looking so lonely but I needed a really kid friendly non-​scary dog. I spent hours and hours looking and felt completely discouraged about the whole process. Then I found GHS. I faxed in their adoption questionnaire in advance and when we came in the nice lady at the counter actually said which dog she thought would suit us best. We loved many of their dogs — honestly, I would happily have taken any one of them home — but the dog we picked was the one she picked for us! What an instinct!
Turns out GHS rescues adoptable dogs from high-​kill shelters and gives them a comfortable «kennel» homes until they find a family to adopt them. So their dogs are from other shelters and they’ve already been vetted for temperment and health. They get to know their dogs and they know what kind of home each dog needs. They are SO nice to their dogs, you don’t even feel too bad that you can’t adopt them all.
A year later we tell everyone we know — if you need a dog, go to GHS! They have a bunch of nice, healthy dogs waiting for good home. Our retriever-​mix is just about the best dog EVER and we are so grateful to GHS for having rescued her — and we’re very happy we found GHS.

Caring Staff, Cats and Large Dogs
GHS has well-​behaved large dogs (mainly german shepards) and cats — rarely have small dogs and puppies. Volunteering here is great. Yes, you might have to clean poop but a lot of hours go towards playing with furry friends, walking them, and making sure they are healthy and happy.

We just brought home our dog from GHS yesterday. We are so impressed with every aspect of this no-​kill shelter. Every dog is kept in a squeaky clean, spacious kennel complete with enclosed sleeping quarters and plenty of toys. And, we had to take a (free) doggy parenting class before we could take our dog home.
If you’re looking to rescue a dog or cat — this is the place!