Marley’s Pit Stop Rescue

I absolutely adore this organization. I adopted 2 beautiful, charismatic and snuggly blue-​nose pitties in 2009 and was so inspired by this group that I’ve been volunteering at adoption events ever since. Elizabeth holds the welfare of her dogs as top priority, loving them unconditionally and ensuring that their forever home is exactly that. MPSR is a wonderful resource, community and advocate for homeless pets.

We have had a fantastic experience in adopting from Marley’s Pit Stop, despite Elizabeth’s obviously really busy schedule she was massively attentive and caring in her introductions and throughout our adoption of young Brock. She has nursed him back to health and obviously creates a strong and lasting bond with the Dog’s she rescues.
The adoption process is rigorous, as it should be, you first meet the pup and then will have a home visit to see that your house is satisfactory and safe. Elizabeth clearly invests a lot of time and emotion in each of her adoptee’s and seems to be diligent in making sure they each go to good loving homes. We finished the process, ended up adopting Brock. We couldn’t be happier with the choice to use Marley’s pit stop and feel we have made a great friend and god mother for little Brock in Elizabeth. Thank you!

We just adopted another from the group — I called in sick from work just to watch them play. They advised us against another we thought would be a good match and so happy they know their stuff, because my first baby could not be happier !! My boss, not so much !

DO NOT DO BUSINESS with this business or Elizabeth! She does NOT have the best interest of the dog at all! She broke our hearts! our children hearts! allowed us to meet one of her rescues only to tell us that this dog needs other dogs living with her NOT a loving family! 3 kids, a loving family, a big yard! but NO she likes to play GOD with peoples hearts! I don’t know how she sleeps at night!

Do Not! I repeat… DO NOT do business with this lady! She dangles the dog you want in your face, your family falls in love she tells you that your family is a perfect match… Then she rips the dog and your families heart apart she is a HORRIBLE person! BEWARE! My son is beyond distraught!
Signed, Heart Sick!

We adopted our two fur babies in February 2012. We originally found them on the ASPCA website, and sent our application and a cover letter via email on a Saturday morning. We included some background on our family and our lifestyle, and we heard back from Elizabeth the same day. In fact, she happened to be hosting a meet and greet with some of the dogs that afternoon at PetSmart in El Segundo.
We drove down, met our future fur children, and fell in love. Elizabeth reiterated that they preferred to adopt them out as a pair, as they were brothers from the same litter and had bonded. We were already aware of this from the ASPCA description and we were amenable to adopting them as a pair.
It’s possible that the other applicants who were there and also smitten were later disappointed to find out that they could not adopt one of the brothers. To my knowledge we were the only applicants that did not want to split up the two dogs.
In any case, we scheduled a home visit and final paperwork on the following Thursday. Microchipping, puppy shots, and neutering were included in the $ 350 adoption fee per dog. Charlie also had a pre-​existing hernia that needed to be repaired at the same time as his neuter, and that was included as well.
The vet Elizabeth partners with wasn’t super local to me, but they were very kind and efficient.
I honestly never had any trouble reaching Elizabeth, and we did not know her prior to adoption. She was always very professional and timely in her responses, and shows a genuine care for the safety and long term happiness of her rescues. I have no idea how her behind the scenes process works but I would understand if it wasn’t purely based on «first come, first serve.» I imagine her organization takes many factors into account including the individual temperament and special needs of the dog, an applicant’s lifestyle, age, references and of course any prior history of trustworthiness with Elizabeth, etc.
Adopting a dog is serious business and too many people allow their emotions to govern their decisions because they fall in love with the cute, cuddly puppy but forget that this animal will live for 10 – 15 years and that it’s not cheap to feed, groom, insure and basically provide a lifetime of love and stimulation for this new family member. Too many of these poor animals end up back in foster care and rescue organizations because their family can no longer care for them and they now need to be re-​homed. I suspect Elizabeth has developed a sixth sense for long term compatibility.

Customer service is horrible. Was trying for 2 weeks to get into contact with someone to adopt a dog from their website. Application was submitted and countless emails and phone calls went unanswered. Its amazing how dogs even get adopted from this site. I was finally answered with a short «the dog has been adopted» and some excuse about family problems. Yet with all these family problems the dog was adopted some how and they still show «Whisper» on their adoptables website. Either she did not want to allow us to adopt the dog because shes a heartless jerk that is overly presumptuous or just not an efficient worker or leader.

I read some of the prior posts and was surprised by some of the posts. I adopted my sweet boy from Marleys about a year ago. I fell in love with a sweet 8 week old chi/​terrier mix. I have never owned a puppy before and had adopted a 6 mo old puppy a week before adopting my new baby. I had two puppies at one time and got over my head. Elizabeth was so wonderful and was only a phone call away. She was available everytime I called and helped me through my rough moments. My puppies are almost 2 and we could not imagine our lives without them. I have nothing but praise for Elizabeth and her team and all they do for the animals– thank you!

What a PLEASANT organization. The staff are friendly and helpful. The foster families are great as well. My son fell in love with a little dog named Monkee and they let him hold him and pet him, and basically made his day. My other son was able to hold him and snuggle with him too. They are all in sync and know their dogs well. Based on reading other Unilocal reviews, it sounds like the best way to get in touch with them is in person on Saturdays at PetsMart. They have a ton of volunteers and they exercise and socialize the dogs while you are looking at them. You can tell Elizabeth loves the dogs and has a good sense of best fit for them. This organization has a good vibe. We are considering adopting a doggie and I would definitely love to work with them. I believe they are at PetsMart Saturdays 12:30 — 3:30pm.

Like other reviews on this page, I too am disappointed with this organization and their lack of communication. I sent an application in and never heard back. I then followed up a few days later and was told a few days after that it would be reviewed. Once again, I never heard back. My application is lost in a black hole somewhere and the dogs I wanted to adopt remained on the website for weeks when they could have had a good home with me.

I’m very disappointed in the customer service of Marley’s Pit Stop Rescue and Elizabeth. It took two days for her to call me back about a dog I wanted to adopt. Per her instructions I completed an application it in. Two days later I got a call at work and had to call her back. Since that time I’ve left left two messages and I sent an email. It’s a week later and still no response. Is the dog still available? Is there something wrong with my application? Who knows. That would require a response from someone. I sure hope that dog I wanted to adopt is ok.

I am absolutely disgusted by how unprofessional this foundation is, namely Elizabeth who handles the adoption process (all of the volunteers were extremely friendly). I submitted an application to adopt a puppy a week in advance, along with contacting her personally via email to let her know that the application was sent and that I will be coming to the Petco meet and greet. She never replied, but I still went to the event anyway. I went in today, promptly right before the event started. I fell in love with two of the puppies. Elizabeth never once acknowledged me as I spent two hours bonding with one of the puppies in my arms. I tried to speak with her several times, but she never once made eye contact with me, and basically treated me like I didn’t exist. When I finally had two seconds with her, she told me there were «18 applicants» for that specific puppy and that she would be reviewing them. Well, none of those 18 eager applicants showed up besides myself. Two hours into the event an elderly couple showed up and snagged the puppy. Apparently, Elizabeth knew them and they were «pre-​approved two weeks ago.» I couldn’t believe the level of unprofessionalism on her part. It seems like friends get priority here. I drove an hour to see those puppies, and she didn’t have the decency to come speak to me, and let me know the situation. I would have been fine and understanding had she done that. She was disgusting, snarky, and thought waayyyyy toooooo highly of herself to acknowledge those around her. The couple that adopted the puppy already had two other dogs, and were elders. It baffled me as to how they would be a good fit and give that puppy an active lifestyle, or even live long enough to see the puppy into adulthood. Anyways, I confronted her about the situation and she didn’t bat an eye or even care. She said the applications were on a first come basis. OK, FINE. There was another couple who came in WITHOUT even having signed an application, and were able to adopt one of the puppies. So how does that work? And next time, please reply to your applicant’s emails. I don’t care how many you get, it is your JOB to look through them, and update the applicants if another person is «pre-​approved» so they don’t waste their time and move on. I was completely floored and incredibly heartbroken, in tears because of how rude that woman was and how disorganized this whole event was. What a complete waste of time. Situations like these make me want to not adopt, and just go ahead and buy a dog. It would save a whole lot of headache and heartache.

We adopted two pomeranian girls from Marleys Pit Stop and can not say enough Thanks for what Elizabeth did for our family in allowing us to have these dogs.
I had seen the girls (Foxy Sunshine and Vanilla Beans-​had been Tahiti but we like Vanilla as she is a cream pom) online in November 2011 never dreaming Id find them up close at the adoptions held at Petsmart El Segundo. In December 2011 my daughter and I were walking into the store and saw the girls. It was love for us and for them. Foxy took a real liking to my daughter and I was so amazed at how beautiful both girls were/​are.
The volunteer that assisted us was professional and thorough-​and knowing how quickly people give up on little dogs-​I could appreciate that thoroughness. Some may say that answering thoughtful questions is inconvenient or somehow about money? as posted on other reviews, but I totally support this practice.
Additionally we had already adopted a male pom from a different rescue and it was important to both our family and Elizabeth and MPSR that the girls get a long with our boy. A home visit was scheduled and it went very well for all. We were/​are so blessed to have an approval and adopt these two beautiful blessings-​Foxy and Nilli Beans.
Thank you Marleys Pit Stop and Thank You Elizabeth and crew. We are forever grateful for these dogs!

They don’t update their dogs which are up for adoption on Petfinder and many dogs listed have been adopted already. They do not return calls or emails. Zero communication… Best to visit them at the Petsmart in El Segundo and deal with them in person. Don’t expect to see the same doggies that you saw on line.

OVERVIEW:
As I have found over the years, Animal Rescue is an amazing thing and it takes unique people to do it. I have also discovered that not many organizations have the most important thing at heart, the well being and future for the animal they are trying to place. Its difficult, time consuming and for the best of rescues, sadly nonprofit.
This rescue, although small and at times chaotic, is an example of how successful rescue can be if worked at and run according to ‘what’s best for the animal in the long run.’ Ever animal has unique or special needs, just like every person or family has something they are looking for. Marley’s takes the time to put animals in homes that work best for them. Its not about the humans, its about the dogs.
OUR MPSR STORY:
In December of 2004, my boyfriend (now husband) and I adopted a 10-​week old Schnauzer/​Scottie Mix from the rescue. His name was Rufus. Rufus was on hold for a family that had submitted an application the week before. The rescue had written the time and date on the application, which was fair as they were looking for the first ‘most qualified or best fit’ for the dog.
Although I had come to look at another dog, I couldn’t stop looking at him. Because he was a puppy and only had one set of shots I respected the volunteers decision not to let me play with him until more information about the other family had been gathered, but Rufus interacted with me through the cage. We were in love, he was my dog… and I knew it. I filled out the application as a 22-​year old, unmarried but dating graduate student… with barely a dollar to my name. I did have however a boyfriend that was up for the challenge, years of family dog ownership and experiences as well as a flexible schedule.
I was asked some pretty interesting questions, but all were eyeopening and enlightening. I had never thought of what might happen if my boyfriend and I broke up, what would happen if I had to move, whether or not my families training methods were appropriate, how food and feeding knowledge/​habits can help everyone out in the long run, etc. They did notice that I was a graduate student and my boyfriend was new to his job but it didn’t appear to be about the money, rather provider-​ship. They wanted to know if I could raise this dog and give him the life that he deserved and if things came up/​bumps in the road, could I go without to provide for him???
That family never showed up. The rescue did its due diligence and called several times. We waited 5 hours until one of the volunteers finally said, «I am not gonna risk the chance at great home for guardians that are already 5 hours late.» She spoke with Elizabeth (the president of MPSR) and Elizabeth came over to ask us some additional questions and review our application. It was a long day, but in the end it wasn’t about me or how long I waited… it was about making sure that Rufus was going to his forever home.
Elizabeth agreed that we were a good match for Rufus and commented that she saw something in us that assured her we would fight tooth and nail to keep him alive and happy.
Rufus (Now Jack) was my X-​mas gift and I was his.
RESCUE FOLLOW UP POST ADOPTION:
It seems like just yesterday really and since then Jack has been all over the United States, moving each time we have had to move for work. When Jack turned 4, he began to put on a lot of weight. Adding to that his temperament changed. He was moody and slept all the time. His skin began to break out in boils, bled and pieces of hair fell out.
It was then when we truly realized how wonderful MPSR was… they responded to our plea for help in the area of knowledge and networking and we were able to get Jack to a specialist. After several tests we discovered it was Cushing’s Disease… and only at the age of 4. Jack had a tumor growing on his pituitary gland and the vets were stunned.
The rescue continued to guide us and 4 months later Jack was on a medication and other holistic supplements that have helped him to combat the disease. We have had to give up things from time to time to pay for his raw diet and pricey medication but it doesn’t matter because he gives us back so much more.
The battle is far from over, but we continue to take a day at a time. Jack and his sister, Lizzie are our lives…
MSRP is a terrific organization and we thank them every time we visit them for going with their gut and taking a chance with the «then» young college couple… our lives would not be the same without him or MPSR…

Marley’s Pit Stop is a GREAT organization to work with. When my boyfriend and I decided we wanted to add a dog to our little family, Marley’s was our first place to check out. They had a WONDERFUL pit mix in their group, Zsa Zsa, who immediately stole our hearts. Zsa Zsa had had a tough life — puppies, a busted hip, found on the streets — but Elizabeth (who founded Marley’s) saw the potential in this pup and got her all ready to become part of a family. The adoption process was thorough and Elizabeth showed great care in not just finding the right home for the dog but finding the right dog for our home too — we have two cats, and Elizabeth was VERY concerned with making sure whatever dog we ended up with would mesh with the cats as well.
The adoption fee of $ 350 was more than worth it in my opinion since all the dogs are fixed and up to date on their shots, and it keeps this non-​profit running.
Elizabeth is also a great resource — if you have any difficulties with your pooch or need some guidance on trainers, she is always happy to help and guide you in the right direction.
AND this group has PLENTY of adorable dogs!

After weeks of extensive research my daughter made contact with Marley’s Pit Stop Rescue. She was told that there was an adoption clinic at the Petco in El Segundo. She asked me to go with her. Also joining us was her sister and a boyfriend. We spent over three hours at the Petco! My daughter was interested in two male German Shepard mixes. She had filled out the on-​line application, she answered a series of questions that in my opinion were idiotic. «Which training style do you see your self using Cesar Milan or Victoria Stilwell.»
We were then told by Elizabeth (The Leader of Marley’s Pit Stop Rescue) that a couple she had a prior relationship with (they had adopted a dog) was interested in both dogs. Here is the kicker, they could not decide which one. The husband wanted one and the wife wanted the other, and they might want both! She further told us that she had a call into them to find out, but they were busy moving from their 4000 square foot house to a 2000 square foot house on the beach. Why that was important I have no idea, but think it has to do with MONEY. We waited diligently and eventually left with no puppy. I should point out that the one of the volunteers had a death grip on the puppy we were looking at and would not allow us to hold him. In fact she carried him everywhere and would not allow any interested applicants to visit or hold the puppy. Elizabeth said she would call my daughter on Monday and let her know if she got the puppy. The call never came so my daughter called her. Elizabeth then told my daughter that they were going to go through the applications the following day and time stamp them, which is absolutely ridiculous. Time stamping requires special equipment. We drove almost 2 hours to meet the puppies and Elizabeth and someone who didn’t leave their couch would have priority over the dog if they submitted their application in online before we physically handed it to Elizabeth. There was never a call back. My final comments are this: As an experienced former police dog handler I see Elizabeth and her crew as elitist, disingenuous and a little nutty. I applaud the rescue of all animals. As a family we have taken in and raised several rescue dogs. What I have never experienced is this bizzarre and neurotic behavior. Not a good experience and those that have the oversight ability should pay attention to this group. I think they were concerned with who could write the bigger check, than who could provide the better home.

We adopted our fabulous pup from Marley’s Pit Stop. Elizabeth obviously takes her role very seriously gave us a lot of information about our dog’s history and medical care – as well as general new dog-​parent advice. The adoption fee is more than some rescues but it’s hard to argue with a fabulously adorable animal who has been given another chance, isn’t it? Worth every last tax-​deductible penny.

I can relate to Christine’s plight. Our experience with Elizabeth and her rescue group left a bad taste in our mouths. The white coat she puts on may give the impression that she is a vet or at least very professional. But our dealings with the group were not professional. We were told one thing only to have Elizabeth turn around and change her story. It was crazy making. We went to the shelter and found a wonderful lab mix and paid a whole lot less than the $ 350 this group wanted for a dog they got from the shelter.
And evidently the other negative review of this group written by CDB has been taken down. How does that happen?

i’ve had an unhealthy obsession with welsh corgis. up until 2 months ago, i would window shop in random malls, ooohing and aahing over the expensive little balls of fur. going to the last pet store (
), i almost brought home a pembroke male corgi, priced at 800 buckeroos– «a steal!», the sales person said. i cringed. kissed him one last time and left with my own tail between my legs.
fast forward 2 months, i was perusing welsh corgi puppies online, when i stumbled upon a rescue site. they explained the mother was abandoned (idiot owners!) behind a storage space! they brought her to the rescue, and she gave birth to a litter of 12. sadly, the runt did not survive. the pups were half mastiff/​half pit. my heart went out to the pupperoos. and just my luck– they were showing the pups and various other dogs at the El Segundo Petsmart. Long story short, I was there 10 min early, and one puppy came and picked me. (she literally walked over, let me pick her up, and fell asleep on my shoulder…)
Elizabeth, who is in charge of this excellent operation was great with questions and concerns. Parties interested in adopting must fill out the paperwork, and possible home inspections. they make SURE the people adopting these pups don’t make a rash decision. the price of the rescue pup was 350. This goes towards keeping alive this non profit organization, and also includes all the pups first year shots and spaying. All the puppies there were very well socialized with people and dogs.
After I had Bubsy (that’s her name…:)) in my arms, I saw an obese little welsh corgi waddle by me. the old me would have considered this dog porn, and squealed with a school girl’s delight. but i didn’t even notice. i kissed my sleeping bubsy. and we walked away into the sunset… happily ever after.