Lulu’s Rescue

I will be the first to say that all the work that these rescues do are amazing work and it is hard work. I would know as I have worked in an animal shelter for 3 years and I am a veterinary technician working with all types of animals every day. But I will also say that I felt as though I was lied to as to what type of dog I was really getting and this is doing no service to our furry friends.
I was in direct contact with the foster of my 2 pups for about a week prior to their official adoption asking her multiple questions. My biggest concern was how they are in social situations and around strangers because I have a very active life with people coming in and out of my house and I like to travel in the car and take my dogs with me. The woman that I spoke to that processed my application knew nothing about the dogs or if they would be a good fit for my home but that was ok because she said she would contact the foster. She did and even got me her phone number. I do not know if this foster is exclusively part of Lulu’s organization but I felt as though I was lied to.
The foster told me that the dogs are great with her in her house and had a bunch of people over and did great with them. She said that they are social dogs and love children. Both dogs that I got were extremely skittish and shy. That was ok and we have given them a lot of time to adjust. We have had them for 4 months now. Our one dog is great for the most part just typical 9 month old puppy behavior however, she hates children and always has. Our other dog is still extremely skittish, hates children, gets car sick and absolutely HATES strangers to the point where he attacks them. He is extremely fearful of men which is unfortunate because he hates my boyfriend and we live together. I was contacted about a week after adoption by Mary Beth via email asking how the dogs were doing. I emailed back all my concerns with the one dog and said he may not be a good match. I never received a response.
With all the resources I have, my dog has seen multiply behaviorist and trainers. Many of which have seen him and his behaviors and recommend doggie downer or Xanax. It is just a shame because this is most definitely not a behavior he developed coming to my home. I realize he has had a very rough life. His fear aggression is deeply seated from past events in his short life and I am sure that he showed some of these signs at his previous foster and I was not informed. I wish someone would have told me the truth about how he hates the car and is skittish of strangers. My dog now lives a stressful life having to travel with me and have strangers in and out of his life. Yes, I have changed my life for this dog because I love him and I believe he would be a very hard candidate to adopt out. But I often think if I was given all the correct information on him if he could have potentially found a home where someone can exclusively work with him everyday with a trainer or he live in a very quiet home how he would be. It may be unrealistic for a dog to go to a home with only women with no visitors ever or children. Like I said I do not know and I am just disappointed I was not given all the facts.

Our family had been fortunate enough to get two wonderful dogs through lulu. Can’t begin to say enough great things about all of their tireless volunteers, I can’t believe anyone would give them a negative review, they are VOLUNTEERS! Without them SO many dogs would be on death row. They were always very kind, courteous and accommodating. Thanks lulu! Keep up the great work!

I’m pretty certain I have the correct rescue. I dealt with Kristine L (I won’t be her last name) who was the Director of Community Outreach and we had several phone calls and e-​mails back and forth. I know they ended up placing the dog with a new foster parent who called me up with some questions. This foster parent was also not informed that the dog had a history of biting people.

Our friends are currently fostering a young pup. She shared his story on facebook and we really thought he would be a good fit with our family. I paid the application fee and submitted the application the same day. Then nothing. I followed-​up via email twice and finally took to their facebook page. That was when I received 2 email responses and a phone call. Supposedly my application went to spam. They tried to make me feel guilty for the post I made to their facebook. The exact post is as follows:
«Any chance that someone at your organization can let my family know if our application to adopt was received and is being reviewed? I remitted the application fee more than a week ago, filled out the application the same day, and have yet to hear back from someone. Thanks.»
In any case, Teri Burman called me that night and asked me a couple of questions about our experience with dogs, ages of my children, and rescue experience. Mind you, I have always had rescues. My most recent rescue is a dachshund from DRNA (approved and adopted in 2009). I am still friendly with the foster mom; we speak on facebook and comment on each other’s pictures.
The pup in question is a black mouth cur named Ted. I found out through my friend that dealing with LuLu’s has been horrible. She suspected he had worms, and when she was told to pick up meds from another rescue staff person, the «medicine» was heartworm preventative. So she spent her own money and brought a fecal specimen to her vet and was confirmed hookworm positive. She had to pay for meds out of her own pocket.
She disclosed to me that he was a bit anxious (what rescue isn’t), is phobic of the basement and not a fan of vehicles. My own dog does not go down the basement and also hates car rides. It’s been a long time since we had a 2^nd dog in the house and we felt that this is a good time. Our kids have always been around dogs, and they are gentle and work well with larger breeds.
So this brings us to last night, when Teri Burman called me to tell me that she didn’t think the pup would be a good fit for our family and that perhaps we should consider a small breed. Um, what? She hadn’t even reviewed my application yet! Asked if a meet & greet could be arranged just so we could see the «proof» that he wouldn’t be a good fit, and I was met with a brick wall of «the pup needs to learn how to be a dog, and he seems to be doing well with his foster.»
So I said thanks for the consideration and ended the call. I’ll never work with this rescue again, and I urge others to not as well. I’m not sure what standard they hold for these dogs, but you have to give families a chance! Who are you to say that my home would not be a good fit for this pup? He has baggage — what rescue doesn’t? Doesn’t he deserve a family that is willing to help him work through his anxiety and behavior issues?
Oh well, their loss. Meanwhile, we have an appointment today with our local shelter to do a meet and greet with the whole family (kids + our pup).
Thanks LuLu’s for passing judgment and not giving a family a chance. Good luck placing your dogs into the homes you think are appropriate, that meet this unknown standard.

Typical Crazy rescue people that will say whatever needed to get dog a home. While a noble calling, they are dangerous because they Do not disclose the true nature of dogs even when they clearly know. Shame on these people. Adopters beware.
Please message me directly to speak with my wife, myself or the independent canine behaviorist that hired. Any of us would be more than willing to speak to you privately and candidly about our experience with LULUs so you can make an assessment for yourself before engaging with this organization. Don’t go into this blindly. Reach out to reviewers. We have no ax to grind. We just want you to know how you can expect to be treated should anything not go as perfectly as they promise.

Very disappointed with communication of this organization. We were told to meet a dog at one of their events in Chalfont, we called the place, they said there was no event scheduled, we then contacted and were told the event was in Doylestown, we drove the half hour to the location and arrived 15 minutes after we were told the event started and, low and behold, the dog was not there. We were told that the foster family had to leave early because of other plans. If you have one job as a foster home it should be to make it to these events.
Upon the dog not being there we contacted the organization and asked what happened. Was then told we weren’t approved because the dog is very «active». Mind you we already have one very active hound whom is constantly well cared for. I don’t really know what there criteria is for an «acceptable» family.
There were two individuals we spoke to at the event, one was very rude to us, the other was a man who had a foster dog with a broken tail, he was nice and attentive. If he reads this I would strongly suggest finding another rescue to volunteer for because with the flaws in this one it seems unlikely many dogs will find happy homes.
Poor communication and upsetting as we were really excited to meet the dog and have a new brother for the dog we have.

We are a loving family with another rescued dog and cat. We have four acres of property, a fenced yard, a swimming pool, a 2,000 acre preserve across the street. My wife works out of a home office. My seven year old daughter loves animals and was so excited to adopt a dog from Lulu’s.
However, we are told that two other families have been turned down to adopt this particular dog and now we are the third to be denied.
We have over 30 years experience caring for dogs in rural areas and apparently, Teri Burman, who reviewed our application didn’t believe that was sufficient. Moreover, she never spoke with any of our references and arbitrarily decided we are unfit pet owners.
What standard do they have for dog adoption that we do not meet?
I’m am shocked and appalled by their process and the «theft» of our application fee when they very well knew our intentions to adopt and ability to care for the dog beforehand.
Totally disappointed.

Working with this business was nothing but a hassle from beginning to end. I recommend going to a different group all together. Communication was poor and information hard to come by when requested. Donations seem to disappear into the breeze… just terrible.