The Lost Dog & Cat Rescue Foundation

I went to Petsmart in Falls Church with a friend who needed supplies for her puppy and happened in on a Lost Dog Rescue adoption event. I wasn't really looking to adopt that day, but I saw this gorgeous beagle mix with big sad eyes, and I had to take her home! She was being treated for Lyme disease and they gave me her last couple of pills. Her history isn't very clear - Lost Dog got her from a high-kill shelter in southern Virginia, where someone found her wandering along a back road, without any tags. From her quirky behavior, I assume she was living with a family - she loves people and other dogs generally confuse her. Lost Dog estimated her age to be about 4-5 years old, but I think she was about 7 to 9, though it's really hard to tell. But 2.5 years later, I am so glad I have her! If I ever got another dog, it would definitely be through Lost Dog!

He is a very satisfactory cat and get along well with our other pets. We couldn't be happier.

I felt I had to post something because the only review that Lost Dog Rescue has on here is an "F" grade. This organization has saved tens of thousands of animals over the past decade, and I have had a positive experience. There are no guarantees at all that any animal will be healthy, but Lost Dog does provide medical records at the time of adoption, and they also have a two-week return policy and encourage people to take their new pets to the vet within the first two weeks.

Our initial experience with the group was great. Our puppy had a cough and we as concerned adopters asked about this cough, and were told that the dog was fine. We also specifically asked about our concern for the cough/bug to spread to our cat and we're told enthusiastically and much to our relief that the cough is not something that can be spread from dog to cat. When we brought our puppy home on Sunday night, she began to get much sicker, had trouble breathing and kept coughing. I did research and found that most bacterias are transmittable between species, especially dogs and cats. Monday morning, the poor puppy started to pass blood in her stool, and we had to take her to an emergency pet visit. The dog had an active case of kennel cough (and we were told it was not active AND not contagious) as well as a massive over growth of bacteria in her intestines. Although the organization's website states that they can not guarantee the health of the dog, they should be sure to present all the facts with their prospective clients. Also, questions should not be answered haphazardly and as a result of that answer, our cat had to have extra vet expenses. The organization was slow to correspond with us about our situation, and that was very frustrating. I am concerned for the health of the other animals in the organization. Over all, I had a really terrible time with this organization. I think that there are better maintained organizations out there to adopt from, and one would be wise to not take the "easy" route and go with Lost Dog and Cat Rescue Foundation.