A number of rescue groups didn't get back to us or were slow in doing so. We ended up with a great adoption through Worthy Dog (www.worthydog.org). They got back to us quickly initially and were thorough in the process to make sure we found a good match for us. Can't recommend them highly enough!

We are just about to finalize an adoption on a dog we found through Petfinder. We pick him up on Friday from his foster family! When we decided we were interested in him, we checked what rescue he was through on Petfinder and then we filled out an application through the rescue's website. The next day a lady from the rescue called me and asked me additional questions and I was able to ask more questions about the dog. She said I was approved to adopt and that I could come meet him at PetSmart this past weekend. They were having an adoption event and he was there with his foster family. We took our current dog with us to see how they would do. We fell in love and finalized the adoption on Sunday. We asked the foster family if they could keep him until Friday so we could have the whole weekend with him to get him settled in. So excited to get him!

We adopted through petfinder a couple of years ago. I do remember some weirdness with at least one rescue where the contact listed was sort of a 3rd party who was able to give me the correct contact info and provide crucial process details.

Some of them require secret handshakes, I guess.

I've never had an issue with rescues listed on Petfinder getting back to me. We've adopted several cats this way, all from different rescues. I didn't have to wait more than a few days for a response each time. However, the most straightforward process was going to the county animal rescue. That was "in and out" with a kitten for our young cat (whose sibling had died).

Are you sure you're not saying something disqualifying in your inquiries? For example, most rescues require you to state your cat will be an indoor cat and that your yard is fenced for a dog.

I adopted through Petfinder 7-8 years ago. The rescue was run entirely by volunteers, so they were sometimes slow getting back to me because they had real jobs. But they did let me know my message had been received.

Anonymous wrote:I really want to adopt a dog or cat or both (we've currently got no pets, and I have experience with both.)

I've spent hours searching on Petfinder and filled out so many applications and inquired about the pets, and no one gets back to me!

Have others successfully adopted through Petfinder, or do you focus on just one rescue and try to establish a connection with someone there?

I thought there were all these animals in need of rescuing, but it seems that the situation must not be as dire as they make it out to be!

I actually had a great response when I adopted my cat through Petfinder. That was 10 years ago, though. I applied and corresponded with the adoption coordinator, so that everything was arranged / approved before we went out to the shelter. We made one more trip after that to pick him up. The whole thing took less than a week. If you don't get a response from the e-mail, after a few days, call the rescue and check to make sure it was received.

Some rescues are really not good about responding.

We had a very fast response from LNF pet rescue, which is about an hour from here in Delaware. They are on Petfinder and also have a website. She promises same day response.

https://www.lnfdogs.org/animals/browse

Petfinder is a good way to find the potential pets but then absolutely you should go through them directly. I think sometimes they don’t get the messages.

The other thing I found about Petfinder is that sometimes a dog would show up in a local search, when in fact it was many states away.

If you are looking for an org I would recommend Homeward Trails.

I really want to adopt a dog or cat or both (we've currently got no pets, and I have experience with both.)

I've spent hours searching on Petfinder and filled out so many applications and inquired about the pets, and no one gets back to me!

Have others successfully adopted through Petfinder, or do you focus on just one rescue and try to establish a connection with someone there?

I thought there were all these animals in need of rescuing, but it seems that the situation must not be as dire as they make it out to be!