Humane Society of Northwest Iowa

Popsiskull JB

Been coming here for years! Amazing, patient, and kind staff as they let us tour around and say hello to the animals. Very friendly pets! Give Garfield all the love!

Debra Smith

My husband and I moved to this area a couple of years ago. No matter where we go, we try to get involved in the local shelter. At our previous residence, my husband was on the Board at one shelter and I worked at another shelter. We are familiar with animal shelters and have been involved with this local shelter the past several years. We were sad to see the last Director, Erin is no longer there. I was talking to a volunteer and when this volunteer asked a board member what will happen if they lose donors due to letting Erin go, the BOD response was we would understand. You will understand what? The shelter needs money to run to take care of these animals. I know another dedicated Director who was recently run off by her board because of how terrible they treated her. How can the shelter continue to run when it seems the problem is the board? You just had someone who in my opinion was there for the animals and was a huge resource for adopters, staff, and the animals. Someone who had experience with animal health, their well-being, and behavior. In the shelter world we would call that a huge asset. Everyone knows these people do not get paid or appreciated enough, they do not do the job because they will become millionaires, they do it because they care. When you are in the Director's position you take all the blame, but has anyone acknowledged the accomplishments Erin did in the short time she was there? In her first 2 months she let toxic volunteers go after they continued to belittle the staff. These two volunteers were also adopting out dogs and cats that were not fixed or had their vaccinations. One of the dogs ended up pregnant. She also let go a volunteer who happened to be a Board Member because they were mismanaging shelter funds. This individual was spending money out of an account that was donated by a family for a special shelter project, it was not supposed to be used for day to day expenses. After talking with other people who are involved with this shelter, it seemed Erin had to make decisions no one else was willing to do. She incorporated SOPs for the shelter and ensured the animals health, environment and well-being were all a main priority. Isn't that what the shelter is for? I am older and can only donate now but the way this particular board is handling situations, the lies they are telling, or the broken promises they have provided the staff are disappointing and heartbreaking to see in this area. I also reached out to the last Director herself to find out she did not have any disciplinary action and had positive reviews, what is this world coming to? We also discussed how she was offered a cost of living increase and turned it down only to ask for it to be given to the staff. For the sake of the animals I hope this shelter gets its act together, good employees can be hard to find, until then I will continue to pray.

Stacey M

I have never encountered a shelter that makes it so difficult to adopt an animal. I lost my little cat after having him 18 years and wanted another black cat. I searched every shelter in my area and then came upon a cat at this shelter that I wanted to adopt, even though they are almost 2 hours away and the adoption fee is pretty steep. At first they told me I can't meet him until I fill out an adoption application, which I did. Then I hear nothing back. After emailing them back and forth I am told the cat cannot leave for another week. Again they do not respond to my reply. After several days of this I ask what is going on and I am told my application was rejected. I ask for what reason. My animals are very well taken care of and loved dearly. This little cat would have an extremely good life in my care and be very well taken care of. Their reply was that my vet would not give them any information unless I gave them permission. So instead of telling me this, they reject my application. They finally get in touch and I'm told my other cat needs updated on shots (there is a medical reason she was not updated). I tell them I have an appointment for her and their reply is they are waiting for the vet to call them back. This was 3 days ago and they have stopped replying to my emails. It's ridiculous how they don't even communicate or work with people who are interested in an animal there. Too bad, you couldn't find a home where this cat would be more spoiled and loved. I won't look at anything at this shelter ever again

leilanykol_

I just went there and the people there are so nice! I got to be a guinea pig and I got to test if one of their dogs are fond with 'little kids'! I love how most of their cats are free to roam, and are not cooped up in small cages! The staff is amazing and I think what they are doing for these animals is so great.