TAILS Humane Society

They adopted out a senior dog without disclosing they hadn’t gotten contagious ringworm results back knowing I had another dog at home. It is contagious to humans as well I had to decontaminate my house & car costing quit a bit. I returned the sweet dog immediately after finding out about the positive ringworm test so as to try to prevent further infection. Tails refused to return my adoption fee even though they failed to disclose and I only had her 1 week. I wanted to find her a new home since my dog wouldn’t accept her but no one would take her with ringworm.
I spoke with John and emailed the Executive Director asking why they would adopt out an unwell contagious dog (no other shelter would do that as far as I know – it goes in foster until well) and the return of my money. I did not receive a reply.

I love my Buddy Boy, who’s original name was «Tramp» when he came from «Oklahoma’s Kill Shelter» because he looked like «Lady» in Lady and the Tramp the Disney Movie but he was male. Anyway, my fiancé and I had been delivering newspapers there for not a year and we’d spend time petting, the dogs, cats, hugging them and giving them some love. We found one I was in love with named Snider. He had the most beautiful eyes, like Cleopatra, he was a lost dog found by the DeKalb Public Library and no one had claimed him for many days. Finally as I was about to adopt him, we had Pebbles my Papillion Poodle girl I’ve had for 7 years at the time meet him, he wanted to hump her, he barked at her, so my fiancé told me it wouldn’t be the right fit as the T.A.I.L.S. associate did too. I thought it was kind of funny. Anyway I didn’t care and wanted him anyway but was really, allergic to him. Finally right before we were about to sign papers I asked Verna if there were anymore dogs in the back that was a poodle since they’re hypoallergenic, long story short she brought out my Tramp, aka Bam Bam, aka Buddy to this day. I thought he was boring, looked like a scoop of mash potato for his head and brown gravy for his ears. I told my fiancé I didn’t want him, he said but feel how soft he is. I said, Okay, we adopted him, and boy was he right, Buddy is more than right. He’s like my son! He is my son, he burps, farts, runs like the wind, when I take him to a secluded field with a pond, my country boy gets in drinking water while he’s wadding in the water. I love him more than the world, just as much as I love Pebbles and my other cat Aloe. I thank those at T.A.I.L.S. and the volunteers who are there because they want to be and not because they have to be. I also love those who give so much to save animals. I’ve saved over 30 dogs off of the streets, and one off the highway and there is not a day that goes by that I don’t have my eyes out for another animal in need. We need places like this to exist. I am also a photographer in town and I plan to call Peg and volunteer to take photos for dogs that need to get adopted, so they have cute little pictures on the website. Those newly adopt their dogs and would like to take professional photos with their pet for an reasonable rate will then be able to know a percentage of the proceeds will go to DeKalb’s T.A.I.L.S. Humane Society. I hope we work together.

I’ve been wanting a dog for a VERY long time. Finally, my partner and I were able to move to a dog-​friendly building, and finding a dog became priority one. We really wanted to go through a shelter, because there are so many great pets out there that want nothing more than to have a loving home. Unfortunately, going through shelters can be a loooong, conviluted process. We had several misfires and false starts with local Chicago shelters, and over the course of a week had visited four shelters and met several potential pets only to return each time with confusion of their process and, of course, empty-​handed as well.
Rather than getting discouraged, we decided to keep plugging along, and stumbled across TAILS through a family friend. We were due to head to my parents’ house in the burbs for Easter weekend, and heard that TAILS does adoption events every weekend at their local Petsmart in Wheaton. I got in touch with TAILS through the website, as I wanted to know how their process worked. I received a reply within 24 hours, and was able to communicate to the staff member which dogs I was interested in seeing at the event, and even general guidelines of what we were looking for so that they could bring along some good matches for us.
Fast forward to the adoption event, and we found a great little girl puppy. The process was quick and painless, and so much easier than the other shelters we had tried with. The adoption fee covered her spaying, microchip, and helped the foster owner cover care.
We couldn’t be happier with our little Waffles (née Lilly), and we have TAILS to thank. Keep up the great work!

Yes, they seem to have their hearts in the right place for the most part. Yes, they do ask for money. But they need it to keep going.
On the flip side, we’ve adopted 2 dogs from TAILS — one came with very expensive health problems (not their fault I’m sure) and one with severe nervous problems — so severe that after having her for 3 years we brought her back as she went after a grandchild for no reason and ripped another dog in the house to shreds (lots of blood but she’s okay). I was told that the dog would most likely be euthanized. Strange because I thought this was a no kill shelter and I repeatedly told the lady there that the dog should be paced in a home with no other dogs and no children based on her behaviour. I don’t know what happened to her. I just don’t want to know
It was explained to me that they collect a lot of their dogs from Oklahoma as there is no education re: spay/​neuter there and that dogs are allowed to breed and multiply then euthanized as a matter of common practice. They don’t often spend any time to screen the dogs before putting them up for adoption. And their wild guesses on what breed or combination of breeds is ridiculous.
Bottom line. .. don’t go there.

I adopted a dog through TAILS at a Petsmart event recently. Evidently, the dog was driven in the night prior from Oklahoma. I paid $ 200, gladly for the beautiful dog, who is a joy. Unfortunately, he came complete with ticks, fleas, kennel cough, whip worms and hook worms. I’m still waiting for the heart worm test results from my vet, who did NOT honor the «free wellness visit» that TAILS assures. Nor was the dog treated for flea/​tick as was stated in the paperwork I received during the adoption. I’m happy to have found this dog to save him, but next time I’m staying local and supporting a local agency that delivers healthy dogs – especially since I have another at home who has now been exposed to all these parasites and ailments. For crying out loud… I had to buy a DYSON! I’ve been vacuuming and washing everything in hot water daily since I got him. I just don’t have this kind of time when I should be helping acclimate the new dog into my household!
Also, I’m kind of creeped out by this weird secondary market for «country» dogs in the city. I don’t really get it. Where do these dogs come from? Did they belong to someone? Was he really just «cut off a tree» as one volunteer told me? If I didn’t fall in love with this little guy, I’d not have taken him on principle. Don’t we have enough strays in our area as it is, without them being shipped in from other places?
I’m sure TAILS is a fine agency for those in DeKalb, but I HIGHLY recommend that they cease and desist on bringing country dogs up north. If each van holds 20 cages and at $ 200+ a dog, that’s $ 4000 for dogs that were given ZERO care prior to adoption. Petsmart should think twice about hosting these events as well.

I had my kitten spayed here with their low-​cost spay program. The staff was friendly and very knowledgeable. When my kitten started getting sick the day after her spay, they had me bring her in and examined her and sent medicine home with me. They did all this without an out of pocket expense for me.
The cats are kept in a few different rooms with enough space for you to walk around or sit with them. There is also information on the walls/​doors about each cat to help you learn about the animals if you are looking to adopt.
I found a stray cat and was able to post a found ad on their website. TAILS was unable to accept the cat due to capacity but they did help me with a list of other area shelters.

My bf and I got our youngest kitty here back in June. Bella (previously Judy) is 4yrs old and spent her whole life in shelters. Tails had rescued her and some of her neighbors from another shelter that had been shut down for abuse and neglect. Hearing her story broke my heart.
I’d looked on the Tails website at the pictures of all the animals currently up for adoption, and sort of had an idea of which kitties we wanted to see. Bella was not on our initial list. But she chose us!
When we arrived, we were told to visit the different rooms. The cats are kept approximately 4 – 8 kitties in each small room with cat houses and toys. Near the door in each room is a picture of each kitty with their name and description of their personality. (You don’t want to adopt an anti-​social independent cat if you already have another cat or kids at home, that’s when you want a sociable kitty!).
A lot of friends think DeKalb was a long way to drive when there’s another Humane Society literally blocks from our apt. However, Tails also has the best adoption prices I found.
From their website:
Adoption fees include:
spayed or neutered
up-​to-​date vaccinations
heartworm test (dogs 6 months and older)
feline FIV/​FeLV (cats)
dewormed
one month free Sheltercare pet health insurance
microchip (registration included)
free introductory veterinary exam at one of several local vets
free bag of Science Diet food
I also became a «fan» of Tails on facebook and have seen several events where the adoption fees are lowered or even waived.
I recommend Tails Humane Society to all my friends who are looking to adopt a new fuzzy member of the family :)

Gotta love TAILS. They have come a long way since having a rented house when they started. The facilities are amazing! There are 2 cat rooms where cats roam free, cat cage sections, dog section, and a section for small animals: bunnies, hamsters, etc
Because it is in a college town this is a great place for students to come in and play with the animals on weekends. TAILS is happy to have people stop in and show some love to animals.