Homeward Bound Dog Rescue of Minnesota

Where do I even begin with this «rescue»
I went to a Petco event to check out the adoptable dogs from Homeward Bound. They had so many dogs there, it was absolute and total chaos. I understand the desire to adopt as many as possible, but this was just absurd. Once I was finally able to flag down one of their volunteers, who appeared to be in middle school, I was able to visit with a sweet French Bulldog who was supposedly rescued from a puppy mill situation.
I fell in love with her and decided to complete the necessary steps to take her home. They had me fill out a plethora of paperwork (understandable) and once I had finished and was ‘approved’ to adopt an animal, the middle school volunteer says to me, «Do you want to know what her adoption fee is?» I said, sure. I thought it was odd to ask, because adopting from a rescue, her fee couldn’t be anymore than 300 – 400 dollars at max to cover her vetting. I almost fainted when the girl told me she was $ 1,000. A THOUSAND DOLLARS. I thought I had heard her wrong. I said, what? She repeated herself — a thousand dollars.
«Wait. A thousand dollars for dog from a rescue that was taken from a puppy mill? Did she require expensive veterinary treatment or something?»
Nope. She didn’t. They were simply making a huge profit on a highly desirable breed, which essentially makes them no better than your typical scummy backyard breeder. It makes them no better than the puppy mill situation she was removed from. For a place that is supposedly an ally to animals in need, a rescue for animals that are homeless, they certainly didn’t give a crap that I wasn’t taking her home because I refused to «buy» a dog from a rescue that was playing the role of consignment shop.
I walked out of there empty-​handed and rescued a dog through a different organization. I’ll tell you what though, I was so disappointed and I think that this sham of a rescue is disgusting. To rescue a dog from a puppy mill where it is being used as an object to make a profit and to place that dog in the SAME SITUATION, AGAIN, IS UNACCEPTABLE.
I’ll tell you what, too, the dogs at that adoption event were in sad shape. One was crawling with fleas. I could literally see the fleas. Another dog was matted so badly, it could hardly see.
If this rescue is trying to do good, they sure failed. I wouldn’t recommend them to anybody and it’s a real shame because they have dogs in their care that really do need good homes. I would have been a superb home from that french bulldog if only they hadn’t been charging a thousand dollars for her due to her ‘highly desirable’ breed. So disappointing.

My family had been working with many dog rescues to find our new furry friend. We saw a dog we liked on their website and emailed. We got a response 15 minutes later with information and she would be at a Petco adoption fair. We arrive and immediately thought she was a good fit.
We were told she had kennel cough but it was not contagious and she did not need meds. We also noticed she had FILTHY ears and she need a bath badly. The foster parent quickly cleaned them, but there was still a lot of brown gunk in them. We did end of adopting her… It cost $ 325 for a 7 yr old dog. The took off $ 25 since we needed to take her to the vet. We were again reassured that she would get better on their own and her ears were not infected or yeasty.
Once home. She was good most of the day, but got worse early evening. She was waking every 10 minutes in the middle of the night. Morning was FAR worse. She was having a hard time breathing, gunk out of her eyes/​nose etc. we then also found her fold in her nose was FILTHY as well.
She was rushed to a vet and they stated she WAS contagious (great for my other dog who is now exposed), had a double ear infection and she was missing some vaccinations they assured were done. Also behind on her flea and heart guard. She was VERY POORly take of. Poor dog was dirty, sick, and neglected. Good thing the agency lied thru their teeth and had a YOUNG couple (maybe 20’s) fostering her that did a crap job. Sickening.
Homeward Bound Rescue sold us a dog for MUCH more money, lied repeatedly, knew she was sick and didn’t treat, and neglected basic dog cares for this breed!
DO NOT help them or trust them. We are over $ 700 into this doggie and its been only a day and half. :(

We obtained a dog that came from Homeward Bound Rescue in 2008. When she was adopted out homeward Bound gave the WRONG mirco chip# for her and mixed her paperwork up with another dog.
Anyway to make a long story short. Our dog of 4 years dug under the fence and got out for the 1^st time and went missing. She ended up at the Vet where they scanned her and her chip # (which is not the one we had for her) was still registered to Homeward Bound. Well HWB came and picked up the dog the same day. Thinking that the dog was another dog (because of their paperwork mistake) they couldn’t find any information on her for her owners. Which is weird because they still should have had the info on the other dogs adopters???
I posted an ad on CL and the vet she was at contacted me immediately and gave me the run down of how she got a dog but of course the mirco#‘s didn’t match. However there being too many coincidences I still checked into it, called HWB to gain more information. At this time I still didn’t know the Mirco# we had for her was wrong.
Anyhow they said it wasn’t my dog that is was another dog that was older and continued to deny that it was my dog. Also said she’s already been adopted out anyway. Well with the vet and me not giving up calling Avid (the micro database) knowing that the dog was found the SAME DAY, the SAME STREET and just so happened came from the SAME RESCUE, I knew in my heart this was my dog.
I continued to stomp my feet and not just give up so easily to let them tell me this wasn’t my dog. After doing that, sending pictures, emailing, calling, leaving messages and what not it sounds like all of sudden that they think it is her but saying I’m sorry but your SOL because we’ve already adopted her out and the new owners have registered her and BLAH BLAH BLAH. Great ethics right?
I’ve asked if they contacted the new adopters to explain and maybe see if they have a heart and are understanding, of course we still want our dog back. The longer they are taking these new people are getting attached to our dog. it’s sad and not fair to anyone especially our dog. I’m so beyond hurt and upset that they are doing absolutely nothing for us to see if we can get our girl back. It’s like they are more concerned about getting another adoption out and the money than they are about the best interest of the dog, family and everyone involved. It’s just a sad story all around. (and NO it sounds like they are NOT willing to contact the new adopters, why I have no idea, maybe they think they will look bad?)
Anyway at this point my attempt is to get a hold of the adopters to try and get her back. If you have adopted recently or know someone who has from Homeward Bound or who has just got a Golden Retriever please forward the information.

DO NOT adopt or support this rescue! This is the shadiest operation I have ever seen! I have personally spoken to numerous people who have adopted from them; all of the adopted dogs had worms at a minimum, most of them with worse health problems than that. They have flat out lied to people about dogs’ information: one older couple that wanted a younger dog (but not a puppy) adopted a dog that was supposedly 3 years old, only to bring it back days later because the dog was so old that it couldn’t go up the stairs! Just looking at the dog, I could tell it was old. I have a friend who adopted a puppy from them that they claimed was a shepherd/​rottweiler mix. She had it tested and instead of rottie, it was part beagle. The dog is knee height. Shame on these people for tricking people, especially elderly people, into adopting unhealthy dogs that don’t even match the information given!
On top of that, they bring their adoptable dogs to adoption events at the local PetSmart, where I have seen them several times, and the dogs are in terrible condition! Most of them not fixed, vetted, or groomed in any way (I am not joking, they have the dogs in the back of the store, and you can smell them at the front of the store. And this is a PetSmart, its a big store. Your hands are coated in grease after you pet them). They are often crammed 2 to 3 dogs per crate and as a result there is usually a dog fight every time they have an event. I’m sorry but this is an animal rescue; as a rescue, it is your job to fix, vet check, and groom the animals you are rescuing, and care for them humanely! They are not in any better condition from where you rescued them from!
The people running the adoption events aren’t much better either… the majority of them look like they are 15 for starters. Not saying that 15 year olds can’t volunteer for animal shelters or be responsible pet handlers by any means, there are plenty out there that do and do a fantastic job! But these kids are not sociable or friendly in any way, and the part that kills me the most is that they are all wearing pajamas and haven’t showered. These events start at 11 am. I’m pretty sure you have time to get dressed and shower before then! I used the bathroom during an event once and one of the younger girls was in her pajamas, washing her hair in the sink! I mean really?! The adults of the organization could at least get on them to be a little more professional considering they are representing their organization. Disgusting.
Let’s see, what else? Oh yeah, they don’t ever let anyone see their facility. They always meet people places or do everything at the adoption events. Wonder why that is? Probably because the conditions are appalling and they don’t want anyone to see it.
And the cherry on top of this atrocious sundae is the fact that they charge $ 400 – 600 per dog! For dogs that have not been fixed or seen a vet, haven’t been groomed, elderly dogs, and dogs with health issues. No lie, they were trying to adopt out a Chihuahua with a missing eye for $ 400! If this isn’t a moneymaking operation than I don’t know what is.
Sorry for being so long winded, but I am a big animal welfare advocate and these people just astound me and I want them to be out of business. The unfortunate part is that people still adopt from them because they feel so bad for the poor dogs. But please, adopt from a rescue that actually cares for their animals and doesn’t do it to make a profit!
P. S.–Be sure to read the filtered reviews too. For some reason they were filtered out, but they contain a lot of truthful information from people who have adopted from Homeward Bound.

I am not sure if some people have Homeward Bound Dog Rescue confused with Homeward Bound K-​9 Rescue, but all I can do is share my experiences.
I adopted a dog from Homeward Bound Dog Rescue in December 2009. After weeks of looking at adoptable dogs I narrowed my list down and went to meet choice #1 with my other dog. The dogs were all very stressed in the back adoption room but who can blame them? My dog didn’t even want to go in there, but we made it in and found the dog I was interested in. Upon seeing him and spending some time with him I decided we would bring him home. On their website it said he was about 3 – 5 years old, but when I got his papers to look at it ended up he was actually 8. I was a bit disappointed because of course the younger usually the more healthy and the longer he will have with us. I don’t want to think they would intentionally mislead anyone about the age of a dog, but it did seem odd that they would have his previous records with DOB on it and not have his age correct on the website. Whatever the reason though, I decided I couldn’t say no to him just because he was a little older.
While talking a little bit more with the staff a medial concern was brought to my attention which I didn’t have the money to fix. I felt saddened as I thought maybe I couldn’t afford to adopt him after all. I mentioned this and she asked if they took care of the cost, would I be more comfortable with the adoption? Of course I would! I was so happy; I knew it was meant to be! I don’t want to say what the medical problem was exactly or how much it cost because the lady said it’s not something they usually do and it kind of had to be done «under the radar» a bit.
I was sent home with a bunch of information and she even extended my «trial time» in case the dog didn’t fit well with our family (we also had a cat at home). I emailed the lady back and forth when we got back because he was having some issues adjusting and she was happy to help. Eventually, he settled down and didn’t whine at night. It did say he was house trained on the website but he did have accidents inside quite often. I don’t think they were lying or anything I just think it is probably a lot of stress to be transported and go to different people’s homes as a foster. There is no way a rescue can control the way a dog (or other animal) handles the stress of these things. She told me to give him the time he needed to adjust and then we would have the procedure done. A couple months later I contacted her and we got it done and all was good!
Overall, I couldn’t be more thankful for the gift Homeward Bound Dog Rescue gave me! He is such a blessing and is just perfect for our family. Now I can’t imagine life without him!

BE VERY CAREFUL WHEN ADOPTING FROM HOMEWARD BOUND K9 RESCUE! The dogs deserve a good home, but the people in charge are not the most savory characters.
I was looking online for a new addition to my household and came across a pup from this rescue. I called on him and informed the girl that I had 2 cats and looking for a cat friendly dog. The girl informed me that she was not sure if the dog in question was cat friendly, but they would be willing to let me take him home for a «trial run» to see. I showed up at the adoption day and brought the dog home for an hour. Not so good… So I brought him back and The girl then informed me that she was pulling another dog (a pitbull… the type of dog that I was looking for. I have owned pits all my life and know and love the breed) from a shelter in Kentucky and he had been tested with cats, and tested well. She said that if this dog did not work out, that I would have 7 days to see how things go and after the 7 days, I would have the choice to bring him back and they would then help me find a better fit. I agreed and thought that they were wonderful people for allowing me to do this. I brought the dog home, and with people and other dogs, he is the sweetest dog anyone could ask for, but with the kitties, he just wants to play. He is a big fella who doesn’t know his own strength and by the 4^th day of trying to work with them, he ended up accidentally injuring one of my cats (just a sprained foot… he DID NOT BITE). A simple mistake made by a happy pup. So I called the girl who I had been dealing with and told her that unfortunately, this was not going to work out. She said that this would be fine, and I should just bring him to next pet adoption (which was 2 days later) and drop him off. She also started to suggest other routes I should take as far a breeds as she has never seen a cat friendly pit. I was fine with that… That evening I received a text message from the girl letting me know that her and her boyfriend had just broke up, and she is going to be leaving the rescue because she had to work more. Her dogs were going to have to go to another foster and she did not have a place for the dog that she had agreed to take back. I told her that was not the deal and she was going to have to help me figure this out. Later that evening I then got an email from the rescue director stating that they do not have a place to put a pitbull, and that I would have to foster him until they found an adopter… She wanted me to send pictures to rescues and her so that they could post the dog online… I informed her that this broke the contract guidelines, and that I did not sign on to be a foster… I just wanted a dog. She then insisted that the dog had been sent up here specifically for me (which was completely untrue) so that was my only option. Apparently there was no communication between the girl I was in contact with and the rescue director. The director then threatened to place me on the State of Minnesota «no adopt list». I sent her the email thread that I had saved between the volunteer and myself which proved everything that she stated had been wrong and untrue. Fortunately she eventually apologized and stated that she had an adopter for the dog and there was a transport that was going to be set up. It has now been 3 days since I have heard form her and I still have this wonderful dog at my house. Unfortunately he is not able to have the freedoms that he deserves due to the roughhousing with my cats. They made my life absolutely miserable for a week and I have sobbed daily because I am falling in love with this dog more and more daily, and I know that at some point I will have to give him up. Had they followed through with what they told me and taken the dog when they were supposed to, it would have made my life and the dog’s life so much easier. And up until now, the dog’s life has been pretty rough (he has spent the first year of his life on the streets and in an overcrowded shelter). I could care less about myself in this, but the puppy seems to be of no concern to the rescue… They only seem to care about themselves. They never should have transferred him up if they didn’t have a place to put him. It is a wonderful thing that such an amazing dog has been taken out of a «kill shelter», but now he is in another predicament… He is in a home with someone who loves him, but is unable to keep him, and the people that should be responsible, seem as though they couldn’t care less…
There are a ton of dogs at this rescue that need a good home, so do not write them off due to the actions of a few humans… But just be very careful when dealing them, and make sure that you are very clear as to what you are getting into when adopting from them.
It has been a few days since I have posted this, and I am happy to say that the dog has found a new home. I will miss him dearly but am very happy I no longer have to deal w the rescue!

What a great bunch of people!
We didn’t actually get our newly adopted pup (Emma) through these guys but they worked with us and directed us to the shelter that we ended up using for the adoption.
We found them through
and we e-​mailed them on a dog we were interested in. They wrote back the same day to let us know that the dog we were asking about was adopted but they had some other dogs that were very sweet and in the similar size range … if we were interested? We pulled up their stats on the website and thought either dog looked great. So we then filled out the preadoption questionnaire and they approved us the same day. They encouraged us to come visit on their adoption days — but we were anxious and asked if it would be possible to meet them earlier. (We took off this week for the sole purpose of adopting our pet — and that is what we were going to do by golly!)
They contacted the foster family for us and asked about an earlier meeting and we were able to drive out and meet the foster mom and the pups that day. It was really hard choosing between the two dogs — but finally we chose our Emma. We took her home that day and now — less than 24 hours later — I write this smiling while our sweet little girl’s nails go clicking along the floor. I smell like wet dog and I am covered in hair and I couldn’t be more pleased!
This is a great organization — they were super friendly and couldn’t be more supportive and helpful. Their website is full of great links — so even if you are not in the market for a new fur baby — go take a look at their website.