ComplaintsforAll Aboard Animal Rescue and Shelter, Inc.

• Initial Complaint

  05/08/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Product Issues

  Status:

  Resolved

  More info

  We adopted a puppy from one of their adoption events at the end of March. A week after adoption not only was the puppy sick (as others have mentioned on reviews), but we noticed traits that didn't match with what they had told us. They said the puppy was a Blue Lacy- a Texas breed that is made up of greyhound, collie & wolf/coyote. We started to notice traits that looked like a Pitbull. We have 3 small children and were not ok with a Pitbull breed. We did a dog breed DNA test. The results: 70% Pitbull! NO part Blue Lacy or any breeds associated with a Blue Lacy. They have a disclaimer on their site and in their contract that says they can't guarantee a dog breed because they don't get any info from the shelters they get them from. We took the puppy to our vet, and seeing him once for 20 minutes she named all 3 breeds that he's made of with 100% accuracy before we had even received the results. You would think their partner vet would have better knowledge of dog breeds considering he's supposed to know stuff like that. If its too difficult to tell, then maybe they need to start doing DNA tests on the dogs they get so families can make an accurate informed decision. They won't give you a refund no matter what, so now we are out $500. They claim the cost is to cover medical & transport, but in their contract they require you to relinquish the puppy back to them, & when they sell him again, they will make money off of him. You're not allowed to sell the puppy yourself or find it a new home. I waited until he was posted online, and sure enough, they are charging an additional $520 to whomever adopts him next. If it truly covers transport and medical, then it should be basically free to the next person since we didn't get refunded. We spent an additional $120 at our vet last week to get his shots updated. There is no medical needed for him at this point. If the rescue had been honest and said there was Pitbull in him we wouldn't have purchased him in the first place.

  Business response

  05/09/2023

  Hello! 

  First off I want to mention that no one had reached out to us about the puppy they adopted being sick after adoption. We do have a partner vet that would have been able to assist, as well as a free month of insurance we give adopters incase anything pops up after adoption. The puppy was listed as a Blue Lacy mix by the past shelter. We are required to put the mixed breed listed on the medical given by past shelters. We do state that ALL our dogs are rescue dogs, and are mix breeds. We do not know the parent dogs, and also do not provide DNA testing before adoption. We do state that all our dogs are mixes, as well as breed disclosures in the adoption submission, adoption profiles, dog files, adoption application, adoption agreement and adoption paperwork. Our coworkers also let people know that all our dogs do most likely have some percentage of pitbull mix, as they are all rescues from NM. They did adopt a blue puppy that looks VERY pitbull, if we knew they didn't want a pitbull we would have recommended them look into another organization as we cannot guarantee breeds. 

  Customer response

  05/09/2023

  Complaint: ********
  
  I am rejecting this because:

  We DID use your partner vet. We went to him three days after we got the puppy and he is the one that diagnosed the puppy with kennel cough and conjunctivitis. That cost us $40 in medication. It does say you cannot guarantee the breeds. However, you guys could definitely do a better job. Maybe you need to START doing DNA testing before you sell to families with young children. Might save you from ending up in a lawsuit when a family purchases under false pretenses and has a child mauled.  It is a complete lie about your volunteers, or anybody mentioning anything about the majority of the puppies having pitbull breed in them. There was nothing ever posted in or around the adoption event, nothing posted at the specific area where this group of puppies was, and the word “pitbull” was never mentioned to us the entire time we were going through the adoption process during the event. That is completely fabricated to save face- Shame on you. Yes, he looks pitbull NOW, hence the reason we did the DNA  test! At this point, it’s a bunch of young children running the rescue so I don’t expect you to understand the difference between protecting the lives of your children versus saving puppies. I don’t know how you guys have lasted this long in business. You’ve done your puppies a disservice- we will not be going to a rescue again. We will be using breeders from here on out. I know how much you guys hate breeders- So much for running towards that dream of ending puppy mills like you have posted on ********. You ARE a puppy mill and I’m saddened we had to return him to you awful people. I would still like to know what the next adopter is paying you for since we paid for the transport from TEXAS and his medical expenses.
  Regards,
  
  **** *******

  Business response

  05/09/2023

  We do not have the access to the Animal Hospital of Colorados portal, my adoption coordinator also didn't let me know if any emails from you regarding the pup being sick. Did you email All Aboard about the pups sickness? I apologize about the breed, we are going to be letting everyone at adoption know that all dogs could be pitbull mixes from now on. We will also inform our volunteers of this. We do not discriminate against breed here at all aboard, we always recommend people do research on rescue dogs before considering adoption. Also if you are looking for or aren't looking for specific breeds we would recommend going to a breeder that can insure breed. If we had the funds or resources we would love to DNA test dogs before adoption. We spend an average of $800 on dogs/pups transport, medical, food, supplies, and that doesn't include medical cases like heartworm, emergency surgeries, trauma cases, and dogs that need board/train etc. We are a non-profit and do not have ant major donors or sponsors. We rely on dog adoption fees t help cover all costs, and help pay our few employees. I would recommend doing some research that compares rescues and shelters, we truly are not in it for the money I can tell you that! We are working and dedicating 24/7 to rescue these dogs and we throve to do better everyday. These 800 dogs a year would be euthanized if it wasn't for us. We know rescue isn't for everyone and we do take everything you are saying and put it toward bettering the rescue. I personally would recommend going to a breeder to anyone that is or isn't looking for specific breeds!! We know people love pure breeds so I have nothing against that. As long as your family and pet are happy! Again please do research on puppy mills also, we are the furthest thing from a puppy mill and I am confused why you would think that? But none the less, have a great day! We won't let ignorance of others get us down. We have ensured Blue will be rehomed to someone that knows he is indeed pitbull and knows what rescue is all about! I have nothing else to say on the matter. 

   

  We DID use your partner vet. We went to him three days after we got the puppy and he is the one that diagnosed the puppy with kennel cough and conjunctivitis. That cost us $40 in medication. It does say you cannot guarantee the breeds. However, you guys could definitely do a better job. Maybe you need to START doing DNA testing before you sell to families with young children. Might save you from ending up in a lawsuit when a family purchases under false pretenses and has a child mauled.  It is a complete lie about your volunteers, or anybody mentioning anything about the majority of the puppies having pitbull breed in them. There was nothing ever posted in or around the adoption event, nothing posted at the specific area where this group of puppies was, and the word “pitbull” was never mentioned to us the entire time we were going through the adoption process during the event. That is completely fabricated to save face- Shame on you. Yes, he looks pitbull NOW, hence the reason we did the DNA  test! At this point, it’s a bunch of young children running the rescue so I don’t expect you to understand the difference between protecting the lives of your children versus saving puppies. I don’t know how you guys have lasted this long in business. You’ve done your puppies a disservice- we will not be going to a rescue again. We will be using breeders from here on out. I know how much you guys hate breeders- So much for running towards that dream of ending puppy mills like you have posted on ********. You ARE a puppy mill and I’m saddened we had to return him to you awful people. I would still like to know what the next adopter is paying you for since we paid for the transport from TEXAS and his medical expenses.
  Regards,

  Customer response

  05/10/2023

  Better Business Bureau:
  
  No, we didn’t email the rescue about the pups sickness- we took him to the vet to get treated. Why would we email the recuse when they are no longer involved with the animal? 
  While I appreciate the apology about the breed and am glad that you will make it more known to potential adopters that your dogs have pitbull in them, We did do research, and made our decision based off of the information provided which was that he was a blue lacy. I don’t feel sorry for the excuses made about why you use shoddy business practices. You could do a better job by getting sponsors, or trying to find major donors that could help offset expenses so that you can provide a better service. And if nonprofit status is a factor you can search for grants. Saying you don’t have resources is a poor excuse- do something to get the resources. 
  I have seen how you ensure that he finds a new home. Saying we abandoned him is again false and unprofessional. We love Blue and wish he didn’t have pitbull in him. We didn’t abandon him, we chose not risk our children with breeds that are very well documented to be aggressive in nature. 
  
  Regards,
  
  **** *******

• Initial Complaint

  11/15/2021

  Complaint Type:

  Customer Service Issues

  Status:

  Unresolved

  More info

  I was sent an email through Adopt A Pet of a match for a description of a dog I had requested about 5 years ago. My town allows three dogs per house, we had just loss a dog weeks before receiving this email. So we had room for a new member of our family. We have rescued dogs in the past without an issue (not with All Aboard). I was told per the rescues listing the dog was 8 months old. At that age the dog would have been spayed and vaccinated. Attached are the emails from All Aboard Animal Rescue, and additional information regarding this issue. The discrepancy was with the final paperwork and requiring the dog to be spayed. The final paperwork said the dog was 8 weeks old and they were to require that she be spayed within 90 days. Which is too soon, she was a very small dog and would need as much growth as possible, to strengthen her over all health. The director came outside and looked at her teeth and said the dog was probably 4-5 months old so having her spayed in 90 day would be fine. One of the forms they wanted me to sign required a signature and my full credit card information and no amount. They have claimed I was rude but have not indicated how. The best I can figure is that I questioned them in these two areas. In doing that they said they were not confrontable with me adopting the dog. I believe you are to question issues that are not good for the dog and giving open ending credit card information is NOT advised by anyone. They were found to have been in violation and failed inspection regarding this issue with M***** the dog I wanted to adopt. Their practices have generated a lot of reports and violations. I can send additional reports that I received from the PACFA if need. Adoption is not the same as other transactions, we were adding a family member. We were approved to adopt, I did not back out of the adoption. They kept our deposit. I want it refunded.

  Business response

  12/13/2021

  Hello!

  This complaint was dealt with with the customer. She did not end up adopting a dog from us because she was being very rude to our staff and was not understanding our adoption process and did not want to follow our adoption agreement. We did not adopt out a dog to her, and we never charged her any money. She did not do any business with us.
  --
  Madison G*******
  Rescue Director
  All Aboard Animal Rescue

  Customer response

  12/13/2021

  Complaint: ********
  
  I am rejecting this response because:  They charged me $75.00 I send you a copy of the charge in the complaint.  They did not represent the dogs age correctly or even close.  The state found them in violation with this issue, that was included also.  They stated three different ages of the dog trying to get me to agree to their paperwork.  Questioning something that is wrong is not wrong!  We all have an obligation to call out a wrong and just go along with it.  I never used inappropriate language or raised my voice.  Yes, I was up set and questioning what was going on.  At a minimum I want my $75 back.  
  
  Regards,
  
  ****** ********

  Customer response

  12/27/2021

  Please find the attached documents regarding my complaint  #********
  Please let me know if you have any questions or if I need to provide any additional information.
  I am wanting a $75 refund and for people in our area to have additional information about the history and practices so as to be able to advocate for themselves. 
  
  I am also sending another email to forward you the complaints and violations filed at the Colorado Department of Agricultural PACFA Safeguarding Colorado's Pets Division.  There are dozens of files.
  
  Sincerely,
  ****** ***** ********
  
  
  
  Please find attached files, in a zip file from the Dept. of Agriculture, PACFA  
  for your reference to complaint #******** and photos of the violation of  my adoption issue regarding M*****.
  
  Sincerely,
  ****** ***** ********

*Some consumers may elect to not publish the details of their complaints, some complaints may not meet BBB's standards for publication, or BBB may display a portion of complaints when a high volume is received for a particular business. ↩