"How Was Your Experience?" Answer
Publicly sharing my response to a "How was your adoption experience" survey from LCHS: First let me say that we are thrilled to have adopted a dog, and happy that it was done via the LCHS. But this question is asking about the experience, and to be honest it wasn't great. I have a Loveland address, but it's roughly an hour to reach your facilities. With nobody answering the phone or emails, there was no way for me to put a hold on the dog we wanted, so we had to just take a chance and drive over. With a wait time - once somebody finally came to the door - of over an hour, that means we'd invested at least 3 hours in what we expected to be a waste of time. And I would add that this was not our first visit to LCHS. A previous visit had been completely for nothing. If you think of each aspect of the process as either having a Deterring effect or an Encouraging one, there's too much Deterrent here. I know COVID will be used as an excuse, but that's exactly what it is. People can find a way to get important things done. I also think the price tag is awfully steep, in comparison to equivalent facilities elsewhere. We adopted a puppy for $300 in Austin last year. Why is LCHS double? Deterrent! On a positive note, a lengthy paperwork application would have been an additional Deterrent, and I commend you for not having one; I strongly suggest that you keep it this way if the primary goal is to help put homeless animals into the homes of people who want them.
By Ken S.