Response to interested donor
Posted by GDS  |  January 23, 2009 2:02:49 PM

Charity Navigator updates our financials from the IRS information that is sent in. It is done automatically for this site by them. If you wish to contact us directly, we will be happy to respond to any questions you may have about how the donations are spent. Our website is www.pawsatlanta.org and you can send your request to the Executive Director.

Updated financials
Posted by Interestd Donor  |  December 26, 2008 4:00:52 AM

To PAWS Atlanta management: hope you can provide updated financials (at least FY 2007) to this site, would like to donate but would also like to see that funds are being efficiently utilized. Thanks.

RE: 11 year old
Posted by Madyson  |  August 13, 2008 11:33:44 AM

Having done rescue myself for many years, I can tell you that most respectible rescues org would have turned down the first poster as well. Even with just the things she posted; but add on what PAWS posted and that figure is probably closer to 95%. GA summers and winters are not conducive for a pet to spend that much time outside and most orgs rescue pets with the hopes they will go to homes that will treat them like family. Not as a passing phase of occasional entertainment.

I'm amazed that she didn't realize that SHE is the cause of her 11 year crying - not PAWS. Further amazed that she wants to lecture PAWS on morality. She is trying to hurt an org because of her lack of knowledge regarding pets and the resulting outcome - not on the basis of anything to do with how they are fiscally. I'm sure PAWS is like many rescues in Atl that relies heavily on the good people that volunteer their free time. Her outburst that required police probably further resulted in some people not wanting to adopt and therefor less space available to save more animal lives. Ugh.

Response to situation
Posted by PAWS Atlanta  |  February 26, 2008 1:56:17 PM

Thank you for your observations about your recent visit to PAWS Atlanta. I do apologize for any delay in responding to your phone call about the dog’s cat temperament, as well as, any distress that your son experienced at PAWS Atlanta. Having said that, your adoption application had several problems that precluded adoption. 1. You responded that the dog would sleep in a kennel in the garage. It's unreasonable to expect dog owners for their pets to sleep on the sofa or in their bed with them, but having a dog sleep in a garage is far from ideal. 2. You responded that your son would be responsible for the daily care of the dog. While your son would certainly enjoy the social activities and exercise that dogs can bring, it's unreasonable and unrealistic to expect an 11 year old to take care of a dog, much less a puppy who still has plenty of growing to do. 3. You stated that, should the dog come down with medical problems, you would pay within reasonable limits, otherwise put the dog to sleep. 'Reasonable' is speculative, what's reasonable to me, may be unreasonable to you. In an ideal world, a pet is part of your family and money should not be an issue. You further stated that $250 would be a fair amount to pay in an emergency. That figure is not realistic as retail vet prices are much higher in emergency situations. 4. You failed to mention that the police where called when your adoption application was denied. You were in our lobby speaking with the front desk when you started to raise your voice. At that point in time, we asked you to leave, you didn't and we called the police and filed a report.

The 85% ratio didn't factor into the denial of adoption. Most dog owners will have a fenced in yard with the dog spending some time outside. An adoption application is similar to a Rorschach test. We can't tell you the answers, and we want all pets to get adopted, but there are right and wrong answers.

Best of luck.

PAWS Atlanta

11 year old sent home crying by PAWS Atlanta
Posted by Frustrated  |  February 25, 2008 7:26:31 AM

2/23/2008 Took my 11 year old to PAWS Atlanta - filled out form stating the pet would spend 85% of time outside - fould a dog that PAWS said they would have to "cat test" first since we have a cat - stated they would call that afternoon - they didn't - called them at approximately 4:30 to find out what was going on - PAWS couldn't tell me anything but promised me to call me right back - they didn't 2/25/2008 Called PAWS at approximately 10:15 - they still had not done the "cat test" but promised to call me right back - approximately 15 minutes later PAWS called me back to tell me the dog had failed the "cat test" - I informed my son who immediately started crying and after he recovered, my son agreed to return to PAWS to look at the other dogs - we returned at approximately 1:00 - presented PAWS with our application stating the pet would stay outside approximately 85% of the time - we were invited again to look at the dogs and my son found a bulldog puppy he really liked - we told PAWS we would like to adopt the pet and they finally read the information on the application and declined our application because of the 85% outside time. My son left the building in tears and I stayed and told the staff there was no excuse for them not raising this issue when we first visited the day before and that they were responsible for emotionally hurting my son 2 days in a row because of their ignoring the information I provided them - I do not agree with their position on keeping dogs primarily inside but acknowledge they have the right to have the policy. I also believe they have an obligation to review the information they obtain and inform the potential pet owners if there is a potential problem. PAWS did not perform their moral obligation in my case and in my opinion should not be rewarded with your charitable contributions.