If you are looking to adopt a pet, run as far away as you can from Cedar Valley Humane Society. That is unless you enjoy being treated with suspicion and a criminal, only to be ultimately disappointed.



Recently our long time family cat disappeared. She was a great companion, but snuck out one night and never returned. My daughter was particularly heartbroken. So we started our search for another pet to bring into our home. Always trying to do the right thing, we wanted to take the adoption route and give a needy cat a good home.



It didn't take long to find the pet we wanted. A loving lively cat by the name of Thomas at PetCo was an instant hit with my daughter and we just knew that he would fit right in. That is where the nice part of the story ends.



After filling out the required application, we were told it would be 2 to 5 days to hear an answer, but were assured it would be a much shorter wait. We completed and submitted the application on a Wednesday afternoon. On Friday, my wife received a phone call 'interviewing' her to ensure that we were qualified to adopt Thomas.



Now, while I have no problem with their due diligence, I do resent the way that we were talked to during the interview. The person was very condescending and presented herself in such a way that she was doing us a favor by calling. Remember that we are the ones that are doing the right thing by adopting and taking on the responsibility of a new pet. And I really don't appreciate the attitude we were given during the process. If my daughter did not have her heart set on Thomas, I would have called back and asked them to tear up the application. (Note to CVHS: treating people with respect and kindness is never wasted.)



Regardless, she seem satisfied with the information she received and said she would get back to us soon. We heard nothing back on Saturday and by late afternoon Monday, we were wondering where the process was, so we placed yet another phone call. At that time we were told that we would likely hear something the next day. So when we didn't hear anything back by this afternoon (Tuesday) we placed yet another call. Finally some good news (we thought) we had been approved. So we decided to set a time for six this evening to welcome our new pet.



However, when my wife called back to confirm, we were told that while had been approved for a pet, Thomas had been adopted someone else.



My daughter was devastated. Not only has our cherished family pet been lost, but the companion she had her heart set on is gone too.



I have no doubt that the CVHS cares for the animals in their charge. However, this does not make up for the fact that I was treated rudely, they are completely disorganized at the adoption process and that ultimately they had no consideration whatsoever for me or my family. Whatever the reason it happened, my wife and I had to deal with fallout of their mistake.



During our adoption process, I have heard many of the same complaints regarding CVHS. They have a reputation for repeating these kinds of adoption incidents. It is a shame that the animals have to stay locked in cages instead of finding loving homes because of the people in charge of this organization.