The Animal Guardian Society, a Registered Charity operated by Volunteers
3 reviews 1970 Concession Rd 9, Blackstock, ON +1 905-263-8247 www.animalguardian.org suggest an edit
16 August 2023 14:27
Some of TAGS dogs are aggressive and should be muzzled in the presence of other dogs. One of the rescue dogs bit my dog on the snout during a training session causing a category 3 bite that drew blood.
The bite occurred before the class had even started and TAGS refused to give me a refund suggesting that the offending dog remain in the class while my dog be banished to another. Set the offender free and punish the victim. Does that sound familiar?
A category three bite should be taken seriously and I didn’t see or hear any seriousness from TAGS. I would be extremely cautious about adopting one of these dogs. If you don’t address a category 3 bite with conviction then I wonder what their motivation is?
I was a a benefactor of TAGS but have now withdrawn my monthly donation This is not an organization I want to donate to.
The bite occurred before the class had even started and TAGS refused to give me a refund suggesting that the offending dog remain in the class while my dog be banished to another. Set the offender free and punish the victim. Does that sound familiar?
A category three bite should be taken seriously and I didn’t see or hear any seriousness from TAGS. I would be extremely cautious about adopting one of these dogs. If you don’t address a category 3 bite with conviction then I wonder what their motivation is?
I was a a benefactor of TAGS but have now withdrawn my monthly donation This is not an organization I want to donate to.
23 November 2022 20:53
Be aware before starting the adoption process with TAGS
First, I just want to say that the individual volunteers I connected with when I tried to adopt through TAGS were wonderful. And the dogs I met were well cared for – I hope they all find their forever homes, especially Jack.
However, the charity appears to be run with no oversight or governance in place. This allows the woman who runs the charity – Kathy – to make arbitrary decisions based on her personal preferences. She has very specific opinions about the level of training “her” dogs should have, and even more definite opinions about vaccinations for dogs – especially the Bordetella vaccine. (For those who may not be aware, the Bordetella vaccine protects against respiratory infections in dogs, generally referred to as “kennel cough”. No reputable doggy daycare or boarding facility will take in a dog who doesn’t have this vaccine.)
As part of the adoption process, you must commit to 8 weeks of training on Saturday mornings at the TAGS site. According to the contract I signed, completing the course is the requirement. If you miss more than 3 weeks, you don’t complete the course.
I was approved through the process posted on the website, and took Jack into my home. He was with me for five weeks, and settling in beautifully, when Kathy changed the process – apparently just for me.
I wasn’t initially aware of her stance on the Bordetella vaccine, and disclosed that I would be getting my dog vaccinated once he was mine.
At the fifth Saturday training class, Kathy pointedly remarked to the class, that we all needed to remember that to complete the course we needed to pass certain milestones, not just attend and learn. When I talked to her after class and told her this wasn’t what was in the contract I signed, she told me that the rules were hers and if I had a problem to take it up with my adoption coordinator. However, she wasn’t likely to approve me for adoption as she knew I was going to “poison” my dog with the Bordetella vaccine.
I did discuss this with the adoption coordinator. Having to pass the milestones as described by Kathy was news to her. On Monday Kathy emailed me to tell me that Jack would be picked up and go back into the system.
My heart breaks for Jack. I was his third adoption attempt. He’s the sweetest little guy and was doing so well. In the five weeks he was with me he gained so much confidence – he no longer shook with fear when meeting new people or other dogs. He’d learned excellent leash manners – not heeling yet, but walking with me with head held high and having fun. He could sit, stay and hold the stay for just over a minute!
The only reason this little guy is in a new, strange foster home is that Kathy’s more concerned with her ego than the best care for the dog. For this reason, I’m forced to give TAGS one star – and that star is for the lovely foster parents and adoption coordinators. They’re wonderful people.
First, I just want to say that the individual volunteers I connected with when I tried to adopt through TAGS were wonderful. And the dogs I met were well cared for – I hope they all find their forever homes, especially Jack.
However, the charity appears to be run with no oversight or governance in place. This allows the woman who runs the charity – Kathy – to make arbitrary decisions based on her personal preferences. She has very specific opinions about the level of training “her” dogs should have, and even more definite opinions about vaccinations for dogs – especially the Bordetella vaccine. (For those who may not be aware, the Bordetella vaccine protects against respiratory infections in dogs, generally referred to as “kennel cough”. No reputable doggy daycare or boarding facility will take in a dog who doesn’t have this vaccine.)
As part of the adoption process, you must commit to 8 weeks of training on Saturday mornings at the TAGS site. According to the contract I signed, completing the course is the requirement. If you miss more than 3 weeks, you don’t complete the course.
I was approved through the process posted on the website, and took Jack into my home. He was with me for five weeks, and settling in beautifully, when Kathy changed the process – apparently just for me.
I wasn’t initially aware of her stance on the Bordetella vaccine, and disclosed that I would be getting my dog vaccinated once he was mine.
At the fifth Saturday training class, Kathy pointedly remarked to the class, that we all needed to remember that to complete the course we needed to pass certain milestones, not just attend and learn. When I talked to her after class and told her this wasn’t what was in the contract I signed, she told me that the rules were hers and if I had a problem to take it up with my adoption coordinator. However, she wasn’t likely to approve me for adoption as she knew I was going to “poison” my dog with the Bordetella vaccine.
I did discuss this with the adoption coordinator. Having to pass the milestones as described by Kathy was news to her. On Monday Kathy emailed me to tell me that Jack would be picked up and go back into the system.
My heart breaks for Jack. I was his third adoption attempt. He’s the sweetest little guy and was doing so well. In the five weeks he was with me he gained so much confidence – he no longer shook with fear when meeting new people or other dogs. He’d learned excellent leash manners – not heeling yet, but walking with me with head held high and having fun. He could sit, stay and hold the stay for just over a minute!
The only reason this little guy is in a new, strange foster home is that Kathy’s more concerned with her ego than the best care for the dog. For this reason, I’m forced to give TAGS one star – and that star is for the lovely foster parents and adoption coordinators. They’re wonderful people.
02 November 2022 22:59
We are currently in the middle of the fostering to adopt process. From the start there was great communication from the volunteers and foster parents.
They are very diligent and thorough. They truly care and want to make sure they go to the right forever home.
They are very diligent and thorough. They truly care and want to make sure they go to the right forever home.