### SCAMMED!!
### SCAMMED!!
I used Petfinder in the past to see if there were any dogs in my area that I could adopt, but all the pets were usually located thousands of miles away.
In mid-January, I received an email about animals being transferred to my area from the LA fires, and they needed emergency adopters. All the pets listed had an adoption fee of $450 to $500 each, and I had to be screened to ensure I was a good match for the dog. On a fixed income, I found this a bit steep. Since I'm only allowed one pet where I live, I carefully scrolled through each pet suitable to my situation. I applied to a subcontractor through Petfinder (supposedly a neighborhood shelter called PNW Pittie Project) handling the LA fires animals in my area. I filled out the questionnaire application on January 22nd, 2025, with an application fee of $25, which I paid by credit card.
A week passed without any word on the pet I applied for. I contacted them again through email and I received a reply that they didn't receive my application nor payment. I sent copies of all my paperwork on January 29th, 2025. I waited another week for animals desperate for homes, but to no avail. I sent an email to Petfinder themselves, asking if I qualified and if the pet was still available (or if they gave the pet to someone else more worthy). It's now February 8th, and I still haven't received a single word.
All I was looking for was some kind of explanation like, "We're sorry, but you were not a match," or "The pet you were asking for is no longer available due to some emergency." Truthfully, I'm just glad I wasn't asked to pay the adoption fee first. According to the website, I had to meet the pet to ensure I was a good match before paying the adoption fee.
Is Purina really their sponsor? It would be shameful if they are, but I'm not investing any more time to find out. I'll just copy my review and use it for Purina.