In Our Hands Rescue

I got my wonderful Henry in late September from an adoption event in Manhattan. IOHR had brought him up from a kill shelter in Kentucky. It breaks my heart to think that he would have been put down had it not been for their organization.
Prior to making him available for adoption, they had him neutered and given a full vet exam — he even came with medication to take care of the kennel cough he had picked up in KY. They gave him a great start and made his adoption as easy as possible.
I can’t say enough good things about this organization. They do great work!

I’ve been fostering with In Our Hands for a year now, and they are an awesome organization to work with. Whenever I have any questions about one of the foster dogs, Rachael, the rescue coordinator, is really quick to respond to answer my question. They’re also very considerate of the preference you have — for whatever reason, my dog DOES NOT like male dogs being in our home, and they have always been very accommodating in arranging me with female dogs.
Their volunteers are also AMAZING. They do a stellar job with going through each adoption application thoroughly but also quickly. They are a great organization to foster with, and undoubtedly a wonderful organization to adopt from as well.

I adopted my dog last Saturday from IOHR outside of Petco on 14^th and have to say that I did not have a positive experience. I was charged $ 500 for what was reported to be a one-​year old dog who I was told was in healthy condition and up to date on all of his shots. I was shocked to find the dog in pretty bad condition with badly matted hair and what appeared to be scabs on his skin. I immediately took him to Petco to get cleaned up where I was told by the groomers that his skin was in terrible condition and that I should take him to a vet right away, which I did. At the vet I was told that two was a conservative guess for his age and he was likely closer to three. In addition to that I was told that he had a skin infection that would require antibiotics and a medicated wash, that he needed medicated drops for gummy eyes and that he had only been given the first of two required bordetella vaccinations. Not including the charge for the vet visit, I was hit with a $ 145 bill for the vaccine and medications for conditions that he clearly was suffering from while in their care. I called IOHR seeking some sort of reimbursement for these charges since they gave me paperwork certifying that my dog was healthy at the time of the adoption and he clearly was not. Rachel told me there was nothing she could do, that Jennifer would never reimburse me for those charges and that they can’t certify anything when you adopt a dog. I understand that you run some risks when you adopt a rescue dog but to lie about his age to charge a higher rate, then to lie about the quality of his health and be unwilling to do anything about it, is just terrible. The only solution Rachel offered was to take my dog back. The dog that I had «donated» $ 500 for and then paid $ 80 for grooming and $ 145 to get healthy so they could turn around and sell him to someone else for $ 500? Um, no thank you. I chose IOHR because they had great reviews on Unilocal so I felt I had a responsibility to share my experience. I gave them two stars instead of one because really they are one of the few shelters with any kind of follow-​up but really, adopters beware.
Debatable points aside, I think it’s important to remember that their vet conveniently reported a younger age enabling them to list my dog as a baby which supported them charging such a high fee. Also, it’s important to note that the vet they used also certified a dog with old scabs and a skin condition (that was obvious to a novice) as healthy. Further, I just need to note again the fact that I received my dog with badly matted hair which calls into question the treatment animals receive while in their care. Fine-don’t give me my money back but please improve conditions for all of the dogs in your care.

Let me start by saying I couldn’t thank you guy’s enough to for allowing me to experience the amazing feeling of having a dog. I adopted Rocky when he was 7 months. Rocky is the most awesome dog ever. In our hands rescue made the process of adopting the dog extremely smooth and fast on follow up emails.

Bad experience.

I adopted my puppy Cooper (dachshund mix) from In Our Hands a bit over a month ago. Everyone at the rescue was fantastic to work with. They were able and willing to work with m schedule so I could meet Cooper as soon as possible. He came with all of his shots, and it was clear that he was well taken care of. I would definitely recommend this shelter for anyone who is looking to adopt a dog or cat. Thank you for my new best friend!

I started fostering dogs with IOHR recently and I’m so glad I decided to do so with this group. You can tell they care about the animals they rescue. The get new dogs and cats every week from rescue missions and work hard to find good homes for them. They also have a good network of fosters. Unlike some other rescue groups and shelters, they’re upfront with issues animals have and also are honest about what they know about the animal. I frequently contact Rachael, the adoption coordinator, with questions I have since I’m new to fostering. She’s always been pleasant and professional. I highly recommend to adopt with them and I would do so, if I didn’t have 2 dogs already!

This review is long overdue, as I adopted my handsome dachshund/​basset hound mix Norman (formerly Ryan) from IOHR last December. At the time, I had been searching for a rescue pup for months, and had all but given up hope. I had so many issues with other rescue organizations in the city– often, they were impossible to get in touch with, and by the time they had accepted my application and checked my references, the pup I wanted had been adopted. This happened to me 3 separate times with other rescues! Thankfully I found Norman and IOHR! Rachel was extremely kind, helpful, and responsive throughout the entire process. In fact, it took less than 15 mins after I submitted the online application for Rachel to approve me and get in touch, and then Norman and I were united the next day.
I couldn’t be happier with my pup! He is absolutely the cutest, silliest, snuggliest, most loyal and deserving dog I have ever had or met. I am so thankfully to IOHR for finally giving me my new best friend!

We adopted Petey (formerly known as Pee Wee) from In Our Hands Rescue last October. The entire process was very smooth and everyone we met was helpful and super nice. I would definitely recommend them to anyone looking to adopt. Petey has come a long way since then, and we’re so happy to have him around.

We got a great pup from IOHR — a beagle /​dox mix with a wonderful personality. The application process is pretty pain free. Ali, the coordinator, is a sweetheart. Answered tons of follow ups. Just be forewarned that adoption events on the weekend are a bit of a shit show. If you see a pup you want, snatch it! It’s first come first served.

We adopted our sweet basset mix from IOHR this summer, and couldn’t be happier! After seeing his photo online, we decided to check and see if he was at the adoption event near our apartment (86^th and Lex, in the black tent outside of the H&M). The staff there was incredibly nice, and even let my husband and I take our little man for a stroll around the block! Our application was processed quickly, and once we were approved, we were immediately given both hard and electronic copies of veterinary records. Everybody was very honest about our little guy and let us know everything that they could about his past and history.
We just love taking our little guy to the park, and snuggling with him on the couch! Thanks IOHR!!! :)

I adopted the coolest motherfucker on earth from these guys… Otto! A true guy’s dog. Approved my application quickly, got me and Otto on our way from their van in Union Sq in no time. Impeccably honest– disclosed everything that needed to be, only things they didn’t tell me– the bastard spreads out & takes up too much room in bed, and falls asleep during foreign films.
But, he’s the perfect guy to eat burgers and watch hockey with.
Thanks, Rachael !!

I adopted Cooper (previously Casper) in November of 2014. He is the happiest dog in the world and the two of us could not be happier to be in each other’s lives :) In Our Hands Rescue was so easy to work with and made the adoption process so easy! I filled out the application prior and was approved prior to meeting him, so I was able to take him home straight from the adoption event!
He’s been a dream to raise and I recommend IOHR to everyone who asks about him! :)

I used In Our Hands to Rescue my precious dog, Devo. They were very quick to respond to my inquiries and my application. I met with the foster parent and pup and within an hour I was bringing my little guy home. I was told he had a clean bill of health and they mailed me his papers within a day of me adopting him. He is a healthy, happy dog, and I am grateful to them! Thank you!

We adopted our dog, Ollie, from In Our Hands Rescue in December of 2014. I came across an adoption event at Petco in midtown and it was love at first sight. All of the dogs up for adoption looked healthy and happy and the volunteers from In Our Hands were friendly and happy to answer all of my questions. Although Ollie looked healthy and happy, we wanted to take her to the vet to follow up (we were given all of her shot records at the time of adoption) and the vet confirmed exactly that. He also told us that she was seemed well adjusted to her new home :) We are so thankful to In Our Hands for this addition to our family. Ollie loves spending her days playing at the dog park, going on set with dad, and most recently playing in the snow!

My girlfriend and I adopted our beloved pup just over the weekend at an adoption event in Manhattan. Being first time dog owners, her and I were both nervous and excited to start on this new journey. Rachael has been great! Starting with the adoption process to even after the first couple days of having brought our Zoey home. Ive been bugging her, texting her with all these questions and concerns about whats going on and what do we do, and she’s been nothing short of amazing! Thanks for all the great work you guys do! We surely do appreciate you guys!

My fiancé and I adopted our new furry friend from In Our Hands Rescue in December of 2014. We completed the online application before meeting her at an adoption event in Brooklyn. She was perfect and exactly as described! She was found as a stray then brought up to Brooklyn from a foster home in Georgia and we just could not be happier with her. She’s smart, healthy, affectionate and very friendly with everyone — just as IOHR said she was.
After adopting her we were put in touch with her foster family in Georgia who gave us a more detailed idea of how she was found and what happened. We learned that our new dog was on a short round of antibiotics for a UTI she had when she was found. IOHR didn’t know this, but as soon as they learned about it they offered to cover the cost for any medicine we’d have to give the dog. We were advised by our vet not to continue medicating her, but knowing that IOHR was willing to still help us our after we signed the paperwork was so wonderful, and testament to the honesty and integrity with which they operate.
I had a 100% positive experience with them. They were honest with us and totally helpful through the adoption process. They called our references and seemed to truly care about the kinds of homes that their dogs go to. I recommend everyone adopt a dog instead of getting one from a pet store, and now I’ll recommend everyone adopt from IOHR. I’m so thankful to them for their help in bringing a new member into our family.

Adopted my furry babe, Terri, from IOHR. She is the most precious thing in my life now. Jennifer was very responsible, having all the medical records ready for me when I pick up Terri. If you want to adopt, adopt thru IOHR!!!

NEVER TRUST THIS COMPANY. they gave me medicine and said it was post-​surgery pain meds when really it was antibiotics b/​c she had a UTI. The dog bit me and my roommate so i called to see what i should do. They said to bring it to an apt in the bronx… after the hour and 30min subway ride i called and the lady refused to come meet me to pick her up so i said i was going to bring her to the police station b/​c i did not feel safe and she threatened to sue me saying i would be abandoning her… i said i dont feel safe giving her back to you guys because of how you have handled this situation and they said if i did not return the dog they would sue me… I do not even have words. If only they cared about the pets and not money.
And to rachels response you know the truth and shame on you for lying.

Adopted our Boxer Mix Stella back in September and couldn’t be happier. She is the sweetest dog and has brought us so much joy. In Our Hands Rescue is definitely worth visiting if you are considering adopting a dog!