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Shelters are often inundated with pet surrenders, and do not want to provide a simple outlet that takes away the obligation of responsible pet ownership. Therefore, they would prefer that people try hard to find a solution before resorting to surrendering their pet to a shelter. If you must find a new home for a pet, please try posting to our adoption portal before placing the burden on the shelter. Direct adoptions work well and allow everyone to share in the accountability of their community!
48
Reviews
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Misty Creek Dog Rescue (Calgary) >>
http://mistycreekdogrescue.com/
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A Compassionate Director
average
posted by Jer Reynolds,
on 2020-06-06 02:42:18
(no comment)
posted by KatMontieth,
on 2019-02-28 05:25:53
I truly wish I could post a less than zero star review. I was a volunteer foster for Misty Creek Dog Rescue for two and a half years. The last dog I fostered for them was Whiskey and I had him for a year. On January 22, 2018, I picked Whiskey up at the airport in a crate with a towel as a bed. After a few weeks, I took him to one of Misty Creek’s adopt-a-thons. It was not a good day for Whiskey. He reacted aggressively to other dogs and people. My foster coordinator tried to calm him down by walking with him, as did her husband and daughter, to no avail. He was not allowed inside the pet store because he had nipped at this coordinator. The coordinators then declared him unadoptable and a liability to have in public because he tried to bite someone. They said that I could adopt him and assume that liability myself, otherwise they wanted to put him in a kennel at the shelter until someone had enough time to try to work with him. I decided to foster dogs because I wanted to help animals in need so I offered to work with Whiskey at my home instead of him going to the shelter. I don't really have training in this area but I have a huge amount of compassion and love for animals. I felt that helping Whiskey to learn to trust people in a loving home would be much better for him than being in a kennel at a shelter. I did a huge amount of research online and figured out a lot of ways to help Whiskey. In June, Misty Creek sent a professional dog trainer to assess Whiskey. She felt Whiskey had made great progress and gave me a few pointers on how to do more training with him. This was the last time I heard from anyone from Misty Creek until December at which point I learned that all of the coordinators I had dealt with for the last two years had quit.
In December I received an email saying Misty Creek wanted Whiskey to have extensive training, which came as a surprise as there had been no contact for months and they did not know what progress he had made. By then I had made huge progress with Whiskey. He truly was not the same dog that I picked up at the airport in January. I sent a response outlining his progress and asking to have him assessed before anything else was decided about his future. At this point, Misty Creek again offered for me to adopt him at a reduced rate. I felt it was better for everyone's piece of mind to have him assessed first by professionals and then I intended to adopt him. Misty Creek sent Lindsay Knezacek to pick Whiskey up on January 21st, 2019 for an assessment the next day. I was supposed to pick him up after the assessment and then discuss his future and if they felt he was adoptable. Lindsay told me that Whiskey had passed the assessment with flying colours and that if I wanted to adopt him, I should fill out the application online. At this point, I believe that Misty Creek realized that I had done such excellent work with Whiskey that they could now sell him for full price (and profit) instead of allowing me to adopt him at the reduced rate that they had offered. They reneged on allowing me to adopt Whiskey even though I had accepted the offer and had completed the paperwork. I was told by Lindsay and Shauna Depta, the owner of Misty Creek, that I was not the best forever home for Whiskey and would not be allowed to adopt him. Whiskey was sold to someone else despite the fact that Lindsay had previously said that they wanted to check if I wanted to adopt him before considering other applications. Both Lindsay and Shauna have refused to tell me anything about where he is despite Misty Creek’s foster contract stating I would meet any potential adopters for a dog that I foster. Shauna and Lindsay have also refused to return the personal items that I purchased for Whiskey after I have repeatedly asked them to, which is a crime. I have no idea if he's OK. I am very worried about him being stressed, scared and possibly reverting to previous aggressive behaviour which could result in his being killed.
To top it off, in the process of trying to find a resolution to this situation I have learned that despite advertising and soliciting donations as a Non-Profit organization, Misty Creek is not registered in Alberta as a Non-Profit organization. When I asked for documents that show Misty Creek’s business registration to confirm it is operating legitimately in Alberta, I did not receive a favourable response and no information was provided. This is an organization that is run on the backs of volunteers. People volunteer not only their time and their homes, but volunteers often pay for food, toys, beds, treats, collars, harnesses, leashes, grooming, and much more with no repayment despite Misty Creek’s contract stating that they will repay all costs incurred by the fosters. Meanwhile Shauna sells these dogs for $375-$550 each and makes a nice profit. I really want to find a way to get this information out as public knowledge so that other people are aware and informed. If you are considering fostering or adopting with a rescue agency, I highly recommend doing thorough research and choosing an organization that is reputable. Please do not contribute to these people exploiting dog lovers for Shauna’s financial benefit.
posted by GailMontieth,
on 2019-02-28 00:52:55
Rescue groups are supposed to help animals heal and find a loving forever home. I believe most groups do exactly that. It is extremely upsetting to learn that this group (Misty Creek Dog Rescue) is operating for the profit of one person and is exploiting the time and money of people who love animals. Volunteers and people adopting animals need to research who they are dealing with. Misty Creek is not a registered non profit organization. The business is owned by Shauna Depta. There is nothing charitable about this group. All the donated funds and products, as well as the many volunteer hours, are supporting Shauna's lifestyle. It is sad that someone would use people and animals in this way for personal profit. Knowing that the volunteers and dogs are the keys to their profit, one would expect Misty Creek would treat their volunteers very well. That is not the case for Katelyn and Whiskey. I am guessing this is not the first dog who has been taken from a loving volunteer for the purpose of a higher profit. To destroy a bound formed between a dog and a volunteer after a year, isn't humane. It is definitely not rescuing the dog. Two hearts were broken for the sake of money. The additional insult of not allowing a time to say goodbye is simply cruel. Not returning personal items purchased by Katelyn is a crime. I truly hope that Whiskey's new owner will reach out to Katelyn and give her the piece of mind to know that Whiskey is safe and loved.
Proactive Redemptions
average
posted by Jer Reynolds,
on 2020-06-06 02:42:04
(no comment)
posted by KatMontieth,
on 2019-02-28 05:25:38
(no comment)
posted by GailMontieth,
on 2019-02-28 00:56:32
(no comment)
Volunteers
average
posted by Jer Reynolds,
on 2020-06-06 02:41:52
(no comment)
posted by KatMontieth,
on 2019-02-28 05:25:16
(no comment)
posted by GailMontieth,
on 2019-02-28 00:55:58
(no comment)
posted by KayeAndres,
on 2013-08-27 00:56:37
(no comment)
Public Relations/Community Involvement
average
posted by Jer Reynolds,
on 2020-06-06 02:41:47
(no comment)
posted by KatMontieth,
on 2019-02-28 05:24:58
(no comment)
posted by GailMontieth,
on 2019-02-28 00:55:56
(no comment)
Medical and Behavior Programs
average
posted by Jer Reynolds,
on 2020-06-06 02:41:44
(no comment)
posted by KatMontieth,
on 2019-02-28 05:24:51
I truly wish I could post a less than zero star review. I was a volunteer foster for Misty Creek Dog Rescue for two and a half years. The last dog I fostered for them was Whiskey and I had him for a year. On January 22, 2018, I picked Whiskey up at the airport in a crate with a towel as a bed. After a few weeks, I took him to one of Misty Creek’s adopt-a-thons. It was not a good day for Whiskey. He reacted aggressively to other dogs and people. My foster coordinator tried to calm him down by walking with him, as did her husband and daughter, to no avail. He was not allowed inside the pet store because he had nipped at this coordinator. The coordinators then declared him unadoptable and a liability to have in public because he tried to bite someone. They said that I could adopt him and assume that liability myself, otherwise they wanted to put him in a kennel at the shelter until someone had enough time to try to work with him. I decided to foster dogs because I wanted to help animals in need so I offered to work with Whiskey at my home instead of him going to the shelter. I don't really have training in this area but I have a huge amount of compassion and love for animals. I felt that helping Whiskey to learn to trust people in a loving home would be much better for him than being in a kennel at a shelter. I did a huge amount of research online and figured out a lot of ways to help Whiskey. In June, Misty Creek sent a professional dog trainer to assess Whiskey. She felt Whiskey had made great progress and gave me a few pointers on how to do more training with him. This was the last time I heard from anyone from Misty Creek until December at which point I learned that all of the coordinators I had dealt with for the last two years had quit.
In December I received an email saying Misty Creek wanted Whiskey to have extensive training, which came as a surprise as there had been no contact for months and they did not know what progress he had made. By then I had made huge progress with Whiskey. He truly was not the same dog that I picked up at the airport in January. I sent a response outlining his progress and asking to have him assessed before anything else was decided about his future. At this point, Misty Creek again offered for me to adopt him at a reduced rate. I felt it was better for everyone's piece of mind to have him assessed first by professionals and then I intended to adopt him. Misty Creek sent Lindsay Knezacek to pick Whiskey up on January 21st, 2019 for an assessment the next day. I was supposed to pick him up after the assessment and then discuss his future and if they felt he was adoptable. Lindsay told me that Whiskey had passed the assessment with flying colours and that if I wanted to adopt him, I should fill out the application online. At this point, I believe that Misty Creek realized that I had done such excellent work with Whiskey that they could now sell him for full price (and profit) instead of allowing me to adopt him at the reduced rate that they had offered. They reneged on allowing me to adopt Whiskey even though I had accepted the offer and had completed the paperwork. I was told by Lindsay and Shauna Depta, the owner of Misty Creek, that I was not the best forever home for Whiskey and would not be allowed to adopt him. Whiskey was sold to someone else despite the fact that Lindsay had previously said that they wanted to check if I wanted to adopt him before considering other applications. Both Lindsay and Shauna have refused to tell me anything about where he is despite Misty Creek’s foster contract stating I would meet any potential adopters for a dog that I foster. Shauna and Lindsay have also refused to return the personal items that I purchased for Whiskey after I have repeatedly asked them to, which is a crime. I have no idea if he's OK. I am very worried about him being stressed, scared and possibly reverting to previous aggressive behaviour which could result in his being killed.
To top it off, in the process of trying to find a resolution to this situation I have learned that despite advertising and soliciting donations as a Non-Profit organization, Misty Creek is not registered in Alberta as a Non-Profit organization. When I asked for documents that show Misty Creek’s business registration to confirm it is operating legitimately in Alberta, I did not receive a favourable response and no information was provided. This is an organization that is run on the backs of volunteers. People volunteer not only their time and their homes, but volunteers often pay for food, toys, beds, treats, collars, harnesses, leashes, grooming, and much more with no repayment despite Misty Creek’s contract stating that they will repay all costs incurred by the fosters. Meanwhile Shauna sells these dogs for $375-$550 each and makes a nice profit. I really want to find a way to get this information out as public knowledge so that other people are aware and informed. If you are considering fostering or adopting with a rescue agency, I highly recommend doing thorough research and choosing an organization that is reputable. Please do not contribute to these people exploiting dog lovers for Shauna’s financial benefit.
posted by GailMontieth,
on 2019-02-28 00:55:54
(no comment)
Pet Retention
average
posted by Jer Reynolds,
on 2020-06-06 02:41:36
(no comment)
posted by KatMontieth,
on 2019-02-28 05:24:36
(no comment)
posted by GailMontieth,
on 2019-02-28 00:55:51
(no comment)
Comprehensive Adoption Programs
average
posted by Jer Reynolds,
on 2020-06-06 02:41:26
(no comment)
posted by KatMontieth,
on 2019-02-28 05:24:17
I truly wish I could post a less than zero star review. I was a volunteer foster for Misty Creek Dog Rescue for two and a half years. The last dog I fostered for them was Whiskey and I had him for a year. On January 22, 2018, I picked Whiskey up at the airport in a crate with a towel as a bed. After a few weeks, I took him to one of Misty Creek’s adopt-a-thons. It was not a good day for Whiskey. He reacted aggressively to other dogs and people. My foster coordinator tried to calm him down by walking with him, as did her husband and daughter, to no avail. He was not allowed inside the pet store because he had nipped at this coordinator. The coordinators then declared him unadoptable and a liability to have in public because he tried to bite someone. They said that I could adopt him and assume that liability myself, otherwise they wanted to put him in a kennel at the shelter until someone had enough time to try to work with him. I decided to foster dogs because I wanted to help animals in need so I offered to work with Whiskey at my home instead of him going to the shelter. I don't really have training in this area but I have a huge amount of compassion and love for animals. I felt that helping Whiskey to learn to trust people in a loving home would be much better for him than being in a kennel at a shelter. I did a huge amount of research online and figured out a lot of ways to help Whiskey. In June, Misty Creek sent a professional dog trainer to assess Whiskey. She felt Whiskey had made great progress and gave me a few pointers on how to do more training with him. This was the last time I heard from anyone from Misty Creek until December at which point I learned that all of the coordinators I had dealt with for the last two years had quit.
In December I received an email saying Misty Creek wanted Whiskey to have extensive training, which came as a surprise as there had been no contact for months and they did not know what progress he had made. By then I had made huge progress with Whiskey. He truly was not the same dog that I picked up at the airport in January. I sent a response outlining his progress and asking to have him assessed before anything else was decided about his future. At this point, Misty Creek again offered for me to adopt him at a reduced rate. I felt it was better for everyone's piece of mind to have him assessed first by professionals and then I intended to adopt him. Misty Creek sent Lindsay Knezacek to pick Whiskey up on January 21st, 2019 for an assessment the next day. I was supposed to pick him up after the assessment and then discuss his future and if they felt he was adoptable. Lindsay told me that Whiskey had passed the assessment with flying colours and that if I wanted to adopt him, I should fill out the application online. At this point, I believe that Misty Creek realized that I had done such excellent work with Whiskey that they could now sell him for full price (and profit) instead of allowing me to adopt him at the reduced rate that they had offered. They reneged on allowing me to adopt Whiskey even though I had accepted the offer and had completed the paperwork. I was told by Lindsay and Shauna Depta, the owner of Misty Creek, that I was not the best forever home for Whiskey and would not be allowed to adopt him. Whiskey was sold to someone else despite the fact that Lindsay had previously said that they wanted to check if I wanted to adopt him before considering other applications. Both Lindsay and Shauna have refused to tell me anything about where he is despite Misty Creek’s foster contract stating I would meet any potential adopters for a dog that I foster. Shauna and Lindsay have also refused to return the personal items that I purchased for Whiskey after I have repeatedly asked them to, which is a crime. I have no idea if he's OK. I am very worried about him being stressed, scared and possibly reverting to previous aggressive behaviour which could result in his being killed.
To top it off, in the process of trying to find a resolution to this situation I have learned that despite advertising and soliciting donations as a Non-Profit organization, Misty Creek is not registered in Alberta as a Non-Profit organization. When I asked for documents that show Misty Creek’s business registration to confirm it is operating legitimately in Alberta, I did not receive a favourable response and no information was provided. This is an organization that is run on the backs of volunteers. People volunteer not only their time and their homes, but volunteers often pay for food, toys, beds, treats, collars, harnesses, leashes, grooming, and much more with no repayment despite Misty Creek’s contract stating that they will repay all costs incurred by the fosters. Meanwhile Shauna sells these dogs for $375-$550 each and makes a nice profit. I really want to find a way to get this information out as public knowledge so that other people are aware and informed. If you are considering fostering or adopting with a rescue agency, I highly recommend doing thorough research and choosing an organization that is reputable. Please do not contribute to these people exploiting dog lovers for Shauna’s financial benefit.
posted by GailMontieth,
on 2019-02-28 00:55:49
(no comment)
posted by KayeAndres,
on 2013-08-27 00:56:27
(no comment)
Foster Care
average
posted by Jer Reynolds,
on 2020-06-06 02:41:13
(no comment)
posted by KatMontieth,
on 2019-02-28 05:24:09
I truly wish I could post a less than zero star review. I was a volunteer foster for Misty Creek Dog Rescue for two and a half years. The last dog I fostered for them was Whiskey and I had him for a year. On January 22, 2018, I picked Whiskey up at the airport in a crate with a towel as a bed. After a few weeks, I took him to one of Misty Creek’s adopt-a-thons. It was not a good day for Whiskey. He reacted aggressively to other dogs and people. My foster coordinator tried to calm him down by walking with him, as did her husband and daughter, to no avail. He was not allowed inside the pet store because he had nipped at this coordinator. The coordinators then declared him unadoptable and a liability to have in public because he tried to bite someone. They said that I could adopt him and assume that liability myself, otherwise they wanted to put him in a kennel at the shelter until someone had enough time to try to work with him. I decided to foster dogs because I wanted to help animals in need so I offered to work with Whiskey at my home instead of him going to the shelter. I don't really have training in this area but I have a huge amount of compassion and love for animals. I felt that helping Whiskey to learn to trust people in a loving home would be much better for him than being in a kennel at a shelter. I did a huge amount of research online and figured out a lot of ways to help Whiskey. In June, Misty Creek sent a professional dog trainer to assess Whiskey. She felt Whiskey had made great progress and gave me a few pointers on how to do more training with him. This was the last time I heard from anyone from Misty Creek until December at which point I learned that all of the coordinators I had dealt with for the last two years had quit.
In December I received an email saying Misty Creek wanted Whiskey to have extensive training, which came as a surprise as there had been no contact for months and they did not know what progress he had made. By then I had made huge progress with Whiskey. He truly was not the same dog that I picked up at the airport in January. I sent a response outlining his progress and asking to have him assessed before anything else was decided about his future. At this point, Misty Creek again offered for me to adopt him at a reduced rate. I felt it was better for everyone's piece of mind to have him assessed first by professionals and then I intended to adopt him. Misty Creek sent Lindsay Knezacek to pick Whiskey up on January 21st, 2019 for an assessment the next day. I was supposed to pick him up after the assessment and then discuss his future and if they felt he was adoptable. Lindsay told me that Whiskey had passed the assessment with flying colours and that if I wanted to adopt him, I should fill out the application online. At this point, I believe that Misty Creek realized that I had done such excellent work with Whiskey that they could now sell him for full price (and profit) instead of allowing me to adopt him at the reduced rate that they had offered. They reneged on allowing me to adopt Whiskey even though I had accepted the offer and had completed the paperwork. I was told by Lindsay and Shauna Depta, the owner of Misty Creek, that I was not the best forever home for Whiskey and would not be allowed to adopt him. Whiskey was sold to someone else despite the fact that Lindsay had previously said that they wanted to check if I wanted to adopt him before considering other applications. Both Lindsay and Shauna have refused to tell me anything about where he is despite Misty Creek’s foster contract stating I would meet any potential adopters for a dog that I foster. Shauna and Lindsay have also refused to return the personal items that I purchased for Whiskey after I have repeatedly asked them to, which is a crime. I have no idea if he's OK. I am very worried about him being stressed, scared and possibly reverting to previous aggressive behaviour which could result in his being killed.
To top it off, in the process of trying to find a resolution to this situation I have learned that despite advertising and soliciting donations as a Non-Profit organization, Misty Creek is not registered in Alberta as a Non-Profit organization. When I asked for documents that show Misty Creek’s business registration to confirm it is operating legitimately in Alberta, I did not receive a favourable response and no information was provided. This is an organization that is run on the backs of volunteers. People volunteer not only their time and their homes, but volunteers often pay for food, toys, beds, treats, collars, harnesses, leashes, grooming, and much more with no repayment despite Misty Creek’s contract stating that they will repay all costs incurred by the fosters. Meanwhile Shauna sells these dogs for $375-$550 each and makes a nice profit. I really want to find a way to get this information out as public knowledge so that other people are aware and informed. If you are considering fostering or adopting with a rescue agency, I highly recommend doing thorough research and choosing an organization that is reputable. Please do not contribute to these people exploiting dog lovers for Shauna’s financial benefit.
posted by GailMontieth,
on 2019-02-28 00:55:44
Rescue groups are supposed to help animals heal and find a loving forever home. I believe most groups do exactly that. It is extremely upsetting to learn that this group (Misty Creek Dog Rescue) is operating for the profit of one person and is exploiting the time and money of people who love animals. Volunteers and people adopting animals need to research who they are dealing with. Misty Creek is not a registered non profit organization. The business is owned by Shauna Depta. There is nothing charitable about this group. All the donated funds and products, as well as the many volunteer hours, are supporting Shauna's lifestyle. It is sad that someone would use people and animals in this way for personal profit. Knowing that the volunteers and dogs are the keys to their profit, one would expect Misty Creek would treat their volunteers very well. That is not the case for Katelyn and Whiskey. I am guessing this is not the first dog who has been taken from a loving volunteer for the purpose of a higher profit. To destroy a bound formed between a dog and a volunteer after a year, isn't humane. It is definitely not rescuing the dog. Two hearts were broken for the sake of money. The additional insult of not allowing a time to say goodbye is simply cruel. Not returning personal items purchased by Katelyn is a crime. I truly hope that Whiskey's new owner will reach out to Katelyn and give her the piece of mind to know that Whiskey is safe and loved. Please look at the Facebook page "Help Find Whiskey" for more information.
posted by KayeAndres,
on 2013-08-27 00:57:17
(no comment)
Rescue Groups
average
posted by Jer Reynolds,
on 2020-06-06 02:40:52
(no comment)
posted by KatMontieth,
on 2019-02-28 05:23:30
(no comment)
posted by GailMontieth,
on 2019-02-28 00:56:22
(no comment)
posted by KayeAndres,
on 2013-08-27 00:56:01
(no comment)
High-Volume, Low-Cost Spay/Neuter
average
posted by Jer Reynolds,
on 2020-06-06 02:40:43
(no comment)
posted by KatMontieth,
on 2019-02-28 05:23:14
(no comment)
posted by GailMontieth,
on 2019-02-28 00:56:21
(no comment)
Feral Cat TNR Program
average
posted by Jer Reynolds,
on 2020-06-06 02:40:34
(no comment)
posted by KatMontieth,
on 2019-02-28 05:23:00
(no comment)
posted by GailMontieth,
on 2019-02-28 00:56:20
(no comment)
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