Pets Haven

Whatever you do make sure you get all the information on the dog that you adopt. I adopted a puppy last year & I’ve noticed that they never removed her dew claws and her front paws go outwards, today at her 1 year vaccination appointment the vet said that it is a deformity & there is nothing they can really do now, if she was younger she could of had a operation, now she will have arthritis when she is older.



They could of removed her dew claws and straightened her legs when she was in their care, I wasn’t impressed at the start, I messaged and I paid a deposit as I was told they’d only hold her for about 2 hrs and because I live in Ballarat I had to come the next day, straight after I paid the deposit she was advertised on this page.



The next day comes and I drive to Woodland to then be told she’s actually at the vet one so then I have to drive even longer, to then find out she hadn’t been desexed, so then I had to chase them up to come get her to desex her, I was told she’d be dropped back home but after I heard nothing the next day I had to drive to get her. On top of that they way Star (now Lexi) reacted to the guy that came to get her you can tell that he didn’t treat her right as she hasn’t snapped at anyone since.



I can see why this place is under investigation.



I wasn’t going to write anything but you can’t leave reviews on this page and I’m not getting responses via email or inbox.



Just be careful if you are looking for a puppy.

We have been declined a few times before by the same shelter and feel that it was their duty to do so to ensure that pets who have been neglected and the people who adopt them are best suited for each other. We got our pair, Chihuahua (Cookie) and kitten (Mingkee), from Pets Haven in 2010. These two were bonded pairs, and Pets Haven has ensured that we are best suited for them as carers. We were proud to be their pet parents and brought them here to Canada. Our Cookie has long passed due to cancer, but our Mingkee boo is still with us, cute as ever. We are still in touch with the women who helped us adopt them, and we are grateful. For those who want to adopt, please be mindful that people who work at shelters volunteer their time and have to tend to animals who have been neglected or left to die every day. They only have a little time or money to save more animals that need help.



I noticed that those who posted negative comments had more votes than those who had positive experiences. It saddens me that it is easier to connect with hate and negativity than promote empathy these days. For Pets Haven, again thank you for your hard work and continue for caring for these animals.

We drove an hour and a half to Woodend to find out the dog we thought that was on hold for us had been moved to their Diamond Creek Pet Shop. On this day the Woodend shelter was filled with large noisy dogs so we understand why they did it. Maraka was a 2 year old very timid mini fox terrier. So we didn’t mind the extra drive. Maraka was the perfect match for our family and has brought us a lot of love and joy. It was obvious she had been mistreated in her former life however has since overcome her insecurities. Pippa (formerly Maraka) is now 10. So grateful for Pets Haven for rescuing this gem.

I called, made an appointment after I saw my future best mate on the Pet's Haven FB page. I drove down, we met, went for a walk and the team were kind enough to provide a blanket for him in the car. There is a welcome pack that must be purchased on adoption (my pack for my dog included a bed, collar, some toys, seat belt, lead, food, flea treatment) but offers a great starter kit for your new bestie - you get them home and have what you need + the amount charged goes into saving more animals. Great job team and thank you!

My email was responded to, I rang and explained my husband and I would like to adopt a dog - Clyde. I was informed Clyde would be on HOLD for us until 3.30pm. We had an hour and half drive to get there. We arrived at that time, one receptionist asked if we were there to pick-up Clyde and brought him out to us. Another, nurse? came out later and said Clyde had been adopted. A young man was there, had come in a short while before us and was allowed to have the dog. The vet said the adoption would stand.

Despite the dog being advertised as being suitable for a retired couple, to be indoors and quiet.

So much for the interests of the dog - it was given to the young man who lives in an apartment and works full-time.

Extremely disappointing - as we were told the dog was on hold for us and no apology offered to us. And the dog not adopted out to a proper environment for its needs.

Terrible, heartbreaking experience today. I drove over an hour with my family to adopt a puppy. Brought photos and money but not my other old dog who they HAD to meet to allow me to adopt. No where in the ad did it tell me to bring my dog and the ad stresses that they don’t want you to call them for further information because none will be provided.

I felt like it’d been set up for failure and my kids all cried.

Terrible customer service and very unorganised. Promised our dog to 2 different families and then when dog died, they had little to no sympathy for us and the kids and now we are out of pocket $860 because they gave us a dog sick with parvo. Communicate is terrible. Wont go there again for a dog.

Continued on from previous post....

you've mentioned hundreds of other cats, well if she really didn't see Ophelia suiting me, then why not make the suggestion to pop in & find someone to suit my family? Rather than being so abrupt? I explained to her about my cat & his similarities & that I was only looking for some companionship since his passing on & someone with similar traits, as I miss him dearly.

It's not about a "cool cat" as you state, that's a pretty sad way to look at it but I realize you've seen the worst in humanity in this line of work, as I've said I've done my research,
perhaps if no one is beating down the doors as you mentioned above you need to look at the staff first & the way you treat those people who are just trying to do the right thing & adopt, I say this as someone who's adopted every furry member of my family & as someone who's volunteered in numerous shelters over the years. Thanks again Kirstie.

Awful experience,

Background first: I called pet's haven last week in regards to a cat they have up for adoption, I spoke with a woman who should not be in a customer service "people" industry, who rudely told me that this cat is high maintained, I assumed she was screening for people who have handled this before so I jokingly said I'm a chihuahua mom so I know attitude & high maintenance, I went on to explain that my beautiful boy passed away after 18 years this February & I was just wanting some companionship & that his similarities made me think this kitty would be a good addition to my family.

Today; this particular cat was reposted & I mentioned on the page that I called & explained that I was unhappy with the treatment I received on the call, I received some beautiful messages from some very kind ladies, then rudely receive a message from Kirstie at Pets haven about wanting a cool cat & there are others & she continues to go on attacking me, before getting an attitude & replying abruptly to the ladies who were only being nice to be on the message board, she then deletes all the comments (obviously knew she shouldn't have replied in such hast & in such a rude manner) I am no longer able to see the page, so I responded via messenger & am yet to see a reply.

My reply;

Hi Kirstie, thanks for your reply, my feedback provided is more in regards to the way in which my call was handled, the women I was speaking to had a general lack of customer service / friendliness, she was unhelpful and she spoke very poorly of Ophelia (I couldn't believe what I was hearing!) , I understand that you guys are busy & have a large number of animals in your care & as I've stated in my replies I understand the choice is at your discretion obviously, however I think that some general training is required for your staff, people are calling you guys to adopt rather than being a part of the problem, yet they are being made to feel like crap for lack of a better word, you've me

Have been mucked around 4 times for dog adoption. After so many lies, failed viewings this place has made me give up on adoption. I now realise why backyard breeder businesses are thriving.