Animal Ark

Luke Strehlow

2024-04

The whole process couldn’t have been any easier. We first met our new pup at a local event they were at. We did not get her then but 5 months later we discovered she was still available and ready for a forever home. We got in contact and it was seamless from there. Shout out to Anna who made it easy, she was knowledgeable and stayed in contact and was even there the day we went to pick her up and made sure we were as comfortable as the pup. Thank you all so much.-The Strehlows

Gary Fairbrother

2024-04

We would give Zero stars for age discrimination if we could. We were allowed to interact with all of the cats and spent over an hour there before choosing a mature cat that seemed perfect for us. The friendly staff aided us in filling out a several page application and reviewed the whole adoption process to us in detail with one exception: NO ONE OVER 75 YEARS OLD IS ALLOWED TO ADOPT! After a few days preparing and waiting for a home inspection we were emailed that our application was not accepted because we were likely to die soon. You will note, that policy is not acknowledged in any written or spoken notice.

Tee Suedel

2024-04

Animal Ark took care of my two cats Saint and Kitty during a transition to a new apartment in a different area . I missed them terribly and called for updates on how they were doing every couple days. They were spayed, neutered, and chipped. They also I formed me that my kitty was female not a male! They were kind enough to give me the updates knowing I really needed them and helped me feel better about being away. I couldn't be more grateful and thankful for all their help! Highly recommend!!

Emilee Drude

2024-03

We stopped in here to see if we could find our next fur friend. Staff seemed annoyed we even came to the shelter. I understand if they are used to potential adopters making an appointment etc before coming however the building said they were open. The front desk woman told us ample times there is a website. She did offer the binder of adoptable dogs however her coldness made it an unwelcome environment for us to be in. Hopefully she can learn to be kinder to people and less forceful with explaining the “rules”

Buggy

2024-03

Awesome shelter. They help as many animals as they can, even those with terminal illnesses, or ones who might need months of rehab. The unbelievable amount of love+attention the staff gives shows when you see the happy animals there. This place is truly a gem, and I hope they can continue supporting the animals for many more years to come.

Kris C

2024-04

I've never seen a shelter that takes better care of their kitties. All the kitties have their own little apartments and an aggression level listed on the door. You're welcome to visit with even the aggressive kitties so they can be socialized. I didn't leave with a kitty today, but I have to highly recommend them as one of the better animal shelters I've seen. I cannot speak on how dogs are kept as I only visited with the kitties but the kitties are spoiled!

Kate B

2023-05

We LOVE Animal Ark!!! If you’re looking to adopt or foster, this is the place to find your new fur baby. Or if you’re just looking to support a great shelter, there are endless ways to support them too!! We brought home our sweet Tilly and are so happy to have her.They walked my partner and i through the entire process so seamlessly (especially for us first time pet owners). The staff cares so deeply and they work so hard to make sure you’re equipped with all the right resources. They also made sure she was up to date on all her shots and she is already even microchipped! They also had her already trained to go in her litter box so our transition home was so easy.Adopting from Animal Ark will be the best thing you ever do. 🧡☺️

Sonja R

2024-03

These people are awesome! The communication was good and pretty timely considering they are volunteers. Love my new cat!

Cathy Schlegel

2023-05

Their staff is very nice and the cat rooms are beautifully set up and very clean. You can visit with any cat you want for as long as you like. The adoption process was really easy. And my new kitty is so sweet!

Rule 64

2022-05

Absolutely fantastic 👏. They really care about the animals. The cats have super fun set ups. The dogs are kept out of the public eye until you make an appointment to meet a dog. This keeps the stress down for the dogs. We were able to meet several fun cat friends. The adoption process is involved and requires a lot of information.

Kristi Larson

2024-03

If I could do ZERO stars I would! I sent in a donation to become a friend/member of Animal Ark, and it was DENIED and sent back to me because they claim I am "associated with a group of people who have shown a hostile attitude towards them" - Are you kidding me?? Sounds like they handpick their donors and only choose an inside select group! I am absolutely appalled by this. What kind of organization turns away interested donors with a ridiculous "reason" like that. Seriously. I'd be wary of what goes on behind closed doors - especially with finances! I HIGHLY suggest anyone interested in helping them out find another shelter where EVERYONE is welcome!

PrdPapa K

2023-12

My wife and I adopted Shadow, a three year old German Shepherd from Animal Ark after fostering her for a few weeks. The staff is very careful to make sure there’s a good match before adoption or fostering. The welfare of the dog/cat comes first at Animal Ark, as it should!

Ernest S

2024-04

The people at Animal Ark really care about the pets they take in. We had to give up our dog, and they were so knowledgeable and compassionate. I know they will do what is best for our dear friend & companion.

Peggy Erickson

2024-02

I adored Sweetie Pie, had her a few years. Senior when she Chose me (!!!) Maybe some kitties in small crates, space is limited, they do best they can. Thx for opportunity to have loved my best friend!

Andrew Pounds

2023-10

Great animals and policy and all, but hey, are you a student looking to adopt a cat? No shot. If you live in student housing, this animal shelter won’t let you adopt (even if you are really serious about taking care of the animal as a connection to someone you lost).Said they would call me about my application within the week. Never happened. I called them 5 times in a week and a half span asking for updates, but the adoption evaluator was either “not in” or must have had piles of applications every time I called. Eventually they told me that my application would be in my email… thanks. It’ll take way longer for you to know than it should.And like I said, if you are a student who may have to move once or twice, they consider that to be too risky. Only Hastings and MN suburban residents with all the security in the world! There are better shelters out there who are willing to work with you. Feline Rescue is one, but this place is not worth the drive or the time.

Patcharida C.

2021-05

This is the first time I've had adopted a kitten from a shelter and it was a wonderful experience. My husband and I found a kitten on Petfinder, so we've filled the application to adopt him. It takes 1 week before the staff contact us for a review and ask us to visit the kitten at the shelter.The shelter is very clean for my standard and I could see that they've taken care of their animals very well. The cats have their own rooms and toys and cat trees for their entertainment.After we've met the kitten, we have to send the photo of our house to the staff to be evaluated and then wait for approximately another 1 week before the shelter called us to approve our application.So, today we took him home and were waiting for him to adjust to his new home and life.I could see that the staff here had been working tirelessly for the well-being of their animals and they want nothing but the best things for them.My recently adopted kitten's health is very good and he's very cute and affectionate.I would recommend anyone who want to adopt the animals. Animal Ark is the good place.

MPLS Brickson

2023-05

Such a good experience for our family. The workers know their animals. They care. The are kind. A respectful and caring process from beginning to end. We have been well matched and love our newest family member. Thank you!!

Amanda Janke

2019-05

We adopted from here over a year ago. You can tell that they really care about their animals and that they go to a good home. We were open with the staff during the adoption process and they paired us with our sweet, silly girl. I recommend them to anyone looking to adopt.

Andrea Belanus

2023-08

I adopted my beloved flame point from this place 9yrs ago...i sure hope they got rid of that PSYCHO woman that worked there...she was extremely rude and condescending. I cant believe theyd have such a horrid person working at an animal shelter. Was so happy to get my kitten which is why they got 2 stars. Tried contacting them a year ago to adopt another kitten...never got a return call...shameful!! (Also....i wanted to donate some pet food and they told me they only took high end brands😳😳)

Carol Becker

2024-04

Wonderful facility to house cats waiting for adoption. Also found a great cat to take home.

Kelly B

2022-05

It's been a great experience! I was nervous about the negative reviews here at first. I searched through hundreds of dogs for a month and kept going back to one at Animal Ark. I applied through their website and received a call within a few days to set up a meet & greet. When we arrived, the receptionist was very friendly and welcoming. A gentlemen then greeted us and brought us out back with the dog we were interested in. He was extremely informative and helpful and even brought out two other dogs that fit our interests just to compare temperaments/energy/size. We spent about one hour there.We had to wait a little over two weeks for the home visit check. This is something they have limited time slots for. Overall the process took about 1 month from start to finish. Although it was long, it's apparent they take their adoption process very seriously to make sure the animals go to a great home.Thanks, Animal Ark, for all you do!

Patty S

2023-05

If I could give Animal Ark zero stars I would. Specifically because we drove there to view kittens that were not bonded pairs. The online information about each animal states whether a kitten is bonded or not, and our kitten's description did not specify bonded. Once at Animal Ark, discussion about the kittens that could be adopted singularly came up repeatedly with the staff member who accompanied us as we made our way past rooms with adorable bonded pair after bonded pair until we reached a room that held non-bonded kittens. We selected one of them and left, filled out the requisite forms and submitted along with photos to show the home is suitable for a kitten. After a few days, to check the status of the application, we got in touch with someone who claimed that the kitten in the non-bonded room (which we had discussed very clearly - even to the extent of how great it would be to be able to adopt the kitten we chose and her sibling, but that wasn't possible and we hoped someone else would quickly adopt that other kitten) actually was part of a bonded pair and said she was the only one who makes those decisions, period. Anyway, the upshot; we didn't adopt that kitten and now have another adorable kitten that was not at Animal Ark. Checking today, I see both kittens are still living at Animal Ark a full month and 1/2 after we drove there in November. What a life. Yes, they may be in a No Kill shelter, but they are living out their lives in a small room with other kittens. Oh, and the photo descriptions of those kittens has been updated to bonded pair only.

Aeryn Hellfire

2023-05

Been multiple weeks heard nothing. When I call I am told I will get a call back. Did the adopt process. Took pics of My place. Which is big and clean. Appears not enough for em. Feels like they the lil cages better then my place as more fitting. Say no if it's a no. Yall just put people off with this process. Every cat I had lives a long,loving and well taken care of life. Thus just comes off bad. Maybe I get different cat if a no..

Kelly McCarthy

2023-05

Told on the phone we could volunteer to socialize cats anytime they are open, we can fill out applications when we get there. To socialize dogs requires a more indepth process. Arrive and are told we need to apply on line and will be called by volunteer coordinator. The place did not smell very good. On line all dogs are categorized as either labs or Shepards even when they are clearly not either.

Deborah Martin

2023-05

Very nice lady at the desk.I found a dog to adopt.Went home waited for 2 long daysfor them to come and inspect my home.Finally. I called the mand. I was told. I didn't qualify because. I didn't have a fenced yard!.I was shocked and dismayed.Why in the heck wasn't I told right away about this?I am an experienced dog person and adopter.I highly suggest they tell folks all requirements as they check in!

Lindsey Fasbender

2023-05

I’m only giving them one star because I have to to write this review. My significant other and I were looking to adopt a bonded pair from them and went in as soon as one posted. When I approached the women at the front door I immediately was treated so rudely and was practically treated like a toddler. Put in an application for two cats in hope to get a bonded pair and sent in photos of my place, got a response that they’d look into my application and let me know if i was accepted. Two days later I emailed in regards to whether they had been tested for FIV and FLV, never received any response from them about that or the adoption. They now have posted the kittens on Facebook as available. Completely heartbreaking as they don’t seem to actually want to give these animals homes they just would like to judge you. All in all, extremely rude staff and MANY cats sadly in tiny cages.

Chad Wilcox

2023-09

For 4 days they let my wife believe she was going to be able to adopt a kitten. Didn't tell us at all she had to be adopted in pairs, now my wife is broken hearted and I'm mad

Crap Phone

2023-05

A safe place for animals who need a new home while they wait for it. The animals are treated with kindness and care and have comfortable physical conditions. If you want a kitty cat or a dog you should get yours from the animal ark. Any one of these animals would be your loyal friend for life.

M P

2023-05

Disappointing adoption process. I had a very similar experience to the other negative reviews. We drove an hour from the cities to visit a cat and apply. They were very vague in answering any questions and basically made us feel that it was a waste of time to even apply for the kitty. Zero follow up. I called 10 days after applying and they told me that they were still going through applications.. I think we called maybe 1 more time with no answer before we moved on. It would not be difficult to automate an email as a courtesy to your applicants, or give some feedback/redirection to other animals. Overall they seem uninterested in finding homes for the animals in their care, which is sad because there were a lot of them.

Regina Small

2024-02

Good people doing good work for our furry friends. I will be adopting and donating here in the future.