Valley River Humane Society

Casey Todd

2024-04

We finally decided it was time for a dog. We explained what we were looking for as far as age, size, etc. Long story short, we saw husky being walked by a volunteer, and that was it. He is beautiful and he us now ours.Everyone we encountered was friendly, smiling, and helpful. We know the animals were well cared for because when we brought our new pup back to be neutered, we were concerned he would think we didn't want him and were returning him. However, that was not the case. He was actually excited to be there. He was wiggling his butt and wagging his tail, eagerly greeting everyone, which said volumes about how well he was cared for there. The good news is he was also happy to see us two days later when we picked him up after his surgery.If you want to adopt a happy, healthy cat or dog, this is THE place.

Leiah Q

2024-05

EDIT 4 May 24:As of this day I have still not heard anything from this shelter. However, on the 25th of April my local newspaper - The Graham Star via the Cherokee Scout - has done a piece about how this Humane Society is facing a "new pricey challenge" . THEORY here - but how many people have they turned away from adopting a pet like they did me because they didn't agree with them? How much money did that cost them?________They were very nice when I was walking around looking for a cat to adopt. When I finally decided, I began to fill out the paperwork and Carol started to ask me questions. I was promptly denied adoption when she found out I do not vaccinate my pet children. She even citied that " Some people don't get the COVID shot either..." as if that makes a difference. She said they had to " check with the shelter manager" and they would call me back. It's going on 3 days now and I haven't heard anything.Unless I was planning on abusing, or neglecting my pet? NOBODY else has the right to decide how I raise my pet child once it's home in my house. This is overreach at its finest.(Also EDIT : new to the state and I was not told at that time that it is the law in North Carolina that cats be vaccinated against rabies only. I may have conceded at that point and told them that I would do that.)

Don “Donnie” Taphorn

2024-01

Someone left 2 kittens and a puppy in my yard. I had to drop them off here. I was pleasantly surprised at how clean and organized it was. Yes it smelled like a kennel. However, it didn't stink. The staff were exceptional. In the future I'm considering doing some kind of volunteer work for them. Maybe a food and supplies fundraiser. This place is top notch. We need more people who work with their hearts and not their wallets! Thank you for being there for the wayward souls of forgotten animals.

Ruby Cox

2024-03

Very cold people when I walked in the door to surrender the senior dog. My heart was already broke they were in there cussing two young ladies. Not very efficient at all and not a way to run a business. We considered donating a large amount of money but after hearing that cussing we decided not to

Cynthia Shepherd

2024-03

I truly appreciate everyone that works and volunteers there. It is heartbreaking to see so many animals that need to be adopted, I wish I could take all of them home with me. God bless all the employees and the fur babies.

Jeanne Craft

2022-05

Over flowing with dogs needing homes, the Humane Society workers have so much love for the animals. Kennels were squeaky clean, even at capacity. Workers and volunteers were upbeat and enthusiastic. Volunteer. Donate. Adopt. Foster. DO SOMETHING!!!

Meredith Ennis

2023-07

We adopted Honey after losing our dog who was 16. As soon as we saw her we knew she was the one. You can tell the staff really loved her and she is doing so great! I would definitely recommend this place if you're looking to give an animal the best life it deserves.

Pete Fox

2024-04

Friend adopted a kitten and we were just visiting. lol lots of good pets needing homes. Daisy sweet girl.

Arcainook

2023-09

I’ve been adopting from this place for years, my whole family does. Now i live 2 hours away, yesterday I called to make an appointment, asking if we had kittens they said yes they did and had a good batch of options… fast forward today and I arrived right on the dot for my appointment to be told there was literally one one kitten available in the kitten room that they let me into. Proceeded to say “well you should have made an appointment “ when in fact I did the night before.Very unprofessional, very snarky and rude and honestly I get they are overwhelmed but maybe at least call me in the morning and say hey all our kittens just got claimed I would recommend not coming up since I specifically told them I’m 2 hours away and they took my phone number.They’ve lost a returning customer and all my family. We are no longer coming here, mind you we took in the rejects and dogs that no one wanted. I’m sad to be walking away from this shelter but they should have at least treated us better.

Wendy Dunn

2023-07

I found a baby kitten in the road. I am not able to keep this baby so I took her to Valley River Humane Society on a late Saturday afternoon. They welcomed her in and assured me she would be safe and cared for. Thank-you very much for all you do for the precious animals in your care.

Kathryn Garlinghouse

2021-05

When visiting the area, my husband and I came across two sweet puppies that were abandoned on a back road. The VRHS staff were so kind and helpful. They were able to take the girls in to find them the new loving homes that they deserve! We are so very grateful for their kindness and obvious love and dedication to all of the sweet furr babies in their care! 😁

Joseph Tirserio

2023-11

The staff goes above and beyond anybody would expect to take care of these poor animals that people just dump please help them by donating or adopting there's a lot of animals in the shelter that are great for a family..

Tammi Rogers

2022-05

They have lots of wonderful animals there that need your help. For just $20 you can rescue a kitten that has been spaded or neutered and shots up-to-date

Teresa Keane

2023-05

We were driving out of town on the different highways when we found two dogs smack in the middle of a very busy intersection. They were both covered in mud! We pulled over, got them on leashes, gave them food and water, wrapped them in a blanket, and got them in the car. We drove around to the closest businesses and no one recognized them. As I said, we were out of town. My friend knew to call the closest animal center. Thank goodness it was Valley River Humane Society! They were absolutely fantastic! They were overloaded, of course. They still took the dogs in. They were so wonderful and understanding! It's too bad there aren't more centers like Valley River Humane Society!

Miranda Garrett

2023-05

I cannot Thank this shelter enough I lost my dog on saturday I'd already put missing adds all over including the radio statio We were absolutely heartbroken. I called the shelter 1st thing this morning. They were so pleasant to deal with they said we're pretty sure we have your baby When I arrived the staff were so loving and so helpful I was thinking my poor dog was gonna be so traumatized but he came out With his tail wagging just happy to see mama If anybody is ever looking to donate to a good cause I urge you to please donate to this shelter and if anyone knows who kindly brought my baby boy dobbie to them I would like to thank them from the bottom of my heart ❤️

Evonne Llewellyn

2023-12

Went to see the cats and kittens. Staff were wonderful and the animals were well taken care of.

Damaris Vargas

2023-06

Animal caretakers are great and take their difficult job seriously. It's not easy caring for a pet that doesn't deserve to be abandoned (circumstances considered). The facility is A+++ in my book.

Rachel Adams

2022-05

This time of year seems to be kitten season, not many shelters will take kittens because there's just so many of them.I called feeling pretty defeated as every other place I tried would not, could not take the litter we caught from under my neighbors house.They told me to bring them right over, they would gladly take them. I was so relieved as we couldn't afford to fix and vaccinate, and get the proper medical care for 5 kittens.I 100% will be back in the future when we are ready to adopt another animal! (I currently have 3 dogs )Definitely go check them out!

David

2023-05

Sometimes in life you get to meet angels, kind selfless human beings that inspire and amaze. Day in and day out they take care of what some of us discard and neglect because we don't think ahead. The truth is that to do this they need help from us. If you are in the area drop off a donation, offer to volunteer or make a call and ask if they (animals & humans) need anything. You will make their day and maybe yours too!

Francoise Theriault

2022-05

I adopted a Coonhound which originally came from the Valley River shelter, when I contacted them to know more about my dog, and under which conditions he had arrived in the shelter, they were so kind and helpful. They looked up his file and provided detailed information. They are sincerely committed to their work and are strong advocates for animal protection. Animals from the Valley River HS have surely been well cared for.

Birgit O'Driscoll

2023-10

Best place to find your new forever furry friends! Lots of beautiful cats and dogs just waiting to get lots of love! ❤❤❤

Diane Williams

2021-05

The shelter is set up well for the animals during their stay with nice outside areas so that they get some time outside to use up some energy and get some sunshine. The staff was all kind, helpful and patient. It was obvious that they truly care for the animals and want them to have the best life possible. I am honored to have adopted AnnaBeth.

Toni Martin

2020-05

My husband dropped off a stray we took in over the weekend. He took blankets, food, treats, and toys that the little dog has been playing with while we were trying to find him a good home. We were assured on the phone the little dog would be well cared for- maybe not, apparently they abruptly took him away and my husband had to insist they write down that the little guy is house trained and make them take the extras we brought. We have heard mixed reviews are not pleased with today's experience.

Pamela

2023-05

These care givers of the animals have a thankless job.I adopted an amazing kitty. So many need a good home.Kudos to the staff for such a huge responsibility!Thank you!

Dixie

2021-05

I have found few people that actually care about the animals. It's sad to see it.. I've had several bad experiences with them. Today, for example, we were bringing our dog to meet one we wanted to adopt. Caleb, the person who brought the dog up, was on his phone calling and texting people. Didn't ask any questions. Didn't let us approach him at all. Didn't even let the dog approach us. Then told us the dog didn't seem interested and put him back in the kennel. This is the second or third time I've been there and I have only had bad experiences.

Monica Holley

2020-05

My daughter wanted kitten for birthday so we went to VRHS and the perfect kitten found her. Staff was patient and kind while we searched. They let us bring her back for vaccines and spaying. Their shelter is overflowing and needs more financial assistance.

anthony belladonna

2016-05

Got my new buddy, Wolfgang, here and he's so far a great companion for my family, love my 1yr old son and they were very helpful and seemed to have taken care of their animals, Wolfgang was very clean and taken care of. They had him listed as a husky mix, got him tested and he is an Alaskan husky mixed with shepherd and wolf. i have no complaints

Lacey Waters

2020-05

Be extremely careful going through this shelter. They transport your pets to New Jersey and other northern states. I repeat. Do Not Surrender your pet here! The manager of this company worked with a rescue agency to steal my dog from me so they could have her in their possession once more, even after owning my dog for over 2 years. They also gave my personal information from my adoption contract to that company too. That is a violation of privacy on the shelters part. I believe I was plotted against by the manager and the rescue group so they could get my dog back. They shipped her out of state as fast as they could so I could not get my dog back. The manager even told me that as soon as I let the rescue group take my dog, that they immediately brought her to this facility. I did not even know the person pretending to want to adopt my dog was affiliated with a rescue group. I was lied to. I was not aware that it is illegal to rehome a loving companion due to private reasons. This shelter and their rescue group obtained my dog through false pretenses. This is very unprofessional of a member who is suppose to be affiliated with this company. If this company is to turn around and improve a big suggestion is to clean house. That is the only way this company will improve. Their actions in my dogs theft makes me ill and I will never trust another person with rehoming a pet unless I know them profusely. This company and the rescue group has burnt me down to my core by shaming me and judging me because I had to find a new home for my dog. She was always treated with love. She was an indoor dog. Never outside unless we were with her. And, was always treated with respect. Therefore, I will never adopt another animal from this company. And, I urge you if you do then read your contract thoroughly. A loophole is in it so they can steal your animal back if they see fit. I loved my dog very much. And, their actions in her theft have scarred me for life. Don't let them do this to you too.

Pamela Renna

2022-05

We adopted our first baby kitty Oreo there and it is a great place with a ton of loving animals up for adoption! A very friendly staff but even gave Oriole the rest of her shots two months after we adopted her I definitely recommend this place to people that are looking for a forever home for these for babies

MJ

2017-05

I volunteered for a few weeks as I had just moved to Murphy. I didn't think we could adopt but found a way to adopt Sam who was rescued with his brothers. He is the light of our lives now. The crew is outstanding and hard working to make things friendly and clean. They work hard to rescue and save so many sweet creatures. Great place to volunteer!