Whitecourt Homeless Animal Rescue Foundation - Edmonton, Alberta

James P.

This rescue does not deserve to be in business, simply because they do not take adequate care of the animals in their charge. Further, they gaslight and pressure adopters into taking pets under unsafe conditions.

We discovered our second lovely cat Hobbes at WHARF during an open house as part of the 124th Street Light Up festival in December 2022. Hobbes was smelly, wheezing, sneezing, overweight, and with an extremely distended belly, but crawled up into my arms all the same, purring and cuddling, adopting us before we knew it. The rescue had Hobbes (previously Billy) in their care for months, but had not even bothered to neuter him during that time. He was suffering from a bacterial infection, and an upper respiratory infection, as a vet told us was a universal problem seen among cats at WHARF. This information would have been acceptable, if disappointing, if WHARF had at least been accountable and honest about the condition of the animals in their care. This is absolutely not the case.

When we brought up the health concerns we had about Hobbes to the owner of Wharf, and the potential for contagious health affects on our other cat, our concerns were completely blown off. "He's just fat" explained his distended belly and wheezing. (Pictured) They were unable to provide basic information such as if he was eating/drinking regularly, diarrhea, bloody stool, etc. As he was in a cage with at ~5 other cats, it makes sense they could not answer these basic questions. However, it was equally concerning they were not set up to monitor the basic health of the animals in their care. A serious concern of ours was FIP - albeit rare, a fatal diagnosis and of which Hobbes was showing some symptoms. Undeterred, we asked permission to take Hobbes to the clinic of WHARF's choice for blood work and testing, at our own cost. Several trips, abnormal blood work showing numerous health issues, and over $500 later, Hobbes was getting treatment for what was suspected to be either a viral or bacterial infection. Our first cat certainly would have been given health complications had we not put our own money behind our own concerns, despite WHARF's dismissals and lies.

Yet, despite the time and money we spent healing a cat in their care, the owner of WHARF issued us an ultimatum only days before final testing results came through that we had to confirm that evening or they would send him home with another family. We were in Calgary with family at the time. A fast drive back, several days of isolation, discovering bloody stool and several trips to the vet later, and Hobbes was safe to meet his new brother Moose (pictured).

The vets at Glenora and Inglewood clinics were fantastic during this journey. They were kind, supportive, and forthright with information - as much as they could until we completed the adoption. The owners and staff at WHARF are either too uneducated, too lazy, or too immoral to properly care for the animals in their stead. I'm truly not sure which option is worse. Clearly they feel that their success is judged by how many pets move through their rescue. Reading through the reviews to find other horror stories of ill and mistreated animals foisted on adoptive families should prove that WHARF is wrong.

There are thousands of pets in Edmonton worth adopting and finding a forever home. However, if we had not done our diligence above and beyond what is reasonable to ensure the health of both Hobbes and Moose, we would have had 2 unhealthy cats in our hands - worse if Hobbes' health issues were more severe. This is fundamentally irresponsible, and a failure to properly meet a duty of care. Do not give WHARF your business.

Amanda S.

We are overwhelmed with joy for the dog we were able to adopt, Janice, newly renamed Bailey. Thank you so much for all of the work your team put into socializing and loving her prior to our adoption. It’s hard to believe she lived in a pack on a reserve without much human contact, a testament to how much socializing and love you gave her. She has adjusted so well to our home and is very loving to our other senior dog, Maggie. Bailey loves the routine of our family and she is easy to spoil. She loves early mornings, she loves eating, she loves us brushing her teeth and coat everyday, she loves the hours of walks we give her every day, and she loves herding her toys on the bed for bedtime. We can’t say enough positive things about wharf and we look forward to adopting more family members from them and donating on a yearly basis so that they can continue to provide the excellent rehabilitation and rehoming care to so many deserving animals. Thanks again!!

Carmen C.

I was a bit hesitant after reading some of the other reviews that people left regarding the rescue itself. I had no such issues and my adoption process was smooth and straight forward, I received a follow up shortly after submitting my online request the same day and scheduled a appointment for the next day. I really appreciate the fact that the animals were there in person to meet as I had an unfortunate experience adopting my 2nd cat from another shelter who did not do a meet and greet before the adoption was finalized. My mother and I had planned ahead as to which kitten we were thinking of adopting and after getting to see all the little ones in person we made the decision then and there to take our new addition home with us the same day. The volunteers working that day were friendly and approachable and answered any and all questions I had regarding our new potential family member with ease and clarity.

I really don't understand all the negative comments regarding the health of the animals post adoption, their establishment is on the small side in comparison to say facilities like the Humane Society so there's always the possibility that the animals waiting to be adopted may or may not develop something that the staff may be unaware of. Also to note because their facility is on the small side it may look "dirty" at first glance but the volunteers do their utter best to keep everything clean despite the number of animals housed there. I took my new baby straight to the vet right after the weekend and asides from very minimal wax build up in the ears which the vet said was fairly common for animals that are housed together while at rescues, my baby was 100% healthy and my other child who's a little older also took the new addition very well after a day. I've had my new baby for a little over a week now and he's greatly thriving with my other kitten.

Speaking of the adoption process specifically I encourage folks to please not disregard this rescue solely based on reviews as all the animals that are housed in their facility deserve to go to good and loving homes. Keep up with regular vet visits whenever in doubt (that's what they're there for) and your new family member will live a long and happy life and you'll have a forever companion by your side.

Karla B.

We adopted Archie (now named Waffles), near the end of July 2021. Our family went to the storefront location. The volunteers were so friendly and patient. I wanted to leave this review to urge others to adopt 🙂. Was a easy process and we are so thankful to have waffles. He is an amazing kitten.

Simona B.

Absolutely terrible place !!!!
Please read our story below!!!
Ashley you destroyed our family !!!!
God forgive you because we never ever will !!!

Where it’s our puppy Lady ?!!!

We wish to get her back please 🙏

Please help us to find our puppy !!!

We dropped her off in October 17 th at this rescue place she spent only one overnight there and we knew from the first minute we made a huge mistake by giving up her for adoption , next day morning we wanted to take her back home with us but Ashley refused to give us back with the excuse she made a appointment for her already for spaying on November 18 th . We contacted By law , RCMP and SPCA nobody was able to help us to get back our puppy 😢😢😢 After a month waiting yesterday I contacted Ashley she won’t answer my call ,I texted her informing her this made a huge impact on all our family including another innocent puppy who passed away in sadness because she missed her sister Lady 😢😢😢🖤🖤🖤😢😢😢 We wish to re adopt her back but maybe she is already adopted out to someone else we don’t know but one thing we know Ashley refusing to answer my calls or messages and I am desperately looking for my puppy 😢😢😢Please help us to relocate our puppy Lady 🙏🙏🙏She belongs to our family we raised her for 7 years she is part of our family ❤️

Laura D.

I love this place. The animals are well looked after. The staff is very polite and friendly. They give their love to the animals. I have got most of my pets from here and I am always telling everyone to go here. Thanks to them my family is complete now.

Tod W.

Jasper, a Blonde Brindle European Great Dane. A great friend of mine came across him through WHARF. He was 10 months old, 105 lbs at the time. He has just passed 6 yrs old and 160 lbs. He is such a love bug, lap dog, smart, goofy, well behaved, loves people, loves car rides especially in my classic cars. Has become some what of a Celebrity at all of the local car meets. Huge dog riding in a VW Beetle, etc, lol. Dealing with WHARF, was a great experience, keep up the great work. He is such a big part of our family and much of our lifestyle evolves around him. Couldn’t imagine life with out him.

Shiro K.

Seriously, if you're in the market for an adorable kitten or cat look no further. Dogs and puppies are in foster and you need to Book an appointment to see them! There is also, rabbits, guinea pigs on site!