Disclosure: 25 News learned on March 25 that volunteer Sam Brown is affiliated with The First National Bank of Central Texas, a sponsor for Fuzzy Friends Rescue.
WACO, Texas — Fuzzy Friends Rescue has been caring for animals here in Waco for more than 20 years.
But a recent controversy over the shelter's adoption process has several people in our community talking on social media.
“So I'm like this isn’t first come first serve, this isn’t the best place to put the animal—it’s whoever pays the most amount of money,” Tanya, a local woman who was denied an adoption, told 25 News.
I spoke with one woman who told me she believes she was denied a dog because another candidate offered more money than she did.
“This place is completely unethical, they hide behind their charitable tax bracket and they don’t care about putting the animals where they are best placed,” Tanya said.
Betsy Robinson is the founder and director of Fuzzy Friends Rescue.
She told me there are several factors to consider when sending away a pet.
“Past vet history—because if they didn’t take care of their previous pets we don’t believe they’ll take care of these,” Robinson said. “Oftentimes we get multiple applications on animals and we always work to try to find the appropriate and best home."
Some people told me they are appreciative of the tight adoption process.
“We were impressed with the process because we recognized quickly that they don’t just give dogs away to anybody. They wanted to know who our vet was, they wanted to know how many animals we already had. They had to make sure all of our vaccinations and shots were up to date,” said volunteer Sam Brown.
Robinson told me Fuzzy Friends will continue to follow through with its current adoption process.
“I know people are disappointed and I understand that but we really are trying to make the best decision for all concerned—the people, their families, the animals, and our community,” Robinson said.
