Famous Fido Rescue

brittany cicinelli · 1★ · 2025-11-25

*PHOTOS ARE NOT ANIMALS FROM THIS SHELTER.\n\nMy experience at Famous Fido Animal Rescue on October 8, 2025 was extremely upsetting, and I want to share it so others know what to expect. I called the rescue around 4 PM and spoke with Gloria, who was friendly and told me they had many cats and kittens available. She said I could come in anytime before 8 PM to meet them, so my partner and I arrived about 15 minutes later.\n\nThe moment we walked in, we were hit with one of the strongest, foulest smells I’ve ever experienced—far beyond normal animal odors. There were visible puddles of pee and poop near the entrance and in several enclosures. The space felt cramped, cluttered, and unclean, and many of the cats were sneezing and coughing, which was heartbreaking to see.\n\nAs soon as the door chimed, Gloria began to greet us but stopped mid-sentence when she saw us. Her tone shifted instantly. She looked us up and down and asked bluntly what we were there for, even though I had just spoken to her on the phone. I explained who I was, but instead of the friendly tone she had earlier, she warned me that adopting was a “lengthy process” and said I wouldn’t be taking a cat home, even though I had already told her I wasn’t trying to adopt that night.\n\nShe then asked a series of strange personal questions—whether my partner (a masculine presenting woman) and I were friends or roommates (my partner answered “neither”). She again asked if we lived together and we said no.\n\nWhen I mentioned I had a gentle, well-trained senior Staffordshire terrier, Gloria seemed shocked and immediately assumed it would be unsafe to adopt to me because of his breed. I explained his temperament and history, but she continued insisting it wasn’t a good idea. She told me stories about other dogs she had seen kill small dogs, even though it had nothing to do with my dog. I felt judged and dismissed, despite being a responsible pet owner who was only trying to find a good match.\n\nWhile looking around, I found a cat I really liked and went back to ask about him. Gloria told me to look for his photo on the wall; when he wasn’t there, she told me to take a picture of him. After I did, she said she didn’t know anything about the cat and couldn’t help me. When I asked if I could at least meet him, she said no volunteer was available to supervise—even though she had told me on the phone that I could meet the cats.\n\nRight as we were about to leave, a volunteer walked out from the back. So a volunteer was there the entire time. Gloria told me to show her the photo of the cat. The volunteer immediately recognized him, told me his name was Walter, and said he had been left in a box outside their door. She then asked Gloria if she needed anything else before heading out, and Gloria told her she could leave. This made the earlier excuse about no volunteer being available extremely frustrating.\n\nBefore I left, Gloria told me I could apply online but made it clear she didn’t think she would adopt to me because I am “an irresponsible pet owner”. She said I would need to send videos of my home and photos of my dog, which didn’t feel like a meaningful way to assess compatibility and came across as yet another barrier.\n\nI left feeling judged, unwelcome, and incredibly discouraged. I went in hoping to give a cat a loving home. Since then, I’ve adopted a kitten elsewhere, and he and my dog have become best friends almost instantly—playing, cuddling, and grooming each other daily. It reinforced how wrong the assumptions about my dog were. (attached photos are of my dog with his new brother)\n\nThis was my experience, and I hope it helps others make informed decisions before visiting this rescue. There is much more to this story but it would not all fit.

Lou Lou · 5★ · 2025-09-13

From the outside, this doesn’t look like a shelter, but inside is packed full of cats and dogs waiting to be loved! The volunteers were SO NICE and helpful! I’m a cat lover so I immediately asked how to volunteer! They really need the help, so many people have surrendered their animals it’s very sad. We can do better!! I bought some things from their storefront to help too. PLEASE help them when you can! All the animals deserve a loving home. ❤️

Julie Marino · 5★ · 2025-11-24

I drove from Indiana on a SUNDAY- yes they were there on a Sunday- to adopt a dog I fell in love with on FB. I was a little concerned with the one star reviews and after meeting Gloria and the volunteers I have to say to all of the one star reviewers…you should ALL be ashamed of yourselves. Gloria is an elderly woman in declining health who has devoted her entire life to save these animals that others have discarded like trash. I cannot imagine the depth of heartbreak she has endured seeing the abuse and neglect of these angels. Shame on every one of you. If you think that you can do a better job, please…spend your last dime, live in constant financial struggle and devote your lives to open a rescue. God only knows rescues are full all over the country. You will never be rich, stress free or be able to sleep knowing the depravity that exists in this world. Again, either open your rescue or shut up and volunteer to make a difference rather than sitting behind a keyboard tearing down others doing the impossible. God bless you Gloria and your husband and all the unpaid volunteers who get up every morning devote their lives to make a difference in an animal’s life. From the bottom of my heart…thank you. I would never have the strength to do what you do.

Kunal Goyal · 5★ · 2026-02-09

The loveliest cat shelter. Gloria and the team clearly care about their mission, and go above and beyond for the cats. You can tell they vet (pun not intended) adopters well, and take excellent care of the cats.\n\nWe attended one of their events, and they had clearly put a lot of effort into it, and had a lot of thoughtful activities and decor. We would love to adopt from Famous Fido in future

Linda Francis · 5★ · 2026-02-14

Well I adopted a very friendly cat 1 yr old orange female Luca I’m in. Love already , Gloria met me when I walked in and she did give a extensive interview, because sadly if these animals gets in the wrong hands sometimes their just put out so Gloria has seen her share of these cats being mistreated since she’s been doing this for close to 50 years, I appreciate the extensive info she wants on people for a lot come back, it’s really sad but she’s got her heart in the right place , also. Theirs not a lot of people that live and breathe this job she has and. Her husband was very nice also the other workers were all doing something and very friendly. So I’m glad we have people like Gloria and. Her husband , there’s a lot of cats that. Need homes, so thank. You famous Fido rescue!