Oak Ridge Animal Shelter

Write a Review865-425-3423

CLOSED NOW - Opens at 11:00am

My Mom got a cat from here...animals were clean, cat had no fleas and was clean when she picked her up. Very friendly and accommodating staff.

I have adopted many pets from this shelter over the last 26 years and some of my experiences were good. Years ago, I had to return an overly rambunctuous puppy before he destroyed everything I had. The staff (who weren't dressed like Nazis the way they dress now) was very understanding about taking him back. He was quickly adopted by a farmer.

Today, I was forced to return a cat I adopted four years ago because I have to go into senior housing and can't keep him. I tried to find someone to take him and thought I did, but the woman backed out at the last minute. I called the shelter to let them know I was returning a cat. The young woman I spoke with was not only shockingly rude and refused to take him back, she accused me of violating federal law by not keeping up with his annual rabie shots!

I couldn't believe it. I explained my situation and said that I really didn't want to dump my neutered, declawed cat off in the woods, but I would have to if they wouldn't take him back. The girl begrudgingly agreed to take him, but she was obviously angry about it. She demanded that I give them a pet carrier to keep him in. Apparently, they have a new policy where they don't put animals down any more, so now they are busting at the seems with unwanted animals. Why would they make a policy like that and not forsee this would happen and form a plan, such as an animal sanctuary or something?

When I took my cat back to the shelter, I was surprised to find three people dressed like police officers managing the place. It was clear they had been discussing me and my cat. The young Nazi I spoke with on the phone was especially rude, demanding that I produce my drivers licence so she could take down my personal information and made me answer a ton of questions I found rude and intrusive. I gave them my pet carrier, a bag of cat food and my cat's litter box and left feeling threatened and violated.

I just came home from work and found a yellow "Warning to the Dog Owner" citation hanging on my doorknob. Under "Breed" someone had written in "Cat." I was actually given a citation for allowing my neutered, declawed indoor/outdoor cat to be outside without a leash!! I called the number listed on the citation, which turned out to be the animal shelter. The woman who answered was incredibly rude and tersely warned me that if my gentle, neutered cat is seen outside again I will be cited and dragged into court. I am furious!! I am ready to file a lawsuit over this. I have lived in this town for 24 years and have always had indoor/outdoor cats. Anyone up for a class action? I am.

I adopted my beautiful black cat Sage from them. Wonderful customer service from the moment I walked in the door. You can tell how much they and the volunteers love their animals. They are underfunded and rely on community donations of money and supplies. For how little they have to work with, they are doing an excellent job.

One of the best shelters I've been involved with. As they are underfunded, the place they save $$ is in not giving animals.pain meds following spay/ neuter surgery. They do not give notice of this so the new owner is left with an animal newly in their care who is in extreme pain. Othrrwise one could not ask for more kind, consistent care of their charges whether they walk, bay or slither.