Higher Ground Animal Sanctuary

Kip Erickson (XBOX MAVRICK)

2023-05

We love Higher Ground Animal Sanctuary. The owner Cheri has only the best intentions for all of the animals. Some people have given bad reviews, but I bet that is because the were not approved for the adoption process for reasons that were out of Cheri's control. If she doesn't think you are a good fit for the pet you want to adopt you will not be approved.We picked up our new rescue puppy just last Thursday and we couldn't be happier.Thank you Cheri for all you do.

Sandi Bennett

2023-10

We were trying to adopt a dog from the Oregon Rd fire. We put our application in within a couple of days of recieving it. We received no confirmation that our application was received. A couple of weeks go by with no word, so we text her asking about the status. We were told they were reviewing the applications that weekend. Another week and a half go by with no word and I by chance go to her Facebook site and see that the dog we wanted has already been adopted and I am assuming not by us since we were never contacted. A little communication would go a long ways here. Very disappointing!

Janet Williams

2023-05

I visited this facility a week ago and I filled out an application to adopt a rescue AND be a volunteer. I directly spoke with the owner, Cheri, while visiting the facility. I’ve followed through with emails , telephone and text messages. No response from Cheri. I acknowledged she is very busy out there and I would like to volunteer and adopt. There are several dogs and there were about 10 to 15 cats running wild in a trailer waiting for a home. I’m a nurse of 32 years. I’ve had the honor of having a rescue dog named Jet who passed away in August at the age of 16. He had excellent vet care throughout his life and he was loved. I live in a beautiful home with a fenced yard. Can anyone here tell me why I wouldn’t deserve a loving pet from this facility or to be able to volunteer to help? I don’t understand.

cindy binsfield

2023-09

So many need help and they do their best not to turn any critter away. They partner with other shelter/rescues in the area, advocates of training pups before they send them to homes so the start off on the right Paw.Volunteers are always needed.

Elizabeth McKenzie

2022-05

Pay no mind to the low ratings here! Cheri is caring, professional and, best of all, very thorough in her adopter selection! I’m so grateful for people like her who took great care of our sweet doggy baby girl before we met her and then bent over backwards to let us bring her home in the short window of time we had. Cheri is an amazing advocate for animals and we need more of those in this world. Higher Ground Animal Sanctuary is a magical and love filled place! Please consider coming here to find a companion and donating to what I can only assume is a time consuming and expensive mission

Brittany Johnson

2021-05

If I could give no starts, I would.To make a very long story short, the lady who contacted me about the dogs in the first place (Sherry) lead me on to believe I would be able to adopt them if they did well with me. Originally, she told me to just let her know if I wanted to adopt one or both of them once I had them and was actually fostering them. The first night of having them, I let her know we were highly interested in adopting. At that point, she called me too poor to have them (in a whole lot of words), undermined my knowledge and experience of fostering, and began to continually ignore my calls and messages. Then she told me today that the dogs were already adopted once they got to Seattle. She claimed to have forwarded my adoption application to the lady in Seattle (Kelly), who then sent me a lovely email this morning. It read, “Gosh...i am so sorry I already have homes for them! I have a waiting list as I have been rescuing Shar pei since the early 90's. Shar pei are very expensive with health care. They carry many hereditary issues that pet insurance will not even cover. Thank you so much for loving and taking care of them.” I wrote back in email multiple times, tried calling, leaving voicemails, texting, and even connecting with this Kelly lady on Facebook. She also blatantly ignored me. All I wanted at this point was to have my side heard, and no one was allowing me to even tell them anything. I sent a text to the Sherry lady saying, “You know, you told me prior to me picking the dogs up that I could adopt one. The only message I got from Kelly saying she already ‘has homes’ for them. It’s like no one is listening or even considering me. In AZ, when A foster wants to adopt a dog they’re fostering, that foster comes first. I feel like I’ve been lied to in regards to even having a chance to adopt them. I’ve got the money to do so. I know what I’m signing up for. I told Kelly, like I’m telling you, that I feel extremely undermined in this entire thing. Everyone keeps ignoring me or just blatantly not responding to me. This is probably the worst communication I’ve ever had to deal with while fostering. All I am asking for is for someone to let me adopt one of these two dogs. To give them a good life here. I am completely capable of doing what’s best for them. I hope you can understand my frustration in all of this.” In response to this, Sherry ended up calling me 3 times before I answered. (I was taking a minute to collect myself.) In the phone call, she once again called me too poor to have a Shar Pei, told me that I know absolutely nothing about fostering and running a rescue, and so on. She literally would not stop talking and insulting me. So I hung up the phone in the middle of her continuous rabbles (the politest thing I could do) and sent her a text saying that I was bringing the dogs to her at that exact time. Matt and I loaded up the car, and drove her way. Once we got to her ranch, I gave her the dogs, and Matt gave her the kennels, and we silently went on our way. Not looking for any fight, but to just end everything peacefully. Once we left, she continued to send me messages saying, “This is how I know the difference between someone who is about the dogs and someone who is self serving. If you have to leave and not confront me you are NOT good with dogs.” She continued to send me a couple more snarky texts, and that was the end of it. The boys supposedly were going to be transported to Seattle tonight and be in their ‘new homes’ on Monday.Overall, Sherry, the lady who runs this place is one of the worst people I’ve ever met. She’s a liar, rude, condescending, and will always talk over you and belittle you.

Kristal Denigan

2021-05

Reading the negative comments breaks my heart! I think people forget this is a non profit and it is being ran purely out of love and dedication. I have known Cheri the owner for several years now and she is the most dedicated woman I know, advocating and committing her entire life to animals in need. She does have a process for adoptions, which can feel extensive with any rescue organization, but this is to ensure they go to the best home. She spends countless hours, day after day, and much of the time her own money to care for the animals. I also work at a boys group home for foster and at risk teens. She cordinates with our homes, spending time (time she doesn't have) with them, helping provide them a great learning and therapeutic opportunity with her animals. All because she is a wonderful human who cares for the vulnerable. She is a saint and those who know her, know how amazing her heart and intentions are. If you are looking to adopt or donating, please consider this amazing organization!

susan workman

2023-05

I will back higher ground sanctuary and Sherry until the cows come home. I not only got an awesome dog from her. But she also helped a senior lady that I knew that was unable to care for her two little dogs.cheri jumped right in and got these two dogs taken care of my word they needed all of their teeth pulled their haircut so they could see so many things were wrong and she took care of it all. And never asking for a diamond returnfor a few me or the senme or the senior lady for a dime

Caryn R

2022-05

I had followed them for years on FB. I had messaged about donating and received responses pretty quickly on how to donate and if donation was received okay. About a month or two later needed some assistance with someone who had to surrender/rehome a dog. Messaged asking if they could take the dog in or advise me on where else we could look. Absolutely NO response whatsoever!! I guess if you're not messaging them asking how to get help to give them $, you're not worth a response!!

J’Lee Tancre

2020-05

I volunteer here and it is an amazing place!! Cheri is really nice and yes it does take a bit of time to get the adoption through and accepted but if you aren’t willing to wait the time it takes for the pet you want then maybe you aren’t cut out to be a parent to these animals at all. Patience is key in these kinds of things so all of you who want to adopt you really need to work on that. Any shelter you go to is going to tell you that it will take time. 🙄

Cynthia Binsfield

2022-05

We have been working closely with Cheri and several of her volunteers for 5 years now. All of these people, including Cheri, are hard working, loyal, dedicated, kind, and compassionate. During this time, we have adopted a kitten (Jingles), Duck (Millie), and now a puppy (Starr).For those of you saying it's all about the money and profits for them, you have no clue about how a non profit runs and how much goes into it. Our puppy was surrendered to HGAS at 3 weeks old. Her eyes were barely opened. This means she had to be bottle fed every coupla hours all through the night for weeks. Shots, wormer, spays and neuters are all taken care of. Many puppies she takes in have parvo and she pays the medical bills to get them healthy. She makes sure the dogs have behavioral training so they are starting off on a positive note. She interviews all adopters and picks what situations, or personalities are best for each critter. If you didn't get picked get over yourself, it's not about you, it's about that critter going to the best situation possible.She is up at the crack of dawn and does not finish til after dark. Her volunteers come in with donated produce they pick up for her, chop it up, and feed the critters. The volunteers help clean, remodel, chop wood, feed, water, build, and nurse back to health. There are special needs dogs, cats, and farm animals that need special attention. Somedays, no volunteers show up at all.To those negative reviews, all I have to say is there are 2 sides to every story. Before believing anything as fact from keyboard warriors, I would hope one would go check things out for themselves, get to know Cheri and her passion for HGAS and dedication to those in her care, both human and critter. If you got her dander up, or were treated badly, you pushed buttons you shouldn't have. She is fair, honest, and holds no punches. This is not a job for those with weak stomachs or fragile egos. There are lives she has to protect and she will at all costs.

Jericka Duvall

2023-05

Needing to rehome a pet due to work relocation. She straight up called me irresponsible.For someone who knows nothing about me, my circumstances, or my efforts, she had a lot to say.After reading other reviews, I figured out this is a typical response when people need actual help.For someone who runs a sanctuary for animals, she sure isn't in it to help animals.

Chaila Sturgeon

2023-05

Somethings get lost in translation, if you are messaging her try not to read to much into things, she is very busy an a lot of personality gets lost through messages. Higher Ground helped me get 3 mommas spayed! (They also vaxxed and mc) all for free. They were strays looking for homes an rehoming them was much easier once we could state all these things had been done!! I appreciate her help so much! We also ended up with 2 liters of kittens she is gonna help us alter before we rehome so we can take solace that these kitties will not make the kitty crisis worse!! I appreciate them so much!!! Thank you for all you do to help these animals!

Amber Cates

2021-05

Cheri is the most dedicated human I know to protecting the welfare of the animals in her care. She is a one woman show, and with the help of a small brigade of dedicated Volunteers, takes in animals of surrender, abuse and neglect. She is not Scraps, she has no fancy buildings funded by taxes, she has no full time staff, no fancy web team to maintain her IT, no receptionist to take your call. What she does have is the weight of the incredible burden of sadness and pain of animal rescue on her shoulders. What she does is a thankless job where the reward received is the better outcome and life that she gives these animals who often had no other options. If it takes a day to get back to you about an adoption it's because she's likely been ankle deep in poop all day cleaning stalls, feeding animals, fixing shelters, building coops, arranging transport, taking in a new surrender, listening to another horror story of an animal in need, and trying to raise funds to help cover the costs of taking care of 100 animals. She dedicates her whole being to these fur babies. If anyone thinks this place is "all about the money" they are severely and utterly misinformed about all non profit animal rescue. Cheri has spent tens of thousands of her own money, if not hundreds, so these claims are ludicrous. If you get an animal from HGAS its because Cheri trusts that that animal will be well taken care of with you, that your home set up, job income and work hrs are ideal for a specific pets needs. She will not let animals into a home that she feels has red flags, in protection of the animal, not your feelings. An animal has often gone thru a ton of anxiety and trauma by the time it comes to her, and having it then move in and out of different homes is painful for the animal. HGAS's application IS long, AND detailed, with promises of contacting them if ANYTHING goes wrong. Cheri loves every fur baby she sends out and if she feels the situation is not right then she won't adopt. If you're looking for a quick kitten from a shelter, go to Scraps. If you're looking to be part of a continued journey of healing for an animal in need of your love, then stick it out and work with Cheri. Please remember, she carries the scars of being treated with enormous disrespect, being deceived and lied to. She is the proverbial mama bear protecting her cubs, and I don't blame her because this world can be a nasty place. She is a hero in my eyes, taking on what so many would not and could not handle. Please support HGAS. They are truly an amazing organization.

Emily Gehrke

2021-05

I've been volunteering her every week since January. Cheri treats me like family, always offering anything she can. She is a giver and will do the absolute best she can with what she has for the animals.

Nasha Weatherspoon

2020-05

I called because I’m in the need to surrender my animal. I live in an apartment so it’s hard to keep him here. He has anxiety but he’s great with kids and other dogs in general. The woman I spoke to was not very helpful and was very rude. She asked me to send pictures or videos of him. I sent what I could then I call her back hey did you receive the pictures. Yeah she replied looks like he’s mixed with pit I replied I’m not sure what all he’s mixed with. I have no way to get the parents information anymore so she was just not very helpful and sent a text back saying yeah glad you found another option with a cringing emoji. I just felt like she had a problem helping me in general.

Deborah

2018-05

They are a 501c3 organization that cares for and adopts out animals. I've witnesses 1st hand the love and dedication of the lady who runs this. All animals are well cared for and vetted. If you're looking to adopt a dog or cat, I highly recommend you contact them. Volunteer opportunities are also available.

Micheal Mccoy

2019-05

Talked to the owner one time, looking to adopt a companion animal for our other pet goat. Multiple calls, voice mails and text messages later and I'm 100% positive we are being ignored. All this after we were promised that she would get back to us the next day.Highly unproffesional and frankly I'd be concerned about a shelter that doesnt do what it can to get thier animals into good homes.

Amy Burkhart

2023-05

I've only had good experiences working with Higher Ground in animal rescue. They seem like a caring and compassionate place, and have helped with placement with several groups of animals that I personally have assisted with.

Aubrey Scheel

2018-05

Well run rescue organization, most volunteers are regulars, they rescue both companion pets and special needs farm animals. Supports many dogs through formal training prior to rehoming to give them a best possible second chance.

ROSEMARIE GORMLEY

2020-05

Whoever runs this place should be ashamed. I tried to adopt a pug they had on their website. I called, I emailed, I wrote out a several page application and sent it to them. I called at one point and the message said "TAKE A HINT, WE AREN'T HERE!" I will never have anything to do with this place again. I tell everyone what a horrible experience it was, including my neighbor who volunteers there.

Papa Grandma Liz (Liz)

2019-05

We love our new 4 legged baby girl. She is loved by everyone that meets her. Thank you Higher Grounds for choosing us to be her forever family. From the New mom of Piper "Moosie".

Rodney Miles

2022-05

I have the best dog in the world that they rescued. He had 2 surgery's by the time I adopted him. they covered the operations and I ended up with an amazing Pup

Jeremy Conant

2020-05

Compassionate, caring. My daughter recently started volunteering with the organization and it’s clear that the founders are highly committed to the well-being of the animals under their care.

noah hamlin

2023-08

Cheri is awesome! We donate our time to the animals ❤️

Charmaine Maxwell

2023-09

Wow. Amazing people doing amazing work for animals in need.❤❤❤

Jay L

2021-05

I Loved volunteering here (: Cheri + the volunteers do such a great job.

Brooklyn Bush

2022-05

These people are HORRIBLE!!!!!! Wish I could leave 0 stars. Dont even need to explain or go into detail, call to just see how terrible they actually are if you dare

Donna Brickett

2018-05

Great place to adopt an animal from! Owner is kind & compassionate, animals are well cared for

Barbara Davenport

2023-11

They never called back