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My wife and I adopted a dog "Lady" from Animal Rescue Foundation "ARF" in Mobile, AL 36582 on March 14, 2015.

The internet ad for Lady described her as getting along great with dogs / pets / people of all kinds, being super friendly, lovable, leash-trained, and generally a great dog.  It even had a photo of her with a tiny puppy - showing how "friedly and lovable" she is.

We have another dog "Andrea" which I adopted from an Animal Shelter in Florida in 2010 and is all of the things that Lady was described as being.  It has been a true honor to have such a companion as Andrea and the Love and Joy she has brought to our lives has been indescribable.  We were searching for a companion for her (they are both of similar size and breed) and figured with Lady's description- that this would be a perfect match.

After writing an email inquiring about adopting Lady to the the email address listed on their website - Info@AnimalRescueMobile.org - we were contacted back very shortly by "Natalie" a volunteer for ARF asking us to fill out an online application to get the process started.  We filled out the application and were contacted the next day by "Nicole" who told us that Lady was available to be adopted that day.  We went to the local Pet Supermarket in Daphe where ARF has "Adoption Events" and met Lady's "Foster Parent" Ivan - who confirmed that Lady was indeed everything she was described as - and was in fact "the sweetest dog he had ever fostered."  We paid the $95 Adoption Fee and adopted Lady.  In the Adoption Agreement it states that we had 5 days in which to return the dog for a full refund if things didn't work out for any reason.

After adopting Lady it became quickly apparent that she was NOT any of the things she was described as being.  It was obvious when walking her on a leash that she was not accustomed to being on a leash or being walked.  Lady did not have a bowel movement for more than 24 hours - even after being walked several times outside (with and without Andrea).  It also appeared that Lady had "kennel cough" - although she was described as being healthy / heartworm free by ARF.  The first time Lady had a bowel movement on the leash I had to walk 2.2 miles (4.4 miles round trip) to a patch of grass and then walk her around in circles for approximately 30 minutes - constantly speaking and singing to her in a soothing voice to get her to have a bowel movement.  She was afraid of everything - everytime a car door opened, a bird chirped, a person walked across the street, any sound or movement occured - she lost her concentration and was not able to "go".

The last straw came when she became aggressive multiple times with Andrea when she was attempting to engage her in play.  Up until that point, Andrea had done everything possible to make Lady feel welcome - sharing the time, attention, food, and love normally reserved for her alone.  She even shared her toothbrush and bed with Lady. 

Lady attacked Andrea viciously for no reason while Andrea was trying to play with her.  I seperated them by holding onto Andrea and Lady took the opportunity to then attack me, and Andrea (from behind - while Andrea was immobilized by me) resulting in several injuries to myself and Andrea.

I spoke with Ivan, - the Foster Parent of Lady who assured us to call him if we had any issues.  I told Ivan that Lady was not leash trained or friendly with other dogs - and had in fact attacked Andrea for no reason.  He told me that he was the one who told ARF that Lady was all of the things described in the internet ad - and that obviously my definition of leash training was different than his.  He was insistent on taking Lady back since we could no longer have her in our home or around our family. 

Upon arriving at Ivan's home we noticed several other dogs and animals (geeese, chickens, etc.) all outside in cages and crates barking / screeching wildly.  These animals were living in putrid conditions (cagedf up in their own filth, feces, and urine - drinking from "kiddie pools" of water with mold in them, etc. On the ground outside there was a large silver bowl full of water and rotton eggs that Ivan claimed to be from the geese outside which was accesible to the animals. 

Ivan showed us a large hole he had dug in the back of his property where he dumped trash and set it on fire near where he allowed the animals to free roam.  He also showed us trees and buildings on his property that he had inadvertently set on fire while burning his trash.  There was one dog walking around which was wheezing and coughing constantly which Ivan claimed had heartworms.  The dog appeared near death, but was still allowed around other animals. 

When going inside Ivan's home we noticed several more dogs and animals all in cages / crates in every room in the house.  The entire house - located at 5950 Magnolia Rd Theodore, AL 36582 stank like urine and feces which had not been cleaned for years.  There were urine and feces stains everywhere - and fresh piles of feces on the floor.  When my wife notified ARF of these findings while inquiring about our refund they claimed that they had never been to Ivan's home - even though they allow him to foster animals for them.

After questioning Ivan about the conditions of the animals he became belligerent - threatening to kill me - stating that he had killed over 2,000 men.  He then called a friend to the house named "Mark" who parked his truck behind ours so that we were unable to leave the property.  Ivan then called the Police me stating that my wife and I were attempting to steal Lady from ARF - even though we had adopted her and were trying to return her for a refund. 

My wife spoke with "Crystal" from ARF while we were at Ivan's home who assured us that we would receive a full refund for our Adoption Fee of $95.  Crystal claimed to be down the street from Ivan's home when the Police arrived, made Mark move his vehicle, took Lady, and asked us to leave the property. 

We have received no refund from ARF - though we returned Lady on March 15, 2015 within the 5 days specified.  We have all of the Adoption Paperwork - including Lady's microchip registered in our names.  We have not heard from Crystal or ARF since.  The phone number listed on their website (251) 443-1198 - animalrescuemobile.org has been disconnected.  I have placed several phone calls to Nicole and sent multiple emails to ARF & Nicole which have not been returned.

My wife and I are both dog (and animal) lovers.  We think that adopting animals can be a wonderful thing and Our Andrea has been one of the biggest Blessings in our life.  We would advise anyone thinking of adopting a pet in the Mobile, Alabama area to steer clear of Animal Rescue Foundation - ARF and especially of any animals fostered by Ivan.  It is quite obvious that ARF is only interested in collection Adoption Fees.  These animals are living in horrible conditions and are not fit to be around other animals or humans.  In my opinion they should all be put down and taken out of their misery.