written by Hillbilly7 on 15/04/2021
Barney our staffie x was rescued 10 years ago and Maise our Bull Mastiff 6 years ago both have had a fantastic life made possible by the amazing team at Meadow Green cant recommended them highly enough.
written by SonnysHome on 10/12/2018
We've had two gorgeous dogs from Meadow Green and feel very grateful to them for the amazing work they do in providing shelter, food, care, and love for so many abused and abandoned creatures. This is a small facility that runs on a very tight budget, but there's no shortage of love here. Each time we visit the centre it's abuzz with a constant chorus of barking, volunteers taking excited and happy dogs of all shapes and sizes out for walks around the common, families coming to find a new friend to take home and love, and busy staff constantly bustling to-and-fro keeping the place running as smoothly as possible, which they do extremely well. The kennels are often full to capacity, but they are always clean and well maintained, with each dog's name and details displayed, including their history, character and suitability for different homes. It melts our hearts to walk around and be greeted by so many beautiful animals who desperately want to love and be loved. Adopting a rescue dog is an immensely rewarding thing to do, but it's essential to find one that suits your home environment. The Meadow Green staff are very skilled in reading each dog's character and knowing what type of home would suit them best; some people might be upset by this but it's important to be guided by their expertise to help you find the right dog for you. And if you love dogs but aren't able to give one a home, then you could always register with them and spend your spare afternoons taking a few four-legged chums out for a walk round the adjacent common.
written by 467Clark on 18/04/2016
Visited recently and was ingnored most of the time. I understand they do a difficult job, for little reward, and the animals must come first. But when I arrived they were not busy. They need to improve thier people skills in order to help he dogs to find a new home.
written by hhhorse on 30/05/2012
We went to Meadowgreen recently and were very impressed with the wonderful care and attention the dogs get. All dogs looked happy and healthy and each kennel was spotlessly clean with no "Doggy Smell" There was a very good atmosphere and the staff and owners were very friendly and really understood what sort of dog would suit us. The dogs are wormed, de-fleaed and bathed and the vet visits weekly and checks the dogs over and gives them their vacinations. Consequently we have rehomed a super little dog and we are extremely happy with her. She settled very quickley and seems delighted to be with us.We happily recommend Meadowgreen and cannot fault our experience at all. (We are " very hard to please people so it must be good if we cannot fault them!!
written by leeparker10 on 16/10/2011
Hi I had my beloved bullmastiff girl stolen from our home round about 2009! We have been desperatly searching for her ever since!!! I heard that she had been sent to Meadow Green Dogs home! Please if anyone can help please get in touch! She is Fawn in colour with black mask! And went missing from Aldeby area nr Beccles suffolk! Any info please. Many Thanks
written by lindyloo0 on 21/09/2011
We lost our beloved Gt Dane to old age and thought we wouldn't get another dog due to how upsetting it was when they go, but after a few months the house felt so empty that my husband and I decided that we would get a rescue dog and give it a loving home. We looked on different websites and went to a couple of homes to see some of the dogs. What we liked about Meadowgreen was you could take a dog out for a lengthy walk to see how you and the dog got on and then wasn't pressurised in taking that one, if anything you was encouraged to take at least two out so they each got a good walk if nothing else. My husband picked our (staffy) boy and after the home check which is nothing to worry about we were aloud to pick him up the following week after his casteration. Me being me took him to our vets to give him the once over,he was giving a clean bill of health and was commented on how good his teeth are. He is an absolute joy to have as part of our family(we have a large family)and the grandchildren adore him. I would recomend anyone whos thinking of having a rescue dog to give this home a visit because even if you dont pick a dog from there at least you could take a couple out for a good walk.
written by on 03/04/2011
I rehomed a Lab/staffy cross. Whilst on my first visit to see patch i noticed how busy these people were and discovering they are all volunteers, im disgusted to hear that some of you werent happy with this rescue. My thoughts are unless if you run a rescue centre yourself and have exerience of this, You have absolutely no right to criticise. Centre staff and volunteer dog walkers should be praised and not have their actions questioned. (After all if you know it all), ill look forward to visiting your rescue centre real soon! SHAME ON YOU!
written by CharlieC91 on 01/03/2011
A little confused as some comments on this review of MEADOW GREEN RESCUE near Norwich.
As a breed co-ordinater for our clubs rescue I worked occasionally with Meadow Green helping them when we could and vice versa.
The owners are wonderful people, two of which 'work' in the rescue whilst another has a full time job to bring in more money to help pay the rescue bills........ lets not forget this is a small rescue with no funding other than what the owners get as donations, they aren't doing it to get rich that is for sure so comments about it's a business not a charity not quite sure how that works........ They do not have the massive bank balances of Wood Green Animal Shelter, The Dogs Trust or the R$PCA.
Other than that 'staff' are volunteers.
I have known the owner go and collect dogs from vets that previous owners didn't want anymore, many needing expensive operations. Dogs come in either unwanted from homes hence they will have history on the dogs or alternatively through vets where dogs have been dumped or the dog pounds after serving their statuary 7 days and no history other than behaviour observed in the kennels and through feedback with the volunteer dog walkers etc. Fuel to heat in Winter, travel pick ups, food, utility bills and vets bills all have to be paid.
Maybe if you walked a mile in their shoes you'd see things very differently.
IMO in the years I had dealings with Meadow Green, a very caring rescue, with not a lot of money, doing their very best to help rehome and save dogs of all breeds and crosses.
When you work in rescue with people dumping their dogs you do become cynical and have heard every excuse in the world.
I only hope the caring people that I know haven't read some of the absolute stupid remarks on here.
written by on 15/01/2011
Visited today and reserved a greyhound. The staff are friendly and very helpful. Thank goodness meadow green exists because if they didn't these dogs would just get put down. If the people who have written the negative reviews are looking for someone to blame then blame our government for not bringing back licensing of pets. Blame the people that see a staffie asa status dog rather than a pet and friend. And blame the people that think watching greyhounds race after a stuffed toy is a bit of fun. Keep up the good work meadow green, because with out you these dogs would not stand a chance.
written by on 22/09/2010
i read in one of there reviews that if there is no money no dog. Well if you think about it if you cant afford the recommended donation how can you before the bills such as vet care food and the occasional treat? What you have got to remember is most of these gorgeous dogs have been beaten abused or even left to fend for themselves! The kennel girls are always walking these dogs with many happy dog walkers. They always have fresh water and cleaned out and fed at least twice a day! All the dogs are very happy and healthy. None are ever put to sleep unless there is a reason. They all have wonderful temperments and would never rehome without being spayed or neutered which every dog has had as it says on the card weather it has or not. They all have had their jabs overall a brilliant kennel with super friendly staff who does no every dog by name. Well done meadowgreen, may you continue to save dogs lives!
written by on 30/08/2010
I think the people giving this outfit a poor review are extremely selfish and blinkered in their views. What must be remembered is that every dog that passes through the place has been given a second chance, without Meadow Green, every one of those dogs would probably been have been destroyed. If you should have a gripe with anyone it should be your local council for not providing kenneling or funding for this creatures, and of course the humans that abandon them, like its their right to have an animal then dis guard it when they have had enough of it of can't afford to feed it. I am fairly sure that the staff at the centre try to ensure the dogs being re homed are as fit and healthy as possible, but do not choose what comes in though their doors. I applaud them for dedicating their life and time to these animals.
Perhaps instead of being so negative about the centre you could help them instead by giving up some of your time or making regular donations to help them ensure the dogs are looked after and can get the veterinary help they need, but then I guess you're just one of life's takers aren't you........
written by on 23/06/2010
i got a 3yr old staffie call mitch from here he was the best dog we ever had we had him 8 yrs then we lost him to cancer last feb! we went back this year and got a lovely staffie pup who we love! we also tell other people to go there the workers all do a good job well done to them the kennels were always cleaned or being cleaned and dog were aways being walked well done to you all.
written by on 29/05/2010
I know 2 people that have adopted dogs from here and both dogs came with kennel cough followed shortly by huge vet bills. One of the dogs was so ill it nearly died. When Meadow green were contacted they said that the dog must have caught it after they were re homed even though the dog that nearly died was noticed to be ill and have a very high temp as soon as it got home from being collected from Meadow green. I think they do a wonderful job and hats off to them but you cannot re home a dog that is sick other wise there is high chance of the dog being abandoned again if people don't want to pay out expensive vet bills.
written by on 12/04/2010
I had wanted to get a dog for 6 years, since my last loved GSD dog died but both my husband and I decided to wait until we could give 24/7 to another dog. However, in January of this year we had a burglary at home and because I was so distraught my husband thought it would be the best time to look for another dog to both love and make me feel more safe in our home.
We went to meadowgreen and found a lovely quiet GSD. We took him for a walk and though he at the time had diahorrea we were told it was because he was agitated and when he was settled this would disappear. At first sight we were in love with this lovely 1 year old dog and asked if we could have him but please could they give hime something for the diahorrea.
We picked him up a week later - while the people at meadowgreen were doing the paperwork we decided to take him for a walk on the common and were a bit upset because he still had diahorrea. We were told by the people that this had not been noticed in his kennel but they still felt this was stress. We gave them the benefit of the doubt and took him home. However, 5 days later I telephoned up meadowgreen again and asked for their advice as the diahorrea had become projectile and he was suffering. They told us not to bother with the vets as it would just be expensive. That evening however, he took a turn for the worse and we rushed him to the vets. He was given a blood test to see if all his organs were okay and they weighed him. He was 20kgs. under weight. Tests came back fine. He was given antibiotics but still he had very bad diahorrea. After another blood test and faecal test and at this time it was suspected that he had a diseased pancreas. I telephone up Meadowgreen and was told not to worry if I had to have him put down as atleast I had him for 3 weeks and if it should not be, then I would have a good dog. I told them I couldnt afford all these bills (the insurance co wouldnt pay out as it was a condition he had before we got him) and Meadowgreen stated not to worry as they would pay the vets fees.
Eventually, after other tests it came back that he had campylobacter and Giardia both a serious illness in their own right and both highly contagious to other dogs and people. The bill for this was over £400. Meadowgreen stated that he never had diahorrea at all in the kennels which was obviously untrue and didnt want to pay for the vets bills. Since then they have paid me £200 in which they stated this was for goodwill. Please bear in mind they charge £100 for the dog which includes the first injection but this was invalid because he was so ill and we have since had to have more.
I do not feel that there has been much goodwdwill on their part particularly as they have since tried to say that he caught the campylobacter in my home because I have pigs in a field beyond my garden.
I admire anyone who has a dog rescue kennels. You have to work very hard and have a genuine love of dogs. However, I am distraught that a kennels did not know that a dog in their care was so ill. He is now over his illness and I love him dearly. There is other problems the major one being that now he has his health back he is not such a quiet dog and is so full of energy. Would we have still chosen him if his true nature was on show that day - probably not. Would we send him back most DEFINITELY not I would not allow these people to have him back under any circumstances.
In answer to the dog walkers review who felt it sad that people should write a bad review. The owners of Meadowgreen do seem to be nice people who work very hard but in my case and several of the other reviews we have had problems. They have been SERIOUS problems and therefore I would never recommend this kennels for anyone who wants to take in a dog and love them. My husband and I have been torn asunder over this situation a situation that a little more care and attention would have prevented. My dog suffered in this kennels and this saddens me greatly. I owned a kennels for 3 years and any dog that came into my care I would have noticed within a couple of hours if it was unwell. They had my dog for 3 weeks that speaks for itself. Sorry Meadowgreen no good review from me. I have had to give a one star but would rather have given none.
written by on 03/04/2010
Meadow Green has given us two great dogs. Four years ago we adopted Coco a 7 year old gorgeous Staffie girl who filled out house with love and affection for 3 and a half years before passing away after a long fight with cancer. We then adopted Steffi a Lab Staffie cross. We knew she was an old girl of around 11 and we wanted to give her comfort for as long as we could. Just over three months was not long enough for us but atleast she knew love and we hope had a wonderful end to her life. Two best friends gone but we would never have met them if it wasn't for Meadow Green.We are very grateful to them.
I grant you the Kennels are not asthetically pleasing but you do not see too many canine decoraters around. To a dog they represent safety and a bit of stability before they are hopefully rehomed quickly. Clean bedding, water, food and a bit of attention from the staff mean a lot of these dogs are getting treated better than they did in their previous homes.
Meadowgreen does an excellent job on limited resources and we will certainly be back when we are ready to meet our next best friend.
written by The dog walker on 18/03/2010
It is very sad that people making negative comments on here about Meadowgreen dog rescue at Loddon, probably go there for 5 minutes and make these comments without really knowing the place or the staff. I go there regularly to walk the dogs and there are lots of other dog walkers going there too. So to say the dogs never get walked is totally incorrect. The girls are rushed off their feet, they work so hard, keeping the dogs kennels clean and sorting out their needs. I have seen nothing but love and care given to the dogs at this home. I in fact got my little dog from there just recently. The owners started this rescue home out of the goodness of their hearts. They work long hard days. 7 days a week. They are committed to not putting dogs to sleep and finding them a new home. Some are there for a long time. Thats more than I can say for other rescues who do destroy healthy dogs. All the people there are doing the very best they can. So before making negative comments about this home think long and hard about the brilliant work they are trying to do for the dogs. They rehome many many dogs that have been stray, abandoned or booked in by owners no longer wanting the dogs. They are giving dogs another chance to a good home and life and not taking the easy option of destroying them. If Meadowgreen dog rescue was not there what would have happened to all the dogs they have cared for and got homes for. It must be hard for them doing all this hard work and then reading bad reports about their dogs home. What a thankless task. Keep up the brilliant work you do Meadowgreen. Well done for all those dogs you have helped and continue to help.
written by jasminandalfie on 16/03/2010
i have been looking for a dog for a while and found meadowgreen animal rescue ,so decided to phone and ask about a dog and the lady on the phone was very nice and helpfull to us ,so we went over and had a look the dogs where well looked after and we found the dog i wanted a husky called hugo ,yes they vetted us and both ladys were very kind and good and when we picked hugo up the service i got was a 1 and i would recomend them to anyone whos looking for a pet thank you so much for makeing our home complete
written by on 06/03/2010
My husband and I are regular dog walkers at Meadowgreen dog rescue and we love it. Having spent a lot of time there on a regular basis we are a good judge of character for the place. We are sad to read the negative reviews on here as we have never experienced negativity. The small group of staff are all very friendly and always find time to talk to us, despite being incredibly busy looking after about 50 dogs! If they sometimes come across as being a little rushed off their feet, it is because they are, they have a lot of dogs to look after. But I know they get to you as soon as I they can and spend as much time with you as possible.
They have a huge variety of different dogs, small and big, and the staff know them all by name and disposition. There are lots of greyhounds and staffords, but also a huge range of other breeds and cross-breeds. I have seen labs, german shepherds,huskys, terriers, bulldogs, everything! The centre is nearly always full with dogs desperate for homes. They try very hard to match each dog to a suitable home, and they don't rehome dogs to anyone with children under 5 as most of the dogs are strays.
The kennels may be a little on the small side, but they are kept very clean and the dogs are well-fed. They are given toys (if they want them) and lots of treats too. They get exercised by the staff and a large number of dog walkers like myself who take them across the meadow. It should be remembered that being at meadowgreen is a temporary stop for the dogs before they go in to a loving home. The staff really care about the dogs and make a lot effort to make their time at the centre as short and nice as possible.
The rehoming fee is about £100, and the dogs come with up to date vaccinations, are wormed and have a microchip. If you can't afford to pay that for a new family member, then you shouldn't be getting a dog at all. Vet bills and food will cost a lot more than that. This talk about it being a business not a charity is ridiculous, like the last reviewer said, not good business sense if it is.
All in all, a great, busy rescue centre with a caring bunch of staff and a lot of dogs in need of homes! If you are thinking of getting a dog, I am sure you will find the perfect canine friend here!
written by on 25/02/2010
I rehomed my dog about a year and a half ago from meadow green, the kennels were herendous and small! The dogs were very stressed, and the owwner was somewhat unhelpful. However, in their defence, their dogs come with jabs, sterilisation and a microchip, all for the compulsoary donation of £100, which i think they should just call a price, afterall, no money no dog. Some charity!! "Meadow green is a business" i read in someone elses review, this is far from the truth, £100 per occasionally rehomed dog, not what i'd call a good business logic! they need to cover their costs and given that the dogs could be there for any ammount of time, i think its fair, my opinion has on that has somewhat changed since the day we paid it, as at first i was against payying a compulsory donation, thinking the money would be better spent on the dog, however like i said, you get you're dog jabbed, sterrilised, and chipped for £100 or less! Not going to happen.
By all counts Meadow Green is far from a nice place to be, but give the people credit, it's certainly a far more pleasant place for the dogs to be, as opposed to the streets or whatever unknown horrors they were subjected to. My dog 'Lucas' had been in Meadow Green for quite some time before we rehomed him, he was extremely malnourished and constantly sick, i will highlight that this was NOT the fault of Meadow Green, however my partner and i both felt he had not been getting all the attention he needed.
This aside, we now have the healthiest, most beautiful, friendly and playful Northern Inuit you have ever met. He has changed our lives just as much as we have changed his. So bare that in mind when rehoming you're dog. Dont let the reputation of a kennel's put you off, you could just be writting off the perfect dog for you. Thanks for reading. Alex
written by on 03/02/2010
We had visited many shelters and must admit that we were taken aback by the conditions in, and the running of the shelter. Dogs were in badly lit, noisey concrete pens - what I think looked like old cattle pens. Their bedding was lovely and clean and there was fresh food and water in every stall.
During all our visits I found a lot of the staff to be not very direct in answering a lot of our questions and actually tended to avoid us when we arrived. The office was frequently unstaffed and other potential adopters and I were wandering around the yard and kennels unaccompanied. It was all confusing.
After months we found the perfect pup. She had just arrived that morning and would not be available for 8 days, so we signed on the dotted line and went home to make preparations for the new-commer. 8 days later, on the date we were told, off we went to collect her and she had gone. She had been rehomed to another family 3 days prior. We were FURIOUS. But there was nothing we could do, she was gone.
A while back, still having found no other suitable pup, we went back to Meadowgreen just for a peep. Low and behold, who was back in the kennels, three months later only the dog who had been given away under our noses. Her adoptive family had returned her as they found her to aggressive with their existing dog. Because of this, they would not then rehome her, to us the supposed original adopters, becase we had another dog. Such nonsense. She and our dog got along great.
One the way out after these revelations, my eye fell on a dark pen with this huge black head looking out of it. I couldn't resist having a look and there was an instant spark and I knew I had to see that dog. We all thought she was perfect from day one. Again we started the procedure and the paperwork and to make sure she wouldn't be rehomed to anyone else, we visited every day and went for walks. Now she's ours and just absolutely amazing. We had very little history on her. She was a 9 months old bullmastiff and that was it. We noticed immediately that she was producing milk so obviously had had puppies very recently. No one at the shelter had noticed!
She wasn't spayed when we got her but we got a voucher to take her to the vet in Beccles to have her done, so that was fine. Unfortunately, because the shelter vaccinations wre not given by a vet they were null and void and we had to start them from scratch again.
I really didn't like Meadowgreen, but the outcome has been fantastic - we have the perfect dog! Would I recomment it? Well....... all's well that ends well I guess.
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Guest's Comment
Written on: 19/04/2012
You're clearly an ignorant woman, this place is a charity and you expect them to pay for your vets bills? You took the dog on, as does anyone rescuing a dog, knowing that it could easily have problems or health issues, and then winge and complain about having to pay for it.
Get a grip.