Islip Animal Shelter, Central Islip NY

Sadly, we had to put our dog down on Monday, October, 31,2022 (Halloween). Went to browse the dogs at Islip Animal Shelter on Friday then went back again on Saturday. I was lucky enough when I went back to have George one of the trainers/caretakers there show us the dogs. GEORGE WAS AMAZING (not just saying that because we share the same name). He was so incredibly knowledgeable about the dogs they had at the shelter as well as general knowledge about dog breeds and their ancestry and behavior. AMAZING HUMAN BEING. He was a plethora of knowledge. THANK YOU GEORGE for such a great experience! God Bless you.

I was already irritated with this shelter for not telling me before-hand I needed ID when I had politely called beforehand asking if I needed ANYTHING. I don't own a car and I made 2 trips in order to see the first kitten that walked up to me. I didn't like that the next day, I was yelled at over the phone for not knowing that a support animal I have for my depression/anxiety was still considered a pet under NY State. This was my first time ever reaching out to a shelter so I could bring a loving kitten into our growing home. I'm a good person and being yelled at in the morning with the hopes of good news really stung. Whoever it was I spoke with over the phone was unpleasant callus, and rude for no reason at all. I had patience with you, you have patience with me. That's how the world works, especially in customer service and I understand customers can be a certain way but I am soft spoken and complied to everything needed. She ruined my entire day and any excitement I had for loving a sweet baby. I hope she reads this. Get her more training or something. I would not wish that on anyone.

Update: I don't want my review to prevent any adoptions from this shelter, so i will give 2 stars. My only issue was the nasty unprovoked confrontation from some miserable woman over the phone. I'm half certain she's a dirty RACIST now that I think back and see another review similar to my experience with assuming the same unprofessional woman. I found the perfect most beautiful cat to adopt-no charge, just a donation of food needed, on Craigslist and I am very happy with them. He was neutered and had his shots.

The place was very Clean and organized George Was courteous And knowledgeable And showed me all the pets That were available Thank you

The renovations are amazing. They animals are well taken care of. Clean environment and plenty of play area for the animals.

My brother got Milo here - he’s been a great addition to the family. Updated, Milo’s been such a lover. Please adopt, don’t shop!

I would not recommend this place to anyone, i had a bad experience there, they treat you different when you’re a Latino or African American, a big guy there spoke to me in a bad way, he didn’t even say can I help you he said go sit over there and wait, in a very rude way and I saw how he was treating other people super different.because of my experience and for the other reviews I read this is a racist place, I would never go back to that place

I was very disappointed with a few of the staff I dealt with when I first visited on Tuesday, June 28. The first woman I met when I came in was very pleasant and accommodating. I wanted a kitten and she said there was only 1available because the others were already spoken for. I decided to adopt the one kitten and she told me to come back any time before 3: 15 with my husband to meet the kitten. No mention of an appointment. I came back the next day with my husband on his lunch hour and a different women told me I had to wait my turn if I didn’t have an appointment. I had already filled out the application so why did I have to wait? My husband had to get back to work so we left without seeing the kitten. I was quite upset so I called them about a half hour later and spoke to a third woman who told me I could make an appointment for early the following Saturday but there’s no guarantee the kitten would still be there. Why would this be the case when on the day before I was told I couldn’t see any kittens that were already spoken for? Their staff doesn’t seem to know the procedures or they make them up as they go. Very unprofessional. I’ll never go back there. I adopted a beautiful kitten from NSAL instead. The experience was very positive!

If I could give zero stars I would. Their main concern is making as much money as possible NOT helping animals like a shelter should. Staff is beyond rude and nasty as well. My grandmother lives in the area and sometimes her dog gets loose, they know her situation and the dog but charge as much money as possible for every little thing. You could get to your dog at the same time they do and they will still fine you and charge anything they can. They know the dog is up to date on shots but still gives the dog all the shots and charges. Anytime I have picked the dog up there is a nasty film on her, she’s desperate for water, weak and sick. She’ll throw up and have diarrhea for days. They are not treating the animals as they should, what is the point of an animal shelter if it isn’t to treat animals properly. I will be do everything I can to report every single person I’ve come in contact with at this shelter.

Please don't listen to the "1 star" reviews that say "don't adopt a pet from this place" who then go on to describe their experience. These pets need to be adopted into loving homes. If the authors of the "1 star" brigade truly loved animals, they'd think of that, rather than of themselves and how they feel. If their reviews had influence over every reader, and no one went down and gave this shelter a try, what do you think would happen to all these innocent, beautiful animals in need. Please go down and experience this shelter for yourself if you are looking to give a forever home to a dog or cat in need.

Very selective of who they let adopt their animals. Poor communication as well. I have been trying to contact them regarding adopting a dog or cat and they rarely get back to me regarding the application. Next thing you know, the cat I wanted to meet is already adopted. You have to make an appointment to visit/meet the animals. It’s as if they don’t want their animals to be adopted. Very disappointing.

Clean and we'll kept facilities. Many beautiful cats and dogs in need of a forever home.

Called them about 2 stray cats that i found on the side of the road and they said they don’t take animals that are feral, because there is no law for that. It doesn’t make sense, don’t call yourself a shelter if you can’t help an animal. Totally useless and careless. Will continue to look for help for these 2 little guys: (

I just moved to Long Island a month ago and my small dog wondered off. Luckily someone found him and took him to the county animal shelter. I registered and sent a photo, a half hour later they said we believe we have Buddy. I am forever grateful.

On the website and phone eletronic info says that they help stray cats. I called today to ask for help and ask questions, who answered me (don't have her name) was very rude. Said they don't deal with stray cats. I was trying to ask if she could appointment me where to get help, she hung up on me.

Looking to adopt a dog. Sent all the paper work as soon as was ask to. I have adopted my first dog before from a different shelter, Somehow this time to me seems like the trying to keep me away from adopting, my husband, my dog and I are willing to meet the dog, unfortunately my dad who lives with us can’t not make it. At least I would like to know if my dog will get alone with the dog (who is so cute) or they have anybody else interested so I’ll stop trying and go a different shelter.
There are some people who would like to help the dogs in need for a new forever home

They were rude when I got there, I was a lil late, bcuz I was coming from very far, 3hrs and traffic was crazy, however I called when I was close to say and explain and apologize, mind you, still within office hrs, I was told, best I turn around, eventually with my persistence, they let me come, spent half hr with the dog, thinking like they said, u can take him home, same day, I was told they are closed now and I got to, come back, I sat half hour in the parking lot, no workers left until half hr later, so I'm thinking, due to me traveling that distance, they would assist with the paperwork filling out, so I could have taken the pet, they were rude, said no and, nonchalant about giving me another time or date, I left broken, disappointed and pet less, due to the treatment, 3plus hrs back of dissatisfaction and disappointment.
Apart from the very first lady who invited me to come see the pet and told me, it should be fine same day to take home.
Everyone else was rude, did not care that it was my first time coming from 3 hrs away and yet still in the office hrs time of arrival, nonchalant that they prefer to see me leave without adopting the pet.refuse to assist me, with simply filling out the paperwork to complete the adoption so I could have taken the pet.and by the way, the dog was amazing, he was licking me, jumping up on me and seemed very comfortable with me, sadly I couldn't take him, or even go back, due to my work schedule and them finding it hard to accommodate me that day, and will not be going back at all.
I even saw other people going to them, one guy to give them a dog he found and two other people with seperate reasons, and due to it being 4pm, they took the dog from the guy and sent him off, not answering his questions, as though he wasn't doing a good deed, and they didn't even entertain the other two people.

Horrible personnel services.
I hope they treat the animals nicely.
I won't be ever going back and so sorry for the dog not being able to come home with me for his furever home.due to lack of empathy and understand by the workers/volunteers there.

The first lady that helped me rolls her eyes at me while I was asking her questions. Then she charged me extra for my dogs because she said they were not spayed and I needed to come back and bring proof which I found the proof of one of the other dog's license and I brought it back to get my money back now I have to drive around town to find the other dogs paperwork what should they on file with the town but I got the impression she was too late to see to look. Took two hours of my time today I had to stand in the hot sun outside with a mask on I'm handicapped I was overheating and getting very cranky. The other lady was fine but the first one what a winner

Caring staff. Smooth process. Great medical care and prep. So happy with our new love, Baron. Adopt don't shop!