I had a great experience adopting a cat here. It ...

I had a great experience adopting a cat here. It was a Saturday and the shelter was extremely busy as they were waiving fees. Yes it was hard getting someone to help. But as someone who's volunteered at shelters I understand how crazy it can get and adopters just have to be patient. Here's what could be improved in my opinion:

- have some sort of system where people get he'll based on when they requested it. Like the deli department at a supermarket, grab a number! As someone quieter and not as assertive it was harder to get help. Some people adopting were acting like it's black Friday and there wouldn't be anymore animals for adoption. I'm kidding but it was busy;

- instead of a two day adoption process maybe try to make it one. The cats I adopted in the past took one day. I was up there from Chicago and almost went home without one but luckily I had a ton of documentation and contacts for same day adoption.

- I had a cat in a room and got forgotten. No one came back and I didn't know what to do. Eventually I had to get up with her and take her out to find someone to help. I wish the rooms where you check out the cats were all in one section where someone could monitor.

Here's what I like, best for last:

- the shelter is really nice, big and clean;

- the staff does there best with what they have, it's a huge place and probably understaffed as most shelters seem to be. They don't have a ton of money to pay big bucks for a lot of employees;

- the animals seem really well taken care of;

- staff, despite the stress level and limited time of interaction, were very helpful and caring;

- the lady at the front desk was really nice and helped me despite being overwhelmed with people asking for help, wish I knew her name but without her I would have gone home without a cat. I recently lost my 17 yo and was looking for the perfect one and I found her, but I was only there for a day and needed help and she did;

- I made a donation when I was checking out. I've done it before at shelters. I don't make them for praise and thanks, i do it to help out. I've made donations at other shelters and never heard from them at all, not even we got the donation. This shelter thanked me. Knowing they appreciate it helps. But knowing they got it is the most important and will lend me to making more there on the future. Maybe every birthday of my new cat, have to figure out her bday first though!

Anyway thanks again.

P.S. she's a Bears fan now! I converted her (it's animal abuse to keep her as a Packer fan!)