Viola Valley Dogs
reviews and complaints

All is a lie and the people where trying to steal a dog from Viola Valley Dogs, Inc. The Warren County Humane Society has been caught at this and gone to court several time. Viola Valley Dogs, Inc. had the Highway Patrol go with them to get their dog back. Pissed liars. As far as selling dogs in parking lots, we were approved at Tractor Supply and WalMart for adoption events. These people are crazy.

We adopted a chihuahua from Linda's rescue advertised on petfinder.com. For those who have not seen her farm and witnessed the care she and her husband extend to these unwanted dogs, I beg you to ignore the first post complaining about the non-pure bred yorkie. When you see the operation of feeding and caring, you will understand that the fee you pay to adopt may only feed the rest of the dogs for a day or two. It is quite an operation. Her kennels are "farm-like" but clean. All the dogs are fed and watered and nourished. She never promises that a dog is purebred. How can she unless she has papers? This is truly a calling that Linda has to love and re-home these beautiful creatures, mutts.
Our chihuahua appears to be a chihuahua but even if she is a mutt (possible since she is 10lbs no 3-4lbs) I still love her. I adopted a dog first, not a breed. I would adopt from Viola Valley again in a heartbeat.

We adopted a Cocker Spaniel mix from Linda & VVD Dec. 20, 2009, and are more than satisfied. He is a great dog and gets along well with our other two dogs who are also rescues. Rescue groups and Petfinder describe dogs by breed as a generalization, not as purebreds. I believe Linda's response 100%. Anyone who wants to buy a purebred dog will search out a breeder, check references, and expect to pay top dollar for a dog with guaranteed blood lines and certifications and guarantees against hereditary/congenital problems like hip dysplasia, heart problems, etc. You don't expect this from a rescue - you go to a rescue to save an animal from being killed. I believe Linda was completely honest and forthcoming with all the information she had. We live in Georgia & drove to Tenn. to get our dog from Linda and it was worth it. He had some fleas and sarcoptic mange in one ear, but things like that are to be expected with rescues, especially puppies, and we took care of it - no big deal. He was just neutered, but I would rather Linda keep the deposit and use it for the rescue than to send it back to us. It takes a lot of money and dedication to operate a rescue. The person complaining was trying to get a purebred "on the cheap" without doing any thinking or using any common sense. The complaint against VVD is completely unwarranted and a case of "sour grapes" from a bitter person who is trying to tarnish the good name of Linda Coursey and Viola Valley Dogs.

This lady contacted me about a Yorkie I had posted on petfinder. The person who surrendered the dog said it was a Yorkie that would be the bigger Yorkie. This older lady contacted me and said she had just lost her yorkie and wanted one that would be bigger. I had to attend a funeral that morning so I met her and told her I would meet her in McMinnville and she said she knew where Lowe's was, so I told her I would meet her there. I took the dog to the vet, Dr. Malone, before I went to the funeral and got his rabies and parvo/distemper. They thought he was very pretty. He was washed before I left home. When I meet the woman she like him and I told her I was not sure if he was full blooded and she even said he looked like he had Schanazer in him. I did not force the lady to adopt him and did not hear anything until I got a letter from the Better Business Bureau (approximately 6 months later) and they said I did not have to reply. The woman never complained to me, but to every one else. About a month ago she send me an email and said she wanted her $300 back and I could have the dog and she had not got him neutered that it was my responsibility to do that. He was a puppy and my vets will not do that so I charged a $25 neuter depoist which is required by law and after proof of neuter the deposit would be refunded. I wish the lady had not adopted the dog, because I fear for him. I am a rescue and she should have gone to a breeder if she wanted a pure breed.

Linda Coursey
Viola Valley Dogs, Inc.

In no way shape or form would Linda do anything to cheat anyone. She probably loves the dogs there even more than I love some people in this world...seriously. There is little/no money in the business of running a shelter and you have to do it because of passion and the cause.

Also, if you wanted a pure bred, go to a breeder. When they are puppies and they are just dropped off at a rescue with no way to tell what breed they are, an educated guess is as good as it gets. And Linda is as qualified as anyone!

I can't recommend her and Viola Valley Dogs more and I tell people about them all the time. We adopted our first dog from there and are actually heading down in another week to adopt another one from her! We couldn't be more excited and satisfied with her service, description and the work that her and her team does.

Thank you so much Linda. See you soon!

Anyone who would complain about someone who saves the lives of hundreds of dogs each year because they are upset they wanted a small designer dog and didn't get one---didn't deserve a dog in the first place. Descriptions of a mixed bred puppy are guesses, as clearly no one could tell exactly what the dog will look like as an adult. If you love your dog the way that she/he loves you (unconditionally) then you wouldn't care what it looks like. $300 is a small price to pay for the dog since you are helping maintain the shelter that saved your dog in the first place. I love my VVD dog who may or may not be pure bred but is perfect. If this is the biggest problem in your life you need a serious reality check.

Thanks Linda for all you do!

We adopted a Cocker Spaniel mix from Linda & VVD Dec. 20, 2009, and are more than satisfied. He is a great dog and gets along well with our other two dogs who are also rescues. Rescue groups and Petfinder describe dogs by breed as a generalization, not as purebreds. I believe Linda's response 100%. Anyone who wants to buy a purebred dog will search out a breeder, check references, and expect to pay top dollar for a dog with guaranteed blood lines and certifications and guarantees against hereditary/congenital problems like hip dysplasia, heart problems, etc. You don't expect this from a rescue - you go to a rescue to save an animal from being killed. I believe Linda was completely honest and forthcoming with all the information she had. We live in Georgia & drove to Tenn. to get our dog from Linda and it was worth it. He had some fleas and sarcoptic mange in one ear, but things like that are to be expected with rescues, especially puppies, and we took care of it - no big deal. He was just neutered, but I would rather Linda keep the deposit and use it for the rescue than to send it back to us. It takes a lot of money and dedication to operate a rescue. The person complaining was trying to get a purebred "on the cheap" without doing any thinking or using any common sense. The complaint against VVD is completely unwarranted and a case of "sour grapes" from a bitter person who is trying to tarnish the good name of Linda Coursey and Viola Valley Dogs.

This lady contacted me about a Yorkie I had posted on petfinder. The person who surrendered the dog said it was a Yorkie that would be the bigger Yorkie. This older lady contacted me and said she had just lost her yorkie and wanted one that would be bigger. I had to attend a funeral that morning so I met her and told her I would meet her in McMinnville and she said she knew where Lowe's was, so I told her I would meet her there. I took the dog to the vet, Dr. Malone, before I went to the funeral and got his rabies and parvo/distemper. They thought he was very pretty. He was washed before I left home. When I meet the woman she like him and I told her I was not sure if he was full blooded and she even said he looked like he had Schanazer in him. I did not force the lady to adopt him and did not hear anything until I got a letter from the Better Business Bureau (approximately 6 months later) and they said I did not have to reply. The woman never complained to me, but to every one else. About a month ago she send me an email and said she wanted her $300 back and I could have the dog and she had not got him neutered that it was my responsibility to do that. He was a puppy and my vets will not do that so I charged a $25 neuter depoist which is required by law and after proof of neuter the deposit would be refunded. I wish the lady had not adopted the dog, because I fear for him. I am a rescue and she should have gone to a breeder if she wanted a pure breed.

Linda Coursey
Viola Valley Dogs, Inc.