Societe Animale Frontaliere/Frontier Animal Society (SAFAS)

The shelter has excellent facilities for dogs and cats. The animals are very well cared for, and they take great care in matching pets with appropriate families.

I wanted to write a review from the other side of the adoption process. After welcoming two beautiful children into our family over the last few years, one of our two cats struggled to adapt to the new changes. We were met with constant fighting between the cats, peeing EVERYWHERE (and I mean everywhere) and a pretty withdrawn cat. It broke out hearts to see one of our once fun loving and spunky cats change into a cat that basically never came out from under the bed or couch unless it was to pee everywhere. After some vet visits and a clean bill of health we spent the better part of a year trying different things to make her less stressed out, including diffusers, separate rooms, more litter boxes, more frequent cleaning, collars, perches, towers, toys...nothing seemed to work. Not only was it not working but the fighting was escalating and our cat went from peeing everywhere to full on going to the bathroom everywhere in the house. We made the heart breaking decision that after 5 years it was time to find a new home for our cat. We immediately ruled out any shelters, humane societies or rescues that put animals down. Even if it meant waiting it out a bit longer or being on a waiting list, we'd do that. There was no way we were putting her somewhere she'd be put down. Finally we found a link to the Frontier Animal Society. I knew the second I spoke to Dominique on the phone that this was the place we'd be bringing our cat to. Dominique was kind and compassionate and made us feel at ease. Most places, at least locally here in Ottawa, make you feel awful for having to surrender a pet. The amount of criticism and condescension that I dealt with in phoning and emailing around was unreal. In surrendering your pet you're immediately labelled as some kind of monster, even if you love your pet and just want to see them be happy. But we never felt that way with Dominique. We explained our situation to her and were met with a kindness and compassion and more importantly an understanding, that we really appreciated. The journey was a long 3.5 hours and it's a day I'd like to completely forget and block out of my mind, but I'm definitely glad we brought her here, to try and find a new home and happier life. Dominique took the time that day to show us around and explain to us how our cat would be integrated into the shelter and reassured us she'd find a nice happy forever home for our little girl. She's even been providing us with updates to let us know how she's doing in her integration. The house seems that much more empty now, and there's a family of broken hearts that need time to mend but all I can say is the following: If you want to welcome a pet into your home, ADOPT! And if you're going to adopt do it from here. I can promise you, the animals are well taken care of and well looked after. If you have to surrender your pet, PLEASE, reach out to Dominique first to see if she's able to assist you, it may take longer and you may have to deal with it a bit more, but your animals deserve a happy home.

I apologize for my late review. I adopted 3 adult cats for my horse barn and The staff was caring, knowledgeable and helped the transition from shelter to new home, by answering questions , sharing information and even doing a visit. It has been a year now, one of the cats got an F in mousing and barn life but, an A+ as a house pet, Fozy owns the house and my heart. Luna and Chaps are the best barn cats I have ever had. They are the embassadors of my farm, they are loving to every person they meet and many come with pockets of treats for the cats. This is the first year I have never had a mouse problem. They are great at their job as well as the perfect additions to Up North Stables. I would recommend this shelter if you are looking to adopt a canine or feline. The environment was so clean, you would never have known there was any animals. I was so impressed, I tell everyone if you are looking to adopt a great pet and deal with a knowledgeable, kind staff I assure you will have a pleasant experience if you give this little Gem of an Animal Shelter a chance. Keep up the GREAT JOB! Fondly, Claire Silver

Great loving people. Strongly recommend that shelter if you're looking to adopt, support or donate. The shelter is one of the best I have seen with lots of space, not overcrowded, very clean, they have a doggy park... The cats are kept in a very nice big place that is a bit "home-like", also very clean. Bref that's a really nice place! Be careful there is another shelter in VT USA under the same name. Don't mix them up this one is in Quebec CA.