Heart of Gold's Shelter - El Cajon, California

Dawna Gonzales

We adopted Luna (Opal) from Heart of Golds last year and had a wonderful experience with them. They were communicative from our first inquiry and helpful through the entire process. When we went to visit, you could tell how much they cared about the animals there. We got to visit with Luna and a few other dogs and Jessica and the volunteer at the time told us about their personalities and likes.
Luna was healthy and well cared for when she joined our family.
I found Jessica to be kind and helpful and I would absolutely adopt another dog from this rescue and recommend then anyone else looking to rescue.

Philip Huotari

Recently, our family decided that our dog needed a companion. We found heart of gold shelter and visited them outside of tractor supply at an adoption event.

At the event, our family met Jessica, and our new future pup. Throughout the process of introducing our dog to the puppies through shelter visits, and home visits, Jessica was very helpful and supportive.

We appreciated the thorough process to ensure the new pup was a good fit for our family and vice versa.

Our new adopted pup Leo (pictured on right) has been adjusting to his forever home amazingly well, and he has quickly become a part of our family.

Working with heart of gold shelter was a fantastic experience, and I would not hesitate to recommend to friends and family.

Erin Grayce

I found my precious pup, Poppy, (formerly Pepper), on Heart of Golds website after my 14.5 year old fur baby passed away. I spent months looking at Pet Finder trying to find my new baby and was so elated to find this rescue organization. I found many sweet pets ready for adoption however, when it came to dealing with an organizations manager, most came up short and were only in it for the money. I am forever grateful to Jessica and Co., for the wonderful care they took with Poppy and how strenuous their vetting of me was to ensure that I was the right parent for her. We are very much a match made in heaven right down to sharing the same hair color! I will continue to let people know that this is, by far, the very BEST rescue organization in Southern California!

Billy Rosas

I had a fantastic experience with Heart of Gold Shelter in El Cajon. Their facility is impeccably clean and well-organized, reflecting their commitment to the welfare of the animals. The staff is incredibly kind and genuinely cares for the animals they shelter. They go above and beyond to ensure that these animals find loving homes, prioritizing their well-being. I appreciate their transparency in reporting issues and believe they are dedicated to providing the best possible care for their animals. Highly recommended!

Katherine Lekas

Heart of Gold, and Jessica in particular, is one of my most favorite rescues to work with. They take incredible care of the dogs they take in, with a lifetime care guarantee if any adopter can’t or won’t keep their dogs. And I’ve seen first hand how much love and effort they put into every single dog: old or young, healthy or sick, and even the ones returned to them after years of reinforced negative behaviors. They are truly dedicated to the betterment and wellbeing of each and every dog who has ever and will ever come into their care. I’m grateful for rescues like them, and if you ever have a chance to mee Jessica, you’ll know why instantly! She even fosters several of their dogs herself even though she already has a huge pack of her own! I’ve referred so many of my friends to them! Cannot recommend them enough.

Katherine Mack

What a great shelter! They love the animals and have them in a great area, they take such good care of them and everyone is so nice, finally a shelter where dogs look like they’re happy and well taken care of. Highly recommend this place if you are looking to adopt. The owners and staff is amazing and will answer any questions or concerns and work with you. It truly is a heart of gold place.

Breanna Matthews

The owner of this place is unbelievably rude. She begs you to reach out if you need help, but when you do she publicly shames you!! She dosent follow the contract she put in place of checking in the first year. Not even a call or a message. The problem that happened could have been avoided if she would have done her part and reached out. Shamed us for going to the vet about issues we were having with our dog. We did everything we thought was right and loved our dog and she made sure to make it look like we abused her. Non the less, living near by i see the dogs are almost NEVER outside ! She keeps them locked up in kennels 95% of the time. If you wanna adopt a dog and be supposed through all the ups and down of a rescue, Heart of Gold is not the place to go. Do you research and pick a place that actually has a backing and experience in this field.
Please dont make the mistake we did!

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Brian Fansher

Adopted Chief a little over 4 years ago. This mutt has it made. His favorite things to do are go for a ride, and chase birds. Thanks, Heart of Gold's!?