first time here - they have a “church dog” that they have just sitting in the back of a truck. today it’s 46 degrees and raining and they saw no issues allowing that dog to sit out in the rain by itself. the dog is on the older side and deserves to live the last of their life NOT sitting out in the rain/cold. i asked a welcome lady if that dog was going to sit out there all sermon in the cold and rain and her response was “he comes to church every weekend” - maam that wasn’t my question. animal abuse is never okay. it’s NOT okay for a dog to sit outside in the cold and rain by itself…… very uncool. for this reason alone i will not be back and will not support this church location as they abuse animals. wish i took a picture bc the dog is so cute and sweet ! do better.
~~ edited to add since the owner claims that is not a church dog. i spoke with a woman who was a greeter i assume, she was standing by the entrance welcoming people in. she had a badge around her neck and was very obviously either a volunteer or worker of the church. she stated the dog was there every weekend… there was a banner on the truck that said something about “puppy ministries” - she knew the dog i was referring to as they were parked right out front. maybe don’t allow your members to advertise “puppy ministries” at a CHURCH which would lead one to assume (especially someone like me who is a first time - and last time - guest of the church) that the dog in question is a church dog. and as stated before when the welcome lady stated the dog is there EVERY weekend. if he’s not a church dog, don’t allow the member whose dog that is, to advertise in your parking lot.
left before the services even started because i was so upset about the dog. went straight to the south hill location, which had a much better atmosphere, more welcoming, and doesn’t allow their members to keep their poor dogs outside all service in the cold/rain. once again - DO BETTER !
anyone reading this - do yourself a favor, drive the extra 15 mins to south hill campus. you won’t regret it PLUS no abused dogs in the parking lot every weekend ! ◡̈