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Three Rescue Dogs Find The Perfect Match With Their Three Adopted Human Siblings

It’s hard to believe that Curtis and Roberta Griner could become even more inspiring. The couple are active dog rescuers, having fostered over 70 pups and adopted several of their own over the years. Now the young family has welcomed 3 new members – Jessica, Victoria, and Veronica – human sisters adopted from Poland. With the Griners’ 3 rescue dogs waiting at home, the girls arrived in America last month, each with her “own dog” already picked out. Victoria chose … Read more

Dying Dog Abandoned In Wheelbarrow Gets A Miraculous Second Chance

On the afternoon of November 1, 2016, an emaciated, paralyzed German Shepherd named Cubby was surrendered to the Harris County Shelter (HCS) in Houston. He was so weak that he had to be pushed there in a wheelbarrow. The prognosis was grave, but shelter volunteers could tell that Cubby was not ready to give up, so they decided that they would give him every possible chance to fight for his life. Such a sweet face. #cubbystrong Posted by Val’s Pals … Read more

NHL Coach Skips All Star Game To Be With His Deployed Son’s Sick Dog

Fans of the Columbus Blue Jackets know that Coach John Tortorella is a devoted family man. His son Nick is a US Army Ranger stationed abroad, so there was much concern and speculation when Tortorella announced that he would miss Thursday’s NHL All Star game and all of All Star weekend in order to attend to a “personal matter”. Many feared that the family had received bad news regarding Nick. Congratulations to John and Christine Tortorella on receiving one of … Read more

Shelter Dog Learns To Smile And Wins The Heart Of A Wonderful Adopter

If you are a fan of Instagram celebri-dogs, then you are quite familiar with Brinks the Smiling Pit Bull. His silly grin not only earned him more than 81,000 followers, it helped him land his perfect forever human. A kennel technician at the Front Street Animal Shelter in Sacramento, CA knew that a pup named Riley had the potential to give Brinks’ signature smirk a run for its money – and she was right! Britney Ridge bonded with the sweet, outgoing … Read more

Rescue Dog Becomes An Emotional Support Pet To A Shelter Full Of Cats

Megan Sorbara, president of the rescue group Naples Cat Alliance, was driving through a busy Florida intersection with her boyfriend Dominick when they spotted a tiny, frightened dog on the corner. The couple had no idea that the little mutt they named Bitsy would become far more than their beloved pet. Bitsy would become NCA’s mascot as well as a friend, protector, foster mom and confidant to the shelter cats. After chasing Bitsy across six lanes of traffic, Sorbara finally … Read more

Famous Blind Service Dog Gets A New Blind Rescue Pup To Mentor

If you keep up with the who’s who among social media’s most famous celebri-dogs, then you’ve surely heard of Smiley. But this sweet Golden Retriever is far more than just a pretty face! Despite having been born without eyes, Smiley obtained SJA Certification and has been a therapy dog for 7 years. Now Smiley has a new challenge – helping to train his blind adopted brother, Pal. A photo posted by The Golden Life of Pal (@thegoldenlifeofpal) on Dec 31, 2016 … Read more

First Responder Rescues Orphaned Dog & Makes Her Part Of The Paramedic Team

Paramedics are never sure what to expect when they arrive at the scene of an emergency. Courtney Ivan, an employee of Elite EMS in Pennsylvania, knows this all too well. When she responded to a routine call of a deceased man found in his home, she certainly did not think that she would be leaving with a new dog to care for! https://www.facebook.com/eliteemsambulance/photos/a.644756478899057/1415919238449440/?type=3 Ivan and her partner arrived at the man’s home shortly after firefighters. They were warned to steer … Read more

Tiny Pit Bull With Dwarfism Lives To Defy The Odds And Inspire The World

Sassy the Pit Bull was born to a backyard breeder in New York. When the volunteers at Forgotten Pets of Long Island took her into their rescue as a tiny pup, they expected her to have a short and painful life. Their goal was to show her a bit of kindness and comfort in the time she had left. Now, four years later, Sassy is strong, happy and most of all – loved! She has an adoptive dad and two … Read more

18-Year-Old Dog Celebrates One Year With The Couple Who Rescued Him The Previous Christmas

On December 19, 2015, a young couple named Beth and Michael stopped by Anne Arundel County Animal Control with a carload of food and treats to brighten the holidays for the shelter pets. They met a 17-year-old dog named Rocky who had been in and out of the shelter 6 times since 2012. The couple fell in love with him and pledged that Rocky would never spend another night alone in a kennel. https://www.facebook.com/FAACAC/posts/931779883581231:0 Beth and Michael knew that Christmas … Read more

Abandoned Dog & Broken-Hearted Tough Guy Rescue Each Other

Imgur user Humdrumdergifan (we’ll call him OP for “original poster” from here forward) was the very portrait of a tough Texas male until a special dog came into his life and allowed him to express his softer side. When OP found out that a dog had been abandoned in an empty apartment when her owners were evicted, he immediately stepped up to adopt her. The pup had been alone without care for an entire week.   According to OP’s Imgur account, … Read more

Founder Of Senior Dog Rescue Is Honored As A CNN Hero Of The Year

Since 2007, CNN has honored heroes and humanitarians making extraordinary changes within their communities. Although she was not this year’s winner, Sheri Franklin, founder of the senior dog rescue group Muttville, was honored in the Top 10 for her efforts to make the world a better place for older dogs. #CNNHeroes HAPPENING NOW!! Muttville founder Sherri Franklin is in New York with all the Top 10 CNN Heroes! “It’s an… Posted by Muttville Senior Dog Rescue on Saturday, December 10, 2016 … Read more

14 Dogs Rescued From The Korean Meat Trade Will Start New Lives In The US

On Sunday evening 14 travel-weary dogs from South Korea arrived At Dulles International Airport. They were rescued from deplorable conditions and certain death at an illegal dog meat farm in Jeonju. Their 2-day journey to freedom – and the new lives that come next – were made possible by the combined efforts of Humane Society International and the Richmond SPCA.   Korean officials were tipped off by neighbors about the illegal dog meat operation and it has since been shut down. … Read more

Adopted Dog Becomes Comfort Canine For Patients Undergoing Cancer Treatments

Sometimes an adoption match is so perfect that it’s as if it was meant to be. That was the case when Mandy Weikert met Lady – a silly, outgoing Pit Bull mix – at BARCS Animal Shelter in Baltimore, MD. Not only are they the prefect match; together, Weikert and Lady care for and comfort the patients at FHL Blood and Cancer Specialists where Weikert works as a nurse. Who remembers Mandy and Chris, the couple who first adopted hospice dog … Read more

Senior Sweetie Watches 375 Pets Get Adopted While She Still Waits

UPDATE, 12/12/2016: Thanks to everyone out there who shared sweet Melony’s story, she has now been adopted and is ready to spend the holidays with her new family! Jennifer Buege of Union City, Georgia heard about Melony when a friend in Michigan shared our original post with her. Buege lives with her 16-year-old son and 4 cats, and although she has never had a dog, she found that she could not get Melony out of her head. She decided to … Read more

Pilot Flies The East Coast Skies Rescuing Dogs From Kill Shelters

Jack Merritt describes his life’s passion as a sort of “underground railroad for dogs.” Along with his partner, Julie Altman, Merritt volunteers his time, money and talent to rescuing homeless pups in danger of euthanasia. He pilots his own aircraft to areas along the east coast where shelters are overcrowded and transports dogs back to Altman’s 6-acre Greenmore Animal Rescue in PA. Merritt and Altman recently hit the landmark of 1,000 dogs saved since beginning their mission in 2010. The … Read more

Update: Rescue Shaves Away Matted Fur To Reveal Gorgeous Rescue Dog Underneath

On the afternoon of October 26, teachers at a Detroit school contacted Detroit Dog Rescue after seeing a severely matted dog running loose in the vicinity. It was a rainy, gloomy day with temps in the low 40’s. When they caught sight of the pitiful pooch, the volunteers vowed to do whatever it took to bring him in out of the cold. They snapped the following picture of him moments before his rescue. Detroit Dog Rescue has described the case … Read more

How Shelter Photographers Save Lives, One Portrait At A Time

A beautiful photograph can mean the difference between a dog languishing in the shelter or being adopted by a loving family. Shelter photographers volunteer their time and talent to create stunning images that capture the hearts of potential pet parents. With just one photo, they are able to bring families into shelters to meet (and hopefully adopt) the pet that caught their eye. The photos above are of two of my own dogs, Finch and Rosana. These are the images … Read more

Pup Sleepovers Give Dogs A Break From Shelter Life & Help Them Get Adopted

Shelter dogs face a dilemma when it comes to finding the perfect adoptive family. Shelters can be noisy, hectic places, and sometimes it’s hard for adopters to see a pup’s true potential amidst the chaos. Taking this into account, the staff at LifeLine Animal Project in Atlanta came up with an idea to help some of their longtime residents get noticed – doggy sleepover parties! Their Dog For A Day program – which allows folks to get to know adoptable … Read more

Brazil Shows Compassion For Managing Stray Population Prior To Olympic Games

On the morning of Saturday, August 6, the 2016 Olympic Summer Games will begin in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. As the whole world watches, Rio will extend its hospitality to more than just the athletes and spectators. After the brutal extermination of stray dogs in Sochi, Russia prior to the 2014 Winter Games, millions will be watching to see how Brazilian officials tend to their own strays during the events. Projecting a humane image is imperative for Rio’s reputation as … Read more

She Was Told She Had To Stop Rescuing Dogs, So She Did Something Incredible

Kari Mogensen just wanted to help unwanted Chihuahuas, the second most euthanized dog breed in her home state of Arkansas. So in 2012, she started Arkansas Chihuahua Rescue, a private rescue operating out of her home in North Little Rock. Private rescues have a big impact on saving lives, often taking on the responsibility of the ill or older pets that shelters don’t have the staff or funds for. They normally run out of a person’s home or several homes as … Read more

‘MUTTS’ Creator Uses Series Comic Strip To Encourage Pet Adoption

 Many of us are familiar with the cute and quirky “MUTTS” comic strip from our local newspapers. Earl and Mooch are lovable canines with personalities that many of us can see in our own furry best friends. What you may not have known is that award-winning creator Patrick McDonnell is a huge advocate of shelter adoption and even uses his comic strip to encourage people to adopt from shelters. It started twenty years ago, McDonnell told iHeartDogs: In MUTTS I … Read more

Shelter Posts Photo Booth Pictures Of Dogs; Adoption Rates Skyrocket!

Guinnevere Shuster became an internet sensation when she decided to help boost adoptions at the Humane Society of Utah, where she works as Social Media Coordinator and Photographer, by photographing adoptable dogs in photo booths. Adoption rates at the humane society skyrocketed. “The Humane Society of Utah (HSU) had a record-breaking year, adopting out 11,318 animals in 2015 and achieved a no-kill status as the largest open admissions shelter in the state,” Shuster told iHeartDogs. “While many programs contributed towards … Read more

San Diego Chargers Host “Dog Draft” For Shelter Pups Needing A Forever “Team”

In a truly unique approach to boosting local area adoptions, The San Diego Chargers and Second Chance Dog Rescue joined forces to host the first “Chargers Dog Draft,” presented by Petco, on Saturday, April 30th at Qualcomm Stadium. The Chargers Dog Draft took place in section O-1, near the main entrance to the 2016 DraftFest. Chargers fans and dog lovers had a unique opportunity to provide a forever home to a rescue dog and over 3,000 people showed up for the free … Read more

Best Friends Animal Society Hosts “Senior” Prom For Adoptable Senior Pets!

With one eye and four legs, Brian Griffin isn’t your typical Prom King, but then you’ve never seen a prom like the one Best Friends Animal Society in Los Angeles is hosting. The “Senior” Prom will kick off Best Friends’ “Aged to Perfection” adoption promo, with no adoption fees on all pets seven years and older until the end of May. All pets are spayed or neutered, vaccinated, and microchipped. “We wanted to find a fun way to invite adopters … Read more

Left For Dead, This Dog With A Broken Back Proves He’s A Survivor

Maverick is a small Terrier mix that was living on the streets when he suffered an unknown accident that broke his back. It’s believed he was hit by car, but it could have also been a case of severe abuse… we will never know. Almost paralyzed, Maverick miraculously survived.   But then the unthinkable happened. Maverick was hit by a car several months later. This accident completely paralyzed him and broke his leg. He was left, writhing in pain, to … Read more

4 Common Misconceptions About Greyhounds And Why You Should Adopt One

Many people quickly discount owning a Greyhound. They see them as “speed demons” that just never stop, and the idea of a large dog constantly sprinting through the house makes them shudder. In honor of National Adopt a Greyhound Month (April), we wanted to find out the truth about these misconceptions and why you should consider inviting one of these loving dogs into your home. Tasha Miner, owner of Hounds in Harmony Dog Training Club answered our questions below. Miner … Read more

Project Breathe Works To Change Statistics Of Pet Tragedies In House Fires

An estimated 40,000 pets die each year in fires, most succumbing to smoke inhalation. In many instances, emergency responders are not equipped to fully assist these animals because they lack specially designed pet oxygen masks and training. Project Breathe is trying to change all that. Recently, we shared a heartwarming story  about the New Port Richey Fire Department rescuing puppies found inside an apartment affected by a fire. The unsung hero of this story was the non-profit that supplied the oxygen masks … Read more

Family Volunteers At Turkish Shelter And Make A Miracle Happen

Americans Mary and her daughters, Abby (17,) Anna (15,) and Alaina (11) live in Turkey and are animal lovers. They donated their time to the local animal shelter in Ankara; and what they saw there was shocking. Alaina was brought to tears. They saw “rows and rows of cages” with “20 dogs per cage.” Mary would bring 6 large bags of dog food and would be unable to feed more than 2 – 3 cages at a time. The dogs … Read more

Adopt The Perfect Pet For Your Family: Expert Tips on Choosing A Dog With A Good Temperament

There is a lot to think about when picking out a dog that fits your family. What size and gender? Do you prefer long or short hair, or something in between? Do you have colors you prefer? Or maybe a breed/breed mix that you are keen on? Something that will run 15 miles a day or is more the couch potato type? The list goes on and on. But one of the most important things is often overlooked – temperament. … Read more

Famous Surf Dog Retires Before Championship To Protest ‘Lack Of Space’ Kill Shelters

The 2016 Florida International Dog Surfing Championship is set to take place March 25-27 on Fernandina Beach. But It’s looking like the event will be short a surfing superstar. Booker D. Surfdog, the bodacious bad girl of the surf world, is putting on her retirement jacket, a PawsAboard life vest, and voluntarily sitting out of the huge upcoming Easter weekend dog event to protest a lack of space in kill shelters. “I think the reason that Booker has been marching around her water bowl with a look … Read more

When You Buy This Book, A Shelter Dog Gets A Warm, Cozy Bed

FarmHouse Fresh®, a natural and organic skincare company, has parlayed its philanthropic animal rescue mission into an 18-page picture book that when purchased ($10 retail), donates $7 (all monies outside of printing and receiving in the books at the FHF warehouse) directly to the donation of dog beds for a waiting list of shelters and rescues around the country. In return for book purchases, the company turns customers’ personal selfies into “Certified Dog Bed Fairies” complete with wings and halos. The … Read more