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After Almost 6 Years In A Shelter, Billboard Gets Dog Adopted

As a puppy, 6-year-old Merrick was abandoned at a garage sale. He had a huge abscess on his face and needed corrective surgery. Right from the start, the poor boy faced a lot of hardship. Unfortunately, it wasn’t smooth sailing from there at all. Brought to the Kansas City Humane Society, Merrick waited and waited for someone to take him home for good. He waited there for over 5 years. Merrick spent more than 2,000 days living at the Kansas … Read more

Big Strong Shelter Pooch Loves Being Tucked In Like A Baby Each Night

Prince is a big boy with an even bigger bark. Like many Pit Bull-type dogs, Prince’s looks – and voice – can be deceiving. The handsome pooch currently resides at the Mohawk Hudson Humane Society in New York where he has been awaiting his forever home for six months. Each night, before he heads off to Dreamland, Prince climbs onto his bed and waits patiently while a staff member wraps him in a blanket, rubs his belly, and tucks a favorite … Read more

83 Dogs Rescued From Deplorable Conditions In Residential Puppy Mill

WARNING: Some people may find the information and images in this post disturbing. Rescuers from the Greater Birmingham Humane Society (GBHS) were shocked and appalled when they entered a home in Trussville, Alabama on July 2. Thanks to a tip called in by a concerned citizen, they discovered a makeshift puppy mill with 83 dogs and puppies living in “heart-wrenching” conditions. “Many of the animals, some of which are in the late stages of pregnancy, were crammed two to three in a wire … Read more

Senior Dog Receives A Special Spa Day To Help Her Get Adopted

After her owner passed away in February, Kisses, a 9-year-old Black Lab, found herself living at the Arizona Humane Society in Phoenix. Despite her sweet nature, playful spirit, and impressive repertoire of tricks, she has yet to find a new home. In order to help her chances, the generous folks at Dogtopia Arcadia treated the special senior to a complimentary spa day! The friendly groomers pampered Kisses with a bath, a special deshedding/conditioning treatment, and a relaxing brush out. They also … Read more

Your Purchases Helped This Rescued Mama Deliver 14 Healthy Pups

Part of each sale through the iHeartDogs store is donated to Greater Good Charities, which helps support various charitable programs. Thanks to customers like you, happy endings, like the one below, are made possible.  When the staff at the West Feliciana Animal Humane Society (WFAHS) first met Emily, she was heartworm positive and “looked beaten up, scarred and bruised” with injuries to her inner ear, front legs, and eye. She was also heavily pregnant with only two weeks left to rebuild her health before … Read more

Couple Spends The Morning Of Their Wedding Day Walking For Rescue Dogs

When Matthew and Mara Dudley of Clarksburg, West Virginia were first set up through a mutual friend, they each had a specific prerequisite for their blind date: must love dogs! Luckily, they both turned out to be pup lovers, and on March 24, they tied the knot in historic Williamsburg, Virginia – but not before celebrating with a fundraising dog parade to benefit Heritage Humane Society! The couple fell in love with Williamsburg while dating and decided it would make the … Read more

Devastated Rescue Dog Finds Comfort With Stuffed Toys After Losing Her Puppies

When a compassionate person found a dog limping down a street outside Atlanta, they knew she needed immediate attention. The white Pit Bull mix, later named Kiah, was obviously pregnant, and it looked like she hadn’t had a good meal in several weeks. Veterinary staff later discovered the dog’s teeth were filed down, and her current pregnancy was far from her first. They also found an old gunshot wound that painted a bleak picture of what the dog’s life used … Read more

Dog That Made 20 Mile Journey Twice To Find Her Family Will Get A New Home

The Seminole Humane Society / Seminole Animal Shelter in Oklahoma has stepped in to help a “very sweet, very calm and docile” pooch named Cathleen find a new home. Her family moved to a new house where they could not keep her and gave Cathleen to a friend. After walking the 20 miles back to her loved ones on two seperate occasions, the heartbroken pup found herself living at the shelter. Related Story: Dog Journeyed 11 Miles For 2 Days To Reunite With … Read more

Man Makes 1300 Mile Roadtrip To Reunite Missing Dog With His Mom

On December 5, Zach Holt and a very lucky dog named Zimba began a 1300 mile roadtrip from Ridgeley, Maryland to Wichita, Kansas. Waiting at the end of that long journey was Zimba’s human, Ikea Mosley. Although ecstatic that the lost dog she had been searching for was safe, the single mother was unable to take the necessary time off work to retrieve him. It all began last month when Mosley’s boyfriend left Kansas for a visit to Maryland with … Read more

UPDATE: Staff Of No-Kill Shelter That Lost Funding Gets A Christmas Miracle

Update: This happy news is sure to get you into the holiday spirit! You may remember a story we shared last month about the Pickens County Humane Society, a no-kill shelter in Liberty, South Carolina, who lost their government funding. They were facing closure, and in a last-ditch effort, set up a GoFundMe page in hopes that they could raise the funds themselves. This story touch the hearts of animal lovers everywhere, including many of our readers. Today, they announced … Read more

These Deeply Bonded Best Buddies Need A Hero To Adopt Them Both

Jefe and Jericho may look different on the outside, but in their hearts they are two peas in a pod – brothers from another mother, if you will. Jefe is a 2-year-old Chihuahua with long legs and a snuggly, outgoing personality. Jericho is a strikingly handsome 3-year-old German Shepherd with soulful brown eyes. Fate brought them together, and the neglect they suffered bonded them for life. Now that they have been rescued by the wonderful folks at the Arizona Humane … Read more

Shelter Puppy With Unusually Large Head Sparks DNA Debate

When a litter of four stray puppies arrived at the Humane Society of Silicon Valley (HSSV) in June, the staff instantly noticed that one of the pups was not like the others. While his three littermates bore the characteristics of mini Border Collie mixes, the pooch they named “Bighead” had short, chubby legs like a Basset Hound – and, you guessed it, a very big head! Lauren Gallagher works in the HSSV finance department and has fostered countless dogs for … Read more

Puppy Mill Surivor Turns Out To Be A Little Dog With A Big Heart

Today, Cheddar is a happy, playful, and well-loved pup living with his family near Honolulu, HI. His big eyes and floppy ears give him a carefree expression he never seems to shed, but the little dog’s life wasn’t always this good. In May 2016, the Hawaiian Humane Society got a tip from someone who had seen their neighbor throw what looked like a dog into a trashcan. The man in question was James Montgomery. In 2005, 64 dogs were taken … Read more

This Huge Litter Of Puppies Was Saved From An Underground Cave

What started as a mama dog wanting to protect her pups turned into an emergency situation for the Michigan Humane Society. A litter of puppies was found in an underground tunnel in someone’s backyard. The mother dog dug the tunnel herself, most likely to keep her babies safe from the impending weather. But when the weather service issued a flood warning for the area, their underground haven soon turned into a potential death trap.   After being alerted of the … Read more

Food Donations Help Abandoned Shelter Pup Get Adopted

A young Crawford County, Indiana dog named Buddy was abandoned in a particularly cruel manner. The family moved out, and left him locked in a chain-link pen in the blazing summer heat with no water or shade. A neighbor contacted River Valley Humane Society, and they began the process of saving Buddy. Seeing as Buddy was in such bad shape after being left to the elements, staff immediately put him on a diet of high quality dog food donated by … Read more

After A Life Spent In A Basement, This Rescue Dog Couldn’t Wait To See The Light

When rescuers from the Humane Society of the United States found B.B., she was tiny, afraid, and obviously mistreated. The small dog was owned by a puppy mill and had been used as a breeding machine for most of her life. A metal cage in the corner of a dark, dirty basement with no ventilation was the only home she ever knew. After gaining the dog’s trust, HSUS rescuers pulled her out of the cage. B.B. was timid and shy, … Read more

Dog Surrendered With A Heartbreaking Letter From A Child Who Will Desperately Miss Him

When people surrender their pets, the animals are left feeling sad and confused. But it can also be hard on the family who made this decision, which is often very difficult. What’s more, it can be especially heartbreaking for children. This was the case for Rhino Lightning, a Boxer who was brought to the Humane Society of Utah last week. He came with a spiral notebook that was filled with a handwritten letter from a child who, without a doubt, is already … Read more

UPDATE: Second Graders Raise $450 In One Day For A Rescue Dog’s Surgery

Update: The generous, dog-loving students in Miss Sharp’s second grade class got a major surprise this week when their favorite pooch, Ryker appeared in their classroom unannounced. The kids donated $450 of their own money in order to fund a much-needed surgery for the rescue pup back in January. Everyone had a chance to pet Ryker and get a picture with him. Posted by Helping Hands Humane Society on Friday, February 3, 2017   People Pets caught their adorable reactions on … Read more

‘Pets For Life’ Programs Strive To Keep Dogs & Cats Out Of Shelters

The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) does far more than operate shelters nationwide, they also do their best to keep pets from entering the shelter system at all. Their Pets For Life program targets high-risk, low-income communities and provides education, supplies and veterinary services to keep pets safe, healthy, and at home where they belong. Community Outreach is a fundamental principle of the Pets for Life program. Amanda and this wonderful family are a beautiful example of “peak … Read more

Domestic Abuse Survivor Reunites With Her Dog Just In Time For Christmas

Fear of leaving their pets behind is one of the most common reasons victims of domestic abuse cite for remaining with their abusers. Many shelters are working to alleviate this stress by creating pet-friendly facilities, but unfortunately, the woman we will call “Nicole” in this post did not have that option when she needed it.   Thanks to the generosity of the Lincoln County Humane Society and several online donors, Nicole has been reunited with her little dog just in … Read more

Dog Is Adopted By Another Family While Owner Is Off Battling Washington Wildfires

A heart wrenching story came to light last week and it has divided pet lovers across the country. Washington firefighter, William Jones returned from battling wildfires in the Eastern part of the state to learn that his beloved dog, Hunter had been adopted by a new family. Jones told KATU News that he was unable to get a cell phone signal while working in the Washington wilderness. He had no idea that Hunter had escaped from the home of his friend … Read more

Amazing Shelter Workers Go Out Of Their Way To Help A Scared Dog In Need Of A Loving Home

Sebastian is a two year old Staffordshire Terrier mix who arrived at the Willamette Humane Society in Salem, Oregon on February 29th of this year. He was very scared, and was not handling the stress of shelter life well. “We realized on top of needing confidence building and working to build trust in a new environment, that he was also nervous of walking on floors that weren’t carpeted,” Rachel LeVitre, Shelter Manager, told iHeartDogs. “We tried to bring him in … Read more

UPDATE: Dog Abandoned In Neck-High Flood Waters Found The BEST Forever Family!

Update: Archer, the dog found tethered and up to her neck in floodwaters, has been adopted–by rescuer Sheriff Troy E. Nehls! We loved him for helping rescue this beautiful girl, and even more so when he promised to “visit” the dog’s former owners once they return. Now, he’s done something even more amazing by adopting Archer into his family! “I am happy to say the only water this girl will be in now is the swimming pool in my backyard! … Read more

Paralyzed Dog Left On Shelter Doorstep With A Heartbreaking Note

When staff members at the Humane Society of Tampa Bay arrived at the shelter’s doorstep, they found a heartbreaking scene: a small, scared dog huddled in her crate, with a pain-filled note asking them to care for her. It read: Please help my Genie. Genie (her name) is paralyzed from I believe her hips to her hind legs. I tried to manage her pain with medication from her vet but they only ease her pain and she needs surgery. I cannot … Read more

A Dog Meat Farm Was Shut Down. Now 250 Dogs Are Looking For Forever Homes!

When there are so many stories circulating about the horrors of the dog meat trade, rescues like these are a breath of fresh air. There are some incredible organizations saving thousands of lives from the fate of slaughter and working to end this horrific business. The Humane Society International is working their tails off to save dogs from the meat trade, one farm at a time. Recently, they’ve saved about 250 canine lives. This week, the Lancaster County SPCA in Pennsylvania received 120 of the pups who … Read more

Dog Saved From Drowning In Lake Michigan; Now He’s Found His Forever Home!

When passerby Jennifer Pluta saw a white dog struggling to remain above water after falling through the ice in Lake Michigan, she called police for help. In an interview by TMJ4, the rescuer broke down upon remembering the incident, admitting she was tempted to jump into the water to save the drowning dog, herself. Thankfully, help arrived just in time, and the pup was pulled to safety and treated for hypothermia. The folks at the Wisconsin Humane Society cared for the pooch, now named Michigan, … Read more

Executive Director Of Western PA Humane Society Faces Controversy After She Buys A Purebred Puppy

Joy Braunstein was the Executive Director of the Western Pennsylvania Humane Society (WPHS) for just over a year until a whirlwind of events quickly changed that. After she and her family decided to buy a purebred Collie puppy from a responsible breeder, it was this personal decision she made with her family that resulted in thousands of people rallying for her to resign or be fired. Braunstein allegedly paid $1000 for the Collie puppy (to add to her other rescue dogs at … Read more

Man Sentenced To Jail Time After Taping, Tying, Then Abandoning Dog

A man was walking his dogs in Windsor, Ontario when he stumbled upon a terrible scene: a small brown dog with his muzzle and limbs tightly bound with electrical tape, lying helplessly along the side of the road. Thankfully the man, named Dean Cresswell, found him just in time. The pup is a thirteen-pound Patterdale Terrier named Nos, about six years of age. When the story was picked up by news stations and it was discovered that Jessica Hems and Adam Esipu were his … Read more

Dog Discarded With Old Couch Is About To Celebrate His First Anniversary In His Forever Home!

In January of 2015, a family in Phoenix, Arizona cleaned out their house as they moved, leaving an old couch on the curb…along with the family dog. After they’d left, a neighbor came home to see the lonely three-year-old Pit Bull, named Brownie, nestled in the haphazard cushions of the couch, waiting for his family to come back for him. But they were already long gone. As a new family moved into the house, the presumably bewildered neighbor asked if the dog happened to … Read more

Sweet Senior Dog Surrendered By Parents After Daughter Goes Off To College

When their daughter left for college, these parents cleaned out more than just her room. An 11-year-old Lab/Cocker Spaniel mix was given up to Morrow County Dog Shelter in Mount Gilead, Ohio by parents who apparently wanted a completely empty nest. The dog was their daughter’s, and when she went away to college, they decided the dog should go away, too. Morrow County Animal Shelter via Examiner The senior dog, whose name was not given to shelter personnel, is a mild-mannered, potty-trained, lovable mutt who gets along … Read more