HART's Special Needs Pets

Special Needs Pets

HART often rescues dogs or cats that are in desperate need of medical care.  Many of the dogs and cats will need to be housed for several weeks before they can appear on the web pages and be adopted.  The veterinary care is expensive and we must rely on your donations to cover the costs.

special donation or sponsorship to help with some of these costs would mean a lot to one of these "special" guys - and to HART.  Or maybe you can help in another way.  Do you have some free time?  Would you be willing to foster a special dog or cat and gain the satisfaction of nursing him/her back to health?  Or maybe you are available to transport them to and from vet visits.  These are all wonderful animals looking for a little extra help.


These Special Needs pets are currently under HART's care


Scooter
Little Scooter had an obstruction which required surgery, which the owner could not afford. Desperate, the owner even considered euthanasia to end Scooter's suffering. When we offered to take custody and continue Scooter's treatment, the man could barely speak. It was heartbreaking to take Scooter from this man who was willing to give up his beloved friend to save his life.

Our vet quickly determined that Scooter's state was critical. His liver values were off the chart and we feared that he wouldn't survive the exploratory surgery. Scooter did survive but surgery revealed horribly ulcerated stomach and liver and damaged pancreas that was most likely the result of an obstruction. Day two the vet gave Scooter plasma to increase his chances of recovery. He is now facing days of hospitalization with fluids only to allow his stomach to heal. Scooter's bills will be very high but this meticulously cared for little Maltese deserves to see another day. Can you help? Please consider sponsoring Scooter!

Visit Scooter's Page for more info and updates on Scooter's progress!

For more information about Scooter, please contact Nancy.

Scooter is sponsored by: Arlene Cochran; and by Karen Gritis; and by Kathy Kirk, "Thanks for your hard work...I hope Scooter pulls through!"; and by Leslee Eldard, in memory of Wolf; and by Michelle Bracken; and by Jenny Miller; and by Valerie; and by Carrie, in memory of Papusa; and by anonymous In Honor of: Princess and Suz and all those who have passed over the Rainbow Bridge; and by Alice Moore, "Hang in there Scooter!"; and by Carolyn Carlson, In Honor of my son-in-law, Mike Van Woert; and by Jennifer Roland-Morales, "I wish him the best of luck and appreciate what you're doing!!"; and by Terri Richards, in memory of my "Gorgeous Bonnet"; and by Barbara Franquet, in memory of Sadie; and by Anonymous
Click here to sponsor Scooter too.



Amie & Smiles
Smiles is a dog, Amie a cat and they befriended each other at the shelter. Smiles was hit by a train prior to being rescued. She was laying on the tracks when found, in shock. Animal control took her to the vet and she miraculously recovered with only some nerve damage that is healing on one of her front paws. Smiles doesn't have full use of her paw yet, though, the nerve seems to be rebuilding and she's doing great. But a home with minimal steps is best for her. Smiles and Amie have been best buddies since they met at the shelter. Both love people and they are very social, kind, gentle animals. We are looking for a home where they can stay together!

Amie & Smiles is available for adoption. Click here for more information.

Amie & Smiles is sponsored by: Ali Drew
Click here to sponsor Amie & Smiles too.



Adm. Scout
Scout was being turned in to a kill shelter by his owners. Knowing that he would be put down immediately, a fellow rescuer made sure this didn't happen. There are not many people interested in a blind dog. Scout's former owners said he has been blind for the past two years. Scout will be taken to an eye specialist to see if anything can be done for his eyesight. With help, he navigates very well. He is crate trained, loves to go for walks and loves to snuggle with humans. This special guy deserves someone who will love and protect him for the rest of his life. UPDATE: Scout was seen by the eye specialist, and unfortunately, he has irreversible nerve damage, so his sight cannot be restored. Luckily, he has no discomfort from this condition.

Adm. Scout is available for adoption. Click here for more information.

Adm. Scout is sponsored by: Charlie Winters; and by Jenny Miller
Click here to sponsor Adm. Scout too.



Perri
Perri is putting on weight and is getting stronger. She has seen the cardiologist for her heart murmur and will not need to be on any medication for it, since Perri's case is mild and doesn't seem to be causing her any problems. Although Perri is mostly blind, she does seem to be able to see some shapes and movements. However, she will need assistance on stairs and quite often bumps into things. Perri needs someone patient who can create a feeling of security for this dear girl in her golden years. She is capable of bonding with a person once she is sure she will not be harmed. In fact, though she first appeared to not want anyone to touch her painful arthritic joints, Perri surprised us all when she settled in next to a Hart volunteer who brushed out her fur for over an hour. She is housebroken, enjoys going for short walks, and is very alert for an older gal.

For more information about Perri, please contact Dick.

Perri is sponsored by: "Coach" Zadak and The Scoggin Home Team; and by Marcia Behr in memory of Snickers and in honor of the DeAngelis Family; and by In Honor Of: Glenn Riley, his love for lost dogs, and the Christmas spirit
Click here to sponsor Perri too.



Belle
Belle is a beautiful, brown tabby with black stripes and expressive green/yellow eyes. A very petite, lovely lady, she will melt your heart when she nuzzles up to your hand to be stroked, or sleeps on your lap while you read. Belle came to HART after being abandoned by her family, and deserves to live in a stable home with people who will love and care for her special needs. Belle was recently diagnosed with chronic renal disease, which is managed by a special diet and quarterly visits to the vet to check her kidney levels. A very easygoing cat, she would do very well in a quiet home, either alone or with other quiet adult cats or dogs, and would make a wonderful companion animal for someone with time to spend with her. Consider welcoming this lovely lady into your home and heart!

Belle is available for adoption. Click here for more information.

Belle is sponsored by: Rena for "Pookie", a fellow senior feline citizen; and by Anonymous, in honor of The "Boo" Kitties; and by Stephanie Wright, In Memory of Kitty (1990 - 2008); and by Cathy Nagle, in memory of Marbles who taught me strength and perseverance
Click here to sponsor Belle too.



Peke Pair
Barret and Bennett were sent to a county pound for reasons unknown. HART was contacted when the staff worried these two would be euthanized. The little dogs were deemed "too old" to find new homes for in a timely fashion. We moved in to help them as fast as we could. These are two SUPER older dogs! We believe that they will do very well with adults and calm, well-mannered kids. We know they do well with other dogs, too! Since Barret and Bennett have been living side-by-side for so long, we would love to see these two boys stay together. Older dogs make FUNtastic companions!

Peke Pair is available for adoption. Click here for more information.

Peke Pair are sponsored by: Catherine & Wesley; and by Charlie Winters
Click here to sponsor Peke Pair too.



Dot
I am a special little lady who needs a loving home. I will be a good companion to you. I like to be near my people, lying next to you or in your lap. I still enjoy playtime, too. The laser pointer makes me very happy! How sad that I've recently become diabetic and am losing my family, too. I hope I will find a caring person who will give me the love and care I need.

Dot is available for adoption. Click here for more information.

Dot is sponsored by: Mercedes Casey, in memory of Milly
Click here to sponsor Dot too.



Misty
Misty is a special kitty. She was rescued from a rural kill shelter just in the nick of time but unfortunately she is Feline Leukemia positive. Misty is a gorgeous short-haired silver tabby girl who loves to play as well as to snuggle and cuddle with her humans. She is young and full of energy. Even though she has tested positive for this disease it is possible that she will live a long and healthy life. At HART we believe every cat deserves a loving home, even those who test positive for Feline Leukemia. Many cats can live normal, healthy lives despite testing positive for FeLV, although in some cases it does shorten the cat's life. Feline leukemia (FeLV) is transmissible to other cats, but not to people or other types of pets. For more information about feline leukemia, please visit this Feline Leukemia link.Could you be the angel who watches over this precious little girl? Pictures of Misty!

Misty is available for adoption. Click here for more information.

Misty is sponsored by: Liz Remick, in memory of Sugar, 1992-2009
Click here to sponsor Misty too.



Oliver Twist
Oliver Twist, one of HART's diabetic cats, recently experienced a life-threatening diabetic crisis called ketoacidosis which resulted in high blood glucose levels and dehydration from his body trying to rid itself of the excessive glucose through the kidneys. Oliver has been hospitalized at HOPE since Sunday, August 9th, for intensive care to carefully lower his blood glucose levels and re-stabilize his electrolytes.

It is estimated that HART’s medical expenses for this incident will be over $7000. Oliver required nearly around-the-clock care to receive short-term acting insulin every four hours and fluids to combat the dehydration.

HART's vet bills are already huge and we need your help now more than ever. Please consider sponsoring Oliver to help defray his medical expenses!

Visit Oliver's Page for more details!

Oliver Twist is available for adoption. Click here for more information.

Oliver Twist is sponsored by: anonymous, in honor of Jackie ; and by Julie Ann Smith, in memory of Kitty and Willy; and by Barbara Jahreis, in honor of Steven beagle, who once was paralyzed
Click here to sponsor Oliver Twist too.



Ariel
When we first saw Ariel she had just come to a local shelter as a stray. She'd been hanging around a neighborhood for weeks and it was suspected that her family had moved away and just left her. She was very thin at 50lbs,and had an obviously bad hip problem, but she also had a sweet and gentle nature. We assumed that a local GSD rescue would come and save her. Unfortunately her savior didn't come and 3 weeks later we got the call that she was very sick with pneumonia, down to 45lbs and on her last 24 hours. When we arrived at the vet to pick her up the young man that led us back to her had a very sad face. He asked where I was taking her and I realized that he assumed I was taking her to her death. When I assured him that she was going to a foster home, he was very relieved and said with a choked voice what a sweet and wonderful spirit she had. It turns out he had sat with her for hours hand feeding her the night before. When we arrved to meet her new foster family, her head was up for the first time in weeks and she gently took treats and drank thirstily. Later that night her new foster mom sent a note saying that she was an angel...thus the name Ariel, who according to some is the angel of grace and other's the angel of nature. Update...Ariel had surgery on Sept 28 called Femoral Head Excision and upon waking up her spirits were good. She will need extensive after care and physical therapy but she is well on her way to being ready for her forever home.

For more information about Ariel, please contact Nancy.

Ariel is sponsored by: David and Beth Burns, in memory of Beardsley and the rest
Click here to sponsor Ariel too.



Mason
Mason came to HART with a disease that is unfortunately all too common in cats who've lived outdoors: she has tested positive for Feline Leukemia. Her disease is manageable, but her family needs to be careful to ensure that she doesn't infect other cats.

For more information about Mason, please contact Carol.

Mason is sponsored by: Anonymous, in memory of Cat; and by Dana and Kelly Dillon, in memory of Winston
Click here to sponsor Mason too.



Farley
Farley came to HART with 2 other Poms (Champ and Chase) from a West Virginia puppy mill. The authorities are trying to shut the mill down and to avoid being caught with too many dogs, the owner is dumping dogs a few at a time at rural shelters. Farley's beautiful Sable coat was all matted and a lot had to be cut but he loves being brushed every day to keep his coat from matting agan. Farley is deaf and blind so will need a little extra attention. He is slow and cautious in his movement but he is ready to explore - especially in the yard. Despite everything, he is a very sweet dog and gets along just fine. He loves a soft bed to curl up in. Farley deserves to have a loving forever home and realize how great it is to be a dog.

Farley is available for adoption. Click here for more information.

Farley is sponsored by: Carl and Jeanne, in memory of Casey Girl; and by Anonymous, in honor of John N. Walker and his devotion to animals
Click here to sponsor Farley too.


Read about Special Needs pets that have already been adopted!

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