HART's Special Needs Pets

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.

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

Scout is sponsored by: Charlie Winters
Click here to sponsor Scout too.

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 Allister & Oliver Gentry
Click here to sponsor Perri too.

ZigZag, a gray tabby boy with white paws and chest, was rescued by one of HART's dog program volunteers when he showed up on her porch one day, looking for love. He's VERY affectionate with his foster "mom", running to greet her whenever she comes home. He's also quick to hop into her lap for cuddles and "kitty conversation". ZigZag has tested positive for FIV, but is in excellent health.

ZigZag 2 is available for adoption. Click here for more information.

Click here to sponsor ZigZag 2.

On Tuesday, 6/16/09, HART rescued a sweet Boston Terrier mix and her 6 puppies from the animal shelter in Stafford, Virginia. Tootie, the mother dog, and her puppies were out of time. Unfortunately, Tootie became quite ill and was rushed to the HOPE Center in Vienna on Wednesday, 6/17, for emergency care. Her liver values were off the chart. After months of medications and monitoring, Tootie has come a long way and shows no sign of a relapse. She is now happy and energetic, and should be available for adoption within the next month. HART's vet bills are already huge due to the large numbers of dogs and cats we rescue each and every week, but our donations are down this year due to the economy. Please consider sponsoring Tootie to help pay for her vet bills! Visit Tootie's Page for more details and photos!

For more information about Tootie, please contact CathyK.

Tootie is sponsored by: Joan Urban; and by Arianna, Tootie's foster mom; and by Woofs! Dog Training Center; and by Charlene Bofinger; and by Erin, in honor of our wonderful HART pups, Bailey and Bagel; and by Cathy Haffner, in memory of Titan, Zeus, and Shadow; and by Charlie Winters; and by Marylin Shaikh, in memory of Maxi; and by Anonymous, in honor of Flake; and by Anonymous, in honor of Zula, a HART alumni; and by Michelle & Jesse Collier, in memory of Miss Cayenne Puppy; and by The Turcottes (including HART alumni Hunter); and by Daisy Mae, in memory of Copper, Cinder, and Jack, from whom she inherited her family; and by Cathy K.; and by Anonymous; and by Ashwani, Sangeeta and Nina Prasad; and by Eleanor & Lynx; and by Daphne, in memory of Vivi; and by Charlie and Terry; and by Sapphire & Family
Click here to sponsor Tootie too.

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.

Click here to sponsor Belle.

Poor Abbie was dumped by her owner when they decided to move. Abbie is deaf and so can be easily startled if she doesn't see you coming. She is sweet and enjoys human contact and loves to sit on the window sill and watch the birds and squirrels. She loves attention and likes to curl up on the bed next to her foster mom. Abbie lived with another cat in her previous home, but is content being an only cat.

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

Abbie is sponsored by: Anonymous, in memory of Smokey; and by Mark and Tim, in memory of Irulan, Dharma and Sadie
Click here to sponsor Abbie too.

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.

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: Anonymous, in honor of Benny and the Feline Gang
Click here to sponsor Dot too.

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: Julie Ann Smith, in memory of Willy, my first cat (1987-1998), whose NYC ASPCA name was Misty; and by Liz Remick, in memory of Sugar, 1992-2009
Click here to sponsor Misty too.

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 Joli and Paul, in honor of Schilling the cat, unofficial mascot of the 2nd Regiment of the Virginia Militia, Colonial Williamsburg; 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.

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: Jeanne and Carl, in memory of Casey Girl ; and by anonymous, in honor of Debbie Augliss birthday
Click here to sponsor Ariel too.

I was found by a kind lady in Richmond who had me neutered and sent me to Northern Virginia to find a new home. I'm a gorgeous cat, young and healthy and my FIV+ status doesn't slow me down at all. I'm very outgoing and adore people. I've even tried to play with the dogs here! So if you are looking for a beauty with purrsonality to match, I'm your guy!

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

Mystery is sponsored by: Carrie C.
Click here to sponsor Mystery too.

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 Jessie, adopted from HART in 1993
Click here to sponsor Mason too.

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
Click here to sponsor Farley too.