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Designate HART
United Way #8363,
CFC #75875




Businesses with H.A.R.T.
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HART Owner Assistance Program (HOAP)
Note: If you need to return a
previously adopted HART cat or dog, please
contact the HART
Office.
What is HOAP?
Why place your pet through HART?
Requirements
How to apply: Dogs
How to apply: Cats
HOAP Contacts
In Conclusion
What is HOAP?
The HART Owner Assistance Program (HOAP) is a unique service
that assists in finding a new home for
your pet, or
for a stray that you have
rescued. This service is provided on a case-by-case basis as determined by
the program directors. It is only available to pet owners in the Northern Virginia
metro area.
Why place your pet
through HART?
HART is a non-profit, no-kill rescue/support group. We care about all
of the animals that we work with and do our best to place each animal in the home
where a “best fit” can be made. We accomplish this by interviewing prospective
adopters, aided by an in-depth application. We also perform vet checks whereby
we ensure that any animals currently or formerly in the prospective adopter's care received shots and
appropriate veterinarian
services. Lastly, we perform a home check to ensure that the new home is a safe
and nurturing one.
Adopters sign a contract with us to ensure that the pet
will always come back to HART for rehoming if they are unable to keep the pet
for any reason. Adopters are required to pay an adoption fee (as with all of our pets) which helps
to defray costs for all animals in our care as well as helping to ensure the new adopter's
commitment to the animal. As you can see, there are many
benefits to placing your pet through HART.
Requirements
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You must reside in the Northern Virginia
metro area.
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Your pet must be spayed or neutered.
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Your pet must be
completely up-to-date on vaccinations, tests and preventative medicines.
You'll need to provide a copy of your pet's medical records, including proof of:
| Dogs: Rabies, DHLPP,
and, preferably, Bordatella
vaccinations and heartworm test |
| Cats: FVRCP
and Rabies vaccinations; Feline Leukemia and FIV tests |
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You’ll need to bring your pet to as many
of our adoption events as possible, not only to remain in the program, but to give
your pet the most opportunities to be seen by prospective adopters. HART
holds
dog adoption events
every Saturday from 12-3 at various locations and
cat adoption events
several times a month on weekends. Additionally, in rare instances, we’ll need to show your pet outside of
adoption events and would appreciate your cooperation in making them available.
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HART requires a
non-refundable processing fee of $50. Any additional donation, to help us
to continue to help you and others, would be greatly appreciated.
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You must be willing to keep
your pet during this process. We simply don't have the space to
house HOAP pets. Realistically, it might take several months to find your
pet a new home with a loving, qualified new family. If you do not have at least a few months, we will not be
able to assist. |
How
to apply: Dogs
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First, complete the
Dog HOAP Form.
Submitting the form online will speed up the review process and help get
your dog posted to our website quicker. Alternatively, you may print
out the form and mail or fax it to the HART Office. Please
complete the application carefully. Be as thorough and accurate as
possible with regard to your pet's temperament. We have behavior specialists
who can be consulted if necessary. Also, note that completion of the
form does not guarantee acceptance into the program.
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Mail or fax the following to the HART Office:
- Cat or Dog HOAP Form (if not already submitted online)
- Signed contract
- Pet's medical records, as described above
- $50 processing fee. Please make checks out to HART.
- A recent photo of your pet and a short, complimentary narrative in
the same style as our web pet listings. (These can be
emailed to the HOAP Coordinator once you are accepted into the program.)
Remember that a photo on the website is a potential adopter's first
opportunity to become interested in your pet. Pets without photos
are often overlooked.
Mail to: PO Box 7261, Fairfax Station, VA 22039, Attn: HOAP
or fax to: 703-691-1730.
Pets will not be considered for HOAP unless a
signed contract and the pet's medical records have been received by the
HART Office.
You will
be notified of your placement status as soon as possible after receipt of your signed forms and
medical information.
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How to apply: Cats
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First, complete the
Cat HOAP Form.
Submitting the form online will speed up the review process and help get
your cat posted to our website quicker. If you’d prefer to print out
the form so as to mail or FAX it to us, please contact the Cat HOAP
Coordinator (see link below) for instructions on how to do so. Please
complete the application carefully. Be as thorough and accurate as
possible with regard to your pet's temperament. We have behavior specialists
who can be consulted if necessary. Also, note that completion of the
form does not guarantee acceptance into the program.
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The Cat HOAP Coordinator will
contact you with further instructions, typically within three (3) business
days of receiving your application. (Please be patient if it takes us a bit
longer to respond, however, as we are an all-volunteer organization.)
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HOAP
Contacts
Please contact us
with any questions or concerns:
Dog HOAP
Coordinator
Cat HOAP Coordinator
In
Conclusion
Giving up a pet is a
difficult decision and we at HART are sensitive to that. We know that
you want to do what is best for him/her. We hope that you will help us
help you. Please know that your pet is in excellent hands with HART, whose
volunteers are devoted to helping pets and finding a wonderful forever home for
them.
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