Innovative programs, rescues, outreach - they do it all!
Most known for their no-kill sanctuary and saving hundreds of dogs from breeding facilities, they are an organization that goes way beyond the norm in rescue!
Hearts United for Animals is dedicated to the relief of suffering, by any means necessary to help the animals in trouble. They most recently got involved quickly to help with the trap-neuter-return or re-home of the cat population explosion of Randolph, Iowa.
About Randolph, Jenny Gerritse of Hearts United for Animals in Auburn, NE, explained, “The proximity of the animals and the economic situation of the people made this an important project for us. The people didn’t know that there was low cost spay/neuter clinics in the surrounding area. Some of the feline rescue groups bring animals over to us and we’ll be involved in helping in any ways we can.”
“It was so cool to see all the rescue groups sitting at the table. We’re working with Feline Friendz to place the kittens, let’s get them into homes!”
Located on a 65-acre farm of grass and trees, HUA cares for 200 animals at both the sanctuary and in foster homes. They have also cultivated some cutting edge programs to help get the animals out of harm’s way. From the Jet Set Dogs – a long distance adoption program placing pets in 45 states and Canada to their Tia’s Place- a refuge for pets of families fleeing their homes to escape domestic violence, they address the myriad of challenges animals and the people that love them face every day.
Albert is looking for love, click here for more info “We were founded 20 years ago by Carol Wheeler and started out as a grassroots organization in the small town of Peru. It is a college town so at the end of the semester there were many animals that were just left. We promptly started taking in animals.”
Then they started helping the surrounding areas, being close to Missouri, Kansas, Iowa and South Dakota, the very real problems of puppy mills became apparent. They work closely with other organizations to shut down puppy mills and bring to the community services they need to combat the pet overpopulation crisis. HUA has a spay/neuter clinic that alters over 1,500 animals per year! The clinic also helps underprivileged families get the health care they need for their pets – essentially helping people not only keep their pets healthy, but keep them in the home.
In addition to all the physical, hands-on work of rescue they are also very proactive in using all the technological tools available to get the public involved. They support the legislation that impacts the commercial breeding industry in a negative way by networking through emails and by using their award winning website!
The Smithsonian awarded them for innovative use of the internet!
“Our phone rings off the hook, we get calls from people nationwide and we are able to get local animals adopted out to great homes across the country. These are all types of animals, we have some special needs puppy mill rescues and more.”
Lacy is excited about finding her just right somebody, click here for more info!“We’re out their on the frontlines of the animal welfare – educating the public about what the can do about pet overpopulation, puppy mills and what we can do to end them!” said Jenny in a voice that says it’s a labor of love.
3 Things You Can Do1. Donate to Hearts United for Animals,
click here for more information.
2. Adopt a dog from Hearts United for Animals,
click here to see their friendly faces.
3. Subscribe to their Newsletter,
click here!by Denise LeBeau, Best Friends staffimages courtesy of Hearts United for Animals