I volunteered with Hearts For Paws for about two years - to be clear I only stopped because I moved to a place that did not allow animals, unfortunately otherwise I would have loved to continue my involvement.
Before HFP, I did the whole try to adopt through a different rescue and got frustrated for not being selected to adopt the dog I was interested and ended up with a Craigslist puppy. I felt like the rescue didn't have a right to tell me I wouldn't be a wonderful home or wasn't the right home. It might sound silly, but I really had no idea and was completely naive to how essential the adoption process is - not because of who the potential adopters are so much, but more so because of the journey most of these dogs have gone through and to make sure they end up in a home they are most likely going to thrive in.
HFP does a great job on their social media providing surface level information regarding the tradegy that the dog market has created, but you really don't understand how much they do until you've been there first hand... before you get frustrated with the nuance of the adoption process or disappointment for not being selected at the adopter, please please please try to understand this entire process has the macro level (educating the general public of this dog crisis, not sure if that's too dramatic), the adopter is in the middle, then there is the micro level and know that the adopter is the middle ground as there are infinate smaller unseen factors to each and every adoption.
I've spent four hours herding/catching dumped puppies that had ropes tied too tight around their necks that it scabbed over partially and indented into their necks. I've fostered 20+ puppies (mostly 8-16 weeks) that have had easily a hundred ticks (PER dog), infected wounds that required 3xs daily medication and daily medicated baths (try doing that with three puppies from that litter all at once), young puppies that scream-cried if you approached them as they were incredibly fearful and little to no human interaction, more worms than a worm farm, parvo survivors, malnurishment that pictures can never truly capture how bad it is (it's always so much worse in person), non-contagious mange (nearly hairless puppies) and so mcuh more.
Over the years, I grew close with the founder, Sam, and helped filter through applications, conduct interviews, train new fosters and more. Because HFP is a foster-based rescue, she relies heavily on each foster to provide updates to each dog's behavior, tics, personalities, needs, etc. Most of these dogs have been through more than any ever should and the team works incredibly hard to ensure they each go to a "perfect" home - meaning forever. "Perfect" looks incredibly different for each dog that comes into the rescue. HFP truly wants to make sure each dog ends up in a home that will nurture and set it up for success. When many people returned to working in the office, the amount of "returns" were off the charts and almost all of those dog requests noted the dogs were extremely attached and anxious. We, the owners, are 100% at fault for the learned bahaviors. If it so wrong to then return dogs because of the issues we created for them.
While most of the dogs come from less than ideal scenarios, HFP also received/s a TON of surrender requests... anything from I'm moving and I can't take my dog, we had a baby and don't have time for the dog anymore, or a personal favorite, we got a new puppy and our older dog is too aggressive with it. While surrendering is the most feel-good and likely safest option if you must rehome your animal, HFP focuses so much of their effort towards animals in horrid situations. Those that have been overlooked. To get dogs stuck in traumtic, overcrowded shelters that are doing their best but can't keep up with the society of designer dogs dumping their "oopsie puppies" or not-profitable backyard pups. A rescue who works so tirelessly to save all of the animals, cannot always help the anxious animal already in a loving home when there are literally thousands of them shaking uncontrollably in the back of a kennel with one opportunity to go outside every day.
The long tangent here is essentially to help say -- I 100% understand where there are some frustrations/contentions with the adoption process, I've been there, but now after I have first hand worked with Sam and HFP, I've devoted years to them and the dogs, I have such a better understanding and appreciation for all that they do. You really can't begin to see them for what they're worth until you go through the fire with them. See the ugly side. Nurse an animal back to health. Watch their personalities come out for likely the first time in their short, neglected lives.
Every rescue is different, but I will always support HFP and hope that others continue to do so as well. It's gut wrenching yet the most rewarding experience. It takes a really special person to run this rescue. read more