Who are these dogs?
There are some dogs who have a run of bad luck and then somehow end up in rescue. These dogs don't fall into this category. These dogs have endured a very sad and stressful life over the past year or more, and has somehow emerged relatively unscathed and eager to find new homes.
These dogs were among 149 seized in a raid of a rural rescue last summer. The case got a lot of media coverage at first. However, unlike dogs in many other hoarding cases, these dogs were not surrendered to animal control for placement. Instead, they spent 8 months at animal control until finally their legal limbo ended and they were surrendered to be placed.
Unfortunately, during that 8 months almost everyone forgot about them. Now they don't have a lot of time and they need homes. Twenty five of them remain.
We don't know everything about these dogs, but here's what we do know:
Most of them came from one of two circumstances:
1. They were sent up north by rural Southern animal welfare groups who sent the best and nicest dogs so they'd have a chance. These groups vetted the dogs before they sent them up North.
2. They were owner giveups by people who cared about their dogs but couldn't keep them. They were companion animals who were given up for the standard reasons of convenience-- too big, too energetic, too much work, owner moving, chases cats, etc. This is the story of most of the older dogs.
Finding out their exact backgrounds is, at this point, impossible. We know a little about each dog's history, but we can tell you a lot about what we have observed in the 8 months that we have visited these dogs and tried to give them encouragement and affection. We have handled these dogs and given them affection and walked them and watched them interact with other dogs. We know their basic energy level and we have seen how they respond to stress. We have seen so many of them give us a look that says, "Please. I don't belong here. I used to be special to someone." We know that they are all wonderful dogs and worthy of finding homes.
What we are looking for is people who understand that sometimes you have to go with what you FEEL and SEE when it comes to a dog, rather than with a full background. Who feel a sense of responsibility to animals. Who have loved a hard-luck dog before and want to give another one a chance. Who are prepared to help these animals as they learn (or re-learn) how to become companion animals. Who understand that we're all doing the best we can to write a wrong that has been done.
If you are that person, please give these animals a look. Then send us an email if you'd like an application.
click here to read more background on this case
Create an alert and get notified with newly adoptable pets that meet your criteria.
Create an alert and get notified with newly adoptable pets that meet your criteria.
This rescue doesn’t have any adoptable pets right now – check out adoptable pets nearby or start a custom pet search below.
We place dogs in homes throughout the Washington, DC metropolitan area, Northern Virginia, Maryland and the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia.
Additional adoption info
How it Has to Work
Unfortunately, we don’t have a lot of operational leeway when it comes to these animals, and we need applicants to work with us in order to save these dogs.
Here’s the Procedure:
You’ll see a dog you are interested in and fill out the application.
We’ll do a vet check and a home visit and then you can come out to meet the dogs, who are located about 90 minutes from downtown DC and an hour from Frederick Maryland and Leesburg Virginia. Once you meet your dog, you can take him or her home right away. If it isn’t the right fit, you can meet any of the other available dogs and are welcome to adopt him or her. If there just isn’t a love connection, we’ll forward on your application information to another rescue so that you don’t have to re-invent the wheel.
What we’ll need from you:
Quick responses to our calls and emails, and an understanding that we are dealing with a true rescue situation.
We won’t lie to you. These animals don’t have an unlimited time. But after what they have gone through, we must use great care in placing them. If you are a true animal lover who really wants to help one of the underdogs, then please consider one of these dogs.
Laurel, MD 20707
2118 Brigadier Blvd,
Odenton,
MD
21113
Pikesville, MD 21208
HeARTs Speak develops resources that help shelter animals to be seen and find homes, ultimately transforming public perceptions of pet adoption, shelters, and animals in need. Each year our work helps nearly 1 million pets in your community and beyond.
Learn moreThere is a tremendous need for new methods of sterilization that are faster, easier, more accessible, and less expensive than surgery. ACC&D works tirelessly to bring together key stakeholders to advance this field.
Learn moreEvery day, Animal Legal Defense Fund works to enact tougher animal cruelty laws, provide care and legal assistance for animal victims of cruelty, offer rewards to bring abusers to justice, and provide free legal assistance to prosecutors and law enforcement to put abusers behind bars.
Learn more