We are a family of dog lovers that began by adopting or rescuing dogs on our own. As the number of dogs in our household began to swell, we came to realize that we couldn't save every dog and keep them all, but we could continue to save more dogs, and help them to find their forever homes. We began to think of our family and our home with a certain motto: we take the old, the ugly, the broken down, the unwanted and abused, because it truly is what we do. What started as a lesson to our children that we could make a difference a little at a time, has evolved into a passion and a mission for us all. Our name has 2 meanings, the first is that for a number of these dogs, especially those in high kill shelters, it truly IS the dog's life that hangs in the balance waiting for someone to step forward on their behalf and give them another chance, which brings out the second meaning. It is the old saying that "it's a dog's life", meaning the easy life, the caring, the adoration and appreciation we shower upon our own cherished pets, which is exactly the ending we do our best to find for every dog we encounter.
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We are located in northwestern Vermont and accept owner surrenders and strays from the area, as well as rescuing dogs from shelters in other areas with high euthanasia rates, often referred to as "high kill shelters". We adopt throughout New England on a case by case basis.
Additional adoption info
When you see a dog you'd like to make your very own, the first step is to complete an adoption application. We ask questions regarding your home life and your own expectations of the dog. We do require prior approval from a landlord if you do rent. We also require a vet reference or 3 personal references if you have never owned a pet before. Our fees are generally $150-250 based upon several factors, such as age of the dog and the amount of vetting the dog has required. In the event that the dog is unable to be altered prior to adoption, a $50 deposit will be required to be refunded upon proof of sterilization within 90 days of the adoption. We do require a signed adoption contract upon finalization of an adoption.
Burlington, VT 05402
PO Box 8355,
Essex Junction,
VT
05451
255 George LaPan Memorial Hwy,
P.O. Box 1111,
Saranac Lake,
NY
12983
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.
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