Hearts United for Animals

04/25/2025

On this, the third day of SHARE Omaha Do Good Days, can you find it in your heart to show Caven some love? This precious puppy was brought to HUA a few days ago because the landlord said he had to go. As terrified as he was, Caven had no idea that it was the first day of the rest of his life, and it was a GOOD day.

Caven was scared and confused so he did what lots of dogs do when they are terrified--he nipped at a caregiver during the exchange. The person who was relinquishing him, who was supposed to love him and care for him, the person who was supposed to be saying a sweet goodbye and mourning over the loss of him, smacked him for being afraid. Caven is just a baby, and already the human race has let him down.

Your Do Good donation will go towards the care of sweet little Caven and all of his new HUA friends who desperately need kind humans to bolster their spirits and protect them.

You can make your Do Good donation by clicking on this link -- https://shareomaha.org/donate?nonprofit=8213

We thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your kindness and support

04/24/2025

For the second day of SHARE Omaha Do Good Days, please consider sponsoring an HUA Sanctuary Sweetheart 💖 like darling little Heimlich.

We believe that all animals deserve to live happy, healthy lives with people who love them. Some animals find their home with us as Sanctuary Sweethearts. They are animals who are not available for adoption for various reasons that include physical and psychological issues.

Despite the unfortunate consequences of poor breeding practices that left him with birth defects affecting both of his front legs and feet, Heimlich's zest for life remains undiminished. His challenges stem from the fact that his parents were siblings, but in his world, he’s all about overcoming obstacles with a wagging tail.

Now in his therapeutic foster home, Heimlich has found a loving environment that understands and supports his unique needs. His foster parents have made numerous accommodations to help him navigate the world comfortably, ensuring he can move around with as much ease as possible.

Heimlich and his Sweetheart friends require special attention in many forms that will last a lifetime. Your donation of $25.00 per month will help offset the costs of medications, veterinary visits, prescription food, and surgical intervention when necessary, as well as big, comfy beds, toys and yummy treats.

Please visit our Sanctuary Sweethearts at https://hua.org/sanctuary-sweethearts/. Your help for the precious animals is a treasure to those in need.

(If you would prefer to make a one-time donation for Do Good Days, please do so here - https://shareomaha.org/donate?nonprofit=8213)

04/23/2025

Today marks the beginning of National Volunteer Week with SHARE Omaha’s Do Good Days from April 23-26, 2025! "Doing Good" for HUA means VOLUNTEER and DONATE 🩵!

The Hearts United for Animals Proud Pets Program has its roots in Omaha. In September of 2018, HUA joined Omaha Girl Scout Troop #44323 to form the Proud Pets Program. This program serves veterans and their pets who were homeless before being given a safe place to live in the Victory Apartments in Omaha. The Girl Scouts, as part of their community service, had identified the need for low cost veterinary care for veterans living in the Victory Apartment Complex.

HUA arranged for this care in Omaha, then later in Lincoln. With the help of the Girl Scouts, hundreds of pets in need have been transported to their medical appointments and received quality care at no cost to their owners. Proud Pets is a program enjoyed by everyone involved; the veterans are so grateful to have their cherished pets healthy, and it is gratifying for the medical staff and volunteers to work with a group of dedicated young people.

If you would like to volunteer to help with transportation for our veterans in need of vet visits, please contact [email protected]. If your time is limited, a donation goes a long way in helping the less fortunate in your community get the help they so desperately need for their beloved animals!

Please click here to make your secure Do Good donation today - https://shareomaha.org/donate?nonprofit=8213!

04/22/2025

Higbee and his brothers were living outdoors in kennels barely big enough to stand up and/or turn around in. His person brought him to the HUA after realizing this was no life for puppies. We were told that these six-month-old boys are Lab/Husky mixes, so based on that info we think they will weigh about 50 lbs when fully grown.

Higbee's favorite thing in the world (besides all of the hugging and kissing with his caregivers) is Puppy Playgroup. This little dude has so much fun playing with the other pups--we could watch him all day long. Every day is a holiday for Higbee. He would be the happiest chap ever to be an important member of a family. Higbee is not yet on our website but we are accepting applications for his adorable self at https://hua.org/adoption-process/.

PS - Higbee heard that we have an Amazon Wishlist that details lots of stuff the humans need to keep him and his friends happy and healthy. He thought this was a fine idea, and suggested that we share the Wishlist with our kind supporters, so here it is:

https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/3RGL9DM4BT7JF/ref=nav_wishlist_lists_1

Things we really need: enrichment toys, pill pockets, martingale collars, leashes, Frontline and tasty treats!

04/21/2025

This innocent little darling, who we've named Octavius, was found as a stray last week. His coat was a hot mess, and he was one frightened fellow. Octavius very quickly figured out that he was in a good, safe space, and all of the humans became his best buddies. His fur was terribly matted, so a grooming session was in order, and Octavius took it all in stride.

We have discovered that he is an easy liver--sweet, over the moon for the humans, cuddly, and playful. Octavius has not yet seen the vet but we think he is probably about 7 or 8 years old, and our best guess at his breed is a Shi Tzu/Yorkie mix. He bounces around like a puppy when his doggy friends want to play and he seems to have plenty of pep in his step, so we are hopeful that he has no serious medical issues.

Barring any unforeseen complications, Octavius will be ready to find his new family within the next week or two. Until then, we are happy to spoil this precious pooch because he sure does deserve some good old fashioned pampering.

04/20/2025

Happy Easter 🐰💐🩷! Keep your doggies safe~today's festivities could seriously harm our precious pooches, so please be sure to steer clear of any dangerous items!

Easter can be a dangerous time of year for dogs; chocolate eggs, hot cross buns and spring bulbs are all potentially poisonous to them.

04/19/2025

Is there anything more awesome than a big old Chocolate Labby Boy wearing fake bunny ears while surveying a meadow filled with lavender wildflowers? The answer is NO.

Howie was found in a local cemetery. We still can't believe nobody stepped forward to claim this big, goofy lug. He is such an awesome dog and everything a good Lab should be. Howie is a big boy, weighing in at 94 pounds. He knows all sorts of commands and will perform them upon request, knowing there will be tons of hugs from the humans afterward. Howie is all about the love.

This huge lap-dog-wanna-be is a constant source of entertainment for his caregivers. He can turn just about any situation into a game, the favorite being "tag, you're it!" when playtime is over and it's time to go back to his apartment. Howie makes everything more fun. He is a very good friend to the other dogs as well, and everybody thinks he is the bees' knees.

Visit Howie's webpage at https://hua.org/animal/howie/for more photos and information!

04/18/2025

04/17/2025

Atticus came to HUA when his owner lost his house and had no where for the dogs to go. He was very thin when he arrived, and our main focus at that point was to get some meat on his bones. He had a voracious appetite, but when he began to gain some weight and became more active, it was apparent that there was something not quite right.

Atticus would often drop his back end for no reason and sway his back end if standing for too long. When we took him out for a walk, Atticus would happily trot for only a short while until his back legs gave out. After consulting with a specialist, we were advised that Atticus has Wobblers Syndrome, which is caused by compression to the spine. His case is considered to be mild, so surgery is not an option. Prednisone helps with the swelling that causes him to wobble, and this majestic creature takes it all in stride.

Despite his limitations, Atticus is a typical Dobie–he is joyful, loyal, devoted and happy. He adores his caregivers and keeps a watchful eye on them while he is out playing with his doggy pals. It is important to Atticus that he knows what is going on around him and everyone feels quite safe from harm when he is around.

When playtime becomes tiring for him, our big boy never pouts or feels sorry for himself. He is perfectly content sitting beside a human friend as he watches the other dogs roughhouse and run about. Everyone adores this loving, regal boy, and although Atticus has many adoring fans who enjoy spending time with him, a family of his own is what Atticus wants more than anything else.

Visit this sweet prince's webpage at https://hua.org/animal/atticus/!

04/16/2025

So maybe we should have called Alani "Sister Bertrille" or "Sally Field" or the "Flying Nun." We dropped the ball on that one. However, the name "Alani" means lovely, beautiful, or dear and sweet child in Irish, and she is all of those things.

This super sweet, very gentle, most lovely girl came to HUA when her person could no longer take proper care of her. Alani was obviously adored and it shows. She is loving and outgoing, friendly but not overbearing. She is a good friends with all dogs, both large and small, and she even has a fondness for cats.

Alani is a smart little lady who knows her basic commands and is always tuned in to listening to the humans--those amazing ears only help to facilitate the listening, of course. She loves attention so much that even a good brushing, something not every dog is crazy for, delights her. Alani is such a nice, calm dog that she will thrive in just about any type of family as long as she is loved as much as she loves. She is a very special girl.

More photos and info can be found on Alani's webpage at https://hua.org/animal/alani/!

04/15/2025

What does it mean if a living being is "toast?" Loosely translated, if someone is "toast" they are " in a lot of trouble...certain to be defeated...completely ruined... in a dire situation." Clearly that would accurately describe a puppy dumped in a ditch in frigid weather, all alone, powerless, innocent, and lost.

But our baby Toast has fully recovered from the awful ordeal and what we have now is 100 % puppy:

Sweet breath √
Tug of War expert √
Wrinkly forehead √
Needs all the toys √
Army crawls √
Smiles with whole face √

Toast is ready to find his new family. A more precious puppy is never to be found. We adore this little potato. He is a very special baby boy.

Visit Toast's webpage at https://hua.org/animal/toast/

04/14/2025

There is certainly a reason why Labs are the most popular family dog in the U.S., and Archer 100% fits the bill. He has been with us for quite some time, and we'll be darned if we know why. He is a typical Labby boy--active, energetic, friendly, loyal, loving and smart. This supremely happy boy is a super duper good friends to the other dogs and shines during Doggy Playgroup.

Archer's perfect family would be one who includes him in the all of the adventures and outings. He loves meeting new people and always assumes everyone is his friend. Because he is such a good boy with other dogs, Archer would love a canine sibling with whom to play the day away and snuggle up with during nap time. He is certain to love his family with all of his heart.

Archer's only request is that he would not have to share his new home with a cat. He doesn't like them, nor does he remotely understand them, nor does he care to.

Visit Archer's webpage at https://hua.org/animal/archer/

PS. We want to send a big shout-out to HUA adopter Maria from https://www.facebook.com/emteegeephotograghy/ for the stunning photos!

04/13/2025

Happy Birthday to our darling kitten Simba! Stop by Nature Dog in Omaha to meet this funny little character!

Visit Simba's webpage at https://hua.org/animal/simba/!

Happy first birthday to our HUA foster kitten Simba!

He's made a list of birthday wishes including being adopted by a loving family! If you haven't met this stud muffin, come by Nature Dog or go online at HUA.ORG to view his profile!

A little more about me? 😻🐾
- I love pets and rolling over to show my belly
- Long naps are my favorite, especially in a warm bed
- I eat real good foods at the store and am told I have a very soft and sleek coat
- I'm friendly but I'm also a cat who prefers to come to you
- my recent enjoyment has been taking stickies off windows and watching all the birds outside!

04/12/2025

Quincy May came within feet of losing her life to a semi barreling down the highway. A lovely lady who must have been her guardian angel witnessed this awful near miss and was able to get this precious little Yorkie mix to safety. Understandably, Quincy May was a wreck when she arrived at HUA and had no idea what to make of this new situation. It did not take her long to figure out that she was safe, and she has become the cutest addition to the office.

Quincy has stranger danger when it comes to new people but she does warm up quickly. We are already seeing that she easily attaches to a person and becomes quite a little velcro pup. This darling girl has been through a lot, and she needs to know that there is someone willing to protect her. She loves walking on her leash and is a nice friend to the other dogs, but Quincy really just wants a comfy human lap and a place to rest her pretty head. A more snuggly, cuddly, darling little dog you will never meet.

Visit Quincy May's webpage at https://hua.org/animal/quincy-may/!

04/11/2025

Kairo and his friends at HUA are celebrating National Pet Day today! For them. this day signifies hope; hope that they will soon be members of their very own families. All of our precious animals want that--just a safe, warm place that feels like home, with people who love them to the ends of the earth. Happy National Pet Day!

"National Pet Day began in 2006 when animal welfare advocate, Colleen Paige, decided she wanted to celebrate the joy that pets bring into people’s lives. As a Pet & Family Lifestyle Expert, she wanted to celebrate all pets.

Advocating for the adoption of pets from animal shelters, she brainstormed the holiday to create public awareness for the animals awaiting homes in shelters. According to the ASPCA, approximately 6.5 million animals enter animal shelters every year.

The number of animals entering shelters has been significantly decreasing over the years. But there’s still a significant number of animals entering and being euthanized due to shelter capacity and lack of awareness.

Page hopes that these numbers can continue to decrease with the celebration of National Pet Day. Encouraging adoption as a first choice is one of the main ideas behind National Pet Day.
This is especially true in regards to those who are thinking about purchasing a pet from a breeder. On this day, people are encouraged to love their pets, spoil them, adopt pets, and volunteer at the local animal shelter.

National Pet Day celebrates the unconditional love that animals give to people in their daily lives. It also encourages people to take the time to spend time with their beloved animals."
~ daysoftheyear.com

PS. Kairo's webpage is here - https://hua.org/animal/kairo/!

04/10/2025

Phoenix’s person was evicted and the dogs had nowhere safe to go, so HUA stepped in to help. Phoenix is a happy, carefree boy who LOVES his toys, going for walks on his leash, and playing to his heart’s content in the snow or the sun. He is rather goofy and a little bit clumsy, and the caregivers and volunteers love to spend time with him.

Phoenix has a micro-eye that somewhat limits his vision from the left side, so sudden motions can frighten him, but he recovers quickly and never lets anything scary keep him down. He is trusting of humans and knows we will keep him safe from harm.

This handsome boy is good friends with the other dogs and he would love to have a canine sibling in his new home, but this is not a requirement. What Phoenix wants more than anything is a forever home with a loving family of his own.

Visit this handsome, amazing, sweet doggy's webpage at https://hua.org/animal/phoenix-2/!

04/08/2025

Our beloved Sanctuary Sweetheart Gabe was probably the most gorgeous Shih Tzu who ever came to the shelter. When the irresponsible, heartless breeder released him—a miracle in and of itself as usually dogs in such poor shape are put to death immediately— we met a charming little puppy who danced and played, loved people, charmed his friends, and waited politely for his attention. He was so adorable that it was heart-wrenching to look at him knowing that he had a devastating genetic condition.

Gabe was the product of a show breeder. He was missing part of his spinal cord, he had no tail, he was completely incontinent for both bowels and bladder. He was a genetic nightmare of the breeding world. At one time Gabe was rushed into emergency surgery for a pr*****ed re**um — more complications from despicable breeding. He suffered from a variety of ailments throughout his life, but brave little Gabe was used to it and he faced it all without complaint.

Despite his physical limitations, Gabe was often taken along on field trips because he was so cute and well-behaved. He loved attending fundraising events and was always the star of the show. He cherished his time spent with his favorite little humans in the Kids United for Animals program and graduated at the top of his class. He visited elementary schools and colleges, charming everyone with his sweet face and gentle hugs. This darling bouncing boy had no idea that he was not perfect, and we never let him believe that he was anything but the best little fellow in the world.

Our precious boy’s heart gave out last week. He was age fourteen and had lived almost his entire life at HUA. He was the apple of our eyes, the light of our lives, and the sweetheart of the sunporch. We will miss him always, and we continue with the never-ending fight against horrific breeding practices and animal cruelty in his memory. Fly free, Gabey. We loved you so 💔.

If you would like to make a donation in memory of Gabe, please visit our website at www.hua.org. Your support made his wonderful, full life at HUA possible. We are so grateful for your love and kindness.

04/07/2025

Paisley is one of the three Portuguese Water Dogs rescued from a breeder last week. We've only known her for a very short while, but during that time this lovely girl has shown herself to be a gem. She is super cuddly, loves to give hugs and her leash skills are epic. We're already gaga over her.

Paisley will see the vet soon to rule out any health issues, but thus far she appears to be a healthy, happy gal with a very sweet demeanor. We are proud of Paisley for being such a brave little soldier during her first few days in this new place, and we think she deserves a big shout out for being such a trooper!