Hearts United for Animals

03/28/2025

Three dogs were dumped in a Missouri town so small that there is no animal control unit. The police officers who took responsibility for these poor animals were very worried that their demise was imminent based on the fact that there was no help for them.

Through social media posts, two of the dogs found rescue, but the third one--a very scared, very timid girl--was on borrowed time because there was no place for her to go. One of the officers could not fathom this, so he took it upon himself to try to socialize this precious pup, winning her affections with a bounty of hot dogs. When HUA agreed to help, it was this kind-hearted officer who transported his special friend to the shelter.

Jennifer Kate was bewildered when she arrived. She had spent many days thoroughly confused and scared to pieces. One thing she knows for certain now is that she is safe. She will be just fine. Her caregivers are taking extra special care of her, assuring her over and over again that the bad times are on the past.

Our sweet J-Kate probably misses the man who became her hero, but it was with all the love in the world that he entrusted this innocent soul to our care. We are thankful for big-hearted humans who simply cannot stand to see an animal suffer. Jennifer Kate's life means something, and her kind savior persevered when it seemed as though all hope was running out.

Welcome to HUA, Jennifer Kate! We love you already. ♥️

03/27/2025

We had an awesome visit from the kids at the Bellevue K Club, who brought a whole bunch of lovely donations, and who left darling words of affirmation for their furry new friends. Nothing makes the HUA dogs and kitties happier than meeting new humans who come bearing gifts. Thank you all for thinking of the precious animals and for making their day such a special one!

03/26/2025

Gomez is relieved to be rid of his life of constant breeding. He never knew love, so now he craves it. He never knew affection or kindness or peace, and now he wants all of those things. Even at twelve years old, nearly blind and completely toothless, Gomez is a most handsome and happy little man who is content and cuddly. He melts into the arms of his caregivers without a care in the world. Gomez is quiet and assuming and he does not need much in this world–a soft place to land with kind person to cherish him is all this precious boy could ever want.

Visit this darling little old man's webpage at https://hua.org/animal/gomez/!

03/25/2025

Our hearts are so heavy to announce the passing of our beloved big Boxer boy Manny. Manny came to HUA several years ago from a high intake shelter in Chicago. They were having trouble placing him because of his behavior in a home. Manny loved his people fiercely and became territorial and overly protective of them.

Manny had spent some time in the HUA foster house on campus, where his caregiver could further explore his behavior issues. Although he did not like it when visitors dropped by, he was a very good boy when put away in his room before proper slow introductions could be made. We thought he had finally turned a corner where he could be trusted to become a member of a new family.

Manny loved other dogs and he was a great pal to the other big pooches who enjoyed his company in Playgroup. He was a lover of adventure but also a wonderful couch cuddler. Caregivers and volunteers adored this big lug, and we will forever hold Manny in our hearts

17 new items · Album by celeste kovar

03/23/2025

Gorgeous, playful and full of charm, Russian Blue mix Cleopawtra is looking for a wonderful new family to call her own. Cleopawtra was found as a stray. Affectionately dubbed the “loud mouth,” Cleo gets the word out before any of the other cats have had a chance to speak. She talks the minute she sees a human enter the cat room, and the chatter continues all through the visit.

Cleo loves treats and toys, and is always chasing one thing or another around the room. A favorite game is finding the best hiding sport and lying in wait for some unsuspecting kitty victim to walk by. Cleopawtra takes pouncing to a whole new level. This is one funny cat who will bring lots of laughter to her new family.

Visit Cleopawtra's webpage at https://hua.org/animal/cleopawtra/

03/22/2025

Kids United for Animals (KUA) is a program designed for children ages 8-16 years who have an interest in animal welfare. Meetings are held once a month from September through May at the HUA shelter. The students learn many aspects of animal rescue and the challenges and joys of overseeing an animal shelter. They explore careers in animal welfare and learn about the issues that impact dogs in a shelter environment.

At our most recent KUA meeting, the kids (with assistance from their chosen dogs) made sweet little cat toys to be sold at the HUA First Annual Wheeler Walk in remembrance of co-founders Carol and Dennis, which is scheduled for May 18. If you are able, please plan to join us for a day of revisiting wonderful old memories and making precious new ones.

If you would like more information on our Kida United for Animals program, please contact [email protected]!

03/21/2025

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.

Meet our baby Toast. That was his horrific plight only days ago, but no longer. In our arms is where Toast hangs out now. He doesn't even squirm to get free. He's been free, too free, and he wants no part of going back to that state of affairs.

Once he has seen the vet and has received all of the proper puppy care, baby Toast will be looking for his new family. It will be with the happiest of tears that we bid him farewell on that magical day to come.

Mean people are everywhere. But so are the good guys. In Toast's case, kindness prevailed. Thank you for being our constant source of love and support on this everlasting journey of animal rescue.

www.hua.org

03/20/2025

03/18/2025

Strudel lived in a home with younger children and although he loved his whole family, fast movements and loud noises freaked him out, so it was determined that he may need a quieter home environment.

This adorable little puppy is the life of the party – he is very playful and carefree, he loves all of the humans, and he positively dotes upon his many squeaky toys that are trying to live up to Strudel’s lofty toy expectations. We make sure the toy shelves are stocked up for our fuzzy little man who is rapidly becoming a serious contender for Fetch Champion.

Strudel was not socialized with other dogs in the home, so he is learning how to interact properly with his doggy friends and he is very good at understanding cues. We are proud as punch of this sweet little puppy who is both a spitfire and a perfect cuddle bug.

More information and an adoption application can be found on Strudel's webpage at https://hua.org/animal/strudel/!

03/17/2025

Happy St Patty's Day from McVivien, McBoss, McEmmi and McTibbs! ☘️🌈🏹

03/17/2025

O happy day - with love from McEverest 🍀

03/17/2025

Sláinte -- Top of the mornin' to ya 🍀!

More than just companion animals, dogs and cats are woven into the fabric of Celtic folklore.

03/16/2025

We've all seen it. The MOM stare. You know you're in trouble and you may as well just take your lumps....

Tipo was brought to HUA along with her two kittens. She is the quintessential Mother Cat. She and her feline friend Emmi have teamed up to be the kitten police, correcting all bad behavior or extreme kitten naughtiness. Tipo and Emmi make sure everyone is well groomed, with sessions that go on for hours until all of the cats are perfectly coifed.

With humans, Tipo is very, very social and must be the first in line for kisses and cuddles. The humans love her and give her all the toys and catnip she could ever want in exchange for some Tipo hugs.

Visit this special mama kitty's webpage at https://hua.org/animal/tipo/!

03/15/2025

The look on sweet Polar's face during her first groom 😞. Have you ever seen such adoration? After losing the majority of her teeth and the removal of a benign mammary mass left her feeling like a new woman, the final touch was a brand new hairdo. Polar's gratitude and relief are written all over that precious face.

Perhaps this is where this sweet girl's love of belly rubs originated, because Polar is all about the belly rub. If she could snuggle with the humans 24/7, Polar would. At ten years of age this beautiful baby is ready to embrace the love and comfort of her very first home.

Visit Polar's webpage at https://hua.org/animal/polar/!

03/14/2025

Hello. My name is Icelyn and I am a twelve-year-old Coton de Tulear. I think that means I am fancy, but my life as a breeder mama was anything but. I had one job and that was to take care of my babies. I was really good at that, but every single time someone took my babies away from me and I had to start all over again. Even when my body was old and frail, I still had that job to do. Everything hurt and I was always so tired.

Then one day, a whole bunch of my friends and I came to a new place filled with new sounds and new smells. The biggest difference, though, was the PEOPLE. They were all gentle and soft, and their eyes were kind, and I felt SAFE. My mouth hurt (rotten teeth) and my belly was really sore (tumors and a hernia), but the PEOPLE fixed those things and I am so much better now.

This place has lots of yummy treats, tons of furry friends, and the biggest most comfiest beds I ever felt. I love all of it. Lots of days I rest on those beds and watch my new world happening around me. Other days I feel brave and I curl my body up on a PEOPLE lap, and that feels so delicious.

There is a placed called HOME that we are learning about. HOME is not always a place for 12-year-old Cotons, but I am told that I should NEVER SAY NEVER--there might be PEOPLE that have a HOME that would be perfect for a 12-year-old Coton. I just need to be patient. I can do that.

Also, I have a WEBPAGE. It is here - https://hua.org/animal/icelyn/

03/13/2025

Pups of the Month - Cadence and Wandy!

Cadence was the chosen one for Pup of the Month until his roommate Wandy got word of it. All of the sudden, we had TWO Pups of the Month, and both of these precious souls are equaling deserving of the title. Sweet Boxer Cadence has been at HUA for a very long time, and Wandy was brought back to HUA for severe separation anxiety. Together, they have formed a beautiful friendship that knows no bounds. Both of these long timers have charmed their way into the hearts of caregivers and volunteers alike.

Long walks with the pair at the end of the leash become peaceful strolls with Cadence sniffing and Wandy wandering. Afterward, a long nap bathing in the sunshine butt-to-butt is in order, followed by a delicious snack and some silly playtime. Rubbing one dog's belly means rubbing the other's. Tossing a ball with one dog means tossing two. Hugs and kisses are always provided in equal turn.

Cadence and Wandy have figured out how to form their very own family right here at the HUA shelter, and although a home is something we long for for the both of them, we can't help but marvel at how they have adapted to meet their own emotional needs with each other. Cadence and Wandy are happy, contented dogs who wish for nothing more than another day spent together, playing, exploring, napping and snuggling.

03/12/2025

Thank you Nature Dog for taking such amazing care of our beloved baby kitties and for helping them find wonderful, loving homes ♥️

03/11/2025

What a charmer this precious little teddy bear is! Macaroon was brought to HUA when his person was no longer able to properly care for him. He is the sweetest little thing, and very nosey when it comes to all the goings-on at the shelter. Mac wants to know what is going on, who is involved, what the humans talking about, and what the other dogs up to. He is extremely social and happy-go-lucky.

Nothing bothers this darling puppy other than wha he perceives to be an occasional lack of enough adoration. Macaroon has a big, kind heart, a tendency to lean toward utter goofiness, a loving and inquisitive nature, and a passion for living his best life. Everyone adores Macaroon. He brightens our days and makes everyone giggle with his funny quirks and insistence on being included in everything. If Macaroon were a human he’d be busy solving the world’s problems.

Visit Macaroon's webpage at https://hua.org/animal/macaroon/!