Hodgepodge Pets, Inc

12/05/2025

Come out and support the rescue! Hoping to see some familiar faces as well as some alumni Hodgepodge kids!!

12/03/2025

That's so exciting!! Thank you so much, B and Let Live! And, thank you Toni Malin-Vale for nominating us!!

12/02/2025

12/01/2025

Giving Tuesday Appeal: Hodgepodge Pets, Inc needs your Help. Similar to many shelters and rescues, we are struggling to cope with the increasing demand for our services. While rescue work is rewarding, it is also physically, emotionally, and financially draining. Without needed resources, so many longstanding, reputable rescues are closing their doors.

We have many pets in the rescue that need to be fixed, several that need dentals and grooming, hooves that need to be trimmed, pets that need to see specialists, preventatives that need ro be purchased, and vaccines are coming due - again. We are bursting at the seams and are in constant need of pet food.

We help as many people and pets as we can, and saying no is so incredibly hard. Some days it feels as though we are on a sinking ship and we have to choose who gets a life vest. All are deserving, but there aren't enough to go around. It's a terrible feeling...

This year, even more than last, we have seen a huge increase in hardship cases. Our Hardship Program provides free fostering for military personnel and first responders, and for those facing various challeges: homelessness, divorce, hospitalizations, rehab, domestic violence, and more. We have happily reunited many beloved pets with their owners when they were back on their feet. While rewarding, it is costly. Most of these hardship pets come into our rescue needing to be treated for fleas and worms, to be fixed or vaccinated, or needing surgeries. Others need behaviorists and training. All need to be fed and provided for while in our care.

In over 30 years of operation, things have never been so dire. Rescuers are tired. Please help relieve some of the burden. Please donate so that we can continue to pick up the pieces. Please be that life vest and help us to be able to say yes more often.

Thank you for your support!

11/30/2025

Listen guys. I’m not posting this to shame this person, I’m posting it as a reminder of the daily reality we see here in rescue. It’s not specific to our organization, it’s ALL of us in animal welfare, country wide. We are in fact in crisis, despite what some small minded folks believe, and it’s not getting any better. Shelters and rescues stay full, and the requests for help, NEVER stop coming.

11/24/2025

A belated, but huge thank-you to Baron's K9 Market for their dog food donation last month! They even drove over from Fallston to deliver it to us!

We use the dog food that is donated, or that we pick up on sale, mixed with Purina One or Dog Chow, so at least 50% of the dog's diets are consistent. This is a huge help to us and we are so appreciative!!

We have 2 bulldog mixes with allergies, and the Limited Ingredient food has helped to clear up their coats/ears. They look great now!

Thank you, Jackie, for your continued support!

11/20/2025

Has anyone tried this?

11/19/2025

11/19/2025

We would really like to start transitioning from plastic to stainless steel litter boxes. There are many benefits, most important being maintaining a clean environment, especially in a multi-cat rescue.

Some excerpts:

"Corrosion-Resistant for Longevity
Unlike plastic, stainless steel has a non-porous surface that doesn’t absorb odors or harbor bacteria. This makes it easier to clean and more hygienic for your cat. Stainless steel litter boxes are designed to resist scratches, which means no hidden dirt, bacteria/germs, or lingering odor over time."

"Stainless steel is built to last. It won’t rust or degrade like plastic, even with frequent cleaning. This durability ensures your litter box remains in top condition for years, saving you money on replacements."

If you'd like to contribute, our Amazon link is here:
https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/1RQYSNEE5SMC3?ref_=wl_share

Thanks for your support!!

11/18/2025

Last week when we were picking our dogs up from 's spay/neuter clinic, we had our old boy, Duke, euthanized.

He had been being treated with palliative care for his mast cell tumors. After a couple of surgeries to remove them as they popped up externally, and him having a terrible time healing, we decided to just keep him comfortable. Tumors on his spine pressed on nerves, which eventually made him unable to walk. We took him outside in his sling several times a day to use the bathroom, and he decided that he liked to hang out on our (gated) covered porch, on his big bed. As long as the weather was nice, we obliged him but made him come indoors at bedtime. It was hard watching him not to be able to walk, but he was so determined and happy and energetic, it didn't seem to bother him. Unfortunately, he developed a new tumor on his hock where he previously had one removed, and it started to grow very rapidly. We were afraid that it would rupture, so we made the decision to let him go before that happened.

Duke LOVED car rides and would happily ride along for hours, not making a peep. I'm not sure that he even changed positions. He was the best road trip buddy! A couple of rescue supporters, Heather and Linda, took Duke out for "Best Days" that included rides, treats and adventures! Linda got very attached to Duke on their many afternoon outings.

On the way to the hospital, we stopped at Mcdonalds and got him a 10 piece nugget and a vanilla ice cream cone. A bit later, I called to let them know that we were there, and asked if they would euthanize him in the car. I climbed into the back seat and sat beside him and finished feeding him his treats. He ate every bite, then turned from looking out the window and layed down, putting his head in my lap. The vet came out and opened the back car door and gave him an injection in his rear leg to sedate him. He barely realized that she was there. I kept thanking him for being a great helper to me at the rescue, and telling him how much he was loved. We (I) talked about all of his old friends that he'd soon see, and I told him thru tears to wait for me and we'd be together again. He peacefully fell asleep as I talked. After a few minutes, the vet came out and injected him with the euthanasia material and he passed moments later.

In all the years of doing rescue, plus years of working for a vet and being involved in countless pets being put down, Duke's was the most peaceful and uneventful. He literally just took a fun car ride, ate his favorite junk foods, and with a full belly, layed down and peacefully fell asleep against me. The Best Day!

I'm grateful to the staff at Small Miracles for their help. They made a heartbreaking situation so much more bearable.

Duke, I'm sure that Miss Jody will treat you well in Heaven. Luckily, she loves road trips as much as you do - and McDonalds.

11/18/2025

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/16imQ8pHoW/

11/03/2025

Monday morning update:

We have 4 dogs at Small Miracles getting vaccinated and fixed today, plus one having corrective nares surgery to enable her to breathe easier.

We have received 3 donations totaling $75.00. Our estimate for today is $1,255.00 -$1,515.00!!

Some of these dogs have been waiting nearly a year in foster homes for the resources to come in for them to be fixed, thus enabling us to place them in their forever homes. That's not acceptable and something has to change! While we have some permanent fosters in sanctuary in the rescue, the goal is to socialize them, vet them, and place them, to make room for others in need.

I'll say it again. We are willing to do the never ending work: the 18-20 hour days, the cleaning, the feeding, the rotating; the vetting; the emails, phone calls and texts; transporting; the required filings and paperwork; the socializing and training. We are willing to forego vacations and dining out. We work very hard and are willing to continue.

We are willing to spend our own money to make sure that everybody is fed and cared for. But, is that fair? Is it OK that we've been forced to cash out personal retirements and annuities to keep us afloat? That we've had to sell our valuables to survive? Is it smart? Is it right that only the same, small handful of supporters donate regularly? We have 2,100 followers on our page, many of them prior adopters or folks that we've helped with surrenders. Nearly 40 years of helping animals and serving others, and yet here I sit. Where is everyone?!

Is it OK that I have had to borrow money to cover these surgeries today? That I am personally on the hook to repay it?

The answer to all of the above is a resounding NO!!!

We're tired of asking, even begging, for support. We're really tired of people offering support, then not following thru. We're tired of carrying this weight. When is enough, enough?