HART of Annapolis Valley Nova Scotia

Welcome everyone to the official website of HART (Homeless Animal Rescue Team). We are very proud of our rescue, and our website. We hope you enjoy your visit here. We will be adding more and more information every day, so please check back often.

Homeless animals may get into trash containers, defecate in the neighborhood and bite or attack. Spaying or neutering your pet means that your animal and its potential offspring won't contribute to the population of unwanted pets. You can also enjoy your spayed or neutered pet more. Female pets that have been spayed do not go into heat. You won't have the mess that comes with the female reproductive cycle or the boisterous, noisy male suitors. Spaying and neutering may also reduce the risk of certain health problems, offering you more years with your beloved dog or cat.

Many people are surprised to learn that nationwide more than 3 million animals are euthanized in shelters. You might think that these are animals born in the streets or there is something "wrong" with them. But more often they are the offspring of cherished family pets, even purebreds. Maybe someone's dog or cat got out just that one time or maybe the litter was intentional, but efforts to find enough good homes failed.

Still the result is homeless animals that have to be euthanized because there are more dogs and cats entering shelters than there are people willing to provide them with loving care. Even if you do find homes for your pet's puppies or kittens, that means there are fewer homes available to take in other pets from shelters. Spay/neuter is the only permanent, 100-percent effective method of birth control for dogs and cats.

We are trying to rescue as many cats and kittens as we possibly can, however, it requires an awful lot of work and an unbelievable amount of money. Our vet bill alone is always high and without donations and/or fundraising we cannot keep rescuing. Please donate what you can to help H.A.R.T. with rescuing. We often rescue injured and/or sick animals that require much more than the routine testing, vaccinating and altering (spay/neuter). We have a DONATIONS page where you can donate directly by paypal or credit card. Alternatively payments can be sent to our vet's office, Port Royal Animal Hospital (532-PETS) or cheques mailed to us at:

H.A.R.T.

1147 New Road

Aylesford, NS B0P 1C0 (902) 341-HART (Laurie)

If you'd like to be a volunteer please let us know. We are also looking for serious foster homes.

We are very proud that all of our cats, kittens and dogs are looked after by Dr. Jody Rice of Port Royal Animal Hospital in Annapolis Royal, NS. Dr. Rice is highly experienced with early spay and neutering. She is an amazing woman and an outstanding veterinarian. Thanks Dr. Rice! Donations can be made directly on our account at the Port Royal Animal Hospital. You can call them and use your Visa or Mastercard, (902) 532-7387. If you choose to donate this way please make sure you tell the Receptionist at the Port Royal Animal Hospital that it is to be put on H.A.R.T.'s account!

Please visit Pick of The Litter's website: www.pickofthelitter.ca They are in Bedford, NS and are a WONDERFUL organization working with kittens.

As much as we want to help all of the cats, kittens and dogs that require our help we cannot help them all. We receive a lot of phone calls from people that simply want to be rid of their pets, for various reasons. Some have somewhat legitimate reasons, but most are just looking for someone to rid them of their problems. We are mainly concerned with HOMELESS cats and dogs, or neglected ones. Whether it be strays, ferals, or abandoned cats/kittens and dogs. We realize that some times there are very good reasons that someone cannot keep a pet any longer, such as a senior going into a senior's home where they do not allow cats. However, if you are experiencing a behavioural problem with your cat or dog perhaps you should seek your veterinarian's advice first. If we were to take cats and dogs from homes where people were having "issues" with their cats and dogs, we would NEVER be able to help the homeless, stray, feral, and abandoned animals that require our assistance. So PLEASE when you agree to take an animal for a pet, be as responsible as you can, and remember it's a very serious commitment.

THE IMPORTANCE OF BREAK-AWAY-COLLARS:

Break-away collars for cats can save their lives. "Geronimo" was rescued from near death. He was found behind the Iron Pot Pub, emaciated, and with a leather collar embedded into his neck AND into his arm. His arm was caught up in the collar and the collar became embedded all underneath his armpit area. His flesh was rotting and he was/is loaded with infection. If Geronimo had been wearing a break-away collar this would not have happened to him, he still might have been abandoned and starving to death, but he would not have these horrific wounds. Shown below are a few pictures of this poor darling. These pictures were taken AFTER he saw Dr. Rice and she cleaned all his wounds, gave him lots of meds, neutered him, and we brought him home. He is extremely friendly and we can't help but wonder how many people saw him and ignored him while he was trapped into his collar as it grew into him.

The little 4 month old girl below is "Hope". She was hit by a car in Greenwood. She was ordered to be euthanized. She is now with Dr. Jody Rice, HART's vet. She has a broken tibia amongst other things. We are praying Hope makes it. We are asking that you seek your heart and wallet and give any donation you can to help Hope as this will be costly. Any donations can be made to Port Royal Animal Hospital, 532-PETS, or cheques can be mailed to HART (payable to Port Royal Animal Hospital), 1147 New Road, Aylesford, NS B0P 1C0. If you think you know of someone that may have owned this little girl please contact us, you can click on her photos for email access to us.

We are finding it increasingly difficult to feed so many cats and kittens. We have recently switched over to a different brand of food. We now use Orijen dry cat food (Cat and Kitten formula in ONE bag). This makes it easier for us to buy ONE food for cats AND kittens. We still have to purchase the canned "p/d" for the orphaned kittens when they first start eating solids. If you would like to donate a bag of Orijen you can purchase it at 4 Paws On Earth (532-PAWS) in Granville Ferry, which we prefer you would go there and support them, OR if this is not convenient you can purchase it at any Global Pet Foods. The "p/d" we buy for the babies is available at most vet clinics. Orijen is an excellent brand of food, all grain-free. Please visit their website for further info: www.orijen.ca/orijen/products/catkitten.aspx

Do you like making crafts? We are looking for people to make "cat toys" for us! Very simple! You don't even need a sewing maching, if you don't mind hand sewing. Just buy some flanellette (thin) or cotton, cut out oval shapes (mice), sew them together (obviously leaving a small portion open for stuffing), then stuff them with stuffing (type used for stuffed animals, etc.) and GOOD catnip, then when stitching up stick a piece of yarn for a tail in it before completely closing. Embroider eyes on the mouse and sew two felt ears on! We can sell these at fundraisers and other events! If you have other ideas just let us know! We sure would appreciate it!