Statements
Mission
Our rescue and sanctuary is committed to rescuing and providing safe haven for neglected, unwanted, injured, abandoned and/or companion animals labeled as 'unadoptable'. We are devoted to healing their bodies and improving their lives; and giving them proper care, food and shelter while providing the bridge to their forever homes. We provide sanctuary and end of life care to those that are too traumatized by past abuse or are ill or old.
Background
HCW is an all-volunteer board, rescue and sanctuary; no paid staff. As an IRS-approved 501(c) (3) public charity on 12 April 2010, we have established sound governance instilling discipline and transparency, clear policies and procedures to reduce risk and guide HCW AR&S; maintain required non-profit liability and business insurance; and are implementing/executing animal rescue activities leveraging, and guided by, our animal care manager's many years of experience and success in shelter, care, adoption and active relationships with other rescues and shelters. Our activities are currently executed by an average of 4-10 volunteers. The management and affairs are at the direction of the board of directors who donate their time and efforts. The Board is committed to representing the best interests of Heaven Can Wait Animal Rescue and Sanctuary. Board members are actively involved in executing day-to-day activities with diverse backgrounds and experience ranging from education to business and community management, budget, planning, practiced fundraising skills and military leadership and management. Our fundraising strategy is to target the grassroots, focusing on the individual donor, engage (and renew) them in our mission on a core level. Our approach to fundraising is one-donor-at-a-time to build real, sustainable support. We also facilitate donations we receive to other rescues, shelters or people in need. We accept all donations and pass on needed items to others. We are committed to what we do, and any investment in HCW will make a difference. We take a holistic approach to caring for our dogs, addressing all aspects of their needs - physical and emotional. Many of our dogs have compromised immune systems and require treatment for heart and kidney diseases, arthritis and joint disease, digestive slowdown, dental disease, cognitive dysfunction, thyroid disorders, and cancer. HCW cares for the lifecycle needs of our dogs ranging from preventive care and treatment, well-being care and natural remedies, any required surgeries and other medical treatments, rehabilitation and proper diet. Enabling healthy, happy dogs is foundational to active, healthy lives in loving, permanent homes. We provide rehabilitation and sanctuary for those that are too traumatized by past abuse or are ill or old. We provide whatever they need for a safe, comfortable and happy life. Ultimately, we are with them for end of life care
Impact
Our biggest success is our ability to take dogs no one else will take - old, blind, epileptic, special needs, abandoned, etc - keep them safe and with proper care and love, transform and enable happy, healthy dogs ready for their forever families. We also take pets from those that are ill and have no where else to turn, and want to know their dog will be safe after their gone. Most recently we rescued a neglected and emaciated great dane puppy, weighing only 32 lbs, weak with his bones visible. After 5 months of medical treatment and daily care with food 4x a day and lots of love and basic manners training , he gained weight, flourished and was adopted. Also in 2023, we rescued 16 young dogs from a terrible puppy mill situation; an abandoned puppy left in the woods in terrible condition, and a small dog with multiple medical issues and a broken femur that was not fixed. All were vetted, treated, and cared for daily to include multiple surgeries - most are with new families; some remain with us continuing their path to healing. During COVID, we rescued many regardless of their size or needs and worked hard to give them their second chance in forever homes. Necessary supplies and products were harder to get for our rescues, and we suspended 'other than emergency adoptions' for safety reasons. We rescued dogs that were left behind, alone in unheated mobile homes and even one left outside frozen to the ground. In early 2019, O'Malley and Bumble Dumpling came to us at 3 weeks old after being attacked at a puppy mill. O'Malley weighed 1.35#, is missing most of one hind leg; Bumble weighed .75#, had a inguinal hernia and is missing most of his hind legs. Both malnourished tiny yorkies, our ACM fed and care for them 24/7 and at 7 weeks they were at 3# and 1.8#. They grew stronger and flourished. O'Malley has been adopted; Bumble continues to do well in sanctuary. In 2019, we rescued 9 additional breeder dogs and worked through their vet care and needs. 5 were vetted, treated and adopted; regrettably, 2 were too injured and crossed the rainbow surrounded by love. However, we continue to work to heal and care for all precious fur-babies at HCW in hopes of families of their own. In late 2017, we were contacted about a hoarder wanting help with her 40-ish dogs. She wouldn't give her name, location or other info. One night we were informed she left the home and the dogs alone. We were able to find out the location - 2 hours away, and contacted another rescue (A Time for Paws) who worked with the sheriff and picked them up. Once safe, they needed a place to go - FOCCAS jumped in to help, and we took the special needs (blind, spine deformity, etc.) dogs. The 6 (4 female, 2 male) that came to HCW were very thin and covered with huge fleas. Before coming to HCW, these babies have never been outside, to a vet, or met anyone outside the immediate family they lived with. We had lots of eye issues, hair loss, epilepsy, some skeletal anomalies, etc. The expected markers for infection, malnutrition, muscle wasting, parasite infestation, etc. were there, but no organ failure or heartworms. They were terrified of people, scared to be handled, lots of dog bite scares but happy not to fight for food. Most were adopted; 2 remain in sanctuary with HCW. Another success is the sanctuary we provide for those that are too traumatized by past abuse, old or ill. We provide whatever they need - medical care, special food, soft dog beds, daily care and feeding and lots of love - whatever they need for a safe, comfortable and happy life. Ultimately we are with them for end of life care. We currently have 12 dogs in Sanctuary. Several crossed the rainbow over the years, after several happy and comfortable years of love and care at HCW
Needs
We are committed to every HCW dog's needs - we will pay for whatever they need. Once a dog comes into our program we are committed to it, for life, and responsible for its care. No matter what. If a dog in our care still has a good quality of life but has medical issues that are difficult for a foster home or adopter to deal with (such as incontinence), they remain in sanctuary with us and we care for their needs. Our needs are basic - funds for the health care, food and comfort of our dogs. Our immediate needs are ongoing - the continuing vet care and medications for HCW dogs on a daily basis - costs have increased 30%+. We spend between $500 and $1000 on average for each dog when it comes into rescue at HCW. The initial vet assessment, bloodwork, dental and vaccinations average $750. Those needing additional medical attention or treatment for things like mass removal, eye/ear infections, surgery or other health issues can run into the thousands. Our funding is donation based with loving supporters; our adoption fees average $100-350. We are an all volunteer rescue. Our goal remains for each dog to get healthy or be treatable and happy. Those who need more remain with us forever in sanctuary where they are safe, surrounded with love and quality of life.
CEO Statement
At HCW, we are committed to and responsible for the care of HCW dogs, no matter what. Whether in a terrific home of their own, or a home with HCW, the dogs we take will be cared for and loved for the rest of their lives. They will live in a home, not a crate or at a shelter.
Board Chair Statement
Saving pets and restoring them to a good quality of life where they are safe, healthy and happy with a loving family of their own or sanctuary with HCW is our dream. We believe dogs and cats enrich our lives and are truly members of the family. We aspire to heal their bodies with the best care we can give them, heal their spirits and teach them to trust the love and respect that surrounds them. We have been faced with many challenges for HCW, and thanks to the continued concern and support or our donors and partners, many dogs are safe and know kindness, peace and love. It is a marvelous feeling to know that one less dog is looking for their forever home, and is now a treasured family member and companion. For the dogs that have made their way to HCW, the road has sometimes been rough and painful but they are now settled into their new home, are well cared for, and loving life. Doc was one of our HCW seniors and a wonderful scottish terrier mix boy. We picked him up from the shelter with infected eyes, cyst in his ear, awful teeth, boney, missing a lot of hair on his nose and ears, and not neutered. The vet thought he was at least 15 years old, and maybe older than that. During the course of his vetting, we found out he was heartworm positive, anemic, kidneys issues, and he had a huge mass encompassing his bladder. Any anesthesia would have been dangerous for him and he would have likely died. His damage was so severe that our vet didn't think he would survive the heartworm treatment either. When Doc first arrived, it was clear he hadn't been inside a house, and he would go outside and make himself a bed with a pile of leaves, and then go to sleep. It was cold and we kept bringing him back inside. He was pretty happy, and decided that he was definitely a house dog. He loved his regular meals, warm bed, and attention and just could not remember life being so good. His tail wagged all the time and he bumped his way around the yard and house as if he has always lived here. Sadly, Doc crossed the rainbow after almost a year at HCW but he crossed having known lots of love, good food, safety, comfort, and friends.
Service Categories |
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| Primary Category: | Animal Related - Animal Protection & Welfare |
| Secondary Category: | - |
| Tertiary Category: | - |
Areas Served
HCW primarily takes dogs from middle Tennessee; occasionally from surrounding states. Although focusing on the central Tennessee community, today's high-tech and internet environment offers us the ability to reach out globally to raise awareness and educate the public to help strengthen the people-animal bond. Today, HCW dogs are with forever families in Tennessee, Georgia, Alabama, South Carolina, Texas, and Colorado.
| TN - Dickson |
| TN - Maury |
| TN - Davidson |
| TN - Rutherford |
| TN - Williamson |
