Helpful Information

Below are links to a variety of information and resources for pet owners and prospective pet owners.

For Military Personnel who have been deployed to active duty, here are programs that can help you keep your pets: Operation Noble Foster matches called-up cat owners with families willing to take in their pets; and NetPets Military Pets Foster Project offers the same service for cats, dogs, birds, fish, and even horses.

Spay, Inc., a program of the SPCA of Northern Virginia, provides low-cost spay/neuter referrals for dogs and cats in Northern Virginia. Everyone qualifies to participate in Spay, Inc.’s low-cost spay/neuter program - there are no income or residency requirements.

Petcare Information

• Too many pets, not enough homes
• Why Male Dogs should be Neutered
• Why Female Dogs should be Spayed
• Why Male Cats should be Neutered
• Why Female Cats should be Spayed
• The Merck Online Vet Reference
• Heartworms - A dangerous, yet preventable problem
• Caring for your Cat
• Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV) and Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV)
• Poisonous House Plants
• Pets can be blood donors too
• "Nothing in Life is Free" (pdf) and other Pet Behavior Advice from Dumb Friends Animal League
• ASPCA Web Site
• Dogwise Books
• ASPCA Poison Control Center, includes list of Toxic Plants, like the Sago Palm

Pet Bereavement

• Dealing with the loss of a pet
• Heartfelt Memorials - Memorials in your pet's name
• HART's Memorials - They Were Loved, They Are Missed, They Will Not Be Forgotten
• The Rainbow Bridge poem

Planning and Catastrophic Events

• Disaster Preparedness for Pets
• S.T.A.R.T. - Financial Assistance to owners who cannot afford Emergency Medical care for their pets
• Estate Planning for your Pets

General Pet Information

• What to do if your pet is lost
• Pet Identification
• Pet Owners Warned to Check with Local Shelters Before Buying Pet ID Microchips
• Your Pet and the Law
• A Cautionary Tale
• Breeds - read about the different breeds of dogs

HART-Felt Stories

• Should We Get a Dog?
• Prayer of a Stray
• The Pact of Fire
• Importance of One
• Miracles with Paws

Other Rescue Groups & Pet-Related Links

• MetroPets.org promotes the adoption of homeless animals and the well-being of companion animals in the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan area through the smart use of Internet technology.
• Petfinder.com An on-line, searchable database of animals that need homes. It is also a directory of over 7,000 animal shelters and adoption organizations across the USA, Canada and Mexico.
• MAGDRL - The Mid-Atlantic Great Dane Rescue League, Inc.
• PLC - Pet Lover's Companion
• GoodDogz.org A non-profit organization dedicated to educating potential dog owners on dog selection and care and supporting the efforts of rescue groups.
• Golden Retriever Club of America - National Rescue Committee