Larry and Ashley – Tied Up in Frigid Temperatures Behind a Vacant Home

12/20/16 – So many animals are not warm and loved during this brutal winter season. Fortunately, there are hard working people who will do whatever they can to rescue those who have been left behind. This is Larry and Ashley. They were found tied up in a yard behind a vacant home. All appropriate notifications were made but no one has stepped up. Fortunately, a friend of 4 Paws 1 Heart has taken up the challenge to find them forever homes, and we are taking care of all of their medical care. At this time, our paws are crossed that they may have already found their forever homes, once they are vaccinated, spayed/neutered and tested. ~ diana.larry-122116ashley-122116

Soup – Found With a Broken Pelvis With His Head Stuck in a Soup Can

12/20/16 – A HUGE thank you to all of our old and new friends who stepped up to our Secret Santa Challenge and exceeded the Match. The over 4,000 animals we have helped since 2010, thank you for their second chance at life. You might remember that on December 26, 2013, a beautiful feline boy Gina named Soup was found on a lawn with his head stuck in a soup can. The caring homeowner brought him to the emergency, where fortunately, Gina was on duty. His tail had punctures, he had a broken pelvis, a dislocated femur, and horrendous bruising. It appeared that he was attacked while he couldn’t defend himself. Of course, 4 Paws 1 Heart took this baby into our arms and he was taken to an orthopedic specialist and we found a wonderful, loving person to take him in so his pelvis and femur could recover. That wonderful person happened to be our friend who later became the mom of Chance, Carlos, Phoenix, Rosie Roo, Bridgette, and many fosters — Denise. After Soup recovered from his injuries, Gina took him into her home and finally, a little over 1 year later, Soup’s final, loving family was found. In celebration of exceeding the Secret Santa Challenge, I bring you an update from Soup’s loving mom, Mary Beth. ~ diana

“In 2012, we had to let my beloved cat Drake cross the rainbow bridge, as he had cancer. I was so distraught over losing Drake, and I wanted another cat to keep our cat Whiskers company, but I wanted to wait a bit of time. About a month went by, I was seeing different cats on Facebook rescue sites. One day, a cat named Soup caught my eye. Not so much the way he looked, but his story.
A year earlier, he was found outside with his head stuck in a soup can. He was taken to a veterinarian where they discovered that he also had a crushed pelvis. Something had gotten him when his head was stuck in the can. He had surgery and was on cage rest for three months, and remained at his foster mom’s house for another nine months because she loved him so much.Then she decided he should find a home so she could make room for more fosters.
I made arrangements to meet Soup, as well as another cat, that had only three legs. When the foster Mom brought Soup into the room to meet my daughter and I, he immediately plopped on the floor and wanted us to pet him, he did that the whole time during the meet and greet. We thought it was hilarious and it was love at first site.
The foster Mom wanted to bring him for a home visit, and my whole family wanted to meet him, including my son in law. There were seven of us, and everyone fell in love with him. Needless to say we adopted Soup, his foster Mom says that she couldn’t have chosen a better home for Soup. It brings tears to my eyes just writing this because we love him so much. He is such a good cat, he has so many nicknames, I akways say he is super duper, the superest guy ever, and so on.
I always tell him he is famous, because I still see flyers for his rescue organization , 4paws1heart, with his picture on it displayed in pet stores and such. ~ Mary Beth”

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Izzy (aka Lucky Bob) – Found Under a Porch – Frozen

Another Happy Beginning. I remember the call as if it were yesterday. – diana

“Hey Team! Still on the fence about donating to 4 Paws 1 Heart Secret Santa Match Challenge? Winter is the worst time for homeless animals. This is Lucky Bob Cat, he was our foster a couple years back. He was found under a porch during a snow storm frozen! Good kind people got ahold of mom, and she called 4 Paws 1 Heart and he was rushed into emergency to save his life. He was sooo sick! After some time in the hospital he was eventually released to mom to finish healing from his horrible ordeal. See him holding moms hand? Thankful for 4 Paws 1 Heart and a nice warm home to recuperate. Becuse 4 Paws was there for him, Lucky Bob Cat is a beloved family member and never has to worry about being frozen again. Every $1 counts! 5 turns into 10, 20 into 40, 50 into 100!!!! Our Santas are matching up to $2000.00!!!! Please help now to make sure that abandoned animals like Lucky Bob are able to recieve that same life saving care when they need it. Its easy and tax deductible. Please go to4paws1heart.org/donations/ or by check to
4 Paws 1 Heart
P.O. Box 84
St. Clair Shores, Mi. 48082
Thankyou, Love Chance ❤”

RIP Sweet Innocent – No Living Being Should Die Alone

12/19/16 – No animal should die without recognition. I received a call during Saturday’s freezing rain about a cat who had showed up at a business. His paw was mangled and he was urinating blood. I authorized him to be taken to our great friends at Advanced Animal Emergency where it was found that his femur had breaks in two places. It appeared he may have been hit by a car and it was unknown what other internal damages may have occurred. Unfortunately, he also tested positive for feline leukemia. The doctor and I agreed that it would be more humane to put this little guy out of his pain and humanely euthanize him As difficult as these decision are to make, it is better knowing that he will no longer suffer alone on the streets. RIP little man. ~ diana

Buddy – Running Through Traffic for Hours

12/18/16 – Another happy update from one of our friends. ~ diana

“In the fall of 2012 I found this handsome guy darting thru traffic, after a long exhausting pursuit and the help of Gina DeLuca “Buddy” is now sound asleep on my couch for his 5th Christmas!! This time of year it’s so important to reflect & give thanks to amazing organizations like 4 Paws 1 heart and the awesome people who run them. Diana Rascano. Please check out 4Paws1heart.org. ~ James”buddy-wjames-121816buddywgina

FUNDRAISER – A Summer Cruise on the Detroit River

Please share. Trust me when I say there is no better gift than a certificate for one of these Summer Cruises; especially the August 1, Jazz It Up, cruise which benefits 4 Paws 1 Heart. It is always a beautiful night of eating, drinking, and most of all, dancing, under the starts. ~ diana

Monkey – Born to a Pregnant Cat Living in a Home With Over 30 Animals

12/17/16 – Monkey is just ‘monkeying around’ in the Christmas tree. Another animal saved because of our generous donors and our phenomenal network of rescuers. Please share because this handsome boy is still looking for his forever home. ~ diana

“We didn’t name her Monkey for nothing! Is this a good time to bring up the fact that Monkey is still up for adoption?

This sweetheart is 5 months old, fully vetted and she is so sweet. Thank you 4 Paws 1 Heart for paying for her medical expenses for Monkey and all her siblings! Please contact me for more adoption info on Monkey! [email protected]monkey-121616

Chaps – Kept Outdoors 24/7, Rescued and in a Safe, Warm Place

12/16/16 – Chaps was rescued in October from a very abusive and negligent situation where not only was he kept outside 24/7 but he wasn’t being fed on a regular basis. Thankfully, friends who have helped 4 Paws 1 Heart before were contacted by Gina, and they immediately took steps to have this very neglected boy rescued from the situation. We have offered to have him fully checked out and seen by a veterinarian, and this week he was finally healthy enough to be neutered. We wish Chaps the very best! ~ dianachaps-121616chaps-121616

Zelda – Found in the Middle of the Street, Pregnant, and Hit By a Car

12/17/16 – It was June, 2015 when Zelda was brought into the emergency by a concerned citizen who found her laying in the middle of the street, pregnant, after being hit by a car. She had trauma to her head and some obvious scrapes; her babies did not survive. Thankfully, a loving, forever home was found and here is the happy update from her mom. ~ diana

“This is the story of meeting my new best friend, at a time when I needed it the most. My last pet, a beloved Maine coon cat named Maddie, was nearing the end of her life. I was so distraught and, frankly, in deep denial that the end was near. I remember visiting her while she was at Harper Woods Veterinary Hospital, overwhelmed with a broken heart as she was so frail and short in breath. I drove her to several animal hospitals, desperate for help, to no avail. This precious little kitten that I had adopted on Cinco de Mayo (which I forever will call Cinco de Maddie-o) passed away in June 2015. I was crushed and never thought I could bond with a pet that deeply again. My dear friend, Gina DeLuca, was supportive and caring to me during Maddie’s illness and passing. Only a couple of weeks later, she mentioned to me a beautiful young cat that 4 Paws 1 Heart was saving. This little angel had nowhere to go and was yet to be adopted into a loving home. But anyone who knows Gina knows that she will never give up on a pet, and will make sure that animals like this receive special homes.

This gorgeous cat, Zelda, had been hit by a car and was taken into the vet to be assisted by Gina. I have no idea how Zelda could survive outside in the harsh conditions, especially given the busy roads nearby, cold weather, and the fact that she was pregnant as a stray (the kittens did not survive the car accident).

Yet, because of Gina and 4 Paws 1 Heart, Zelda’s medical expenses were covered. Zelda was spoon fed and provided with love and constant care. Gina made sure she had somewhere to stay while she searched for her forever home. Many people do not realize the hours of effort and diligence this takes, but I could tell simply by listening to Gina share the story with me. When others give up, 4 Paws 1 Heart never does and goes the extra mile to find innocent animals the homes they deserve.

I will never forget the day, July 3, 2015, when Gina asked me if Zelda could stay with me. I took one look at Zelda’s picture and, in my heart, I knew it was meant to be. Like Maddie, Zelda had a rough beginning in life and only because of wonderful animal lovers did she have a great life. I thought of the time Zelda and Maddie were both at the vet at the same time. I’ll always believe that Zelda said hi to Maddie and Maddie told her “that’s my cat mom…you should live with her–she’s so nice!” It comforted me knowing that Maddie would want me to rescue another sweet girl, like herself. I called Gina and said “I’ll take her!” and she said I could pick up Zelda that night.

In a whirlwind, from sobbing nonstop at the loss of Maddie, to bringing Zelda home that evening, I have been continuously grateful to 4 Paws. I, too, grew up being bounced home to home, dependent on the kindness and generosity of others. Knowing that animals face the same struggle is heartbreaking. But because of 4 Paws 1 Heart, the best organization I have ever known, Zelda is not a statistic! She lives the dream life. She spends her days looking out windows, laying on blankets and beds, eating snacks, and playing with toys. She loves toy mice, and I bought her 100 to spread all around the house. She’s a fan of Christmas trees and playing with water, just like Maddie. I know Maddie is looking down and is very happy that her favorite perch and stuffed animals are being enjoyed by another sweet girl.

I will never be able to thank 4 Paws and my dear friend Gina for giving me this treasure. Zelda is my new best friend and she will live a healthy life with all necessities, love, and medical care, because of the commitment of 4 Paws and the special people who donate to this tremendous organization. Thank you for Zelda!”zeldazelda-121516zelda6615zelda66151

Dakota – Almost Killed in a High-Kill Shelter

“Where to start with this adorable lil guy!?!

This lil snuggle bug has such a sweet soul. He came to me from the Calhoun County kill shelter as a surrogate with his brother(who passed away the day after they left the shelter). He has been so affectionate and mellow and lovea a good tummy rub. Dakota loves to play with toys and crawls right up onto your lap for a snuggle or snooze. He is almost 11 weeks old. He is neutered. Combo tested negative. Flea free. Dewormed. Up to date on shots. Fostered and spoiled in a smoke free home. Awesome with kids, dogs and other cats. Located in Livonia. One of our favorite fosters ever. Must be indoor cat and not be declawed. Available now. My contact information is my email address [email protected]

Thank you to 4 Paws 1 Heart for paying for all of his medical expenses. He was the lil dude with Chlamydia. And now is super healthy. – Karen”dakota121516

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