12/16/24 – The Christmas season can be tough for many reasons but especially for those of us who have lost loved ones, whether they be humans or pets. So today, a long-time supporter of 4 paws 1 heart has asked us to start and $1,000 match in memory of her parents who were both animal lovers as well as in honor of a dear friend. Every donation made today through Christmas Day will be matched up to $1,000. Those dollars will be used to provide medical treatment for the abandoned and abused.
This is a colony of cats who have either been born outside or abandoned without being spayed/neutered. Not only does 4 paws 1 heart assist in those individual cased but when possible we will work with independent rescuers to trap/neuter/return cat colonies in our communities.
12/15/24 – This pup was found in an abandoned garage around the end of October. He was malnourished, with a wounded toe and scars on his legs. The rescuer contacted us for help and we have authorized Diego to be seen and treated for his injured foot along with vaccines heartworm testing and neutering.
Often times dumped animals like Diego never knew love, but I’m sure his rescuer will make sure he finds an amazing home. His face says it all. https://4paws1heart.org/donations/
12/14/2024 An early Christmas story that I could not wait to share! This 14-year old girl named Cocoa Bean was living her life on a chain, tied to a tree, until someone cared enough to make a difference.
A kind, compassionate animal lover, Rachel, noticed Cocoa Bean when she would be driving to and from work every day. Finally, when Rachel saw that nothing changed, she contacted the authorities and a warrant was issued by a State Trooper to remove Cocoa Bean from the premises. She was taken to Detroit Animal Control Shelter where they assessed her condition, began necessary treatments, and made sure the owner would be charged with abuse and neglect. Rachel then contacted me about this old girl being at the shelter and told me the story behind her. I started making phone calls to my contacts and a long-time friend and supporter of 4 paws 1 Heart, Dinah B, said that she would adopt Cocoa if needed. We first met Dinah when she and her husband adopted Ruby Slippers (read her story on our website), a dog in very similar conditions who was rescued by me and my husband in 2011. Dinah was open to helping Cocoa Bean if I could pull her from the Detroit Animal Control. With that assurance the next step was going to the shelter.
On Halloween, my husband, me, and Rachel met at the shelter and Cocoa Bean was released. Then Cocoa Bean was taken to Moore Veterinary Hospital in St. Clair Shores and 4 paws 1 heart took over her follow up medical needs which involved a bladder infection, a skin condition, intestinal parasites, and she was malnourished with severe arthritis. The first thing I did was give her a nice warm bath, and the filth ran off of her old, brittle body. You could see in her eyes and feel in your heart that she was broken, defeated, depressed, tired, and had given up.
I cooked a huge batch of chicken and rice and another long-time friend and supporter, Rebecca Booth, donated a ‘ton’ of wet food. At that point I put a plan in place to get Cocoa Bean into a permanent, loving home. Before she could get to Dinah, one of our Board members, Dee G., told me that she knew someone ready to rescue and adopt another senior dog. This person’s home was quiet, safe, ready, and perfect for Cocoa Bean. Just after Thanksgiving, we made it official – Cocoa Bean went to her new loving, furever home with Nancy and, in keeping with getting a fresh, new start, she was given a new name –JoJo. JoJo loves her new life with Nancy.
She enjoys cheese, looking at her reflection in the stove, playing with the neighbor’s dog, and she knows her new name. Her fur has grown in, her skin and coat looks great, the infections are gone, parasites treated, she’s put on some weight, and she has expression on her face.
JoJo will spend her first Christmas ever in a warm, loving home because a village came together – Rachel, the caring State Trooper, Detroit Animal Control, Dinah B., Rebecca B., Moore Veterinary Hospital, Dee G., 4 Paws 1 Heart, and her new mommy Nancy.
The message here is to speak up, advocate, and be the voice of change. Never underestimate the power of compassion. It takes a Village. When we come together, we can all make a difference. – Gina MERRY CHRISTMAS
12/13/24 – This sweet little 3 pound boy was found in someone’s garage and begging at their window to come inside from the freezing cold. They named the kitten Donna, but the doctor said Donna is a little boy. 4 paws 1 heart covered his exam, combo test, dewormer, and flea preventative today. He has a little upper respiratory infection so he was started on antibiotics. In a few weeks he will be ready for vaccines. We are happy to help get him the care he needs and he will be safe and warm. ♡ https://4paws1heart.org/donations/
12/12/24 – We received a call from one of our friends at Orion Animal Hospital asking if we could help with Hippo’s surgery. The rescue who saved his life had received donations. but not enough to schedule the surgery. We were thankful to pay what was needed to get Hippo’s recovery started.
Here is his story as provided by the rescue, Purrs Abound Siamese Rescue of Michigan: “For those who don’t know Hippo, this sweet soul came from local animal control where he had been taken after being found living in a hot garage with many other dogs. This poor guy has significant issues with his upper airways due to his breed, and he has already had his nasal passages widened to help him out.
He will go in to our friends at Orion Animal Hospital to have a palate revision done to hopefully make his breathing a little easier. The surgery itself will be quick, but the recovery is risky and can come with complications.” Hippo had his surgery December 4. He has been with Courtney from Orion Animal Hospital and will continue to be fostered by her until he is either ready for adoption or is adopted.
His surgery went well and he’s getting lots of love at Camp Chisholm (as Courtney call her lovely safe house). – diana https://4paws1heart.org/donations/ P.O. Box 84, St. Clair Shores, MI. 48080
12/11/24 – Yesterday I spoke of the number of kittens/cats in dire straits on our streets right now. Tonight it will be going down to 15 degrees!
Noah is one of the babies we’ve been contacted about needing an eye removal. He is one of two, three-month old kittens recently rescued from a community. Noah will have his surgery at West Flint Animal Hospital and will also be vaccinated, neutered, and tested as appropriate.
12/11/ 24 – I am at a loss for words and heartbroken to say that Bruce passed away this morning. His eye was removed yesterday and he was kept overnight at the hospital. His rescuers, Donny and Calee, are beyond devastated.
They are picking his body up right now and giving him a proper burial. Bruce was sweet as can possibly be and in his short time he brought endless feelings of joy, happiness, and love to every heart he touched especially the hearts of Calee and Donny.
He deserved a long life surrounded by people who would give that back to him. It’s very hard for me to look beyond the tears and the sadness for his sudden loss, but I’m grateful he didn’t suffer and die alone out in the cold. That he knew love, that he will be remembered, and hopefully his spirit will live on forever in the lives he touched. Please keep Donny and Calee in your thoughts and prayers as they try and process life without this little shining star that wandered to their window.
Please remember that your donations matter in giving animals like Bruce a chance to be loved beyond measure. And, remember the veterinary staff and doctors who are also grieving the loss of this little life especially after all they put in to try and save him. I have been on both ends and it’s something we all take home and never forget. Hug your babies..
12/8/24 – I got to meet this sweet girl who was found 2 weeks ago in Detroit freezing and wet.
No owner has been found and she needed a basic exam and check up. We got her started on her vaccines, deworming, and parasite check. Her rescuer was very nice and Sophie warmed up with treats pretty quickly.
12/8/24 Precious needs more help than we can give. Her owner passed away 6 years ago and she has been living her life in a basement with family members dropping in to feed her.
There may also have been mold and poor environmental conditions. A member of the family reached out for help and a kind hearted person named Amy offered to open her home up to foster Precious.
Amy contacted us because Precious was wheezing and in need of medical attention. We set up her up to be seen at one of our partner Veterinary Hospitals and several tests including bloodwork, x rays, ultrasound, etc were run.
Precious needs to see a cardiologist. She is also blind and deaf. Her asthma cannot be treated without having a cardiac workup done.
For now, she was started on antibiotics because of a respiratory infection. Amy, can not keep Precious long term or give her the care she needs. Please share her story in hopes that someone might help give her a chance and take over her care from here, and please donate for those like
Precious who deserve better than what’s she’s gone through since her owner passed..
12/5/24 – Little Bruce is at the hospital awaiting to see the surgeon this morning for a plan of action. We will find out if he is too young or healthy enough for a major eye removal surgery. This is a costly surgery so if anyone can help by making a donation we would really appreciate it. His surgery alone would be around $700, and he will need all of the regular vetting (vaccines, neuter, preventative, deworming, etc) plus basic care.
