Our mission is to reduce the number of homeless cats & dogs by paying for needed medical treatment and assisting with the permanent placement of these animals through our partnerships with local rescue groups.
4/3/24 – We are thankful to help another beautiful animal be removed from a municipal shelter. Bodhi is an 8 month old Lab mix who was just pulled from the Genesee County Animal Control by Underdog Rescue Ranch and is in a foster home. She will be spayed, vaccinated, and heart worm tested at the Animal Clinic of Sterling Heights complements of the 4 paws 1 heart donors. Anyone interested in this sweet dog should contact the rescue. – diana
4/2/24 – Prayers for Mamma (aka Martha/Koa). She’s been bred multiple times in Detroit and is not socialized. She tries to avoid humans and is very hesitant. When she was first rescued she wouldn’t even take a step or make a move in the rescuer’s presence. The rescuer said it was painful to watch. Mamma would turn her body as far away as possible and you could feel the energy she was giving off, basically begging the person to not look at her. She had no confidence and was completely shut down. She has been living in an abandoned house in Detroit for an unknown period of time (possibly a month or more), in a cage that was too small for her. A kind woman in Detroit found out about her and began to feed her and tried to let her out regularly, but the woman could not find a rescue or a place for Mamma to go so in the house the stayed. Unfortunately she is heart worm positive. Mamma is extremely sweet, not aggressive, but she is definitely the most shut down dog the rescue has ever encountered.
Mamma (aka Martha/Koa) will receive her heart worm treatment at Patterson Veterinary Hospital and we are praying that once she starts to feel safe and loved, she will no longer be afraid of humans and will find her way into a caring home.
4/1/24 – She was a feral living at the Detroit City Airport. A friend of 4 Paws 1 Heart, who spends a good part of her life rescuing, contacted us after what seemed to be an upper respiratory infection got worse. This past Friday she was seen at Five Mile Animal Hospital. Dr. Mina contacted me to advise that Big Momma was severely ill and recommended she be allowed to cross the rainbow bridge. Her rescuer agreed with the doctor and Big Momma is no longer suffering alone on the very mean streets. – diana
3/30/24 – Rest in Heaven Sweet Cookie (aka Lucy). You were very loved and we are all thankful that you came into our lives. – Diana
Double Your Donation During the $1,000 Irene Memorial Match. Your donations will change the lives of so many who have no one else.
On March 15th 2016
A 7 yr only dog was dumped in a school parking lot. She made her way to a familiar relatives house where she allegedly stayed on the porch for 3 weeks.
They claimed she was a stray who showed up and was dying. At least they called the emergency and surrendered her to me that night because she was heading towards death. Her body was thin, weak, frail, and hurting. She screamed and twitched when they handed her over to me.
I took her under my wing and 4 paws 1 heart backed all of her medical.
On that day, I named her Cookie, and I made her a promise. I told her that from now on she will have a good life and that I will make sure she is loved and cared for until her last days.
On March 20th 2024 Cookie took her last breath while in the hands of the most loving and dedicated family that I could’ve asked for. They were truly heaven sent and adopted Cookie from me 7 years ago. Jean McAlees Winteringham and her husband took Cookie everywhere. They traveled, enjoyed boating, and with tears in my eyes I can say that my promise was fulfilled.
Rest In heaven sweet Cookie. You will never be forgotten. Loved forever. – Gina
3/29/24 – Scott’s story started July 31, 2023 when we received the following e mail:
“Hi Diana, I, along with a few other people have been caring for Chrissy Brandon’s colonies. We noticed this guy at one of her colonies over the weekend. He’s an older guy and we don’t want to trap until we for sure have a plan for him. I’m not sure if his front paw is hurt and he was walking on it. His back paw he keeps up and jumps around. It also seemed to take a toll on him. Thanks, Danica”
Chrissie was an amazing woman who cared for cat colonies and also rescued a cat or two. 4 paws 1 heart helped with medical funding several times. Unfortunately, Chrissie passed away and thankfully people like Danica stepped in to help. Of course we said we’d help. Scott was seen within a couple of days at Orion Animal Hospital.
Scott was sedated to be x-rayed. Unfortunately the infection around the leg bone was so severe the doctor couldn’t see anything. Scott was prescribed 3 different meds to be given over the next couple of months and a 2-week follow up appointment was made. On January 30, 2024 I contacted Danica to get an update on Scott. After the infection cleared, the doctor was finally able to see a fracture which would heal itself. Scott does have arthritis in his leg so he still has a limp. Danica was unable to find anywhere for Scott to go so he’s made himself at home with her. Danica says he’s not snuggly at all but does get close. When feeding she gets a thank you hiss, and he loves hanging out on the couch. So, another happy beginning for an ‘old man’ who was living in a cat community but is now comfy, healthy, and loved because of our amazing village. – diana
3/28/24 – Stevie was dumped in a neighborhood in Westland. The rescue took him in last year and had him vetted but he hasn’t been adopted yet. Unfortunately, he doesn’t show well at the adoption events but Dawn tells us that Stevie is a sweet boy. While Dawn was out of town, Stevie’s sitter advised that he appeared to be in pain and was ‘dribbling’ urine with blood. Stevie was taken to one animal hospital but was then referred to an emergency hospital where it was found that Stevie had a urinary blockage. While the rescue requested donations from their community, we provided a down payment to get the surgery started. Today, he is doing much better. Stevie was unblocked and the rest of the bill, including supportive care was covered through donations to the rescue. If anyone is interested in adopting this very sweet boy, please contact Dawn at: [email protected]. – diana
3/27/24 – A long time friend of 4paws1heart and rescuer contacted us about a dog she named Gimpy. Gimpy who was about 10 years old was literally going to be thrown out the door by his owners. Teresa heard of this and took Gimpy in and found a foster while she could find a furever home and find help for medical. Teresa found the perfect owner, a man who had no one and was looking for the companionship and unconditional love of a pet. Now, Gimpy needed to be vaccinated, tested, neutered and to have his leg examined because he carries his back leg. Gimpy will be seen at West Flint Animal Hospital who generously works with us and I’ll provide an update when we have one. A longing man and an unwanted dog will have a new life because of a woman who cares and our very generous donors. – diana
3/26/24 – Sweetpea was rescued from the streets with a broken leg. Unfortunately, the leg had to be amputated and to make matters worse, Sweetpea started drooling blood while she was recovering from the amputation. She returned to the veterinary hospital where it was found that she needed significant dental treatment which included several extractions and medication for an infection. This sweetheart is now on the mend and no longer in pain. – diana
