Welcome to A Forever-Home Rescue Foundation

AFH is there to help

Authorities from West Virginia, in conjunction with the Parkersburg Humane Society, shut down a single mill with around 1000 dogs in what has been termed the largest puppy mill bust in West Virginia history. AFH, along with numerous rescues, was called in to help take the nearly 1000 dogs and puppies to safety.

On Wednesday, AFH sent three vans and six volunteers who traveled to West Virginia, along with two vans from local rescue HART. Arriving around noon, we went to the Parkersburg Humane Society first and visited with the shelter staff and looked at the dogs and cats they had in their shelter and then to the warehouse where the puppy mill dogs were being held.

When we arrived at the warehouse, dogs were being loaded for 3 other groups that had come to help. It was certainly amazing to see so many dogs in one place. There were representatives from Best Friends, Parkersburg Humane, HSUS, Dachshund Rescue, Cavalier Rescue, veterinarians, vet techs and local volunteers. All were tending to the needs of all the dogs as well organizing the paperwork for all the dogs going to rescue. It was very impressive to see all of these different groups working together.

Around 4 PM, 112 dogs and puppies were loaded into the AFH and HART vans over the next 4 hours. After finishing loading we headed back to Chantilly, arriving at 2 AM. We were met by the media and received a wonderful welcome in front of Petco from our fosters. Everyone waited patiently while we handed out the new arrivals.

AFH would like to thank everyone who helped with this rescue mission whether it be the people who actually went to pick them up in West Virginia, the ones who cleaned and prepared the vans for the trip, the fosters, the volunteers that helped coordinate and prepared for the arrival of the dogs, the volunteers who cleaned the vans upon our return, and the generous people who have begun to send donations. Without all of you we would not have been able to pull this off.

Please watch the website for more information about our trip and pictures and info about the dogs we brought back. Remember this is not the end of the mission but the beginning. Now the dogs will need vetting, socialization and time to adjust. We do not know how many are actually pregnant only time will tell. We desperately need donations to help with the rehabilitation and vetting of the 71 dogs/puppies we brought back. At the minimum they will need shots, heartworm testing and altering. Some will need dental work and grooming.

Again we would like to say a big "Thank You" to everyone who helped and hope you will continue to help us in our mission to shut down these puppy mills and rescue the poor dogs and puppies they exploit.

On Saturday, September 20th, you have the opportunity to participate in a unique shopping experience including discounts, entertainment, special events and the opportunity to win thousands of dollars worth of prizes!

AFH is selling $5 shopping passes to the event. We keep the proceeds from every shopping pass we sell. It's that simple!

Shop for a Cause Savings Passes entitle the bearer to special savings on select merchandise throughout the store or on-line, in addition to regular and sale merchandise specials. All day limited exclusion savings pass includes:

1. 20% off* regular, sale & clearance women's, men's & kids' apparel & accessories, fine, bridge & fashion jewelry, bed & bath items, housewares, frames, luggage, china, crystal & silver, all kitchen & personal care electrics & technology items.
2. 10%* off regular & sale furniture, mattresses & rugs.
3. Plus, open a Macy's account and get an additional 20% off!

Additionally, each Savings Pass includes a chance to enter to win a $500.00 Macy's Gift Certificate! Simply fill in the entry form from your Savings Pass and drop it into the collection box at Macy's on September 20th for your chance to win!

This fundraiser is critically important to AFH and the animals in our care. We have incurred many unusual expenses recently and our financial "safety net" is full of holes. This generous offer from Macy's is a great opportunity for us to begin the process of recovering from our recent hardships. This is a phenominally simple way to help - everyone has been seriously impacted by the spiraling cost of fuel and everything else, but most people can find a way to donate $5.00 to help us out (especially when there's a shopping discount in return!)

We've set an aggressive - but achievable - goal of $25,000 for this event. In order for us to reach this goal, we need every one of our volunteers to step up and sell a handful of tickets. If you've never volunteered before and would like to become involved - this is the perfect opportunity. We need your help!

AFH would like to thank a special girl named Anna, who is only 7 years old. She ran in a Fun Run with her school to raise money for AFH. She ran 3.5 miles and was able to donate $100.00. Anna and her family adopted Wilson from AFH and wanted us to know that they love their dog and he has made their family so happy. We here at AFH are very grateful for Anna's generosity and are so pleased that Wilson got the best of homes!

Recently, AFH heard from one of our earlier Brownie's Fund recipients, named Lilly. Lilly was wheelchaired bound after suffering a severe injury as a pup. She was adopted four years ago by Lynne who sends us updates every year. Here is her Letter From Home: 
Hello!

It's just a few days from the anniversary of the day I adopted Lilly. On June 16th it will be four years! She has grown to be such a strong, determined, non-stop girl...you wouldn't believe it! Out of all my dogs, Lilly is the most active. The funny thing is, she HATES her wheelchair. If you put her in it, her ears sags, she holds her head low, and she won't move! If you take her on a walk, she'll go along with it...but she wants out. Why? It slows her down. I think a lot has to do with the fact Lilly knows nothing else but getting around in the position she neurologically feels is "normal" to her; sitting with her legs in front of her. And boy oh boy is she QUICK! Her buddy Timmy, a 7 year old Yellow Lab, tries to keep up...but Lilly wins most of the time. She plays tug of war...and wins. She plays catch, then goes side to side so fast...like a wide receiver... and scoots across the room facing the wall, growling as she looks to her sides so she knows which way to scoot to get away from the dog trying to get what she so valiantly caught. I laugh every time...she is accurate, quick...and smart. Nothing gets her down. I jokingly say if she had use of all her legs there's no way I'd be able to keep her...she is A LOT of dog! She likes to snuggle with her fur siblings, her favorite person in the world is still her Grammy, and when she slows down she likes to be held or up on the couch. She puts her nose on your shoulder or your cheek and breathes little grunts of contentment.
Lilly is happy.
Lilly is loved.

Lynne and Lilly

PS, To see who else has been writing to AFH, click on the "Letters From Home" link on our left-hand menu bar.

Recently we received sad new regarding the passing of Storm, an AFH alumni. Storm was a lucky boy to have found such a great Forever Home. He got lost once on the way to Florida, but his family drove all the way back to North Carolina to pick him up when he was found again. Here is what they wrote to us...

It's with a heavy heart, I am writing to you, today. Sunday, we had to rush Storm to the Emergency Vet Clinic as he wasn't eating, drinking, or being his normal bubbly self. X Rays showed a watermelon sized tumor had grown next to his spleen in less than six months (last senior exam and blood work was in January.) He was treated for the immediate problem of dehydration, so that we could speak with our regular vet concerning options. While we could attempt to try surgery, both my husband, myself, and the vet do not believe he would come out of it. If he did we would only have a few more days at most. Since Sunday, he's been getting worse. Inspite of his pain, he's even been making his rounds with me to tuck the kids into bed, and check on them later at night. We now have to do the hardest thing imaginable, allow our polar bear to go be with Jesus. Everyone's taking this hard. Storm has been the best dog we could have ever had, and we thank you for rescuing him, so that we could have had this time with him. He's been a foot warmer, good company, my son's best bud, my children's playmate (nailpolish, makeup and all!), an all around good boy.

A Forever Home Rescue Foundation (www.aforeverhome.org) has teamed up with Danielle's Originals to offer you custom painted pet mailboxes! A portion of the proceeds will be donated to A Forever Home to help them further their work of rescuing abandoned, abused, neglected, and unwanted pets.

These mailboxes are the perfect gift for the person who has everything, pet lovers, a first time pet guardian, an exceptional volunteer, or someone who likes interesting, out of the ordinary items.

Danielle can use a generic picture of your breed or she can work from a photo. The cost is $83, and includes shipping to anywhere in the continental US. Contact Datheos@aol.com (or 631.665.8197) for shipping to other locations.

The price includes 1 picture on 3 sides (it doesn't have to be the same pet - if you have 3 pets you can have one on each side and one on the front). However, if you want more than one animal on any panel, the cost will be $93. You can add your street address at no additional charge - but you must let her know when you place the order. You can also choose the color of your mailbox.

It will take approximately 2-4 weeks to get your custom painted mailbox. Please note that there are no returns because this is custom work; however, if you have email, you will be emailed pictures for your final approval before your item(s) is shipped.

Did you know that there are over 150 million retired cell phones that are discarded and forgotten in drawers, desks, closets, etc. just in the United States. AFH has found a way to benefit from that! Working with Phones 4 Charity, AFH will have collection boxes at the adoption events for people who would like to donate their used cell phones. and cell phone accessories. We will accept broken cell phones too. No cordless house phones please!

We will then ship those phones to Phone 4 Charity who will pay AFH for the phones collected. Phones 4 Charity then refurbishes these phone and they will go to areas when there is an economic necessity for cell phones for both safety and communication. You are also helping the environment by recycling.