A Forever-Home Rescue Foundation
P. O. Box 222801 Chantilly, VA 20153 / 703.961.8690 / FAX: 703.814.8543
Finding "Forever-Homes" for cats & dogs in need.

Welcome to A Forever-Home Rescue Foundation

A Forever-Home Rescue Foundation is a non-profit animal rescue group that operates in the Northern Virginia / Washington Metropolitan area. We strive to make quality dogs available for adoption and do our best to match prospective adopters with the right animal!

Table of Contents


A Special Place in our Hearts for Dexter

I thought you should be informed of the untimely death of our dog "Dexter" who we rescued through your organization with the help of Jessie back in May of 2004....Needless to say Dexter was the greatest addition to the family we could ever have asked for and as you can imagine his sudden passing has hit our family incredibly hard today. We will miss him and his antics terribly. He was laid to rest under the shade tree in the back of the yard so he would always be close. Please let Jessie know of his passing as I know she held him in a special place in her heart as I've learned why over the last 4 years. Thank you again for bringing Dexter into our lives, Tim

Fundraiser to Benefit Puppy Mill Dogs

AFH is holding a raffle to help puppy mill dogs. Raffle tickets are $1 each or 6 for $5 or you can purchase a Macy's ticket and a raffle ticket for $5. Raffle tickets will be sold Sunday Sept 7 and Sept 14 at the Chantilly Petco until 4 pm. Winning tickets will be drawn September 15. You do not need to be present to win and one ticket will be drawn per item. Winners will be contacted by September 19.

Items to be raffled include:
  • Passes to the opening weekend of Cox Farm's Fall Festival
  • 1 day pass to Gold's Gym Chantilly
  • 1 month membership to Gold's Gym Chantilly
  • Free oil change at Casey's Automotive
  • Toys, food and treats from Weber's Pet Supermarket
  • Hallmark Collectible Wizard of Oz ornament
  • Hand-Knitted Items and many other prizes.
  • Largest Puppy Mill Shutdown in West Virginia History

    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.

    Macy's Shop for a Cause!

    Macy's Shop for a Cause Logo

    Progress Chart 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!

    For information on how you can help - either selling tickets or purchasing tickets - please contact Holly at holly@aforeverhome.org - she'll be happy to help you!

    Thank You Anna

    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!

    Lilly on the Go!

    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.

    Good Boy, Storm

    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.

    Danielle's Originals

    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.

    To order online, please click on Mailbox. To mail in your order, please click here.

    Cell Phones 4 AFH

    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.

    So please spread the word! Ask your friends, family and co-workers if they will consider donating their used cell phones to AFH. Then bring them to an adoption event. If you have phones or questions but cannot attend an adoption event, please email Shellie at msladyluckm@aol.com Please make sure the cell phones have had their service deactivated before dropping them off.

    For more information about Phones 4 Charity, please visit their website at: www.phones4charity.org

    A Forever-Home Rescue Foundation is registered with iGive.com! What does this do for you, and for AFH? iGive.com is a non-profit organization that has worked with over 700 retailers to allow you to make a portion of your online shopping benefit the charity of your choice - without costing you any extra money!

    How does it work? It's very simple. All you need to do is to start your shopping by logging in at iGive.com - or even more simply, use the iGive.com Shopping Window!

    By doing your shopping through iGive.com you will benefit A Forever-Home Rescue Foundation. Up to 26% of your purchase price will be donated to AFH. That can go a long way to enabling us to help even more animals in need at this particularly difficult time of year. Please start all your holiday shopping at iGive.com!


    HELP! Desperate need for dog & puppy fosters!

    AFH is ALWAYS in need of foster homes! A shortage of foster homes seriously limits our ability to rescue more dogs and cats. Since AFH tries hard to not use boarding facilities, we cannot accept new, deserving animals into our program without ready foster homes. If you are interested in making your home available to a deserving pet, please drop us an email at Foster@aforeverhome.org or come to one of our adoption days:

    Weekly Adoption Events

    We host weekly adoption events at the Greenbriar PetCo, located on Rt. 50 in Fairfax, Virginia. The events are held each Sunday from 1:00PM to 4:00PM.

    Directions:

    From DC, Maryland, and points East:
    From I-66, take Exit 57B (Rt 50 West) and travel approximately 3 miles to the Greenbriar Town Center on the left

    From points West:
    Take Rt 50 East approximately 2.5 miles past the intersection with Rt 28 to the Greenbriar Town Center on the right

    From the North or South:
    Take the Fairfax County Parkway (Rt 7100) to the Rt 50 West exit. Take Rt 50 West to the third stoplight and turn left into the Greenbriar Town Center

    To see all events scheduled over the next month, look at our Events Page.

    For more information, send an email to info@aforeverhome.org