Hearts For Hometown Dogs

07/31/2026

A Message to Our Supporters

After ten incredible years of serving our community, Hearts for Hometown Dogs has made the bittersweet decision to close this chapter of our organization.
This decision has been made with thoughtful consideration and full confidence that the time has come to pass the baton to another outstanding local animal welfare organization. To ensure that our mission continues, all remaining assets of Hearts for Hometown Dogs will be transferred to Taylor County Animal Advocates, a fellow 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to improving the lives of animals in our community.
As we reflect on the past decade, our hearts are filled with gratitude. What began as a shared passion became a movement fueled by compassion, generosity, and an unwavering belief that every animal deserves a chance.
Together—with the incredible support of our donors, followers, volunteers, foster families, adopters, veterinarians, rescue partners, and countless community members—we have helped save thousands of homeless animals. Because of your kindness, those animals were given the opportunity to leave lives of uncertainty behind and experience the love, safety, and happiness of a family to call their own.
The legacy of Hearts for Hometown Dogs has never been about one organization. It has always been about a community of people coming together to be a voice for those who could not speak for themselves. Every life saved, every adoption celebrated, and every act of compassion belongs to all of us.
Although this chapter is ending, our mission is far from over. We encourage you to continue supporting Taylor County Animal Advocates as they carry this work forward with the same dedication and heart. We know they will continue making a meaningful difference for the animals of our hometown, and we are honored to help strengthen their efforts for the years ahead.
From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for believing in us, standing beside us, and making this journey possible. Serving this community and its animals has been one of the greatest privileges of our lives. The friendships we’ve made, the lives we’ve touched, and the hope we’ve shared will remain our greatest accomplishment.

With sincere gratitude,

The Hearts for Hometown Dogs Team

06/24/2026

05/30/2026

‼️‼️ Brenda is SAFE!!! 🙌 ‼️‼️

Thank you so much to her wonderful family, Christian, Michael, and Daniel Avery who did not give up hope and did everything they could to help find her while also dealing with the loss of their dad!!
And thank you so much to Shannon and Jay Gilbert who helped with flyers, and thank you everyone who kept an eye out, prayed, and helped with sightings!

On May 18th, a very tragic accident happened on Beach Rd. Brenda's beloved owner passed away in the accident and she bolted from the scene.

Her family desperately searched for her. We had initial sightings, then spotted her on trail cameras at a food station we set up, and then nothing until she was spotted close to the roll-off site on Carlton Cemetery Rd two days ago. She was not going to come to anyone, which was why we kept asking people to not engage with her.

This morning, Brenda showed up on a very kind lady's porch of Davis Walker Rd, seemingly trying to make her way back to where the crash happened. One reason lost dogs sometimes will decide to finally go to someone for help is simply that they're just tired, and she finally felt safe. The finder was not chasing her, she gently offered her a treat, and sat there with her until the Avery family's neighbors (who Brenda knows) could go get her until the family could come from Lake City.

FLYERS WORK!!!! They are the only way to get reliable sightings of lost pets. Not everyone is on social media.

Remember! Lost dogs, particularly ones who go missing in extremely stressful circumstances or unknown places, do not behave the way they normally would.

We are so glad Brenda is safe!!!!

05/26/2026

5.30.26 - Brenda is safe!!!

We are still searching for the dog that got lost from the wreck that happened on Beach Rd one week ago (5/18) and want to ask people to please still keep an eye out, especially if you live down Beach Rd and the surrounding areas.

REMEMBER!
🚫 Do not go searching for her
🚫 Do not call out
🚫 Do not whistle
🚫 Do not chase her or follow her
🚫 Do not engage with her if you see her!

Doing any of the above will scare her away, cause her to run into traffic, or push her out of the area, prolonging our recovery efforts.

If you do see her or have seen her:

✅️ IGNORE HER
✅️ Call her family immediately at 386-288-9132
✅️ Give the location of sighting, time, direction of travel, what side of the road she is on
✅️ Check your Ring cameras or other home security and trail cameras

If you feed cats or outside dogs down that way, let us know if your food seems to be disappearing faster than usual.

🚫 Please do not feed her or put food out for her. If you leave scraps in the yard for critters, we ask that you cease this until we find her.

The Avery family lost their loved one in the crash, the dog's owner. We want to bring her home safely to them!

05/21/2026

Happy National Rescue Dog Day!! We have met so many amazing dogs over the years! They are so resilient + truly mans best friend!

Celebrate this special day with us by—>
📸sharing photos of your rescue pup in the comments
💭share a favorite memory of a rescue dog, adoption, transport or volunteer event!
💰Make a donation toward HFHD or another amazing rescue partner working tirelessly to save so many!
🐶Adopt a rescue dog, they’re the best!

05/20/2026

5.30.26 - Brenda is safe!!!

MISSING DOG!

🚫 DO NOT GO SEARCHING FOR HER
🚫 DO NOT CHASE, WHISTLE, CALL OUT, OR ENGAGE WITH HER

This sweet girl was involved in a bad car accident on Beach Road. Our volunteer trapper is working on this, but we need everyone to be on the same page.

Chasing, searching, calling out, or engaging with her if seen can put her in grave danger of running out into traffic or push her away from her hiding spot. We NEED her to stay close by for the best chances of a successful recovery.

If you have any sightings, DO NOT follow her. Please note the exact location, what side of the road she was seen on, what direction she seemed to be traveling, and immediately report sightings to her family at 386-288-9132

Please keep the family in your prayers. They suffered a devastating loss, and we want to bring their beloved pet home safely. Thank you!

03/09/2026

We are incredibly honored and grateful to share that our organization recently received a generous donation from Mr. Rod and Mrs. Shelia Baumgardner who believed deeply in helping animals in our community.

Their thoughtful legacy will allow us to continue providing low-cost spay and neuter services for pets whose families may not otherwise be able to afford it. Because of their kindness, countless dogs and cats will live healthier lives, and many litters of unwanted animals will be prevented for years to come.

This remarkable act of compassion will have a lasting impact on pets and the people who love them throughout our community. While we mourn their passing, we celebrate the difference they chose to make. Their legacy will live on in every pet helped through this gift.

From all of us, and from the many animals whose lives will be changed because of this generosity — thank you. 💙🐾

02/03/2026

*WARNING: Graphic photos!*

5 weeks ago, our volunteers were made aware of a dog with an embedded collar living around a gas station.

They worked tirelessly for 5 weeks to trap this poor dog so he could get help.

Thankfully he was humanely trapped on Saturday, and our amazing friends at Perry Animal Hospital were able to remove the embedded collar, clean up the wounds, and provide cold laser therapy to get his healing journey started.

Unfortunately, this was a collar that had been on for quite a long time, as there were old wounds showing where it had previously healed over.

It is important to keep a collar on your pet for identification, but please be sure that it is not too small or too tight. These injuries are extremely painful and can lead to serious infections and sepsis.

More donation options in the comments.

Thank you so much for your support and generosity! Without you, we would not be able to help the animals in need!

01/22/2026

We have appointments available in March and April. Message us today to get on the list.

🎉 We are beyond excited to share that Hearts For Hometown Dogs was recently selected as a 2025 recipient for a $10k grant from Florida Animal Friend!! 🎉

This grant offers an amazing opportunity for HFHD to offer low-cost spay/neuter services with Perry Animal Hospital and Owens Animal Hospital to families who would otherwise be unable to afford it. What a difference this will make for pets in our community!

Dogs - $60
Cats - $35

Sign up NOW, as spots are limited!
Send us a message and we will get your pet on the list!

The ONLY real solution to the overpopulation crisis, unwanted litters, and senseless euthanasia shelter animals face every day is PREVENTION.

The grant is limited to one calendar year or until funds run out, so don’t wait to get your pet on the list.

Stay tuned for updates and more info over the next year! And don’t forget to SHARE THIS POST so we can spread the news to all who may benefit from this opportunity!

You know those cute dog + cat license plates you see cruising down the road on the car in front of you? Those fund these grants that support organizations like ours! Order your tag today at https://floridaanimalfriend.org/ to show your support and make it possible for us and others to do this again!

01/21/2026

COPIED FROM LUCKY PUP RESCUE SC………..“Whenever you feel guilty about not giving your dog the best life, whenever you feel like you are working too late while your dog is at home, whenever you think about surrendering your dog because you “can’t give them the life they deserve”, just look at this picture of kennel manager Trevor Denham and the team at The City of Mobile Animal Services getting ready for dinner time. You can see one dog with his paw out waiting for his food.

For these dogs locked in their kennels, this is the highlight of their day, they have absolutely nothing.

Your dog would much prefer being on your sofa waiting for you to come home, rather than being stuck in here, I promise you are doing just fine.
Keep them home where they belong.”