Local Rescues & Shelters Spotlight - Homes for Paws Dog Rescue
WHO THEY ARE
Homes for Paws is located in Ottawa, Ontario. It is an all volunteer not-for-profit dog rescue dedicated to rescuing dogs and giving them a second chance at a new life. Their goal is to place the dogs that are rescued into loving forever homes. They do not have a shelter, all dogs are placed in separate volunteer foster homes within Ottawa-Gatineau until an adoption match is found.
THEIR STORY
CAROLINE – FOUNDER & DIRECTOR
Caroline founded Homes for Paws Dog Rescue in 2015 after moving to BC to further her studies. She has always had a passion for animals and a love for making a difference, after volunteering for a dog rescue for 4 years she decided it was time to open her own!
Caroline’s mission is to help make the world a better place for dogs. Her dedication/leadership have helped save hundreds of lives by finding them forever homes. Caroline is involved in all aspects of the rescue and has adored every moment of it. In the past she has worked as a vet assistant, is a certified dog trainer, Pet CPR certified, Fear-free Shelters Graduate and proud member of Pet Professional Guild (PPG-the Association for Force-free Pet Professionals). She is devoted to staying up to date on the latest in science-based dog training. Caroline recently opened a dog training/boarding/daycamp facility called The Canine Clubhouse. She lives with her Sheltie Eddy and two rescued Chihuahuas from California - Dexter & Gigi.
ADOPTION INFORMATION
Adoption Fees
Adoption fees are: Puppies up to 12 months: $650, Young Adults 1-3 years: $600, Adults 3-7 years: $550, and Seniors 8+ years: $400. The Adoption fee is non negotiable and non refundable. All dogs have been vetted and the fee includes spay/neuter. In the case that said animal is too young to be altered, an appointment will be scheduled through our vet at the time of adoption for when the animal is of an acceptable age.
What’s included?
The cost of the spay/neuter will be covered by the adoption fee. The adoption fee also includes age appropriate vaccines including Rabies, deworming, flea preventative and microchip. Adoption applications can be found here.
VOLUNTEERING
Why not consider JOINING AS A VOLUNTEER?
FOSTERING
If your home is missing some furry footsteps but you’re not looking to add a permanent resident, then fostering a dog might be the perfect solution! Before the dogs land in their forever homes they need a place to lie their heads while everyone gets to know them. If you have a little extra space and love to spare, consider taking in a dog in need. Here’s how it works!
Steps in the Foster Process:
Fill out a foster application. Please answer as truthfully and thoroughly as possible.
The application is reviewed by the Homes For Paws team and references are contacted.
When a dog matching your home is in need of a foster home you will be contacted with any info they have on the dog.
If you’re interested in fostering the dog a homecheck will be scheduled with one of the volunteers.
Pick up/drop off of the dog and any supplies needed will be arranged.
Allow the dog to get settled and get to know their personality and behaviours. Contact the Rescue with any comments, questions or concerns! They will also check in to make sure everything is running smoothly.
Once HFP knows more about the dog and they decide the dog is ready for adoption, the foster home prepares a biography about them and the dog is posted for adoption. The foster home will have the opportunity to adopt before the dog is posted for adoption. When the Rescue receives adoption applications they are screened by the team and passed along to the foster home. If you believe the applicant is a good fit for the dog, you can set up a meet and greet with all members of the adoptive household (including pets!).
If the adopters wish to proceed with adoption and are approved by the foster home then the Homes For Paws coordinators will contact the adopter’s references, complete home check and complete the adoption!
PALLIATIVE CARE PROGRAM
Homes for Paws Dog Rescue has a palliative care program for dogs that are deemed unadoptable due to having multiple medical issues and needing special care. These dogs typically have shortened life spans and get to live out the rest of their lives being loved/pampered/cared for in our palliative care program.
How can you help?
Home for Paws are currently looking for palliative care fosters for multiple dogs in their care. Being a palliative care foster requires caring for dogs with special needs and may involve giving daily medication, fluids and bringing the dog to frequent vet visits. Similar to fostering all vetting and food will be provided by the rescue.
Interested in joining Homes for Paws palliative care team? Fill out this application and Homes for Paws will be in touch once they have a suitable dog.
You can also reach out by email: palliativehfp@outlook.com
Not able to foster a palliative care dog but still want to help?
Become a sponsor for one of the palliative pups in Homes for Paws’ care, as this helps offset some of the monthly costs these dogs incur. A benefit of sponsoring is you will also get updates on how your sponsor dog is doing and get to meet them in person. If you're interested in becoming a sponsor to any of these dogs in palliative care, please send an email to palliativehfp@outlook.com.
HOW YOU CAN HELP?
As a volunteer-based, non-profit organization that receives no government funding, Homes For Paws (HFP) relies entirely on the support of friends in the community to sustain its operations and programs. The dogs thank you from the bottom of their hearts for your generosity!
They rely solely on donations and money gathered from fund raising projects, product sales, adoption
fees and sponsors. DONATE 👈🏻
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Email: homesforpaws@hotmail.com
LIKE & FOLLOW
Unleash Pet Photography is also doing a CATCH-A-TREAT™ Fundraiser for Homes for Paws Dog Rescue, you can find more details here: https://unleashpetphotography.com/catchatreat
LOCAL RESCUES & SHELTERS SPOTLIGHT ❤️🐾
Supporting my local community is very important to me, which is why I started the local rescues and shelters spotlight blog series.
The purpose of this initiative is to bring awareness to the many local shelters, rescues and nonprofit organizations that we have in our community and to help animals available for adoption find their fur-ever homes.