We’re pleased to bring you news of another financial award made by The Dr. Jane’s HealthyPetNet Foundation, this time to a courageous organization of homeless animal rescuers in Maryland.

Founded in 2003, HART for Animals seeks to become “a model for compassionate animal rescue”. We feel that they’ve done a commendable job organizing individual volunteers who specialize in placing animals abandoned at local shelters with foster parents until forever homes can be located. By taking in pets from the Garrett County Animal Shelter and the Garrett County Humane Society, they have saved hundreds of animals who otherwise would probably have been euthanized. Further, HART oversees the transfer of homeless dogs and cats from areas of low inhabitance to more populous cities in an effort to increase the likelihood of long-term adoption.

In addition to their stellar achievements in ushering pets quickly into new forever homes, HART rounds out their vital work with other indispensable services, including educating the public about the importance of spaying and neutering, providing dog training to pet parents, rehabilitating injured animals and supporting efforts to enforce laws protecting pets from cruelty and neglect.

In the last three years, HART for Animals has been directly responsible for saving 1,751 dogs and cats, nearly half of all of the animals taken in by their local shelter.

In 2009, HART for Animals, like nearly all American rescue groups and shelters, faced an extremely challenging year. They have witnessed firsthand, after waves of home foreclosures and unemployment hitting the region hard, that pet abandonment is the collateral damage of the recession. To help reduce the population of homeless pets, Hart for Animals opened a low-cost spay/neuter clinic last November, offering these surgeries to low-income Maryland residents for only $50. Additionally, individuals who cannot afford even this modest fee are eligible for financial support thanks to the generous donations of people just like you.

Last spring, HART saw a significant increase in the number of newborn animals. We’d like to share the story of one of the kittens saved thanks to the work of this incredible rescue.

Born at the shelter in late March of 2009, Camry was one of three mouse-sized kittens. HART’s Rescue Coordinator contacted a rescue group in Virginia with hopes that this little family could be kept together. When the rescue agreed to take all four cats - Camry, his two siblings and his mother, Kia – they were transported the following weekend.

From tiny kitten, Camry grew strong and developed a warm personality, happily enjoying his time with his foster family. Eventually, his caretakers located the perfect family to welcome him into their home and hearts.

Today, he graces his adoptive family with his stunning beauty and his dignified presence. His new pet parents changed his name to “Camron”.

Remarkably, Camron is just one of the 327 kittens HART was able to save last year.

With the funds contributed by Dr. Jane’s HealthyPetNet Foundation, HART was able to buy vaccines, pay for vet care, provide food for foster parents, cover some transportation costs, and expand its mission of rescuing and protecting homeless animals. Thanks to our award, HART told us they were able to save Camron and many others like him.

By choosing to purchase Life's Abundance products, you are directly supporting the work of our foundation, and we thank you for making this generous award possible. Your continued patronage has made a direct impact not only in Camron’s life, but also in the lives of untold numbers of homeless animals cared for by other agencies, too.

If you wish to send additional support to our foundation, you may do so when placing an order online or by sending a personal check to The Dr. Jane’s HealthyPetNet Foundation, Inc. at P.O. Box 1425, Palm City, FL 34991. Even if you can only spare a dollar or two, you’ll be providing much needed aid to the organizations attempting to reverse the trend of abandonment in America.

HART’s web site features the following quote from Margaret Mead: "Never underestimate the power of a small, dedicated group of people to change the world; indeed, that is the only thing that ever has”. All of us here at Life's Abundance feel that the dedicated folks at HART for Animals have succeeded in their attempts to embody this noble principle.