"Until there are none, adopt just one"
About
Heaven Can Wait
Animal Rescue & Sanctuary
Heaven Can Wait (HCW) Rescue and Sanctuary is a 501c3 tax exempt, public charity non-profit organization. We take a holistic approach to caring for our dogs, addressing all aspects of their needs, both physical and emotional. Many of our dogs have compromised immune systems and require treatment. HCW cares for the lifecycle needs of our dogs ranging from preventive care and treatment, well-being care and natural remedies, any required surgeries and other medical treatments, rehabilitation and proper diet. Dogs, like people, are prone to medical problems as they get older. However, with diet, supplements and the right care, many of the conditions can be prevented, delayed or managed, to give our dogs the best possible quality of life for all of their life. Enabling healthy, happy dogs is foundational to active, healthy lives in loving, permanent homes. We are committed to the needs of every dog.
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We are fortunate to have an animal care manager who brings a blend of 30+ years of knowledge and experience in animal rescue with humane society organizations, rescues, and veterinarians. Her efforts in animal epilepsy have resulted in life-saving treatment and care of hundreds of dogs; and epilepsy advice, counsel and comfort to the families. In addition, a veterinary internal medicine specialist offers his time and efforts to consult, reviewing clinical assessments and diagnostic results; making recommendations in those more challenging cases.
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Once a dog comes into our program we are committed to it, for life, and responsible for its care. No matter what. We ensure each animal we rescue is examined, vaccinated, spayed or neutered, and receives medical treatment before they are placed in carefully screened homes. When we rescue, we have 4 “stages” of care to provide a foundation for a good quality of life and success with an adoptive family:
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Upon arrival and initial assessment, we address any immediate medical needs and care, ensure the safety and well-being of our rescues.
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Part of our mission is to make sure all issues are treated, managed or resolved. Routine vetting follows for every dog with a veterinarian that include a comprehensive blood profile, urinalysis, and screen for tick-borne/infectious diseases. Our ACM determines and implements a plan that includes any needed medical treatment/follow-up, de-worming and external parasite treatment (as necessary), dental, x-rays, spay/neuter and any treatment/surgery needed before they’re eligible for adoption.
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In addition to addressing medical needs, our animal care manager regularly spends time with each dog to ensure socialization, house breaking, leash training, and basic commands. All dogs are regularly bathed and groomed.
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Regular preventative and vet care, continued socialization, and proper nutrition. We nurture, socialize, exercise, and provide love and good nutrition until their loving, forever home can be found. We also counsel prospective owners on choosing the appropriate pet; and provide care and training information on each animal we place.
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If a dog in our care still has a good quality of life, but has medical issues that are difficult for a foster home or adopter to deal with (such as incontinence), they remain in sanctuary with us and we care for their needs. Our wish is that no dog needs sanctuary – we would love to put all of them in loving homes of their own. And on occasion, sanctuary dogs do get a family of their own while most remain part of the HCW family. Some of our Sanctuary dogs come with chronic issues. Some are just very old. These dogs all get the care, medication, and love that they need to live happily and as healthily as possible while they are with us. They are in our homes and have the freedom to be part of the pack. We don't think they know they are homeless. That is one of our goals. All of these dogs get extensive vetting, including very thorough lab tests and exams. Sanctuary dogs, are deserving of our care and are loved and cherished for as if they were our own.
What’s involved in rescue?
We never know how long a dog will be in rescue, but from the first minute we rescue a dog, we are committed to the dog for the rest of his or her life. Some can be medically treated fairly quickly, some have on-going medical issues that take a long time to fix, puppy mill dogs must learn to be pets, and almost all have health issues. On average, it takes 6-18 months of care and feeding before a dog is ready for adoption. Even after adoption, we remain prepared to bring the dog back into rescue if needed. Some dogs are too traumatized, abused, ill or old and will remain forever in sanctuary care.
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​After we rescue a dog, we evaluate his/her condition to determine and provide any immediate medical attention. In some cases, they require emergency surgery. Then we examine and treat them for worms, ticks and fleas, kennel cough, diarrhea, eye or ear infections, get them bathed and cleaned up, and provide the safety and security of a safe place that’s theirs with food and water.
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Once the dogs are out of immediate danger, we begin to focus on daily care, giving them love, proper nutrition, taking care of more common health issues, blood work, urinalysis, dental work, socialization, and training. When they’re ready for a new home, we make sure they are vaccinated, spay/neutered, and then make the best ‘forever home’ match available based upon the needs of the pet.
All our rescues are loved and well cared for, free to enjoy the fenced yards, have their own beds, and are bathed and groomed on a regular basis. For those rescues that remain with us, when the time comes, we are with them at the end of their lives. And we grieve them. We feel that is the right thing to do, and it makes a difference to the dogs, the families involved, and our community supporters who care so much for them.