HART for Animals, Inc.

I started with this charity about 10 years ago. Great people and I joined the board several years ago. We provide an amazing service in our community and HART is an amazing organization

My two young daughter's and I love HART for animals. We try to come in once a week to read to and visit the dogs & cats. Our family homeschools and having the READING BUDDIES PROGRAM available to us each week, for free, is amazing. This program not only benefits the shelter animals while waiting for their forever homes, but it teaches my children about Love, Education, Empathy, Kindness, Safety, Socializing and much more. Our family could not be more proud or more thankful to be apart of this nonprofit. HART for animals makes a huge difference in our community and in our lives!

This place is amazing. HART's Veterinarians and staff have taken wonderful care of my cats for over 2 years. Hands down the most professional and thorough vet I've been to. But what makes them special is the personal touch. You can tell they genuinely care for their clients and take the time to answer any questions I have, no matter how small.

HART for Animals is a terrific organization, dedicated to health and well-being of all the animals that enter their facility. With knowledgeable and compassionate veterinarians and staff; patients’ owners can rest a sure their pet is receiving the best care possible. HART doesn’t just excel in one area, this organization excels in all areas, proof of this begins the moment one walks through the doors - greeted with kindness and professionalism from staff. My experiences with HART have been absolutely wonderful. This is a state-of-the-art facility, cats up for adoptions are not housed in steel cages, they have their own “cat condos” and scheduled play time with the cats are a priority for staff. Dogs have clean, inside-outside runs, not confined to small kennels. HART prides itself on providing a clean, safe, and loving environment for the animals entrusted to their care. I highly recommend this animal origination and proud to be a volunteer and donor.

Sincerely,
Dan Moorehead

My family and I have been clients and supporters of HART for Animals for the past 8 years. Our first visit to the clinic was when we got our first puppy (2014), and she needed to get her 2nd round of shots and wellness check. We had a cat at that time with another local vet, but moved her over to HART after our first visit there, as we felt both the customer service and vet services/attention to our needs was far better at HART. The vet at HART was able to help us offer her a better life for longer, until we did finally have to say goodbye to her due to major health issues. We have been through the adoption process with HART, as once we were ready to add another kitten to our family, we knew adoption was a must. The process was absolutely the best, and we were asked to bring our dog in to be sure they would be a good match (the rest is history, as they are best friends and have been since day one). We have used services at both the Bredel clinic for all of these years, and also board our dogs at the Bed N Bark. They LOVE it there. They are always treated well, and come home very happy and tired from all of the play time they get during their visits there. I cannot say enough about Dr. Jessy, Dr. Geier and the entire staff at the Bredel Vet Clinic. The level of service is second to none, and each time we have our cat or dogs in for wellness checks, surgeries, emergency visits, or just vaccinations, we are always met with kind, professional and comforting staff members. We truly are blessed to have such a great place in this community, and we will be taking our animals to HART for all of their needs.

I adopted Felix in July of 2021. Since moving to western Maryland and growing up with family dogs all my life It was finally time to adopt a dog of my very own. I saw Felix and online instantly fell in love. His adoption process was very smooth. I was very impressed with the clean, modern look of the facility. They even helped me out when Felix had a bit of a worm problem a week after adopting him. It’s very easy to tell this facility and the employees care deeply about the animals they house. Now Felix is living his best life!

HART's Bredel Vet Clinic is filled with the most compassionate people I've ever met. They do so much good there.

As a newcomer to the area I could not be more impressed with this organization. Sadly, I lost my beloved Sheba this year after 15 years of love. I was fortunate enough to meet Paula and the dedicated staff and board at HART and have attended and volunteered at their events. I am able to channel the love I have for our sweet four legged friends by spending time with people who are absolutely dedicated to their organization and mission. I was proud to join the board at HART this fall and love being a part of all they do for our community. If you have not stopped by the HART location, please do so....you will be so impressed with all that HART has to offer and with the outstanding, loving professionals that care for our community pets.

We had just lost our dog to cancer. I was scheduled to volunteer the next day walking the adoptable dogs at HART. One of them was a mixed breed with lots of energy and an obvious love of people. We adopted her the next day. She is now a therapy dog visiting patients in the hospital and special needs classrooms in the county schools. Without HART we wouldn't have found such a wonderful companion dog.

What an amazing organization - so dedicated to the community and to the animals of Garrett County. I'm so grateful for the work that HART does every day.

HART for Animals has benefited me and the community in many ways. Since my retirement in 2011, I have volunteered for HART for Animals, adopted my cats and dogs from HART, and have had my animals cared for at HART. Volunteering here is both inspiring and rewarding. I know the animals in our care get the love and attention that they need to become good pets in their forever homes. I have three dogs and a cat who came from HART.
HART serves the community by offering low cost spays and neuters, full service vet care, and a very good boarding facility. The premise is that the cost centers and fund raising efforts will support the mission of taking care of and finding homes for homeless animals. HART also transports animals (especially kitties) to other no-kill shelters in more populated areas, so they have a better chance to be adopted. This is done after they are spayed or neutered, been given an examination and preliminary vaccines at HART.

The community is also served by the volunteer opportunities afforded at HART. Pre-pandemic we had a children's reading program where younger kids could come read to the dogs and give them rewards for attentiveness. A two-step volunteer program for high school age kids and adults is ongoing and is where they first learn about care and cleanliness of the animals and the facility and then the second part...the interaction with the dogs and cats by walking, training, playing with them or by sitting with the shy ones. We also had an outreach program in the schools to help educate young children about the care and training animals need to have.

HART is an incredible organization.

Hart is the best nonprofit we have ever experienced. As we have deal with some that are pretty bad.

Hart leads with a lot of passion, compassion, and love for the animals. The place is extremely clean and you can tell the animals are well fed and taken care of with love. It is run by well trained professionals. I would highly recommend it!

Hart was wonderful! I found a very sick kitten in a ditch that I brought to them for help, they did everything they could to save him, sadly he did not survive������ but not without effort. Great staff and caring

Hart for Animals is an outstanding organization. We use their facilities (Veterinary Services, Boarding, Grooming) all the time for our two Samoyeds. Whenever we leave Ace and Aurora there, be it for a simple "vacation day" or a medical procedure, we know they are in the best of hands. The staff cares for our beloved family members as if they were their own family!

As a long time resident of Garrett County, I have been fortunate enough to see HART grow from a small, two person endeavor to a thriving employer for the area. The leaders of HART have had tremendous and positive impact on the community and the surrounding region. HART is a shining example of a business and social good partnership that results in making this county a better place to live.

After taking a few years off from volunteering after having several bad experiences with animal nonprofits, I found HART for Animals. I have been volunteering with them now for two and a half years and they are amazing. This organization is so well run and the people are terrific. I am consistently impressed with the dedication of the volunteers and how much time they give towards helping animals, not only with raising money, but also with cleaning the facility, working at the thrift shop, walking the dogs and playing with the cats. I am very happy to have found such a rewarding place to volunteer.

HART is an Exceptional Place to take your Fur Babies to, whether they are seeing Jessie the Veterinarian, staying at the Bed-N-Bark Inn or getting your fur babies groomed. Your pet gets so much Love and Attention and do not be surprised when they do not want to leave. I have two Shih Tzu's; Kahlua and Bailey, and a Dapple Dachshund named Sammie. They absolutely LOVE HART. You can Trust that your Baby or Babies will be well taken care of from the time you walk thru the door.
Our founders created HART with the express purpose of saving pets lives.
HART has a wonderful spay/neuter low-cost program which is just one part of HART's mission to improve the conditions of animals in Western Maryland and the region. I cannot say enough about HART and what they do for our community and OUR pets.

Our family is both an adoption family and a client of the services offered by HART. Our experiences at HART have been some of the most positive we have had in connection to adopting and caring for a pet. HART is an incredibly professional organization and that is immediately apparent the minute you walk into the facility. The commitment and dedication to the well-being of the animals at HART is remarkable and present in every member of the staff. The adoption process is well managed and they have the most impressive animal adoption housing unit we have ever seen. The boarding and vet services are also second to none and, from start to finish, are a very positive experience. They also offer services at a reduced rate or free to low-income families in need.

We feel truly blessed to have been able to adopt from HART and to get the chance to repay the favor by returning for regular vet care and boarding as we need it. HART is definitely a model that other non-profits should follow. Anyone who has been a client or adopted from HART has nothing but incredibly positive things to say about the organization.

We wanted to rescue a dog, and went to HART. The staff here is wonderful, and did everything to make rescuing a dog during quarantine easy and safe. We recommend them highly for rescuing an animal!

My story is currently very emotional For me as it is in the present, but I want to give credit where it is due. We have no kids, just our 2 babies, so they are life as many people understand. My guy is only 7 and I could he was in some pain sometimes when yawning, though was only periodic. I took him to the vet and they sent me away with antibiotics and pain medicine and a recommendation/referral to a dental specialist 3 hours away for a cracked tooth (the tooth had been cracked for about a year And was never infected or an issue). They did notice his face was a bit swollen On one side also and I am very thankful they pointed that out to me as I didn’t notice.
I called to get him the special appointment immediately, and they needed x-rays and bloodwork before they would take him in. OK, Well I didn’t know that and they didn’t do it when they recommended this route and I wanted him in there ASAP, so the next day I called The Bredel Clinic to get the bloodwork and x-rays Done because I just wanted a second opinion just for peace of mind. Doing everything we could to help him. They got me in right away.

Well, the opinion was a little different. He has a tumor on the side of his face under the skin that seems to be growing quick. So a test was done on that, along with The x-rays and bloodwork. We left to go to the beach the next day thinking the antibiotics would work and he would feel better and we could go to the dentist upon return since the items requested would have been transferred to them. On vacation, our guy stopped eating, started violently throwing up and could not poop. No Appetite at all and his face was swelling a little more. We worked with him for a few days and hand force fed him because he did still act like a puppy and played so hard in the waves, so we let him have a good time in our hearts knowing the situation was bad-until we could get him back to the Bredel Clinic in a few days. When we pulled in to drop him off for his appointment, we got more xrays and bloodwork before anything was done due to his weight loss and sudden loss of pretty much all energy. We knew our boy was leaving us very quickly and we were preparing ourselves for the worst, even that same day. He went from Crazy beach playing to almost immobile and depressed ready to leave us immediately. We did end up getting some not so great news and that our time with him may be short as it was a form of cancer that spreads quickly to the entire body I will which it had already spread quite a bit. Our hearts sunk-and we knew we had only a few days if that. He lost 16 pounds now in 12 days. Dr Jessy gave him an IV and some injections, and gave him a medicine regimen with some different things to make him comfortable and try to make him eat. We are thinking, how in the heck are we going to make this happen and give him pills when we cant Even force babyfood down his throat. We cant let him suffer and starve, he’s our baby..well, a few hours after we brought him home, he perked up some and drank some water and wanted petted. We gave him his second round of medicine and he was lively and begging for food. Our hearts were happy! Today days later he actually jumped off the couch to grab a tennis ball and play. He seems back to normal and is eating all day long. We know it wont fix the issue because of what his diagnosis is, but he is happy, having fun, comfortable and most importantly-he has a full tummy! We may have a few more weeks or so with him if he keeps on this path (instead of days!) as we couldn’t be more fortunate. Thank goodness we got the Bredel Clinics opinion for care before jumping the gun, and when he does leave us, we know he was a happy boy who was very well cared, loved to pieces and content. If it were not for HART for Animals and the Bredel Clinic-my boy would have left us miserable and suffering and we would have had no answers.
If my story helps this caring Non-Profit at all, anything would be gratifying. We will never forget the care we got there from the Doctor or the staff.
Sad but Thankful Tears, Tonka’s Mom

HART helped take care of our cats veterinarian needs and went out of their way to reassure us. Even after we moved away they were willing to provide advice when needed. I’m thankful for their services and feel he received the absolute best care possible.

I've adopted two dogs from HART and what a pleasure it was to work with these amazing people. Buddy came from the streets and Katie was left at the local animal shelter. Both were in need of major veterinary care, not to mention socialization. They treat their adoptable animals as if they were there own. And with a full-service veterinary clinic, it's good to know the animals are in a great place before their forever homes. The facility is so clean! My dogs are happy and healthy. I will always adopt from HART!

I joined HART for Animals when my husband and I retired. We had recently lost our Yorkshire Terrier and we both were devastated. Hard to believe that an 8-lb dog could leave such a gaping hole! When I learned how many animals had to be euthanized in shelters, I was devastated. However, I didn't know much about veterinary care or shelter animals. So, I went back to school and became a registered veterinary technician. Then, I met the young woman who founded HART and I became a full-time volunteer! The rest is history. HART is a unique place: it includes a veterinary clinic, a lovely pet hotel, and a groomer - all of which help support the animal shelter area, supplemented by donations and grants. And we have saved 11,319 animal lives since 2003!

I recently lost my dog to cancer and decided to find an opportunity to volunteer some of my time helping dogs in need. I found HART for Animals and can’t be more pleased! They are the best adoption organization I have ever encountered. It is all about the animals and the people. Everyone is so kind, happy and helpful. One of the most wonderful experiences I have ever had. I recently adopted a puppy from them and continue to volunteer. This is my new Happy Place!!! Love you HART!

I had such a wonderful experience there. After receiving a tour of the premises I was extremely impressed and the cleanliness of the center. The staff were absolutely some of the kindest people I had ever met and very willing to answer any and all questions I had. The cats and dogs were absolutely precious and were in good health. Truly a wonderful place!

The employees at HART are amazing, professional, and extremely friendly. All of our experiences have been positive...which IS saying something as one of my cats is 98% grumpy-old man.
They always make myself and my pets feel at ease!

HART For Animals is without a doubt the most selfless organization ive ever been apart of. We had an adoptable pet here that required 'xtra' special time with training/socialization and to just 'learn to be a dog' well long story short EVERYBODY employees and volunteers both spent countless hours working with this awesome dog and YES he has a forever home now and is loved and adored :) Hes also become a huge Steeler fan and you know life is good when you belong to Steeler Nation :):):)

I was somewhat specific in the size of the dog that I was hoping for to join our family and HART was wonderful in helping to place the perfect dog for us. They care so much for the animals and find homes where they become family members and not just pets. It's a full-service center with amazing people!

It is rare to find a nonprofit organization that can serve one population effectively. HART is a group that serves multiple populations well.

As a donor, I've seen the construction of two buildings to treat, house and cater to animals who might otherwise not get the love and attention they deserve.

I've also seen HART be a launching point for careers for numerous people who are interested in the welfare of animals.

Finally, I've seen employees, volunteers and board members be advocates for and educators about the animals they serve.

HART is that rare nonprofit where you can see the impact every day in the community it serves.

What a great organization! I have never met a more dedicated and kind and caring group of animal lovers and rescuers. They put down their roots in a rural area that does not always have the resources or funding to support animal rescue and their tireless efforts have saved so many animals as well as made quite an impact on the local community. As the mom of a rescue dog, I am thankful every day for an organization like Hart that puts animals first. I love that they are building a no-kill shelter and that they offer low-cost spay and neuter services to those who need it. Thank you for everything you and your staff do in support of homeless animals!

I would not take my pets anywhere other than HART For animals. The moment you walk in the door you are welcomed with a friendly smiling staff. My two dogs love it there. Dr. Bernard is amazing. You can really tell that she and all of the employees at HART care about your pets and their wellbeing. Whether its at the Bredel Clinic, MuttWorks Grooming Salon, or the Bed N Bark Pet Hotel, you can guarantee your pets are well off. Not only do you get phenomenal service but you have the peace of mind that all of your money is going to a GREAT cause. Being a non-profit, your money spent at HART goes to support HART's adoption and rescue programs and their mission of saving all the lives of homeless animals. HART offers low cost and no cost spay/ neuter assistance for low income residents and transports and adopts out hundreds of animals a year. It feels great to know you are supporting such an amazing organization that cares so much.

My family and poodles truly enjoyed our experience at Hart. I have a poodle that has had chronic ear infections for about 5 years. I have visited numerous vets, tried special diets and even medicine. Dr Barnard was able to recommend a treatment that seems to have solved the problem. You can tell she truly loves her job and the animals she interacts with. We are lucky to have this level of service available in Garrett County, MD.

HART for Animals is an amazing organization! Founded by two women who saw a need in our community to reduce the number of animals euthanized at our very small local animal shelter, HART works to reduce animal overpopulation, companion pet homelessness, and irresponsible pet ownership. I have volunteered for HART for almost 10 years as a animal transporter, special events worker, and community advocate, as well as being a donor. The staff at HART does amazing work with passion and dedication and advocates tirelessly for the animals. I am proud to be connected to this organization and will continue to donate my time, my energy, my money, and other resources to support the realization of this organization's mission and vision. I hope that YOU who are reading this will consider doing the same.

Throughout the years, HART has helped me many times find a loving home or rescue organization to care for the stray pets I have found and temporarily taken in so when I found out they were opening their own animal adoption center complete with veterinary hospital and boarding and grooming spa, I was thrilled for the residents of our area as I knew they would provide more wonderful and much needed services. Soon after they opened their new building, I started taking my own pets to their veterinary hospital and have been 100% pleased with each and every service I have received there. Since I have 4 dogs and 5 cats, I have utilized their services on quite a few occasions and each time the service has been outstanding. The operation is run with extreme professionism yet they are warm and pleasant and you feel like you and your pets matter. They provide efficient service yet they actually talk to you and you don't feel rushed in and out the door. There is attention to detail in every single thing they do, and I couldn't be happier. HART and all its staff is a wonderful blessing to our community, and we are extremely fortunate that they pursued their dream and made it a reality. I only see good things in the future of this organization.

My dogs have had several great stays at the Hart for Animals Bed n Bark Inn! They are always perfectly taken care of, get lots of attention and have a blast. It is comforting knowing they are in such good hands. I used to get very anxious about leaving my babies . Hart completely removed my worries!! They have a wonderful, caring staff. They also get wonderful pet care through Hart's grooming services!

I have been a pet owner all my life and also have been a volunteer in a number of areas related to pets for over 25 years: president of a volunteer dog obedience club, successful competitor in AKC obedience trials, part of a therapy dog team, and president of an organization dedicated to raising funds to defray the cost of spay/neuter procedures for low-income families. This organization, PAWS, worked closely with HART for Animals for a number of years. Last year, the PAWS Board of Directors decided to affiliate with HART and support that organization's broader mission. I have nothing but the highest regard for those who founded and worked so selflessly to take HART from simply a few volunteers transporting shelter animals for adoption to what it is now--an organization with a new building that not only serves all pet animals in our region but also has brought jobs to the county. The HART staff and officers are dedicated to their mission and have worked tirelessly to raise funds and build strong ties with all members of the local community. HART--thanks for an outstanding job!

HART is best characterized by its staff. When you enter the Center, they greet you with warmth and energy. They are friendly and very knowledgeable: from the staff of the Bed 'n Bark Inn who treat each boarder as their own, to the veterinarian who shares her vast knowledge with each client, to the reception staff who take care to treat each call or visit with consideration. Over 6500 animals have been rescued and over 5000 spayed and neutered, as well as numerous dogs and cats lost/found that are brought to them. I am proud to serve the homeless and neglected domestic animals of our region and its people.

I am delighted to write a review for HART for Animals. The "Bed & Bark" boarding facility was home to my cat for several months. The staff was caring, knowledgeable and took the time to learn about her and what she needed. She can be a handful -- and everyone was understanding and helped her to be comfortable and cared for each and every day. The facility was clean, bright and welcoming. I was able to visit her on several occasions and saw that the staff spent a great deal of time with her. She was allowed to roam free when possible, was provided toys and a perch at a window. She was extremely well cared for. Now that she's home with me it is a great comfort to know that if i ever need a place for her to stay that HART is there!

As co-founder, and now clinic and rescue manager at HART for Animals, Inc., I would like to express how proud I am of the completion of phase 1 of the new HART Animal Center, and especially how proud I am of the professionalism and compassion of all our employees and volunteers. Our vision for the HART Animal Center has always been to provide superior service to all our clients, both two legged and four legged, and with the high amount of wonderful compliments we are receiving, I feel we are doing just that! Phase 1 of our building houses our new profit centers (Bredel Veterinary Clinic, Muttworks Grooming, and the Bed n' Bark Inn), which are to provide funding for our mission of caring for, re-homing and stopping the euthanasia of adoptable homeless animals in Garrett County. With the award of a community grant, we will soon begin building phase 2 of our building; the adoption wing, where we will house, and offer for adoption, Garrett County's adoptable homeless pets. Until then we continue to find rescue placement and hold adoption events for the endless amount of wonderful but homeless pets coming into the Garrett County Animal Shelter. Please adopt a homeless pet. There are so many in need and you will be rewarded with so much love in return.

I love the staff! They treat my dog as if he were one of their own. I feel completely at ease leaving him in their care. The facility is very clean and well run. I recommend HART for Animals to all of my friends and family.

Just a quick note to show our support and gratitude for the new Hart for Animals Center in Garrett County MD, especially the state of the art boarding services. Our GSP's, Tonka and Yukon, have stayed at the Bed n’ Bark Inn multiple times and they absolutely adore it! They have never liked being left without mom and dad until now. When we pick them up, they sleep for days because they are so worn out from playing and running in and out of their private suite, plus the tons of love they get all day long. As a couple with no children, our dogs are our life and we think this facility is the best thing to happen to Garrett County (and us) since we have lived here! Every person on the staff genuinely cares, they meet you at the front door, and they listen to your suggestions and make them realities! Thank you so much for being there and taking such incredible care of our babies. We will see you again in a few weeks!
In appreciation, John and Shelia McCracken

My dog, Ace, and I had a wonderful first experience at the HART for Animals veterinary clinic. Upon arriving in the clean, comfortable and well-decorated lobby, myself, and my pet, were warmly greeted by the staff. I mentioned to the staff that it was my first time in the building and was offered a quick tour around the facility where I witnessed lots of smiling staff in action. Once in the examining room, Dr. Barnard’s bedside manner was caring, professional and extremely pleasant. Not only did I feel very comfortable throughout the visit but my pet did also! We will definitely be returning to HART for any future veterinary needs.

Hello,

My wife and I went up to a wedding two weekends ago and we were not able to bring our Afton ( 10 mth old GSD) with us. I booked an appt with Hart the week we were leaving and they were very helpful in deciding which Den to pick. They helped us gather all the required info for him to be able to stay there. We brought him in on Friday morning and the check-in process was very easy and we took him back to his room with the doggie door and porch (because he loves to be outside!) The atmosphere was not hectic at all and Afton felt at home right away, he was not at all nervous about us leaving him there. The staff was friendly, helpful and you can tell that they love animals just as much as we do!
I got there Monday morning and the check-out process was just as easy as the check-in. Afton was really happy to see us when they brought him out! We got a Report card for Afton and found out he was a very good boy while he was there and they couldn't say enough about him. The experience was great, we will definitely use Hart again in the future for stays like this. The facility is nice and clean, we will be having him neutered and micro-chipped there as well in the near future.

I wanted to write about what an amazing experience I have had with taking my dog, Ginger (Red Goldendoodle), to HART for Animals. To begin my story, when I first moved to this area in September, 2013, I took our cat, Dallas (we didn’t have Ginger at that time, as she is only 7 months old), to a local vet. Where I believe the veterinary services given were excellent, the service at check in and check out (as well as each time I called) were less than acceptable. I also felt a little rushed during my visits with the veterinarians as well. With the amount of money you spend for the care of your pets, you just need to feel that those taking care of your pets are truly interested in you and committed to the time you spend there at their office. I attended a Chamber function here locally one evening, and met Dr. Jennifer Barnard and Paula Yudelevit (ED for HART) at that event. I was able to talk with them about the services they offer (for profit and not for profit), and scheduled a visit for later that week to take a tour of the facility. At that time, I had JUST picked up our 8-week puppy, so I was excited to find a vet to take her to that seemed truly interested in caring for her. I made the visit with a friend of mine, and from the time we walked in the door (Ginger was along for the visit), we were flooded with nothing other than the BEST SERVICE around. I truly felt the “warm and fuzzies” you want to feel, as well as feeling completely impressed with the staff and the facility as a whole. Because Ginger had not had her full vaccinations at the time of our visit, she needed to stay and keep the front desk attendants company while I took the tour (this in itself was impressive, as that further showed me how much they care for the safety of all pets who enter). At the end of that tour, I came out to find a very happy puppy getting lots of love and attention. During my tour, all areas of the facility were clean, and all staff members were so professional and friendly. I have been back since that first visit numerous times for Ginger’s vaccinations/other necessary visits, and the staff is not only courteous when we enter, but truly happy to see us arrive. We (Ginger and I) feel so very special when we enter, during the visit, and while we are walking out the door to our car after the visit is over. The veterinarian services offered are second to none, and the time that Dr. Jennifer spends, as well as the vet techs, makes me realize that I have found the only place I will take our animals now and in the future. The “buzz” in the community is out there, and there are so many people singing the praises of HART for Animals. I continue to share my experiences and spread the word about what a great place this is to take your pets. From grooming, to the pet hotel, to the wonderful veterinarian services, and with the addition of the (much-needed) upcoming adoption and shelter wing, there is just no other vet/pet center in this area that compares. Ginger and I have found a perfect fit for her health care, and have made so many new friends along the way.

Hart is just a matter of incredible dedication and REAL love for animals. This organization...through friends I have seen it grow from nothing to being able to cope with mayor animal cruelty...is an example, an icon, for adults, teens– and even children –who want to help animals and always think it is too hard to get involved and make a difference. I wish Hart could be cloned and duplicated all over the country. Keep at it, Hart!! You are part of the beautiful America I want my children and grandchildren to look up to.

As a TV producer I have been able to donate my time and effort to produce videos to portrait the vision of this organization created for the protection of animals. As an animal lover myself, I have witnessed trough the years the progress, growth and development of a dream slowly turning into a reality thanks to the incredible and monumental dedication and effort of its founders to create something remarkable and tangible out of nothing. The good consequence of such a dream is that the reality of their efforts and dedication has saved the lives of unprotected animals. Because they are really genuine on their goals and purpose of giving shelter to so many dogs and cats that have been abandoned, mistreated and many times neglected by the cruelty of their human caregivers "Hart for Animals" is showing us the good side of human nature and behavior with their compassion, care and unselfish dedication to their cause. I will always be proud and willing to help them in any capacity I can. Kudos to you and your organization and keep up the good work!!!

I am proud to say I have donated to HART for Animals. Having both personally and professionally known several of the Board members for over 12 years, I am confident that they are good stewards of the fund I contribute. I had the opportunity to tour the clinic and was amazed by what HART has been able to accomplish to date. This is an organization of individuals who are dedicated to their cause of helping animals and pet owners. I am moved by their goal of building a no-kill shelter for animals in Garrett County and rooting for them every step of the way. Thinking of all the animals whose lives will be saved through the tireless efforts of the people at HART brings a smile to my face. I will definitely be contributing to HART again to help them reach achieve their noble mission!

I have known this organization for three years and during that time, they have neutered and spayed more than 3,000 cats and dogs. Thanks to the volunteer services of two retired veterinarians, HART has been able to serve low-income pet owners in our entire region. In addition, they have rescued more than 6,000 homeless animals and transported them to other rescue groups - animals that would otherwise have been euthanized. At the moment, the clinic offers its services to people who would otherwise not be able to afford the surgeries. However, when the center is built, they will offer their services to the general public. I was so impressed by their caring for the animals in every respect, both at the clinic and through rescue and transport, that I became a volunteer. They have my support now and in the future!

Client NOT served! The name of this place should be Hart for jobless people of Garrett County. The mission statement is very misleading as they discriminate against animals that are adopted by Garrett County residence with jobs. There programs is very income based and not what is in the best interest of the animals as they try to make you believe. I am a huge animal lover and have rescued and cared for many animals. I have tried to get some assistance from this place and have been turned away several times because I work for a living.

We rescued 2 kittens last October and to have them both neutered by the loving staff at HART was a great experience for our family. We were struggling with a way to pay for the operations and the staff bent over backwards to help us. They took great care of our kittens and called a couple of days later to see how they were doing. They are a kind and loving, wonderful people.

My wife and I volunteer at the Hart spay/neuter clinic.We feel the day of the pets surgery may be the highlite of their lives.The warm caring volunteers treat every patient as their own pet.The caring and love we see given to the pets is heartwarming.The respect given to each other and integrityof the staff makes volunteering an honor

i love animals and i know its very impotant to have them fixed thanks to hearts for aniamls i could get my family (dogs) fixed for a good price otherwise i couldnt afford to have them done.very nice ppl im not sure max(my dog) was to happy but he doesnt kno it was for the better.i thank then much to many dogs an cats with no homes now.PLEASE GET THEM FIXED OR DONT GET ONE AND IF U CANT AFFORD IT CALL HEART FOR ANIMALS THEY WILL WORK WITH YOU!GETTIN UR PETS FIXED HELPS SAVE ANIMALS IN THE LONG RUN

As a professional photographer and dog owner, I volunteer time to HART at their fund raising events and on an as needed basis. I have seen the dedication and hard work of the people who head up the organization as well as the volunteers who do the same. I am proud to be affiliated with such a caring and worthwhile group of individuals! HART is second to none in helping care for and protecting lost, homeless and abused animals.

It didn’t take long after we moved to Garrett County to realize that in rural, relatively poor farming and mining region, dogs are often tied out and cats run loose. Many low-income residents can’t afford to alter their pets, and no low-cost vet facility existed in the county or region. Despite of the efforts of a dedicated county shelter staff, the facility was old and small and the county had no funds for repairing it. Adoptable animals were being put down due to overcrowding and difficulty in preventing the spread of disease. I also heard folks talk about how they were reluctant to go to the shelter to adopt a dog or cat because the facility was kind of depressing. Because I have been a volunteer dog obedience trainer for several decades, I soon heard of the efforts of several concerned animal lovers who were transporting adoptable animals out of the county. So when HART was founded to raise private funds to build a first-class, state-of-the-art animal adoption center for Garrett County and the region, I volunteered to become an officer and serve on the Board of Directors. . I have participated in community parades to raise awareness of HART over the years. And our Irish Wolfhound, well known in the community because she is a therapy dog, was chosen to “break ground” at the 2011 ceremony for the first phase of the adoption center-- the site has been cleared and made ready for the foundation. (See her attached photo.) I am in charge of the Admissions volunteers for HART’s major local fundraiser-K-9s, Tunes, and Brews. My husband organizes the fundraiser’s dog activities, including agility, water rescue, and disc-dog demonstrations, a fun pet dog show, and a police dog presentation by our Sheriff Dept.

My experience with HART For Animals has been an enlightening and life changing one. Through HART, I made a life-long, four-legged, best friend and I became more aware of the challenges facing abandoned pets and the rescues that help them. I have been an advisor and friend of the organization since 2007, and since that time, the work that they do in their rural county of Western Maryland has saved thousands of pets' lives, enriched the community and rebuilt a sense of pride and success through their challenging work and accomplishments. The hard working people of HART have inspired me to make a difference in my own neighborhood and I now volunteer with a pitbull rescue and help educate others on their unique plight. I was so moved by HART's efforts, that I even adopted one of their rescued dogs. I believe in the people, the philosophy and the work of HART and hope to see their efforts achieved by the establishment of the "no-kill" shelter project which will provide a home to those pets in need.

H.A.R.T. For Animals is a great organization! Its a wonderful place to work and they really make a big difference in our community.

As a volunteer for HART I have participated in the rescue and transport of over 4500 animals to viable adoption organizations,helped creat a low cost spay/neuter clinic which has performed over 1500 operations in 2 years and worked to build an adoption center for the County. The dedication of the 125 volunteers is amazing and inspiring.

HART is a wonderful organization with some of the most caring people I've ever worked with. These people not just care for the welfare of animals, they truly appreciate everyone who helps.

I've volunteered at HART for the past two years. It's a wonderful experience and we have helped so many animals through the spay/neuter and transport programs.

HART has done what many other organizations only talk about doing: it has changed the life of almost everyone that has come in contact with the organization; it has made a sinificant difference in the lives of the 6,000 animals it has rescued in the 8 years since it was founded; and it has developed an extensive network of dedicated individuals who are as varied as the plentiful snowflakes in our region but who all have one thing in commong: the commitment to help animals in need.

As a volunteer, I have had the opportunity to work on a number of fund raising events with HART, and have found the entire team to be great to work with, and dedicated to the cause of helping animals. I would be more than happy to recommend to my friends that they also get involved to help where they can.

Garrett County is a rural county in the mountains of Western Maryland. Like many small communities, we feel the impact of economic stressors and downturns very strongly, and it hits everywhere. One place that it hits hardest is our animal friends. We have a shelter, but it is small, and when the shelter is full, animals are euthanized. And the shelter fills quickly...and often. When a family has to make decisions about which bills to pay and which mouths to feed, our animals are often surrendered. When a feral barn cat turns into many generations of feral barn cats, homes are hard to find for the kittens. When an older person dies, leaving behind her beloved animal companions, or has to go into a nursing home, there are few houses in the community that don't already have cats and dogs. It is an unacceptable situation when the community has as a solution the euthanization of animals that have love to give and a long life to live. That's where HART for Animals steps in. It has three primary objectives which it has been fulfilling diligenty, effectively, and lovingly for the past three years: (1) to transport adoptable animals to no kill shelters in other parts of the region where these animlas can live until their forever home is found, (2) to spay and neuter as many animals as possible in a low cost clinic staffed by a team of amazing volunteers, and (3) to build a self-supporting Animal Adoption Center where animals and people who will love them can be united, no matter how long it takes, without the threat of euthanization. For the past many years, HART has been supported by an amazing group of volunteers who give their time, energy and love freely and to no end. And ti is making a difference! Thousands of animals have been transported; thousands of dogs and cats have been altered at little cost to their owners so that unwanted babies aren't born. And the Adoption Center has broken ground and hopefully -- monies available -- will be open and available to the community this year sometime. HART has made a difference in the life of so many, both two-legged and four-legged....and every now and then, three-legged! Please help us continue to make such an amazing difference!! :)