Mission: Homeward Bound is a small organization that was formed in November 2006 out of a love for dogs. The group has evolved over the years and has become more focused on the type of rescue work we feel compelled to do. We primarily pull pregnant dogs or dogs who have just delivered their puppies. I was shocked to find out that pregnant dogs are almost always euthanized because they are deemed unadoptable by shelters and there are few rescue organizations willing to take them. And I was appalled when I realized they would throw a pregnant or new mother with all her babies into a gas chamber and kill them. The moment I learned that information I redirected Homeward Bound's path in the rescue world. Since then my sole focus has been pregnant or new mommies. I feel this is where I can best serve in the rescue community. Our mommy dogs are with us for at least three months. In that time, we get to know them very well, and we are confident about the type of home they require to thrive. We also have mommy fully housetrained, crate trained and leash broken. Mommy will be fully vetted, HW neg, and spayed before she goes to her forever home. Our puppies will never know a momment of fear or need when they are born in our foster homes. They are kept in heated whelping nests until they are four weeks old. The pups are wormed every week once they turn two weeks old and will leave our foster care at 8 weeks of age with a health certificate from our vet, minimum of first set of shots possibly more, multiple wormings, and microchipped.
We actively promote spay/neuter for all pets, BUT WE AND OUR VETERNARIAN DO NOT AGREE WITH PEDIATRIC SPAY/NEUTERS. If you question this, please discuss it with your veterinarian. All of our puppies that reach six months of age while in foster care will be fixed prior to adoption. The easiest way to combat the problems of pet overpopulation is to have your pet spayed or neutered. Encourage your friends and neighbors to also have their pets neutered. In addition to preventing litters of unwanted puppies and kittens, you will also be reducing the risk of several different types of cancer that can occur in un-neutered pets. We would love to not be needed, but the sad truth is we will probably not see the end of this in our lifetime.
The adoption of any pet is a lifetime commitment and needs to be taken seriously and until death do you part. As a group, we are committed in doing our part to place the pets in our care in the best homes possible. Thank you for considering adoption. Whether you adopt from Homeward Bound Animal Rescue or another organization, you will have saved two dogs from the potential of being euthanized. You've saved the dog in the foster home and you've saved the dog that is sitting in a shelter waiting for an available foster home to wisk them to safety.
Target demographics: Momma dogs and their puppies
Direct beneficiaries per year: Over 1,000 dogs!
Geographic areas served: Mechanicsburg PA and Central PA areas
Nicole Hockenberry was the person to help us get our pups. She was so nice. We love our dogs. Yes plural as we got to litter mates. They are so cute but very naughty! Langston (tricolor) and Huey (white with eye patch!). Lol. We love them so. And they are great companions. So glad that this organization exists!
My husband and I have nothing but amazing things to say about Homeward Bound. They were extremely timely getting to our application and approving it. At the time, the puppy we had been interested in had a waiting list and we were third in line, but as luck would have it the other two people backed out. We ended up going to visit one of their amazing foster homes to meet what would, that night, become our puppy! The foster mom was absolutely amazing and not only went over everything about the adoption paperwork but also gave us her number in case there were any questions that we later thought of, which of course we did! After meeting and getting along with our pup we were allowed to take her home right away! Overall it was a smooth and low stress process with an amazing rescue that makes it obvious how deeply they care for their animals. Now our dog is all grown up and living the dream life!
We adopted all 3 of our kids from Homeward Bound and we’re so grateful for them. We flew to PA each time and they helped us to get flight certificates, and they were willing to accommodate us. The foster parents did a great job preparing them for their forever home!
I adopted my precious Mia from Homeward Bound and she will be two in a few months. She lights up my life! Through their active Facebook page, I was able to connect with four siblings as well as the Foster mom and we stay in touch and keep each other updated. They made the entire process very easy. Rescuing has always been important to me and whenever I get another dog in the future, I know it'll be from Homeward Bound again.
We adopted DeeDee (formerly Darla) from Homeward Bound Animal Rescue on August 18th. Contacting the rescue was done online and through email and I received the approval for our application quickly. I was then able to contact the foster directly regarding DeeDee when we saw her posted and also received a response from the foster quickly. The foster was able to provide me with a good description of temperament and how they thought DeeDee would get along with another dog. We met and took her home the same day. Our dog and DeeDee get along great and play and hang out like they are the best of friends. We are so pleased with her and all that Homeward Bound does to rescue these animals.
We adopted our Luna 3 years ago. Her momma was rescued from Kentucky and brought to PA to have her litter. Luna is the best companion to our family, and our sons love their fur sister!!!! She is our snuggle bug, but she can also keep us on our toes with how smart she is! We know many families who have adopted from Homeward Bound, and this rescue does an amazing job!!!
They saved our beautiful rescue after she was abandoned to have her puppies. They are a great rescue that puts the dogs into foster families that show them the love they deserve until they are homed. It is amazing to see a rescue that helps specifically mom's and babies. Giving them families to belong to until they get their forever homes!
Nicole H.8 09/18/2019
Thank you!