My Nonprofit Reviews

Almost Home rescued an approximately 8-year old sheltie last November. She had an ear infection, had recently had puppies, had bladder stones, and a mass that turned out to be a liposarcoma. AHDRO does NOT refuse dogs based on health issues. She was spayed, had bladder stones removed, and her ear infection cleared up with treatment. AHDRO committed to pay for 19 consecutive weekday radiation treatments, but her current foster works. We became her new fosters, then decided to adopt her. After the exhausting treatment series (see below for before and after photos on one day), we have taken her for monthly checks and she has become a smart, life-loving addition to our family. Thanks to AHDRO, she has indeed become Wonder Woman!

We are forever fostering this older sheltie who had a rare mammary carcinosarcoma tumor removed. The tumor accounted for 4 of her 21 lbs! This sweet dog was found abandoned in a ditch and transported to AHDRO in Central Ohio. We don't believe that most rescues would accept or provide for an animal in this condition. During her lengthy surgery, she also was spayed and had a dental, during which 5 badly decayed teeth with exposed roots were removed. There are nodules in her lungs, indicating metastasis. She will spend the estimated 1.5 to 2 years she has left in a home with love while enjoying the company of the resident dog and cat, which are already her friends.

On February 18, 2017, we received the following email from AHDRO's director/founder:
"This poor boy [collie mix] is at Franklin Co Animal Shelter. He was picked up as a stray. His stray hold is up tomorrow. We will call Monday morning to see if he has not been reclaimed ( hopefully not). Looking for a Freedom Ride to Healthy Pets. Can someone help?"

We had just lost our collie a month earlier and were in grief mode with NO interest in getting a new dog. I took one look at the photo on the left and knew this was our next dog. We were there Monday before the shelter opened. He was in awful shape (we found out later he was on the unadoptable/to be euthanized list). Despite how bad he looked and felt, he was responsive, especially to my wife.

He was well-behaved but concerned during his ride to the vet office. He was found to have had internal parasites, severe yeast dermatitis ("elephant skin"), loose stools, and possible leg and back issues. He also required neutering and dental cleaning. Amazingly, he was heart worm negative.

Wednesday, we asked if he had a foster home. When told no, I suggested (and my wife concurred) that we would be willing to foster him. Somehow, he seemed to know what his next ride with us meant. We took him home that evening. The first thing to happen was he unexpectedly met our cat, and they had a great, calm, but curious first greeting. That's when we both knew he would be ours.

The right half of the photo shows this "unadoptable" dog 5 months later. All his physical problems have been resolved or proven to be non-issues, except for some arthritis in his right ankle and some skin allergies, both of which are controlled by medication.

This is what Almost Home does: They rescue, accept owner surrenders, or find strays through a cultivated network of animal shelters, other rescues, and public awareness of abused, neglected, or unwanted collies, some shelties, or mixed breeds of the two. AHDRO acts quickly and decisively. They see that dogs are provided initially thorough veterinarian exams, with neutering, dental work, or grooming as required, and even surgery for long-neglected bone breaks that failed to heal properly. Dogs for which adoptions are not immediate are assigned to approved foster homes and provided food, any needed medications (including heart worm preventative and flea/parasite prevention), and convalescence. AHDRO as an organization provides everything except the ultimate love and care that is provided by the foster families. Foster families often teach dogs what it means to feel love and security, with comfortable indoor living conditions, perhaps for the first time in a dog's life!

We are both proud to be associated with such a great organization that goes far beyond what most dog rescue organizations provide for the dogs they assist.