About HWAH
In 2006, Sher Polvinale and her late husband, Joe, created a senior pet sanctuary in their home in Gaithersburg, Maryland. Sanctuary residents are senior and special needs dogs and cats who have lost their families and homes through no fault of their own. Because of their advanced age and various medical conditions, they have little chance of being adopted.
Once a dog or cat becomes a House with a Heart resident, it has a loving home for life. Our Director Sher devotes herself full-time to caring for the pets and maintaining and improving the Sanctuary.
HWAH is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and is supported by a dedicated team of volunteers who walk, bathe, and care for the residents, as well as clean and maintain the house and two-acre property.
Our Mission:
The Sanctuary’s mission is to provide a helping hand for senior pets, so they can live their best lives. In addition to top-notch “room and board,” all our residents receive abundant, unconditional love and affection. Those who arrive at the Sanctuary with health problems immediately get the care they need, such as diagnostic screenings, dental work, medication, and surgery.
The Sanctuary offers residents* a life well worth living. They have a safe, roomy, comfortable, bright, and spotless home environment. On our two-acre property, they play in secure outdoor yards and spend supervised time in fenced, grassy fields. We provide ongoing health care and wellness screening, consulting veterinary specialists as needed. Residents are fed high-quality foods/treats and receive special diets as required.
*Our current residents are all members of the “pup pack.” But over the years, we have welcomed countless dogs AND cats, and we continue a variety of efforts to support all pets who need a helping hand. For example:
Our K-9 & Kitty Medical Miracles Grants program supports our Rescue Partners who pull senior and special needs dogs and cats either from a shelter or owner give up. We provide a grant to help pay for medical care they need to make them adoptable and help them find their new forever home.
Feed Fido & Fluffy is our HWAH Pet Pantry. With donations from our supporters, we purchase food and supplies for pets in need.
HWAH relies on volunteers, donations, grants, and wish-list gifts to accomplish our primary mission of providing a helping hand for senior dogs and cats in need. We are always looking for ways to “pay it forward” on their behalf.