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. For our residents, we are able to provide love, affection, and shelter. Many of the dogs and cats receive advanced medical care, such as diagnostic screenings, dental care, surgery, and medications, as needed.

We provide our resident pups and kitties with a comfortable, bright, and spotless home environment.  They play in secure outdoor yards and spend supervised time in fenced, grassy fields on the two-acre property.  Healthcare and wellness screening are ongoing, with veterinary specialists consulted when needed.  Pets receive special diets, as necessary, and are fed high-quality foods and treats.

We help other Senior and Special needs dogs and cats with our K-9 & Kitty Medical Miracles Grantsby providing necessary medical care to make them adoptable from the shelters and owner give-ups and get them into a local rescue or a new forever home.

Feed Fido & Fluffy is our HWAH Pet Pantry. With donations from our Supporters we are able to purchase pet food and supplies for those in need.

HWAH relies on volunteers, donations, grants and wish list gifts to accomplish our primary mission of providing quality care for senior dogs and cats, and finding ways to “Pay It Forward.”