Ozark Haven Rescue’s mission is to eliminate the suffering of animals in the Ozarks. With a strong, conscientious presence in the community, we will promote aggressive spay and neuter policies, and educate and support pet owners. With the provision of screened and responsible options for homeless pets, rehabilitation, foster care, rehoming efforts, and by networking with similar groups to transfer animals out of the area where their needs can be met, we hope to alleviate the pet overpopulation, thereby reducing the occurrences of abuse, cruelty and abandonment of animals in our rural Ozarks communities. We believe that where humane options and awareness are present and accepted, our communities will embrace these changes, and the standards of care and value of animals will increase. The protective reach of Ozark Haven Rescue guarantees 100% spayed and neutered pets in permanent homes.
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Kitty Buddies was developed to assure we maintain a total no kill commitment in the rural shelters we serve.
DEATH ROW CATS are assured vetting and appropriate placements!
View our Kitty Buddies seeking new homes by clicking this link!!.
Kitty Buddies!
Sometimes great dogs are overlooked for no particular reason at all. This section will outline GREAT Dogs that are continually overlooked!! Give them a good look, they deserve a chance as much as any do!!!!
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Mekia! Awesome frisbee and ball dog, under 20 lbs, young, healthy and the perfect match for anyone who loves a fun dog! Mekia is smart and alert and just a real strong spirit, she is also constantly overlooked by adoptors!
Dear Jonesy was laid to rest recently after a loving and extended life where she was treasured and cared for due to stellar foster care!
Jonesy was born in the commercial breeding cycle and spent most her life right there in the same halls where she was born, pumping out puppies for profit! She came to us when her production started to drop off and quickly learned she could trust and count on her foster mom. Jonesy had a very special foster mom who loves her kritters deeply and that made all the pain and suffering that Jonesy had faced but a distant memory as she knew warmth, care, and comfort till her last day!!
Miss Jones will be missed but never forgotten-Rest in Peace little girl!!
*VET REFERENCE-We must be able to verify a continued and comprehensive relationship with a veterinarian in good standing where altering, innoculating and responsiveness to pet's needs can be confirmed. Applicants that slack off on shots or deny their pets appropriate dental care will not be considered.
Must be 30 years old and have a pattern of stable housing.
*HOME VISIT-An Ozark Haven approved visitor will come to visit your family in your home. ALL members of the family, including husbands, children and pets MUST be present. Absence of any member will not meet this criteria.
*COMPATIBILITY is primary. We do NOT put same sex terrier breeds in the same house. Terrier breeds do not include Yorkies. They include the breeds categorized as Terriers not Toys. If you're unclear visit www.akc.org
**************We do NOT put tiny dogs with children.************
**************We do NOT put dogs in homes where unaltered pets are present or where a history of not spaying or neutering is found********
*FENCING REQUIRED- We do NOT put dogs in homes without appropriate safety enclosures. Underground fence is never approved. That doesn't mean a six foot privacy fence, we are open to alternative safety plans but there has to be a plan, please discuss it with your Adoption Coordinator!
You knew before you even took your puppy home that it could not be trusted. The breeder who provided you with the precious animal warned you, drummed it into your head. Puppies steal off counters, destroy anything expensive, chase cats, take forever to house train, and must never be allowed off lead!
When the big day finally arrived, heeding the sage advice of the breeder you escorted your puppy to his new home, properly collared and tagged, the lead held tight in your hand.
At home the house was "puppy-proofed. " Everything of value was stored in the spare bedroom, garbage stowed on top of the refrigerator, cats separated, and a gate placed across the door the living room to keep at least part of the house secured, and signs placed in all strategic points reminding all to CLOSE THE DOOR!
Soon it became second nature to make sure the door closed .9 of a second after it was opened and that it really latched. "Don't let the dog out" is your second most verbalized expression. (The first is "NO!") You worry and fuss constantly, terrified that your darling will get out and a disaster will surely follow. Your friends comment about who you love most, your family or the dog. You know that to relax your vigil for a moment might lose him to you forever.
And so the weeks and months pass, with your puppy becoming more civilized every day, the seeds of trust are planted. It seems that each new day brings less destruction, less breakage. Almost before you know it your gangly, slurpy puppy has turned into an elegant, dignified friend.
Now that he is a more reliable, sedate companion, you take him more places. No longer does he chew the steering wheel when left in the car. And darned if that cake wasn't still on the counter this morning. And, yes, wasn't that the cat he was sleeping with so cozily on your pillow last night?
At this point you are beginning to become infected, the disease is spreading its roots deep into your mind.
And then one of your friends suggests obedience. You shake your head and remind her that your dog might run away if allowed off lead, but you are reassured when she promised the events are held in a fenced area. And, wonder of wonders, he did not run away, but came every time you called him!
All winter long you go to weekly obedience classes. After a time you even let him run loose from the car to the house when you get home. Why not, he always runs straight to the door, dancing a frenzy of joy and waits to be let in. And, remember he comes every time he is called. You know he is the exception that proved the rule. And sometimes late at night, you even let him slip out the front door, just to go potty, and then right back in.
At this point the disease has taken hold, waiting only for the right time and place to rear its ugly head.
Years pass - it is hard to remember why you even worried so much when he was a puppy. He would never think of running out the door left open while you bring in the packages from the car. It would be beneath his dignity to jump out the window of the car while you run into the convenience store. And when you take him for those wonderful long walks at dawn, it only takes one whistle to send him racing back to you in a burst of speed when the walk comes too close to the highway. He still gets into the garbage, but nobody is perfect!
He spies the neighbors dog across the street, and suddenly forgets everything he ever knew about not slipping outdoors, jumping out windows or coming when called due to traffic. Perhaps it was only a paper fluttering in the breeze, or even just the sheer joy of running.
Stopped in an instant. Stilled forever. Your heart is broken as is his still beautiful body. The disease is trust, the final outcome; hit by a car.~Author unknown
We do NOT and will NOT place unaltered animals under any conditions, no exceptions....any attempt to get around this policy will end adoption effort!!!
ADOPTION FEES
Adoption fees are TAX DEDUCTIBLE minus $25.00
Our applications are handled exclusively through the adoption specialists found at Kristina's Safety Forum. Screening opportunities for homeless animals in the Ozarks is a function of Kristina's Safety Forum. All application and processing inquiries can be directed to Kristina, who will personally be handling each and every Ozark Haven adoption.
Email: Kristinawak@yahoo.com
When seeking a new pet , don't be hesitant to ask questions and get a good fit. Have a realistic idea of which new pet would compliment your lifestyle rather than alter it. Part of our role is to facilitate wise decisions that result in a lifetime of reward. Speak openly with our Adoption Specialist and Foster Mothers.
Realize that all dogs need acclimation training. A dog that exhibits housetraining and citizenship in foster care does not automatically know your layout, expectations and communication techniques. Let's work together to make the introductory period go smoothly.
SEE STORIES OF ADOPTED DOGS - ENJOY HOMECOMING PHOTOS AND MORE
Click to visit happy endings!!
Littering the Ozarks describes our policy on helping people who find themselves facing unwanted litters. It's very simple, the mother gets altered and we will help with the puppies. We will not be a puppy round up! We will help those that help themselves by appropriately spaying and neutering their pets. We do have a low cost option available and are glad to work with families willing to end the cycle by altering.
Dominick's Honor is a program we hope can continue to make a difference in the Ozarks. Due to a severe shortage of foster care we were forced to leave an unwanted dog in the original owner's home as we found him, living on a chain.........we had no foster space and in the few, short days that followed, we did find sanctuary for Dominick in another rescue but when we returned to pick him up to make the trip with our transport volunteers, he had hung himself on his chain. As our devoted volunteer arrived she was unable to free him and he was dead. Our Dominick's Honor program puts light weight cables and safety harnesses on dogs forced to remain tethered either because the owners won't release them or the cities won't protect them. These light weight cables and harnesses protect our tethered friends from the lonely cold strangulation that dear Dominick suffered. Never will any Ozark Haven Volunteers pass by a dog tethered on heavy chains or chokers and not stop, knock on the door and get permission to provide a safer tethering device at our cost. Community support and donations of cables and harnesses are used for this purpose. Anyone wishing to support the Dominick's Honor program please be in touch. As you look into Dominick's eyes in the picture below, just know you did the right thing for a dog out there, somewhere, he won't live with the spinal pain and distortion tethering causes.
Email: OzarkHavenRescue@yahoo.com
TAX DEDUCTIBLE DONATIONS are always very appreciated! Every Penny goes to benefit a homeless animal in need or view our pets for adoption and pick a special dog to sponsor!! Appreciation shown in wags!!!!
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