Ginger is a 7-year-old Boston Terrier that has had a terrible life. Ginger was found tied to bag near a dumpster ready to be picked up along with the other trash. Ginger, being blind, was left to fend for his own. How long Ginger was tied to the trash bag and how many nights he did not eat is unknown to the rescue and myself but what I do know is the bad condition Ginger came into my life! In September 2009, I adopted Ginger and took on the task of nursing him back to health. I knew I had my work cut out when I adopted him but just a simple look in his eyes, I knew he needed me. As a proud pet mother, nothing brings me more joy than to say Ginger is in perfect health. Ginger acts like a puppy now. He plays with his toys, loves to chew on his bone, enjoys playing with other dogs and he even barks now. When I come home from school or work, I cannot help but look forward to seeing Ginger and where he has chosen to hide. Its like we play a game, “Where’s Ginger?” He has hidden under my bed sheets, underneath the pillows of my couch, and even under a pile of laundry in my basket. He never fails to make me laugh and even though Ginger is blind, Ginger is able to memorize his way around. Ginger even knows how to walk up the stairs to my apartment and knows what door he needs to sit by in order for me to open the door. Ginger has proved to me countless times, that being blind does not hold him back. I sometimes, (laughing), even forget he is blind. While Ginger was someone’s trash, to me Ginger became my little treasure and my forever loving friend!!

We found Levi through the Helping Paws Humane Society. He had been looking for a forever home for almost 3 months. He was one of the worst cases of neglect they had ever seen. He was turned in by someone who found him as a stray. He had many sores and scratches all over his body, and one of his ears was badly wounded. He was also infested with fleas. Helping Paws cleaned him up, tended to his wounds and by the time we met him, he was in great shape. We fell in love at first meet!!! We have taken him home, and he has adopted us as much as we adopted him. He is a welcome new member of our family.

As a family we were ready to have a family pet. Our son turn eleven last Fall and we knew he was ready to greatly enjoy a dog as well as we would. While searching for the perfect pet we came through the Helping Paws website and there was Toby available for adoption, so we adopted Toby. With the proper care, training, commitment and lots of love Toby has become a healthy, happy, funny, playful and loving pet. Toby puts a smile in our faces everyday. We thank God for Toby and also we thank Helping Paws for entrusting us with Toby. **Sanchez Family**

My first owner had to move and couldn't take me with him. I was very sad, but then Donna at Helping Paws found me at the pound where I might have been put to sleep, but she made sure that didn't happen! Then she took to my foster home. I had great caregivers who loved me, and helped me regain my self-esteem. They also had an Akita that I got to play with and sleep with every day. The teenager there was so cool! She was taking me to obedience class, and I was trying to do a really good job! They said I was a quick learner. Then, in January, I met my new "furever" parents. They brought Levi with them (a previous Helping Paws rescue dog) , and we all got along so well that they took me home with them. We all have lots of fun together. Mom and Dad play with me every day, and we have lots of neighbors who have dogs too, so I have lots of friends. I get to see Levi at least once a week, and sometimes we have sleep overs. It's so much fun!!! Thanks so much to HPHS and my foster family for helping me find my furever home!

They say things happen for a reason. My husband and I had plans, but at the last minute, changed our minds and it led us to Petco on a Saturday afternoon where they were having pet adoptions. We have a 15 year old dog who has been with us since she was 10 weeks old and several months ago we lost our 14 year old Pomeranian. It was devastating and heart-breaking for us to lose him. When we came across Gretta, something just drew us to her. As they were telling us her sad life story, we knew we had to help her, to show her unconditional love and bring some joy and happiness to her life. Since we’ve had her she has been a blessing in disguise. She has helped us heal our broken hearts and I know we have helped her heal hers. She is a loving, passionate, sweet dog that just wants to be close to you. She has found her ‘furever’ home and we welcome her to it with open arms. Thank you Helping Paws for trusting us with her and for giving her and us a second chance in life. Furever, Michael, Rosemarie, Bianca & Gretta

ShelterCare Pet Insurance Programs cover you when your pet needs essential veterinary care from an illness or injury. Also, every time a completed application for a ShelterCare program is generated through our shelter’s website, we automatically receive a $25 donation to help cover common needs like blankets, litter and food. This donation is of no cost to you and provides us with essential funds. Make the right move and enroll today!

If you always wondered what you can do to help homeless cats and dogs... WE NEED YOUR HELP! We need foster homes for dogs!!! We need donations to catch up with our vet bills, and we need supplies. You can check the wish list on our website, or visit us every weekend at PETCO(3246 North John Young Pkwy) . Anything will help and will be truly appreciated. We all care about the same, the well being of those wonderful creatures that share the planet with us!!!

Holly's Muffin Apple Treats Try this delicious homemade treat that will keep your dog's tail wagging for more! Recipe Preparation time: 15 minutes Makes: about 16 treats 2 3/4 cups of water 1/4 cup applesauce (UNSWEETENED) 1/4 teaspoon vanilla 4 cups of whole wheat flour Pour into 4 oz plastic cups or Muffin pans 1 cup of dried apple 1 tablespoon of baking powder 1 egg (Beaten slightly) 4 tablespoons of honey Dog Food Recipe Directions: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix all wet ingredients thoroughly. Combine dry ingredients in separate bowl. Add wet to dry slowly, scraping well to make sure no dry mixture is left. Pour into muffin tins. Bake for 1 1/4 hours. Store in an airtight container. ENJOY!

Helping Paws Humane Society, HPHS, is a non-profit organization that has been rescuing animals since 1992. The group was incorporated in 1996 to better serve the community in an effort to end overpopulation and help the homeless animals of central Florida. HPHS operates entirely on the generosity of our volunteers, the community and donations of time, money, and supplies. NO SALARIES ARE PAID. ALL DONATIONS BENEFIT THE ANIMALS. All of the animals are kept in foster homes until they are permanently adopted. Current goals include increasing the number of volunteers and foster homes available in order to maximize the number of animals rescued, spayed/neutered, and placed in loving homes.

Your new pet will already have been tested, spayed/neutered, received vaccinations and, if old enough, a rabies vaccination. Every pet is dewormed and Frontline or Revolution has been applied so the pet is flea-free. We will support you with any problems you may have with your new pet and assist in any way we can. Pets can be returned at any time. If the animal is returned with all original paperwork, the adoption fee is completely refunded within five working days after the adoption and one-half during the next five working days for whatever reason. No refunds are given after ten working days from the date of adoption. The animal, however, can be returned to Helping Paws Humane Society at any time. ADOPTION FEE: $100.00 KITTENS AND $70.00 FOR ADULT CATS Our cats and kittens are free, the adoption fee barely covers the medical care they have received before they are put up for adoption. Any extra money is used to care for animals needing veterinary care for injuries or illnesses that can be treated. For instance, two cats have had an eye removed, one had a tail amputated and several dogs have been treated for heartworms, all very expensive medical treatments. Most of our spay/neuter services are performed by All Creatures Animal Hospital (407) 277-6027

Adoptions are held at PETCO at 3246 North John Young Pkwy from 12:00 to 4:30 pm on Saturday. The adoption process takes about 2-3 days. After choosing a pet you are asked to complete an Adoption Application. (You may view & print out our adoption application by clicking on the link above; it is a .pdf file which requires Adobe Acrobat.) Applications are judged based on criteria that we feel maintain the pet's safety and well-being. A PETCO/PETSMART form is then required which generates store coupons for discounts on cat or dog products. Then the HPHS medical form is completed and our volunteers explain the medical services that have been performed on this animal and give you a copy of the form for your records. Every cat is tested for feline leukemia and immunodeficiency before being placed in any foster home. Every dog over six months is tested for heartworms. We believe in early spaying and neutering. This allows us to have the procedure done before the animal is offered for adoption. At the same time, the animal receives all vaccinations appropriate for its age, including a rabies vaccination. In addition, every animal is dewormed and Frontline or Revolution applied to eliminate fleas. Applicants are carefully screened before an adoption is approved. We rescue as many animals as space allows including strays roaming the streets, those scheduled for euthanasia at animal control agencies, and owner turnovers.

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Helping Paws Humane Society