A Forever-Home Rescue Foundation
P. O. Box 222801 Chantilly, VA 20153 / 703.961.8690 / FAX: 866.863.6890
Finding "Forever-Homes" for dogs in need.

Welcome to A Forever-Home Rescue Foundation

A Forever-Home Rescue Foundation is a non-profit dog rescue group that operates in the Northern Virginia / Washington Metropolitan area. We strive to make quality dogs available for adoption and do our best to match prospective adopters with the right animal!

Table of Contents

AFH Rescues 22 Poodle Pups and Dogs

Late last night, we took in 22 dogs and pups after receiving an emergency call. These poodles had been left overnight in front of the door of the Aleghany County shelter in Maryland. We were told that there was a note left saying their owner had dementia and could not care for them. Because the shelter had very limited space, there was no where to safely keep these dogs, especially with a number of very young nursing pups in the group. After putting out an emergency plea for foster homes and a driver, all of them were rescued and are now safely in A Forever Home rescue fosters.

After settling the dogs and pups in last night, one of the dogs fell sick with a very serious case of parvo and had to be rushed to the vet. He is now doing better, but his condition is very serious. Because all of these dogs were from the same home, we know they were all exposed to this disease and none of them has been vaccinated to protect them.

Given the condition these dogs are in, we expect this to be a very costly effort. In order to get these dogs up to date on shots, groomed and fixed, we expect the costs to be around $500 per dog. In addition, because they were exposed to the parvo virus, it is likely many of them will fall sick. Typically, treating a dog for parvo costs a minimum of $2000 to $5000 each and in some cases more.

If you would like to help us with this rescue effort, please send a donation to AFH, PO Box 222801, Chantilly, VA 20153 or click on the Donate button. Your help is greatly appreciated.

Here is some of the press coverage we got:

WUSA9 http://wusa9.com/news/article/188288/158/18-Poodles-Dumped-At-Animal-Shelter?hpt=hp_bn1

Fox News http://www.myfoxdc.com/dpp/news/local/group-takes-in-poodles-left-at-md-shelter-020212

WTOP http://www.wtop.com/?nid=120&sid=2731768

The Washington Post http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/northern-va-group-takes-in-more-than-a-dozen-poodles-left-outside-cumberland-md-shelter/2012/02/02/gIQALS4zjQ_story.html

Photo Selections--Pet Portraits By Jeanne Taylor

Anyone who knows me or has even previewed my bio knows I am heavily committed to animal rescue. Some of my best friends have four legs (to you two-legged ones, and you know who you are, no offense intended).

When I get to know a dog on a personal level through the Humane Society of Fairfax County (as happens with the long-time residents) and they become a part of me, and they are then adopted into a most loving and amazing home, nothing - and I mean NOTHING - makes my heart happier. Such is the case with Valentino. He was a young and frightened man-shy stray living on his own in a lakeside community. He survived a brutal winter outdoors and was then rescued and taken into HSFC's care. HSFC truly is a blessing as a no-kill facility. Val resided with HSFC for a little over a year and then the stars aligned and he landed a home in North Arlington with two gentle human brothers, and very devoted (work-from-home) dog-parents. He has constant companionship, the best food and treats, a lovely home and yard, social visits with dog and human friends, and frequent trips to parks for long walks. But mostly, he has become a part of a beautiful family in a way I'm sure he never imagined he could be in his little dog mind. To see his picture, Visit http://www.jtpetpics.com/monthpet.htm.

Jeanne Taylor offers beautiful, natural setting portraits of your rescued companion(s) - 10 percent discount on products for rescued pets PLUS a portion of proceeds is issued to the rescue of your pet's choosing. Visit www.jtpetpics.com to schedule your session today - please identify A Forever Home as your beneficiary selection.

A New Year Message to All...and $1,000 donation to AFH

Today I was proud to represent AFH and receive a corporate check donation for $1,000 towards our rescue foundation. We were nominated by Brynn Bradbury to receive a corporate donation from her employer Federalconference.com to assist us in our valuable work. I did explain to her that this money will go towards saving many lives and that we were very grateful for the donation. I also spoke with the CEO's themselves and explained what we did and that we are delighted that they chose to support us as a charity.

I wanted to share with all of the volunteers with AFH something that was said at the presentation ceremony. CEO, Paul Trapp, stated that he had asked each of his employees to nominate a total non-profit charity that had touched their lives and that they felt could benefit from a financial gift. The company had an outstanding year and felt that they had been truly blessed with good fortune - especially in the present economic climate - and wanted to simply "PAY IT FORWARD". (This is how we were chosen by Brynn).

I received the check on AFH's behalf and watched the other equally deserving groups that were lucky too. Then CFO Stephen Davis wrapped up the event with a very moving speech. He too stated that he was very proud to be a part of his company that had just had a fantastic year-seeing not only growth but also profit for the board and employees alike but he was in a room filled with representatives from over 30 organizations that somehow managed to affect the lives of people every single day in a very positive manner ...but for no profit at all...no financial gain and who give their services tirelessly all for free. He pointed out that we were ALL volunteers and that no matter what we do, each one of us that contributes in a small way, build the blocks that make a bigger, stronger structure that helps the people that we are able to assist and ultimately we help hundreds of people in the overall scheme of things. I sat there as a representative of AFH and thought of our organization and how true his words were.

We have an amazing "TEAM"! Right from the people that drive to rescue our pups in need, collect newspaper, collect crates and equipment, prepare and clean the van (disinfect after transport), collect food, medications,take to vet appointments,work to persuade people to give up animals that need to be given up, persuade owners to spay/neuter and prevent more unwanted litters, our fosters, our Sunday event helpers, young volunteers claiming hours for community service, table managers, van drivers, interviewers, paperwork processors behind the scenes, our home checkers, contract speakers, those that educate the community in schools, colleges etc, photographer for the website and of course our Team leaders - the Board of AFH ( sorry if I missed anyone else out - you are valuable too!) and most of all our very valuable adopters! WHAT A "TEAM" THIS IS !!

Stephen ended the morning with a challenge." Carry on doing what you are doing and 2012 will be a very rewarding year for all. You are a very important part of the community and you are needed" Yes. we are needed both for the pups and dogs that we are asked to rescue and also for the families out there that need to rescue them. We are off to a great start to 2012 - adoptions have been great these past few weeks and this donation will help us to continue...

Here's to 2012 and here's to us - ALL OF US VOLUNTEERS that make up the group A FOREVER HOME RESCUE FOUNDATION

Julie K

Puppy Palooza at Universtiy of Maryland


Photo by Evan Golub

After seeing the story on the George Mason puppy event, AFH and our puppies were invited to the University of Maryland campus. The organizers at the university did a fabulous job. They had advertised the event so well and it was so popular, the line wrapped around the student center and didn't subside for the entire time we were there. Although some had to be turned away, the students that got in were so happy and had such a good time. All of them were smiling and getting puppy kisses and it was not uncommon to hear them saying, "I love you" to the pups and "this is the best thing that UMD every did".

This event also gave AFH the opportunity to spread the word about adoption to hundreds, if not thousands of students and of course, now most people at UMD know about AFH. Also, both NBC local news and NBC Nightly News were there to film the event. This was a great opportunity to educate people and was a great success all around.

We are grateful to all of the volunteers that helped out at this event and also want to thank Evan Golub for taking such great photos. To see Evan's photos, go to the below links:

For wide or large monitors: http://www.cs.umd.edu/~egolub/PuppyPalooza/frames.htm

For smaller (ie: 1024x768) monitors: http://www.cs.umd.edu/~egolub/PuppyPalooza/index.htm

To see the story from NBC Channel 4, Click Here.

Puppy Day at George Mason University

For the second year in a row, AFH agreed to bring some of our puppies to the George Mason Law School to help students to take a break from finals. Unlike the quiet event that we had last year, though, the pups got lots of press coverage. We would like to thank Debbie Marson, Donna Niner, Diana Fulton and Julie Kearns for being superstar foster moms and lugging their pups to GMU. Thanks also to Stephanie and Riva for helping. Great job everyone!

Here are some of the press coverage we got:

The Washington Post http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/cuddly-puppies-help-law-students-de-stress-before-exams/2011/12/01/gIQA0s9LIO_story.html and http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/at-gmu-law-puppies-ease-the-stress-of-law-school-finals/2011/12/01/gIQAm9OxHO_gallery.html#photo=1 and http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/puppy-petting-party-soothes-stressed-students/2011/12/01/gIQA1CPxHO_video.html

WTOP http://www.wtop.com/?nid=139&sid=2653734

The Wall Street Journal http://blogs.wsj.com/law/2011/12/02/law-school-puppy-day-takes-the-edge-off-exams/

The Huffington Post http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/12/02/gmu-law-school-puppies-exam_n_1124398.html

The American Bar Assoc Journal http://www.abajournal.com/news/article/wagging_tails_and_wet_noses_lift_law_students_spirits_at_pre-exam_puppy_day/

The Atlantic Wire http://www.theatlanticwire.com/national/2011/12/puppy-therapy-helps-law-school-students-chill-out/45653/

UPI.com http://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2011/12/02/Puppies-help-stressed-out-law-students/UPI-35721322865223/

Bangor Daily News http://bangordailynews.com/2011/12/02/health/puppies-soothe-law-students-stressed-over-exams/

Fox 5's Pet Project

AFH appeared on the Fox 5 show again this Monday. Debbie Marson brought some adorable pups, of course, and discussed some very important legislation. Jim Moran is sponsoring legislation that would ban gas chambers. Please watch this show to understand why this is so important and ask your Congressman to support it as well.

To see the show, click here

YOUTH MOVEMENT

AFH is very proud of all of our young volunteers. Recently received a number of donations from several wonderful young supporters and would like to thank them for their support.

First, the birthday kids. Kristin Schmitt and Zach both asked for donations for our rescue instead of birthday presents. We received Cash, Food, Toys, Treats, and harnesses. Kristin is pictured above with her mom and grandma. Zach is pictured with his dad Jeff and his dog Lilly, adopted from AFH.

Then there is Abby Setash. Abby and her family have fostered for AFH for many years. They recently fostered a dog named Gage that got very sick just one day after arriving in their home. To help pay for his medical care, she did babysitting jobs for her neighbors and gave all of her earnings to help pay for little Gage's care. She is grateful that AFH never gives up on our dogs!

AFH is grateful that we have such thoughtful young people. Thank you all of you for everything you do!

Help Find Olivia!

Olivia is a brindle English Mastiff. She was lost in South West DC in November 2010, but we've had recent sitings. She was wearing a red-orange martingale collar and a black Easy-Walk harness. Please see the following log for recent sightings and contact information:

http://findlostmastiffolivia.blogspot.com

Be Part of the Solution PSA

A Forever Home Rescue Foundation wishes to thank Curtis Gray for his donation of this Public Service Announcement to our organization. Curtis is a longtime friend of We also wish to thank Robert Moffett for supplying the music. Click the title to see out PSA, Be Part of the Solution!

Cell Phones 4 AFH

Did you know that there are over 800 million retired cell phones that are discarded and forgotten in drawers, desks, closets, etc. just in the United States? A Forever-Home (AFH) Rescue Foundation, a non-profit animal rescue group, has found a way to benefit from these antiquated and unwanted phones. AFH has partnered with Phones 4 Charity whose cell phone recycling program is designed to help enable charities and organizations to raise funds when monetary donations from individuals and corporations are receding.

Working with Phones 4 Charity, AFH will have collection boxes at their weekly an imal adoption events for people who would like to donate their used cell phones and cell phone accessories. All brands and types of cell phones are accepted, even broken cell phones. (No cordless house phones please!)

AFH will then ship the collected cell phones to Phone 4 Charity who will pay AFH for the phones collected. Phones 4 Charity then refurbishes these phones and they will go to areas when there is an economic necessity for cell phones for both safety and communication and distribute them.

By donating old phones to the animal rescue, you are not only helping the rescue and charity, but also you are helping the environment by recycling. So, please spread the word! Ask your friends, family and co-workers if they will consider donating their used cell phones to Then, bring them to any AFH adoption event. For a list of upcoming animal adoption events go to the Events section. If you have phones or questions, but cannot attend an adoption event, please e-mail maribel@aforeverhome.org Please make sure the cell phones have had their service deactivated before dropping them off.

For more information about Phones 4 Charity, please visit their website at: www.phones4charity.org

AFH is Registered with iGive!

A Forever-Home Rescue Foundation is registered with iGive.com!

What does this do for you, and for AFH? iGive.com is a non-profit organization that has worked with over 700 retailers to allow you to make a portion of your online shopping benefit the charity of your choice - without costing you any extra money!

How does it work? It's very simple. All you need to do is to start your shopping by logging in at iGive.com - or even more simply, use the iGive.com Shopping Window!

By doing your shopping through iGive.com you will benefit A Forever-Home Rescue Foundation. Up to 26% of your purchase price will be donated to That can go a long way to enabling us to help even more animals in need at this particularly difficult time of year. Please start all your holiday shopping at iGive.com!

HELP! We always need dog & puppy fosters!

AFH is ALWAYS in need of foster homes! It is fun and rewarding. Without enough foster homes we can't save as many pets. Since AFH tries hard to not use boarding facilities, we cannot accept new, deserving animals into our program without ready foster homes. If you are interested in making your home available to a deserving pet, please drop us an email at Foster@aforeverhome.org or come to one of our adoption days:

Adoption Events

We host weekly adoption events at the PetCo - Chantilly
(703) 817-9444
13053-B Lee Jackson Memorial Hwy
(Greenbriar Shopping Center)
Fairfax, VA 22033-2001
Events are held each Sunday from 1:00PM to 4:00PM.

To see all events scheduled over the next month, look at our Events Page.