One in 10 dogs that enter the Orange County Animal Services Shelter test positive for heartworm disease, which is a serious and potentially fatal disease in pets caused by worms that live in the heart, lungs and blood vessels. In order to provide life-saving treatment for heartworm positive dogs at the shelter and increase their chances of being adopted, OCAS has teamed up with Healing Hearts, a community outreach program sponsored by LoveyLoaves Rescue.
“Ten percent of our incoming shelter dogs have heartworm disease, with treatment cost tending to deter prospective families from adoption,” said Dil Luther, OCAS Division Manager. “Our partnership with Healing Hearts is essential for combating this epidemic and increasing adoptions. We hope the community supports the success of this truly outstanding program.”
LoveyLoaves is covering the cost of treatment for select heartworm-positive dogs, which will be identified by a placard hanging in the kennels. If a visitor to the shelter is interested in adopting one of these animals, they will be allowed to take the dog home and can then contact Healing Hearts within 30 days to arrange to have the heartworm disease treated at no cost to the adopter.
Heartworm disease is fairly pervasive due to a vicious cycle wherein infected mosquitoes transmit infective stage heartworm larvae to healthy dogs, and infected dogs in turn transmit the infection to healthy mosquitoes that bite them. Due to the costly treatment of the disease, which can range from $300 to $600 or even higher in some cases, dogs afflicted with it are less likely to be adopted and more likely to be euthanized through no fault of their own.
“Heartworm is easily treatable, but many people simply can’t afford the upfront cost associated with treatment when adopting a dog,” explained Carolina Devine, OCAS Public Information Officer. “Our partnership with Healing Hearts will increase the adoptability of heartworm positive dogs and ultimately save lives.”
Devine also added that heartworm disease is not contagious to humans, and the disease is easily prevented with inexpensive monthly medications that can be purchased at the vet. “Healing Hearts will generously provide the initial treatment for your dog, and once this treatment is completed, you simply need to continue with monthly preventative to ensure your new family member remains heartworm-free for life.”
For more information about Orange County Animal Services new partnership with LoveyLoaves, visit loveyloaves.org/healinghearts.
Pictures attached of two dogs currently being sponsored:
* Diamond A264071 – 4-year-old female
* Scuba A321076 – 3-year-old male
