5 animal rescues in the US receive award for their impact on pet lives

Photo: Jennifer/Adobe Stock

Animal shelters and rescues across the United States have seen an increase in animals over the past several years, with 6.5 million cats and dogs entering shelters in 2023 alone.¹ In the last 4 years, animal shelters and rescues have been experiencing an overcrowding crisis.¹ According to Data from Shelters Animals Count, a national database for animal rescues and shelters, animals are remaining in shelters longer than they did in 2019, worsening the challenges shelters are facing, which include overcrowding, increased surrenders, rising costs, and lack of funding.^1,2

Recently, PetPlace and Pets Best—an online resource for pet owners and veterinary professionals, and a pet insurance provider, respectively—awarded 5 animal rescues with the Heroic Hearts Collective. Announced in February 2025, the Heroic Hearts Collective is an initiative that recognizes, celebrates, and rewards pet rescues across the United States.

“Pet rescues work tirelessly to save and rehome pets, often with limited resources. At PetPlace, we’re honored to support these organizations through the Heroic Hearts Collective, recognizing their dedication and providing meaningful aid to help them continue their lifesaving work,” Sam Watson, president of PetPlace, said in a news release.²

The 5 winners of the award will each receive a donation of $1000 in cash, 50 standard microchips, 1 universal microchip scanner, and a feature story on Petplace.com. According to PetPlace and Pets Best, there were more than 15,000 nominations for the Heroic Hearts Collective award this year.²

The award recipients

AmsterDog Rescue

Located in New York and started by a group of volunteers helping pets displaced by Hurricane Katrina, AmsterDog Rescue has been serving the greater New York City area for more than 14 years. The rescue is run entirely by volunteers and is foster-based, focusing on dogs facing euthanasia, those with urgent medical needs, or dogs that have been passed multiple times.³

Great Pyrenees Rescue Society

The Texas Great Pyrenees Rescue Society(TGPR) is based in Spring, Texas, and is also a volunteer-run organization that focuses on rehabilitating and rehoming at-risk Great Pyrenees dogs. Every year, TGPR averages more than 500 rescues of these dogs, working to help Great Pyrenees that are neglected and/or have serious medical needs. The organization also conducts large-scale rescue efforts with multiple teams across different cities.⁴

The Pittie Party of Central Florida

Founded in 2016, this organization in Kissimmee, Florida works with dogs that are at risk of euthanasia in county shelters. Foster-based and volunteer-run, The Pittie Party of Central Florida (TPPCF)aims to give dogs “a chance to thrive,” focusing on those that are seen as unadoptable.⁵ “TPPCF stood out not just for its rescue work, but for its focus on hospice care, behavioral support, and building a strong, reliable foster network. They’re not just saving dogs – they’re doing it with compassion, commitment, and the help of a deeply engaged community,” wrote PetPlace in a feature story.⁵

Umbrella of Hope Rescue

Based in Pittsburg, California, Umbrella of Hope Rescue is dedicated to saving senior pets, pets with disabilities, and those with ongoing medical needs. “Umbrella of Hope began with one simple but powerful idea: animals with medical or age-related challenges still deserve a chance. The rescue was founded after seeing how often these animals were overlooked in shelters,” wrote PetPlace.⁶

Whiskers N Wishes Sanctuary

Whiskers N Wishes Sanctuary is located in Tucson, Arizona and specializes in rescuing cats. The organization places a special focus on seniors and cats with disabilities or chronic illnesses. At the sanctuary, volunteers get to know each cat’s behavior and needs, offering medical treatment for injuries, calm spaces for shy cats, and specialized routines for those that have lost their sight or mobility. According to PetPlace, the philosophy of Whiskers N Wishes is that cats who may be “deemed “unadoptable” still deserve the warmth of human kindness and the chance to live without constant fear or discomfort.”⁷

References

1. Bautista-Alejandre A. New report reveals shelter pet adoption data. dvm360. July 29, 2024. Accessed April 15, 2025. https://www.dvm360.com/view/new-report-reveals-shelter-pet-adoption-data
2. PetPlace and Pets Best Insurance honor five extraordinary pet rescues as “Heroic Hearts Collective” award recipients on national pet day. News release. PetPlace, Pets Best Insurance. April 11, 2025.
3. Rowlands R. AmsterDog Rescue: A Heroic Heart for NYC’s Forgotten Dogs. PetPlace. April 8, 2025. Accessed April 15, 2025. https://www.petplace.com/article/general/pet-care/amsterdog-heroic-hearts
4. Rowlands R. Texas Great Pyrenees Rescue: A Heroic Heart for Gentle Giants. PetPlace. April 8, 2025. Accessed April 15, 2025. https://www.petplace.com/article/general/pet-care/texas-great-pyrenees-rescue-heroic-hearts
5. Rowlands R. The Pittie Party of Central Florida: A Heroic Heart for At-Risk Dogs. PetPlace. April 8, 2025. Accessed April 15, 2025. https://www.petplace.com/article/general/pet-care/pittie-party-central-florida-heroic-hearts
6. Rowlands R. Umbrella of Hope: A Heroic Heart for Special Needs Animals. PetPlace. April 8, 2025. Accessed April 15, 2025. https://www.petplace.com/article/general/pet-care/umbrella-of-hope-heroic-hearts
7. Rowlands R. Whiskers N Wishes Sanctuary: A Heroic Heart for Cats in Need. PetPlace. April 8, 2025. Accessed April 15, 2025. https://www.petplace.com/article/general/pet-care/whiskers-wishes-sanctuary-heroic-hearts