Heaven Can Wait Animal Society needs your help to “pick-a-name” for our exciting new program to help senior citizens and senior felines.  Just read the description below and submit the title for the program you like best – in the comment section following this story.  When the HCWS board of directors makes their selection, you and your winning title will be highlighted in our weekly blog and receive a free HCWS T-Shirt!

HCWS is joining forces with Nevada H.A.N.D. to improve the lives of senior citizens living on fixed budgets.  Nevada H.A.N.D. is a non-profit organization that provides affordable housing to low-income seniors.  They operate more than 2,500 independent living units throughout Las Vegas.

The organization is keenly aware that seniors can be vulnerable to loneliness from lack of family support and close friends.  To combat this isolation they encourage pet ownership for the residents in their independent living apartment program.

Heaven Can Wait Animal Society is offering a permanent foster situation for specially selected residents.  The pilot program will place 10 older cats that are currently in the care of HCWS with 10 senior citizens.

The program will give the seniors the enjoyment of pet ownership and the cats will get a second chance at a loving home.  Many of the older cats rescued by HCWS have a hard time finding new homes and may never have a family of their own again.

The new program will be a win for both the seniors and the felines.  HCWS will provide food, kitty litter and veterinary care.  We will also monitor how each cat is doing in their new home and offer monthly support.  And if the senior becomes ill or can no longer take care of the cat – the animal will be returned to the safe-keeping of our organization.

Now that you know the facts, please let us know what you would call this unique program.  Just type in your title in the comment section below and hit submit. All entries much be in by March 22…that gives you 2 weeks to come up with the winning name!

Check out the photos!

February 28, 2010
7pm – 11pm

Cadillac Ranch • Town Square
6593 Las Vegas Boulevard South

Must be 21 or older.
$5 donation for entry

• Drink Specials
• Complimentary Appetizers
• Silent Auction & Raffle
• Live Music by Jeremy Cornwell Project
• Art gallery

All proceeds benefit Heaven Can Wait Animal Society.

See you there!

We are so excited to launch Heaven Can Wait Animal Society’s Youth Education Program – Angels for Animals. This is the first of its kind in Las Vegas. Read the mission statement below and click on the link to learn more!

Mission Statement: Heaven Can Wait’s Humane Education Program strives to nurture empathy in children by teaching appreciation and respect for animals in homes, communities and the environment by providing opportunities for meaningful and rewarding service learning projects.

To learn more about this amazing program and to download materials to start using right away, click here.

Once a month the HCWS spay and neuter clinic is dedicated to helping feral cats in Clark County.  Feral cats are the offspring of housecats that have gotten lost or been abandoned.  They run wild in colonies throughout southern Nevada.  Volunteers bring the cats to the clinic where veterinarians and vet-techs sterilize, vaccinate and give them an overall medical exam.  It is part of a Trap-Neuter-Release program to keep feral cats as safe and healthy as possible.

Morgan is a friendly stray cat that was brought in for medical help during a feral cat clinic.  She was in a lot of pain.  Her left rear leg had been mangled by the fan belt of a car and she needed help fast.

Unfortunately her leg had to be amputated, but that didn’t keep this long haired beauty down for long.

The HCWS Cat Coordinator thought Morgan would be an excellent family cat so she brought her to the HCWS adoption center.  Morgan joined the more than 200 other homeless cats, waiting for a new home.

Morgan was one of the lucky cats that found a new family.  Tom and Mary Webster are experienced cat guardians and they were happy to accommodate the special needs of a three-legged cat.

The first thing they realized was, Morgan had trouble using a standard sized litter box – so they built a larger box for her with low sides.  They also bought a special bed that doesn’t put too much pressure on her joints.

Mary said Morgan has fit it beautifully with her family and is “crazy” about Tom.  She thinks Morgan is an especially smart cat because she “comes running when you call her.”

“She’s loves looking out the window and sits up every time a bird flies by,” said Mary.

The Webster’s enjoy Morgan’s big, friendly personality and plan to enjoy her as a member of their family for a long, long time.

HCWS has hundreds of cats kittens that are in need of loving homes. Please consider becoming a forever home for a well-deserving cat. Click here to view our adoptable cats.

8am – 10pm

Whole Foods Market – Town Square 6605 S. Las Vegas Blvd.

Shop or dine at Whole Foods Market – Town Square on Wednesday, February 10th and 5% of the day’s net sales will benefit Heaven Can Wait. You can buy your groceries and help animals in need at the same time! On Wednesdays Whole Foods Food bar is only $5.99lb so bring your friends and have lunch! See you there!

Rocco and his forever family became the 1,000th adoption from the HCWS highly successful Pups on Parole program.  The program pairs inmates at the two prisons for women in southern Nevada with homeless or abused dogs rescued by HCWS.  The inmates rehabilitate the canines, so they can happily live with a new human family.

Rocco’s new family includes: Keith and Nikki Gross, their daughter Sabrina, son Blake, a Rottweiler named Leila and a Cocker spaniel called Angel.

Nikki was searching on the internet for a second Rottweiler to add to her family when she spotted Rocco.  She said, “I saw his gentle face and knew he was the dog I was looking for.  I called the HCWS office right away to let them know I found my new dog.”

Nikki’s assessment of Rocco was perfect.  He’s been a great addition to the family.  “Rocco immediately became attached to me when we brought him home.  He’s acts like a teddy bear with a big heart.  He’s gentle with the kids and loves to play with the other dogs,” said Nikki.

HCWS is so glad Rocco found a great home with a family who will love him and understands the special needs of a big, young and energetic dog.

Congratulations to Rocco and the Gross family!

If you are looking for a furry friend to add to you family, please visit our adoption page. We have many wonderful dogs and cats that are waiting for their forever home!

The cats and dogs at Heaven Can Wait Animal Society will have lots to eat while they wait for new adoptive families – thanks to the great employees at Zappos.com.

Zappos.com is the largest online shoe store in the world. It is based in Henderson, NV and the people that work at the company are wild about animals.  So they offered to help by holding a pet food drive for HCWS. The bighearted employees donated tons of healthy food and fun treats.  The company also awarded HCWS President, Harold Vosko with a generous check for our Spay and Neuter clinic.

Zappos.com was founded in 1999 with the goal of becoming the “premiere destination for online shoes.” Since then, they have expanded their service to include all sorts of products. The company is known for their excellent customer service.

While the cats and dogs in our care will be eating heartily, they are all waiting to be adopted into a special family they can call their own.  Please check out the wonderful pets ready for adoption by visiting our website.

Heaven Can Wait Animal Society is desperately trying to find a home for Gabby.  This beautiful German shepherd mix is 5 or 6 years-old and is currently enrolled in our Pups on Parole program.

Gabby has a long history with HCWS.  She was found running down a highway several years ago and was rescued by our volunteers.  She was adopted by a woman who moved around a lot and ultimately could no longer take care of the dog.  The woman returned her to HCWS.  Now Gabby is back at the prison program, but she is having a difficult time adjusting.  And to make matters worse, the one inmate she bonded with is being taken out of the Pups on Parole program.

Gabby is a wonderful dog and will be a good companion for anyone who understands the needs of a large dog with lots of energy.  She knows many commands and is a loving girl with a big personality.  She doesn’t understand why her life keeps changing and needs a permanent human guardian she can count on.

If you know someone who is interested in giving Gabby the home she deserves, please contact the HCWS office at 702-227-5555.  Tell the operator you are calling about Gabby and would like them to contact Rachel or Sharon.

PLEASE FORWARD THIS MESSAGE TO ALL OF YOUR FRIENDS, RELATIVES AND CO-WORKERS.  LET’S FIND A HOME FOR GABBY.

Dog adoptions are held every Saturday at the Petsmart at: 7050 Arroyo Crossing Parkway LV 89113 (Rainbow and I-215.)  If you call ahead, volunteers will be sure to bring Gabby to adoptions this week.  And it’s a great opportunity to meet the many other dogs ready for adoption.

Thanks so much for the help.