The Heart of the Earth Sanctuary and Rescue, Inc

07/12/2025

Our sweet Nita crossed the rainbow bridge just moments ago. 💔

She was a little dog who defied all odds when everything was stacked against her. From the moment we saw her photo on Marion County’s page, we knew she was special. We pulled her with hope in our hearts, and although we tried to adopt her out, no one wanted to take on the challenges of a dog with a paralyzed leg, and injuries she sustained after being hit by a car before arriving at the shelter.

But we didn’t care. We saw her light, her spirit, her fight.

For 12 unforgettable years, Nita held our hearts. Even as her own heart began to fail, she never stopped being the spunky, sweet, and sassy little soul we fell in love with. Right up until the very end, she was sugar, spice, and everything Nita.

That’s how we’ll remember her. Always. 🌈🐾

A huge thanks to our friends at North Branch Animal Hospital for being there to keep her from suffering.

Run free, baby girl. We love you.

07/04/2025

Hi friends, if anyone has a kennel they don't need or want to get rid of or sell, please let us know. We are looking for one with 6x10 panels. We are trying to expand the dog area. Thanks

07/02/2025

Hi everyone. We lost our Tigger on the 30th. He came to us a few years ago after being dumped at a local vet by another "rescue." Rather than see him euthanized, the vet called us because they know we love the hard cases. Tigger was definitely hard. To say he was a difficult dog is an understatement. He had emotional challenges, and was a Tasmanian biter. We did our best with him. He was like 16/17 years old when he passed. Fly high baby boy.

07/02/2025

To the couple that picked the kitten up off the street and went straight to North Branch to be treated...Thank you! We need more people like you in the world.

06/26/2025

Good morning! I (Kerry) just wanted to thank everyone who has been donating through online fundraisers, and those who have been using their birthdays to raise money for us. It means so much to us.

I wanted to give a special shout out to the folks, who have sent donations or set up fundraising in honor of their deceased loved ones. This is an honor for me, and has inspired me to do something in their honor as well.

I purchased a bridge for our "in the process" memory garden. It is to be painted rainbow colors (the rainbow bridge), and we will be paint rocks for this garden with the some of the names of special furry, feathered, etc family members and placing them in the garden.

Those of you who have donated in the past, or who have supported us in one way or another (even just sharing a post), please post the name of any beloved furbaby and we will place a rock in their honor.

I will post photos once the garden and bridge are completed.

06/22/2025

Friends, we are looking for a 6x10 fence panel w/ a door. If anyone has one they want to sell or donate, please let us know. Thank you!

05/24/2025

Yesterday, Derek found a 20 ish day old baby American Kestrel Falcon in the middle of the road, twice while going to feed the pigs. Today we transported "Bedford" to a bird sanctuary in WV. Hoping the best for this little nugget!

05/18/2025

Dear Friends,

It is with heavy hearts that we share this difficult but necessary update: intake for Heart of the Earth Rescue is now closed indefinitely. We are now in Sanctuary mode

This decision has not come easily. Over the past several months, we’ve tried multiple times to reopen intake, hoping to find a rhythm that would allow us to continue helping more animals. Each time, we’ve done our best but the resources and support needed to sustain that just haven’t materialized.

We’ve reached out for donations and, while a few kind hearts have answered (and we are so grateful for that), the help often stops just as quickly as it comes. We’re frequently advised to do more fundraisers or build our social media presence. But the truth is, we’re already stretched to the limit. Every waking hour is spent working our outside jobs and tending to the sanctuary: feeding, cleaning, providing vet care, and making sure the animals already in our care are safe, warm, and loved.

To add to the strain, our storage shed was totaled by a wind storm and we lost many supplies we haven’t been able to replace. Our equipment and facilities are all in desperate need of upgrades and repairs. It’s overwhelming, and while we remain committed, we’ve had to come to terms with our current capacity, and stop it here.

We’re not giving up but we are shifting focus. Our priority must be the animals who are already with us, relying on us every single day. They deserve nothing less than our full attention and best efforts.

Thank you to everyone who has supported us. Your compassion has made so much possible. We hope to one day reopen our rescue doors. But until then, we’ll keep doing what we can with the sanctuary and for those already in our care.

With gratitude and love,
Heart of the Earth

05/04/2025

Friends, we are still attempting to raise enough funds to get us out of the jam we are in. While we have gotten a few very generous donation that are very much appreciated we still are in need of more. Thank you for sharing and donating!

I’m raising money for The Heart of The Earth for the desperate situation they’re in… Erin Weaver needs your support for Urgent Help for The Heart of The Earth

04/26/2025

Rosie and Turquoise have left the building! Happy tails my kitties!

04/26/2025

We’re excited that one of our amazing supporters has launched a fundraiser for us, and it couldn’t have come at a better time!

Right now, we’re at a critical point where upgrades are needed across the board: new floors, fresh cat trees, improvements to the dog and bird areas, and even a much-needed basking light, UVB light, lid, and filter for our turtle’s large tank. On top of that, we have ongoing vetting expenses to ensure our animals stay healthy and happy.

The good news is we’ve partnered with an incredible rescue group and are finally able to move some of our cats into loving homes again! Intake remains closed (except for emergencies) until renovations are complete. But with your help, we’re getting closer every day.

If you’re able, please consider donating or sharing the fundraiser. Every dollar makes a difference in giving these deserving animals the best possible care and environment.

A huge thank you to everyone who has shared and donated already!!!

Thank you for always standing by us! https//gofund.me/e835ce20

I’m raising money for The Heart of The Earth for the desperate situation they’re in… Erin Weaver needs your support for Urgent Help for The Heart of The Earth

04/22/2025

Our friend Erin has very generously started a go fund me for HOTE. Any amount is appreciated. We have A LOT of work to do.

This is not easy for me. I’m someone who’s always been the helper the one who just found a way, no matter what. That mindset came from a lifetime of broken promises, some well-intended, others not so much. Because of that, asking for help now is uncomfortable and humbling.

But we are at a standstill. As a sanctuary, we are out of disposable funds. We have no budget for food, vetting, repairs or for the people needed to help us get things fixed. While we’re grateful for the donations we do receive, they’re quickly gone when you’re caring for as many animals as we are.

We were cautiously hopeful when we took in Diddy and Smalls, especially when people offered help and support. But here we are again, doing what we can out of our own pockets, picking up the slack from offers that were never followed through.

Please: if you tell us you're bringing panels, or fixing the rain gutter, or donating materials follow through. When people don’t, it sets us back. Every time. We are here because of broken promises, and it’s the animals who suffer for it.

When I ask for help, it’s because every other option has been tried. So here it is, plainly:

We need someone to come fix the rain gutter.

We need panels for the yard.

We need a new shed (the last one was destroyed in a storm).

We need an electrician. Some outlets are nonfunctional.

We’re moving the cat room to a larger space soon and redoing both rooms.

We need runner-bottomed rugs, non-toxic cleaning supplies.

Our large birds need new cages.

I’m working multiple jobs now just to keep things going, which means I can’t be online as much. But we’re still here, doing the work, every day. We’re doing it because it’s right, and because these animals deserve a good life.

If you’ve ever thought about helping, now is the time. And if you can’t help materially, please help us by sharing this post.