We provide a loving home for unwanted senior pets and give medical grants to assist in pulling/adopting seniors out of shelters ❤️
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In 2006, Sher Polvinale and her late husband, Joe, created a senior pet sanctuary in their home in Gaithersburg, Maryland. Sanctuary residents are senior and special needs dogs and cats who have lost their families and homes through no fault of their own. Because of their advanced age and various medical conditions, they have little chance of being adopted. The Sanctuary’s mission is to provide a
helping hand for senior pets, so they can live their best lives. In addition to top-notch “room and board,” all our residents receive abundant, unconditional love and affection. Those who arrive at the Sanctuary with health problems immediately get the care they need, such as diagnostic screenings, dental work, medication, and surgery. The Sanctuary offers residents* a life well worth living. They have a safe, roomy, comfortable, bright, and spotless home environment. On our two-acre property, they play in secure outdoor yards and spend supervised time in fenced, grassy fields. We provide ongoing health care and wellness screening, consulting veterinary specialists as needed. Residents are fed high-quality foods/treats and receive special diets as required.
*Our current residents are all members of the “pup pack.” But over the years, we have welcomed countless dogs AND cats, and we continue a variety of efforts to support all pets who need a helping hand. For example:
Our K-9 & Kitty Medical Miracles Grants program supports our Rescue Partners who pull senior and special needs dogs and cats either from a shelter or owner give up. We provide a grant to help pay for medical care they need to make them adoptable and help them find their new forever home. Feed Fido & Fluffy is our HWAH Pet Pantry. With donations from our supporters, we purchase food and supplies for pets in need. HWAH relies on volunteers, donations, grants, and wish-list gifts to accomplish our primary mission of providing a helping hand for senior dogs and cats in need. We are always looking for ways to “pay it forward” on their behalf. We reserve the right to delete comments, posts or photographs that are:
- Profane, vulgar or offensive
- Misinformation or disinformation
- Bullying or attacks against HWAH, its staff or other supporters of this page
- Spam or commercial sales
- Off-topic or irrelevant
- In support of illegal activities, violence, animal cruelty or abuse
- In violation of Facebook’s Community Standards
While we encourage open discussion, including differences of opinion, we will remove and/or block you from this page if you repeatedly violate this policy. Further, HWAH does not endorse or approve the comments, posts or photographs by others that are on this page. HWAH does not warrant and shall not be held liable the accuracy, truthfulness or reliability of the information or opinions posted on this site.
06/12/2025
Calling all Chihuahua lovers! Naga is still available for adoption!
Naga is believed to be a 12 years old and he weighs 12 lbs. He is a Chihuahua mix.
Naga is fostered by Paws For Seniors in Toms Brook, VA. He arrived at the foster when his owner had to go into an assisted living facility.
Naga loves the company of his people. He is very smart and is all about making you happy. He is very quiet and he likes to sit next to you during TV time.
He is hoping to find that special person to fill the void in his life and to give him the love and companionship that he misses.
If you would like to adopt Naga, visit pawsforseniors.org.
06/12/2025
Life is ‘batter’ with Biscuit & Gravy! (Biscuit in 1st, Gravy in 2nd).
These sweet brothers are still looking for their forever home and are available for adoption!!
Biscuit and Gravy are a bonded pair who are house-trained, friendly and loving. They would enjoy being the stars of the household! They are looking for either a permanent foster (medical care paid for) or an adoption. Contact [email protected] for more info about these boys!!
We're waiting for Mama Sher, what's she doing with Hershey?
06/12/2025
Goodnight and may your dreams be as sweet as our precious pair, Hershey and Peanut!
06/12/2025
Bobby and Joey had their dentals today! Bobby was quite the trooper—he had 10 teeth extracted! 😱 Joey lucked out with just 2 pulled. Both boys are recovering well and will be feeling SO much better soon. Can you guess which pup was the most tuckered out afterward? 😂💤
06/11/2025
Meet Archie!
Archie is an 8½-year-old, purebred, all-white Labrador Retriever. His mom got him from a breeder when he was 17 weeks old. His family chose him from the litter because he was so cheerful—and he loved dancing to music!
Archie is fine as an only dog as long as his people are around to hang with. Another older respectful dog in the house can be a buddy too but those days of romping with the youngsters are over. He has never been with cats or kids but we are sure dog smart kids would be fine.
No apartments or condos for Archie as he loves hanging on the back deck getting some sun.
Although he is older, this big fellow still has a lot of energy and is quite active. He does daily walks and romps in his fenced yard, which is a must for him. He is also on a life long special prescription diet.
Sadly, his mom is now transitioning into a senior living community without a yard or adequate space for him. This is incredibly difficult for her, so we want to help find Archie the perfect family.
His mom says. He’s quiet, crate-trained, and trustworthy when left free in the home. While he’ll bark at wildlife and deliveries, and is a bit protective, he’s an absolute sweetheart.
One of his quirks? He loves pillows and will carry them around the house. When guests arrive, he excitedly runs to the bedroom to fetch a pillow and greet them with it!
It breaks his mom’s heart to part with such a loving, easygoing companion who sleeps on her bed and brings so much joy. She’s hoping to find a kind, attentive home where Archie can get the exercise he needs, enjoy comfort, companionship, and love and never has to be moved again.
Archie is fostered by Freckles Foundation & Animal Rescue in Rockville, MD. For more information, visit https://frecklesfoundation.org/.
06/11/2025
Caption this!! 😂
06/11/2025
inside House with a Heart:
"How the cleaning ladies leave my bathroom.
It makes me smile EVERY time I walk in there and I try not to step on at least one rug so it lasts longer!!!
Sher
###OOO"
06/11/2025
Hudson snug as a bug and ready for bed.. sweet dreams from this little man!
06/11/2025
Hershey, the perfect little model!
06/10/2025
Hansel and Gretel are looking for their happy ending. Could it be with you?
Hansel and Gretel are 12-year-old pug mix siblings and best buds who have shared every adventure together. They are looking for a cozy forever home to enjoy their golden years! They are bonded and must be adopted together.
They are fostered by PetConnect Rescue in Potomac, MD.
Hansel & Gretel are low-maintenance, fully potty trained, and experts at snuggling. They love a good daily walk, snoozing through the night, and being with their humans as much as possible. After their owner passed away, they're ready to bring their sweetness into a new family's life.
Can you help keep these best buds together forever? To apply to adopt or to learn more about these cuties, visit www.petconnectrescue.org.
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Contact The Business
Send a message to House with a Heart Senior Pet Sanctuary:
In 2006, Sher Polvinale and her late husband, Joe, created a senior pet sanctuary in their home. Sanctuary residents are dogs and cats who have lost their families and homes through no fault of their own. Because of their advanced age and various medical conditions, they have little chance of being adopted.
Once a dog became a resident, it would have a loving home for life. Our Director Sher devotes herself full-time to caring for the pets and maintaining and improving the Sanctuary.
The Sanctuary’s Mission is to provide a “Helping Hand” for senior pets. For our residents, we are able to provide love, affection, and shelter. Many of these dogs receive medical care, such as diagnostic screenings, dental care, surgery, and medications, as needed.
For other senior and special needs dogs, we provide a “Helping Hand” by getting the word out about their special needs, and encourage others to give them a forever home.
We are now embarking on a new way to help Senior and Special needs dogs – by providing necessary medical care to make them adoptable from the shelters and get them into their local rescue or a new forever home.
Often when a rescue group goes to a shelter, they only look for young healthy dogs, even though many people are now considering a Senior or Special needs dog when looking to adopt. Our goal is to make that first step as easy as possible.
HWAH relies on volunteers, donations, grants and wish list gifts to accomplish our primary mission of providing quality care for senior dogs and cats.