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How We Use Your Donations

100% of donor contributions go directly to the care and feeding of sanctuary residents.

All of our administrative staff is volunteer. The cost of designing, printing, and mailing our newsletter is underwritten by a single generous donor. Both our web site and our e-newsletter are volunteer efforts.

To read more about the ways you can contribute to the well-being of HFL's residents, click the How You Can Help menu above.

More Bliss Off the Leash

Many of HFL's canine residents are avid runners. Our 40-acre country facility offers ample space for these dogs to experience that freedom.

See more dogs romping freely in our off-leash bliss area!

Sailor and Genevieve sitting in a field
In a rare moment of inactivity, Sailor enjoys the Spring flowers with HFL Animal Care Specialist Genevieve Grammer.

Sailor's Story

Below, photographer Mark Luinenberg captures Sailor's joy as he runs off leash for the first time in his life after being chained for more than three years. The picture was taken on Sailor's second day at Home for LIfe® in one of our fenced exercise areas.

Sailor leaping
More photos of Sailor: gathering steam | before his rescue, as captured by an Animal Control Officer | back to initial picture

Sailor is a bright, gentle and loving border collie who treasures the opportunity to run and play and have companions he can trust. It wasn't always that way. Sailor arrived from a Florida sanctuary, rescued from an unimaginable life.

From the age of 6 weeks, Sailor spent 24 hours a day restricted by a 20 foot chain on the side of a road across from a row of townhouses where his owner lived in a development. Sailor's owner was an elderly man who lived with his sister. The man professed to love the puppy, but his sister did not like animals and refused to let Sailor anywhere on her property.

For three years, Sailor lived at the end of that chain. Occasionally, he would break away to run free for a few hours before he was caught and chained again. Constantly teased by children and chased by captors, Sailor became wary of people and protective of his space.

Eventually, he was confiscated by Animal Control, who turned him over to a shelter. He was underweight, filthy and had heartworm. He was also too afraid of people to appeal to adoptive families.

Sailor was given a second chance for a full life due to HFL's wonderful donors. After a cleanup and some reassuring care, Sailor began to come out of his shell. Now, he truly has a new lease on life.