This year has had no shortage of monumental events and the animal rescue world is not immune to the shifts. While the world may look different than it did pre-global pandemic, the folks at Hearts & Bones Rescue have found a way to continue their lifesaving work. We spoke with Allison Seelig, Head of Marketing & Fundraising for Hearts & Bones, to hear about the group’s mission, how they have adjusted to major changes, and how you can help your dog do the same.

Lulus: Tell us how Hearts and Bones started!

Allison Seelig: Hearts & Bones was founded in 2017 by Whitney Fang and Anna Blumberg, who met in 2012 through their mutual love of animals. Through fostering, volunteering, and visiting shelters across the country over the years, they developed a deep understanding of the incredible importance of dog rescue as well as fostering and adoption advocacy. Hearts & Bones is the realization of their dream to bring people together across the country to rescue dogs in need and find their forever homes.

hearts and bones rescue volunteers holding puppies

Lulus: What is your primary focus–any specific breeds, ages, types of animals you rescue?  

AS: Hearts & Bones is a non-profit dog rescue based in Dallas, Texas, and New York City. Our mission is to build a nationwide network of fosters, volunteers, rescue partners, and adopters in an effort to save the lives of thousands of shelter dogs in need and unite them with loving forever families. We rescue dogs of all ages and breeds from overcrowded, open-intake shelters. Those shelters are primarily in Texas, where the number of unwanted dogs and the euthanasia rate are among the highest in the country. By working with this very overburdened shelter system, we not only save the dogs we rescue and find them loving homes, but make room for those shelters to take in more animals in need.
rescue pittie pup from hearts & bones

We then transport our dogs to New York City where an incredible number of people are looking to welcome a rescue dog into their families!  We’re a foster-based rescue, meaning we provide all of our dogs with secure, loving foster homes while they wait for their forever families.

We also have a real soft spot for pregnant and nursing mothers and their babies–they’re among the most vulnerable in the shelter environment and rescue groups are often their best chance for survival. We had two mothers give birth in our care in the past few months, and just took in two more mothers with very young nursing puppies. Caring for mothers and litters is a lot of work requiring costly medical care, but it’s so important to us. Our goal is no mama left behind!
mama dog nursing puppies from hearts & bones rescue

Lulus: Love that! Have your organization’s operations shifted as a result of the pandemic? 

AS: Our operations have definitely shifted as a result of the pandemic, but our volunteers, fosters, and adopters have done such an amazing job adjusting. Rescue can’t stop and dogs need us now more than ever. We’ve actually been able to dramatically increase the number of dogs we’re rescuing. So far in 2020, we’ve saved over 700 dogs in need!

We canceled all in-person adoption events in mid-March when NYC began to shut down and moved to virtual adoption meetings between foster parents and prospective adopters. These meetings have worked out so well, since our fosters know our dogs the best and can help adopters decide if the dog is the right fit.

We also have a strict procedure for transferring dogs between fosters and adopters to ensure everyone stays healthy and safe. We’ve been totally blown away by the number of people looking to foster and adopt right now, and we really hope that interest remains high when people return to working outside of the home. Like most people right now, we don’t know what the future will hold in terms of challenges and changes–but we do know we’re going to continue rescuing as many dogs as we can and uniting them with the loving forever families they deserve.

rescuer in a mask holding a dog
Lulus: With so many people working remotely, pups have gotten used to us being home! Any tips for helping pets adjust when humans start returning to an office?

AS: This is something our team has been thinking about a lot. So many dogs are finding forever homes right now which is amazing! But they’re also acclimating to their homes in a situation that’s likely very different from what their day-to-day will be like once their families return to work outside the home. It’s really important to start out with a regular routine from the beginning, establish structure for your dog, and get your dog used to being left alone for some period of time as much as you can.

We recommend crate training as the best way to keep a dog safe while they adjust to their new home since it gives them their own space to decompress and helps ensure they don’t get into anything dangerous when you’re not watching them. Adopters can practice crating their pups and then going into another room for a bit, or if you’re able you can even take a walk around the block without your dog. Work up to longer periods of time as your dog gets more comfortable and try to keep your routine as consistent as possible. We also really recommend reaching out to trainers to help–many are offering virtual sessions right now and they can help you get set up for success.

Lulus: Your organization is on a mission to help bring more diversity to the animal welfare community! What does that entail?

AS: Diversity, equity and inclusion have always been fundamental to Hearts & Bones’ mission and operations–our founder and President is an Asian-American woman and more than half of our leadership is made up of people of color. We’ve worked hard to ensure our approval processes for fosters and adopters are free of racial bias, but we know there’s more to do.

The animal welfare movement has been predominantly white for so long. Because of that, we need to actively recruit, include, and welcome people of color, particularly the Black community, into the rescue world. That means increasing our outreach to diverse communities who may not have been included in the animal rescue world previously; expanding the diversity of our leadership; ensuring we represent people of all races, gender identities, abilities, and sexual orientations on our social media platforms; and making sure all of our fosters, volunteers and adopters feel supported, included and welcomed.

rescue volunteer holding a white dog from hearts and bones rescue

We also work to ensure that our foster and adoption processes aren’t subject to economic and financial bias, and that we are inclusive of the LGBTQ and disabled communities, among others. The animal welfare movement has not reflected the diversity of our country and animal lovers for a long time. We’re committed to continuing to change the face of the movement.

Lulus:  Why do you think there is a diversity void in animal welfare?

AS: The lack of diversity in animal welfare is, unfortunately, the result of the systemic racism that exists in America and is pervasive throughout so many institutions. The events of this year have been a wake-up call for leaders in animal welfare to do better and we’re hopeful that with concerted efforts we’ll finally see real change.

foster puppies from hearts and bones rescue wrapped up in towels like burritos

Lulus: How can people support Hearts & Bones’ efforts?

AS: Hearts & Bones relies on donations to continue our lifesaving work–every dollar helps us change the life of a dog in need! We appreciate donations of any amount at heartsandbonesrescue.com/hbr-donate. We’re also always looking for more fosters in and around Dallas and NYC. And of course, we’d love to match you up with your dream pup if you’re thinking of adopting! Visit heartsandbonesrescue.com for more info and follow us at @heartsandbonesrescue on Instagram and Facebook.

Show us your furry family member on Instagram @Lulus using #lovelulus–and nominate your favorite rescue group for a blog feature in the comments!