Shelter and Rescue Partners Collaborating to Save Lives

Homeward Trails rescues animals from under-resourced shelters in Virginia and beyond. These animal shelters are located in areas where pet overpopulation is a tremendous problem and adoptions are low. Many of these areas lack leash laws and so animals roam freely. Many dogs live on chains and many cats live outdoors. Spay and neuter is not readily available or affordable, so there are thousands of puppies and kittens born each year who are not wanted.

Thus, the transport of animals from these areas is lifesaving.

Our History

Our Mission

Our Principles

Regional Shelter Partners

Saving Lives Close to Home

These are some of the many shelters Homeward Trails partners with to save lives.

Amelia County Animal Shelter – Amelia, VA
Amherst County Humane Society – Amherst, VA
Asheville Humane Society – Asheville, VA
Baltimore Animal Rescue and Care Shelter- Baltimore, MD
Baltimore County Animal Control – Baltimore MD
Charles County Humane Society – Waldorf, MD
Dog Deserve Better Blue Ridge – Charlottesville, VA
Fayette County Animal Control Center (FCACC) – Fayetteville, WV
Floyd County Animal Control – Floyd County, VA
Galax Carroll Grayson Animal Shelter – Galax, VA
Greenville County Animal Service and Shelter – Greenville, SC
Hampshire County Animal Control – Slanesville, WV
Howard County Animal Control and Adoption Center – Howard County, MD
Humane Society for Campbell County – Rustburg, VA
Humane Society of Carroll County – Carroll County, MD
Humane Society of Catawba County – Catawba County, NC
Kanawha/Charleston Animal Shelter – Kanawha, WV
King George Animal Control – King George, VA

Lenoir County SPCA – Kinston, NC
Lewis Upshur – Buckhannon, WV
Louisa County Animal Shelter – Louisa, VA
Marion County Animal Shelter – Mullins, SC
Maryland SPCA – Baltimore, MD
Montgomery County Humane Society – Rockville, MD
Page County Animal Shelter – Luray, VA
Pittsylvania Pet Center – Chatham, VA
Prince Georges County Animal Shelter -Upper Marlboro, MD
Prince William County Animal Shelter – Manassas, VA
Raleigh County Humane Society – Beckley, WV
Regional Animal Shelter – King William, VA
Ritchie County Humane Society – Harrisville, WV
Russell County Animal Shelter – Lebanon, VA
Tucker County Animal Shelter – Parsons, WV
Vance County Animal Shelter – Henderson, NC
Wetzel County Animal Shelter – New Martinsville, WV
Wise County Animal Shelter – Norton, VA

Our Work in Puerto Rico

GuaniCARES

Homeward Trails has been working in Puerto Rico since 2016 to provide rescue, spay and neuter and animal supplies for homeless animals. Puerto Rico remains overrun with street dogs and cats, many of whom suffer tremendously. As we primarily focus on the Guanica region of Puerto Rico, our GuaniCARES (Guanica Companion Animal Rescue Education and Sterilization) has saved thousands of lives.

Individuals traveling to Puerto Rico can assist us by being flight volunteers. As a flight volunteer you bring a puppy or kitten back with you on the plane. It is super easy and costs you nothing. We make it seamless and you save a life.

International Rescue Partners

Saving Lives Abroad

We are occasionally asked why HT would spend time and resources to help dogs from so far away when there are still dogs here in the US needing us, the answer is simple: A dog in need is a dog in need no matter the geography.

Homeward Trails is proud to work with dedicated organizations and individuals around the world to help animals. The suffering, abuse and negelct of animals in many countries is tremendous and truly hard to imagine. We provide lifesaving rescue, rehabilitation and medical care for these animals.

Some of our animals were destined for meat markets. Some are victims of war-torn conflicts. Others were destined to be killed for their fur or for sport. And others have been kept in facilities for research.

Animals connect those of us across oceans, continents and cultural barriers. We are proud share our commitment to animals across the globe.

Placement Partners

Saving Lives Together in Times of Need

Homeward Trails is committed to helping animals rescued from the most desperate situations across the country and the world.

Whether displaced by wildfires, evacuated from the paths of hurricanes, seized from hoarding cases or removed from dog meat farms, Homeward Trails is a proud placement partner for the following organizations working on the ground.

Shameless... we know. But there are tons of ways you can help!

Donate Today!

Come See Us at the Washington Auto Show

We are thrilled to be joining our friends at Subaru of America, Inc. at the The Washington Auto Show again this year from January 19-28. We had a blast showing off our dogs and puppies the last two year! We love the opportunity to introduce Homeward Trails to lots of new people and see so many old friends and adopters. Come out and meet and adopt some great dogs at the Subaru booth. We are also still in need of volunteers are needed for many shift to help handle dogs and transport dogs to and from the Adoption Center and foster homes. The convention center is metro and bus accessible if you are not transporting dogs. You can enjoy the auto show for free before or after your shift. Volunteers must be 18 years and older. Sign up and come join us! https://www.signupgenius.com/…/20F084EA8AE2DA5F49…
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Helping Happy Hounds – Fee Waived Hound Adoptions

As you may or may not know, Virginia animal shelters are filled with Hounds. These amazing dogs are most often discarded by callous hunters, found starving wandering the countryside. Many never make it as hunters and are then tied up to chains or left along the side of the road like old furniture. A good number of them do not make it out of shelters alive.But these dogs – like all dogs – are amazing and worthy of families. We just cannot get them families fast enough to stop them from dying in our shelters when there is no more space.And so we are trying something new here. ALL HOUND DOGS ADOPTED FROM HOMEWARD TRAILS WILL BE FREE. Yes, we are WAIVING ADOPTION FEES for Hounds for the foreseeable future.We hope that will entice well-matched applicants to consider a Hound now. Use the money you save on training, treats, toys.We think all dogs are worthy. But the reality is that some take extra incentives. Some have more barriers to getting adopted. And the result is well, more end up dying. And no – this does NOT mean we are just giving dogs away. All applicants will still go through our application/screening process to ensure good homes. This is just us trying to save more dogs by eliminating one more barrier to adoption. And hey, Hound lovers can use all the extra money they can get to buy treats, right?Help us help these Hounds. Our program Helping Happy Hounds is live NOW. Let’s save some lives!
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Our Current Supply Needs – Can You Help?

Each year Homeward Trail spends thousands and thousands of dollars on supplies to care for our animals and support the general operations of our organization. We always strive to keep our costs as low as possible so that we can spend every extra dollar saving more lives. One simple way you can help is by donating these supplies – everything from postage stamps, to cleaning supplies, to ink cartridges and paper, to dog and cat food and litter. Our wish lists are updated regularly so you can always find our most current needs. Please consider donating supplies to help us cover the cost of these items. The more we are able to get donated, the more animals we can help. Thank you! Adoption Center Wishlist Meow Palace Wishlist Dog Enrichment Wishlist Trails Home Farm Wishlist Farmhouse Wishlist Trails UP Wishlist Puerto Rico Wishlist
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Come See Us at the Washington Auto Show

We are thrilled to be joining our friends at Subaru of America, Inc. at the The Washington Auto Show again this year from January 19-28. We had a blast showing off our dogs and puppies the last two year! We love the opportunity to introduce Homeward Trails to lots of new people and see so many old friends and adopters. Come out and meet and adopt some great dogs at the Subaru booth. We are also still in need of volunteers are needed for many shift to help handle dogs and transport dogs to and from the Adoption Center and foster homes. The convention center is metro and bus accessible if you are not transporting dogs. You can enjoy the auto show for free before or after your shift. Volunteers must be 18 years and older. Sign up and come join us! https://www.signupgenius.com/…/20F084EA8AE2DA5F49…
Learn More