PugHearts of Houston

Pug Hearts of Houston is a true non-profit pug rescue founded in the Houston area by dedicated pug owners and lovers. Our mission is the rescue, rehabilitation and permanent placement of needy pugs into loving homes.

To those of you who have generously donated to keep PugHearts running, we say a huge "Thank you!" We are busier than we have ever been and our resources are stretched pretty thin right now. So though you may not get a phone call or a personalized note thanking you, please know that we are truly grateful and do appreciate your support.

You are what keeps PugHearts in existence and our Rescues alive.

Back in early 2007, we were just getting PugHearts started. A group of us got together with Cindy and started planning our first big event - PugNic. We had flyers printed to hand out and post anywhere we could to get the word out about our new rescue.

I remember stopping in a local pet boutique to ask about posting our flyer. The gentleman behind the counter said we were more than welcome to post it, but he couldn’t believe we actually needed a rescue for Pugs. After all, he said ‘that’s an expensive breed - why would they end up in rescue?’ As he asked me that question I was holding my beautiful rescue pug Alfie. I explained to him how even pedigreed dogs can end up in rescue. And the very fact that they are a desirable breed makes them a tempting target for unscrupulous breeders. But also, they are a special breed with special needs. Not everyone understands those needs when they fall in love with these squishy-faced babies.

It’s now been 3 years since PugHearts of Houston was born. And our numbers show that the need for a pug rescue in Houston was far greater than we had ever imagined. We have taken in well over 500 dogs in that time. I’m astounded by that.

I’m sad, because that’s a lot of dogs that have been in a bad situation. But I’m also happy because we have been able to make a difference to those 500+ dogs. Most of those dogs have gone on to live pampered, happy lives with their new families. Some are sadly no longer with us, but we know their last days were made more comfortable and filled with love thanks to our hard work.

The driving force behind PugHearts is the legion of volunteers that run it. PugHearts is not a shelter. We are not a brick-and-mortar building. We are a network of people who do incredible things for no pay or reward. Some volunteers help by picking up dogs from shelters or people who have called us. Some help by taking our dogs to and from the vet. Some open their homes to these dogs as foster parents until they find their forever home. A few even open their homes to dogs they know will never be adopted. Some help with fundraising. And some help by processing the adoption applications filled out by prospective ‘parents.’ And some people help by paying our vet bills through their generous donations. All of these people ARE PugHearts. Without them we would not exist.

On the eve of our 3rd anniversary, we would like to take this opportunity to thank you for all you have done for these sweet puggies. Thank you for helping to make PugHearts such a success in our mission to save every Pug we can - one pug at a time.

-Robbi

If you have a PUG IN DANGER, or need to SURRENDER A PUG the please call us on 281 968 4958 or click the icon below to be automatically connected. Leave a detailed message and somebody will call you back within the hour.

We received a disturbing email this recently that we feel is important to share. Please be aware of the danger our pets are in with these extremely high temperatures. And please pass these tips on to friends, family and neighbors. You just might save a life.

To all our clients and their beloved pets, "Bauer" was a five year old golden retriever. He had a family that loved him very much. Two little boys that played with him, took him to the beach, played ball with him and were growing up with him.

Bauer's family decided to go away for the weekend and took him to a friend's home for them to pet sit him. The family that was pet sitting put "Bauer" in their back yard and decided to go to the store.

One hour later, "Bauer's" family got a phone call that "Bauer" was dead. I know this story because "Bauer" belonged to my son, his wife and my grandchildren. It is not until something like this happens in your own family, and you see the pain and suffering for everyone involved that you realize how tragic it is and how unnecessary. It could have so easily been avoided.

"Bauer" died from heat stroke on Friday, June 26, 2009. My hope in sending out this email is that maybe one person will read this and have the information available to them that "Bauer's" pet sitters' did not have. In the extreme temperatures we have seen recently in the Houston area, any pet may experience hyperthermia very rapidly with serious and potentially fatal side effects. Please make your friends, relatives, neighbors and children aware of this issue. Pets left outdoors during the heat of the day in excess of approximately 10 minutes (especially for dogs) may have very serious side effects. If you absolutely must leave them outdoors, they need shade, water, and something to help them cool off. A child's plastic wading pool works well if dogs will use it.

I am including some brief information about heat stroke. Please feel free to call our office if you have any questions regarding this issue, and keep your pets safe through the summer months..in doors!

The most common cause of heat stroke or hyperthermia is leaving a dog in a car with inadequate ventilation. The dog's body temperature in this situation can elevate very rapidly, often within minutes. It is important to remember that dogs cannot control their body temperature by sweating as humans do, since they only have a relatively small number of sweat glands located in their footpads. Their primary way of regulating body heat is by panting.

Other common causes of heat stroke include being left in a yard without access to shade or water on a hot day, excessive or vigorous exercise during hot temperatures. Sometimes even just taking an extended walk or run can induce heat stroke. Excited or excessively exercised dogs are sometimes at risk even if the environmental temperature and humidity does not appear that hot.

Dogs with a restricted airway such as the brachycephalic breeds (flat faced dogs such as pugs, boxers and bulldogs) are at greater risk. In these breeds, clinical signs of heat stroke can occur when the outside temperature and humidity are only moderately elevated.

First and foremost, get your pet to a veterinarian immediately! Hyperthermia is an immediate medical emergency. Safe, controlled reduction of body temperature is a priority. Cool water may be poured over the head, stomach, underarms and feet, or cool cloths may be applied to these areas. This should be done as soon as the pet is found!