Because Pets Are Family.
We know what it is like to love a pet with your whole heart — and then have to choose between veterinary care, food for the table, rent, utilities, or keeping your family going. You should not have to make that choice alone.
This Program Is For Zeus.
Zeus was not "just a dog." He was my best friend, my son, and a member of our family. His story is the reason we made a promise: we will fight so another family does not have to feel as helpless as we did.
Heaven Sent is here for the complete family — human and four-legged.
Remembering Zeus
What happened to Zeus changed the way we look at helping families forever.
We know what it is like to have a pet and not have enough money coming in to take care of the pet that is part of your family.
We know what it feels like to have to make a choice between getting the help your family member needs and buying food for the table, paying rent, or keeping up with the bills.
And then you call the people on the resource list. One tells you: "The earliest we can get the dog or cat in is two weeks away."
Another says: "We will call you with an appointment."
Then they don't call. You call again. Your call goes to voicemail. Meanwhile, your family thinks you are stalling, or that you never called at all.
That is what happened to my family.
It happened to my best friend and son, Zeus.
He was the best friend a man could have. I had to sit there and watch him be in pain and not have anywhere to turn.
I tried the local system and it failed me and my family. But most of all, it failed my Zeus.
I promised again that this would not happen to another family. So our board and our team decided to add a pet program with Heaven Sent.
We are going to make sure we do everything we can so that another family does not have to experience what we experienced.
We are fighting injustices that affect all of our seniors, veterans and, most importantly, our disabled families.
Many of our clients cannot afford good veterinary care. They cannot come up with emergency funding when they are living paycheck to paycheck or on a month-to-month check.
So here is a chance for Heaven Sent to be that "angel in your back pocket."
We want to help make it possible for families to get the help their family member needs.
Please don't only think of Heaven Sent when it is a human family member. Call us for any family member.
We are here for the complete family and all of its members.
Even if you think we can't help. Even if you think the problem is too small. Even if you think we don't have time to deal with such a small problem. CALL US.
We are not saying we can help with everything. We are not saying we can't help. We are saying: TRY US.
In many cases, we can help connect you with resources, veterinary assistance, food, supplies, emergency assistance, or another path forward.
I love you, Zeus.
We Will Fight For Your Family.
Families cannot survive on promises of help that never comes, appointments that never get made, or calls that are never returned.
No More Families Left Hanging.
We know what it feels like to have nowhere to turn — to make the calls, follow the instructions, wait for help, and still have nobody there.
We will not knowingly send you in circles. We will not tell you help is available when it is not. We cannot promise money we do not have, and we cannot promise every outcome.
But we can promise this: we will take your situation seriously. We will tell you the truth. We will make calls, look for resources, connect organizations, advocate for your family, and fight to find a path forward whenever one can be found.
Your pet is not an afterthought. Your pet is family.
I love you, Zeus.
Supporting The Pet Caregiver
Caring for an animal can be part of caring for a Veteran, senior, person with a disability, family experiencing homelessness, or anyone facing a crisis. We look at the whole household.
Veterans & Service Animals
Helping Veterans protect the bond with the animals who provide companionship, stability and support.
Seniors & Caregivers
Pet food, supplies, transportation and resource connections can help seniors keep beloved companions safely at home.
Disability Support
For people with disabilities, an animal may be companionship, routine, independence and family. Pet needs belong in the care plan.
Working & Vehicular Homeless
People living in vehicles should not be forced to abandon a pet simply to seek help. We work toward solutions that respect the whole family.
Unsheltered Families
Food, leashes, bowls, crates, basic supplies and veterinary connections can help keep people and pets safer during homelessness.
Disaster Pet Support
Disaster planning must include animals. Safe evacuation, temporary supplies, food and pet-friendly recovery resources help families stay together.
Zeus ❤️
These photographs are here because Zeus deserves to be remembered — not simply as a sad story, but as the loved member of our family that he was.
Help For The Whole Family
Heaven Sent may be able to help with veterinary bills, pet food, emergency needs, supplies, transportation, referrals and other services depending on the situation and available resources.
Veterinary Bills
We may be able to help with veterinary expenses, emergency veterinary needs, or help connect your family with available veterinary assistance.
Pet Food
When money is tight, keeping food in the bowl matters. Ask us about available pet food assistance and food resources.
Pet Supplies
Ask about available resources for essential pet supplies and other necessities your family may need.
Emergency Needs
If something is happening right now, call us. We will listen, assess the situation and try to find a path forward.
Resource Connections
We can help families look for organizations, programs and services that may be able to assist.
Transportation
Ask us whether transportation or other practical assistance may be available for your situation.
Family Stability
We understand that a pet emergency can compete with rent, food, utilities and other basic family needs.
Someone Who Will Listen
Sometimes the first thing a family needs is someone to take the situation seriously and help find the next step.
If Your Pet Is Family, Call.
You don't have to know whether you qualify before you call. Tell us what is happening. We will be honest about what we can and cannot do. And when possible, we will help you find another resource.
When you call, be ready to tell us:
- What is happening with your pet.
- Whether the situation is an emergency.
- What veterinary care has already been recommended.
- What you can realistically afford.
- What help you have already tried to obtain.
- What city or county you are located in.
Found A Pet? Upload The Pictures.
Help give a found or lost pet a better chance of getting home. Add photographs, information and a way to contact you.
📟 Already Have A Microchip Number?
If you already have a microchip number and are trying to figure out which company holds that pet's records, don't guess between the different registries. The AAHA Universal Pet Microchip Lookup Tool searches the major registries at the same time and tells you which company holds the active contact record for that chip number.
Help Us Be The Call That Gets Answered.
Donations and in-kind support can help Heaven Sent build practical pet assistance so a family in crisis has somewhere to turn.
Emergency Veterinary Assistance
Support for urgent veterinary needs when resources and program funding are available.
Pet Food & Supplies
Food, bowls, leashes, collars, harnesses, crates, bedding and other essential items.
Pet Transportation
Help families overcome transportation barriers when veterinary or pet-care appointments are out of reach.
Preventive Care Connections
Partnerships for vaccinations, wellness services, spay/neuter resources and other preventive care.
Pet-Friendly Stability
Resources that help keep pets with their families during homelessness, housing transitions and emergencies.
Safe Harbor Pet Program
Future partnerships, internships, animal-care education and pet-support services integrated with the Safe Harbor campus.
Sometimes One Answered Call Changes Everything.
A bag of pet food can protect a senior's grocery money. Transportation can get an animal to care. A veterinary partner can give a family options. An emergency gift can create time when time matters.
Your support helps us build the resources we wished had been there for Zeus.
Pet Support Is Part Of Whole-Family Support.
A pet crisis may happen at the same time as a housing, food, transportation, Veteran, disability, senior or disaster-related crisis. Heaven Sent looks at the complete situation.
🍲 Food & Nutrition
Human food insecurity and pet food insecurity often happen together.
🎖️ Veterans Services
Veterans and their animals can be supported as one household.
🏠 Homeless Services
Pet-inclusive planning can help preserve the family bond during housing instability.
♿ Senior & Disability
Pet support can reduce another pressure on fixed-income households and caregivers.
🚐 Transportation
Getting to veterinary care can be as important as finding the care itself.
⛈️ Disaster Relief
Preparedness and recovery plans should include every member of the family.
📋 Case Management
Pet needs can be considered alongside benefits, food, housing and other household needs.
⚓ Safe Harbor
The future campus is planned with pet support, partnerships and family stability in mind.
Pet Resource Network
If Heaven Sent cannot directly provide the help needed, we will encourage you to keep looking for resources and help you explore another path whenever possible.
🐾 Local Animal Shelters
Contact local shelters and animal welfare organizations about emergency assistance, food programs, veterinary referrals and other services.
🩺 Veterinary Clinics
Ask clinics whether they offer payment plans, hardship programs, reduced-cost services, or referrals to organizations that may help.
🥫 Pet Food Banks
Look for pet food banks, community pantries and animal welfare programs serving your county.
🏛️ Community Programs
Senior, veteran, disability and family-support organizations may know about additional assistance.
🚨 Emergency Situation
If your animal is in immediate danger or severe distress, seek emergency veterinary care immediately while contacting us.
📟 Microchip Lookup
Already have a chip number? Use the AAHA Universal Microchip Lookup Tool to find out which registry holds the pet's contact information.
❤️ Heaven Sent
(407) 279-0520
717-623-0164
joepres@heaven-sent-veterans-outreach.org
Chapter Directory
Heaven Sent operates through a headquarters office and chapter leads across several states. Reach out to the contact closest to you.
Joe Ryan
Tim Lehman
Darrell Whited
Teresa Whited
Paul Kinebrew
Don't Wait Until You Have Nowhere Else To Turn.
Human family member or four-legged family member — if something is wrong, call Heaven Sent. You may be surprised at what can be found when someone is willing to try.