DOUBLE YOUR IMPACT TODAY: MATCHING GIFT OPPORTUNITY!

An anonymous donor has generously offered to match every donation to our HEART For Pugs Program - up to $10,000!
This means your contribution will go twice as far to help fund heartworm testing, prevention, and lifesaving treatment for dogs who arrive already infected

When you donate $100 or more, not only will your gift be matched—you’ll also receive our 2026 PRFG calendar, featuring the winning photos from our annual contest. It’s the perfect way to celebrate pugs all year long while knowing you’ve helped save lives.

Why Prevention Matters:

Heartworm disease is a serious and potentially fatal condition caused by a parasitic worm (Dirofilaria immitis) that lives in the heart, lungs, and blood vessles of infected animals. It's spread through the bite of a single, infected mosquito - one bite can deposit larvae that migrate and mature inside the dog's body over several months. 

Left untreated, heartworm disease causes severe lung disease, heart failure, and damage to other organs. Treatment is not only painful and risky, but also costly and requires months of strict rest to avoid life-threatening complications.

Our Rescue Protocol:

When a pug enters our rescue, they receive a full medical intake exam—including a heartworm test. Sadly, more than 50% of the pugs we help haven't received any vet care in the year before they come to us. That means no preventatives, no testing, and high risk for infection. To protect them, every pug in our care receives 6 months of heartworm prevention medication. While they're with us, we administer it monthly—and we send the remainder home with their new families upon adoption.

 Adopters are also reminded when heartworm prevention medications are due each month, when to purchase more, and when to schedule annual heartworm testing. 

Heartworm disease is preventable—but still far too common:

• In 2024, 6 pugs tested heartworm positive upon intake
• In 2025 so far, 3 more have already tested positive

Treatment requires a long road of medication, vet visits, and strict crate rest. 

Prevention? Just one chew a month or annual injection.

It’s simple: Prevention saves lives.

But not every pug comes to us protected. Your donation helps us provide lifesaving heartworm prevention to every foster—and critical treatment for those who arrive already infected.

Give the gift of a healthy heart—donate today to protect a pug in need.