#81 in United States, #7 in Washington, #2 in Olympia
5111 Pheasant Ln SE Olympia Washington 98513
Service areas:
Yakama Reservation, Yakima County, Thurston County
"I cannot imagine a rescue with staff so active, loving, dedicated and tireless as those at Caring Hearts for Dogs. Susan, the hands-on carer at her home in Olympia, is in almost constant motion with everything to include so much work birthing the rescued mothers, transporting for vet visits, treating the new arrivals with baths and immunizations/medical needs, reviewing applications and doing home visits to insure the rescue’s excellent adoption requirements are met before approving adoptions, gathering items and holding fundraising and adoption events, finding fosters, modifying the property to include safe outdoor spaces for the dogs to get exercise, cleaning up after them inside and out, responding to calls/texts, applying for grants, getting healthy food for the dogs, keeping all the records, seeking out volunteers and fosters - the seemingly endless list goes on. Susan’s chosen life of rescue is admirable, and we don’t know how she does it all! In my opinion, Caring Hearts for Dogs is the most worthy, and I highly recommend this amazing rescue!"
— renee h.
Supporter
"Caring Hearts 4 Paws is a small rescue that is making a big difference in the lives of dogs! I have adopted two dogs from this rescue and wish that I could adopt more! Sue is absolutely amazing! Her passion and commitment to helping dogs is inspiring and I am so grateful that she does what she does!!! I am so happy to recognize this fantastic rescue!"
— melissa d.
Adoptee
"This may be a small rescue organization but provides a big impact to the community and beyond. It's truly amazing to me what they accomplish and when I retire in a few years will become a foster and volunteer my time."
— lori t.
Supporter, Fan
"They helped me with my girl dog that I found and rescued. Help me take care of her, shots and spayed. Made sure her puppies got well taken care of too"
— lisa o.
Adoptee, Supporter, Fan
"I have never seen a rescue designed just to save lives and find permanent homes for dogs and puppies that cares so for each furbaby. They find lost and abandoned dogs in the Yakima Valley and care and feed, as well as working on training and vetting prospective homes so these dogs can be safe in their forever homes."
— narda l.
Supporter, Fan
"Caring Hearts 4 Paws has the most amazing mission of helping unwanted and last litters from the Yakima Valley area of Washington. Small, but mighty, they make it happen and I love supporting this rescue."
— carla w.
Volunteer / foster
"When my mom passed away. We found this rescue. We were very please to see the care and determination to place their dogs in only the best homes. With Careing Hearts 4 Paws, we were touched to see how many animals they help. Our little Keeka Girl is the best dog ever. And with her history of abandonment, the rescue took the time to help her and her litter survive, comforting and caring for them. I also help and support the rescue with providing essential products. Like shampoo and sanitizer when I am able to. I have recommended Caring Hearts 4 Paws , over and over again. And will continue to do so. Thank you for finding me my furever pup.❤️❤️❤️❤️"
— kim b.
Adoptee, Supporter
"This is a great rescue to support. They take in abandoned litters and takes great care to find loving forever homes. I have adopted and continue to foster as well. I also help out at adoption events."
— julie b.
Adoptee, Volunteer / foster, Supporter, Fan
"Sue @ Caring4Paws give 180% to her mission of saving and caring for these abandoned dogs. It doesn't matter if they are pregnant or have a litter by their side. Best part is she really screens the potential adopters to try and ensure her dogs are placed in "fur"ever homes. Health is of the utmost importance to her. She spends countless hours and tons of her own money to help these dogs. Highly recommend adopting from her and supporting her rescue. Very professional too."
— kelly p.
Supporter, Fan
"This shelter is amazing and very kind! They helped us find an amazing dog, and we feel very confident that they take great care of the animals they're helping."
— ronald s.
Adoptee
Does your dog ever growl when you walk by their food dish? Maybe they get possessive of treats, carrying them far away and giving you side-eye when you start to approach — or snarling at your other pets or children if they get too close.
As almost every dog owner is aware, the nose of a dog is an amazing thing. Just as they can pick up sounds we can’t hear, their sense of smell and ability to pick up scents is well beyond ours. In fact, dogs have 40 times the number of olfactory receptors as humans.
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You thought your dog was house trained. Your home was clean from puddles of pee, those dreaded middle-of-the-night bathroom breaks were behind you, and you loved every minute of dog ownership… until your four-legged best friend started using the bathroom inside again. What’s going on?
Ah, poop. We humans think it’s disgusting… but many of our dogs seem to love the stuff. If you’re wondering why your canine companion tries to eat feces (either their own or that of other animals) you’re not alone!
Do you have a water-loving dog looking to burn some energy? There are countless dog parks to visit throughout our country — but some of them become far too hot in the midday sun to be safe for your pets to play. That’s why we’ve put together a list of some of the best dog water parks throughout the United States! At these locations, your pup can frolic, splash, and swim to their heart’s content.
* All Sniffspot articles are reviewed by certified trainers for quality, please see bottom of article for details *
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You’ve been told your dog needs regular exercise. There’s a reason “walking the dog” is a classic daily activity: Frequent excursions give your pup a chance to experience the world, maintain a healthy weight, and — most importantly — spend time with you! Consistent physical activity can also improve their strength, muscle tone, coordination, and mental ability over time.
* All Sniffspot articles are reviewed by certified trainers for quality, please see bottom of article for details *
Many dogs have gotten a bad reputation over the years for being "dangerous breeds." Rottweilers are among them. Like pit bulls and other large, blocky-headed types of dogs, these powerful and beautiful animals are often assumed to be aggressive.
Your dog is reactive. They’ll see another dog, person, or other stimulus in the environment (like a car or bike) while out on a walk and suddenly go crazy at the end of their leash. The barking, lunging, and growling feels embarrassing for you — and it’s clear that your pup isn’t having a great time either.
Does your dog display reactivity to other pets or people? Maybe they’re a new rescue pup and are still settling into your home. Or they were sick growing up, so you missed their critical socialization period. Possibly they’ve had a bad experience after being raised as a normal puppy.
Do you have a reactive dog or suspect you may have one? You’re not alone!
* All Sniffspot articles are reviewed by certified trainers for quality, please see bottom of article for details *
From 2009 to 2020, there was a 40 percent increase in the development of public dog parks. Designated spots for canine exercise have become commonplace in every major city in North America — many pet owners won’t even consider renting an apartment that doesn’t have its own fenced-in pet area for their canine companions.
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Ellen is the host of Country Pasture Getaway, one of Sniffspot's most popular sniff spots. She has taken the time to write up the lessons she has learned about how to be a great sniff spot host.
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Fran is the host of Ranch Setting, one of Sniffspot's most popular spots. She has taken the time to write up the lessons she has learned about how to be a great Sniffspot host.
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Looking for the perfect place to play with your dog? We’ve got you covered! It’s hard to narrow down, but we’ve put together some of the best off-leash dog parks throughout the country so you can plan your next adventure — along with a checklist of what to bring, what to know beforehand, and some frequently asked questions.
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Looking for the perfect place to play with your dog? We’ve got you covered!
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Discover the German Shepherd Dog, a breed celebrated for its intelligence, loyalty, and versatility. Known for its impressive size and smooth, graceful movements, German Shepherds excel in various roles, including as guide, therapy, bomb detection, and police dogs, while being a devoted family companion.
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Discover the American Staffordshire Terrier, a distinct breed celebrated for its playful, friendly, and loyal nature. Often confused with the Staffordshire Bull Terrier, a separate breed of British origin, the American Staffordshire Terrier (AmStaff) is considered a medium-sized dog. While both breeds share some similarities, the AmStaff is generally larger and has been developed as a distinct breed in the United States.
Discover the Australian Shepherd, an AKC breed celebrated for its trainable, playful, and affectionate nature. Despite its name, the Australian Shepherd is actually a native breed to the United States, originally developed to breed on farms and ranches. Considered a medium dog, Australian Shepherds were bred for herding beginning in the 1950s. As one of the high-energy breeds, Aussies are known for their boundless energy and need for regular exercise, including aerobic exercise.