Brandi had a rough start. She was found tied to a tree on the side of the road, left behind after having recently given birth to puppies. Weak and suddenly abandoned, Brandi’s pain and heartbreak can only be imagined.
Fortunately, her story didn’t end tied to that tree. Brandi was rescued and brought to a southern shelter, where she got the comfort and care she needed—including the first treatment for heartworm disease.
Once she was feeling better, Brandi boarded a Greater Good Charities pet transport in May 2025 and took off for New Jersey and a better life!
At the shelter in Jersey, it wasn’t long before Brandi completed her heartworm treatment. Now she was ready for adoption, and in no time she found the perfect home. Brandi’s owner says she has a great heart—she's still learning to be friends with her feline siblings, but has graduated training and is doing better every day!
Greater Good Charities helps dogs like Brandi move toward healthier futures through our “Save a Heart” pet transports. With generous support from Boehringer Ingelheim—the maker of NexGard® PLUS (afoxolaner, moxidectin, and pyrantel chewable tablets) and HEARTGARD® Plus (ivermectin/pyrantel)—this program ensures dogs (including ones that are heartworm-positive) receive veterinary care, prevention, and a safe path out of overcrowded shelters. By pairing treatment with transport, we help these dogs reach communities with more resources and greater adoption opportunities.
Heartworm disease is serious and can be deadly, but it’s also preventable and treatable. In the southern U.S. where the disease is most prevalent, shelters are often stretched thin, unable to provide the long, costly care heartworm-positive dogs require. As a result, these dogs face longer shelter stays and fewer chances at adoption.
"Save a Heart” addresses this challenge from multiple angles. We provide shelters with the medication to treat and prevent heartworm while also transporting asymptomatic heartworm-positive dogs to shelters better equipped to care for them. This approach eases pressure on overcrowded facilities, creates space and flexibility for shelter staff, and helps dogs move more quickly into adoptive homes!
Since the program began, “Save a Heart” has helped nearly 1,750 asymptomatic dogs like Brandi find safety and second chances with Boehringer Ingelheim’s support. As we approach the program’s five-year milestone this April, we’re proud of what’s been accomplished and energized by what’s ahead.
Because of you—our partners and supporters—this work remains responsive and purposeful. Together, we’re ensuring that shelters are supported, resources are used where they matter most, and more animals like Brandi have the chance to thrive!
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION: NexGard® PLUS (afoxolaner, moxidectin, and pyrantel chewable tablets) is safe for puppies at 8 weeks, weighing 4 pounds or more. The most frequently reported adverse reactions include diarrhea, vomiting, lethargy, and itching. Use with caution in dogs with a history of seizures or neurologic disorders. Dogs should be tested for existing heartworm infection prior to starting a preventive. For more information, click here for full prescribing information.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION: HEARTGARD Plus is well tolerated. All dogs should be tested for heartworm infection before starting a preventive program. Following the use of HEARTGARD Plus, digestive and neurologic side effects have been reported. For more information, click here for full prescribing information.