Across the country, animal shelters are facing an unrelenting crisis. Overcrowding is at historic levels, and dogs with treatable conditions like heartworm disease are too often left behind. Many shelters lack the capacity to provide treatment, putting these pets at risk of being overlooked or euthanized.
At Greater Good Charities, we believe that every adoptable dog deserves a chance at a healthy, happy life, regardless of diagnosis. That’s why our pet transports and the Save a Heart initiative work to give asymptomatic, heartworm-positive shelter dogs the second chance they deserve.
What Is Heartworm Disease and Can These Dogs Still Be Adopted?
Heartworm disease is a serious, but treatable condition caused by parasitic worms that live in the heart, lungs, and blood vessels, spread through mosquito bites. Dogs with heartworm may show no symptoms at first, but without treatment, the disease can become life-threatening. Treatment requires time, care, and resources—things that many shelters simply don’t have.
This often leaves heartworm-positive dogs waiting longer to be adopted, even though they can go on to live full lives after treatment. When you adopt a heartworm-positive dog, you’re not only saving a life—you’re making space for shelters to care for more animals in need.
Save a Heart: Closing the Gap for Vulnerable Dogs
Greater Good Charities launched the Save a Heart initiative to address the disproportionate risk faced by asymptomatic heartworm-positive dogs, particularly in the southern U.S., where the disease is more common and shelter resources are stretched thin. Through Save a Heart, dogs receive lifesaving treatment and are flown to partner shelters across the country that can continue their care and place them into loving homes.
Since 2021, Save a Heart has helped more than 3,400 dogs, including over 1,200 diagnosed with heartworm, get the medical support they need and a better chance at adoption. These transports are part of our larger pet transport effort, which relocates at-risk shelter pets—especially large dogs, homeless cats, and animals affected by natural disasters.
Clover’s Journey: From Overlooked to Adoptable
Take Clover, for example. She was surrendered to a Louisiana shelter along with her puppies. While her pups were quickly adopted, Clover tested positive for heartworm and was left behind at a shelter, unable to treat her condition.
Thanks to Save a Heart, Clover was able to start treatment and board a flight to the East Coast. Just days later, she was on her way to a new home. Her story is one of thousands—each a reminder that when we invest in the most vulnerable, we change outcomes.
Why Adopting a Heartworm-Positive Dog Matters
If you’re wondering, Should I adopt a dog with heartworm?—the answer is yes, if you’re ready and able to follow through with treatment. Most asymptomatic, heartworm-positive dogs, especially those identified early, can recover fully and live long, healthy lives. Treatment is safe, effective, and widely available through veterinarians.
Adopting one of these dogs not only saves a life, it reduces overcrowding, eases the strain on shelter staff, and allows more pets to access care.
How Greater Good Charities Is Creating Long-Term Change
Our work doesn’t stop with transport. Greater Good Charities supports more than 10,000 shelters and rescues and provides holistic aid that includes medical care, supplies, and training. We build long-term partnerships with shelters to address ongoing challenges, from veterinarian shortages to pet overpopulation.
Through our Pet Evacuation efforts, we cover all transport costs and provide shelter partners with grants, mentorship, and supplies to support sustainable operations and lifesaving outcomes.
You Can Be Part of the Solution
When you adopt a dog with heartworm, you’re not just saving one life—you’re creating space and hope for many more. If adoption isn’t an option for you, you can still help by:
- Donating to support treatment and transport efforts
- Fostering a pet in need while they recover
- Advocating for heartworm-positive dogs at your local shelter
Together, we can shift the narrative and give overlooked pets the futures they deserve.
