Saving a dog won't change the world, but for that one dog, the world has changed. Stray from the Heart’s mission is to rescue, rehabilitate, and find loving homes for homeless, abused, or neglected dogs, regardless of where they are born. They strive to create a world where animal welfare matters and animal cruelty ends.

Toni Bodon and Beth Silberg met at a crowded veterinary office in Manhattan. Both had heard about five strays who were destined for a high-kill city pound. United in their cause, Toni and Beth were ultimately able to find homes for all five strays.

Through this experience, they discovered they worked well together, and they shared a passion for rescuing homeless dogs and finding them great homes. Continuing their partnership, they launched the nonprofit, Stray from the Heart, in September 2000. 

In addition to rescuing dogs in the USA, Stray from the Heart’s international rescue and adoption program, Compassion in Action rescues, rehabilitates, and finds homes for street dogs in Puerto Rico, Ecuador, and other countries where the number of stray dogs is countless. In Puerto Rico, approximately 500,000 street dogs, known as Satos, roam the streets and beaches trying to fend for themselves. In Ecuador, an estimated 300,000 strays, known as Ecuadogs, roam the streets. Without help, these abandoned and abused dogs have little chance of survival. 

With no paid employees and no shelter facility, Stray from the Heart relies on a network of foster homes and veterinary partners to house dogs until permanent homes are found. Stray from the Heart's success stories are made possible because their committed domestic and international sponsors, partners, and volunteers share the belief that all strays deserve to be rescued, regardless of where they are born. 

4Knines hopes you will consider partnering with Stray for the Heart to help them achieve their goals of building a shelter, expanding their reach to additional cities and countries, and developing humane education programs. There are many volunteer opportunities: fostering, conducting pre-adoption home visits, transporting sick dogs to appointments, and fundraising. You can also “Shop for a Cause” or make a charitable donation (100% is used to cover expenses related to the rescue, rehabilitation and adoption of stray dogs).