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October 2025 Issue
Saving Lives of Homeless
Dogs and Cats and
Feeding Hungry Pets
In Our Community
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WoofStock’s Mega Pet Adoption Returns:
20 Pets Find Forever Homes in Four Hours!
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From Hopeless to Home:
WoofStock’s Big Win for 20 Rescue Animals
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Every dog and cat has a story to tell and a life waiting to be lived. In a state facing a heartbreaking crisis—where North Carolina ranks third in the nation for euthanasia of healthy, adoptable dogs and cats—hope is a powerful thing.
This October, in honor of Adopt a Shelter Pet Month, we brought hope back in the grooviest way possible: with the long-awaited return of WoofStock.
Held at Coastal Kia, in partnership with PetSmart at Mayfaire and Woof Gang Bakery at Lumina Commons, WoofStock wasn’t just an event—it was a lifeline. The entire Coastal Kia showroom was transformed—not for cars, but for cages, crates, and gates filled with dogs, cats, puppies, and kittens from local shelters and rescues.
Despite the pouring rain (quite literally
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“raining cats and dogs”), the community showed up in full force. Adopters flooded the showroom, umbrellas in hand and hearts wide open. With each adoption, a bell rang out—a joyful sound that echoed through the building, followed by cheers, happy tears, and heartfelt hugs. For every pet that found a home, a life was changed forever. Not just theirs, but also the lives of the families who welcomed them in.
In just four short hours, over 20 pets were adopted—finally getting what they always dreamed of—a loving family and a place to call home.
WoofStock wasn't just an event—it was a celebration of second chances.
From hopeless to home—that’s the heart of Heidi’s Hope for Homeless Animals. And on this unforgettable day, hope found its forever home
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20 New Beginnings in Four Hours:
Because Every Pet Deserves a Home
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Heartwarming Tales from WoofStock:
Every Tail Has a Tale Worth Telling
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Evie’s Second Chance: From Euthanasia List
to a Second Chance in Life
| | Evie’s story began in heartbreak—just three years old and on the euthanasia list at an overcrowded Robeson County shelter. Her (continued) | | |
time was almost up when Saving Dogs for
Betty’s Sake stepped in and gave her the miracle she deserved.
With her sleek black coat, piercing blue eyes, and quiet wisdom, Evie turned heads at WoofStock, our mega adoption event at Coastal Kia. But it was one little girl who truly saw her—the girl who tugged at her mother’s hand and whispered, “I want to meet the pretty dog with the blue eyes.”
The moment they met, hearts connected. Evie’s tail wagged, the little girl smiled, and it was clear—they had found each other. Without hesitation, Evie leapt into their car, ready for her new beginning.
Today, Evie is home—loved, cherished, and inseparable from the best friend who chose her.
From nearly forgotten to forever adored, Evie’s story reminds us that every dog just needs one chance—and someone to love them enough to say yes.
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Henry’s Homecoming:
Henry’s Heartwarming Journey:
From Hopeless to Home
Once known as Kip, Henry’s story began in heartbreak. When his beloved owner was in a tragic car accident and never returned, Kip was left behind—confused, grieving, and alone in the Bladen County Animal Shelter. Each passing day, his spirit faded a little more.
Seeing his pain, the shelter reached out to Hamilton’s Healing Hearts, who welcomed him with open arms. With patience, gentle care, and love, they helped him rediscover trust and hope. Slowly, Kip’s light began to shine again—and destiny had something special waiting for him.
At WoofStock, our mega pet adoption event, Marcia and Frank Wolf spotted the small dog with soulful eyes and felt an instant connection.
They brought him home, gave him a new name—Henry—
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| | and filled his days with warmth, laughter, and love. Today, Henry is thriving—part of the Wolf family, proudly wearing his Kansas City Chiefs jersey on game days, and knowing in his heart that he’s finally home. | | Scruffy’s Happily Ever After: From Streets to Home | | |
Once a scrappy little terrier wandering the streets of Kenansville, Scruffy’s life changed when the rescue group
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Saving Dogs for Betty’s Sake saw the spark beneath his rough coat and gave him the second chance he deserved.
For four months, Scruffy waited patiently in their care—safe, loved, and hopeful. Then came WoofStock, our big adoption event at Coastal Kia, where fate finally stepped in.
With his wagging tail and soulful eyes, Scruffy won hearts everywhere, but two young women saw something special. Their one question—“Is he good with cats?”—opened the door to his forever home. That night, Scruffy met his new feline sibling, and it was love at first sniff.
From lonely streets to cozy cuddles, Scruffy’s journey is a gentle reminder that love finds us when we least expect it. Thanks to compassionate rescuers and the magic of WoofStock, this little dog now has everything he dreamed of: a best friend, a forever family, and a life full of tail wags and purrs.
Scruffy is proof that every dog truly has its day.
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A huge thank you to WECT and Kim Ratcliff for helping us spread the word about the return of WoofStock, our mega pet adoption event at Coastal Kia!
Your support makes a real difference—helping more pets find their forever homes. We couldn’t do it without incredible community partners like you.
To watch our full interview on WECT, click the link below:
https://www.wect.com/.../pet-week-heidis-hope-homeless.../
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Thank you to FOX Wilmington and Kim Ratcliff for having Heidi's Hope for Homeless Animals on the show!
A special shoutout to Tina Busse, General Manager of Carolina Ale House for joining Heidi's Hope For Homeless Animals to chat about our HOWL-O-Ween Pet Costume Contest Fundraiser, benefiting our Pet Food Bank.
We’re so grateful for the opportunity to share our mission and celebrate the community that helps us make a difference for pets in need!
To watch our full interview on FOX Wilmington, click the link below:
https://youtu.be/5-ijRBP-Ep8
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Please Donate to Help Restock
Our Pet Food Bank!
Heidi’s Hope for Homeless Animals’ Pet Food Bank and Pet Meals on Wheels program are running low on supplies. Many local families are struggling to feed their beloved cats and dogs — but together, we can make sure no pet goes hungry.
We’re raising funds to bring in another full tractor trailer of pet food through our partnership with Greater Good Charities!
Thanks to our incredible supporters, we’re almost at our goal to bring in another full tractor trailer of pet food through our partnership with Greater Good Charities!
Your donation today can help us reach the finish line — refilling our shelves and ensuring pets stay healthy and at home with the families who love them.
Every dollar counts, and we’re so grateful for your support. Please donate today and help us make this delivery a reality!
www.HeidisHopeForHomelessAnimals.com/donate
Together, we can keep pets fed, healthy, and home.
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St. Paws — Honoring
St. Francis Day with
Blessings for Our Pets
We’re so grateful to St. Paul’s and all who gave so generously—turning love into lasting help for pets in need. St. Paws — Honoring St. Francis Day with Blessings for Our Pets
In honor of St. Francis Day, the patron saint of animals, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church hosted a heartwarming St. Paws Blessing of the Animals. The pews were filled with dogs, a few brave cats, and even a chicken—all receiving blessings at the altar.
In the spirit of giving, parishioners and guests donated very generously to benefit Heidi’s Hope for Homeless Animals’ Pet Food Bank, helping us move closer to our goal of securing another tractor trailer of pet food with Greater Good Charities.
Thanks to St. Paul’s, many of our beloved pets were blessed and celebrated—and thanks to their incredible community, more hungry pets will soon have full bowls and warm hearts!
| | | Howl-O-Ween Pet Paw-ty: Tails, Treats & Trickery! | | |
It was a night of costumes, cuddles, and cause-driven fun! Dogs came dressed as nuns, Grinches, witches, and even in cozy doggy pajamas—it was a festive and fun evening on the patio at Carolina Ale House.
Four-legged besties and their humans gathered at Carolina Ale House on Friday, October 24th for the Howl-O-Ween Pet Paw-ty—a frightfully fun celebration that benefited Heidi’s Hope Pet Food Bank. Fifteen percent of all proceeds went to Heidi’s Hope for Homeless Animals’ Pet Food Bank, helping us move closer to our goal of funding another tractor-trailer of pet food through our partnership with Greater Good Charities—to feed hungry pets right here in our community.
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October Highlights:
St. Francis Day Blessings,
WoofStock Adoptions &
Howl-O-Ween Fun!
This month has been overflowing with blessings, wagging tails, and heartwarming moments that remind us why we do what we do.
We began with St. Paws, a joyful celebration hosted by St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in honor of St. Francis Day, the patron saint of animals. The sanctuary was filled with the sounds of purrs, barks, and even a few clucks as dogs, cats, and one charming chicken received their special blessings. The outpouring of generosity from the St. Paul’s community touched our hearts—their donations to Heidi’s Hope’s Pet Food Bank are helping us get closer to our goal of securing another tractor trailer of food with Greater Good Charities, ensuring that more pets have full bowls and happy hearts.
Then came the long-awaited return of WoofStock—our groovy, life-changing adoption event! Hosted by Coastal Kia and supported by our friends at PetSmart
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Mayfaire and Woof Gang Bakery at Lumina Commons, WoofStock truly lived up to its name. The weather joined the fun, too—true to the theme, it was quite literally raining cats and dogs! Yet even as the rain fell, spirits soared.
Adoption bells rang again and again as the showroom filled with cheers and happy tears. In just four hours, more than 20 dogs and cats found their forever homes—a beautiful reminder that love always finds a way. Many of these pets had overcome tough beginnings, making each adoption story even more special.
We wrapped up this incredible month with our HOWL-O-Ween Pet Costume Contest Fundraiser at Carolina Ale House, where pets paraded in their cutest (and spookiest!) outfits. Guests enjoyed delicious food, fun prizes, and laughter—all while supporting our Pet Food Bank and Pet Meals on Wheels programs through the restaurant’s Dining for a Cause initiative.
As we close out this unforgettable month, our mission continues: to fill another tractor trailer with nutritious pet food through our partnership with Greater Good Charities. Together, we can make sure no pet in our community goes hungry.
Please Help Us Reach Our Goal!
Every dollar brings us closer to filling another truckload of food for pets in need.
Your generosity keeps tails wagging, bellies full, and hope alive.
Please donate to make a life-changing difference today.
From blessings to adoptions to spooky celebrations, this month reminded us of the incredible power of compassion and community.
Thank you for helping us bring hope, healing, and full bellies to pets in need—because every act of kindness brings us one step closer to a world where no pet goes hungry or homeless.
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Ready To Adopt Your New Best Friend?
Check Out These Sites for Adoptable Pets
In Need of Good Homes:
You can’t change a rescue dog’s past, but you can rewrite his future.
Rescue does not mean damaged.
It means they have been let down by humans.
Please Make Adoption Your Only Option!
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Heidi's Hope For
Homeless Animals, Inc.
1121 Military Cutoff Road, Suite C-214
Wilmington, NC 28405
Heidi's Hope For Homeless Animals...
Saving Homeless Dogs and Cats and
Filling Pets' Bowls with
Food and Hope!
| | | Heidi’s Hope for Homeless Animals, Inc. is a 501 ( c ) organization that is an intake organization who helps pets at risk of euthanasia and helps prevent owner surrender. The Bow Wow Luau & The Cat’s Meow® has donated over $80,000.00 to reduce shelter euthanasia. We’re proud to be Cape Fear’s first-ever Pet Food Bank and the creator of the region’s very first Pet Meals On Wheels Program—filling a critical void in our community and leading the way in providing essential food support for pets in need. Thanks to the generosity of our supporters, Heidi’s Hope for Homeless Animals’ Pet Food Bank and food programs have donated over 310,533 pounds of pet food, valued at more than $866,142, to help feed hungry pets in desperate need. Together, we’re not just filling bowls—we’re giving hope. We created a unique coalition of local governmental agencies and human charitable organizations to provide pet food to the most food insecure. We expanded our Pet Food Bank and Pet Meals On Wheels Chapters in Onslow, Pender and Brunswick Counties. WoofStock, adopts at-risk dogs and cats. Our Disaster Relief Programs filled three tractor trailers with pet food to hurricane-impacted areas from Hurricanes Maria; Florence and Dorian. We sent two tractor trailers of pet food to western North Carolina in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. We sent two crates of pet food to help Hurricane Ian pet victims. We sent five pallets of pet food to war-torn Ukraine. We have donated microchip scanning stations to both the Wilmington Police Department; Carolina Beach Police Department; Wrightsville Beach Police Department; New Hanover County Parks, including Long Leaf Park; Smith Creek Park and Echo Farms Park. Heidi’s Hope For Homeless Animals is committed to saving the lives of homeless dogs and cats and will not stop until all dogs and cats have good homes! | | | | |
