Poodle and Pooch Rescue of Florida: Wag Wine Operation Grant Report

How did this grant help your organization and the pets in your care?

This grant helped us cover one of our core ongoing expenses: monthly heartworm and flea preventatives for the dogs in our care. At any given time, we are caring for approximately 65–75 dogs, including those in foster homes, hospice care, medical treatment, and awaiting adoption.

In Florida’s warm, humid climate, parasites thrive year-round, making consistent flea and heartworm prevention critical for protecting dogs’ health. Heartworm disease, transmitted by mosquitoes, is especially prevalent in our state and can lead to severe, life-threatening complications if left untreated. Likewise, fleas are not only uncomfortable for pets but can transmit tapeworms and other diseases, quickly infesting homes and communities.

Regular, year-round preventive care is the most effective way to keep dogs safe, reduce costly treatments, and protect the broader pet population from preventable illnesses. Thanks to the Wag Wine Operation Grant and the support of the Petfinder Foundation, we were able to cover one month of preventatives for 34 dogs.

How many pets did this grant help?

34

Please provide a story of one or more specific pets this grant helped.

Cooper, a 1-year-old brindle cattle dog mix, came to Poodle and Pooch Rescue from a shelter on the Seminole Tribe reservation. The shelter didn’t have the resources to provide medical care or public adoptions — dogs like Cooper rely entirely on rescues to step in and save them. When Cooper arrived, he was sweet and gentle but facing big challenges: He was heartworm-positive, needed all his vaccines, tested positive for hookworms, and would need to be neutered once he was healthy enough for surgery.

Heartworm disease is completely preventable, but treatment is painful, expensive, and takes months of strict rest and care. Sadly, without consistent prevention, dogs in Florida — where mosquitoes thrive year-round — are at especially high risk of becoming heartworm-positive, just like Cooper.

Thanks to the grant funding that helped cover Cooper’s heartworm preventatives, his life looks very different today. After weeks of tender care, Cooper began his treatment, recovered from surgery, and moved into a loving foster home where he thrived. His foster mom described him as her “shadow” — a gentle, submissive boy who adored his foster sister Charley, got along beautifully with the family cats, and walked perfectly on leash.

Now, Cooper has found his forever family. The family recently lost their beloved dog of ten years and knew they had more love to give. When they met Cooper, they fell instantly in love. Today, he has a fenced yard to play in, daily walks, and trips to the dog park to socialize and enjoy the life every dog deserves.

Because of your support, Cooper’s story has a happy ending — and so many more dogs will be protected from preventable diseases through ongoing flea and heartworm prevention. Thank you for making this possible.