Sam's Cats and Dogs is excited to collaborate with a local rescue doing incredible work in our community—meet Hearty Paws Great Dane Rescue! They’re the driving force behind the upcoming free microchip clinic happening this Saturday, July 26th from 10:30am to 2:00pm at our Everett store. To help you get to know them better, we asked them to share a little about who they are, and what they do.

Read on to hear directly from Kim, one of the Founders of this amazing rescue.

Kim the founder of Hearty Paws Great Dane Rescue
Kim [left], Hearty Paws Great Dane Co-Founder, and family.

"Most dog people have a favorite breed—the one that captures their heart in a way no other can. For me, that breed is the Great Dane. And in 2014, I met the dog who would become my heart-dog: Kelevra.

Kelevra was a sweet little fawn Great Dane when she joined our family at just 11 weeks old. From the very beginning, she had a calm gentleness and an old soul that made her stand out. She quickly became my shadow, my confidante, and a constant companion—not just to me, but to my youngest son as well. Her presence in our lives was a gift that quietly, but profoundly, changed the course of my life.

When we later moved from Virginia to Texas, the contrast in the Great Dane population was striking. In Virginia, Danes were rare; in Texas, they seemed to be everywhere—and often, in need. I started getting involved in dog rescue, and it didn’t take long before I was focusing almost entirely on Great Danes.

It was through this work that I met Lori, a kindred spirit and fellow Dane lover. We bonded quickly over our shared passion and heartbreaks in rescue. Together, we began to see just how great the need was—not just for rescuers, but for a dependable, compassionate, breed-focused rescue that would be there not just for the dogs, but for the people who love them too.

And so, out of conversations, dreams, and a few late-night texts filled with “what ifs,” we decided to create that rescue ourselves. What we started was never just about pulling dogs from shelters. It was about building something bigger—a community. A network of people who believe that we may not be able to save every dog, but that we can make a difference to the ones we reach.

We believe that every dog deserves to be known, loved, and given the chance to thrive. We can’t promise perfection. We can't promise miracles. But we can promise this: we will always be committed to EVERY dog we save.

Kelevra was the beginning of this journey for me. She showed me how deeply a dog can change a life. Now, with every rescue story we’re part of, I carry her legacy with me.

This is more than a rescue. This is a calling. And this story? It begins with us."

Our Mission
Hearty Paws Great Dane Rescue is dedicated to rescuing Great Danes in need. Our goal is to create a compassionate and collaborative community where every Great Dane is cared for and cherished.

Our Vision
We envision a community that believes in the strength of the collective to save Great Danes by being the voice of change and compassion, while respecting each other and those with whom they interact.

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To learn more about the Hearty Paws Great Dane Rescue, and how to show your support, you can visit their website at www.heartypawsgreatdanerescue.org. or visit them at their Facebook page here.