Q: Who runs Heart of Infinity Rescue (HOI) and where is it based?
A: We are a 100% volunteer-run 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Scottsdale, Arizona. No one is paid a salary. Our team members are volunteers that donate their time while juggling full-time jobs, families, and busy lives. We are also foster-based. We do not have a freestanding shelter / facility. So, dogs in our rescue reside in foster homes until they find their forever homes. At any given time, we have between 50-70 dogs established in our rescue.
Q: Where does HOI save dogs from?
A: Our rescue is a New Hope Partner with MCACC (Maricopa County Animal Care and Control) - meaning we're able to save dogs from their euthanasia list marked as NHO (New Hope Only). These are dogs that have deadlines and MUST be pulled off the euthanasia list by approved rescue partners. Dogs are marked as "behavioral" or "medical" - and require the support of rescues to rehabilitate them. Dogs must be saved before their deadlines or they will be euthanized. We are only able to save dogs as committed fosters step up and open their homes to them.
Q: What kinds of dogs does HOI save?
A: Our priority is saving dogs at risk of euthanasia - especially those labeled as “fear dogs.” These are dogs who shut down, tremble, avoid eye contact, or struggle to cope inside the stressful shelter environment. Their fear is often misunderstood and can lead to an euthanasia deadline despite them not being aggressive or “bad dogs.” They simply need safety, patience, and a chance.
However, we will only pull a dog from the euthanasia list when a committed foster is in place.
That means:
- The foster is prepared to care for the dog until it is adopted
- The home is appropriate for that dog’s specific needs
- The environment is safe, stable, and focused on healing and growth
These dogs need time to decompress, learn routines, and rediscover what it means to trust again. Many fear dogs thrive best in foster homes with a confident, balanced resident dog to help them model appropriate behavior and build confidence - though not every case requires this.
We believe in giving the dogs who need it most a chance. The dogs that are scared, shut down, and overlooked - who just need someone willing to believe in them long enough for them to believe in themselves, too.
Q: Why is fostering so important?
A: Fostering is the backbone of rescue - without fosters, we cannot save lives. Every dog that enters our rescue must have a committed foster home because a foster home is the first step toward healing. It provides what a shelter or boarding facility simply cannot: safety, stability, and space to decompress. (We've prepared a Foster Handbook which is an excellent resource.)
Fosters are essential because they help dogs:
- Decompress emotionally and physically after the stress of the shelter
- Feel safe enough to come out of survival mode and start thriving
- Learn routines like crate training, potty training, and household manners
- Build confidence through slow, responsible exposure to new people, places, and experiences
- Prepare for adoption by understanding what type of home will help them succeed long-term
Fosters play a direct role in a dog’s readiness for their forever home. This may include:
- Introducing socialization after the decompression period
- Introducing dogs to other dogs or pets only when approved by the rescue in advance
- Bringing dogs to adoption events for positive exposure
- Working through minor behavioral challenges with guidance from our team
- Advocating for their foster dog during the adoption process
Fosters are expected to:
- Keep dogs safe and never put them in compromising situations
- Follow rescue guidance (as outlined in the Foster Handbook) and communicate openly
- Prioritize decompression and avoid rushing interaction or exposure
- Extend compassion, patience, and respect to every dog in their care
Following the 3-3-3 Rule is also critical!
When we place a dog in a foster home, we are trusting that foster with that dog’s wellbeing. Fostering is about being the bridge between a sad past and a happy future.
Q: Are fosters involved in the adoption process?
A: Absolutely. Fosters play a vital role in the adoption process. Because fosters live with their foster dog day-to-day, they understand that dog’s personality, needs, quirks, strengths, and areas for improvement better than anyone. That insight is invaluable.
We ask fosters to remain committed until a forever home is found, and to actively participate in helping us identify the best possible match. Adoption decisions are made as a team effort between the rescue and the foster. We always aim for a mutual fit - the right family for the dog and the right dog for the family.
This means:
- Fosters may help review applicants
- Fosters may participate in meet-and-greets
- Fosters can share observations about home compatibility
- Fosters’ instincts and assessments are respected and considered
We want our fosters to feel empowered, supported, and heard throughout the process. Our goal is not just to place dogs quickly; it’s to place them responsibly into homes where they can succeed, grow, and be loved for the rest of their lives.
Together, we advocate for what is in the dog’s best interest - always.
Q: What happens if a foster quits or isn’t honest about their abilities?
A: When a foster backs out unexpectedly or isn’t transparent about their capabilities, it directly impacts the dog’s wellbeing. That dog may have to be moved to another foster home or, if no home is available, placed in boarding. Boarding is not ideal. It is expensive, emotionally stressful for the dog, and can undo the progress they’ve made. In some circumstances, especially when a foster has violated agreements or misrepresented their abilities, boarding or transitional placement costs may be the foster’s responsibility.
Every time a dog is moved, they lose stability, routine, and trust - all of which are critical for their healing. Multiple moves can cause regression, confusion, and increased fear or anxiety. This is why we stress that fostering requires a realistic commitment and transparent communication from the start.
We don’t expect perfection. We do expect honesty, accountability, and a willingness to work with us. If challenges come up, and they often do, we want fosters to reach out. We are here to support, guide, and problem-solve together. The earlier we know there is an issue, the faster and more effectively we can help.
The goal is not to judge or shame anyone - it’s to prevent dogs from being bounced around and to set everyone up for success. We are a team and when we communicate openly, we can ensure that each dog receives the care, structure, and emotional security they need to become their best selves and ultimately find a forever home.
Q: How does HOI operate financially?
A: We’re a donation-based rescue and operate solely on donations and community support. As a small 501(c)(3) nonprofit, we do not receive government funding, corporate sponsorships, or guaranteed income of any kind. We operate on what the community gives. Some weeks we may receive many monetary donations; some weeks we receive none. There is no cushion, no safety net, and no emergency fund other than what our supporters help us create. The financial reality of rescue work is unpredictable and often fragile. Every dollar we receive supports the dogs in our care.
Q: What are operational costs / expenses HOI incurs?
Expenses are constant and include (but are not limited to):
- Medical care (exams, vaccines, x-rays, surgeries, medications)
- Spay/neuter procedures
- Boarding when fosters aren’t able to see their commitments through
- Training support for dogs needing guidance
- Food and supplies
Because donation income fluctuates and is not guaranteed, we can only save dogs when we have enough funds to support them and committed foster homes available. If donations slow down or unforeseen medical emergencies arise, we may be forced to pause intakes. This is not due to lack of compassion - it’s because we are committed to providing responsible, ethical care to every dog we save. Our sustainability depends on the community understanding that rescue work is costly and that even small donations make a meaningful impact. Without consistent support, we cannot continue to save lives at the same rate.
Q: Is medical care free for HOI?
A: No. There are no free medical services.
We are established with Kierland Animal Clinic in Phoenix, but medical care is still paid in full. X-rays, surgeries, vaccines, meds, and routine care add up quickly when caring for so many dogs in our rescue.
Q: How about food and supplies?
A: We purchase high-quality food and supplies we give to our fosters and dogs without any discounts. What we provide has to be within reason as we have many dogs in the rescue to support. Oftentimes fosters choose to provide for their foster dogs telling us to save food and supplies for other dogs in need. While greatly appreciated, this is not a requirement of our fosters. We just ask that fosters keep this in mind given the sheer number of dogs we provide for in our rescue.
Q: Does HOI have access to free professional training for dogs?
A: No, we do not have free access to professional trainers or board-and-train programs. Training is a vital resource, but it is also an expensive one, and like medical care, it is not automatically donated or discounted to us simply because we are a rescue.
We are fortunate to have a volunteer trainer on our team who can offer guidance and support to fosters who are willing to put in the work. However:
- Training availability is limited
- Sessions must be scheduled in advance
- Support is provided based on the trainer’s schedule, workload, and capacity as a volunteer
- We cannot guarantee on-demand training, unlimited sessions, or training “fixes” for complex behaviors. Progress depends on a combination of guidance, consistency, commitment, and honest communication from the foster.
If fosters have access to:
- Personal trainers
- Training discounts
- Their own financial resources
- The ability to help raise funds for additional training
... we absolutely welcome and encourage that collaboration. We are all in on teamwork when it benefits the dog.
Our goal is always to support fosters and dogs to the best of our ability, but we also need fosters to understand that rescue resources are not unlimited. When we work together, communicate openly, and create realistic plans, we can give each dog the structure and guidance they need to succeed.
Q: Why are adoption fees what they are? Shouldn’t they be cheaper or free?
A: Adoption fees help offset (but do not cover) the cost of saving that dog and help us save the next one. One dog’s medical bills can be $1,000–$5,000+ (depending on their needs like medicines, vaccines, spaying / neutering, or other surgeries) even if their adoption fee is only $400 (or $600 for puppies). Fees are about sustainability, not profit. In fact, for most dogs - the adoption fees don’t even cover the costs to sustain them in our rescue. That is, from the time we save them to the time they get adopted.
So when someone pays an adoption fee, they are not “buying a dog" - they are honoring the care that dog received while in our rescue and paving the way for another life to be saved.
Q: Do fosters have to pay an adoption fee, like they do with other rescues?
A: In some situations, we do waive the adoption fee - specifically when a foster lets us know within the first 30 days that they’d like to adopt their foster dog.
If more time goes by and a foster hasn’t decided, a discounted adoption fee will apply. This is because the rescue continues to support that dog during their stay with said foster (food, supplies, medical care, etc.), and the adoption fee helps offset those ongoing expenses making it possible for our rescue to continue helping other dogs.
When a foster is an amazing match, they receive priority over outside applicants. We simply ask fosters to be mindful that if there are families willing and excited to adopt / pay the full adoption fee, those funds can significantly help the rescue continue saving more lives.
At the end of the day, our goal is always to make the best decision for the dog - and we’re grateful for every foster who opens their home and heart to a pup in need!
If fosters choose not to adopt, they’re able to help another dog in need when their current foster dog finds its forever home! It’s the perfect life-saving cycle!
Q: Why doesn't your rescue save every dog that needs help?
A: We want to, trust us. But without suitable fosters, funds, supplies, and the right support for each dog, we can’t responsibly take more dogs in. We will never jeopardize the dogs already in our care by overextending. With that said, we can only help / save dogs in need as fosters step up to make it possible to do so. We do not typically have open fosters.
Please note: at this time, we remain committed to saving dogs at Maricopa County’s shelters who are on the euthanasia list. With that said, we do NOT take dogs that are strays or owner surrenders.
Q: Do you know dogs’ histories?
A: In most cases, no. The dogs we save often come from shelters with limited or no background information. Their pasts are usually a mystery and we rarely know their upbringing, living conditions, or what they’ve endured before arriving in our care. We start with a clean slate and keep our eyes forward.
Many of our dogs have survived neglect, abandonment, or trauma - not because they were “bad,” but because they were failed by humans or misunderstood in high-stress environments. This is why patience, empathy, and grace are non-negotiable when bringing a rescue dog into your home.
When a dog leaves the shelter:
- They may be experiencing safety for the first time
- They may be learning what love feels like
- They may be scared, confused, or guarded
- They may need time to decompress before progress can happen
Every dog is unique. Their timelines for healing and growth are different. Some settle in days; others take weeks or months. Progress isn’t linear, and it’s important to manage expectations with an open heart and a realistic mindset.
This is where fosters and adopters make the biggest difference by:
- Breaking the cycle.
- Showing kindness instead of frustration.
- Allowing time instead of demanding instant transformation.
We ask anyone fostering or adopting to remember: these dogs have been failed before, you may be the first person who truly advocates for them, and your commitment can change their story - forever.
Even a small amount of consistency, compassion, and patience can help a dog bloom into who they were always meant to be.
We can’t change their past. But together, we can absolutely rewrite their future.
Q: What can I do to help if I can’t foster or adopt?
A: There are many ways to help!
- Donate (any amount helps)
- Share posts
- Sponsor a dog’s boarding or training
- Buy items from our Amazon Wishlist
- Volunteer at events
- Offer skills (photography, transport, graphic design, networking, or surprise us)
Q: How quickly do HOI team members respond to messages?
A: We do our best to respond within 24 hours. Emergencies are prioritized sooner. Please understand: our volunteers have jobs, families, and other responsibilities. Harsh messages, unrealistic expectations, or demanding responses take time away from the dogs that need us. So, please be kind to our volunteers and team members. Also, please respect their privacies. Do not share their phone numbers with anyone outside of the rescue without getting their permission first.
Final Thoughts:
We are here because we believe with our whole hearts that every dog deserves a chance - a chance to feel safe, to be understood, to heal, and to know what it means to be loved. We show up every day, not because it’s easy, but because the alternative is unthinkable. Without rescues like ours, dogs with medical needs, behavioral challenges, timelines, or simply the misfortune of being overlooked wouldn’t get that second chance.
But we can’t do this alone. We are a small team of real humans doing our best, learning as we go, and giving what we can (sometimes more than we should) - because we care that deeply. Behind every message, every intake, every late-night emergency, every adoption, and every heartbreak, there are volunteers sacrificing time, sleep, money, weekends, and emotional energy to keep this mission alive.
If you are here, reading this, you are already part of the solution. Whether you foster, adopt, donate, share a post, or simply speak kindly about the work rescues do - you are helping. You are making a difference. You are helping save WORTHY lives.
At the end of the day, the truth is simple:
Rescue is a community-driven effort. None of us can do everything, but all of us can do something. And when we show up together, dogs who were once forgotten or never knew love - get the chances they deserve!
From all of us at Heart of Infinity Rescue: thank you for believing in us.
Together, we save lives.
www.heartofinfinity.org