For years, Melonie Jackson has poured her heart into rescuing dogs, driven by an unwavering passion to provide them with loving homes. Now, that passion has blossomed into Hugs For Harry, a registered California non-profit dedicated to expanding our reach and helping even more dogs in need.

HUGS FOR HARRY is a California nonprofit corporation and certified with a IRS 501(C)(3) tax-exempt status. Your generous donations are tax-deductible.

We are a certified charity with Meta and PayPal Giving Fund, and Volunteer Match.

Google, is a partner matching fund from employees.

Hugs for Harry fills a vital niche in the East Bay’s pet rescue landscape:

1. We have a specialized focus on Senior, Special Needs, and Vulnerable Dogs: While many rescues do excellent work, Hugs for Harry’s dedicated focus on senior dogs, those with special needs, and “at-risk” cases sets it apart. These dogs often face significant challenges in finding homes due to age, medical conditions, or other issues. They require specialized care, patience, and resources that not all rescues can provide.

   Hugs for Harry fills the critical gap by prioritizing these overlooked souls.

2. We Address the Unique Needs of Senior Dogs: Senior dogs often require specific medical care, dietary considerations, and a calm, supportive environment. Hugs for Harry is positioning itself to provide this specialized care, ensuring that senior dogs can live their golden years with dignity and comfort. Many rescues do not have the resources to properly care for senior animals.

3. We Provide Hope for “Vulnerable” Cases: Dogs with past trauma, or specific needs are often overlooked or deemed “unadoptable.” Hugs for Harry offers these dogs a second chance, providing them with the necessary training, rehabilitation, and loving support to overcome their challenges and find forever homes.

4. We Fill a Critical Need in the East Bay: While the Bay Area has many rescues, the need for specialized care for senior and hard-to-place dogs remains high. The East Bay, in particular, benefits from a dedicated organization like Hugs for Harry, which can focus on the unique needs of this community.

5. We Are Creating a Community of Compassion: Hugs for Harry fosters a community of compassion and support for both the dogs and their adopters.

   By providing education, resources, and ongoing support, they empower adopters to provide the best possible care for their new companions.

   This community aspect is vital for the success of adoptions and the well-being of the dogs.

We believe all of our rescues are wonderful and that they deserve a home and humans who love them unconditionally and for all time.

We believe dogs are our family. When you adopt from us, they become your family too. We will always care about them and if for any reason you cannot care for them, you need to return them to us so we can care for them.

We believe our dogs deserve love and comfort and belong on our beds as part of the family.

Yes indeed! There’s always a need. Besides caring for over 20 dogs at our Hugs for Harry rescue, our foster parents also need help with food/ bedding/ pee pads/ crates/ bowls/ toys, etc.

Donations of these items are welcome but from time-to-time we limit accepting some donations (other than food, towels and peepads which are always needed) until we have the ability to properly process them.

You can find our most urgently needed items on our Amazon wish list https://a.co/guEdnFN

You can drop off your donations at Hugs for Harry’s location in Lafayette at 3458 Mt. Diablo Blvd. , entrance on Second Street, between the hours of 11 and 3.

Our adoption fees are $500 for puppies, $250 for Adults and $100 for Seniors. Adoption fees are non-refundable once you have taken home your dog.

Adoption fees go toward all the costs of rescue operations including sterilization, vaccinations, heart worm testing, microchipping, and medical care when needed.

As required by law, with the exception of puppies, your new dog will come to you altered, microchipped, and vaccinated for rabies.

In unusual cases an unaltered dog may be adopted with the agreement of the owner to spay/neuter within 30 days and a refundable deposit of $250 will be required and returned upon proof of spay/neuter. We follow up with the owner to ensure the law is followed.

All you need to do is get ready to meet your new best friend and give them the love and kindness and care they deserve.

• First fill out the online adoption application and our Adopt/Foster team will contact you.

• Next schedule your Meet & Greet. It is important to include your entire family when meeting the dog you are considering. You’ll be asked to bring your own dog(s) to meet with the dog you have chosen and see if it’s a match for your family.

• Lastly is the Adoption Agreement. If you want to adopt, and we have approved you for one of our rescues, you will be asked to sign our adoption agreement. Once the signed agreement has been received and the adoption fee has been paid, we will verify the microchip information for your dog and you will be ready to pick up your dog.

  Hugs For Harry reserves the right to refuse to adopt/foster.