We are a 501(c)3 enhancing the lives of heartworm positive shelter animals by providing funding for care and veterinary treatment.

SAM desires to provide funding for treatment of heartworm positive shelter animals in rescue through our voucher program. We can accomplish this with the help of individuals who share our passion for homeless shelter animals and want to join our mission through tax deductible donations.

SAM will be a resource for pet owners to learn about heartworm disease, how it can be prevented and the options to treat it.

NOTE: SAM is not a rescue. We provide funding only for heartworm treatment of shelter animals. We do however partner with rescues who pull heartworm positive shelter dogs.

In the fall of 2016, a male black lab mix completed his 5 day stray hold at Augusta Animal Services. Our dedicated group of volunteers went to the shelter to bathe the dogs listed to process for adoption. There were many dogs to bathe that day but there was one that captured our hearts. We named this young, gentle, handsome, sweet boy Sam. We were excited for Sam as he was scheduled to continue his journey for the next several days through the processing phase. The adoption floor is a shelter dogs destiny after surviving the euthanization list of an overcrowded shelter. In preparation for the adoption floor, he would be neutered, microchipped, vaccinated and heartworm tested. Unfortunately, Sam tested positive for heartworms and was euthanized. The cost of vetting a HW+ dog outweighs the waived adoption fee. We returned the following day and went to Sam’s kennel to give him some love and treats but he was gone. An inquiry into his whereabouts disclosed his tragic fate and a river of tears began to flow as our hearts broke for another lost soul.

We are a tight knit group of volunteers at AAS who put a great deal of time, sweat, tears and our own money towards the animals comfort and care. Not all HW+ dogs at the shelter are euthanized. In 2016, we began pooling our money to sponsor the treatment of HW+ dogs pulled from the shelter to custodial foster or rescue. It’s important to us they get proper treatment and go on to live happy, healthy lives once adopted. We soon realized we were on a path to poverty and decided we needed another approach to continue our passion. That’s when the concept of S.A.M. was born.