HAP 2026 Slumber Pawty

On Saturday, April 18th Humane Animal Partners (HAP) in Wilmington, DE will be participating in a Shelter Slumber Pawty" to raise money, and more importantly, bring awareness to what it's really like for an animal to be there. Some cats and dogs are lucky and find their "furever" families a few days after their arrival. Others, have spent over a year there, just begging anyone to give them a second chance at a real life.

I have been honored and humbled to be a Foster Family volunteer for HAP for over 18 months. Every time I enter the facility to pick up/drop off foster puppies I am blown away by not only how many other animals they are housing, but also by staff who work there. They MUST be exhausted by all the work they do every single day to help save so many abandoned, neglected and abused animals - yet they always greet me with the friendliest of smiles and endless gratitude for the small amount of work I do in fostering puppies. Every time I leave HAP I say to myself, "I wish I could do more..."

Well now is my chance...HAP Wilmington is participating in a National Shelter Sleepover Pawty, where some of their amazing staff and volunteers will spend 24 hours LIVING in the Shelter - just like the animals do every day. They will experience the sounds (and the smells!), the routines, the long nights, the emergency veterinary cases - everything that goes into the life of a shelter animal - all in an effort to shine a light on what it really takes to save these precious animals in need.

A lot of people often ask me, "How do you give the foster puppies back when they are ready to be adopted? Doesn't that break your heart?" I answer, "Well, if I kept adopting them all myself, I wouldn't be able to keep on helping." I share this poem below with you, to hopefully show you how much I value this volunteer work I do...and why HAP needs all our support to keep doing the amazing work that they do:

"A Poem to My Foster Dog" - By Diane Morgan

I am the bridge, between what was and what can be. I am the pathway to a new life.

I am made of mush, because my heart melted when I saw you - matted, sore, limping, depressed, lonely, unwanted, afraid to love.

For one little time you are mine. I will feed you with my own hand. I will love you with my whole heart. I will make you whole.

I am made of steel, because when the time comes - when you are well, and sleek, when your eyes shine, and your tail wags with joy, then come the hard part.

I will let you go - not without a tear, but without a regret, for you are safe forever. A new dog needs me now! 

The Sleepover Pawty isn't just your average fundraiser - it's a chance to REALLY bring awareness to how much it takes to pull off the miracles that the HAP Team makes HAPPEN every single day. There will be live streams and social posts made available through HAP's website throughout the 24-hour sleepover to share ALL the happenings in the shelter that night, and I'm hopeful that local news organizations will also cover this story. 

Unfortunately I can't participate in the Sleepover Pawty myself because I'll be traveling for work that weekend, but I hope you will consider helping me reach my goal as a member of the "HAP Foster Pack" to provide financial support for this most amazing effort. 

Thank you in advance for any and all donations. As the Tanzanian Proverb states, "Little by little, a little becomes A LOT!"