SHARET

Safe Haven Animal Rescue East Texas (SHARET) is an animal rescue/no kill organization whose mission is to reduce the population of unwanted dogs and cats and reduce animal cruelty of neglected and abandoned animals through spaying and neutering, aiding families by providing pet food, veterinary care, and temporary respite care for the animals. It serves an estimated 1,500 households and 6,000 individuals in Wood County and Camp, Hopkins, Rains, Upshur, and Van Zandt counties each year by sterilizing companion animals and in 2025, provided households with 12,950 pounds of pet food to feed rescues, for families who cannot afford to feed their pets. 

In 2025, a total of 144 dogs were rescued, vetted, and returned to their owners. Through collaboration with trainers, five dogs were evaluated and trained as service dogs for veterans and low-income families needing service dogs, teaching them basic commands. Twenty-nine rescues were injured dogs and were treated for wounds, injuries, broken legs and hips/broken jaws. Twenty-one were neutered/spayed/fully vetted at higher cost than an average cost of $220 because they were over the weight limit of 80 pounds or were 6 years of age or older and required special veterinary equipment. Four were treated for heart worms at an average cost of $500 each plus preventative meds. Seventeen were trained for behavior and returned to their owner or rescue group. Of the 144 rescued, 43 were fed, sheltered and transferred to other rescues for adoption. Three were cremated for their owners. Nine dogs received obedience training and returned to their owners or rescue group. Ten are sanctuary animals that are not adoptable due to age, health, or disposition and are sheltered privately.

All animals must be fully vetted, heartworm negative, and if adopted out of state or country (some go to Canada), have a vet issued health certificate.

The photos you can see in the Media Gallery below represent stories of the fortunate animals rescued and cared for in recent months and years.  Some are now being trained as service dogs for veterans, the elderly, and to assist some owners with health problems.  Others are adopted into forever homes as beloved pets and companions.  All are cared for with great love and compassion for the abandoned, outcast, lost, hungry, and in need of medical care that are found on county roads in rural east Texas. 

Testimonial

The Executive Director of SHARET, Georgia McLain, is known for her ability to source food, veterinary care, and spearhead a successful 'Spay and Neuter' program at minimal cost because she recognized the need to protect the injured, hungry, and neglected critters that are abandoned on county roads. The shelters and rescues in cities within the county are over capacity with abandoned dogs and do not accept animals from county areas so she has taken on the responsibility to help as many as she can. Her management and ability to source specific needs and care are unmatched.

When asked how many animals she has, (too many), she always has room for one more to be fed, checked by a vet (very often at her own expense), and most importantly, loved.