Every rescue has a beginning. Ours started with a stray dog named Harvey.

While living in Sharjah, UAE, we were driving to the mall one evening when we spotted a dog wandering alone in the middle of the road. Assuming he was a lost pet, we followed him, only to be led into an industrial area where dozens of street animals were struggling to survive in harsh, dangerous conditions.

We couldn’t stop thinking about what we’d seen, so we went back the next night. And the night after that. We started bringing food, and over time building trust with the dogs, rescuing puppies, and finding them loving homes.

One night, we found Harvey in terrible shape. He was bleeding, covered in ticks, and his body bore the signs of severe trauma. Whether he’d been hit by a car or injured in a fight with other dogs, we’ll never know. Despite everything he’d been through, he still trusted us enough to come with us. We rushed him to the vet, hoping they could patch him up and get him back on his feet. The vets soon discovered Harvey was suffering from a massive kidney stone that had caused a life-threatening infection and he needed surgery. During recovery, his vital signs plummeted, and the veterinary team advised that euthanasia might be the kindest option. 

We were called to the clinic to say goodbye. We stayed with him, talked to him, stroked his head, and refused to let him go alone. Then, slowly, he began to stabilize. Against all expectations, Harvey pulled through. A few days later, we brought him home to recover and he never left.

Harvey became our first foster fail and the heartbeat of our mission. Life eventually brought our little family to Armenia, where history repeated itself. One day, while walking Harvey, another stray dog appeared outside our gate. We named her Pepper for her black and white spots and spicy personality. She chose us. Just like Harvey, she never left.

Since then, we’ve opened our home and our hearts to animals who had nowhere else to go. Some came from the streets. Others appeared outside our gate. Some needed emergency medical care. Others simply needed food, safety, and someone willing to believe they deserved a second chance.

We’ve celebrated incredible success stories and experienced heartbreaking losses. Every animal we’ve rescued has left a mark on us, as have the ones we couldn’t save.

Harvey’s Rescue House exists for all of them.

*Our mission is simple: to rescue, rehabilitate, vaccinate, spay and neuter, and rehome as many stray animals as we can, while helping change the way communities see and care for street animals. Rescue isn’t just about saving individual lives, it’s about creating lasting change through compassion, education, and responsible care.

Our ultimate goal is to move beyond limited home fostering and establish a dedicated rescue facility. Opening a permanent shelter will allow us to bring vulnerable animals to safety, while region-wide sterilization stops the cycle of overpopulation at its root.

We’re not a large organization. We’re just ordinary people who chose not to look away. With the support of people who believe in what we do, we can rescue more animals, provide more lifesaving medical care, and give more forgotten souls the second chance they deserve.

This is Harvey’s legacy. And we’re only just getting started.