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Campaign Details
The Sanctuary for Senior Dogs takes abandoned old dogs age seven and older from pounds and shelters and places them in loving foster homes. But dogs coming directly from pounds and shelters often have kennel cough, a contagious disease that can quickly turn to pneumonia in an older dog. Placing a shelter dog directly into one of our existing foster homes puts the senior dogs already in the home at risk as well.
To safely bring in more old dogs, we plan to purchase a duplex and rent the two apartments out to vet tech students at a nearby college. In exchange for an affordable rent, the students would care for dogs that come directly from pounds and shelters, keeping them until they recover or until the threat of contagious disease has passed. At that time they would enter one of our existing foster homes, and the quarantine foster home would be ready to bring in the next old dog.
Our veterinarian developed this plan based on his observation of similar programs while he was in veterinary school. Having a quarantine facility would allow us to help more dogs and eliminate the risk of introducing contagious disease to our dogs already in foster care.
Below is a brief look at what The Sanctuary for Senior Dogs does.
Mission
The mission of The Sanctuary for Senior Dogs is to rescue senior dogs abandoned in shelters; to provide lifelong quality care for rescued senior dogs; to adopt appropriate dogs into loving, permanent homes; to develop programs that match senior dogs and senior people to their mutual benefit; to foster an awareness of our lifelong responsibility to our companion animals; and to strengthen the bonds between humans and animals by teaching respect and compassion for all living things.
Programs and Services
Senior Dog Rescue: The Sanctuary rescues senior dogs primarily from shelters in Ohio. Each dog visits Tremont Animal Clinic for blood tests (heartworm and general screening) and a complete health evaluation before being placed in a foster home to await adoption. We treat all known medical conditions prior to adoption, including heartworm. We also spay/neuter every senior dog before placement.
Owner Surrender Advice: When private individuals want to relinquish a senior dog, we offer advice to try to keep the senior dog in the home. We also refer behavior problems to area trainers and behaviorists. We offer a courtesy post on our web site for qualified senior dogs belonging to private individuals.
Seniors for Seniors: Through Companions, a program that works to unite senior dogs with senior people, the Sanctuary offers reduced adoption fees for people 65 years of age and older.
Therapy Dogs: The Sanctuary also keeps several dogs as therapy dogs; they work in hospitals, nursing homes, schools, and libraries to bring awareness to the value of senior dogs and to bring comfort to those in need. JJ, a 13-year-old blind Lab mix; FayFay, a 14-year-old Lab mix; Almonzo a 6-year-old Bullmastiff; and Ivy, an 8-year-old Pomeranian mix are our current therapy dogs working in a reading program for children, nursing homes, schools, colleges, group homes, and sheltered workshops.
Public Speaking and Media: The Sanctuary presents talks on senior dogs, therapy dogs, and the vital connection between senior dogs and senior people in various venues, including local television stations, libraries, clubs, schools, and colleges.
Old Dogs, Great Friends! ™