The Senior Dogs Project ..........."Looking Out for Older Dogs" ........... "Blessed is the person who has earned the love of an old dog." - Sydney Jeanne Seward ......Site Map......

Rescue Groups Dedicated Specifically to Helping Senior Dogs

Muttville, San Francisco, CA, is a non-profit, 501(c)3 organization dedicated to improving the lives of senior dogs. On a local level, Muttville rescues senior dogs and finds them foster homes or gives them hospice. On a global level, Muttville provides information about caring for older dogs and support for people who do. Through associations with shelters and other animal organizations, Muttville finds senior dogs that have been given up and are not likely to find adopted homes. Through outreach and networking, Muttville finds suitable foster homes for these dogs. Ultimately, Muttville will have its own facility to house dogs that are not yet placed, or that are unlikely to be placed.

H.A.R.T. (Humane Animal Rescue Team), Fillmore, CA H.A.R.T. (Humane Animal Rescue Team) is a non-profit organization devoted to rescuing senior dogs from senior individuals who have become too ill to take care of the dog, have to go into a retirement home, or have passed away. The H.A.R.T. sanctuary can take in 50 dogs at a time, and has an 80% success rate in adopting out dogs to loving families. Their adoption policy is strict, screening prospective adopters very carefully, performing a house check, and carefully matching the right dog to the right family. H.A.R.T. takes on the very tough cases, and depends on donations as well as people to adopt and foster their seniors and special needs dogs. If you are interested in adoption of a senior dog or a long-term foster arrangement, H.A.R.T. may be able absorb all associated veterinarian costs during the dog's lifetime. Of course, donations are also most welcome.

Senior Dog Rescue of Oregon is a non-profit group of volunteers based in Philomath, Oregon. Organized in 1998, it is an IRS-designated 501(c)(3) charitable organization. The organization's goal is to rescue older dogs who are homeless and place them with permanent, loving families. Dogs of 6 years and older are given preference, but no dog is turned away, regardless of age. The dogs come from a variety of places: local shelters, elderly persons who are moving to assisted living facilities, families of deceased persons, etc. The dogs live in foster homes while awaiting the right adopter. This permits evaluation of each dog in a normal home environment, gives the prospective adopter an accurate description of the dog, and ensures a good match between the dog and the home.

Old Dog Haven, Arlington, WA, is a non-profit, no-kill rescue organization dedicated to placing senior dogs in foster or adoptive homes. All too many dogs of advanced age are given up to shelters when they are of no longer of use or too much trouble to their families. In many cases, they are left behind when an elderly person dies or needs to move into a residential care facility. Instead of living their last years as cherished members of a loving family, these animals are dumped at shelters where their chances of adoption are almost nil; or else they may be passed around from one family member to another, often to be left ignored in the yard. Many of these dogs are in poor physical condition as well, making them even less appealing to prospective adopters. The goal of Old Dog Haven is to ensure that the last years of unwanted senior dogs are happy and that they live their last days in safety and at peace, knowing they are loved. If you subscribe to this concept and would like to help in this mission by fostering or adopting a senior dog, please visit the Old Dog Haven web site.

The Sanctuary for Senior Dogs (SSD), Cleveland, OH, is a new organization (incorporated 1/3/01) dedicated to the rescue, adoption, and life-long care of senior dogs. The founder, Deborah Workman, lists the objectives of the organization: To rescue senior dogs in need 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 To strengthen the bonds between humans and animals by teaching respect and compassion for all living things.

Senior Dog House & Rescue, Bigfork, Montana The Senior Dog House and Rescue is a non-profit, private organization in the state of Montana. This group is dedicated to rescuing, living with and adopting senior dogs. Though the focus is on older dogs, this rescue also includes the special needs, abused and neglected animals of all ages. The ages may vary but the need is the same, they all need great, loving homes of their own. Volunteers house, love and provide medical attention in a safe, healthy home environment to as many seniors as resources allow. All animals taken in will remain here for the rest of their lives if the right home for each animal does not appear. Animals come from statewide shelters and occasionally from shelters in other states. Also accepted are strays from the local area; every attempt is made to return lost animals to their guardians. Owner surrenders are accepted when there is room.

Alaskan Malamute Assistance League: Seniors/Special Needs The Alaskan Malamute Assistance League's home page is dedicated just to senior and special need malamutes looking for a final loving home to spend their latter years. These are wonderful Malamutes whose only sins are that they grew old or became ill.

Paws Forever Cocker Spaniel Rescue, Teague, TX Offers sanctuary to senior Cockers....none is ever too old to be accepted into their program. Only a few are available for adoption; the rest (31 at last count) are supported by sponsorships.

Senior Golden Retrievers, California Many people ask why anyone would want to adopt a Golden who is over 5 or 6 years old. It's hard to explain to anyone who has never been fortunate enough to adopt a senior Golden...but they are very special! There is nothing like old gold!

Senior Greyhounds There are senior Greyhounds available throughout the US. Please see the website to see the geographical listings.

Senior and Special Needs Dobermans Statement from the organization: We are an organization of people with a common goal of helping senior and special needs Dobermans. That need may be financial or it may be only information and/or moral support for the owner of a Doberman with a serious illness or injury. We will also aid in rehoming and fostering senior Dobermans. These Dobermans may be shelter rescues or they may already be much loved companions with a special need. Financial aid may be through donations or through avenues such as online auctions. Every precaution will be taken to assure that the need is real.

Beagle Rescue of Southern Maryland, Inc. has a special program dedicated to seniors named after Winston, the founding dog of Beagle Maryland, an older gentleman who never made it out of foster care, but found himself loved nonetheless. In Winston's memory, Beagle Maryland has established the "Friends of Winston," a senior dog foster program to create a network of families willing to take older dogs into their homes and provide them with love until they pass over the Rainbow Bridge in their own time. We support each other and the dogs and form a unique sort of family. Please consider opening up your heart and home to one of Winston's friends. They don't require the non-stop attention of one of our younger dogs -- they just want to cuddle with you when movie time rolls around. And they are fine spending their day home alone; that means that they can sleep undisturbed! It may be difficult to think that they will be gone sooner than a younger dog, but the rewards are ample compared to the pain. Each of these dogs has a story of abandonment. Can you help us make sure that their end is happy? There are always seniors waiting for their forever family and a soft bed. Please come visit them on our website.

SAINTS -- Senior Animals in Need Today Sanctuary, Maple Ridge, BC, Canada Mission Statement: We are an end-of-life sanctuary for senior and special needs animals that have no where else to go. We provide a special place to be loved, cherished, and receive proper medical care for the rest of their days. All animals deserve to have hope for a better tomorrow. Because of their infirmities and physical challenges, many homeless senior and special needs animals have very little chance of finding a new home. At various shelters throughout B.C., dedicated staff and volunteers work tirelessly to find these special animals a place to finish their journey in comfort and in love. SAINTS exists to help senior and special needs animals when all else fails. If we can, in time, find them a special home of their own, then we do. If that very special home never comes, they will be safe and cherished until the end of their days. We pledge to love them, to care for them, and make their dreams come true. We promise each of them that they will never be alone again...

Rescue Groups Matching Senior Dogs with Senior Companions

The Berkeley East Bay Humane Society is a private non-profit located in Berkeley, California. We are devoted to finding forever homes for dogs and cats of all ages. Our 'Golden Paws Program' promotes awareness and adoption of senior animals. Through the Golden Paws Program, senior people can adopt senior pets for half-price. All our senior pets recieve 20% off vaccines at our hospital for life, among other perks and freebies! Here is a picture of Boston, a great senior lab currently available for adoption at our shelter. Nike Animal Rescue Foundation, northern CA Northern California-based program that matches seniors (over 62 years of age) with senior dogs (over 6 years). Senior Mutt Match, San Diego, CA The mission of Senior Mutt Match is to help promote the adoption of senior dogs (ages five and older) from shelters and rescue groups in the San Diego community. We want to educate the San Diego community in general and senior citizens specifically, about the wonderful benefits of adopting a senior mutt*. By doing this we hope to help create a life-time match between a senior dog and his or her new forever family. We feel this is a win-win situation since many amazing senior dogs will have their lives spared and just as many citizens, young and old, will have their lives enhanced by animal companionship. If that wasn't reason enough, there are also many research studies that show the connection between better mental health, improved physical health and having a pet in your life. (* We lovingly refer to all dogs in shelters as "mutts" whether they are a purebred or a wonderful mix of breeds.) Atlanta Animal Rescue Friends (AARF), Atlanta, GA Phone: 678-318-1886. Their "Silver Paws" program matches older dogs with senior citizens. They pay for all medical care and offer to board the dogs when needed. Young At Heart Pet Rescue, Palatine, IL, was formed in 2005 to aid in the rescue and rehoming of older dogs and cats in the Chicagoland area. 100% of the animals we rescue come from municipal pounds with high euthanasia rates for older animals. Our mission is to find a new home for every adoptable older animal that comes through our door, to educate the public on the benefits of adopting older pets, and to decrease the euthanasia rate for older, adoptable dogs and cats in Illinois. Each dog or cat that we rescue receives the best veterinary care, and we do not turn away animals that need a little extra medical attention. All of our pets are vaccinated, tested for infectious diseases, are microchipped, spay/neutered, and the majority receive a geriatric screening and a dental. We are a non-profit 501(c)3 organization with an all-volunteer staff, so all donations go directly to the care of our animals. It also means that we rely on the generosity of pet-lovers to support our mission and our rescued animals. E-mail: info@yahpetrescue.com phone: 847-529-2025 address: Young At Heart Pet Rescue, PO Box 1293, Palatine, IL 60078 Pets for Seniors, Peoria, IL Organized in late 1999, this group of volunteers specializes in matching senior humans (age 62 and older) with senior pets. For information, e-mail: pfs@ocslink.com or call (309) 446-9721. The Hinsdale Humane Society, Hinsdale, IL, is a 53-year-old not-for-profit agency dedicated to the care and adoption of unwanted and abandoned animals and the offering of humane education programs to prevent suffering and neglect. Our Friends for Life Program places animals six years of age or older with seniors 65 years of age or older at no charge. Hinsdale Humane Society, Hinsdale, IL. Telephone 630-323-5630; Email: info@hinsdalehumanesociety.org Midwest Boston Terrier Rescue's "Senior to Senior" Program - Making the Golden years Golden for each other" A program designed to bring rescued Senior Boston Terriers and Senior People together in Illinois - Indiana - Michigan - Ohio. Senior people and senior pets make excellent companions for each other! To allow more senior people (60 years of age or older) to adopt our senior dogs (6 years of age or older), the placement fee will be reduced for those who qualify. All of our rescued Bostons are spayed/neutered, vaccinated, heartworm tested and all known medical conditions are addressed and treated as appropriate before placement. All of our placements are done by application. To apply for this program, please let us know you are interested in adopting through the Senior to Senior Program on the placement application. Indiana Petite Paws Rescue Angels, Inc., northwest Indiana Rescuing toy dogs from Indiana, Kentucky, Illinois, Michigan and Ohio. Focusing on the rescue of the Yorkshire Terrier, but no paw too small. Offering a "seniors for seniors" program. Volunteers and members available statewide. A 501(c)(3) non-profit, all-volunteer organization. All donations are tax-deductible. Always in NEED of volunteers and foster homes. Springers for Seniors Adoption Program, Nationwide There's nothing better than a Springer Senior-Human Senior combination, and this organization can prove it. National in scope. 7 Bells Sanctuary, Cole Camp, MO -- A senior dog rescue that operates a program called "Senior Pets for Senior Homes." The program sends senior dogs out into the field to visit senior care centers. The senior adults in the care centers become acquainted with the dogs, and the dogs become familiar with medical equipment and not fearful of it. The group's goal is to encourage permanent adoption of the pets into senior homes or homes with a low-energy lifestyle. North Shore Animal League, Port Washington, NY Special services and fee-free adoption are offered by the North Shore Animal League via their "Seniors for Seniors" program. Telephone: (516) 883-7900. S.A.I.N.T. Program of the  Goshen, NY, Humane Society "Senior Animals In Need of Thee" matches senior citizens with senior companion animals carefully and with concern for the well-being of all. E-mail: Diane Novack, grantman@frontiernet.net

Warwick Valley Humane Society, Warwick, NY Senior citizens over the age of 60 (verification required) are able to adopt a designated senior dog or cat. All adoption fees including spay/neuter costs are waived with the exception of the dog license fee, which is required by New York State Law. Please stop by the shelter for an application and a visit with one of the senior animals currently waiting to become your lifelong friend. 48 Public Works Drive, Warwick, NY 10990, P.O. Box 61, Warwick, NY 10990. Phone: (845) 986-2473 The Sanctuary for Senior Dogs (SSD), Cleveland, OH, has a Senior Dogs for Senior People program currently in development. South East Dallas Humane Society, Dallas, TX runs a "seniors for seniors" program that waives their customary adoption fee and all veterinary fees. Once an approved application is accepted and there is an appropriate dog available, the adoption can be completed. Spay/neuter, heartworm testing, de-worming, vaccinations, and any necessary veterinary medical attention are all included -- all for free! South East Dallas Humane Society E-mail: wendy@sedhs.org Telephone: 469-831-7833 Seniors for Seniors Program, just north of Seattle, WA The PAWS "Seniors for Seniors" adoption program is all about rediscovering the joys of having a cat or dog in your life. Over the years, companion animals have brought joy to our lives and warmth to our homes. The "Seniors for Seniors" program places mature cats and dogs (typically over 7 years of age) with qualified senior citizens who are 60 years of age or older. To find a "Seniors for Seniors" program in your community or for a specific breed, contact your local shelter or humane society, or use an Internet search engine (such as www.google.com) and the search term "seniors for seniors" plus your city and state. For a specific breed, add the name of the breed.