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The Animal Welfare Cause
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Loading...Where Do All The Old Dogs Go?
Flo is a doe-eyed 10 year-old Basset hound mix that was sent to the animal shelter when her owner couldn’t return home after being hospitalized. The little dog, who is almost deaf, was terrified to be in a cage at a shelter with so many other animals and all of the commotion.
Josie is a serious looking senior Wheaton terrier mix whose owners tied a pretty bow around her neck and dropped her off at a shelter in Northern California.
And when a tiny silver-haired Shih Tzu named Jennifer got too old, her family brought her to the shelter to be euthanized.
This is how life turns out for thousands of loyal older dogs. The main reason senior dogs are relinquished to shelters seems to be illness. Either the owner becomes too sick or passes away or the dogs develop an illness and owners can’t afford to pay for the medical care or choose not to get help.
Prospects are pretty grim if you’re an unwanted senior canine. Shelter workers see the tragedy every day as older dogs with wonderful dispositions are tossed aside. And once they get to an overcrowded public shelter with limited resources they are “practically written off” as un-adoptable.
In addition to being hard to re-home, senior dogs have special health risks when they’re exposed to a shelter environment. They’re more susceptible to kennel cough, their arthritic bones get worse as they sit on concrete floors and the overall stress of living in a shelter can worsen any pre-existing illness. For most old dogs the shelter is where they spend their last days before being euthanized.
However, in the last couple of years some animal advocates who are touched by these sad circumstances are coming to the aid of senior canines.
Sherri Franklin is one of these advocates. With a distinguished career in animal rescue she began a non-profit organization in 2007 for older dogs, called Muttville. The group is located in San Francisco. Their website says this about their goals:
“Muttville’s mission is to change the way the world thinks about and treats older dogs and to create better lives for them through rescue, foster and hospice. We reach out to senior and special needs rescue dogs; find suitable homes for those dogs that are adoptable; and offer end of life care for those that are not.”
The organization is successfully making the last few years of unwanted senior dogs peaceful and happy.
In other parts of the country, The Sanctuary for Senior Dogs and Old Dog Haven are also saving the lives of seniors that have been cast aside. Both organizations have become experts in getting older dogs ready for new homes. They provide an extensive medical workup for each animal so they are in the tip top condition and they use the internet for finding new homes.
Because most of their budgets are used for medical care another organization called Grey Muzzle was started to help. They give grant money to rescue groups that specialize in working with senior dogs.
And some animal shelters like Sacramento SPCA have started programs to meet the special needs of old dogs. They provide cots to get the dogs off the floor and they do a dental and blood work-up so they can determine any medical problems. The group also waves the adoption fee so senior dogs have a better chance of getting a new home.
There are many specific reasons why people avoid adopting an older pet, but the basic theme is, ¯There‘re so many dogs available, why choose one with something that looks like a big problem, or looks ugly, or takes a lot of effort?
The Senior Dogs Project also finds homes for older dogs. They list these 10 reasons why people should consider adopting a senior canine:
- 1. Most are housetrained.
2. They are past chewing inappropriate items.
3. They are focused so they quick learners.
4. Old dog know the meaning of “No.”
5. Settle in with a pack easier.
6. Give lots of love.
7. WYSIWYG – What you see is what you get in personality and behavior.
8. Instant companionship.
9. Owners get more time for themselves because seniors are less demanding.
10. A good night’s sleep – old dogs need their rest.
It’s a sad commentary when people place less value on anything or anyone that is old. Sure, brand new puppies are wildly adorable, but it is a heartwarming experience when an older dog looks you in the eye and crawls into your lap and falls asleep.
Read more: animal rescue, animal welfare, dogs, muttville, sacramento spca, senior dogs
Heaven Can Wait Sanctuary
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+ add your ownI too am very sensitive about this topic. I absolutely adore older dogs - I love all dogs - but, the seniors are my favorite. We typically adopt dogs no younger than 2 and most range between 3 and 6. However, several years ago I adopted a little collie mix who was ten years old at the time. The HS said her owners just gave her up. She had really bad teeth and lacked social skills. We gave our little "Lady" a wonderful four years before she crossed over the rainbow bridge. We made sure that they were the best years of her life.
OLD DOG PHOTO MONTHLY CONTEST
I wanted to share with anyone that has a dog the age 9 and over, that I've just added a monthly contest to my own blog just for senior dogs. All that's required is a photo and a 2 paragraph story (4 sentences each paragraph). The winner will receive a $20 gift certificate from our friends at seniorpetproducts.com
If you would like to enter your old guy or gal in our contest, please enroll here:
http://blog.old-dog-treats-and-rawhide.com/1976/old-dog-photos-contest/
My Dalmatian lived to be 21. she was blind the last two years of her life. never bumped into anything. I remembered reading an old book(1930s) on Dalmatians. it said the best thing you can do for your Dal is stay with her to the end. Christmas Day was her last. I wouldn't trade those 21 yrs of memories for anything. Senior dogs deserve what they give unconditional love.
The story of the Vet and the little boy
The little boy seemed to accept his dog's transition without any difficulty or confusion. the family sat together for a while after the dog's Death, wondering aloud about the sad fact that animal lives are shorter than human lives. the little boy, who had been listening quietly, piped up and said, “I know why.”
Startled, we all turned to him. What came out of his mouth next stunned everyone.
He said, “People are born so that they can learn how to live a good Life—like loving everybody all the time and being nice, right?” The boy continued, “Well, dogs already know how to do that, so they don’t need to stay as long.”
I prefer to adopt senior dogs from our local shelter. It is a time of life when you need extra love rather than lose it. There is no better feeling than making a dog's last years full of love.
My 5 year old pup Chloe had to have emergency back surgery 2 years ago that cost close to $3000. Luckily my boyfriend and I were able to afford it. I would have been a mess if we couldn't. How people can say they adore and love animals yet toss them aside when they get older is terrible. Older dogs need just as much love as any other aged dog. Not to mention how someone could spend all that time with a pet and then give them up is beyond me. My pups are my world and when they are old and have whatever problems if any, I will love them just as unconditionally as I do now and that's how it should be.
I voted leaning yes, but that would be if I had money enough to pay for the medical care
they would need. With the high costs of rents/etc. in New York vet bills can get expensive. The ASPCA does not offer low or lower cost vet, care as some may think. I have 2 cats that are up there in age. I've taken a sick pet to the ASPCA in New York and after traveling from the Bronx to Manhattan where they are located, I learned that they charge the same or more then then my vet. did.
We need pet care that charges according to your earnings, as the ASPCA should.
People need to stop thinking that life is "disposable" When life is precious!
We must STOP playing God and killing these animals! For we will all be held accountable on our day of judgment!
I don`t only would, - I DID !!!
In january 2007 I adopted my dear "Nelly", from a spanish shelter !
She was 10 something !
In april 2009 I had to let her go over the rainbow bridge ! :-(
She spent nearly her whole life in 2 different shelters !
She came with a "heart-problem" and "old bones and eyes", that needed medicine !
Other problems followed !
I knowingly adopted a "grey muzzle", because I wanted to give one of the chanceless dogs a chnace !
This and the prospect not to die lonely in a shelter, but rather in the arms of someone who loves him !
I never regretted my decision !!!! It was just a short time, we spent together, but it was fullfilling and full of friendship and love !!!
Although I don`t want to conceal, that her illnesses cost me lots of money, and at least I had to care for her most of the day !
NO REGRETS !!!!
I`ve got absolutely NO comprehension for people who submit her "old doggie", with whom they spent her life, for 1 month, or 10 years !
By what right ?
I`m sure, that their doggie has been always a trusty, lovely friend !
They hasn`t deserved it to be disposed like rubbish, - just because of their age ?!?!
What would those people do with their old parents, or with their children, when they`ll become ill or difficult ?!?!
I would mete out punishment to those people !
And of course I would take them on a "black list", that they would never have the possibility to get a pet again !!!
Christina
The people who dump older dogs because they have health problems are the same ones who get a cute puppy, pamper, love and spoil it until it begins to grow up, the behaviors that were considered 'cute' when it was small begin to become annoying and it becomes a dog, throw it out in the yard with a rusty old bucket for water and a food dish that is never washed and gets filled when somebody trips over it. This dog, once loved and treated as a member of the family, has no idea why it is suddenly shunned, isolated and forgotten. It then spends the rest of it's life alone, lonely and depressed. Sometimes it becomes bored and destructive, sometimes mentally unstable and vicious, but most often just terribly sad and alone. When you take an animal into your home, you accept a commitment much as you have with your children - to love, honor and protect it through good times and bad, through sickness, old age and even when it's inconvenient. If you can't live up to that commitment, get a virtual pet and don't cause needless pain and suffering to living, feeling animals.
Were I not so terribly allergic to dogs, we would already have one. And I am totally in favor of adopting an older one - I've done enough house(potty) training to last a lifetime, and would be delighted to have a calm and already trained dog. An older and "hypoallergenic" (well, one that I can live with without suffering!) dog may be in our future, but not now...
This is a very sensitive topic for me, one I feel very strongly about. And I too, have adopted a Senior dog from the Humane Society...one who was given up...just because he was "old". He was one of the most loving & devoted dogs I've ever owned.
I do understand, there are times when having to give up an animal just can't be helped, like having to be hospitalized or going to a nursing home.
Now, my bone of contention is people who, having an animal until it becomes a senior & might become a problem...dumps it in an animal shelter or worse. They want a pup or young dog, not one who has been loyal & loving for years & grown old!! These animals deserve to be cared for in their old age, just as our human seniors do!!! I can't understand how anyone can just dump a dog (or cat), after having it for 10, 11 or 12 years!!!!
I'm a senior, & have had many dogs & cats in my life time. I have three dogs now. When I take the responsibility of an animal, it is my responsibility for it's entire life. I can't even leave an animal alone when it's time to have it put down (only to end it's suffering)! I have sat on the floor at the vet's office with a German Shepherd half in my lap, holding her...while she was put down (incurable cancer). We OWE these animals that much!! Animals have feelings...they feel scared, lonely, love, sad, depressed, protective & devotion! When they have given us the best years of their lives...they deserve to be loved & ca
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