Most dog lovers will tell you that a dog’s only flaw is his or her lifespan. While a dog ages rapidly, senior dogs still have a lot of life and love to give. However, through no fault of their own, sometimes older dogs will find themselves without a home just when they’ve begun their ‘retirement.’
Fortunately, Pittsburgh has a number of rescues that are dedicated to preserving the health and lives of senior dogs, many of which have given these dogs second chances at full lives.
Gray Paws Sanctuary was only the second senior rescue in all of Southwestern Pennsylvania when it was established a decade ago. Darla Poole Brescia, founder, said that many senior dogs find themselves homeless due to families in crisis. To help give senior pets new, loving homes or to keep them in their current homes, Gray Paws Sanctuary runs three programs: Home Based Sanctuary; Forever Foster Care—Medical Coverage Program; and Love Your Animal for Life (LOYAL) program.
Gray Paws does not charge any adoption or surrender fees; all they ask is that the older dog that is adopted through their organization is provided quality veterinary care, all of which will be fully subsidized by Gray Paws.
“A year into the life of Gray Paws, we started our ‘Forever Foster Care Program.’ Those dogs are under the auspices of Gray Paws for the rest of their lives. We will continue to pay for their medical care for the rest of their lives; that is what makes us different,” she said.
At present, Gray Paws has 113 older dogs that they’ve placed in homes; the bulk of the dogs come through Gray Paws from families in crisis, such as when an owner is no longer able to care for his or her pet.
While there is no official standard as to the age that a dog is considered to be a senior, especially as different breeds of dogs can have vastly different lifespans, at Gray Paws, a large dog needs to be 10 and a smaller dog needs to be 12 to be eligible.
Another Gray Paws program is called ‘LOYAL’—love your animal for life. People can apply for financial assistance to keep their senior dog to avoid surrendering it. Poole Brescia said that currently they have 47 dogs enrolled in that program.
The benefits of adopting a senior dog are numerous. “These dogs are calmer and require a lower key lifestyle because they don’t demand as much physical play or walking. They provide great companionship and emotional happiness without all the physical activity,” said Poole Bresica.
Denise Pavitt is founder and president of Senior Hearts Rescue and Renewal in Bradford Woods, PA. Since its founding in 2015, the nonprofit has rescued nearly 1000 at-risk senior dogs.
“We started with a big focus on the shelter system by giving dogs a chance. What it has evolved into is 50% coming from shelters and 50% from the local community,” said Pavitt. She further explained that when shelters have to make decisions on occupancy, senior dogs are not prioritized. “Shelters in general do not have the staff or the set-up necessary to provide care for senior dogs.”
In addition to alleviating burdens on area shelters, Senior Hearts Rescue and Renewal also provides a resource for the community with its home-to-home program, where people who can no longer care for their senior dogs, again usually because of a crisis situation, turn to them for help.
The average dog in their system is 11-12 years old, but they will also take younger dogs, depending on the situation.
Senior Hearts Rescue and Renewal does not have a facility. “We are 100% foster-based. We have a high volume of foster homes, and we add new foster homes weekly. We have a really lengthy, extensive screening process to bring a new foster family into our fold. We’ve been told we’re strict, but we like to think of it as diligent. We are doing it to provide the best care for the dogs we rescue so they can have a high-quality life,” said Pavitt.
The foster families are tasked with working with foster support teams and must follow extensive protocols in terms of training the dogs as well as strictly following veterinary instructions. Eventually, when a dog is rehabilitated from a social and physical standpoint and is in the best shape it can be, then he or she will be ready to be adopted out into the community.
“We take ownership, we teach them, get them healthy, and they thrive: they get younger, they have a zest for life. We’re not just saving the dog, but it’s really giving each senior dog this amazing high-quality rest-of-life,” said Pavitt.
Senior Pet and Animal Rescue (SPAAR) is committed to educating the public about the advantages of adopting a senior animal. “We work directly and individually with pet owners to help keep senior animals with their families and in their homes, reducing the number of senior animals that are surrendered to shelters,” said co-founder Jennifer Pease of the foster-based nonprofit.
Pease said that while it’s not necessarily difficult to find a home for a senior pet, it does take a certain intentionality to find the right fit, from age to temperament to medical condition, all of which play a role when considering adoption.
“One of my favorite parts about SPAAR is our Ferdinand’s Fund. We are committed to keeping families together— now and in the future. The mission of Ferdinand’s Fund is to provide the resources owners of senior pets need to keep them in their homes. Medical bills, vet visits, food, and medication are only a few of the items that this fund covers,” said Pease.
Senior citizens can often be the perfect match for a senior pet. The nonprofit dog rescue Paws Across Pittsburgh began a Senior Paws for Seniors program, placing senior dogs with older people. To date, the program has placed nine senior dogs with seniors, as well as three cats, according to Jackie Armour, founder and president. The rescue also offers to help fund the higher veterinary costs associated with owning an older dog. And to ensure that the situation is stable, rescue volunteers call the adopters once a month to check in.
Those who work in the senior pet adoption field know that these dogs still have so much to give and have so much worth. “They already have good manners, are housetrained, and come to you already fixed and ready to go. They’re calmer and listen better and just so happy and grateful. They make such fabulous pets,” said Armour.
“They have so much love to give and are so loyal. When senior dogs come in, they’re appreciative, especially the ones who have been neglected. When a dog gets attention and food and love and is being walked, they look at you with such gratitude,” added Poole Brescia.
From an emotional standpoint, though, it can be difficult to adopt a senior dog, knowing that your time with them is limited. But the reciprocal joy between an adoptive family and a senior dog is priceless.
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