My PT guy reached out to me last night because he knows I have a dog business and volunteer and such and asked me if I knew anywhere to surrender his 2 elderly dogs that they wouldn’t be instantly euthanized due to their age. I told him I only knew of one place but it was all the way down in Tennessee. I believe they are labs age 11 and 13. I was so shocked and frankly horrified that I didn’t ask too many questions but told him I would see what I could find. Any ideas?
I have no thoughts. At least not locally (FOHA in Aldie, VA, maybe, or maybe RAL in Richmond?), but this devastates me. My big girl will be 13 this winter. I’m toying with the idea of planning the epic road trip I’ve been promising her for years…not thinking about rehoming her.
So sad to think of someone getting rid of elderly dogs.
Can you talk to him and see if there is something that would enable him to keep them? Is he going thru a move, and maybe temporary foster care would work? Moving and can’t afford pet deposit, so maybe a go fund me to raise funds might help? Could you talk to him more, to see if there is another solution?
Can you encourage him to euthanize them himself? Or at least the 13 year old- she’s entitled to a quiet end with her person rather than bounced to a shelter or foster home. How very sad.
this saddens me to no end. i will never understand how or why people want to give away/rehome older dogs. pets are furever. i understand that things happen but being rehomed at 11 and 13 will be stressful and confusing for the dogs and being older makes them less desirable to adopt to many.
He said he doesn’t have the time they deserve. I do know that he got engaged and is moving to be closer to his fiancee’s work which will increase his commute. Trust me, I think it is inexcusable too but beating him up about it isn’t going to do any good. Most of us would do anything for an extra day with our seniors.
Reputable as far as I know (an acquaintance or two is familiar with them):
[QUOTE=Parrotnutz;8890662]
try:
lab-rescue.org
it says they place in the MD area.[/QUOTE]
I just asked him, he said they were lab crosses so I passed that link along. Thank you.
[QUOTE=dkcbr;8890755]
Reputable as far as I know (an acquaintance or two is familiar with them):
https://housewithaheart.com/[/QUOTE]
Thank you, I passed that along too.
I am late getting here and will just say that I’m appalled and shocked at the notion of euthanizing a 13 year old girl, simply because she needs to be rehomed. I live in northern Virginia, and have been fostering senior dogs for about 9 years now. They come to us at all ages, and from all circumstances. There are reputable rescues out there that will take these gals, and they will not be euthanized. If they are Lab mixes, I would also suggest as someone else has about reaching out to Lab Rescue (www.lab-rescue.org/) – They do take mixes, if they are “mostly lab” - There are also other rescues over in Maryland, Dogs XL Rescue (http://www.dogsxlrescue.org/)
Finally, I would also HIGHLY RECOMMEND that to also get in touch with a relatively new group, called, “The Senior Dog Sanctuary” that’s in Maryland as well. The director, whose name is Val Lynch, adopted a senior dog from me a couple of years ago. They are doing amazing work over there, and I feel they would be able to help too – Here is their website, http://www.seniordogsanctuary.com/ and the phone number is 443.742.0270 –
I hope this helps, if I can be of any more help, please let me know. I’m here to do what I can and I’m hoping that these two find a good safe place to call home for whatever time they have!!!
Thank-you for caring!!
[QUOTE=Kim W.;8893355]
I am late getting here and will just say that I’m appalled and shocked at the notion of euthanizing a 13 year old girl, simply because she needs to be rehomed. I live in northern Virginia, and have been fostering senior dogs for about 9 years now. They come to us at all ages, and from all circumstances. There are reputable rescues out there that will take these gals, and they will not be euthanized. If they are Lab mixes, I would also suggest as someone else has about reaching out to Lab Rescue (www.lab-rescue.org/) – They do take mixes, if they are “mostly lab” - There are also other rescues over in Maryland, Dogs XL Rescue (http://www.dogsxlrescue.org/)
Finally, I would also HIGHLY RECOMMEND that to also get in touch with a relatively new group, called, “The Senior Dog Sanctuary” that’s in Maryland as well. The director, whose name is Val Lynch, adopted a senior dog from me a couple of years ago. They are doing amazing work over there, and I feel they would be able to help too – Here is their website, http://www.seniordogsanctuary.com/ and the phone number is 443.742.0270 –
I hope this helps, if I can be of any more help, please let me know. I’m here to do what I can and I’m hoping that these two find a good safe place to call home for whatever time they have!!!
Thank-you for caring!![/QUOTE]
Thanks for all the references Kim! He actually met with the people from the senior dog sanctuary last week but I haven’t heard what if anything came from that meeting. One is golden retriever lab mix and the other is lab terrier mix. I will update when I hear what he decides to do with them.
Many thanks for the update - I so hope a good solution is found and I am sending good vibes in that direction!
I recently adopted a senior dog (10 or 11, but tiny) and she’s just wonderful. Everyone falls in love with her and I could go on and on about rescuing a senior. It’s a win-win for everyone.
I wonder if he could keep them and have someone visit them during the day, spend time with and walk them.
Based in Western PA, he may be able to help or at least post them. Super nice guy.
You know, as a senior (still happily active) I would prefer to adopt an older dog when the time comes. They are a little slower, out of the wild puppy stage, and would suit a senior to go for a sedate walk daily.
I also would prefer to have my older dog go before me, so he/she does not have to be re-homed, but in any case I would plan on succession for it so the dog can be used to where it would go and not end up in a precarious position. If that were not organized, I think I would ask that it be euthanized upon my own passing!
I got one of my dogs from Reach out Rescue http://www.reachoutrescue.org/
They specialize in harder to place dogs: hounds, black dogs, and older dogs (the dog I adopted from them is VERY dark brown and was 1 year old).
From their website:
- RORR focuses on the dogs who are the last to be adopted and saved from shelters: black dogs, hound dogs and senior dogs.
Senior Dogs: As rescuers, we can never understand how someone can just get “tired” of a dog. These are living creatures and have given all their love and dedication to a family, only to be dumped in a shelter where the likelihood of them being adopted is very slim. They are usually easy going, housebroken, gentle, and do not ask for much other than a nice walk, good food and to lay at your feet. They are ideal for a more sedentary home… but they are also a great fit for young children or seniors. Talk to us about a senior dog, and we will match you correctly. Click here for a “tribute” video for senior dogs. As we grow, our numbers show that about 25% of our adoptions are senior dogs… those over 7 yr old.
Black dogs - that is a weird phenomenon, but exists. 
They are going to the Senior Dog Sanctuary referenced above. Thanks everyone for your suggestions. Now if I could only find a home for a year old cat I would be golden!
[QUOTE=Laurierace;8897554]
They are going to the Senior Dog Sanctuary referenced above. Thanks everyone for your suggestions. Now if I could only find a home for a year old cat I would be golden![/QUOTE]
Talk to Erin.
