ST. LOUIS — Over the past few years, some St. Louis area shelters have reported high intakes of dogs and being over capacity, and one shelter for senior dogs says it is struggling to keep up with the number of owner surrenders.
What You Need To Know
- Thanks in part to its seniors assisting seniors program, Second Chance Ranch has an 80% adoption rate. Senior dogs are introduced to senior citizens who are not looking for a puppy with energy, but a mature dog who is already potty trained
- The National Institutes of Healthreports thatinteracting with animals such as dogs has shown to decrease people’s stress levels and lower blood pressure
- Cody Chekal, also a dog trainer at No Leash Needed, said his dog helped him while living in a small town in Iowa
- When training a dog, Chekal and Bobbitt say to give lots of treats, praise, and to communicate positively
“It’s really the saddest thing ever,” said Tracy Rumpf, founder of Second Chance Ranch in High Ridge.
“Sometimes owners surrender their senior dogs when they’ve had them their whole life to an animal control because they just don’t want to deal with them not being able to walk very well or needing more medications.”
Second Chance Ranch has 25 senior dogs plus 15 with foster families. Vet bills cost about $15,000 per month, according to Rumpf.
“Senior dogs are expensive,” she said.
Dogs that are sick and/or need medical treatment will be taken care of until they are well enough to be adopted. If an owner who adopts a dog from the ranch cannot afford some of their pet’s medical bills, the organization will help financially, according to Rumpf.
For the dogs who are on hospice or have many health issues, they remain being cared for at the ranch.
“We give them that best life because when they need us the most, that’s when we are going to be there for them,” Rumpf said.
“They get love and care, and we have volunteers there 24/7,” she said.
Adoptions are free, however, applicants go through a screening process for approval.
Monetary donations can be made to Second Chance Ranch, as well as donations of preventative medications and grocery store gift cards.
“Everything really centers around getting our dogs as healthy as possible either to be adopted or to live their best life,” Rumpf said.
Thanks in part to its seniors assisting seniors program, Second Chance Ranch has an 80% adoption rate. Senior dogs are introduced to senior citizens who are not looking for a puppy with energy, but a mature dog who is already potty trained, according to Rumpf.
“We connect them to a dog who is a little bit more calm,” Rumpf said. “It’s been amazing.”
One person told Rumpf that she had little energy and would lie in bed all morning before adopting her dog from Second Chance Ranch.
“He gave her a new purpose,” Rumpf said. “That, to me, is amazing because we all need purpose in life and it was very rewarding.”
The National Institutes of Health reports that interacting with animals such as dogs has shown to decrease people’s stress levels and lower blood pressure.
Studies have also revealed that animals can boost a person’s mood, reduce loneliness and have increased feelings of social support.
“They do so much for me whether it be going on long walks or hanging out with me when it’s nighttime and lonely, keeping me comfortable and keeping me company,” said Emma Bobbitt, owner of two dogs and trainer at No Leash Needed in Lake St. Louis.
Cody Chekal, also a dog trainer at No Leash Needed, said his dog helped him while living in a small town in Iowa.
“Having my dog just got me through being alone,” he said. “Just getting to spend my time with him, it got me out, it got me social with my friends.”
Chekal added that dogs “get you through so many things in life—mental illness to getting you out and exercising and spending your time with ones you love.”
Bobbitt has been a trainer for four years and her dog, Luke, gives her a helping paw at work.
“He really helps me every day with training other dogs and loving on other people,” she said. “He is the biggest role model. He teaches dogs to be more neutral and to kind of calm down and shows them how to lie down for long periods of time.”
She added that dogs have taught her about unconditional love and that actions speak louder than words.
When training a dog, Chekal and Bobbitt say to give lots of treats, praise, and to communicate positively.
“We don’t want them to hate training,” Chekal said. “You can train them at any age, earlier is great.”
For more information about Second Chance Ranch, click here. For more information about No Leash Needed, click here.
