Sanctuary For Adoptable Senior Dogs, Cats (2024)

"Old dogs, like old shoes, are comfortable. They might be a little out of shape and a little worn around the edges, but they fit well," imparts Bennie Wilcox. A certain set of local people would agree, for on a daily basis theyhonormuzzles that are a bit whiter and aged angelic faces that can purr their way out of anything, all while offering hearts full of love and gratitude. Admirably,all of this group's nurturing and care isaccomplished through volunteers.

Second Chance Ranch, the St. Louis region's first organizedhospice sanctuary for dogs and cats in their senior stage of life, was foundedbyTracy Rumpfon July 18, 2021. It's located in Valley Park at a renovated early 20th century farmhouse.

As a 501(c)(3) supported solely through public donations, Tracy says the ranch team isable to provide a loving home, food, veterinary care and medications to pets who have nowhere else to reside, all due to generous donors.

The majority of animals who arrive atthe ranch are due to their owners relocating or dying,leaving pets withno homes. They're also comprised of animals picked over in shelters and were saved from euthanasia, or rescued from dangerous situations."We're committed to helping and being a voice for the most needy, most vulnerable canines and felinesamong our communities. We're dedicated to creating a loving home for senior dogs and cats who also are homeless or sick, and we strive to make the rest of their life the best of their life," Tracy says.

In general,a dog is considered a senior, based on their breed and size.Small dogs are viewed as senior citizens of the canine worldtypically when they reach11-12 years of age. Their medium-sized friends become seniors at 10 years of age. Their larger-sized colleagues are seniors at 8 years of age. And, finally, their giant-breed counterparts are seniors at 7 years old.

Likewise for cats, they're considered by veterinarians to bea senior, or deemedgeriatric, by the time they reach 10 to 11 years old. If a cat lives beyond 15 years of age, they're often referenced as being a "super-senior."

Tracy emphasizes that older dogs and cats, throughout all adoption sources, get adopted at a much lower rate than younger dogs. When these animals should be enjoying their golden years, instead they spend their days in a shelter, up to four timesas long as a younger dog.

"Dogs grieve. They love, feel, care, are happyand sad. There are people in this world who don't understand this; the ones who surrender their 17-year-old dog because he sleeps too much, or the family who wants to make room for the Christmas puppy, so they surrender their senior dog," states Tracy."We need to be their voice. What we do at the ranch is validate their feelings, and value them as a living being with feelings. Every one of our dogs deserve to know they are worthy."

Note that senior dogs are capable and often eager to learn new things. Additionally, older dogs tend to bond quicker because they know how to get along with others. Furthermore, senior petsdon't require the constant monitoring and training that puppies and kittens do. Many are already housetrained. Becausesenior pets are fully grown, adoptive pet parents are immediately aware of important information, such aspersonality type, grooming requirements and perhaps medical history, making it easier to choose the perfect pet for each family.

Sincelaunching, the ranch has hosted or fostered 279 pets, and adopted out about 80%. Tracy says the other 20% typically are on hospice and will spend the rest of their lives at the ranch, being coddled and reassured that they are cherished.

"The ranch is a two-story, and we used to keep the little-sized dogs upstairs and the bigson the main floor. But we just added 1,400 square feet so we can maintain all the dogs on the first floor, with the upstairs becoming a quarantine area or for animals being treated for more serious medical needs," Tracy says.

Additionally, an animal acupuncturist performs services for arthritic dogs each Sunday at the ranch.

This sanctuary actually was a natural outgrowth from a prior initiative. Previously, Tracy co-founded The Wet Nose Project about fiveyears ago,which still serves asa foundation to raise money to help pay for life-saving veterinary medical or surgery bills for vulnerable, rescued dogs and cats who are pulled from animal control or abandoned when their owner must enter assisted-living accommodations.

"We also teamed up with Aging Ahead's Meals on Wheels to donate pet food for seniors' pets on fixed or lacking incomes. It's called Whiskers On Wheels, and we provide thousands of pounds of food," she says.

Ranch volunteers are needed, confirms Tracy, even if to just be on a standby list for the 80-ish mainstay volunteers. "Those who can only do mornings, evenings or certain days of the week also are welcome."

To adopt, see the ranch's Facebook page, then call to set a time to meet a potential match. The ranch requires appointments because it's a true home-away-from-home for the dog residents and the felines in the three cat condos. The dogs are not crated or paneled. They enjoy soft music playing and TV shows. "It's their home, and we're just here to serve them!" exclaims Tracy.

Second Chance Rescue:636.517.1013
SecondChanceRanchSTL.org
WetNoseProject.org

Sanctuary For Adoptable Senior Dogs, Cats (2024)

FAQs

How do sanctuaries make money? ›

And remember, farm sanctuaries are almost always in need of donations. As nonprofits, they rely on generous donations from the public to continue to rescue and care for animals. Most offer ways to either make a one-time or recurring donation, or sponsor an animal resident of one's choosing.

Why do people say adopt don't shop? ›

“Adopt, Don't Shop” is a slogan meant to raise awareness and discourage the unethical practices used by breeders at puppy mills, and even kitten mills, whose one and only goal is to make a profit at the expense of their animals' safety and health.

What is the best pet charity to donate to? ›

The Top 17 Best Animal Charities
  1. Happily Ever Esther Farm Sanctuary. ...
  2. Lady Freethinker (LFT) ...
  3. Friends of Animals (FoA) ...
  4. Italian Greyhound Rescue Foundation. ...
  5. Best Friends Animal Society. ...
  6. Brother Wolf Animal Rescue. ...
  7. Animal Welfare Institute. ...
  8. International Fund for Animal Welfare.

What is the hardest part of adopting a rescue dog? ›

Adopting a rescue dog can come with challenges, but with patience and understanding, they can be overcome. Common challenges include behavioral issues, such as barking, chewing, and digging, and health problems, such as anxiety and fear.

What are the cons of animal sanctuaries? ›

They can help guarantee the well-being of animals physically and emotionally, and provide essential habitats. However, sanctuaries face funding constraints, regulatory challenges, and ethical concerns around captive breeding.

Are sanctuaries good or bad? ›

These sanctuaries represent a pinnacle of humanitarianism, in which humans recognize their obligation to not only to stop exploitation of those at our complete mercy, but also to make retribution, the best that we can, for the often unspeakable wrongs done to these individual animals.

Why do most people not want to adopt? ›

It's too expensive.” “Children in foster care are too set in their ways to blend in with my family.” “I'm not married, so I can't adopt, right?” “I don't want to deal with the child's family of origin or the child welfare system — it's all just too complicated!”

Is it cruel to rehome a dog? ›

Is it bad to rehome dogs? Rehoming a dog can be a difficult decision, but it's not necessarily a bad thing. Let's look at it objectively: If an owner is no longer able to provide proper care for a dog, rehoming responsibly can help the dog receive the love and care they deserve.

Why is it so hard and expensive to adopt? ›

Adoption is expensive because the process to legally adopt a baby requires the involvement of attorneys, social workers, physicians, government administrators, adoption specialists, counselors and more.

What is the most honest animal charity in the USA? ›

The ASPCA is one of the most well-known animal welfare organizations in the United States. They work to prevent animal cruelty and provide care and adoption services for animals in need.

What is the best charity to stop animal cruelty? ›

List of Best Animal Welfare Charities
  • Faunalytics. SAN DIEGO , CA. ...
  • The Humane League. Rockville , MD. ...
  • New Roots Institute. Los Angeles , CA. ...
  • Wild Animal Initiative Inc. Minneapolis , MN. ...
  • Good Food Institute Inc. Large-sizedAgriculture, fishing and forestry. ...
  • Legal Impact for Chickens. SAN FRANCISCO , CA.

Does Petsmart actually donate to charity? ›

We are the leading funder of animal welfare in North America. We have committed $100 Million to help improve veterinary care. Since 1994, we have helped over 10 million pets find loving homes.

What color dog is hardest to adopt? ›

It is a statistical fact. Black dogs and cats wait four times longer to get adopted from shelters and rescues as their lighter coated and more colorful counterparts. This phenomenon even has a name: Black Dog and Cat Syndrome.

What's the least adopted dog? ›

Black dogs

Statistically speaking, dogs with black fur are less likely to be adopted. Whether consciously or not, some people assume black dogs are more aggressive or less welcoming.

What is the hardest dog to rehome? ›

As well as sighthounds, like greyhounds and lurchers, bull breeds in shelters really struggle to get adopted and find a forever home. This is often because they have a negative reputation portrayed in the media whereas this is seldom the case.

How does the barn sanctuary make money? ›

We rely on donations from individuals and foundations to support our work.

How much do you get paid at the Wild Animal Sanctuary? ›

The average The Wild Animal Sanctuary salary ranges from approximately $30,000 per year for Manager of Volunteer Services to $124,110 per year for Director of Information Technology. Average The Wild Animal Sanctuary hourly pay ranges from approximately $17.44 per hour for PT to $43.93 per hour for Machine Operator.

How does the humane society make money? ›

A nonprofit, charitable organization, HSUS is funded almost entirely by private membership dues, contributions, foundation grants, and bequests. HSUS is governed by a 27-member, independent board of directors.

How do sanctuaries work? ›

Mission: The primary mission of sanctuaries is to provide a forever home for animals in need and promote their welfare, while zoos often focus on education, entertainment, and breeding programs. Captivity: Sanctuaries house animals that cannot be released into the wild, such as those rescued from abusive situations.

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