we have a (Rescue) dream....

Front: Hunny Bunny, Lucy, Toby - Back: Daisy, Rosie

Old Friends Senior Dog Sanctuary is the next step in what we have been doing for quite a while now. It stems from a love for senior dogs and a growing obsession to help these less desirable, but most deserving dogs. We started out simply as  adopters of some more needy dogs, going from 7 to 15 dogs over the past few years. We are now at our maximum, both with space and finances, until we put together a plan and thoughtfully work to make Old Friends a bigger entity, able to rescue more senior dogs.
Our home based sanctuary is based on a deep belief that each dog is healthiest and happiest living as an inside dog in a home environment as part of a loving family in their golden years. Stability is important for the senior dog and moving is very difficult for these dogs. For this reason, they need a long term placement, committed to them for the rest of their lives.
This year is setup year.... we plan to stay as we are while preparing for the future. We are in the process of becoming a recognized 501(c)(3) charity. This will free up more funds to spend on the dogs and will give us credibility in the rescue world. We will be able to solicit tax-deductible funds and will be able to put money toward sanctuary related projects more easily. We will be able to get discounts on food and products that are available to non-profit groups.
Later this year, we are going to attend a week long workshop on setting up a sanctuary at the amazing Best Friends Animal Society in Utah. We intend to learn from the best!
We have many ideas but are not sure which of them will eventually come to fruition. Throughout this year we will put together a long term plan that will change as we grow.
I will revisit our plan again toward the end of the year to see how it has changed. Here are some of the long term goals that we would like to accomplish as we grow.

• Get a network of lifetime foster homes to allow us to take on more senior dogs into home environments.

• Emphasize work with senior humans to accomplish this goal.

• Develop dog related fund raising projects.

• Become expert and develop a network of experts on senior dog specific subjects.

• Present workshops/specific lectures on senior dog related subjects. 

• Work only with dogs who are unable to find adoptive homes through other rescue due to age or age/disability.

• Get another home environment (facility) staffed by volunteers to allow us to provide a home for even more dogs (the BIG dream).  

•  Maintain a facebook page, blog and webpage to share our experiences, what we have learned and what goes on day to day with our Old Friends.