Animal Welfare Professionals

Hi,

I'm new to this forum.  I have only just started my research to initiate a local program  to match senior pets with senior citizens.  I have seen that there are some programs in other cities/states, but none that I am aware of local to me in Tampa/St. Pete or the surrounding areas.  I would like to know if anyone is familiar with an existing program like this, how to get shelters involved, how to match partners, sources of funding and the expectation of follow up programs for vet care and possible food delivery.  Any information would be much appreciated. 

#AdoptionsandAdoptionPrograms

Hi I am from Tampa. The closest thing I can think of is a non profit that sent me a letter not too long ago called Pet Peace of Mind. They help seniors that need transport or food or medical so that they don't have to let go of their animals. I believe there are many grants that you can apply for and lots of ways to fund the project. Do you know of a successful program somewhere else where you can just mimic what they are doing? I think that would be the easiest way to get started. Let me know if you need help with that. I love the idea especially since our shelters tend to call these senior dogs un-adoptable. It's very sad they should not be discarded this way. What's really sad is when a family who has held on to an animal for so long drops them off for no reason other than they are old. :(  I volunteer at the Hillsborough Pet Resource Center.

#AdoptionsandAdoptionPrograms

Thank you for the feedback and information.  I will look into the program you mentioned and reach out to similar programs for more info.  I'll let you know if I can get any movement here in Tampa. 

#AdoptionsandAdoptionPrograms

We fund a program called Silver Whiskers.  There is no adoption fee and we will supply food, litter and routine vet care.  The Senior does own the animal but we retain the right to be consulted and approve  any vet are above routine to control our budget.  It is also offered to veteran's or anyone on a fixed income.

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hi there our shelter has a Seniors for Seniors Program here at our shelter in MA https://www.sterlingshelter.org/humane-society/rescue-a-dog 

The overview and website reviews the program

Established October 18, 2000 - Our staff realizes that companion animals are essential to keeping people healthy, vibrant and to reducing blood pressure and stress. Often times older people need and want animals to give them love and companionship throughout their golden years. Because the staff recognize that pets can be expensive if one is on disability, Social Security or limited income, we have come up with the Seniors for Seniors program.

The shelter will waive the adoption fee of a QUALIFYING dog or cat that is 5+ years to a qualifying adopter 55 years+.  

(NOTE: This program does not include dogs/cats coming to our shelter on any of our transport programs – due to the high expenses of transporting, health certificates, medical costs, etc… if you should have a question relating to which pet/s may qualify please call or email our shelter for details.) The pet will also receive any necessary medical care PRIOR to going home including spay/neuter, appropriate vaccinations, vet check, and any other necessary medical care deemed necessary by our staff veterinarian (some examples would be dentals or bloodwork).

The average cost of medical care / services provided for these pets prior to adoption is worth several hundred dollars! The adopting family is adopting a healthy, friendly companion and saving the initial cost of any medical care AND adoption fees. This program is a win/win situation for both the adopter and the pet.

Often times older animals are overlooked when potential adopters aren’t realizing the average lifespan of a dog or cat can be 15+ years. YOUNGER animals, especially puppies/kittens require multiple vaccinations and vet visits to have various boosters and vet care as well as supplies that can average $1,000 for the first year!

By adopting one of our mature animals, the family takes home a great pet and is all ready to go!

Please consider our Seniors for Seniors program for yourself OR someone in your family that might be looking for a new friend!

Please note: All adopters must have proof of age and qualify to adopt from our shelter.

hopefully this helps you guys ;) if you have any questions pls feel free to email me directly at leigh13@ix.netcom.com

 

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Thank you.  I am going to reach out to this group to see how the programs works.  

#AdoptionsandAdoptionPrograms

Not sure if you are referring to the program I posted but I am the director for the shelter that does the seniors program above :) if you have any questions feel free to email me at leigh13@ix.netcom.com

#AdoptionsandAdoptionPrograms

I think this is wonderful!!

While I cannot provide all the information you seek I have long felt this was a great idea. As a physician I have many patients who would love to have the companionship of a pet (loneliness and isolation are sometimes major issues in our seniors) but the multitude of limitations stop them going forward. Transportation, cost of veterinary care, difficulty walking a dog, housing limitations to name only a few...One of the most common is, "what would happen if some thing happened to me?"

I envision this as a "it takes a village" situation--volunteer dog walkers, temporary foster homes, pet food banks, working with local veterinarians to provide "senior discounts" and working with assisted living environments to advocate for pet ownership...

I was so enthused recently when I met with a representative of a new senior community that ALLOWED PETS!! I believe the demand is starting to affect the supply so timing is perfect!!

This project also seems to have the characteristics for potential grants especially if looking into the "human impact".

Good luck and PLEASE keep us informed.

#AdoptionsandAdoptionPrograms

Wow!  Thank you for the ideas.  This is really helpful and is inspiring to know that there will be community support for this.  I will keep you posted. 

#AdoptionsandAdoptionPrograms

Was that senior community in Tampa, Fl?

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The community is in Greenwood, IN. It is small but I believe they have similar in other states in the Midwest. Not sure if they have weight, breed, etc restrictions (which I do not agree with..).

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Searching for any resources to keep senior citizens and their pets from being separated. Trying to reduce surrender of pets only because their owners have suffered some disaster, natural or financial. 

Does anyone know of groups who offer assistance with food and/or medical care?

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Beverly Bull
foster
Big Fluffy Dog Rescue
NC
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Original Message:
Sent: 08-22-2019 09:22 AM
From: Kathy Cordes
Subject: Starting a Senior Pets for Senior Citizen Program

Hi,

I'm new to this forum.  I have only just started my research to initiate a local program  to match senior pets with senior citizens.  I have seen that there are some programs in other cities/states, but none that I am aware of local to me in Tampa/St. Pete or the surrounding areas.  I would like to know if anyone is familiar with an existing program like this, how to get shelters involved, how to match partners, sources of funding and the expectation of follow up programs for vet care and possible food delivery.  Any information would be much appreciated. 

#AdoptionsandAdoptionPrograms

Greetings: Although we don't have a fixed senior "program," Garfield's Rescue visits Assisted Living and Independent Living facilities in our area. We take kittens in a kitten pen, and older cats that we are able to put a harness on. The residents love to sit w/ all in their laps. We stress how active kittens are and the suitability of matching seniors w/ quieter more sedentary lap cats. We have a wonderful adoption  story/pic of our 10-year old foster, Timmie, lying in his new owner's lap…both SO content!  The couple that adopted Timmie always return to our visits to tell their story. We take fliers and pamphlets about our organization to distribute. One visitor and her daughter now volunteer one day a week at our foster home. I am working on getting their mailing list to mail our twice published newsletter. We typically have an "Adopt a Senior Cat" story in it. These facilities are eager to fill their event calendar w/ speakers, so do go to all in your area and inquire about getting on their speaker roster.  They LOVE having visits from cats they can hold!

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Karen Peterson
Vice president
Garfield's Rescue, Inc.
VA
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Original Message:
Sent: 08-22-2019 09:22 AM
From: Kathy Cordes
Subject: Starting a Senior Pets for Senior Citizen Program

Hi,

I'm new to this forum.  I have only just started my research to initiate a local program  to match senior pets with senior citizens.  I have seen that there are some programs in other cities/states, but none that I am aware of local to me in Tampa/St. Pete or the surrounding areas.  I would like to know if anyone is familiar with an existing program like this, how to get shelters involved, how to match partners, sources of funding and the expectation of follow up programs for vet care and possible food delivery.  Any information would be much appreciated. 

#AdoptionsandAdoptionPrograms

Our shelter has two great senior related programs.

As far as adoptions, we have "Seniors Adopting Seniors" where if a senior person (over 65) adopts a senior animal (over 10) they will receive the human's age as a percentage off the adoption fee. (i.e. 78 year old person gets 78% off!)

We also have the PALS (Pets Are Loving Support) Program where we can provide routine care for senior applicants. A lot of our current PALS people are people who can't drive their animals to appointments so we have volunteers who help with transport. We also can provide some lower cost services for general checkups and care for their pets.

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Riley Bailey
Volunteer/Foster Coordinator
Yellowstone Valley Animal Shelter
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 08-22-2019 09:22 AM
From: Kathy Cordes
Subject: Starting a Senior Pets for Senior Citizen Program

Hi,

I'm new to this forum.  I have only just started my research to initiate a local program  to match senior pets with senior citizens.  I have seen that there are some programs in other cities/states, but none that I am aware of local to me in Tampa/St. Pete or the surrounding areas.  I would like to know if anyone is familiar with an existing program like this, how to get shelters involved, how to match partners, sources of funding and the expectation of follow up programs for vet care and possible food delivery.  Any information would be much appreciated. 

#AdoptionsandAdoptionPrograms

Good morning! 

Orange Street Cats has a Senior For Senior program that is a partnership with the senior person in that the cat is considered a "forever foster." The person pays for food, litter, and supplies, and OSC covers all vet bills for the cats life.  OSC and the senior person make all veterinary decisions together and we're available for assistance like nail trims or pet sitting when the person goes out of town as needed.  

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Diane Metz
Board of Directors, Volunteer, and Foster Mom
Orange Street Cats, Inc.
Albany NY
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Original Message:
Sent: 08-22-2019 09:22 AM
From: Kathy Cordes
Subject: Starting a Senior Pets for Senior Citizen Program

Hi,

I'm new to this forum.  I have only just started my research to initiate a local program  to match senior pets with senior citizens.  I have seen that there are some programs in other cities/states, but none that I am aware of local to me in Tampa/St. Pete or the surrounding areas.  I would like to know if anyone is familiar with an existing program like this, how to get shelters involved, how to match partners, sources of funding and the expectation of follow up programs for vet care and possible food delivery.  Any information would be much appreciated. 

#AdoptionsandAdoptionPrograms