Old Friends Senior Dog Sanctuary (OFSDS) provides lifetime homes and high-quality veterinary care to more than 500 senior dogs, ensuring they live their retirement years with dignity, comfort, and love. Located in Mount Juliet, Tennessee, this 501(c)(3) non-profit sanctuary addresses the critical issue where senior dogs, especially those with medical problems or disabilities, face significantly higher euthanasia rates in shelters compared to younger dogs .
Why Senior Dogs Need Special Sanctuary Care
Senior dogs make wonderful companions because they are mature, calm, and loving. However, finding adopters for them is challenging due to their shorter additional life expectancy and unknown veterinary costs. Most of these wonderful senior dogs can live happily with good quality of life if given a chance .
The sanctuary recognizes that settling in can be more difficult for senior dogs, but once they do settle, it becomes difficult for them to move again. For this reason, OFSDS strives to find forever foster homes where senior dogs can live out their retirement years as beloved family members .
Even once senior dogs have found their forever homes, Old Friends commits to providing them high-quality vet care for life, demonstrating their unwavering dedication to senior dog welfare .
The Sanctuary’s Impact and Statistics
Old Friends Senior Dog Sanctuary has helped over 1,500 senior dogs since 2012, making a tremendous impact on senior dog rescue . Currently, approximately 120 dogs live at the sanctuary itself, while around 400 seniors are currently in forever foster homes across different locations .
The sanctuary’s medical commitment is extraordinary, providing lifetime high-quality vet care for every dog they welcome. This includes approximately 105 hours of physical therapies performed weekly to help senior dogs with mobility issues and disabilities .
Comprehensive Care Services at OFSDS
Veterinary Care and Medical Support
The sanctuary performs approximately 350 dental procedures per year, ensuring senior dogs maintain proper oral health which is crucial for their overall wellbeing . These dental care services address common issues that senior dogs face, including tooth decay, gum disease, and oral infections that can significantly impact their quality of life.
Nutrition and Feeding Programs
Proper nutrition is fundamental to senior dog care, and Old Friends provides approximately 900 pounds of dog food per month to feed all the dogs at the sanctuary . This substantial amount ensures that every senior dog receives good, nutritious food tailored to their age-specific dietary needs.
The Four Pillars of Old Friends’ Mission
Old Friends Senior Dog Sanctuary operates based on four core mission pillars that guide their daily operations and long-term goals:
1. Lifetime Care Provision
To provide a loving home, good food, high-quality vet care, compassion, and comfort to senior dogs for the remainder of their lives .
2. Forever Foster Home Network
To build a Forever Foster Home network that enables the organization to place more senior dogs in loving home settings for the duration of their lives .
3. Education and Awareness
To provide education on the joys and challenges of caring for aging dogs, helping potential foster families understand what to expect .
4. Rescue Collaboration
To work with other dog rescue groups to promote the adoption of senior dogs, creating a broader network of support .
The Quality of Life Philosophy
Old Friends Senior Dog Sanctuary does not concern themselves with the quantity of time that senior dogs have left, rather focusing on the quality of life they can provide for that time . This philosophy represents a fundamental shift from traditional rescue approaches that might prioritize younger dogs with longer potential lifespans.
The sanctuary recognizes that senior dogs, despite their age, deserve every opportunity to live comfortably and happily. Their mature nature means they often require less training and are more settled in their behavior, making them ideal companions for many families.
How You Can Support Old Friends
The sanctuary’s ability to provide lifetime homes and care to over 500 senior dogs depends entirely on donor support. Without YOU, they couldn’t continue their vital work .
Donation Options
- Direct donations through their official donation page
- Wishlists and other ways to help
- Supporting specific projects like Tippit, Jasper, Gertie Birdie, Melody, Kasey, Pud, and Miss Mary
Visit the Sanctuary
Visitors can take a guided tour of this one-of-a-kind sanctuary by booking a tour at the PAWvillions . This opportunity allows people to see the facility and meet the senior dogs firsthand.
~105 Hours of Physical Therapies Performed Weekly
Stay Connected
Sign up for their monthly PUPdate newsletter to receive updates about the sanctuary’s activities, success stories, and ongoing needs .
The Joys and Challenges of Senior Dog Care
Living with older dogs presents both unique joys and specific challenges that potential foster families should understand. Senior dogs are typically more calm and mature than younger dogs, requiring less intense exercise and training . They often have established behaviors and are grateful for a stable, loving environment.
However, challenges include potential medical issues, disabilities, and the need for more frequent veterinary care. The sanctuary’s commitment to providing lifetime high-quality vet care helps address these concerns for forever foster families .
Conclusion
Old Friends Senior Dog Sanctuary represents a model of compassionate, dedicated care for senior dogs who often face the greatest challenges in traditional rescue systems. By providing lifetime homes, high-quality veterinary care, and building a network of forever foster homes, OFSDS ensures that over 500 senior dogs have received the love and care they deserve .
The sanctuary’s philosophy of focusing on quality of life rather than quantity of time remaining exemplifies true compassion for aging dogs. Their work demonstrates that senior dogs, with their mature and loving nature, make wonderful companions when given the opportunity .
If you’re interested in supporting senior dog rescue, consider visiting the PAWvillions, making a donation, or becoming a forever foster guardian. Every support helps Old Friends continue their mission of ensuring love never grows old for senior dogs .
Resources and References
- Donation Methods
- Sign Up for Monthly PUPdate
- Wishlists & Other Ways to Help
- Visit OFSDS
- About Us