First I want to thank one of our volunteers for her wonderful brain storming and coming up with this one. Many if not all of you know that placing an older dog is next to impossible. With that in mind SFF will be implementing, immediately, our new Seniors for Seniors program. The goal of this program is to match up senior citizens with senior canines that are in need of homes. Their will be no cost to the senior adopting the senior dog. It is our hope that thru sponsorship we will be able to fully vet a sr. dog and adopt it out at no cost to the adopter. SFF will also, as funds allow, provide the new adopters with monthly food donations and free yearly rabies vaccination.

There are so many benefits to this program, the most obvious of which is saving the dogs life. However there are many benefits to the older adopter as well including companionship and an increase in excersize. Not to mention the medical benefits of owning a pet, studies have shown that just petting a dog can lower a persons blood pressure.

I should also mention that these dogs prior to adoption will remain in the care of SFF for two full weeks after being rescued so that their tempermant can be properly accessed.

Qualifying is fairly simple, the potential adopter must be 60 or older, must pass a home inspection, vet check, ( if they had previously owned pets)and must have never been charged with animal abuse,neglect or cruelty at any time in his/her life.

Qualifying for the canines is as follows: Large breeds qualify if they are 7 years +, Smaller breeds qualify if they are 10 +

No animal exibiting ANY type of aggression will qualify for this program.

If you know of a Senior in need of some companionship, please email us at SavingFurryFriends@yahoo.com or call us at 276-706-6477.

First let me start by saying this bulletin contains graphic images. The reason I chose to post these photos are multi facetted. First I want to clear up any illusions that owners in southwest Va have that their precious dog “Spot” will surely find a home the reality is that spot has less than a 10% chance of getting out of the shelter alive. Despite saving 204 dogs in 2008 our county shelter still had a 90% + euth rate. To say say 20 dogs euthanized does not have the same effect as acutally seeing it, being there. My only regret is that many of the folks I reach with this post already know what I am saying. I am preaching to the choir but for those that dont know, are not aware, heres your wake up call.

I chose today to post this after walking into a shelter to find one of the aco’s in tears. In tears because two dogs that were just owner surrendered never even made it to the kennel area they were immediately taken to the euth room and euthanized as there literally was not a single solitary empty kennel to put them in. I post this for her, for all the people who say they couldnt do her job, for all the people who hate animal control this is a  reminder that you are the reason they are needed. For those of you who say animals wouldnt die if it where not for animal control,I ask would it be better for them to die of starvation? be hit by a car only to languish in a ditch for days until death is a welcome relief? There is one person and ONE person only to blame and that is the OWNER.

I also post this for myself. For all the folks who think we try to raise funds too often, for all the folks that expect us to be cheerful as they surrender their pets, for all the folks who roll their eyes when us rescues give lectures on spay and neutering, on behavioral modification to correct behaviors that drove the owner to bring the animal to the shelter in the first place. For my extended family and friends who dont understand why we are constantly stressed but also driven.

I post this for every owner that gets a dog without ever having researched the breed. They have no idea as to the dogs size, energy level or grooming needs. A little research and you would have known that a border collie would not be a good fit in your one bedroom apartment.

I post this for every rescue out there begging for help that falls, many times, on deaf ears.

Many,if not most times. they are the only thing standing between the animals and death.

Most of the time when a plea is sent out about an animal in need many folks are generous with their funds, time and home a great number are saved but a great number are also lost and that is a side many dont see. More than anything this post is for them, in memory of them.