Last year, more than 2.6 million pets were surrendered to shelters, and 183,000 unwanted pets were euthanized, many of which were senior pets.
The national Rehoming Project was created by the Elderly Pet Organization and has been designed to provide access to resources for at-risk senior pets and to promote awareness about responsible rehoming vs. abandoning unwanted pets to a shelter.
The plight of senior pets who are surrendered to a facility is typically grim. Senior pets are especially vulnerable because their personality or temperament can change when they are abandoned to a shelter, making it difficult to adopt them out to a new family. The problem can be further exacerbated if the animal is unwell or has a disability. These unfortunate animals are often first to be euthanized in a kill facility, to make room for other, younger, and healthier unwanted pets.
The purpose of the Rehoming Project is to reduce over-crowding at shelters, rescues, and senior pet sanctuaries throughout the United States, especially at kill facilities; to reduce the number of senior pets who are surrendered to these facilities; to increase awareness about responsible rehoming; and to increase the likelihood of successful placement of senior pets whose current owners can no longer care for them. With rehoming, pets remain in the home they are accustomed to while their owner advocates on their behalf to find new home for their pet.
Funding is needed to continue to provide access to vital resources for at-risk senior pets, to develop and implement a nationwide awareness campaign to inform the public about responsible rehoming vs. senior pet abandonment, and to encourage people to rehome rather than surrender their pet.
With your help, we can change the course for millions of unwanted pets and together, we can end senior pet abandonment and shelter overcrowding.
Please consider a donation today. Any amount will greatly help our cause. All donations over $30 will be entered to win a great pet product raffle prize basket valued at $60. Winners will be notified by email.
We are a 501C3 non profit organization and your donation is tax deductible as a charitable expense.
