Mature Dog Adoptions, Registered Charity All volunteer, non-profit, tax receipts We rescue and courtesy-post dogs across Ontario 5+ years (& younger if special needs) Mature dogs adjust quickly, but we are happy to assist with the transition to your home if needed SCROLL DOWN TO CLICK ON OUR "PET LIST" There are even more trained, mellow, mature dogs in shelters
Please help a BONDED PAIR to stay TOGETHER See our Pair List below
*Urgent: FOSTER home to save medium senior hound *FEMALE HOMES NEEDED for OLIVER senior beagle and WALTER senior hound *DECEASED PRIEST'S SENIOR DOGS See "Priest died: Pair" on our Pet List
Older dogs in shelters: Their owners have gone to nursing home or have died Moving, job loss, divorce, family illness One quarter of shelter dogs are PUREBREDS
DOGS PASSED OVER AT SHELTERS INCLUDE: Dogs over 4 years Black, large, thin, overweight dogs Quiet, lying down, 'depressed' dogs Stressed barking dogs Shy, stressed, frightened dogs at back of cage
See DISCLAIMER below, plus HELPFUL INFORMATION
NEW VET AGE CHART: Dogs are living longer too! A bit of grey means a LOT of EXPERIENCE:
Dog years:...........1.. . 2.. 3... ..4......7.....10....12...15
Human years:....15....24...28...32...44.....56.....64...76
SUMMER POISON WARNINGS FOR DOGS
Citronella mosquito candles, rings, Mothballs (Do not bury in garden),
Cocoa Mulch, Xylitol artificial sweetener, macadamia nuts, onions, raisins/grapes, chocolate/cocoa
CAUTION LARGE BREEDS: Do NOT feed within at least a half an hour before or after exercise. This can lead to TORSION, "twisted gut", often fatal. Large breed dogs should NOT be encouraged to "sit pretty" or jump and stress their joints upon landing.
ANXIETY REMEDIES for dogs: Please scroll down MEDICAL CONDITIONS: In addition to conventional veterinary treatments, consider holistic vets, homeopathic remedies, and herbs (mix with honey&water), such as www.herbal-treatments.net Contact us for our successful experiences with these
HELP WITH VET COSTS for low-income seniors & disabled: 1-888-262-9811 www.farleyfoundation.org
Dangers of giving your dog away on your own (even for a fee): Scroll down to link 'Free to good home' under Rehoming your Dog
Featured Pet: Walter the Walker hound! FEMALE HOME NEEDED Walter is terrified of men. He runs away from them He would love a DOG BUDDY in his new home Hounds make wonderful housepets! Scroll down to "Emily"
Click on photo for more information and photos
DISCLAIMER: WE LIST OUR OWN FOSTERS AND OTHER DOGS ACROSS ONTARIO. It is our intent to list only dogs of good temperament, but we have not evaluated the other dogs. We state information given by their fosters, owners, or shelters. We are merely the liaison and give no guarantees, warranties, or undertakings. It is the adopter's responsibility to confirm information and suitability of the dog for their home. Mature Dog Adoptions and all individuals associated shall not be liable directly or indirectly to the user or any third party for any loss or damage resulting from the information (including errors or omissions) in this website. Stating this disclaimer is the only way we can continue this service. The providers of information about dogs displayed here hereby agree to indemnify and hold harmless Mature Dog Adoptions and all individuals associated with respect to any loss or damage that may arise as a result of posting their information. END of disclaimer.
MATURE DOGS BOND IMMEDIATELY, SETTLE IN MORE EASILY, AND LEARN QUICKLY. Strays are often OVERAGED by years due to the stress. Shelter dogs will look and act younger once in your home. Please consider the dogs barking in their cages. They are often QUIET OUTSIDE OF CAGE and just want human attention.
POUNDS (Animal Control): The Pound Act only requires holding dogs for 72 HOURS before they can be destroyed or sold for research.
HOUNDS make wonderful pets: See Emily below. This is Emily the hound, getting a check-up from the child in her new home! "A house is not a home without a hound"! Her adopters say that everything they heard about HOUNDS (includes BEAGLES) being GREAT housepets is true. Emily is sweet, gentle, and great with the cat and children. This breed is known for its gentle, affectionate, friendly personality.
HELPFUL INFORMATION
ANXIETY: "Separation" grieving, storms, car: Pheromones are mother's hormones dogs/cats can smell and find calming. Some products contain Pheromones plus Valerian and St. Johns Wort herbals. These products are in some pet supply stores as plug-ins like air fresheners (about $25). YOUR VET also has pharmaceutical help for these conditions, often needed temporarily. *Some dogs do much better if there is another pet in the home.
MATURE OUTDOOR DOGS CAN BE HOUSETRAINED IN A DAY OR TWO! They already know to 'go' outdoors. They have the control and the understanding. Dogs naturally do not want to mess their home. Praise when 'go' outside. Keep in small area if do not 'go'. Then put out again. Maintain a routine. More freedom in house after dog 'goes'. Contact us for more suggestions.
TO INTRODUCE YOUR NEW DOG: Outside, on neutral territory, on leash, to avoid a threatening feeling for either dog. IF it goes well, proceed indoors. First put away all dog possessions: bones, toys, rawhides, etc. for a month. Feed dogs with space between them while you are present, because food can be an issue.
URINARY weak muscle tone ("leaking") can be improved with use of INexpensive Organic Apple Cider Vinegar with "mother" in it. From health food stores and some organic sections of grocery stores. I have noticed complete improvement with a daily capful after about 3 weeks!
CARSICKNESS: An INexpensive anti-static strip attached to my vehicle has ended 8 years of this problem for my lab when nothing else helped.
IMPROVE DENTAL HEALTH: CoEnzymeQ10 (from health food store) helps gums! It is important to keep teeth clean of tartar. Odour may mean infection, which spreads through blood to organs. Heart murmurs may actually disappear once teeth are cleaned by vet! See your vet for recommendations. Cleaning by vet may be needed.
FEED YOUR DOG THE BEST ALL NATURAL FOOD YOU CAN. It will mean you can feed less to get good nutrition and less "fillers" means less clean up for you! It also means a healthier, longer life. Cheap pet foods may contain products of rendering factories (animals with tumors, euthanasia chemicals, etc.).
ALLERGIES: *Wipe down your dog (NOT for cats) daily with a cloth dipped in a mixture of 10 drops of tea tree oil (health food stores) and a cup of warm water. Tea tree oil is a natural antiseptic and keeps down allergens. Have someone else brush out your dog outside. Use the best HEPA, etc. filters in furnace and vacuum. *A 10 yr. US study has found that children exposed to animals are less likely to be allergic to grass, dust, mold, dogs, and cats (even if their parents are allergic). The reseachers conclude that this exposure helps to lower their susceptibility to allergens.
DANGER OF OVER-VACCINATION: There is evidence that annual shots can cause health problems (primarily blood/heart/lung & digestive disorders) in mature and senior dogs, as their immune systems are distracted from the 'job' they are already doing, to make antibodies to the injected germs. Senior dogs cannot even make antibodies efficiently. If vaccinated regularly as young dogs, they are being found to have enough protection already built up. Nutritional immune system boosters and high quality food are recommended. Please research this to make your own informed decision.
HEARTWORM: This is Angel, my former foster beagle who was to be euthanized at shelter because she had heartworm. She was CURED easily for about $200 and adopted, but it is best to use monthly pills as prevention. For collies and hounds (beagles) AVOID those with IVERMECTIN. Say NO to PROHEART 6 INJECTION: The FDA in the U.S. is investigating the potentially fatal effects of this drug.
ARTHRITIC DOGS: Dogs are stoic with their pain. Signs of arthritis may be SUBTLE, such as lying down carefully in a special position, whining when getting up or down, trouble on steps or can no longer get on furniture, etc. FOAM BEDS hold warmth and will help soothe joints of older dogs. KEEP WEIGHT DOWN and give MODERATE EXERCISE. EFA (essential fatty acids) in FISH OILS: canned sardines, mackeral, salmon or salmon oil capsules (INexpensive) help joints, skin, fur, eyes, etc. GLUCOSOMINE HYDROCHLORIDE, the form dogs better absorb and MSM, a natural anti-inflammatory. Veterinarians carry a liquid product with these which also includes Vitamin C for joint maintenance and repair (UbaVet, etc.).
In Memorium
Tawny, the gentle lady, always crossed her paws
I remember when she arrived
So scared, even of a falling leaf...
Patience and time led her to trust again
To finally flourish in the love of the Blairs
Her sweetness will always be in our hearts
REHOMING YOUR DOG
FREE TO GOOD HOME: GIVING AWAY YOUR DOG ON YOUR OWN? CLICK HERE Free to good home? This true story is only a #1 on a scale of 1 to10 of the horrors that some dogs go to! NEVER GIVE YOUR DOG AWAY ON FIRST MEETING!
TO PLACE YOUR OWN DOG SAFELY AND AVOID REGRETS: *Ask adopter's history/commitment to pets *Ask where exactly will dog be kept days and nights *Ask how dog will be corrected *Renters: Will they keep the dog when they move? *Observe adopter's interaction with your dog and how your dog reacts. *ALL members of household must meet dog and agree. *Get veterinary reference and check it. *DO HOME VISIT. *Do follow-up calls and visit. *WRITE AND BOTH SIGN that dog is RETURNED TO YOU if either side is not happy with placement (if you hear negative behaviours not characteristic of your dog). *Turn down adopter if not right: YOU are your dog's only advocate. ASK AN EXPERIENCED REPUTABLE RESCUER TO HELP YOU!
The Beginning
"A Diamond in the Rough" Meet my first foster dog, who came into a shelter stray, thin, poor coat, aged at "12 years". She really was HALF that age! When stressed, dogs are often aged older than they are. This lovely lady enjoyed another EIGHT YEARS of life! We have included this gorgeous husky in hopes you also will recognize POTENTIAL.
"I Know How to be Part of Your Family"
"I am 5 or 6 or older, I may even have fur turning white,
You may start to pass me, but please stop and see,
The EXPERIENCE AND LOVE in my eyes.
I already understand humans,
I know how to be part of your "pack".
I'm already trained and I'll fit right in,
Won't you give me a second chance?
I learn fast and I know what humans like,
I still have many years to please you.
I'm gentle and quieter, but I still like to play,
Please give me a second chance. "
by Bobbie (May be reproduced by shelters, rescues.)
About Mature Dog Adoptions
1997: Bobbie, a special education teacher/administrator, learned that dogs over 4 years were being overlooked for the younger, shinier, more work-intensive models! When we called to help a 10 yr. "Lassie" type collie and learned she had been destroyed because she was "too old", we committed to this service. We foster healthy dogs with GOOD TEMPERAMENTS in small numbers and make REFERRALS to other mature dogs. The information listed is provided by those caring for these dogs; we have not personally evaluated these dogs and take no responsibility for their physical condition or behaviour. We are happy to provide you with support during the transition time of any adoption. VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: "Scouts" to email us dogs to list : 5 YEARS AND OLDER, ESPECIALLY SENIORS, AND ANY AGE ADULT SPECIAL NEEDS. We need Fosters and Fundraisers.
"I Know How to be Part of Your Family"