Often when visiting an animal shelter, we come across many dogs and cats who share the same sad story. They were once the beloved pet of senior citizens, but for whatever the reasons were not able to keep them, and a family member was not available to help. It’s a tragedy for both the dog, who has known the same owner for possibly all its life and for the person, as the dog was possibly their closest companion.
That is one of the biggest fears for those of us who love our pets and regard them as family; what will happen when the day comes when we can no longer care for them?
Destiny for Dogs founded by JoAnn Goodrich in West Palm Beach, Florida is a 501 (c) 3 dedicated to helping senior citizens keep their pets in the home and if that is impossible, then re-homing them to responsible caregivers. Their mission statement reads “Destiny for Dogs is dedicated to assisting seniors in keeping their beloved dogs in their homes.”
This is achieved by assisting ‘qualified” seniors with dog food, monthly heartworm and flea prevention, and annual wellness visits to their own veterinarian.
Destiny for Dogs is non-breed specific and relies on fosters to care for the dogs in their rescue. They not only rescue dogs from owners or families who can no longer care for their deceased family member’s dog, but also from shelters. Their goal is to find loving forever homes for the dogs regardless of age, health, or behavioral issues.
All dogs taken in by the rescue are fully vetted, spayed or neutered, up to date on shots and microchipped. All dogs also receive a wellness check before being placed in a foster home. Once the dogs are in their foster homes, they will be evaluated, loved and nurtured to prepare them for their new family and their second chance at a happily ever after life.
Currently, Destiny for Dogs is holding a fundraiser to collect much needed funds to continue their important work.
To donate to the fundraiser, visit the site https://www.greatgiveflorida.org/organizations/destiny-for-dogs.
To learn more about Destiny for Dogs and other ways to help, such as fostering or donating to their wish list, visit their website http://destinyfordogs.com/
Or their Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/destinyfordogs
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Fantastic idea. Thanks for doing this. Most of us, our animals are the only family we have. Am tickled for the seniors.
That is so wonderful.
Should be more facilities like this and would even like to see our government involved in this type of senior assistance. Many politicians have pets, and never think about what would happen when they get older and may no longer be able to care for their pets (although they have $$$$$$ to take care of that even in their senior years). We don’t do enough for seniors and their 4 legged children. More things available to them to help them keep their pets longer.
I wish there were more organizations like this in the US. As our population ages, this will become more of a problem. Older people have a lower income and trying to meet the needs of their elderly pets whose vet bills are getting higher is increasingly harder. How fortunate the people of West Palm Beach have Destiny for Dogs and what an angel JoAnn Goodrich is for seeing a need and providing a solution.
WHAT a wonderful group of VESTED INDIVIDUAL”S !!! Florida is much better than California on the West Coast, But Dogs such as Redland and other’s area’s STILL Suffer and are Put down as soon as they hit the shelter… THIS TOO NEEDS TO CHANGE!!!!
About time seniors & their pets are being taken care of in their old age.
What a wonderful idea! Seniors need their dog for not only companionship but for so many other reasons. Wish this idea would spread.
I THANK THEM AND BLESS THEM !!
Amazing! They need to do it for the CAT TOO!
They are an amazing group!