We are a network of homes providing doggie assisted living and hospice. We also help with senior dog placement.

How to Contact Us

What We Do

Please read our FAQs. We are very limited in our office resources and the answer to your question may already be listed.

How You Can Help

Click on each box to see our dogs

Mailing address for donations:

PMB A-4

621 State Route 9 NE

Lake Stevens, Washington 98258-9400

Sponsor a "final refuge" dog

Click HERE to see current Final Refuge Dogs

** We have so many dogs waiting for a foster home that we could really use your help now. Please consider opening up your home to a senior dog.

We are above the 100-dog mark for Total Dogs In Our Care. With our current resources, this is probably the maximum number of dogs we can help. If you have been thinking of joining our network of foster homes, now is the time. We need your help so we can continue to care for this many dogs.

November News

(newly added items in dark red)

Sample artwork in the auction

* Art for Critters is holding a Home for the Holidays auction of great art to benefit OldDog Haven. The auction runs through the end of the year. You can see works available HERE.

* Our print newsletter is getting ready to be mailed. If you would like a copy, please send us your mailing address.

* Many thanks to our friends at A Bark Above doggy daycare in Marysville who through a Halloween benefit party made a nice contribution to ODH - particular thanks from Newton and Rory who had a grand time playing with the other dogs.

* And thank you to Dooley's Dog House in Kirkland for hosting a "Yappy Hour / Pirate Party / Bean's 17th B-Day Party" this past week as a fundraiser for Old Dog Haven.

* In case you are not tired of elections, here's one more: Vote for ODH in the Animal Rescue Site challenge HERE. Enter OldDog Haven in the search box, and vote for us. And it appears you can vote every day from now until December 14.

 * OldDog Haven's 2009 calendar is ready. Available to donors on request, it is filled with pictures and stories of dogs helped by OldDog Haven. Send your name and address for shipping to our Lake Stevens address or use email us with your request. Copies will also be available in a number of locations in the Puget Sound area, including: Deluxe Hair in Phinney Ridge (Seattle), Paddywack in Mill Creek Center, Eastside Dog in Redmond, Animal Healing Center in Redmond, Unleashed Pawsabilities in Seattle, The Art and Soul Gallery in Country Village (Bothell) and other outlets to be named.

And everyone needs more than one calendar, so please check out the For Love of Rescues Calendar (this year it features OldDog Haven dogs, too.) If you designate OldDog Haven as your charity of choice, we will receive a large portion of the purchase price.

* VOLUNTEER OF THE MONTH: Renee Ellestad and her son Eric, who have transported several dogs on short notice from the shelter in Bellingham and even brought back an extra on one trip..... Sweety is very grateful.

* FOSTER OF THE MONTH: Sue Ball and her sons who have taken dogs in emergency and sent them on as happy well-adjusted dogs to permanent homes, a really important function.

* Our thanks to employees in the Washington State Department of Corrections, whose staff created a pet photo calendar for the Combined Fund Drive. Proceeds benefitted animal welfare charities including Old Dog Haven! And to the Department of Natural Resources in Olympia, who designated profits from their pet photo contest and calendar to ODH. Great photos, too!

The efforts by the two above state departments are part of the Combined Fund Drive which is open to all Washington State Employees, Retirees and Higher Education Employees. The drive runs through November 30, and you can designate OldDog Haven as your choice by noting our official charity code number: 0517534. Thank you! (Visit the web site here: http://www.cfd.wa.gov/ )

* We now have the capability to accept donations via monthly automatic payments from a checking account. If you are currently sending us a regular check, (and thank you for that!) we'd be happy to send you a form to set up this automated donation.

* OldDog Haven supports the promotion of spay/neuter programs. There is an effort to create legislation that establishes a statewide spay/neuter program. The bill does not make spay/neuter mandatory, instead it seeks funding for spay/neuter of feral cats and pets of low income families. For information about the effort and ways you can help, visit HERE.

* Art for Critters held special auctions to benefit ODH this past month. Members of this special artist group listed original works of art for auction and part of the proceeds went to ODH. HERE is the listing. (A few items are still available).

* HERE is a calendar of 2008's dog-centric events in Western Washington -- if you want to help in 2009, please let us know.

* Our friends at Art Helping Animals have chosen ODH as their featured charity. For information click on the banner above.

* Check out the folks at Animal Suspension Technology in Bellingham. They manufacture support harnesses for disabled and injured dogs. Their product would be helpful for your older dog who has trouble getting up and about.

Some FINE PRINT

We will not disclose donor information outside of our organization except as required by law. We will not sell or distribute our mailing lists to anyone. We will mail or e-mail a thank-you note acknowledging each contribution unless directed NOT to do so. We will mail or e-mail newsletters to donors unless directed NOT to do so. We will send a receipt of annual donations in the following January unless requested at the time of donation.

 "This charity is currently registered with Washington Secretary of State under the charitable solicitation act, registration number 23310".

 * We couldn't do what we do without our wonderful Foster Parents who provide hospice care, Final Refuge homes and foster homes for adoptable dogs awaiting placement. We thank them all! They are truly the backbone of our efforts.

Adopt a post-adolescent dog; you'll want another

What We Do

OldDog Haven is a small nonprofit group using a large network of people to provide a loving safe home for abandoned senior dogs. Our goal is to provide a loving, safe home for senior dogs abandoned at this stage of their lives. When we have room, and the means, we take these dogs into our homes; if possible we adopt out those with a reasonable life-expectancy. We care for the rest as long as they have good quality of life. In addition, we try to assist owners in finding new homes for their senior dogs through our website and referrals.

Bridgette is ready for chilly weather at Home Base in Arlington

Why We Do It

All too many dogs of advanced years themselves terrified and confused at shelters, where their chances of adoption are almost zero. Others are desperate for a new home because of a move, owners working much longer hours, trouble with small children in the home, a death in the family, or bad financial circumstances. Many of these dogs are in poor physical condition as well, making them even less appealing to others. Helping them is sometimes challenging, is often expensive, but is very very rewarding. Our goal is that their last years are happy and that they die safe and at peace, knowing they are loved. Wouldn't we all wish this for our own pets, and for ourselves?

Sharing the bed at an ODH foster home (Walter, Stan, & Darby)

 How We Do It

We are presently caring for 100+ dogs in our homes from Blaine south to Vancouver, Port Orchard to Vashon to Whidbey Islands, and we usually are assisting over 20 owners place their own dogs. We rely on our wonderful group of foster parents and very generous donors to keep these dogs happy and comfortable in their time with us. We also use our website, other internet services, and an e-mail network to help owners place their senior dogs - many we never meet. OldDog Haven is an IRS-approved 501(c)(3) not-for-profit charitable organization and relies on donations for its income. We do not receive any state or federal funds. All donations to ODH are tax deductible.

We are grateful for the continuing donations, large and small, which allow us to focus entirely on helping dogs.

Please see our page on HOW YOU CAN HELP in this effort.

You may access information and an application to foster a dog HERE.

Click Above To See The Answers To Some Frequently Asked Questions

Current Adoptable Dogs

Why Adopt An Older Dog?

Please CLICK HERE to see dogs currently available, either from the dog's current owners, or from our foster homes. An online Adoption Application is available HERE.

Victor, standing on our pathway of memories -- a brick for every dog OldDog Haven has helped.

* Our posters are available online as pdf's (Adobe files). You can help spread the word by downloading, printing and posting our "generic poster" which informs people of our goals; or our current poster showing some of our adoptable dogs.

<--- Current / Generic --->

We also have a copy of our current eNewsletter available here:

Previous eNewsletters:

May 2008

February 2008

October 2007

July 2007

* We always need Final Refuge homes. There are usually dogs on our waiting list that are very near a deadline to get into a safe place. Small to large, some housebroken and issue-free but some needing more effort. Medical expenses will be covered by ODH. By opening your home to one of them you could save an old dog from dying alone. Please call.

If you are interested in fostering or providing hospice care, you may access information and an application here: PDF Version or WORD Document.

Many Thanks To:

 * The veterinary clinics who are so generous with their time and expertise: Frontier Village in Lake Stevens as our home clinic and veterinary advisors, Pet Neuter Clinic in Stanwood, Companion in Bellevue, Twin Lakes in Federal Way, Maplewood in Bellingham, Edmonds-Westgate, Care Vet Center in Mt. Vernon, and many others.

* Patrick Sanders for his help with web "stuff" and for hosting this site for free!

 * Mark Malnes and his firm Savage Color in Seattle for discounted printing services

* Stubbs of KMPS Radio for enthusiastic public service announcements on behalf of our dogs

* Kristi Crabtree of Motivational Dog Obedience in Marysville for her professional services and advice

*Country Classic Kennels in Arlington for donation drives, gifts, and spreading the word

* Karin Morgan for her Bowen Technique treatments which have helped our rescued dogs greatly

* Artist Tanya Amberson for donating some of the profits from her Dog Loss Sympathy notecards and other items.

* Two groups of artists who are donating part of the proceeds from on-line auctions to us: Art Helping Animals (their website can be found HERE) and Art for Critters (check out their website HERE)

* Bauer-Evans CPA in Everett for accounting services

* Alicia Kobory of Stanwood Kennels for grooming some of our worst cases

* Paddywack's in Mill Creek for continuing support for our goals, helping provide specialty dog foods and on-going fund-raising in their store.

* Darwin's Natural Pet Products in Seattle (HERE is their web site) has offered all ODH fosters and final refuge dogs a 50% discount on their Zoologics meats for dogs. We appreciate their generous support.

* The Peck Family Foundation for their generous support -- and Nick Hall, who showed great initiative in requesting a grant on our behalf, and making a successful presentation to the Foundation board. (1007)

* Dr. Estelle Shuttleworth of Issaquah Veterinary Hospital for her gifts and suggestions about care for elderly dogs. (1007)

* Our thanks to AquaDog Spa in Kent for donating swim therapy services for our old timers. (1207)

* Emerald City K9 Freestyle Dancers for their continued support - we are proud to have other dog groups involved in this effort. (0108)

* The owners and staff of Ford of Kirkland (especially Jim and Amy Wallin, Raleigh Fouch and Erik Clark) for donating a used Ford minivan to ODH. (0208)

* Long-time supporters Woodmar Animal Clinic in Hammond, Indiana for donations of products to keep our dogs healthy. (0408)

* Thank you to the wonderful doctors, staff and clients at Issaquah Veterinary Hospital for their many generous donations. We really appreciate being adopted! Also a thank-you to the volunteers from Doney Memorial Street People's Pet Clinic in Seattle (at the Union Gospel Mission) for their donations of supplies to us. Their cause is a wonderful one that we wholeheartedly suggest you support. (This clinic was founded in 1982 by Dr. C.W.Doney in order to provide veterinary care for the pets of low-income, disabled, seniors, and street people.) (0408)

* Thanks to long-time supporter La Cantina in Blaine for donating portions of their proceeds and proceeds from the book Wine Types; their website also donates proceeds to ODH and other rescue groups. Check them out! (0508)

* Thanks to Unleashed Pawsabilities, a pet supply store at 2920 NE Blakeley St in Seattle (near Calvary Cemetery), for displaying pictures and profiles of our adoptable dogs in their business; and thanks to volunteer Katrin for keeping the posters current. (0608)

* We are honored to be the recipient of a grant from the students of Eckstein Middle School in Seattle, through the Penny Harvest program. The students researched nonprofit organizations in their community and chose to fund ODH. This is a wonderful program and we're thrilled that these children wanted to participate in our efforts. This project is part of Solid Ground, web site HERE. (0608)

* Our appreciation to Don Dahl and Perfect Press in Bellevue for rapid printing services. (0908)

Click above to donate to OldDog Haven using PayPal

(Note: you do not need a PayPal account to use this method)

Earl and Alice share a basket at Home Base.

Some Thoughts For Those Facing The End-Of-Life Decision For Their Companion Animal

Some Thoughts For Those Who Have Lost Their Companion Animal

Some Thoughts About How To Plan For Your Pet's Future If You Can't Take Care Of Him Yourself

Some information about health issues for older dogs

Stories about how older dogs can make a difference to older humans.

Pet Sympathy Dog Notes designed by artist Tanya Amberson

We are lucky to have the support of some wonderfully talented artists. Check out the videos linked below --

HERE is one created by our friends at Art Helping Animals

and

HERE is a short video by a wonderfully supportive artist featuring a painting done of a dog in our care. Click on the small square near the top with the reddish part (may be differently situated depending on your browser.)

Placement Assistance

We try to assist owners who must place their older dog in an appropriate home. Please contact us for details.

Do you have plans for your companion animals if you are unable to take care of them? Click HERE for some suggestions.

Brody and Brigette share a bed.

  

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Contact webmaster (Ron Kerrigan). (Does not contact OldDog Haven)