About ODH

Old Dog Haven is a small nonprofit group using a large network of foster homes to provide loving, safe homes for unadoptable senior dogs in need in western Washington. When we have room and the means, we take these dogs into our homes.  We care for them as members of the family in permanent foster homes (what we call “Final Refuge”) and provide all needed veterinary care for as long as they have a good quality of life. In addition, we assist rescues, shelters and owners in finding new homes for senior adoptable dogs through our website, social media and referrals.

Our Mission

Old Dog Haven is committed to the belief that all senior dogs should live peacefully in their final years as members of a caring family. To this end we:

  • Provide permanent foster homes for unadoptable, abandoned or soon to be homeless, senior dogs in western Washington, age eight and over. We give preference to the oldest dogs and those that have serious health issues.
  • Assist owners, shelters, and rescues in finding homes for their adoptable senior dogs age eight and over by posting those dogs on our website and social media pages;
  • Educate the public about the value of senior dogs in our lives and the unique gifts they bring us.

We intend to keep Old Dog Haven foster dogs as healthy and comfortable as possible by providing excellent medical care, but without heroic measures intended only to extend life. We are committed to helping these dogs find peace in their final years without judgment of the humans who have left them.

When quality of life is no longer present for any senior dog we believe that euthanasia is the ultimate gift we give them.

Why We Do It

All too many dogs of advanced years find themselves terrified and confused at shelters, where their chances of adoption are almost zero. Others are desperate for a new home because of an owner’s death, a move, owners working much longer hours, trouble with small children in the home, 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, often expensive, but 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?

A Brief Introduction

Old Dog Haven was founded in 2004 to provide safe, loving homes for unadoptable senior dogs, many of whom have been abandoned, who have almost zero chance of adoption in a shelter.  We do not have a shelter; all our dogs live in homes as members of permanent (Final Refuge) families. We also assist owners who need to re-home their senior dogs 8 years and over, and help shelters and other rescues place their seniors

We take dogs 8 years and older from shelters and owners in Western Washington (due to county regulations, we cannot take in strays).  We also assist owners who need to re-home their senior dogs 8 years and over, and help shelters and other rescues place their seniors through website posts and social media.  The dogs we bring into care (Final Refuge) are unadoptable due to age and medical issues and many are hospice with very limited life expectancy. Old Dog Haven’s mission is to give these dogs a loving family and good quality of life in their final months, years, weeks or even days.

Since December 2016 we have had at least 300 dogs in our care at one time. We always have a waiting list of dogs in need, some very near a deadline to get to a safe place, and we always need more Final Refuge homes. Old Dog Haven pays directly for all veterinary care and medications and provides a great support system. Experience with senior dogs is helpful, but not required. However, not every situation will work for our dogs so please check the foster information available here.

We depend on our donors! Not everyone is able to take in a dog, but our generous donors make a vital contribution that allows us to take good care of these dogs, many of whom come to us in poor physical condition – malnourished, sick, teeth rotting, and worse. Our medical costs average over $80,000 per month and  90% of our expenses are for dog care.  We appreciate even the smallest donations and welcome you as part of our efforts to keep wonderful old dogs from dying alone. We are a 501(c)(3) IRS charitable corporation and contributions are tax-deductible.