Did you know that senior pets have a 25% chance of adoption, as opposed to 60% for younger dogs? That’s one of the reasons Kristen Peralta began Vintage Pet Rescue.
According to HuffPo, the Rhode Island pet lover cares for around 27 older dogs out of her home, a former church. (Sidenote: Kirsten and her husband, Marc, met in a pet shelter in 2013 and have been coming to the rescue of furries in need ever since.)
“It breaks our heart to see senior dogs in shelters,” she told the web site. “They’re just frail, they’re probably scared, a lot of them have vision or hearing issues. Just seeing them, you just want to help.”
And she’s helping more than just the dogs–she’s helping their owners, too. Some of the pets she takes in can no longer stay with their families due to medical issues. One woman had to surrender her four chihuahuas while she underwent chemotherapy but is still able to visit.
“You can just tell how much they appreciate you,” Peralta told HuffPo. “They’re thankful that they’re with you and you love them. It’s so special to know that you saved a dog’s life and that it’s going to have a happy rest of life because of you.”
Note that Vintage Pet Rescue is not an adoption service; the Peraltas are giving these senior dogs a loving home to spend their final days. If you’d like to learn more or donate (they’re doing this all on their own!), visit the organization’s site now.
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