Saving Senior Dogs Week 2020

For the second year in a row, Lily’s Legacy Senior Dog Sanctuary, a nonprofit rescue organization dedicated to saving homeless senior large-breed dogs in California, will partner with senior dog rescue organizations from across the United States to present the Second Annual Saving Senior Dogs Week - a week long national education/fundraising campaign designed to raise public awareness of the plight of homeless senior dogs all cross the United States. www.lilyslegacy.org

Saving Senior Dogs Week (October 26 – November 1, 2020) is a week-long national social media campaign aimed at raising awareness of the struggles of homeless senior dogs, increase public awareness of the joys of adopting senior dogs, reduce unnecessary euthanasia, and provide existing senior dog rescues in the United States with much needed funding to carry out their missions. #savingseniordogsweek2020

“We were extremely touched by the amount of support we received with our first Saving Senior Dogs campaign last year - it was truly incredible to see people from all over the United States, and the world embrace this cause,” said Alice Mayn, Executive Director of Lily’s Legacy Senior Dog Sanctuary. “People are becoming aware of the struggles of homeless senior dogs and we’re so pleased to have given out our first Saving Senior Dogs grant this year to a new start-up senior dog sanctuary. But we still have so much work to do especially now in these uncertain times of COVID-19.”

It is estimated that approximately 670,000 shelter dogs are euthanized each year in the United States. Senior dogs are least likely to be rescued or adopted from shelters and are most at risk of being euthanized. Although there are an estimated 14,000 animal rescue organizations nationwide, less than 40 of them are dedicated exclusively to rescuing, rehabilitating and re-homing senior dogs.

A new problem that is also occurring due to the world-wide COVID-19 pandemic is the increase in pet surrenders due to COVID-19 financial hardship. In August, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals released data estimating that 4.2 million pets will enter poverty in the next six months as a result of the COVID-19 crisis, a 21% increase from pre-pandemic estimates. The total number of animals living in poverty could rise to more than 24.4 million dogs, cats, horses, and other animals.

Continued Mayn: “Programs such as Saving Senior Dogs Week are more important now than ever to raise awareness. Homeless senior dogs have always been at the highest risk of being euthanized and the pandemic has significantly exacerbated this problem.”

Proceeds from the fundraising campaign will be divided equally among the participating senior dog rescue organizations, and a portion of the funds will go into the Saving Senior Dogs grant fund to provide startup funding and support for individuals interested in founding a new senior dog rescue. 100% of the funds will go towards saving thousands of homeless senior dogs.

The first Saving Senior Dogs Grant has been awarded (August 2020) to Daisy Lu Ranch Senior Dog Sanctuary in Camarillo, CA for medical care for their senior dogs.

Lily’s Legacy is inviting other senior dog rescue organizations across the United States to partner with them for Saving Senior Dogs Week. Current partnering Senior Dog Rescues organizations include:

Albert's Dog Lounge Dog Rescue - Wisconsin

Daisy Lu – Southern California (New Rescue 2020)

Forever Loved Pet Sanctuary – Arizona

Frosted Faces Foundation – Southern California

Gray Face Acres Senior Dog Rescue - Maryland

Grand-Paws Senior Sanctuary – Southern California

Homer J's Senior Dog Sanctuary - Nevada

Lionel’s Legacy – Southern California

Muttville – Northern California

Old Dog Home Inc. – Georgia

Peace of Mind Dog Rescue – Northern California

The Roland Senior Dog Rescue Gang – Florida

Senior Dog Haven & Hospice – Delaware

Senior Paws Rescue - Indiana

Vintage Paws Rescue - Florida

Vintage Pet Rescue – Rhode Island

“The joy of giving these seniors a second chance in their golden years outweighs the pain of losing one.” - Laurel, senior dog adopter

“If you are brave enough to say goodbye, life will reward you with a new hello.” - Joan, senior dog adopter

For more information on Saving Senior Dogs Week, to become a partnering senior dog rescue, to become a sponsor of Saving Senior Dogs Week 2020, or to donate, contact Alice Mayn at alice.lilyslegacysds@gmail.com or call 707-787-7010. Visit www.lilyslegacy.org

Facebook: @lilyslegacysds

Instagram: @lilyslegacyseniordogs

#savingseniordogsweek2020