Three senior dogs all with medical issues and ailing health were all at risk of losing their guardians who were caught in a tough financial battle of trying to care for them.

However, thanks to a Lake Country non-profit that is committed to supporting senior dogs in need and their struggling owners, the three elder canines are safe at home. 

Ten-year-old Carl is not a small dog, he is a Great Pyrenees who was struggling with arthritis pain. His owner Rebecca was also struggling, to cover his medication costs.

She reached out to Fletcher鈥檚 Keep Senior Dog Foundation as a last resort to avoid the devastating decision to surrender Carl, her beloved family member and therapy dog. 

Fletcher鈥檚 helped Rebecca so Carl could stay at his home and continue to bring joy to her life, just like the non-profit did with the blind senior pup Joey who was in desperate need of good food and a dog ramp to safely access the outdoors.

Joey鈥檚 parents were facing financial strain and could not afford the food and other critical necessities for their pet. However, Fletcher鈥檚 provided the nutritional support and with the help of Rona, which donated materials, volunteers were able to build a custom ramp for Joey.

The last of these three senior dogs is Ella, whose owner is on disability and with a limited income and could not afford the urgent dental care that Ella needed. With the thought of losing Ella weighing on her owners' minds, it was Fletcher鈥檚 who once again came to the rescue and provided the dental care for the dog so that she was no longer in pain. 

According to volunteer executive director Anita Dunford Fletcher鈥檚 Keep Senior Dog Foundation provides resources to help people keep their old friends, providing essential needs like food, medical care, and emotional support. 

鈥淭hese stories highlight the importance of our mission 鈥� to prevent unnecessary surrender and abandonment and to keep these cherished pets with the people they love and who need them most These relationships' emotional and mental health benefits are invaluable, especially for those who find themselves isolated or struggling,鈥� said Dunford. 

With rising living costs, including pet care, many senior pet owners face the reality of potentially having to surrender or abandon their best friends, explained Dunford.

Fletcher鈥檚 works to keep people and pets together so that no senior dog is left to suffer or die alone and instead be given the opportunity to, 鈥渓ive their golden years pain-free and with dignity and love.鈥濃��

November is Senior Pet Month, which has created a great opportunity for the non-profit organization to highlight the need for community support for elder pets and their struggling owners. 

Some ways to get involved are: 

• Donate: Every dollar helps to provide essential food, medical care, and emotional support to senior pets in need and their struggling owners.
• Create a Fundraiser: Start an online fundraiser on behalf of Fletcher鈥檚 Keep Senior Dog Foundation and share it with family, friends, and colleagues.
• Share the Message: Follow Fletcher鈥檚 on social media, share our stories, and encourage others to support Fletcher鈥檚 Keep Senior Dog Foundation during Senior Pet Month and Giving Tuesday.

鈥淭his November, let鈥檚 work together to ensure that no senior dog is left behind and that the human-canine bond continues to bring joy, companionship, and healing to those most in need,鈥� said Dunford. 

Giving Tuesday follows Senior Pet Month and is another opportunity to give back to non-profits such as Fletcher鈥檚. 

For more information, donate, or start a fundraiser, visit the website: or email