Senior Pets > Everything Else

For the past seven years I've worked with Young at Heart, I’ve learned just how special it is to love a senior dog or cat.

There’s truly nothing like it. No adorable puppy or tiny kitten can match the deep, unspoken connection you build with an older pet. Maybe it’s the wisdom in their greying faces or the resilience in their slower steps. Whatever that magic is, it’s real, and it’s worth fighting for.

This year, Young at Heart has set an ambitious goal of raising $50,000 at the Shelter Slumber Pawty. Every dollar goes toward something that may not be glamorous, but is absolutely essential: veterinary care.

Because caring for senior pets means showing up for them in the ways they need most... managing chronic conditions, easing joint pain, providing life-saving treatments, and making sure their golden years are as comfortable and joyful as possible.

One of the most incredible ways Young at Heart does this is through their Sanctuary Program. For senior pets who need ongoing or extensive care, the program covers their medical expenses, supplies, and support - while people like me provide the home, the love, and the family. It’s a true partnership, built entirely around giving these animals the best life possible.

And no one embodies that more than my Oreo.

Oreo is, objectively, unhinged. Got a couple screws loose. Probably was a killer in his past life. But he’s also my heart and soul. At 18-years-old, he’s got a lot going on. Daily medications for pain and blood pressure, regular treatments for asthma - you name it, he needs it.

There's no way I could care for Oreo properly by myself, but thanks to the Sanctuary Program, I don’t have to.

Young at Heart makes sure Oreo gets every test, every exam (even when he’s trying to fight the vet staff), and every chance to feel good, safe, and loved. I get to focus on giving him a home filled with love!

There are so many senior pets who need this kind of support. Older pets who would otherwise be overlooked because of age or medical needs. The Sanctuary Program ensures they don’t just survive; they’re truly cared for, cherished, and given a second chance at a full life.

Now it’s our turn to make that possible.

Whether you’ve experienced the love of a senior pet or not, you likely know what it means to love an animal so fiercely it almost hurts. Help us give that kind of love - and the care that makes it possible - to the many senior dogs and cats who are still waiting. 

Please donate today. Every dollar directly supports pets like Oreo and the Sanctuary seniors who depend on this program to live out their golden years with comfort, dignity, and love.