Connecting To Our Needs

Coping with the Challenges of Aging Animals and Finding Support

RESOURCES TO ASSIST YOU IN PLANNING FOR UNFORESEEN CIRCUMSTANCES AND INEVITABLE CHANGES

Imagine the difficulties that may arise when caring for a beloved animal family member as you face your own health challenges or experience mobility limitations. Consider moving to a retirement community or assisted care facility that doesn’t accommodate pets. Many individuals encounter financial constraints when providing for their pets on retirement or Social Security. Furthermore, the costs of veterinary care tend to rise as our furry companions age. The journey of growing older alongside your pets can undoubtedly present many unexpected challenges.

National and Local (Denver) Resources

Denver Dumb Friends League offers a variety of services, including low-cost veterinary services, including spaying and neutering at the Dumb Friends League CSU Spur location, behavior support, guidance through the adoption process, end-of-life care, humane education, and more for small mammals, horses, birds, dogs, and cats.
Colorado Pet Pantry – “We will temporarily feed Colorado pets, allowing families to increase their ability to care for pets to keep them out of shelters and with their families.”
Paws 4 a Cure – “Provides financial assistance throughout the United States to those who cannot afford veterinary care for dogs and cats with all illnesses and injuries.”
Denver’s MaxFund Animal Adoption Center and Veterinary Clinic – “strives to make preventative, affordable care for companion animals possible.”
Brighthaven – “renowned animal rescue, hospice, and holistic education nonprofit organization. We offer a variety of caregiver resources to help you help your animals live well each and every day! Our primary focus: senior, disabled & chronically ill animals.”
Dogs Matter – “provides and promotes a safe and healthy environment for dogs of recovering addicts and alcoholics.”
Pet-Friendly Travel – “Pet-Friendly Emergency Shelters & Pet Evacuation. Find pet and animal evacuation information in a disaster, pet-friendly hurricane shelters, and disaster preparedness with pets.”
Animal-Friendly Living Spaces for Seniors (nationwide)- “Senior housing complexes are designed so seniors can live independently but have access to assistance, community, and resources when needed. This independent living setup is perfect for small pets, so it makes sense that this trend is taking off. Here’s everything you need to know about pet-friendly senior housing.”
Animal-Friendly Domestic Violence Shelters (locations nationwide) – “is a global initiative helping domestic violence shelters to create on-site pet housing for families fleeing violence.”
Red Rover – “Our mission is to bring animals out of crisis and strengthen the bond between people and animals through emergency sheltering, disaster-relief services, financial assistance, and education. We accomplish this by engaging volunteers and supporters, collaborating with others, and maximizing the use of online technology.”
Pets of the Homeless – “Our task, nationwide is to feed and provide basic emergency veterinary care to the pets and those relieve the anguish and anxiety of the homeless who cannot provide for their pets.”

Books

Goodbye, Friend: Healing Wisdom for Anyone Who Has Ever Lost a Pet – “In Goodbye, Friend, Gary Kowalski takes you on a journey of healing, offering warmth and sound advice on how to cope with the death of your pet.”

Blessing the Animals: Prayers and Ceremonies to Celebrate God’s Creatures, Wild and Tame – “Take a spiritual journey through this beautiful collection of blessings, prayers and meditations about the creatures, wild and tame, that inhabit our world. These moving contributions about all types of animals―playful dogs and beloved cats, giant whales and powerful elephants, tiny insects, and delicate birds―are drawn from many faith traditions, including Native American, Christian, Muslim, Jewish, Hindu and Buddhist.”

The Loss of a Pet: A Guide to Coping with the Grieving Process When a Pet Dies – “This edition also includes a significant new way of considering the meaning of the afterlife for us and our pets. It discusses the topic from a twenty-first-century scientific perspective that differs greatly from existing religious or metaphysical ones, offering a new comfort to agnostics.”

Additional Resources

Find an Animal Chaplain – “Our site helps animal lovers find support in times of crisis or when they are confused about what is happening with an animal companion (such as a “pet” cat or dog) or wildlife nearby. Animal chaplains support animals and humans by using deep listening, sacred ceremonies, and the tools of empathetic spiritual companionship.”
Rocky Mountain House Rabbit Rescue – “A Colorado-based non-profit organization providing medical, rescue, and support services for house rabbits and education for rabbit caregivers.
Colorado Reptile Humane Society – “working to improve the lives of reptiles and amphibians in captivity and in the wild through education and action.” Offers adoption support and other services.
Animal Help Now – “Provides immediate and appropriate assistance for any wildlife emergency, coast to coast. Animal Help Now’s database includes more than 3,700 helpers, including wildlife rehabilitators, rescues and hotlines, and veterinarians who treat wildlife. Animal Help Now even offers access to businesses that humanely resolve conflicts with wildlife, such as raccoons in attics and skunks under porches.” Check out their website for more information on the new Pet Help and Rescue app.
Microsanctuary Resource Center – “Our goal is to continue providing support and information for microsanctuaries to help provide safe homes to rescued animals who typically aren’t considered “companions”–not just farmed animals, but other species like rodents, fishes, and even insects.” The MRC offers grants, resources, networking with other microsanctuaries and sanctuaries, and more to support individuals who provide care to these wonderful beings.
Luvin Arms Animal Sanctuary (Erie, CO) – “Luvin Arms Animal Sanctuary provides exceptional lifelong social, emotional, and cognitive care to rescued farmed animals, and advocates for those who have not been rescued by sharing our residents’ stories to inspire, educate, and empower others to embrace a more compassionate and sustainable lifestyle.” Offers humane education, exciting events, volunteer opportunities, and more!