OldDog Haven is

501(c)(3) A 501(c)(3) organization is a United States corporation, Trust (business), trust, unincorporated association or other type of organization exempt from federal income tax under section 501(c)(3) of Title 26 of the United States Code. It is one of ...

not-for-profit A not-for-profit or non-for-profit organization (NFPO) is a Legal Entity, legal entity that does not distribute surplus funds to its members and is formed to fulfill specific objectives. While not-for-profit organizations and Nonprofit organ ...

charitable organization A charitable organization or charity is an organization whose primary objectives are philanthropy and social well-being (e.g. educational, Religion, religious or other activities serving the public interest or common good). The legal definitio ...

whose goal it is to improve the quality of life of geriatric or "senior" dogs that need care and homes, mainly in the western part of

Washington state Washington, officially the State of Washington, is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. It is often referred to as Washington State to distinguish it from the national capital, both named after George Washington ...

. The group was formed in 1994 by shelter volunteers who saw senior dogs overlooked by adopters. OldDog Haven uses a network of people to provide loving and safe homes for abandoned senior dogs. A Home Base where the founders live and care for a number of dogs is located in

Arlington, Washington Arlington is a city in northern Snohomish County, Washington, United States, part of the Seattle metropolitan area. The city lies on the Stillaguamish River in the western foothills of the Cascade Range, adjacent to the city of Marysville, Wash ...

. OldDog Haven does not have a shelter. All of the dogs in its care live happily in homes with foster families who love and cherish them as valued family members. The organization has seen that many dogs of advanced years are rejected by owners, or are left behind when an elderly owner must move to an independent or

assisted living An assisted living residence or assisted living facility (ALF) is a housing facility for people with disabilities or for adults who cannot or who choose not to live independently. The term is popular in the United States. Still, the setting i ...

facility or a

nursing home A nursing home is a facility for the residential care of older people, senior citizens, or disabled people. Nursing homes may also be referred to as care homes, skilled nursing facilities (SNF), or long-term care facilities. Often, these terms ...

: these animals are often left at

animal shelter An animal shelter or pound is a place where stray, lost, abandoned or surrendered animals – mostly dogs and cats – are housed. The word "pound" has its origins in the animal pounds of the agricultural communities, where stray livestock w ...

s—where their chance of

adoption Adoption is a process whereby a person assumes the parenting of another, usually a child, from that person's biological or legal parent or parents. Legal adoptions permanently transfer all rights and responsibilities, along with filiation, fro ...

is negligible—or pass to family or friends who are not prepared to deal with the needs of an older dog. As a result, many of these animals are in poor physical condition, making them even less adoptable. Wherever possible, OldDog Haven employs a network of

foster home Foster care is a system in which a underage, minor has been placed into a ward (law), ward, group home (Residential Child Care Community, residential child care community or treatment centre), or private home of a state-certified caregiver, ref ...

s and supporters to take in and care for the animals: every effort is made to adopt out dogs with a reasonable life-expectancy; the others are cared for as long as their

quality of life Quality of life (QOL) is defined by the World Health Organization as "an individual's perception of their position in life in the context of the culture and value systems in which they live and in relation to their goals, expectations, standards ...

remains good in what are called "Final Refuge" homes. OldDog Haven also attempts to assist owners or their families in finding new homes for senior dogs through its website and through referrals. OldDog Haven does not receive any state or federal funds: the organization relies on donations and fund-raising activities for its income. All

donations A donation is a gift for charity, humanitarian aid, or to benefit a cause. A donation may take various forms, including money, alms, services, or goods such as clothing, toys, food, or vehicles. A donation may satisfy medical needs such as blo ...

to OldDog Haven are

tax-deductible A tax deduction or benefit is an amount deducted from taxable income, usually based on expenses such as those incurred to produce additional income. Tax deductions are a form of tax incentives, along with exemptions and tax credits. The differe ...

External links

OldDog Haven
1994 establishments in Washington (state) Organizations established in 1994 Non-profit organizations based in Washington (state) 501(c)(3) organizations Dog welfare organizations Arlington, Washington Charities for the elderly {{Charity-stub