Our special friends are all looking for a family of their own. They need a home that not only understands their needs but is able to meet those needs and provide them with the love and security that only a committed family can. Please take into careful consideration the following information when inquiring about any of the SAINTS friends. Please keep in mind that SAINTS is first and foremost a palliative care facility and rest home for very elderly animals. This means that our friends will have a variety of illnesses and disabilities like cancer, hip displaysia, congenital heart disease, arthritis, blindness, deafness etc. Being very elderly, some of the animals have become incontinent or may well become incontinent. Even if the animal is not a senior, he/she may still be palliative care for any number of reasons. Their medical conditions may not always be listed on the website so, when inquiring about one the SAINTS, do ask about the medical condition. As you can see from this note, it takes a very special person/ family to take into their hearts and homes a SAINTS animal. It is not always an easy thing to do but things well worth doing are never easy.

Visit Petfinder for the most up to date list of adoptable animals: http://www.petfinder.com/pet-search?shelter_id=BC119

Procedures for adopting a SAINTS friend:

1. Email adopt@saintsrescue.ca introducing yourself and your family. Please mention the animal you are interested in.
2. An adoption application will be emailed out to you – this will help us identify if you can meet the needs of the animal you are interested in adopting.
3. Once the application is sent back, a representative will either email you or call you to gather more information or inform you that your home may not suitable for the animal in question.
4. If the phone interview goes well, you will be invited out to visit SAINTS and meet the animal in question to see how everyone connects with one another.
   
   At this point, a decision will be made to either go forward with the adoption or not.

Maybe you are reluctant to adopt a senior animal because you fear that your time with your new best friend will be short, bringing that painful time of loss closer. But the privilege of loving a senior animal makes every single day special, as you and your companion share love, friendship, and a special relationship that grows stronger with the knowledge that you have given this wonderful animal a second chance at life. The love that grows from this knowledge is stronger than the pain of eventual separation.
So spread the word! Adopting a senior animal is a wonderful experience for you and the animal you adopt. You will gain a faithful companion. You will save a life.

Reasons to Adopt a Senior Dog
Senior dogs love to sleep and cuddle the day away. They enjoy a brisk daily walk, but the best part of the day is the nap. They love for you to join them.
Senior dogs have a tremendous amount of love to give. When you rescue a senior dog, you have a best friend for life.
Senior dogs reward your care with an unwavering devotion. Nothing matches the love of a senior dog for his rescuer.
Senior dogs have learned many of life's lessons. They know, for example, that shoes are for walking and bones are for chewing.
Senior dogs can learn new tricks and be valuable family and community members. They make excellent therapy dogs.
Senior dogs often fit into your household with ease. They find the softest, warmest spot in the house and claim it for their own, but they will share with you, too.

Top 10 reasons to adopt a senior dog

Sources: The Sanctuary for Senior Dogs; Best Friends