Oldies Club Specialises in Rehoming Dogs over 7-Years-Old

Oldies Club is a small, volunteer-run national charity that specialises in rescuing and rehoming dogs over aged 7 years old.  

Author: Olive – Press Officer, Oldies Club. Content adapted with additional content by Poppy’s Pets

“Helping an older dog find a new forever family is very special.” 

Olive – Press Officer, Oldies Club

We formed in March 2005 due to a forum discussion about the plight of homeless/unwanted dogs over 7 years old, and how kennels were not the right environment for them, and there was no help available.  Now, 18 years later, we are a registered charity helping as many dogs as possible. We place dogs into approved, loving foster homes where they are assessed and then promoted on our website for adoption.  

We work very hard to ensure that we have the finances available to provide for the dogs in our care, who often arrive in need of extensive veterinary examinations, treatment, and medication before they can be adopted. Unfortunately, if we don’t bring in the money we need, this impacts the number of dogs we can help in the near/longer-term future, which is a challenging position. It affects our re-homing team; saying “No” to someone in desperate need is heartbreaking. However, as a responsible rescue, we consider it vital to know that we can meet a dog’s needs when we bring them into our care.

Sadly, the cost of living crisis has put a strain on the finances of many households, and charities are suffering due to the cruel double whammy of increased costs and dwindling donations. Tragically, some dogs in our care have suffered abandonment because owners feel they must surrender their dogs to rescue. 

The cost of living crisis has affected most rescues:

• Veterinary fees (their main expense) have doubled because of increases
• Less incoming donations: It is the first expenditure donators cancel
• Adoptions have decreased because people are reluctant to increase their monthly outgoings during the current financial climate
• For now, the charity has to prioritise dogs already in their care, 13 of which are sponsor dogs. These dogs are in palliative care and remain and long-term foster care. The Oldies pay for all vet bills. To sponsor an Oldies Dog, it is £15 annually

Related articles:

• Best 3 Products to Keep Your Pet Calm
• 10 Things to Keep Your Pet Warm at Home in the Winter
• What is Dementia in Senior Cats & Dogs
• Keep Your Dog Safe on a Walk
• Oldies Club – Become a foster parent

Other ways you can help The Oldies Club:

• Help with transporting dogs: transport@oldies.org.uk
• Help with home visits: homevisit@oldies.org.uk
• Fundraising: competitions, recycling, pet portraits, online shopping, donations, including a veterinary fund

Email: oldies@oldies.org.uk. Registered charity number: 1118246

Key takeaways

• Volunteering for the Oldies Club is rewarding
• £2 donation: Vet bills are covered when fostering
• The Oldies Club never gives up on the sick – palliative care dogs become sponsor dogs
• Oldies Club began because senior dogs found themselves homeless