Woman turns her home into hospice for old shelter dogs

Every single dog deserves a caring home, no matter what age they are.

Valerie Reed, 44, is from Hermitage, Missouri. She was inspired to look after older dogs after personal experiences opened her eyes to the challenges pets face at the end of life.

As recorded by SWNS, Valerie struggled to find a home for her father’s old Doberman as her father was dying of cancer. She wasn’t able to take the dog since she was already over the city’s pet limit.

They searched everywhere for rescues that could help, but nobody wanted to take her home due to her age.

Finally, she managed to find a foster home for the dog: a farm that cared for older dogs. It was definitely a happy ending for the dog.

It made the woman think about what happens to senior dogs who were once beloved pets.

In 2017, Valerie and her husband Josh founded their own shelter for senior dogs, Whispering Willows Senior Dog Sanctuary.

They take in dogs that are 12 yaers and older.

She explained that many of the dogs are victims of abuse and neglect: one dog, Peanut, was found chained up in 100-degree heat.

But Valerie says her aim is to give them a sense of normalcy and trust, to give them a safe home to spend their last days.

«Once they come, they stay. They don’t have to leave. This is their home forever, so they don’t have to go through another trauma, another loss.»

«When they come, they know they’re safe.»

Valerie says they have taken care of 790 dogs. Because of the age of the dogs, deaths are common: about 5 dogs pass away every week.

While it can be a sad job, the kind woman takes pride in giving these adorable creatures a loving home to spend the end of their lives.