The Sato Project: Senior Pet Adoption Assistance Grant Report

How did this grant help your organization and the pets in your care?

Gabbie and Atlantic are two seniors who were available for adoption for quite a few months. Sometimes, seniors have a more difficult time becoming adopted than other dogs. We’re not sure why! However, through a generous grant from the Petfinder Foundation, we were able to waive their adoption fees and they were adopted within a few weeks!

How many pets did this grant help?

2

Please provide a story of one or more specific pets this grant helped.

Gabbie (first and second photos) was a classic foster fail. Gabbie’s mom, Maria, was a first-time foster with The Sato Project. Maria had been in touch with us during her time fostering. When a new adopter application came in, she realized she was not ready to part with Gabbie! Amber, her other sato, is about the same age as Gabbie and they have similar energy levels. Gabbie and Amber also became very attached.

Maria says, “Gabbie needs to learn some training things — walking better on the leash, coming when called — but he’s not as much of a blank slate as a puppy would be.” Maria was happy to adopt a senior.

Maria can tell that Gabbie’s personality is adorable and affectionate, even though he’s very skittish sometimes. It makes me confident that when he relaxes into his new life, he’ll be a real lovebug.

Atlantic’s (with Gabbie in photos 3-5) adopter, Rachel, says she loves adopting older animals because they are usually overlooked in shelters. “In my experience with adopting adult and senior animals, they have so much love to give. I know most of them come from traumatic pasts or they are sad and confused. It’s rewarding to give them a home, patience and love. They eventually relax and learn to trust.”

Rachel saw Atlantic, now Attie, in a one of our Facebook posts, and was instantly drawn to her sweet, little face. The fact that there was not an adoption fee pushed Rachel to inquire about her.
Rachel says, “She has come a long way in a short amount of time. I’m already completely, utterly in love with her.”