Zion's Mission Animal Rescue: Senior Pet Adoption Assistance Grant Report

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

This grant helped break down significant barriers to adoption for Ameer, a senior dog who had not been receiving much interest since his initial trapping and intake. Senior pets are often overlooked, and despite Ameer's wonderful temperament, loving nature, and young-at-heart spirit, he struggled to stand out among our younger dogs.

With the announcement of the Petfinder Foundation Senior Pet Adoption Assistance Grant, we were able to spotlight Ameer in a new and meaningful way because the grant not only helped offset his adoption costs and provide a care package for his future adopter, it also sent a powerful message to potential adopters that Ameer is truly worth investing in. Highlighting that both the Petfinder Foundation and our organization believe in him gave him renewed visibility and credibility.

As a result, Ameer has been flagged for adoption with a trusted adopter who plans to move forward in March of 2026. We will continue utilizing our foster-to-adopt model to ensure placement is the right fit for both Ameer and his adopter, but we are thrilled that he is now on track for his forever home.

How many pets did this grant help?

One dog

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

Ameer is the one senior pet directly impacted by this grant. At 7 years old, he found himself as a stray in East New York, Brooklyn, where he was loose for about a month.

Once we’d trapped him, he came into our rescue, where he received a proper decompression period to allow him to adjust and feel safe. It did not take long for us to see just how special Ameer was. Despite being dumped, it was clear that he had once been well cared for. He knows his commands, has wonderful house manners, and is both dog-friendly and gentle with children. His temperament is steady, loving and eager to please.

Before we received the Petfinder Foundation Senior Pet Adoption Assistance Grant, Ameer had little adoption interest, as potential adopters can sometimes hesitate due to perceived financial commitments associated with older dogs. The grant allowed us to waive Ameer’s adoption fee and provide a care package to support his transition into a new home, but more importantly, it gave us the opportunity to showcase that Ameer is valued and backed by two organizations.

We are thrilled to share that Ameer has been matched with a trusted adopter and is scheduled to move forward with adoption in March 2026.