Woman Makes Pet Hospice In Her House And Looks After 80 Senior Dogs At Once

Emma Ackerman
Jun 07, 2023
Jun 07, 2023

There are several reasons why dog owners might want to get rid of their senior pets. Some are understandable, while others are just outrageous. However, the fate of dogs after they have been separated from their owners is what we are most concerned about. Their functionality declines as they age, and their memory, learning capacity, consciousness, and the senses of sight and hearing might also decline. Sadly, not every new adopter can provide enough necessities that are needed for parenting a senior dog. As a result, numerous senior dogs wind up in shelters, deprived of the care and love of their cherished owners. What a depressing reality! However, life is full of miracles, and there are always good individuals who are always ready to volunteer their time and effort to save these poor animals. Today, we'll meet Valerie Reid, a great woman who couldn't take the thought of any elderly pets dying alone, so she converted her home into a hospice!

Source: WWSDS

The sanctuary was created after Valerie had trouble finding a home for her father’s elderly Doberman.

Source: WWSDS

In 2017, Valerie Reid's father grew older and was unable to take good care of his lovable dog. As a result, Reid had to find a new home for the little dog, and she began to wonder how many dogs out there are in need of a loving home because their owners are getting older.

"My husband and I were at our city's pet limit, and we were unable to take her. We looked everywhere for any rescue that would help, and due to her age, none would take her," Reid recounted. "Finally, a foster from one of the rescues had heard the dilemma and wanted to help out."

Source: WWSDS

"I had wanted to help those that were in a situation like my dad and could truly no longer care for their beloved senior dogs, but then my eyes were opened to just how many dogs out there needed help," she added. "It truly is a forgotten segment of the rescue world."

Valerie created her dog hospice home with her husband Josh in Hermitage, Missouri.

Source: WWSDS

Valerie and her 42-year-old husband, Josh Reid, uprooted their lives and relocated from Kansas City, Missouri, to their current home in Hermitage in order to make her idea a reality. They live in a 3,000-square-foot house with a 1,700-square-foot outbuilding for the dogs, and Valerie contacted the neighborhood veterinarian for assistance with the cost of care.

Source: WWSDS

Eventually, Whispering Willows Senior Dog Sanctuary was officially opened on July 19, 2017. The place now cares for up to 80 dogs at any one time. The shelter takes in all elderly dogs whose owners have passed away or moved into a retirement home. It’s also the destination for those who have lived too long at a shelter.

"The sanctuary truly evolved and became bigger and bigger than I had even thought," Reid said. "I love having so many little hearts that love us back."

Source: WWSDS

Gradually, the non-profit Whispering Willows Dog Sanctuary in Missouri has successfully developed, and it’s now operated by 17 official workers who work 24 hours a day to take care of the dogs. “The dogs live with us openly and go between the two buildings. Anywhere we go, they go and are treated as part of the family.”

If you want to support these lovely canines, visit the vet’s website for more information. Besides, don’t forget to visit our site frequently for more appealing stories about animals.

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