Mature Dog Adoptions, Registered Charity
All volunteer, non-profit, tax receipts
United Way: Designate charity #885641803RR0001
Scroll down to PET LIST
We rescue and courtesy-post dogs across Ontario
5+ years (& younger if special needs)
Black dogs are the last (if ever) to be adopted
"There is no one more deserving of help than a good dog who has given its heart and soul
to its family and then lost its home." by Annie Simon
Please help a bonded PAIR to stay together
See our Pair List below
ANXIETY REMEDIES for dogs:Please scroll down
Herbal help for pet medical conditions: www.herbal-treatments.com
Help with Vet costs for low-income seniors & disabled:
1-888-262-9811 www.farleyfoundation.org
Dangers of giving your dog away on your own (even for a fee):
Scroll to link "Free to good home" under "Dog Tips"
DISCLAIMER: By proceeding into the Mature Dog Adoptions website you are accepting the agreement below. WE LIST OUR OWN FOSTERS AND OTHER DOGS ALL OVER ONTARIO. It is our intent to list only dogs of good temperament, but we have not evaluated the other dogs. We state information given by their fosters, owners, or shelters. We are merely the liaison and give no guarantees, warranties, or undertakings. It is the adopter's responsibility to confirm information and suitability of the dog for their home. Mature Dog Adoptions and all individuals associated shall not be liable directly or indirectly to the user or any third party for any loss or damage resulting from the information (including errors or omissions) in this website. Stating this disclaimer is the only way we can continue this service. The providers of information about dogs displayed here hereby agree to indemnify and hold harmless Mature Dog Adoptions and all individuals associated with respect to any loss or damage that may arise as a result of posting their information. END of disclaimer.
NEW VET AGE CHART: Dogs living longer! "A bit of grey means a LOT of EXPERIENCE:
Dog years:...........1.. . 2.. 3... ..4......7.....10....12...15...18
Human years:....15....24...28...32...44.....56.....64...76...88
This site has only a sampling of the many TRAINED, MELLOW mature dogs in shelters. Often their owners have gone to retirement homes or have died. 25% of shelter dogs are PUREBREDS.
MATURE DOGS BOND IMMEDIATELY, SETTLE IN MORE EASILY, AND LEARN QUICKLY.
Strays are often OVERAGED by years due to the stress. Shelter dogs will look and act younger once in your home.
Please consider the dogs barking in their cages. They are often QUIET OUTSIDE OF CAGE and just want human attention.
POUNDS (Animal Control): The Pound Act only requires holding dogs for 72 HOURS before they can be destroyed or sold for research.
Urinary weak muscle tone ("leaking") can be improved with use of INexpensive Organic Apple Cider Vinegar with "mother" in it. From health food stores and some organic sections of grocery stores. I have noticed complete improvement with a daily capful after about 3 weeks!
CARSICKNESS: An INexpensive anti-static strip attached to my vehicle has ended 8 years of this problem for my lab when nothing else helped.
HOUNDS make wonderful pets: See Emily below.
This is Emily the hound, getting a check-up from the child in her new home! "A house is not a home without a hound"! Her adopters say that everything they heard about HOUNDS (includes BEAGLES) being GREAT housepets is true. Emily is sweet, gentle, and great with the cat and children. This breed is known for its gentle, affectionate, friendly personality.
Helpful Information
IMPROVE DENTAL HEALTH: CoEnzymeQ10 (from health food store) helps gums! It is important to keep teeth clean of tartar. Odour may mean infection, which spreads through blood to organs. Heart murmurs may actually disappear once teeth are cleaned by vet! See your vet for recommendations. Cleaning by vet may be needed.
CAUTION LARGE BREEDS: Do NOT feed within at least a half an hour before or after exercise. This can lead to TORSION, "twisted gut", often fatal.
Large breed dogs should NOT be encouraged to "sit pretty" or jump and stress their joints upon landing.
ALLERGIES: A 10 yr. US study has found that children exposed to animals are less likely to be allergic to grass, dust, mold, dogs, and cats (even if their parents are allergic). The reseachers conclude that this exposure helps to lower their susceptibility to allergens.
OVER-VACCINATION: There is evidence that annual shots can cause health problems (primarily blood/heart/lung & digestive disorders) in mature and senior dogs. If vaccinated regularly as young dogs, they are being found to have enough protection already built up. Senior dogs cannot even make antibodies to the injected germs efficiently. Nutritional immune system boosters and high quality food are recommended. Please research this to make your own informed decision. 
HEARTWORM: This is Angel, my former foster beagle who was to be euthanized at shelter because she had heartworm. She was CURED easily for about $200 and adopted, but it is best to use monthly pills as prevention. For collies and hounds (beagles) AVOID those with IVERMECTIN. Say NO to PROHEART 6 INJECTION: The FDA in the U.S. is investigating the potentially fatal effects of this drug.
**ANXIETY in dogs: "Separation" grieving, storms, car: NEW PRODUCT: Pheromones (hormones dogs/cats can smell and find calming) usually had to be purchased at vet office. Now in stores: "PET EASE" by NutriVet (Pheromones plus Valerian and St. Johns Wort herbals) "RESCUE REMEDY" by Bach or "PET CALMER" by Solid Gold is a natural selection of plants/herbs sold in health food or pet supply stores and used by pet rescuers to help calm stressed or grieving dogs. YOUR VET also has pharmaceutical help for these conditions.
ARTHRITIC DOGS: Dogs are stoic with their pain. Signs of arthritis may be SUBTLE, such as lying down carefully in a special position, whining when getting up or down, trouble on steps or can no longer get on furniture, etc.
FOAM BEDS hold warmth and will help soothe joints of older dogs. KEEP WEIGHT DOWN and give MODERATE EXERCISE. EFA (essential fatty acids) in FISH OILS: canned sardines, mackeral, salmon or salmon oil capsules (INexpensive) help joints, skin, fur, eyes, etc. GLUCOSOMINE HYDROCHLORIDE, the form dogs better absorb and MSM, a natural anti-inflammatory. Veterinarians carry a liquid product with these which also includes Vitamin C for joint maintenance and repair (UbaVet, etc.).
In Memorium
Tawny, the gentle lady, always crossed her paws
I remember when she arrived
So scared, even of a falling leaf...
Patience and time led her to trust again
To finally flourish in the love of the Blairs
Her sweetness will always be in our hearts
DOGS PASSED OVER AT SHELTERS INCLUDE: Black or large dogs
Quiet, lying down, appear depressed (older dogs)
Shy, frightened dogs hiding at back of cage
Thin or overweight dogs
over age 4 years
SENIOR DOGS DESERVE QUIET MATURE HOMES. Please look at mature adult dogs if you have a busy household with the energy of young children!
MATURE OUTDOOR DOGS CAN BE HOUSETRAINED IN A DAY OR TWO! They have the control and the understanding.
Dogs naturally do not want to mess their home.Praise when 'go' outside.
Keep in small area if do not 'go'. Then put out again.
More freedom in house after dog 'goes'. Contact us for assistance.
REASONS DOGS END UP AT SHELTERS: Owners give up due to THEIR circumstances: moves, split-ups, allergies, job loss, illness, death, or even "no time to walk".
Dog "Tips"
TO INTRODUCE YOUR NEW DOG: Outside, on neutral territory, on leash, to avoid a threatening feeling for either dog. IF it goes well, proceed indoors.
First put away all dog possessions: bones, toys, rawhides, etc. for a month.
Feed dogs with space between them while you are present, because food can be an issue.
FEED YOUR DOG THE BEST ALL NATURAL FOOD YOU CAN. It will mean you can feed less to get good nutrition and less "fillers" means less clean up for you! It also means a healthier, longer life. Cheap pet foods may contain products of rendering factories (animals with tumors, euthanasia chemicals, etc.).
FREE TO GOOD HOME: GIVING AWAY YOUR DOG ON YOUR OWN?
CLICK HERE Free to good home? This true story is only a #1 on a scale of 1 to10 of the horrors that some dogs go to!
NEVER GIVE YOUR DOG AWAY ON FIRST MEETING!
TO PLACE YOUR OWN DOG SAFELY AND AVOID REGRETS: *Ask adopter's history/commitment to pets *Ask where exactly will dog be kept days and nights *Ask how dog will be corrected *Renters: Will they keep the dog when they move? *Observe adopter's interaction with your dog and how your dog reacts. *ALL members of household must meet dog and agree. *Get veterinary reference and check it. *DO HOME VISIT. *Do follow-up calls and visit. *WRITE AND BOTH SIGN that dog is RETURNED TO YOU if either side is not happy with placement (if you hear negative behaviours not characteristic of your dog). *Turn down adopter if not right: YOU are your dog's only advocate.
ASK AN EXPERIENCED REPUTABLE RESCUER TO HELP YOU!
The Beginning
"A Diamond in the Rough" Meet my first foster dog, who came into a shelter stray, thin, poor coat, aged at "12 years". She really was HALF that age! When stressed, dogs are often aged older than they are. This lovely lady enjoyed another EIGHT YEARS of life! We have included this gorgeous husky in hopes you also will recognize POTENTIAL.
"I Know How to be Part of Your Family"
I am 5 or 6 or older, I may even have fur turning white,
You may start to pass me, but please stop and see,
The EXPERIENCE AND LOVE in my eyes.
I already understand humans,
I know how to be part of your "pack".
I'm already trained and I'll fit right in,
Won't you give me a second chance?
I learn fast and I know what humans like,
I still have many years to please you.
I'm gentle and quieter, but I still like to play,
Please give me a second chance.
Poem by Bobbie (May be reproduced for use by shelters, rescues, fosters.)
About Mature Dog Adoptions
1997: Bobbie, a special education teacher/administrator, learned that dogs over 4 years were being overlooked for the younger, shinier, more work-intensive models! When we called to help a 10 yr. "Lassie" type collie and learned she had been destroyed because she was "too old", we committed to this service.
We foster healthy dogs with GOOD TEMPERAMENTS in small numbers and make REFERRALS to other mature dogs. The information listed is provided by those caring for these dogs; we have not personally evaluated these dogs and take no responsibility for their physical condition or behaviour.
We are happy to provide you with support during the transition time of any adoption.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: "Scouts" to email us dogs to list : 5 YEARS AND OLDER, ESPECIALLY SENIORS, AND ANY AGE ADULT SPECIAL NEEDS.
We need Fosters and Fundraisers.
The Sheltercare Insurance offer is valid only if the SHELTER of a dog listed is a member of Petfinder.
Mature Dog Adoptions
Ontario
Phone: 613-548-8858 (8am-8pm only, please)
Email:
maturedogs@sympatico.ca
Click on Pet List on top of home page to see photos and information.
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