Senior for Senior Program

The Shani Memorial Fund finances Australian Shepherds Furever’s Seniors for Seniors Program. This is a highly selective program designed to thoughtfully match senior Australian Shepherds and other eligible dogs with loving senior adults.

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Fundraising for the program is conducted separately from ASF’s general fundraising. Every dollar raised for the Shani Memorial Fund is kept separate and used exclusively to support the Seniors for Seniors Program.

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The fund may cover:

• Veterinary care needed to bring participating dogs up to date before adoption

• Dental procedures when medically necessary

• Transportation expenses associated with placing the dog

• Other exceptional placement-related expenses approved for the program

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The goal is to ensure that the adopter is not faced with significant upfront veterinary expenses when welcoming an ASF dog into their home.

In one exceptional case, the fund covered a professional behavioral evaluation and training-related expense. This evaluation was necessary to determine whether the dog could be safely adopted and to identify the type of home and environment in which he could thrive.

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Senior Applicant Requirements

Applicants must be at least 67 years old. There is no upper age limit because every person is evaluated individually. Some individuals in their 90s are more active and capable than others in their 70s. What matters is that the applicant is in reasonable health for their age, is sufficiently mobile, and has the physical and financial ability to provide appropriate daily and long-term care for the dog.

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Many candidates are referred by friends, neighbors, or relatives, who may also help them complete and submit the application. Every candidate must submit ASF’s regular adoption application and complete the normal approval process. However, reference checks and other parts of the review are necessarily more thorough for this program.

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Preference is given to applicants who have previously owned an Australian Shepherd or another herding breed. Experience with these intelligent, active, and sometimes challenging dogs helps us create safe, appropriate, and lasting matches.

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Family members or trusted close friends must participate in the selection process. They will be asked to confirm the applicant’s ability to care for and safely handle the dog. They must also agree to be part of a dependable backup plan if the adopter becomes temporarily or permanently unable to care for the dog.

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This support network may also be needed to assist with transportation to veterinary appointments, grooming visits, or other essential care.

Every applicant and every dog is considered individually. Our priority is to create a loving and beneficial relationship while ensuring that both the senior adopter and the dog have the support, security, and backup plan needed for a successful future together.