Tyson's Place aids people and pets on their life journeys - assisting terminally ill people with providing care for and finding new families for their pets

Tyson's Place aids people and pets on their life journeys - assisting terminally ill people with providing care for and finding new families for their pets

What we do:

We believe that pets belong with their people until the very end. We assist people receiving hospice care by doing basic pet care duties, such as cleaning litter boxes and walking dogs, so that the pet can remain with the owner for as long as possible. Pets are family members, and they have the ability to comfort someone who is in his or her last days. We also set up a plan for the pet after the owner has passed away. If no one in the family is taking the animal, Tyson's Place Animal Rescue will arrange to have the pet live in a foster home until adopted.

What we believe:

1) Pets and people deserve dignity in their golden years. People should be able to be with their pets until the end and should know that their pets will be cared for after he or she has passed away.

2) Older animals don't get adopted as quickly as younger animals in animal shelters. They often find themselves first for euthanasia because people simply don't want older animals. The shelter environment is extremely overwhelming for any animal, but even more so for a pet that has just went through the trauma of losing its owner. By intervening early, we will be able to place these animals in foster homes before they end up in shelters. By transitioning the animal to a foster home, the pet gets all the socialization and comfort of home.

3) I, as the founder, am a firm believer in what I call Rescue Done Right - which means addressing the mental well being of an animal and also realizing that euthanasia is not the worst option. I have worked in an open admission animal shelter that, at the time, has a 50% euthanasia rate, and worked with many different kinds of rescue. I am strongly opposed to the long-term warehousing of animals. I understand that cages and kennels are a temporary means of housing animals until a home can be found, but they are not meant to be used for years on end. You cannot rescue a dog and put it in a cement run for the next two years, as the animal's mental well being is dwindling, and then pat yourself on the back that you saved a life. I would be happy to further discuss these ideas and experiences with anyone who is interested.