Claire (left) and Kim Lewis love spoiling senior dogs Puggy, 13, and Mario, 15. Photo by Annette Joyce/NWO
When it comes to adopting rescues, senior dogs are often overlooked in favor of the cute puppies and younger dogs with fewer health issues.
“While 60% of young dogs will be adopted, only 25% of senior dogs will find their forever home,” Claire Lewis said.
Claire and her mom, Kim Lewis, have a passion for rescuing senior dogs and doing what they can to ensure their last days are lived out in a loving, comfortable environment. The mother/daughter duo already have three rescues between them. Puggy, 13, and Mario, 15, live a carefree life with Kim and her husband, and Rocky, a special needs dog who’s about 5 years old, has found a loving home with Claire.
Knowing they couldn’t personally care for every senior dog in need of a home, they considered starting a rescue, or even a sanctuary for elderly dogs, but those ideas just didn’t fit with their lifestyles.
Then, Kim hit upon a unique idea – helping with medical expenses for senior dogs being adopted out by local rescue groups.
Romeo was the inspiration for Vintage Fur, a nonprofit created to help with expenses related to the adoption of senior dogs. Photo courtesy of Vintage Fur
“Many prospective adopters fear the costs associated with an aging dog, which often includes prescriptions, special diets or vet bills for chronic conditions,” Kim said. “(We want) to remove the financial barriers.”
Just a few months ago, the two dog lovers started Vintage Fur, a volunteer-run 501(c)(3) organization that provides medical scholarships for adoptable senior dogs in the Triad. Through this organization, they work with local rescues to financially sponsor senior dogs that might not be adopted because of the need for expensive medical treatments.
Kim, a pediatric speech-language pathologist, and Claire, who works in digital marketing but has a background in the animal care industry, know first-hand the rewards of caring for senior dogs.
The family began rescuing older dogs in 2018. Their inspiration for doing even more to help the senior population came when they adopted Romeo, an elderly chihuahua.
“We adopted Romeo in the spring of 2020. He was a tiny, toothless old fellow with bald patches and a long tongue that permanently stuck out the side of his mouth,” Kim recalled. “He had been up for adoption for months without any prospects, and despite the name, he was more homely than charming. Of course, we were immediately smitten.”
The family didn’t know what to expect. Their new pup was skittish and frail, and he was only expected to live another year. However, they were determined to provide him with a comfortable and loving home where he could live out his remaining days.
“As weeks turned to months, we witnessed an incredible transformation,” Claire said. “Romeo’s charming personality began to shine through. His appetite grew, his fur became softer and shinier, and he even began to play and pounce.”
Romeo traveled with Kim all over the country, frequenting wine bars in cities and walking through the Texas Tundra. Kim scrolls on her phone to a photo of Romeo that shows the sweet dog’s spunky personality as he tries to befriend a pair of very large Irish wolfhounds in a New York City bar. The tiny little dog was fearless in his desire to be part of their pack.
Sadly, Romeo passed away a few weeks ago at the age of 17. Kim and Claire take comfort in knowing his last years were spent in a loving home, and they cherish the memories of the once homely little dog with the sparkling personality.
That’s the kind of life the two want to give to other senior dogs who are spending their days waiting for someone to take a chance on them.
“Romeo’s transformation inspired us to contribute to senior dog welfare on a larger scale,” Kim said. “We quickly realized that while there is a large population interested in senior dogs, they become discouraged by veterinary expenses. Many seniors have chronic conditions or require expensive medications that hopeful families cannot afford.”
Vintage Fur seeks to make senior dogs more adoptable by providing some financial respite. A sponsored dog is given a $1,000 Vintage Fur scholarship, which renews each year and can be used for veterinary expenses for special conditions that aren’t part of routine care.
Money for the scholarships comes entirely from donations. So far, the majority have come from family and friends, but the two women are working on ideas for fundraising.
They’re excited to be on the verge of announcing their first sponsored canine. Claire wasn’t quite ready to reveal details, but she said the dog is 17, in fairly good health and has chronic kidney disease.
want to learn more/help?
Visit vintagefur.org or contact claire@vintagefur.org or kim@vintagefur.org. Donations may be made online or mailed to Vintage Fur at 5705 Forest Manor
Drive, Greensboro, NC 27410.
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