About Us · Animal Rescue Demo · Nonprofit Operations & Case Management Demo by RG Consulting

How we started

A mission born from what couldn't be ignored

Senior Paws Rescue grew out of a simple observation: older dogs are the last to be adopted and the first to be euthanised in overcrowded shelters. A dog aged seven or above — regardless of temperament, health, or history — faces odds that have nothing to do with whether they deserve a home.

We started small: a network of foster families, a commitment to covering all medical costs, and a belief that the right family exists for every dog. Over time that grew into a structured operation with veterinary partnerships, a foster coordinator team, an adoption programme, and a sponsorship model that lets supporters contribute even when they can't take a dog in.

We don't save every senior dog — no rescue can. But every dog in our care receives what they deserve: individual attention, proper veterinary treatment, and a genuine effort to find them a place where they belong. When adoption isn't possible, we work with sanctuary partners so no dog in our programme faces euthanasia for want of space.

"The most reliable thing we know about senior dogs is that they are underestimated. They arrive uncertain, settle quickly, and spend their remaining time being exactly what they always were."

From our founding principles document, 2014

2014

Founded with 3 foster families and a commitment to medical transparency

2017

Launched the sponsorship programme — allowing remote supporters to contribute monthly

2019

Formal veterinary partnership established; medical costs fully covered for all fosters

2022

Expanded to sanctuary placements for dogs with complex needs; 500th dog rehomed

2025

147 dogs supported; 62 active foster families; adoption fees tiered by age

The model

How we operate

A lean, foster-first model that prioritises the dog's experience over throughput.

Foster-first placement

Every dog in our programme lives with a foster family — never in kennels. This means we assess real temperament, behaviour, and compatibility rather than guessing from a shelter environment.

Full veterinary coverage

Fosters cover love and time; we cover everything else. All vet bills, medications, specialist referrals, dental work, and end-of-life care are funded by the organisation at no cost to the foster family.

Unhurried timelines

We don't move dogs quickly to clear space. Each dog stays in foster until the right adoption match is found — which may take weeks or months. The dog's stability comes before our turnover rate.

Community-funded model

Sponsorships, individual donations, and fundraising events fund our operations. No government grants. We believe independence lets us make decisions that are right for the animals, not driven by reporting cycles.

Transparent reporting

We publish annual accounts, adoption outcome data, and medical expenditure summaries. Supporters can see exactly where their money goes. Our financial statements are filed publicly and available on request.

No-euthanasia commitment

No dog in our programme is euthanised for space or age. When medical needs exceed what foster care can provide, we work with specialist sanctuaries. This is a firm organisational commitment, not an aspiration.

Our people

The roles that make it work

A small paid team supported by a dedicated volunteer network. Every role exists because a dog's welfare requires it.

Rescue Director

Paid, full-time

Oversees all operations — intake decisions, vet partnerships, foster programme, adoptions, and fundraising. The strategic and operational lead for the whole organisation.

Foster Coordinator

Paid, part-time

Recruits, trains, and supports foster families. Matches dogs to foster homes, conducts welfare check-ins, and manages transitions between foster placements and adoption.

Veterinary Liaison

Paid, part-time

Manages relationships with partner veterinary practices, coordinates appointments and specialist referrals, and maintains health records for all dogs in the programme.

Communications Lead

Volunteer

Manages social media, the website, supporter newsletters, and dog profile content. Creates the storytelling that connects individual dogs with the wider public.

Adoption Coordinator

Volunteer

Reviews adoption applications, conducts phone screening interviews, coordinates home visits, and manages the matching process between applicant families and available dogs.

Fundraising & Partnerships

Volunteer

Manages the sponsorship programme, donor relationships, grant applications, and corporate partnerships. Coordinates fundraising events and supporter campaigns throughout the year.

Transparency

Where the money goes

We publish full accounts annually. Here is a summary of how operational funding was allocated in the most recent financial year.

Veterinary care & medications54%

Foster family support & transport18%

Staffing (2 part-time, 1 full-time)16%

Fundraising & communications7%

Administration & compliance5%

These figures represent illustrative sample data for this demonstration website. In a real implementation, actual audited financial statements would be linked here.

Download annual report (PDF) ↗

£284k Total income (sample year)

94% Spent directly on dog care

£1,940 Average veterinary cost per dog

£0 Government grants (fully community-funded)

What we believe

Our operating principles

Not a mission statement. These are the decisions we make differently because of what we believe.

01

Age is not a reason to be overlooked

We reject the idea that a dog becomes less worthy of care as it ages. Our entire model is built on reversing the disadvantage that comes with being old in a shelter system designed for throughput.

02

The foster family's experience matters

We succeed only if people want to keep fostering. That means honest matching, real support, covered costs, and being available when something goes wrong at 11pm on a Friday.

03

Transparency is non-negotiable

We show our accounts, our outcomes, and our failures. If a dog came in with complications we didn't anticipate, we say so. Supporters deserve to know what their money is actually doing.

04

Slow matching is better than fast placement

A returned adoption sets a dog back significantly. We take longer to find the right match rather than placing quickly and hoping it works. Speed is not a metric we optimise for.

Partners & supporters

Who makes this possible

We work with veterinary practices, pet supply companies, transport networks, and grant-making organisations. These relationships reduce our costs and expand our reach.

Veterinary partners

Partner logo

Supporters & funders

Supporter logo

Sanctuary partners

Partner logo

Built on the belief that every dog deserves a dignified end.

A mission born from what couldn't be ignored

How we operate

Foster-first placement

Full veterinary coverage

Unhurried timelines

Community-funded model

Transparent reporting

No-euthanasia commitment

The roles that make it work

Where the money goes

Our operating principles

Age is not a reason to be overlooked

The foster family's experience matters

Transparency is non-negotiable

Slow matching is better than fast placement

Who makes this possible

Ready to be part of this?