Our Story
Four-Legged Forgotten Oldies Senior Animal Farm (FLFO) is a safe haven for homeless senior dogs. A non-profit organization, FLFO is dedicated to saving and sheltering old dogs from area shelters or surrendered from older adults who either pass away or can no longer care for their precious dogs. Most dogs stay in residence here at Forgotten Oldies Farm, living out their lives with love and comfort. Younger, healthy seniors will be available for adoption so that we can save more seniors. FLFO’s initial focus will be only old dogs.
But why just senior dogs, when there are so many homeless animals of all ages needing homes? We love all animals and wish we could help every single one of them. But there are several very good reasons why senior dogs need this sanctuary! First, the look of a senior dog simply melts our hearts. The graying face, the cloudy eyes, a faltering gait – all signs of a life filled with experience and wisdom. Old dogs can be less demanding, often preferring to sleep the day away on the sofa with you instead of insisting on endless ball-playing sessions and hours of walks. Most importantly, senior pets who end up in shelters are especially vulnerable and need us. People are less likely to adopt older pets. The large majority of adopters want puppies and younger dogs. Any dog over 5 years is considered less adoptable in shelters. And senior dogs who find themselves in shelters often have health issues which can deter adopters because of the potential medical expense. We hope to one day expand our mission to all domesticated pets, and maybe eventually open up to old farm animals. FLFO’s founder has a particular fondness for donkeys! Well, maybe some time down the road…
Why Old Dogs?
We love all animals and wish we could help every single one of them. But there are several very good reasons why senior dogs need this sanctuary! First, the look of a senior dog simply melts our hearts. The graying face, the cloudy eyes, a faltering gait – all signs of a life filled with experience and wisdom. Old dogs can be less demanding, often preferring to sleep the day away on the sofa with you instead of insisting on endless ball-playing sessions and hours of walks. Most importantly, senior pets who end up in shelters are especially vulnerable and need us. People are less likely to adopt older pets. The large majority of adopters want puppies and younger dogs. Any dog over 5 years is considered less adoptable in shelters. And senior dogs who find themselves in shelters often have health issues, which can deter adopters because of the potential medical expense.
Why Forgotten Oldies?
Why “forgotten oldies”? It might have to do with FLFO’s founder’s childhood. Her father passed away when she was 12 years old, leaving her mother with very little money and very panicked about the future. Her mom constantly reminded her and her sister that she wasn’t sure how they would survive. But they eventually did. Her mother got a job, our founder got a partial working scholarship to high school, and the Social Security her mother received from her father’s passing paid for her college education. They scrimped and saved and made it through. But the experience left our founder with the underlying fear that she would become homeless. It has always been in the back of her mind, regardless of how much money she made and saved. She was convinced that something bad could happen to take it all away and she would have to live on the streets. She pictured herself as a bag lady, old and forgotten. Irrational? Yes. But still nonetheless very difficult to shake. When she sees the faces of old homeless dogs, she sees herself. It could be her.
The Future
We hope to one day expand our mission to all domesticated pets, and maybe eventually open up to old farm animals. FLFO’s founder has a particular fondness for donkeys! Well, maybe some time down the road…
We cannot allow any old dog to have to live without love and a home. No old dog will be forgotten ever again if we have our say in it.