At 15, Swift still has so much love to give and life left to live.
Older dogs don't ask for much. But they do need your help.
Dogs in their later years are often passed by, simply because of their age. Since 2024, over 8% of older dogs in our care have waited more than six months to be rehomed, almost double the proportion of younger dogs.
It’s been more than 430 days now since Swift first came to us. At 15, no dog should be left behind just because of their age.
Swift had one person who meant everything to him. One voice he recognised. One pair of hands that fed him, stroked him and took him for walks. Then his owner sadly passed away. Suddenly, Swift lost the only companion he had ever known.
Thankfully, Swift’s owner had planned ahead with our Canine Care Card scheme, giving him peace of mind that we would step in to look after his best friend if anything happened to him. When the time came, we honoured that promise and welcomed Swift into our care.
Our veterinary team gave Swift a full health check and provided essential pain relief to ease the stiffness in his aching joints. His carers made sure he had a warm bed to rest in and gently helped him feel safe and reassured as he slowly settled into life with us.
Sadly, Swift’s story is not unusual. Right now, there are 265 dogs in our care are aged eight or over. Many arrive after losing the only home they have ever known. Others come to us needing extra support for age-related conditions such as arthritis, sight or hearing loss, or painful dental problems. With the right treatment and attention, many of these conditions can be managed so older dogs can still enjoy happy, healthy and comfortable lives.
Will you help us keep our promise to be there for older dogs like Swift when they need us most?
While younger dogs may be adopted more quickly, older dogs can spend much longer with us. During that time, our teams make sure they receive everything they need to stay comfortable and cared for.
Your gift today could help answer the heartbreakingly simple wishes of older dogs like Swift:
- relief from aches and pains that come with age
- a warm, comfortable place to rest and feel safe
- expert care and gentle routines that help them feel at ease.
Many older dogs find kennel life overwhelming after years in a home. That’s why we have our Oakfield Old Dogs’ Home. Here, older dogs live in a peaceful, cottage-style setting designed to feel just like a real home, with cosy sofas, soft bedding and dedicated staff caring for them each day. Our teams monitor their health closely, so frail or elderly dogs can spend their later years surrounded by care, comfort and dignity. One of those dogs was Arthur, who needed extra support as he lost his sight with age.
But care like this is only possible with your support. At Dogs Trust, we never give up on dogs like Swift and Arthur. Older dogs are worth the extra care, even when others struggle to see past their age.
Dogs like Swift and Arthur may be older but they still have love to give and life left to live. That’s why we’ll never give up on them. Please will you do the same with a gift today? Thank you for choosing not to overlook older dogs and helping to put them back in the picture.
Thank you.
Donations will go towards all areas of Dogs Trust's work and help care for dogs where the need is greatest.