The purpose of the ARL’s Golden Paw Hospice program is to provide in-home care for an ARL dog or cat that has been diagnosed with a terminal illness but is free from suffering and continues to enjoy quality of life. These animals are deserving of a home where they can live out their “golden” weeks, months or year with love and dignity. Quality of life is the most important part, and together we can give these animals a happy, safe and loving end of life. Fostering a hospice care dog or cat is an incredibly rewarding experience for the foster home and a compassionate gift for the pet.
How Golden Paw Hospice Program Works
The ARL will:
- Provide all medical care and costs as needed and approved by the ARL’s veterinary staff.
- Provide one-on-one training and detailed information about the hospice pet’s care, personality, medical needs and any restrictions.
- Make decisions together with the foster home when the foster pet's quality of life has diminished and euthanasia may be needed.
- Encourage and support the foster home to be with their foster pet when the foster animal makes their transition.
Foster homes will:
- Care for and love the foster animal, providing them with safety, comfort, compassion, dignity and respect.
- Provide supplies (ex: food, treats, bed, toys, enrichment, grooming) for the pet as needed. The ARL can provide assistance if needed.
- Communicate regularly with the Golden Paw coordinator to share updates or any concerns or questions about the pet's health or behavior.
- Coordinate any medical appointments with the Golden Paw coordinator and provide transport for the foster animal.
- Make decisions together with the ARL's medical team on when euthanasia is appropriate to end suffering.
- Complete the foster application process and sign the foster home agreement.
Sponsor a Golden Paw Hospice Pet
If you are unable to foster but would like to sponsor a Golden Paw Hospice pet or the program here are some ways you can help:
- Sponsor a hospice foster by helping with medical costs and supplies. Just click here and include "Golden Paw Hospice" in the gift reference. You can also include the name of the pet if there's a specific pet you'd like to sponsor.
- Donate specific items needed for the hospice foster dogs/cats such as special food, medications (ordered by an ARL vet), supplements, beds and toys. If you would like to donate items, please email Lora at lrogers@arl-iowa.org to determine what is most needed.