The Grey Muzzle Organization

Helping homeless senior dogs

Too many old dogs are abandoned when they need us most.

Meet the dogs we are helping!

The Grey Muzzle Organization improves the lives of at-risk senior dogs by providing funding and resources to animal shelters, rescue organizations, sanctuaries, and other non-profit groups nationwide.

We are not a shelter or rescue group. Rather, Grey Muzzle funds programs such as hospice care, senior dog adoption, medical screening, and other special programs to help old dogs at animal welfare organizations across the country. Distributed through grants, all funds are provided through our fundraising efforts and the generosity of public donations.

Find out why we believe these programs are so important.

Many dogs are abandoned in their senior years because their caretakers don’t want to take responsibility for the extra care required as part of the natural aging process. In other cases, a well-loved senior dog may become homeless when their senior person enters assisted living, and there is no place else to go. Some old dogs are rescued from a lifetime of abusive or neglectful situations with, finally, a chance enjoy life in their last few years.

Through The Grey Muzzle Organization, you can help create happy endings for dogs in these circumstances. See how you can help.

June 22, 2009

Want to help out? We have new
Volunteer Positions!
Many can be done from your computer.

May 30, 2009

Businesses who have donated to Grey Muzzle are shown on our new
Business Supporters page.

April 21, 2009

See our interview with Harold Creel, an attorney who secretly writes poetry about dogs, and is the author of the book Do Old Dogs Dream?

Gracie is adopted!

March 23, 2009

Remembering Muffin.

March 23, 2009

You may remember Leo, the little burn victim, from our brochure and our October 2008 e-newsletter. He's been adopted! Read his story here.

February 10, 2009

10 year old Sussex Spaniel, Stump, wins Best in Show at Westminster! Old dogs rule!

February 2, 2009

We remember Brody.

January 23, 2008

For your smile of the day, visit Diamond. Some might say a sad story, but this strong little spirit will make you smile, too.

December 8, 2008

Read the stories of Dixie and Angel, two of the new dogs that we are helping

November 4, 2008

Meet the organizations we are helping
Read about the dogs
that are benefiting from Grey Muzzle funds

November 4, 2008

Click the button above to give an old dog a happy sigh, with a new bed for the holidays!

October 16, 2008

The article Caring for your senior dog is available for free to rescues, sanctuaries, and the public.

There’s nothing like an old dog. Nothing like the love of an old dog. The forgiveness, the devotion. You see gratitude in their eyes. It’s just words until you experience it.

- Deborah Workman, The Sanctuary for Senior Dogs

Nellie's Story

Nellie was a small Whippet mix of about 10 years. She was left by her family at a shelter, and was so terrified that she refused to eat. The concerned shelter staff contacted OldDog Haven. She was rescued by Grey Muzzle founder Julie Nowicki and cared for by her as part of the OldDog Haven lifelong hospice program. Nellie was a delightful little dog, who leaped with joy when she saw Julie put on her cap and knew it was time for a walk. She was a constant tail wagger and big stuffy lover (although they didn’t last long).

This sweet dog was greatly loved in her foster home. Unfortunately, it turned out that she had a very serious form of kidney disease. She died well loved after several months in her new home.

We remember Nellie with many smiles and wish we had more time with her, but we’re grateful that she ended her life in a safe and happy place, not alone in a cement pen.

A goal of The Grey Muzzle Organization is to help shelters, such as the one that took Nellie in, give senior dogs a second chance to know they are loved.

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News

(Virtual) Summer Ice Cream Social!

Gather your friends (VIRTUALLY!) to help homeless senior dogs this summer! Our (Virtual) Summer Ice Cream Social makes it easy and fun for you to bring together your friends, family and colleagues online to make a big difference for old dogs without breaking anybody's wallet. Plus you can get ice cream (Ben & Jerry's!) and maybe even a free T-shirt! Here's the scoop...

SUMMER EVENTS
Here are some places where you can meet Grey Muzzle folks and/or support us.

July 4: Old Fashioned July 4th Celebration, Blaine, WA
July 18-19: Mill Creek Festival, Mill Creek, WA
July 18-19: Discovery Days Arts & Crafts Fair, Birch Bay, WA
August 2: Rescue Matters! Book Signing, proceeds to benefit Grey Muzzle, Fort Wayne, IN

is donating a percentage of each purchase to Grey Muzzle! Shop for your oldsters and help homeless senior dogs at the same time. Read more about this program here.

Gifts

We have gifts for all occasions, for those dog-loving folks in your life! Consider our gifts for birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, memorials... and all proceeds benefit at-risk senior dogs. For gift packages, see our Gifts page. To make a gift donation, scroll through our Donate page for options.

Book Award!

The Shelter Dog has won the prestigious Maxwell Award from the Dog Writer's Association of America. The book tells the tale of a dog angel who comes back to earth as an old, lame shelter dog. Order this wonderful book from our store, and all proceeds benefit real-life old dogs in similar straights.