Those Left Behind Foundation

Our mission is three fold. We began this foundation to provide a home for the pets of people entering assisted living facilities or hospice and can no longer care for their animals. We also act as a rescue organization, providing help for animals that have been abandoned, abused, and unwanted. The third aspect of the foundation is education for the community, teaching young and old alike the importance of caring for our animals and the impact such actions can have on society. In short, we are here for "Those Left Behind."

Vision - Our Goals and Ambitions

Our organization is a non-profit organization founded on the principle that as people enter the last stages of their lives their companion pets are very dear to them.  We believe that all families should be able to have their companions until the very end whether they are in long term care facilities or hospice.

We offer an alternative to surrendering your pets to unknown shelters.  We will take in your companion and continue to visit your family member with this pet during the last stages of their lives. These pets will be cared for and provided for in well screened foster homes. They will also visit other patients that do not have the good fortune of having a companion in their lives. They will visit hospital units where children are undergoing treatment, to encourage and enrich their lives.  At the end of your family member’s journey we will either surrender the companion pet back to the family or place them in an appropriate forever home.

Many people with Alzheimer’s and end stage illnesses must surrender their pets. We would like to offer the option of having your family member able to see and enjoy their companion until the end of their time. We also hope to provide comfort and companionship through those rescued companions to those patients and families battling the hardship of long term illness.

The Veterans Hospital will be another visit we will try to make weekly and work with those patients far from home and recovering.  Facts show that interaction with a therapy animal can work toward relieving PTSD and depression. 

Another event done weekly will be visiting the senior day centers and see if we can integrate the therapy dogs with their daily activities.

Visiting schools with therapy dogs and information packets.  We hope to encourage proper pet ownership and build and awareness in the community about the importance of caring for your animals and how to treat them like a member of the family.

Community Education and Services

One thing we have noted through our time in rescue is the limited education to the community and the children.  In Las Vegas we have a Parvo epidemic but most individuals do not realize their animals are at risk.  We have found that children lack the respect and the education on how to care for an animal and the importance to respect and care for that animal.  Children who are taught at a young age to respect those dependent on them learn to respect each other.  We go to schools and community events to education the community of the importance of vaccinations, care of their animal, and how to interact with pets to make the experience benificial to both.  We feel it is important to have vaccination events to educate and help those community members that may not be able to afford to vaccinate their pet.  This is another way we give back to the community that is helping us.