End of Life Home

Adopting an animal in our End of Life (EOL) program can change their lives — And yours!!

What is the EOL program?

Only around 25% of senior pets in pounds find homes and the odds are even worse for animals with life-shortening health problems.

To combat these harsh statistics, SCAR has establishing the EOL program for our terminal patients and special seniors.

The difference between traditional adoption and EOL adoption is the outcome. Instead of adding a healthy young pet to your family, you are providing priceless end-of-life care to a pet otherwise destined to pass away in a lonely cage. It is a unique and beautiful opportunity to show them a level of love and comfort they may never have experienced before.

Taking on an elderly or terminally ill cat or dog is not a decision to be made lightly. It is often stressful, sometimes messy, and ultimately heart-breaking. But it is also one of the most rewarding experiences you will ever have.

Which pets are eligible for this program?

Not all EOL cats and dogs are seniors. Sadly, younger pups and kittens sometimes qualify if they have been diagnosed with a terminal condition like renal failure, heart disease, or certain cancers. As long as the animal still has a good quality of life and they are not living in uncontrollable pain, we believe that they deserve to enjoy whatever time they may have left being surrounded by people that love them while enjoying all the good things that life has to offer.

Depending on the diagnosis, an EOL pet may have a matter of weeks, months, or even years with its adoptive family. Just like humans, pet patients can beat the odds and go on to live far longer than expected!

Why should you get involved?

Although saying goodbye is always difficult, the rewards of providing love to an EOL pet far outweigh the heartbreak.

Take the case of Bailey. He was rescued by SCAR in Feb 2016 from a local pound. The pound vets had diagnosed Bailey with terminal cancer, but he sat in his pound cage wagging his tail at us, full of life and character, so we couldn’t say no to taking him in the hopes of making his final months the best they could possibly be. It was clear he had led a rough life, never experiencing the comfort of a proper home. Bailey quickly became a staff favourite and it didn’t take long to find him a loving EOL home to call his own. His new owners knew that Bailey would not be around for long but he spent an amazing 3 months in a warm cosy bed, surrounded by a family that loved him before he passed away by their side. He even got his very own bucket list which included a steak and egg breakfast, a visit to a fire station and his very own birthday party!

If Bailey deserved this chance - don’t they all?

“When it was time, he passed very peacefully surrounded by people who loved him. He wasn’t suffering, he didn’t die in the shelter alone, and he finally knew what it was like to be a part of a family that loved and adored him!”

How can you adopt an EOL pet?

EOL adoption is not the right choice for everyone. It can be time-consuming and may involve frequent trips to the vet, preparing special diets, and giving medications.
However, it may be perfect for those searching for a way to help a special needs pet and make a huge difference in the life of a deserving animal.

While these animals may only have a short time left to live, having a chance to feel the love of a family makes all the difference — and they certainly return it in kind.

This program aims to improve the quality of life of very senior or terminally ill pets by immersing them into a loving home where they can spend their final time. We ensure that all animals in this program have had the veterinary work-up and medical treatment needed, so that we can pass on accurate information about their needs to their new families in a detailed plan. We also offer low-cost ongoing care and support via our SCAR Community Animal Hospital and animal shelter for the life of that pet.

“After speaking with several past EOL adoptees, there is a period of mourning after their pet passes but they would do it all again in a heartbeat.” – Laura Basile, Foster Care Coordinator

If you would like to find out about any animals we currently have in our EOL program please call our shelter on (03)93750834 or email us at adoptions@secondchanceanimalrescue.com.au.

What you can expect

• A tailored medical care plan for your pet’s ongoing needs (if any)
• Information about the EOL program and resources to support you throughout your new pet’s life
• Your treatment options and the benefits and potential drawbacks of each approach
• Information about assessing your pet’s quality of life and when it is time to make the decision to say goodbye
• Ongoing support from our vet and shelter team for the life of that animal

Here are some of the beautiful animals that we have adopted out via this program: