At Australian Shepherds Furever, we work daily to save
aussies in need. It can be tough work, but incredibly
rewarding to see this beautiful and intelligent breed
flourish when given a second chance.
We are a 501 (c) 3 non profit corporation. As a nonprofit,
raising funds for rescue, fostering, training, boarding
and health care is vital. Please consider showing your
support today.
Established in 2013, Australian Shepherds Furever (ASF) is a National Non Profit 501(C)(3) Corporation dedicated to saving Australian Shepherds in need nationwide. With the focus of rescue-foster-adoption, ASF finds puppies and dogs, both mixed and purebred, in need across the continental United States. Our dedicated team of volunteer staff works tirelessly to locate aussies in need of rescue and save them from shelters, deplorable living conditions or other undesireable circumstances. Once in our care, we offer them foster homes, medical care, training, rehabilitation, and all the attention and love they need to thrive again. When each Aussie is ready, we do our due diligence to find them their new, forever home with the perfect person or family.
The Shani Memorial Fund finances ASF's Seniors for Seniors Program. This is a very selective program with specific criteria. We do separate fundraising for the program and the money raised is kept separate and only used for the program. It covers vet expenses to get the dogs up to date so adopter doesn't invest money upfront to acquire the dog from ASF. This can include dentals if needed. It covers expenses for transportation.
We have had one training expense situation where we needed to have a dog professionally evaluated to assure he would be safely adopted and to understand the environment he needed to thrive. Candidates must submit a regular ASF Adoption Application, but the reference checking is a little more strenuous by necessity.
Potential Shani dogs are recommended by ASF fosters or reps, and are evaluated for their "fit" for the program. The dogs must be between 9-10 yrs.
(we've made exceptions where a dog is close to 9), be in reasonably good health for age, be 45 lbs or less, be reasonably active and mobile, have no behavioral issues, and be good with kids and cats.
Yes, I just described a senior unicorn! These are
"special" dogs who have lots of love to give and hopefully years of companionship ahead of them. Many were beloved companions of seniors who have passed on or who have had to move into extended care facilities. So most are already conditioned on how to behave around an older human
The senior humans must be 67+. Most of our adoption candidates are referred by friends, neighbors or relatives, who often submit the application for them. These seniors must be in reasonable health for their age, be mobile, and have the ability to care for the dog. We don't have an upper age limit, because every case is evaluated individually. Some 90 year olds are more active and capable than some 70 year olds.
We look specifically for people with previous Aussie or herding dog ownership experience. We involve the family and/or close friends in the selection process because they must assure us of the person's capabilities to handle the dog and must be part of a back-up plan for the dog in case the senior is incapacitated for any amount of time. They also may be needed for transport help for vet visits or grooming, etc.
Since the program began in 2024, we have adopted 6 dogs to 5 seniors.
We have 2 new dogs who have just come into the program. We anticipate being able to afford to place 6-8 dogs in 2025. If our fundraising is very successful in 2025, we will be able to serve more seniors.
