(upbeat music) - The Golden Bark Foundation is dedicated to rescuing and advocating for at-risk senior dogs, fulfilling their immediate needs, and sending them off to a love-filled retirement home.

Director Seth Schilling is here to tell us all about the important work they're doing with her special guest, Tito.

Hi there, Seth.

Welcome, Tito.

So this is really important work because people sometimes are fearful when their animal gets older.

They don't know what to do.

So do you find these animals at rescues, right?

- Yeah, so we mostly focus on trying to take them out of the shelters 'cause they're really full right now.

But a lot of them do come from owner surrenders as well.

So it's kind of a 70/30 with a rescue.

- And I guess some people just don't know how to take care of an older dog.

Is that mostly the problem?

- Yeah, some people don't, or financial costs can be a burden for a lot of people or sudden life changes.

We see that a lot.

And when owners pass away, we do.

We've had a few of those where their owner passes away, and no one can unfortunately take him in the family, so they contact us or another rescue.

- So you bring them, and then your goal is to find families that will take care of them in the final chapter of their lives.

- Exactly.

The final chapter in their golden years.

We try to find adoptive homes for them, but sometimes some are not adoptable dogs for any numerous of reasons.

And so we have a hospice program as well.

- Okay.

I didn't know there was hospice for dogs.

And then what happens with the medical bills that they, I mean, eventually it will counter.

- So we pay for everything.

Our organization, you know, nonprofit, we are individually funded.

A lot of individual donors donate to our nonprofit, and we have some grants, and all of that pays for the medical costs, any supplies.

So we're foster based.

So we'll pay for everything.

As long as someone can just open up their home, we'll cover all the costs, and so no one has to worry about them.

And so if someone adopts one of our dogs, they'll usually come with whatever they need, you know, vaccinations, any surgeries.

A lot of them require dentals.

So we'll take care of all of those needs.

- All right.

Well, you're wonderful to do it.

Thank you for being here and bringing Tito.

Thanks.

- Yeah, we're happy to be here.

- And if you would like to know more about getting involved with the Golden Bark Foundation, go to goldenbarkfoundation.org.

That's goldenbarkfoundation.org.

(gentle upbeat music) I'm Mary Dickson.

Thanks for watching "Contact."

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