Classic Canines Inc

When I saw Bart--before he was Bart--posted on Classic Canines, something in my heart broke wide open. He was estimated to be about 12 years old, nearly blind, and perhaps in need of hospice care after being hoisted out of an unused swimming pool he had fallen into by Travis County Sherriff's Office and Animal Control. Classic's plea that the previously neglected dog had "better days ahead of him, but not here, not at the shelter" made me think, "They're right! He's going to have better days with me!" After his stray hold expired, my husband and I volunteered to foster Bart. The way Classics supported us with Bart's medical care was so incredibly helpful. Their knowledge of senior dogs is expansive, and it really helped us help Bart make the transition to life in a home. I am pleased to say that Bart is now a lively, loving and permanent part of our pack, and I think he's got many great days full of walks and meals and snuggles ahead of him! I would never have seen Bart or chosen to foster him had it not been for Classic Canines. They truly save lives.

Classic Canines is not your ordinary animal advocate - they specialize in being the voice for senior pets in need. Some of these have lost their lifelong family for a variety of reasons, and some are strays with unknown histories, and almost all of them are very stressed to find themselves in the shelter system where it's hard on their older joints and/or they aren't getting all of their emotional needs met due to overcrowding. Senior animals have a much harder time being adopted out compared to young puppies. Our senior lab "Buford" adopted us a few years ago. He was originally found lying in the middle of a busy street, suffering from numerous severe wounds to his elbow, hind quarters, face, throat and ears, and had given up all hope. Classic Canines brought him into their program, arranged for a foster who would oversee his immediate and intense vet needs - all paid for by Classic Canines - until he was healthy enough to adopt us. We have seen first hand as a client and donor how much they can do on a shoestring budget and how dedicated they are to their mission. They provide medical care and/or help senior dogs be the best family member they can be for their adoptive family, and they work hard to match the right dog(s) with the right family for success. When you volunteer or donate here, you're making a big impact not only for a senior animal, but in your community!

Through the advocacy of Classic Canines on their social media, I came across the story of Amaya. When I saw the post about her needing an urgent foster, there was something about her face that reminded me of my past senior pup. I had to say goodbye to that senior a couple years ago, but one of the many things he taught me, is that rescue and senior dogs have so much love to give. I am a passionate advocate for adopting and believe the bond you build with a rescue is incredibly powerful. So many times we see a post and think, "well someone will step up and speak for that pup." This time I knew it was our turn to step up.

We first fostered Amaya, because we just knew she needed a home to rest and feel loved. At first it was important for her to decompress and feel safe. We did not know much about her past life, and it is probably better that way. We caught ourselves wondering how much love she was given and if she ever had ice cream. But instead of dwelling on the what-ifs, we made sure she felt love every day and experiences all the things a pup should! At the end of the day, that is what is important. She became a member of our family and we knew she had found a home, which is why we adopted her! She then became our Maya.

If it was not for the work Classic Canines continues to do every day, we would have not found sweet Maya. While we fostered her, they helped with all medical needs and provided support whenever we had a question. We are lucky to have them in Austin, TX speaking for our senior dogs in the community.

There is something special about saving a senior from shelter life to give them the best of the rest of their lives. Step up!

During the pandemic, our family had to put two of our dogs to sleep. Both were seniors that we’d taken care of for over 12 years each. We still had one senior dog at home who we thought seemed lonely. That’s when I started looking at adopting another dog, but knew an adult to senior aged dog would probably be best. Knowing that the dog picks the owner, we made several trips to ACC before we met Sonny. He wasn’t in the best shape and needed a place to recover and relax. He had recently been adopted and surrendered after one week! I was a little hesitant about how much trouble an 8 lbs chihuahua could be, but my husband fell in love with the little guy. We were in and that’s when we learned that Sonny was part of the Classic Canines community. I was unfamiliar with them, but Jean from Classic Canines is a great communicator. She got me up to speed and filled me in on the services they provide for senior dogs who need a home. Sonny was intact when we adopted him, but he was too sick to go through surgery. We were able to adopt him, but had to commit to getting Sonny neutered. Classic Canines covered the cost of Sonny’s surgery, sent us to a fantastic pet hospital and we were very grateful. That allowed us to afford some much needed dental work for Sonny. He is doing great and we look forward to taking care of him for as long as he needs us.

Classic Canines, Inc. is a remarkable non-profit and has set the bar extremely high for anyone with a mission of assisting senior dogs in finding love and living their best lives. Every person I’ve met affiliated with Classics has their heart in the right place and really, truly goes above and beyond in finding the perfect match between dog and family. Classics and its volunteers work hard to ensure that everyone, including any existing family pets, will live happily ever after.
What I love most about Classics is its extraordinary ability to love and care for all seniors with the same amount of compassion and not give up on any dog! A dog brought in with a severe medical condition is shown just as much love as a healthy senior; a 15 year old is treated with the same respect as a 7 year old. For example, when an 18 year old blind, deaf and toothless chihuahua was brought in by animal control Classics wasted no time and immediately provided him the medical care, food and comforts he deserved. Because they believed in him, he was able to go to foster for some R&R and get himself back together. I was the lucky foster who witnessed his transformation firsthand and within 2 months he was not only looking good and feeling better but was adopted by an incredibly loving and compassionate woman. He is currently living a life most of us only dream of and I firmly believe his life, and the lives of so many others, are now the best they can be because of the critical role Classic Canines played in bridging them home. I have the deepest respect for Jean Hubrath and her incredible work!

We got both our senior dogs from Classic Canines! We have also fostered poor, sickly, old, forgotten dogs that everyone overlooked except Classic Canines. Without your donations, it would be even harder to give this neglected senior population the love, emotional support, and rehab, plus surgeries that are life altering and life saving! These poor dogs more than deserve a second chance at getting a new lease on life! That is why we completely support Classic Canines in their relentless all voulenteer mission! Every penny of proceeds donated go right to the dogs that need it the most. Please give generously. Thank you!

When Bonnie's owners came into the shelter to surrender her, they did not know that their heart-wrenching decision would come at such a high cost to Bonnie. Due to the long wait list for a surrender appointment at the shelter, Bonnie's family told the shelter she had bitten someone in their home. This way shelter staff had to take her into the facility for a painfully sad and lonely 10 day quarantine period.
Bonnie emerged from this confused, lonely and scared. Understanding that Bonnie had some medical needs, was deaf, and 8 years old and now with a "bite" on her record, Classic Canines knew that she would be a hard sell to potential adopters coming into the shelter.
They immediately posted an urgent need for a foster to prevent Bonnie from degenerating further. I picked her up at the shelter the next day, and within a week, Bonnie had a comprehensive dental cleaning including 4 teeth pulled, which Classic Canines paid for and arranged. They also promoted her on their Facebook page using the photos and videos of Bonnie in my home with my dogs, and within 2 weeks Bonnie found herself in a new home. She is healthy, happy and will be loved for the rest of her life, just like she deserves! All thanks to this amazing non-profit. I could not say more positive things about them!

I adopted a senior in September 2018. This organization does a wonderful job finding homes for the least likely to be adopted. The process was simple and the folks at Classic Canines clearly communicated the next step. It was a pleasure adopting our Penny (FKA Nanette) from them.

Amazing group of volunteers who work tirelessly on behalf of older dogs in our shelter system. I’ve adopted twice from them and the dogs were wonderful. Old dogs rock!