Become a Young at Heart Sanctuary Home
Opening your home to a Young at Heart Sanctuary Pet is one of the most meaningful ways you can help a senior dog or cat in need.
Sanctuary Homes provide permanent, loving homes for pets who can't be traditionally adopted due to ongoing medical or behavioral needs. While they remain under Young at Heart's wing for life, they get to enjoy the comfort and stability of a real home instead of a shelter.
Our Sanctuary Home Program is a partnership. You provide the love and daily care, and we provide lifelong veterinary care, supplies, and ongoing support.
What Young at Heart Provides
Young at Heart is your partner for the life of your Sanctuary Pet. We cover all approved pet-related expenses and provide ongoing support, including:
- Veterinary care through our in-house veterinary clinic, the Foglia Senior Pet Veterinary Center
- Prescription medications
- Food and treats
- Litter and litterbox supplies (for cats)
- Flea, tick, and heartworm prevention (as appropriate)
- Other approved pet supplies, as needed
- Guidance and support from our experienced team
If questions ever come up, we're just a phone call away.
Who Can Become a Sanctuary Home?
Because our Sanctuary Pets remain under Young at Heart's lifelong care, we carefully match them with homes that can meet their needs. To become a Sanctuary Home, you must:
- Be at least 21 years old.
- Live within approximately 25 miles of Young at Heart in Woodstock, Illinois.
- Own your home or have written landlord approval.
- Complete the Sanctuary Home application and approval process, which may include reference checks and a home visit.
- Register as a Young at Heart volunteer and successfully complete the background check required by our insurance carrier.
As a Sanctuary Home, You Will...
As a Sanctuary Home, you'll provide a safe, loving home while partnering with Young at Heart to ensure your pet receives the care they need throughout their life.
You'll be expected to:
- Provide a safe and loving indoor home for your Sanctuary Pet for the rest of their life.
- Transport your pet to veterinary appointments and pick up medications, food, and other supplies from Young at Heart as needed.
- Administer medications, monitor your pet's health, and keep us informed of any medical or behavioral concerns.
- Work closely with our team to support your pet's health, safety, and quality of life.
- Understand that Young at Heart retains ownership of all Sanctuary Pets.
Is a Sanctuary Pet Right for You?
Every Sanctuary Pet has their own story. Some have chronic medical conditions that require ongoing treatment, while others simply need a quiet retirement after years of change. They may need daily medications, mobility assistance, special diets, or extra patience as they settle into a new home. Some also have behavioral needs that require understanding and consistency.
Before any placement, we'll have an honest conversation about the pet's personality, medical history, and ongoing needs. Our goal is to ensure the right match for both the pet and their Sanctuary Home because successful placements begin with clear expectations.
If you're ready to open your home to one of our neediest senior pets—and partner with a team that's committed to supporting you every step of the way—we'd love to hear from you.
