Founder Of Senior Dog Rescue Is Honored As A CNN Hero Of The Year

Since 2007, CNN has honored heroes and humanitarians making extraordinary changes within their communities.

Although she was not this year’s winner, Sheri Franklin, founder of the senior dog rescue group Muttville, was honored in the Top 10 for her efforts to make the world a better place for older dogs.

 

The following video was introduced at Sunday night’s event by none other than Marnie the Dog and known animal-loving celebrities, Neil Patrick Harris, Anderson Cooper and Kelly Ripa.

 

Twenty years ago, Franklin became a volunteer at the San Francisco Humane Society. It was there that she took notice of the older dogs who were often overlooked in favor of younger pups. She was spending 5 days a week walking and caring for these dogs only to watch them slowly lose hope or be put to sleep.

 

Franklin created Muttville Senior Dog Rescue out of her own home in 2007. She began pulling senior dogs from shelters and caring for them as if they were her own pets until adoptive families could be found. In under 10 years Franklin and her band of supporters, volunteers and fosters have placed 4,000 dogs into loving forever homes.

 

The rescue now operated its own cage-free facility full of beds, couches and toys. They have grooming and veterinary suites where the dogs receive full workups, vaccines, microchipping and care for any medical problems.

 

Every now and then a dog is discovered to have a terminal illness. Instead of being put down, they are welcomed into the “Fospice” program where they are placed with loving families who understand their special needs. Muttville pays for their veterinary expenses and medications in full for the remainder of their lives.

 

There are currently about 40 dogs in the Fospice program and about twice as many adoptable seniors at the facility or in foster care. You can view the available Muttville cuties here.

 

A new program called Seniors for Seniors matches Muttville dogs with elderly citizens in the community. The adoption fee is waived and a welcome kit including a harness, collar, leash, dog bowls, a starter supply of food and medication, a doggy bed, and home modifications, such as a doggy gate and stairs are provided.

 

Best of all, Muttville promises to resume care of any dog in the program should the senior citizen become ill, overwhelmed or pass away. This way they are able to experience the unconditional love of a canine companion without the worry of what will happen to the dog should they have an emergency.

 

Sherri Franklin may not have won CNN’s top honor, but to dog lovers and senior pooches everywhere, she will always be an unmatched hero!