Islanders setting up chapter of ElderDog Canada

An Island woman is setting up a local chapter of ElderDog Canada, a group that helps seniors keep their dogs or find new homes for them.

Ruth Beck has a kennel near Murray River. She says she decided to form the P.E.I. group after getting numerous calls for help from vets who said a new home was needed for an older dog because its owner had died or was going to live in a long-term care home.

"And those always pull at my heart strings, you know. This dog has lived a long life with a senior and been a constant companion and the thought of giving up on them now at this point in their life is just, I can't do it," said Beck.

She says it can be difficult finding older dogs a home because people are usually looking to adopt puppies or younger dogs.

ElderDog will also assist seniors who need some help taking care of their dogs, such as taking the pet out for a walk, or transporting the animals to vet and grooming appointments.

Beck hopes to have the P.E.I. ElderDog chapter operating this summer, but she still needs to find three more volunteer board members. Volunteers can come from any part of the province.

ElderDog Canada was started by a Nova Scotia woman, Ardra Cole, six years ago. The organization has chapters in Nova Scotia, Ontario and Alberta.