The Dr. Jane’s HealthyPetNet Foundation has made fresh inroads to making the world a better place for senior citizens and senior dogs.

Our charitable non-profit has awarded a financial grant to the National Brittany Rescue and Adoption Network (NBRAN), a dedicated organization devoted to saving the lives of abandoned American Brittanies both in the U.S. and Canada. A network of foster-care volunteers, NBRAN is comprised of individuals who work passionately on behalf of this lovable breed.

Once referred to as “Brittany Spaniels”, Britts are known to retain their puppy-like enthusiasm regardless of age. Great family dogs, they tend to be gentle, yet active, and are widely recognized for their good humor.

All members of the NBRAN agree to follow extensive guidelines and an expansive code of ethics. Their stated mission is to “place these dogs in safe, loving and permanent homes with approved applicants, and to provide a supportive network for our volunteers, who after all, make our goals possible”.

Every rescued Britt receives full veterinary care including vaccinations, heartworm testing and spaying or neutering prior to adoption. If, when rescued, a Britt suffers from a serious medical issue, they are rehabilitated if at all possible.

In a feat of coordination, especially for a rescue organization of its size, NBRAN created the Canine Railroad, which handles the tandem transportation of rescued Brittanys across the North American continent. In a typical Canine Railroad run, one volunteer drives a Britt to a destination where they meet another transportation volunteer, who continues the trek until the dog reaches its new forever home.

NBRAN provides urgent care and shelter for hundreds of dogs, 174 of which are currently available for adoption. Of those, two dozen are considered seniors. In fact, the good folks at NBRAN know all too well the challenge of adopting out dogs over the age of ten, the segment of the adoptable population least likely to be sought out by new families.

Fortunately, NBRAN has developed a program and a back-up protocol to improve the chances of a happy outcome for all of their senior dogs. With their “Seniors for Seniors” program, NBRAN substantially discounts the processing fee for senior citizens who adopt senior dogs (for more about the health benefits of these relationships, see our blog post Helpful Tips on Caring for Senior Pets). At a time when all of us are cutting back on expenses, this program is proving effective at finding homes for these elder canines. As a back-up, NBRAN has several foster homes lined up specifically to accommodate senior dogs. If no one adopts these older Britts, these special foster families will provide them with care for the remainder of their lives. As you can see, whether the senior dogs are adopted or not, NBRAN is committed to making sure that they will be loved, well-fed and live the remainder of their days with dignity.

From all of us here at Life’s Abundance headquarters, we respect and admire the exceptional example this determined network of rescuers sets for other homeless pet rescues. Along with the financial award, we give our great thanks to NBRAN for doing their utmost to make the world a kinder, gentler place for Brittanys, and for senior citizens.

If you would like to help support our foundation, you may do so when placing an order online or by sending a check to The Dr. Jane’s HealthyPetNet Foundation, Inc. at P.O. Box 1425, Palm City, FL 34991. Even if you can only spare a dollar or two, you’ll be providing much needed aid to organizations like NBRAN, which are on the front lines of the fight to reduce and eliminate pet abandonment, neglect and abuse in America.