1. Program Overview
The MASS-CARE Senior Companions & Care Program is an animal adoption and community support initiative designed to connect senior citizens experiencing financial hardship with loving companion animals from our Society.
We recognize that many seniors experience loneliness and social isolation, while some are unable to afford the ongoing costs of pet ownership, particularly food and treats. At the same time, many senior dogs and cats in rescue care are waiting for a safe, comfortable, and loving home.
Our program brings these needs together by helping eligible seniors permanently adopt a suitable dog or cat while MASS-CARE provides ongoing food and treat assistance, subject to available funding and supplies.
Our mission is simple: No senior should have to give up the companionship of a beloved animal solely because they cannot afford its food, and no deserving animal should miss the opportunity to live in a loving home.
2. Program Objectives
The objectives of this program are to:
Provide senior citizens experiencing financial hardship with access to animal companionship.
Reduce loneliness and encourage emotional well-being through the human-animal bond.
Help senior dogs and cats find permanent, loving homes.
Reduce the length of stay for suitable animals in rescue care.
Support responsible, long-term pet ownership among seniors.
Build a compassionate community in which people and animals support one another.
3. Who Can Apply?
The program is intended for senior citizens who:
Are generally 60 years of age or older.
Experience financial hardship that makes it difficult to afford pet food and treats.
Have a safe, stable, and suitable living environment for a dog or cat.
Can provide daily care, companionship, fresh water, exercise where appropriate, and a loving home.
Understand the responsibilities and commitment involved in permanent adoption.
Are willing to work with MASS-CARE to select an animal compatible with their lifestyle, mobility, living arrangements, and experience.
Applicants may be living alone, with a spouse or partner, or with family members. Applications will be assessed individually, with consideration for each senior's circumstances and the animal's welfare.
