Sonnenhof in Rottenbuch, Bavaria, offers old senior dogs as well as very young dogs a special place of refuge. With its “Seniors for Seniors” concept and a puppy sanctuary, the German Animal Welfare Federation facility helps dogs in need and places them with owners who are just right for them. We spoke to Hannah Wendt, the manager of Sonnenhof.
Ms. Wendt, with the "Seniors for Seniors" concept, Sonnenhof offers older dogs a place of refuge and gives older people in particular the opportunity to take in an animal. How did the idea for this concept come about and why is this offer so important?
Hannah Wendt: When I took over the management of Sonnenhof, this concept was already established and successful. It not only offers older people the opportunity to have a loving companion in the form of a dog, but also gives older dogs a second chance. The idea for this concept arose primarily from the observation that older people often have difficulties adopting a dog in animal shelters, while older dogs always have to wait a long time for a home there.
To what extent do both the dogs and the senior citizens benefit from this concept?
Hannah Wendt: It not only promotes the well-being of the human senior citizens, but also helps older dogs, who are often overlooked, to find a home. The needs of an older dog are often similar to those of an older person - both like to take things a little easier, prefer short walks but more often and don't want to miss the closeness of an animal or human partner.
How does Sonnenhof cater to the special needs of senior dogs?
Hannah Wendt: Until they are successfully rehomed, the dogs are looked after by experienced animal carers and me as a vet. We adapt the care individually, for example with special food depending on their state of health or to regulate their weight. Regular veterinary checks are also part of the process to identify and treat health problems at an early stage. This also includes adapted medication for chronic illnesses as well as targeted physiotherapy exercises and treatments to maintain mobility and alleviate pain. The runs are designed to be barrier-free, the sleeping areas are comfortable, easily accessible and padded and there are safety precautions indoors and outdoors to prevent falls and injuries.
There are currently 16 senior dogs at Sonnenhof who are looking for a home. What should prospective adopters consider if they want to adopt one of these dogs?
Hannah Wendt: Basically, it's the same as when adopting a younger dog: As an owner, you take responsibility for a living being and have to make sure that you have enough time, patience and financial means to look after the dog. It is important to find out about the specific needs and characteristics of the breed and to check whether your lifestyle matches what the dog needs.
With senior dogs, however, there are some special features to consider. For example, their health needs: Older dogs often have pre-existing conditions that require regular veterinary care and possibly daily medication. You should be prepared for the fact that higher treatment costs may be incurred. Prospective buyers should also be aware of the lifespan: Senior dogs have a shorter remaining lifespan, which means that owners must be prepared to lose their pet in the foreseeable future. This can be emotionally challenging, but it also offers the opportunity to make the last stage of a dog's life particularly loving and fulfilling.
Are there any other points to consider?
Hannah Wendt: Yes, the activity level is also important: older dogs are sometimes less active and no longer need long, intensive walks. Short, regular outings and a quiet environment are ideal for these candidates. However, there are also many very active senior dogs who, at ten or eleven years old, are happy to go into the mountains for another year or two, for example.
Can you still adopt a dog at the age of 80?
Hannah Wendt: Of course you can still adopt a dog at the age of 80. The important thing is that the dog and the person are a good match, especially in terms of fitness level and the needs of both. We encourage all prospective adopters to think about a "plan B": What will happen to the dog if they suddenly become unavailable? Are there family, neighbors or friends who can step in?
No matter what age the owner adopts an animal, they should be aware that they are taking responsibility for this living creature. This includes thinking about what will happen to the dog if they can no longer look after it temporarily or permanently. Planning ahead ensures that the dog is always well looked after, no matter what happens. In an emergency, we will of course help out, but this should be the exception.
What experiences have particularly stuck in your mind since you took over the management of Sonnenhof in 2022? For example, are there any experiences or examples of placements that you particularly like to think back on?
Hannah Wendt: Many of our placements are memorable, especially when our dogs have been with us for a longer period of time. The joy is great when we can find a loving home for a dog after two or three years or even longer. I particularly like to think back to examples of placements such as Kangal Arthos or our Odessa dogs Mogli, Ivan and Lola.
Finding a home for a 60-kilogram Kangal senior is often more difficult, as smaller dogs are often preferred. However, we have found a great family for Arthos, where he shares a couch with his Jack Russell friend Jacky.
In April 2022, we also adopted 20 dogs from our Animal Welfare Center Odessa . We have since been able to find great families for most of them. We are particularly pleased with the cases in which dogs that could not even be touched at first have now found loving families. In the case of Mogli, for example, interested parties came every day for weeks to build up a bond with him. Their environment and living situation are simply perfect for Mogli, and they give him the time he needs to blossom.
Another great example is our three-legged couple Lola and Ivan, who also come from Odessa and now, as Sissi and Franzl, are making the neighborhood unsafe together in their new home and getting the attention and love they deserve.
To what extent is the "Seniors for Seniors" concept also a support for the member associations of the German Animal Welfare Association?
Hannah Wendt: As I said, older dogs often have less chance of being placed and stay longer in animal shelters. Animal shelters receive slightly more inquiries about older small dogs, but larger animals find it particularly difficult to be placed. Yet all these senior dogs, whether large or small, are adorable and equally deserve a nice home. By allowing them to move to Sonnenhof, space is created for new animals in our member associations. The high profile of the concept means that we receive targeted inquiries from older people who are interested in adopting older dogs. This increases the chances of older dogs being adopted.
At Sonnenhof, you and your team not only look after senior dogs, but also puppies. Can you tell us more about this?
Hannah Wendt: Since opening a puppy sanctuary in 2022, we have been accommodating puppies that have undergone a rabies quarantine and mother dogs with their puppies from animal hoarding cases. Setting up the puppy station enables us to offer these young dogs and their mothers the best possible care and a good start in life. Depending on requirements, we can also use the space for older dogs, which are also examined and treated in the associated veterinary room and then housed in the quarantine or infirmary, depending on their state of health. We always check the general condition of all new arrivals as soon as they arrive and ensure that every dog is chipped, dewormed and vaccinated.
And what happens afterwards for the new arrivals?
Hannah Wendt: When the dogs are fit enough, they can move into one of our spacious dog kennels with a run until they have found a new permanent home. In order to prepare them as well as possible for their future life, we also offer them specific training tailored to their needs. We need to lay the foundations for puppies in particular and teach them their first everyday signals. For example, we take them to puppy groups, but also to busy places, the DIY store or the ice cream parlor. We also give the older dogs an individual training plan. It is simply important that they become familiar with certain stimuli and have seen cars, a tractor or a horse, for example.
To what extent does Sonnenhof also help animal shelters by taking in puppies?
Hannah Wendt: Animal shelters that suddenly have to take in a lot of animals due to cases of illegal puppy trading or animal hoarding and thus reach their capacity limits are relieved by Sonnenhof. For example, by taking in puppies and their mothers in cases of animal hoarding, Sonnenhof creates urgently needed places and resources for other animals at the shelter.
Whether senior dogs or puppies: How can potential adopters best prepare for an adoption? What knowledge should they have?
Hannah Wendt: Basic knowledge about dog ownership is important, especially about the specific needs of the dog you want to adopt. Experience with dogs is of course an advantage, but by no means a prerequisite. A willingness to learn new things is crucial. Interested parties should have enough time to take care of the dog on a daily basis, feed it, groom it, train it and ensure its well-being. It is also important to be financially able to provide for the animal's needs, including food, veterinary costs, insurance, taxes, equipment and any medication.
What other criteria should they meet in order to offer the animals a nice home?
Hannah Wendt: The living situation should be dog-friendly, with sufficient space and a safe environment. A garden is an advantage, but not essential as long as the dog gets enough exercise. Prospective adopters should also be aware of the long-term commitment that comes with adopting a dog. Dogs can live for many years and it is important to be prepared to be responsible for the entire life of the animal. As soon as the new family member's move-in date is set, the home should be prepared accordingly.
Depending on the dog, there are different things that owners need to prepare for. With a puppy, it is important to focus on training and possibly book a puppy group at a positive dog school. For a senior dog with a long-term illness, on the other hand, it can be helpful to deal with this and look for a trusted vet in the local area.
Do you and your team also support the new owners after the placement?
Hannah Wendt: Yes, we are also available to advise the new owners after the placement. We are always available to answer medical, behavioral and other questions about living with the dog and are happy to provide support. It's important to us that the new owners feel well looked after and know that they can count on our support if they need it.
How many employees work at Sonnenhof today and how many dogs do you look after on average?
Hannah Wendt: Sonnenhof currently employs a total of seven people, six of whom work full-time. Our team includes employees for administration, animal care and a janitor. On average, we look after between 20 and 30 dogs at Sonnenhof.
How important is the financial support of donors and supporting members of the German Animal Welfare Association for the work of Sonnenhof?
Hannah Wendt: Indispensable. The care of older dogs is particularly cost-intensive, as age is often accompanied by typical age-related ailments. Many of our dogs need long-term medication, for example for heart disease or arthrosis. Special food is also often necessary to support their health and improve their quality of life. To detect health problems at an early stage, all our dogs receive regular veterinary check-ups, including blood tests and other necessary tests. Dental restorations are often unavoidable to maintain the dogs' health.
