We search for appropriate quality homes whether they be foster homes or adoptive homes for our senior dogs; however, in the event that an appropriate home cannot be found, these animals live out their days at Sugarland Ranch with Volunteers and Sponsors who help with their care and expenses wherever possible. Staff, Volunteers and Sponsors help to make their lives as normal as possible, fostering love and pampering them within the Sugarland Ranch environment. We appreciate our Volunteers and Sponsors whose assistance and commitment greatly enrich the dogs’ lives. This program is totally supported by donations and community support. We accept older animals generally with one other problem and are at high risk of euthanasia. We work closely with the various Shelter systems. We are the last stop “hotel” for these animals after all other resources have been exhausted.
We also try to identify “Sponsors” for this program. A “Sponsor” is defined as a “guardian angel” who perhaps cannot actually adopt a dog or foster but wants to contribute to a particular dog in a meaningful way. Sponsorship requires a monthly donation to supply a specific dog with their very specific needs, for example, purchasing their joint supplements and/or medications, picking up routine veterinarian expenses. Purchasing their bedding may be another option. All proceeds are directly applied to a specific dog that the “Sponsor” selects. The “Sponsor” is welcome to visit regularly if they can, spending quality time with their selected companion even though they may not be able to take them home on a permanent basis they interact with their dog furthering the human-animal bond.
Current Retirement Animals
♦ Miss Precious ♦ YinYang ♦ Buttercup ♦
♦ Shamu ♦ Holly ♦ Jenna ♦ Eli ♦ Foxy Lady ♦
Miss Precious
“Miss Precious” – Age: Ancient
Mastiff/St. Bernard X. Came to Sugarland Ranch, January, 2009 from our friends at Washoe County Regional Animal Services who found her lying in the snow, unable to walk, very thin, dehydrated with a massive urinary tract infection and lots of pain from arthritis. Needs help getting up, but once up can walk. Continues to take joint supplements, pain medication and loves lots of attention. Seeking a Sponsor who can help with purchase of monthly medications (Rimadyl and Tramadol) as well as her joint supplements, spend time with her, groom her and simply be her Companion to enhance her quality of life.
Yin Yang
“YinYang” – Age: 7-8 yrs. old
Sharpei/Chow X. Came to Sugarland Ranch, February, 2010 from our friends at Washoe County Regional Animal Services. He was found as a stray. YinYang has a visual impairment but is functional, is shy at first, but loves to go on walks, be groomed. He is a little challenged by other dogs but does well on a leash in familiar territory. Looking for a loving foster or adoptive home, sponsors also welcome. Has a typical Sharpei personality so those Sharpei enthusiasts out there would likely enjoy Mr. YinYang for a companion.
Buttercup
“Buttercup aka Butter aka Sugar Baby” – Age: 8-10 yrs. old
Border Collie X. Came to Sugarland Ranch from the Carson City Shelter. She was found in January, 2010 roaming Highway 50 in Carson City. She is very social, very very sweet, loves attention and apparently had been in a home situation previously. It’s a mystery how she got to roaming Highway 50. She is adorable and we believe would make someone a great Companion. She seems to be a little bit hard of hearing but functional. Buttercup is looking for a loving, sedate, adult home where she can just hang around with her human companion. Buttercup says she would also love to have a sponsor just to hang out with periodically and someone who thinks she is very special because she is.
Buttercup and Mariah(staff)
Shamu
“Shamu”
Shamu is a senior female Border Collie x. She is so very sweet, is quite verbal, such a love and will make someone a wonderful companion. She loves people, other animals seem to be fine except around her bones and “stuff”!!! She is being well managed with senior joint supplement and arthritis medication. She loves her short walks, loves just being with people. Shamu has quite a personality, someone to adore and love —-all of her—-. We are looking for her forever home, a foster home would be wonderful too so that she can be in a normal home environment shared with our sanctuary life. Always appreciate Sponsors to help defray the cost of care and to provide that special attention that Shamu, as well as the other animals, are so deservant.
Holly
“Holly”
Miss Holly is approximately 6-7 yrs. old Pit/Whippet or Greyhound mix Pittie mix,spayed female. She is prematurely gray in the face and brindle in color. She is absolutely adorable, very very sweet, timid when in her kennel but brightens up when she is with people. She absolutely loves going on walks and riding in the car. When she has been on outings, she seems to be reliable when around other dogs unless the other dog is getting “too personal” “too soon” with her. Responds very well to positive training techniques, knows basic commands. Miss Holly has lots of energy and will make someone a beautiful and loyal companion. She clearly had a home at one time given her wonderful behavior when in a home setting, this is likely why she is a little nervous in a kennel environment. Miss Holly came to Sugarland Ranch from our friends at Washoe County Regional Animal Services who also thought she was a beautiful little girl and referred her to our retirement home program. She was found as a stray in Reno. Miss Holly has no medical problems, loves the Sugarland Ranch cuisine and currently is taking a senior joint supplement. She is a love and someone will be very lucky to have her in their life.
Jenna
“Jenna”
Miss Jenna is a spayed female Chow/Shepherd mix. She has been in the rescue system for sometime. Jenna was referred to our sanctuary from WARF where she reportedly had a home but didn’t do well with smaller animals. Since she had been in the rescue system quite a long time, Sugarland provides more open spaces and a more normalized environment until her forever home can be identified. Her temperament is more Chow Chow, she enjoys being an only dog, occupies her time by chasing lizards or smaller animals, very loving and no apparent health issues. She does take a joint supplement daily and loves the cuisine at Sugarland.
Eli
“Eli”
Eli is a very special neutered, male Rottie/Lab mix, so very sweet, loves attention. He was found as a stray and referred to Sugarland’s retirement/special needs program by Washoe County. He has a chronic neurological problem that is weakening his hindquarters and elbow arthritis making it difficult for him to walk. He is currently taking pain medication that is helping him shift more weight to his forelimbs thus allowing him to walk a little better. He is a very happy guy, loves being outside, being groomed and lots of human contact and attention. Eli would do great with a very special Sponsor who could spend extra time with him grooming, bathing, just hanging out. You cannot help but fall in love with this guy. He likely will live out his days at the sanctuary. Come visit Eli, give us a call and we’ll clear his social calendar!
Foxy Lady
“Foxy Lady”
Foxy Lady is a 19 lb. Fox Terrier who is approximately 14 yrs. old and still kicking! She is visually impaired and was very very emaciated. Our friends at Washoe County found her as a stray and referred her to Sugarland. We discovered she is a diabetic hence the loss of sight and her very fragile and thin state. We immediately sought DVM care, put her on insulin and voila, a new Foxy Lady started to appear! She is delightful, the Volunteers absolutely adore her. She is bright, cheerful, gaining weight, loves raw bone that start bigger than she is! The insulin injections are uneventful, she accepts them rather well and she continues to be monitored monthly by the Vet. We believe she would make someone a wonderful companion, espcially perhaps a human with diabetes since the insulin administration would be very familiar and uncomplicated. Once you meet Miss Foxy Lady, you likely will return for more of her!