With its abundance of hiking trails, restaurant patios and easily accessible lakes - Central Oregon is known as one of the most dog-friendly places in the Pacific Northwest. Our region also offers top-quality veterinary services, dedicated rescue organizations and numerous open spaces to hold fundraising and adoption events.
Central Oregon is also home to several pet-centric businesses, such as Wag Bend, S'Opie, Dancin' Woofs, See Spot Run, and Scoop Rangers, all who support rescue organizations year-round.
Fostering and adoption rates in Central Oregon remain steady. An exception is for senior and special needs dogs, which is statistically lower nationwide than the rate for puppies and middle-aged dogs. In recent years, hospice fostering, often referred to as ‘fospice’, has played an increasingly vital role for surrendered senior and disabled dogs.
Erica Psaltis, owner and operator of Silver Linings Rescue Ranch, a rescue dedicated to rehoming senior dogs, believes that every dog should be able to live out its golden years in a warm, comfortable space where they can thrive. Her experience with senior dogs began when she fostered an elderly poodle.
“When the vet gave the poodle to me, she thought that the dog had a couple weeks. I took her everywhere with me, she had a car seat in my passenger seat, a closet full of clothes, a drawer with hair accessories and dog-safe nail polish. She was sassy and bright, full of attitude and life and opinions. I had her for 54 weeks before she crossed the rainbow bridge,” recalls Psaltis.
Psaltis is from Olympia, Washington, and has lived in Europe, Florida, New Jersey and Maryland. After graduate school in 2011, Psaltis missed the Pacific Northwest way of life, so she and her husband moved to Bend.
Aside from fostering, Psaltis volunteered in the past with non-profit animal rescues and she also worked at BrightSide Animal Center in Redmond for two years. During her time at Brightside, she interacted with several people who surrendered their senior dogs to the shelter for various reasons. Some of the dogs had belonged to family members who passed away. In some cases, the owners were moving into a living situation where dogs were not allowed. But, sometimes, the owners simply decided they could no longer care for an aging or special needs dog.
“People often don't think about what will happen to their pet in the instance that they (the owner) predeceases their companion. They assume that friends, family or neighbors will take them, without having that conversation about whether that is feasible for the other party. It's a difficult situation for all involved, and the animal is the one to pay the price,” Psaltis notes.
A New Beginning
During all her time working with rescue groups and fostering senior dogs, Psaltis had been kicking around the idea of starting her own rescue organization for senior dogs who needed fosters or a final forever home. “I love senior pets, and I know that they are a great fit for people who don't want to go through the puppy stage, or who are looking for a mellower dog, one who doesn't have greater needs in terms of exercise and training. Seniors are often a great fit for senior dogs,” says Psaltis. “Taking dogs that have lost their person and helping them find someone new often can help two hearts feel whole.”
While not having a lot of small business experience, Psaltis leaned in on her overall skills caring for senior dogs and followed her passion to start her non-profit. The goals at Silver Linings Rescue Ranch are straightforward:
- Their first goal is to rescue senior dogs and place them into temporary homes through the foster network, allowing the rescue to get to know the dogs better.
- Their second goal is to adopt senior dogs into new loving forever homes where they can live out their golden years with new families.
- Their final goal is to start conversations about planning for pets in case their guardianship needs change and to help provide information and resources to execute long-term planning and care.
“There is something to be said for dogs that have ‘been around the block’. They have a lot to offer even though they may not have as much time ahead of them, and they’ll pack plenty of love and life into their time with you,” Psaltis says. “Building those relationships with our adopters, our fosters, our volunteers, and local businesses has been so wonderful. When I started Silver Linings Rescue Ranch, I didn't know if others would be interested in adopting senior pups — but instead, I've found a whole community of people. To date, Silver Linings Rescue Ranch has rehomed 303 dogs in four years!” she adds.
Silver Linings Rescue Ranch Upcoming 2026 Events
- May 30: Senior Dog Prom! This year’s theme: “haPAWly ever after" (fairy tale), professional pictures, voting for king and queen, crowing the rest of the court.
- June (date TBD): Furever Young at Dr. B Med Spa
- September 13: Not'cho Mama's Bingo at Silver Moon Brewing
- December 5: Santa pictures at Bend Pet Express
To discover how you can support Silver Linings Rescue Ranch and their mission in our community, go to SilverLiningsRescueRanch.org
Tips for Fostering and Adopting Senior Dogs
- Never be surprised with an older or special needs dog’s energy, drive and willingness to learn. Contrary to popular belief, they can learn new tricks!
- Always be patient because it can take a little bit longer for a senior dog to get comfortable in their new environment.
- Be ready for health issues and modifications they might need. Senior and special needs dogs tend to be on a special diet, have medications or body devices.
- These dogs will need appropriate exercise, making it important to have a plan in place to keep them healthy and engaged.
"To date, Silver Linings Rescue Ranch has rehomed 303 dogs in four years,"
--Erica Psaltis, Founder of Silver Linings Rescue Ranch
“There is something to be said for dogs that have ‘been around the block’. They have a lot to offer...and they’ll pack plenty of love and life into their time with you,"
--Erica Psaltis, Founder of Silver Linings Rescue Ranch