CAPE's Assisted Living Program provides foster care to chronically ill dogs who have low chances of adoption
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If you are interested in becoming a foster volunteer for an animal with special needs, please click here to fill out the Foster Application.
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Often we meet animals in shelters who are not good candidates for adoption. These animals usually have chronic health conditions or temperament issues that require that they be closely monitored for safety.
Over the years, CAPE has been able to save the lives of dozens of animals who were brought into our ALP which is designed to provide animals who are not candidates for adoption with permanent foster care in the home of a loving CAPE foster volunteer. Volunteers who sign up for this program make a commitment to care for the animal for the remainder of the animal’s life, and CAPE covers all expenses. The huge success of this program has been due to the kindness and commitment of our wonderful volunteer team, who we are deeply grateful for. |
Meet the dogs in assisted living!
By sponsoring an animal, your donation will go directly towards covering the costs of their care. Read about some of the animals in our Assisted Living Program, pick one or more to sponsor, and you will receive a special thank you!
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Sponsor Chloe! 
When CAPE brings a dog into one of its rescue programs, the dog’s history is usually one of neglect and/or abuse. This was not the case for 15-year-old Chloe. While Chloe was deeply loved and cared for throughout her life, after her family moved to a location that was not safe for her, they made the difficult decision to find her a new home.
Because she is a senior with medical needs, her chances of being adopted were very slim. CAPE stepped in and brought Chloe into our Assisted Living Program (AL). Sponsor Daisy! 
14-year-old Daisy was confiscated from a home where she was severely neglected and charges were filed against her “owner”. When she arrived at the shelter she weighed 12 lbs. (Note that an adult beagle normally weighs at least 20 lbs.). Per shelter personal, Daisy was “completely emaciated” and “covered with fleas”. Daisy was also leaking urine due to a raging UTI, suffered from painfully rotten teeth, and was diagnosed with a 4/6 heart murmur. Thanks to Animal Control Officer Caralyn Figone, Daisy was immediately seen by the shelter vet, placed in a foster home, and CAPE was contacted.
CAPE knew that Daisy still had lots of life to live and accepted her into CAPE's Assisted Living Program. She was placed into one of CAPE’s amazing foster homes where she is now living with three other dogs and is settling in wonderfully to her new life. All of her care and medical costs will be covered by CAPE! Fast forward a few weeks and Daisy is being spoiled by her foster mom. She has gained over four pounds, the UTI has cleared up, she is no longer leaking urine, and she has been treated for the flea infestation. We knew that Daisy was in dire need of major surgery due to her rotten teeth but a nosebleed that required a vet visit revealed something more serious - one of her teeth rotted to the point of causing a painful oronasal fistula (an opening between the oral and nasal cavity) along with a high white blood cell count that indicated Daisy was battling a serious infection that has probably been going on for some time. Daisy’s will likely need most of her teeth removed. The oronasal fistula will be repaired at the same time. We estimate that the surgery will cost around $3000 – WE NEED YOUR HELP! – Just imagine how life-changing this surgery will be for Daisy. Sponsor Enzo! 
Enzo, a 12-year-old chihuahua, was surrendered to our wonderful rescue partner, Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter. This four-pound sweetie, nervous and confused in the shelter environment, had MAJOR dental issues and would require extensive dentistry. He was not neutered and was cryptorchid (only one testicle descended) and would need specialized surgery for his neuter. When the Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter reached out to CAPE to see if we could help Enzo, we knew he would be a perfect fit for our Assisted Living Program!
After assessing Enzo, he was placed with one of our wonderful, long-term fosters. Last Friday Enzo, AKA Wee Elf, had surgery. He had 11 rotten teeth removed and the surgeon was successful in removing the undescended testicle. Enzo is home and resting comfortably. His foster mom reports that "all is well... no tumors or other problems". We are thankful to be able to provide Enzo with a safe, loving home for the remainder of his life. With consistent vet care, time, and lots of love, we are hopeful that Enzo will thrive and enjoy his golden years. We are looking forward to more photos and updates - so stay tuned! Sponsor Athena! 
Athena is mostly blind in one eye and almost deaf, covered with lumps and dry itchy skin, had foul breath, frequent seizures, arthritis and bladder control issues when she came to CAPE. You can imagine how awful she felt. She’d lost her spark.
After a year in her Assisted Living home, with multiple trips to a variety of doctors, her foster mom’s dedication has turned Athena’s life around. Every one of her health issues has greatly improved. She’s got her outer beauty back on and she sparkles like a diamond. Please know that YOU help heal Athena’s wounds and bring her sparkle back to life; that YOUR support is the reason CAPE’s Assisted Living Program can continue to change the lives of these precious beings. We cannot possibly thank you enough. Sponsor Rico! 
Confiscated by an animal control officer from the home where he had received no treatment for an injured leg and a bad flea infestation, 12 year old Rico was taken to the county animal shelter where he was found to be blind and to have a 4-5 grade heart murmur.
CAPE came to the rescue and placed Rico in a loving Assisted Living home where he now lives happily--with all expenses paid by CAPE--loved by people who are striving to make up for the world of pain and neglect that was once the only world Rico knew. Sponsor Estee! 
Little 8 year old Chihuahua, Estee, had medical problems that shelter staff determined would render her unadoptable. CAPE was called to evaluate Estee for possible placement into a CAPE Assisted Living home.
Upon meeting her, CAPE saw that Estee had too much spark left in her to leave this little girl behind. She is now happily living out her life with a wonderful family, with CAPE paying all her expenses. |
Sponsor Sissie! 
Three years ago, Sissie, formerly Nessie, was found wandering the streets, lost and alone. She patiently waited at the shelter for four months but her chances of being adopted were very slim. CAPE was contacted and we placed Sissie into one of our amazing foster homes.
Sadly, Sissie, who is so adorable and friendly, was never adopted so we transitioned her into our Assisted Living Program. Now Sissie needs our help. She has been diagnosed with Pulmonary Hypertension and needs a cardiac ultrasound. Sissie will also be on an expensive medication for the rest of her life. Sponsor Izzy! 
CAPE welcomed Izzy into our Assisted Living Program in early February. We would like to share Izzy’s story with you and welcome her into the CAPE family. Izzy, a 12-year-old MaltiPoo (Poodle mix), was forced by her previous guardian to live outdoors. Sadly, she ended up with a multitude of issues, mostly due to neglect - allergic dermatitis and severe matting, skin lacerations, bad breath and dental calculus, ear infection, mammary gland tumors, and a cataract causing blindness. Luckily, her guardian was convinced to surrender her so she could get the care she needed.
After several vet visits, Izzy is thriving in her foster home! Her foster mom, Linda, reports that Izzy is a very sweet dog who only barks when she is waiting for her dinner. She is house trained, uses the doggy door, and spends most of her time indoors! Izzy has settled in nicely with her canine foster family. Welcome home, Izzy! Sponsor Trini! 
It’s no wonder Trini was so scared when she suddenly found herself at the shelter - she is 15 years old and has many medical issues. Her guardian brought her there when she could no longer care for her. But luck was on Trini's side. The caretakers at the shelter saw that she still had a zest for life! They reached out to CAPE to see if we could help and once again - luck was on Trini's side. One of CAPE's wonderful foster volunteers who specializes in caring for very old dogs was ready to open her heart and home to help. So we welcomed Trini into CAPE's Assisted Living Program.
Trini was diagnosed with a mild heart murmur. She was also diagnosed with bilateral luxating patellas which the veterinarians believe will not benefit from surgery. We will be monitoring her carefully so that any pain or discomfort are well managed. It takes a dedicated team of people to rescue animals who are older and have health issues. Thanks goes to everyone who advocated for Trini. She will now have a whole new chapter of life to enjoy. Sponsor Bucky! 
The story of each CAPE rescue is unique and often unusual. Bucky’s story, however, is uniquely unique and unusually unusual. He is a playful, sweet and gentle boy whom his CAPE Assisted Living foster mom describes as “an almost perfect dog.” Why is that?
In 2018, CAPE rescued Bucky, a young Lhasa Apso from a local shelter. A vet exam found a urinary tract infection as cause for his lack of bladder control. When several rounds of antibiotics didn’t cure it, x-rays and an ultrasound were done. Bladder stones, requiring surgery, were found. The problem remained. Alas, another set of x-rays and an ultrasound found a very old, partially crystalized foxtail in his urethra! It had caused damage which required several repairs, re-routing surgery, and many tense moments. Bucky will live a full life in one of CAPE’s amazing Assisted Living homes where he will always be loved and cared for. We thank you for all the Bucky’s you’ve given homes, good health, happiness and zoomies to. Thank you. For all who have been, are now, and are yet to come. Sponsor Coco! 
It’s hard to imagine the shock and fear in the heart of 9 year old Coco, when he found himself in the animal shelter; strange sounds and smells….his guardian nowhere in sight. He tucked his little body into a corner, hiding as best he could from unfamiliar surroundings that frightened him.
CAPE answered the shelter’s call, placing Coco in an Assisted Living foster home where the tender care he receives has brought him out of the corner and into the center of family activity. Raise your hand if you’d like to sponsor Coco! Sponsor Vito! 
CAPE’s Assisted Living program was the perfect answer for little Vito. He’d been terribly abused before being relinquished to an animal shelter. Because of the abuse he’d experienced, which led to his fear of people, the shelter rendered him unadoptable. CAPE placed him in an Assisted Living foster home where he is learning to love and be loved; where all his financial needs will be covered by CAPE.
As with all CAPE’s Assisted Living dogs, Sponsoring Vito will greatly help CAPE place more of the many dogs waiting for the chance to live and thrive in a home with a loving family! Sponsor Roxie! 
Little 10 year old Roxie’s life took an unexpected turn when her guardian was no longer able to care for her. CAPE was contacted by someone who pledged to cover all Roxie’s costs for the rest of her life if CAPE would find a home for her.
As Roxie has special needs, CAPE found the perfect Assisted Living home for her where now she spends glorious days curled up in the blissful comfort of her new guardian’s lap. Roxie's blindness doesn't hinder her from exploring her new setting and snuggling up in the sun. |