After his world was turned upside down, Cornelius sat alone in a dark, windowless room; confused, heartbroken and waiting for someone who would never return. His beloved owner had passed away, and this 13-year-old Chihuahua mix was brought to a municipal shelter in NYC where, like many senior pets, he was at risk of euthanasia. Thanks to our no-kill mission however, Cornelius made his way to the safety of our Port Washington, NY campus where he’s getting another chance to find love.
Rescue Team Leader Karla Agostinello coordinated Cornelius’ transport and remembers how he first came to her attention. “Every day we get emails from Animal Care Centers of NYC with animals to rescue,” she explained. “These are usually animals with a medical condition, are too young, or in his case, old. Nothing breaks my heart more than when an owner dies or is placed in a senior facility and can no longer care for their pets. Some extended family members do not want the burden of taking on the animal and will dump them at the shelter. I can only imagine the confusion and the heartache that an animal feels not knowing where their owner is.”
When Karla arrived at the ACC, Cornelius was tucked away in a ground floor cage, shut down and staring at the back wall. “It was very sad,” she recalled. “But once we leashed him up and he walked outside, his tail was wagging.” Despite his age, Cornelius has the spirit of a much younger pup. He sports an adorable underbite, making his gentle grin all the more charming. Since arriving, he has been staying in the office of Shelter Medical Supervisor Deanna Merino in our Pet Health Centers, who has a soft spot for our underdogs. “Cornelius was shy at first,” she shared, “but now he’s opened up. He loves going on walks and playing fetch with his toys. He does bark a lot, but it’s just because he wants your attention. He really enjoys being outside and spending time with people. Even though he’s 13, he still acts like a puppy!”
Sadly, senior pets like Cornelius are too often overlooked in crowded shelters. Older dogs and cats are passed over for younger animals, but they can make some of the most loyal and rewarding companions. They tend to be house-broken, calm and deeply affectionate. And, as Karla knows from personal experience, adopting a senior can be profoundly meaningful. “I adopted a senior dog, Nikki, from a similar situation,” she shared. “She was dumped at Brooklyn ACC at 14 years old. I thought I would be giving her a year or two, but she lived until she was 19. The love she gave me in return was truly special – it was like she knew I saved her.” Deanna echoed, “Senior dogs like Cornelius are great because you get to see their full personality and they still have so much love to give.”
Cornelius’ story also highlights why planning for your pet’s future is so important. When his owner passed away, there was no one to step in, until our Rescue Team did. Through our Safe Haven Surviving Pet Care Program®, pet owners can ensure that if something happens to them, their beloved animals will be cared for. Safe Haven guarantees transport to our campus, full medical care, and placement in a loving home. The program can be funded through estate plans or beneficiary gifts and covers up to six pets per household, giving peace of mind to loving owners and protection to the animals who rely on them.
From a crowded shelter kennel to a cozy office bed, Cornelius is currently thriving. He plays with toys, soaks up affection and reminds everyone around him how much joy senior pets have to offer. Thanks to our no-kill mission, this 13-year-old sweetheart now has a chance to find a new family, and to keep wagging his tail well into the future.
Learn more about the Safe Haven Surviving Pet Care Program® and how you can plan for you and your pet’s future.