The Heart of Belonging: Life’s Sweetest Season, Shared
At 91 years old, Norma could have been told, “You’re too old for a dog.” But at The Pet Cottage, we believe in something different.
We believe that love has no age limit—and that the deep companionship between a senior person and a senior pet is something worth nurturing and protecting. Norma recently welcomed Ret, a 16-year-old poodle, into her home after his person passed away. They became fast friends, two old souls who found comfort, purpose, and joy in one another.
When You Support The Pet Cottage, You Make This Kind of Bond Possible
We provide lifelong veterinary care and medication for the pets we place with our Forever Guardians—so people like Norma can say *yes* to love without worrying about the financial burden. Many of our Guardians live on fixed incomes, and while the financial support matters, our commitment goes beyond that. We are also there in emergencies, for check-ins, and whenever help is needed to ensure their pet can remain safely and happily at home. This wraparound support is what makes it possible to connect senior people with senior pets in a meaningful, lasting way.
That’s where we step in.
That’s what your support makes possible.
Every day, we care for pets who have lost their humans due to death, disability or deployment. Many of these pets are seniors themselves — graying muzzles, cloudy eyes, stiff joints — and often overlooked in traditional shelters. But at The Pet Cottage, they are cherished. They are promised a forever home.
Some stay at our sanctuary. Others are welcomed into loving homes like Norma’s. And we don’t just drop them off and wish them luck.
We tuck them in — with monthly check-ins, a network of volunteers, vet transport, emergency support, and more. We show up with heart and follow through with structure. Because being part of The Pet Cottage means being part of a pack.
Whether you’re a Forever Guardian, volunteers like Lynn and Lisa (our incredible sister duo who show up every week), or a donor who believes in this mission, you are part of something meaningful. Purposeful. Needed.
You help people feel less alone. You give aging pets a place to land. You make it possible for someone like Norma to open her door, and her heart, one more time.
And in return?
You get to witness what it looks like when love comes full circle — and if you’re lucky, your heart just might grow three sizes bigger.
And if you feel called to do even more, we’re growing our team. We’re hiring a new Guardian support and operations coordinator to help us deepen our impact. If you’re passionate about people, pets, and purposeful work, we’d love to hear from you.
To learn more, become a Forever Guardian, make a donation, or explore how you can be part of The Pet Cottage community, please visit http://www.thepetcottage.org or call us at (561) 818-5025.
You’re also welcome to reach out directly to Wendy Derhak, founder and executive director, at [email protected].
Together, we write a story where pets and people find each other at just the right time — and every chapter that follows is filled with love, connection, and the kind of belonging that makes life sweeter.
Lisa, Ronnie, and Lola Grace
Lynn, Lisa, Sugar, and Tuffy
Michelle and Sally
Nonnie and Fiona, the Shihtzu, 15 years old
Norma, 91 years old, July 2025
Norma and Ret
Ron, Scooter, and Holly
