ANNIKA

Cherished Tails focuses mainly on seniors and special needs dogs who are at risk in local shelters due to age, medical or behavior. In addition to adoptions we also provide “fospice” care (through our Permanent Paws program) for the underdogs of the shelter world - those that are too advanced in age or have medical or behavioral conditions preventing them from being adoptable. In our program they are able to live out their lives in comfort and in a home setting where they are loved and treated as any personal or family dog would be! Our model is unique in that we don’t have a facility and our concept of sanctuary is not a “place” but rather a “philosophy” of providing sanctuary to animals desperately in need of peace and care, which is our shared goal and heart of our work. Unlike traditional shelters, where animals live in kennels, because CTSS places rescued dogs in foster homes, they are provided the individualized care necessary resulting in better outcomes.

In the summer of 2021 we started a new program called Cherished Tomorrows to serve younger dogs who are at risk due to space in rural “border” shelters in Arizona. Despite all of the current challenges in animal welfare, CTSS continues to do our best to provide quality care and safe placement for the animals we commit to and bring into the rescue. In 2026 we are planning to expand by starting a small pilot program to provide temporary care for pets of people in crisis needing a safe landing while they secure housing or go to the hospital to care for their own health needs. Our goal is to keep families together!