New England Border Collie Rescue, Inc. (NEBCR) is a group of volunteers working to find homes for stray, abandoned or unwanted Border Collies.

Our coverage area includes the New England states of Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont, as well as Eastern New York State and Northern New Jersey.

The Border Collie developed centuries ago in Britain as a herding dog to help manage the large flocks of sheep that grazed on the vast mountainous pastures of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales.

The breed is still used today as a herding dog, and still bred for its herding ability or instincts. Their inborn traits, the instinct to gather, the intelligence to understand what is required, the independence to work at far distances from the shepherd, the ability to cooperate with a shepherd, and the stamina to run the hills all day long when necessary, are what makes the breed sought after for dog sports like obedience, agility, frisbee and flyball; but they are also what makes the breed difficult as a pet or companion.

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NEBCR, Inc. believes that senior dogs make the best additions to the homes of retired people and senior citizens, and we also think that a senior citizen or retired person can be the best rehoming option for a senior dog. In honor of NEBCR's dear friend, and longtime Border Collie rescue advocate and volunteer, Pat Sides, we have created the Seniors for Seniors program.

Many senior dogs that come into rescue have come from living with senior citizens. Often, their owners have passed away or gone into assisted living. These dogs are used to living with an older person or persons, in a quiet environment. Just because their owner is gone, does not mean they don't still have a lot of life or love left to give.

Many senior citizens want a younger dog because they are afraid to adopt a dog they think might die soon, perhaps leaving them bereaved again soon after the loss of another elderly pet. But Border Collies are a long lived breed. Most live to 14, 15, or even 16 years old, and some have been known to live longer than that, especially with the enormous advancements in food and veterinary care now available. A dog can die at any age, so one that has already reached maturity is likely to be one that has been healthy all its life. Even if a dog is on medication for some condition, does not mean a shorter or lower quality life.

For senior citizens, these dogs represent a calmer, less active pet, which is therefore more suited to a less active lifestyle. Sometimes senior citizens remember their previous dog when he or she was young and active, and think that's what they want. But keep in mind, when your previous dog was young, you were younger and more active yourself. A young, active dog might be more difficult for you to handle today, and may not be appropriate to your current lifestyle. We have gotten many young dogs in rescue (even puppies) because they proved to be "too much" for their older owners.

We would like to encourage senior citizens and retired people to consider adopting a senior dog.

In order to help this happen, NEBCR is prepared to make it easy for you to adopt a senior dog if you are a senior citizen. If you are 60 years of age or older, we will help you adopt one of our senior dogs (a dog 10 years or older), by waiving our adoption fee altogether, providing and paying for ALL necessary vet care prior to adoption (even expensive surgery if called for), and through other incentives as they are available.

To help with this program, we are looking into food donations and coupons for the purchase of dog food formulated especially for seniors (please contact us for more info.) We are also looking for discounts from dog supplies companies. And of course, we are seeking donations to help fund this program.

Senior dogs are often great characters. Many of our own rescue volunteers have adopted a senior dog that they were fostering because they grew attached to them and found them endearing, entertaining, and full of life. If you are a senior citizen, we hope that this new program will open your eyes and that you will open your heart to one of our wonderful senior Border Collies.

CLICK HERE for a listing of ALL dogs currently available for adoption. PLEASE NOTE that Senior dogs ONLY (10 years+) are available as part of the Seniors for Seniors program.

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