About the K-9 Hospice Corporation
Nestled in the Arkansas River Valley, between Mt. Nebo and and the beautiful Petit Jean Mountain, lies a simple acreage, the original home of the K-9 Hospice. The dream of retired Gerald Laswell, the K-9 Hospice was born in 2005 - a no-kill non-profit sanctuary for old, sick, homeless, or abused dogs. "It's based on Christian ethics and values," says Gerald, "all being applied to dogs."
Gerald's vision was to prove that a person of modest means could provide a simple but loving canine home to dogs many believed were unadoptable. The K-9 Hospice was built on a model for human hospice care - a loving, caring place where a dog could live out its days with all the companionship and comforts a dog could want, appropriate veterinary care, and superb nutrition. His "experiment" succeeded far beyond his hopes and expectations, and he has provided a home to hundreds of dogs over the past four years. Through the care of Gerald and his committed staff, wounds have been healed, trust regained, and dogs enjoy ample sunshine and room to run, bark, dig, and just be a dog.
As the dog numbers grew, an adoption program was created to find loving forever homes for as many dogs as possible, and the K-9 Hospice has served as a much-needed supplement to area animal shelters.
During 2008 and 2009, as economic hardships hit more and more families, the K-9 Hospice saw an enormous increase in "drop-offs" - dogs simply left on or near the K-9 Hospice property by owners no longer able to care for them, in hopes they would be taken in by K-9 Hospice. This created an additional and unexpected burden for the K-9 Hospice - a burden made more difficult by Gerald's declining health. In the summer of 2009, the hard decision was made by Gerald to move himself into assisted living, and his dogs to a new site where they could continue receiving the love and care they so deserved.
Gerald teamed up with a friend and colleague, Jan Plant, who previously headed the rescue group Furry Friends in Need. With her help and use of her own funds to purchase a nearby mountain site, the Humane Society of the Greater River Valley was formed (not associated with the HSUS), and the dogs of the K-9 Hospice were relocated during the summer and fall of 2009. Though the HSGRV and K-9 Hospice remain two distinct organizations, the K-9 Hospice dogs now reside in this unique 40-acre mountain top home.
Currently the Humane Society of the Greater River Valley and the K-9 Hospice are home to 130 dogs - tall ones, short ones, mutts and purebreds, pups and old folks, dogs with one eye or 3 legs, missing ears or tails, and dogs recovering from various illnesses or skin conditions. We rely 100% on the donations of individuals and organizations, and on volunteers to care for our dogs.
Both Gerald and Jan emphasize the importance of spaying and neutering in order to reduce the number of unwanted dogs roaming our streets and highways or abused and neglected dogs in inadequate homes.
The K-9 Hospice continues to depend on the generosity of numerous volunteers to help with the daily care and upkeep. Despite his own recent health problems, Gerald remains active in caring for the dogs, raising funds, and promoting adoptions.
We are constantly in need of quality dog food and all the other products and equipment necessary to provide a comfortable home to a dog. Contact Us if you can help, or make a donation right now using our secure PayPal link below (click Donate)! The K-9 Hospice is a non-profit, tax exempt 501(c)3 organization.
Gerald Laswell with 2 of his visiting grandkids and (left to right) Momma Dog, Harry, and Denver (who went home with the kids to a new forever home).