A farmhouse in Valley Park is about to take in some unusual residents. After several months of renovations, the 114-year-old home will be rechristened later this spring as the Second Chance Ranch, a hospice sanctuary for more than 20 senior dogs and cats.
The project—the first of its kind in the area—is a joint venture between two St. Louis nonprofit organizations: The Wet Nose Project and Clare’s House. The former provides financial support to local animal rescues and partners with Meals on Wheels to deliver pet food and cat litter to senior citizens in need; the mission of Clare’s House is to find homes for family pets that have been orphaned or surrendered.
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Fenton resident Tracy Rumpf, co-founder of The Wet Nose Project, says many of the dogs that are euthanized every year in the United States are senior dogs. Some families surrender older dogs to shelters when health problems develop; other senior pets must be rehomed when their owners die or experience health issues of their own. Unfortunately, in these situations, the odds are stacked against older animals.
“Every dog should know love and warmth and comfort, no matter what age they are,” says Rumpf, a mother of four and a health care executive. “That’s what we’re going to do at Second Chance Ranch.”
The sanctuary will provide a comfortable home and appropriate medical care for its canine and feline residents, as well as around-the-clock volunteers who will shower them with love and affection. “There are going to be dog beds everywhere,” Rumpf says, and “no one will ever be in a kennel or crate.” A room just for senior cats will be full of “all sorts of great things that cats love.”
In addition, the half-acre property, which is part of Valley Mount Ranch, an equestrian center that offers boarding and riding lessons, will feature a fenced-in yard with a bone-shaped wading pool where the dogs can swim and play in the summer.
Steve Kraus, vice president of Valley Mount Ranch, grew up in the farmhouse and is excited to see it repurposed as a center to help animals. “Our whole family has been animal lovers. We’ve taken care of horses our whole lives,” he says. “Terri Economos from Clare’s House originally contacted me about the concept, and…I think the marriage between the two of them can fill a gap that other organizations don’t have the ability to handle.”
After securing the location, Rumpf and a small team of volunteers got to work soliciting donations to renovate the aging farmhouse and prepare it to care for the animals. As of late December, Martin-Jetco Heating & Air Conditioning, Baker Pool & Spa, and Flooring Systems Inc. had all agreed to donate materials or services to help make the sanctuary a reality.
The group also partnered with Candle Opera in Eureka to create a custom candle to support the sanctuary. In just 16 days, the partnership raised $12,000. Beginning last month, Candle Opera started offering a different candle for sale each season, with a portion of the proceeds going to the organization.
The Second Chance Ranch is entirely volunteer run, so every dime goes directly to support the residents. The first two—12-year-old Princess and her 11-year-old son Little Bear, both Shih Tzu–Yorkie mixes—are already lined up.
“Most [older animals] have some health issues, but minor or major, it doesn’t matter,” says Rumpf, who’s partnering with local veterinarians for now but hopes to one day open a small clinic at the ranch. “We’ll give them a great life for the rest of the time they have left.”
