Second chances: the story of Muttville

Sherri Franklin, a former hairstylist and volunteer at San Francisco dog shelters, founded Muttville Senior Dog Rescue in 2007 after witnessing the plight of senior dogs like Heidi, an elderly basset hound mix who was euthanized despite Franklin's efforts to find her a home. The rescue focuses on dogs aged 7 and older, a demographic that often faces longer waits in shelters. Muttville operates on a foster-based model, allowing potential adopters to understand the dogs' needs better. Over the years, the rescue has saved over 14,000 dogs, with many foster parents adopting their foster dogs, which they affectionately call 'foster wins'. Muttville's journey began in Franklin's home, where she cared for 1,078 dogs in its first five years. The rescue moved to a San Francisco SPCA building and eventually to a former factory, now a three-building campus. The facility offers various services, including a 'Seniors for Seniors' program that waives adoption fees for seniors. Volunteers like Pat Villano play a crucial role, and visitors like Jana DeGuzman Lee appreciate the open-door policy. Despite Heidi's tragic end, her story led to the creation of Muttville, which continues to find homes for senior dogs. Currently, Muttville is offering free adoptions until November 1 to encourage more families to adopt senior dogs. The facility is open for drop-ins from Tuesday to Sunday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. This story highlights the importance of organizations like Muttville in providing second chances to senior dogs, aligning with Lily's Second Chance's mission to help older dogs find loving homes.