Pepper's Senior Dog Sanctuary

What Pepper's Senior Dog Sanctuary does

Pepper's Senior Dog Sanctuary (PSDS) is a Colorado-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation (EIN 83-3612767) founded in 2019 and headquartered at a single physical sanctuary site at 7000 Roxborough Park Road, Littleton, Colorado. The organization provides lifelong residential care for elderly dogs during their final life stage, maintaining 29 current resident dogs as listed on the website and a separate In Memoriam roster of 44 dogs previously in care. Annual cost per dog is $30,300, decomposed into $9,300 medical services, $20,100 care team services, and $900 food. The organization operates exclusively as an animal welfare nonprofit and is not a technology company; core infrastructure consists of a Squarespace website, a QGIV-powered donation portal, a volunteer portal, and a Halobranded merchandise store.

PSDS's business model is multi-stream nonprofit fundraising. Primary revenue mechanisms include direct one-time and recurring donations through QGIV, the Paws and Pals monthly dog-sponsorship program (subscription recurring gifting), Meg's Garden lifetime memorial sponsorships (boulders at $5,000, benches at $2,500, paws at $1,000), the Judi Soule-Cantrell Giving Society for planned giving (over $1 million committed), an annual Pepper 'Em With Love Gala that raised more than $450,000 in 2025, a paid Corporate Volunteer Program ($400 per group of up to 8; $300 minimum), a Sanctuary Tour program launching January 2026 at $15 per person, and ancillary streams including King Soopers Community Rewards, Amazon Wishlist in-kind donations, and merchandise sales.

The organization serves two distinct stakeholder groups: the senior dogs in its direct care, and a wider human constituency of individual donors, monthly sponsors, planned-gift donors, corporate partners (including a 2026 gala presenting sponsorship by BNY Wealth), and participants in three community enrichment programs — Paws to Profession (autistic adults), Seniors Helping Seniors (memory care residents), and Pawsitive Pathways (transition students via Cherry Creek School District and Jeffco Transition School partnerships). PSDS holds a Charity Navigator 4-Star rating, a 2022 Candid ACWIS Gold Seal, a Great Nonprofits Top-Rated badge, and is a member of Save Senior Dogs USA.

Name

Pepper's Senior Dog Sanctuary

Legal name

Pepper's Dog Sanctuary

Website

https://psds.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2019

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Pepper's Senior Dog Sanctuary is a Colorado-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides lifelong residential care for elderly dogs at its Littleton sanctuary, funded by individual donors, monthly sponsorships, an annual gala, planned gifts, corporate volunteer fees, and community enrichment programs serving neurodiverse adults, memory care seniors, and transition students.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Animal Welfare Services

NAICS

Pet Care (except Veterinary) Services (81291)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Geriatric Pet Boarding (24/7 Supervision & Comfort Care) (HSANAJAB)

akta.pro secondary industry

Special Needs & Senior Pet Boarding (HSANADAH)

Keywords

• Senior dog care
• Animal sanctuary services
• Nonprofit dog rescue
• Community enrichment programs
• Planned giving programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Littleton

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Direct Donations: One-time and recurring monetary contributions from individual donors supporting the sanctuary's general operations and senior dog care programs.
2. Paws and Pals Monthly Sponsorship: Monthly recurring donor program where sponsors cover $30,300 annual cost per dog for food, medical services, care team, and therapies. Sponsors receive branded items and annual sanctuary event invitations.
3. Planned Giving and Memorials: Legacy giving through will/trust bequests, charitable gift annuities, remainder trusts, and Donor Advised Funds. Memorial program offering lifetime sponsorships of memorial boulders ($5,000), benches ($2,500), and paws ($1,000) in Meg's Garden. Over $1 million committed through planned gifts.
4. Meg's Garden Memorials: Lifetime sponsorship of engraved memorial boulders, benches, and paws in Meg's Garden to honor loved ones (pets or humans) while supporting senior dog care.
5. Sanctuary Tours: Weekend guided tours of the sanctuary starting January 2026, available Saturdays at 10:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. for $15 per person. Limited to 10 participants, minimum age 14. Free weekday tours available based on availability.
6. Corporate Volunteer Program: Paid corporate team-building experiences at the sanctuary with sponsorship model. Groups up to 8 people donate $400 ($50/person, $300 minimum) for 2-4 hour staff-guided volunteer experiences including facility tasks and dog interaction.
7. Annual Gala and Events: Signature annual fundraising gala featuring cocktail reception, live and silent auctions, seated dinner, benefit concert by celebrity performers, and corporate sponsorship tiers. The 2025 gala raised over $450,000.
8. Third-Party Fundraising Support: Support for community fundraisers including bake sales, car washes, restaurant nights, and social media fundraisers. E-Press Kit provided for branding and tools.
9. King Soopers Community Rewards: Kroger loyalty program partnership allowing supporters to link their Shopper's Card to earn donations based on everyday shopping.
10. Merchandise Sales: Branded merchandise sold through Halobranded online store.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels8 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Pepper's Senior Dog Sanctuary operates a physical, lifelong-care sanctuary for elderly dogs at its Littleton, Colorado facility, accepting senior dogs regardless of age or health condition. The organization sustains operations through individual donations, monthly dog sponsorships (Paws and Pals), planned giving, an annual fundraising gala, paid guided tours, corporate volunteer programs, and a branded merchandise store, while running community enrichment programs that pair senior dogs with autistic adults, memory care seniors, and transition school students.

Product overview

Pepper's Senior Dog Sanctuary operates as a Colorado-based nonprofit providing lifelong care for elderly dogs. The organization offers a portfolio of programs including: the Paws and Pals monthly sponsorship program for individual dog care ($30,300/year per dog); Meg's Garden memorial sponsorship (benches, paws, boulders); the annual Pepper's Gala fundraising event; an online merchandise store; individual and corporate volunteer opportunities; weekend sanctuary tours; and three community enrichment programs—Paws to Profession (autistic adult workforce development), Seniors Helping Seniors (elderly memory care companionship), and Pawsitive Pathways (student transition support). Planned giving options through the Judi Soule-Cantrell Giving Society support long-term funding with over $1 million in committed gifts.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Paws and Pals: Monthly donor community program allowing sponsors to cover essential care costs including food, vaccines, medications, therapies, and medical care for senior dogs.
• Judi Soule-Cantrell Giving Society
• Meg's Garden

Products and services

• Paws and Pals Monthly Sponsorship Monthly recurring donor sponsorship program enabling supporters to cover the $30,300 annual cost of care (food, vaccines, medications, therapies, medical care) for individual senior dogs. Sponsors receive branded items, two annual sanctuary event invitations, and end-of-year updates on their sponsored dog.
• Meg's Garden Memorials Lifetime memorial sponsorship offerings in Meg's Garden including memorial boulders ($5,000), benches ($2,500), and paws ($1,000) to honor loved ones (pets or people) while supporting senior dog care.
• Judi Soule-Cantrell Giving Society Planned giving society offering legacy giving through will/trust bequests, charitable gift annuities, remainder trusts, and Donor Advised Funds. Over $1 million committed through planned gifts.
• Pepper Em With Love Annual Gala Annual premier fundraising gala featuring cocktail reception, live and silent auctions, seated dinner, benefit concert by celebrity performers, and corporate sponsorship tiers. The 2025 gala raised over $450,000 from 400+ guests.
• Sanctuary Tours Guided weekend tours of the sanctuary starting January 2026, offered Saturdays at 10:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. for $15 per person. Limited to 10 participants, minimum age 14. Free weekday tours available based on availability.
• Corporate Volunteer Program Paid corporate team-building volunteer experiences at the sanctuary. Groups up to 8 people donate $400 ($50/person, $300 minimum) for 2-4 hour staff-guided sessions including facility tasks and dog interaction, available Tuesdays and Fridays 9-12pm or 2-4pm.
• Paws to Profession Community enrichment program pairing autistic adults with senior dogs for social-emotional wellbeing, workforce development training, and job readiness skill building in collaboration with professional caregivers.
• Seniors Helping Seniors Program connecting retirement community, independent living, and memory care residents with senior dogs for social interaction, cognitive stimulation, and emotional support.
• Pawsitive Pathways Transition school program providing hands-on learning experiences for students with IEP or 504 Plans, using senior dogs to address emotional and social needs while building job readiness and life skills, in partnership with Cherry Creek School District Transition Program and Jeffco Transition School.
• PSDS Branded Merchandise Store Online merchandise store selling branded apparel and accessories for supporters of the sanctuary, operated through the Halobranded online store platform.
• Direct Donation Program Secure online donation portal via QGIV platform supporting one-time and recurring monetary contributions from individual donors for the sanctuary's general operations and senior dog care programs.

Quantifiable outcome

• 2025 Gala raised over $450,000 from 400+ guests
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• Save Senior Dogs USAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerActive member organization of Save Senior Dogs USA national network, a consortium of senior dog rescue organizations. Listed in their members directory with logo displayed on PSDS website footer.
• BNY WealthflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerPresenting sponsor for the 2026 Pepper Em With Love Gala. BNY Wealth logo featured prominently on gala marketing materials as the event's presenting sponsor.
• Cherry Creek School District Transition ProgramcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducational partner for Pawsitive Pathways program providing transition support for students with IEP/504 Plans. Students engage in hands-on learning experiences with senior dogs to improve job readiness and life skills.
• Jeffco Transition SchoolcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducational partner for Pawsitive Pathways program serving students navigating pivotal life transitions. Collaboration provides unique learning opportunities alongside canine companions for personal growth and employment preparation.
• Silver Spur MarketingminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPR and marketing agency handling media inquiries for the organization. Bradley Joseph, Principal at Silver Spur Marketing, serves as media contact for gala and event coverage.
• King SoopersminorGTM or Marketing PartnerKroger brand grocery chain partnership through Community Rewards program. Supporters link their Shopper's Card to PSDS and donations are earned based on everyday shopping purchases.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• ASPCA: One of the largest national animal welfare organizations, offering adoption, rescue, and senior pet programs. Operates on a much larger scale and broader geographic footprint than PSDS.
• Lifeline Animal Project: Atlanta-based animal welfare nonprofit running shelters, adoption programs, and community pet support services. Comparable as a regional animal-welfare nonprofit, but broader in scope than PSDS's senior-only focus.
• Best Friends Animal Society: National leader in no-kill animal welfare, operating the Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in Utah. A broad incumbent that includes senior pet care within a much wider mission and donor base.

Others

• PetSmart Charities: Funding arm of PetSmart that grants to animal welfare nonprofits. Acts as a potential funder and ecosystem participant rather than direct competitor; relevant as a comparable philanthropic channel.

Regional players

• Mountain Pet Rescue: Colorado-based nonprofit dog rescue serving the mountain communities, including senior dogs. Regional peer operating in PSDS's home geography with overlapping donor base and senior-dog population.
• Senior Dog Rescue of Oregon: Oregon-based nonprofit dedicated to rescuing and rehoming senior dogs, with a regional focus. Operates as a foster-based rescue rather than a physical sanctuary, making it a regional peer in the same senior-dog niche.

Direct peers

• Muttville Senior Dog Rescue: San Francisco-based nonprofit focused on rescuing and rehoming senior dogs (ages 7+), with a sanctuary model and adoption programs. Directly comparable to PSDS in mission, target population, and nonprofit donor-driven model.
• Old Friends Senior Dog Sanctuary: Tennessee-based nonprofit sanctuary providing lifelong care for elderly dogs that cannot be adopted. Operates a physical sanctuary with volunteer and donation programs, mirroring PSDS's core care model.
• Safe Haven Pet Sanctuary: Nonprofit sanctuary in Wisconsin providing lifelong care for special-needs and senior animals. Comparable to PSDS in physical sanctuary model, special-needs focus, and donor-funded operations.
• The Senior Dogs Project: Nonprofit organization dedicated to the rescue, adoption, and hospice care of senior dogs. Comparable to PSDS in its senior-dog-specific mission and educational/community engagement work.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/psdscolorado

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Pepper's Senior Dog Sanctuary