A central Ohio organization that finds homes for dogs that might otherwise be euthanized will launch an adoption program next week with local senior citizens.

Since being established by three central Ohio women nearly five years ago, Almost Home Dog Rescue of Ohio Inc. has removed more than 400 dogs from animal shelters and puppy mills, and placed them in homes.

Now, the group hopes to tap into a new source for saving dogs by partnering with Senior Citizens Inc. of Delaware County.

On Wednesday, AHDRO representatives will visit Senior Citizens Inc., 800 Cheshire Road, from 9 a.m. to noon to explain the organization's services. They hope to persuade local seniors to adopt older collies, shelties and other "family-friendly" dogs, so they won't be euthanized.

"I'm really hopeful that this program is going to have a huge impact in the lives of these older dogs that might otherwise die," said Daryl Halvacs, AHDRO's adoption coordinator. "We want the dogs to be able to live out long lives with a sense of dignity instead of losing their lives in shelters."

Established in December 2003, AHDRO attempts to provide homeless collies, shelties and other dogs with a safe home where they'll be sure to receive medical care, nutrition and love. Through annual fund-raising activities, the organization is able to finance the dogs' medical care, food and other needs so adoptive families and individuals incur no out-of-pocket expenses.

So far in 2008, 53 dogs have been placed in homes.

"The main thing is getting them out of shelters where they're going to be euthanized," Halvacs said. "The program enables older adults to have the companionship of an older dog at no expense.

"We need permanent homes for these dogs. A lot of people just dump them in shelters."

AHDRO also works to find homes for younger dogs which wind up in animal shelters, but the focus of the program with Senior Citizens Inc. is older dogs. Halvacs said that's because they often are passed over for puppies and other younger dogs.

In addition to companionship, Halvacs said, older dogs are a good fit with senior citizens because the dogs typically adjust quickly to their new homes and owners. They usually are housebroken, she said, and are less apt to chew up owners' belongings.

Additionally, she said, senior citizens often already have retired and have more time on their hands.

"I think seniors would be a great fit because they have time to devote to animals that are going to be in their homes," she said. "They have time to spend with the dogs, and these older dogs need that because they've been tossed away."

In addition to explaining the organization's mission and introducing homeless dogs to seniors on Wednesday, AHDRO representatives will provide applications to prospective foster parents.

Once an individual or couple submits an application, AHDRO officers visit applicants' homes to make sure they can provide a safe haven for the dog, and to ensure better matches.

Halvacs said the group also will look for seniors who might not want to adopt a dog, but would be willing to provide transportation for dogs in need of medical care.

"If it doesn't work out in the foster home for some reason, we will move that dog to another home and find a new dog for the original foster parent," she said. "If we can get more foster homes, we can save more lives."

nellis@thisweeknews.com