Peppers Impact Report 2025 by PSDS

FROM THE FOUNDERS

2025 was an exciting year for us, and we would love to update you on everything we have accomplished with your support.

Our staffing and operations are more efficient and effective than ever. Over the past two years we’ve implemented improvements that significantly enhance the well-being of the dogs at PSDS. Our team has grown to 19 staff members, and we’ve added a dedicated Dog Behavior Manager whose sole responsibility is to maximize each dog’s happiness and enrichment. As a result, we’re able to intake and care for more dogs, faster and more safely than before.

Our volunteer program has grown to over 211 active volunteers with more and more volunteer opportunities than ever before. This year not only have they continued to help us take such amazing care of the dogs, they have expanded their roles to include helping with facility and grounds maintenance. Volunteers are now working with our community groups in an expanded capacity. Also, some larger volunteer groups have helped us tackle some larger projects, such as our new longer walking path and the final touches on Buffy’s Backyard.

Growing our community partner program has been one of the most significant and important initiatives for PSDS. In 2025, we were fortunate enough to offer PSDS to more local schools, organizations, senior centers, and hospitals. It is truly magical to see the connection that the senior dogs have with all the different groups in our community.

Finding new and innovative ways to further support our pack has always been top of mind for us. In 2026, we will be embarking on several new projects to improve our promise to be here for it all… the good days, bad days, and last days. We will be

breaking ground on “Rosie’s Retreat,” an expansion designed to add additional housing for dogs in quarantine and dogs requiring more specialized behavioral care. This will allow us to continue to relieve the burden on our shelter partners by welcoming more dogs to the Sanctuary.

We would like to thank you all from the bottom of our hearts for your continued support and love for our amazing dogs. We will continue to be thoughtful stewards of your generosity and look forward to welcoming more of you to the Sanctuary for the world’s best senior dog snuggles.

In gratitude,

Mary Justin

Mary Leprino and Justin Klemer Founders, Pepper’s Senior Dog Sanctuary

WHO WE ARE NEW IN 2025

Mission Statement

Pepper’s Senior Dog Sanctuary provides a compassionate, loving, lifelong home where elderly dogs are cared for during their good days, bad days, and last days.

Meet The Board

Jill Farnham

Susan Friedman

Dr. Carolyn Karrh

Mary Leprino (President)

Phil Lipof

Sally Root

J. Brad Olson

Buffy’s Backyard

Buffy’s Backyard, added to the Sanctuary in 2025, was inspired by Buffy, one of our earliest residents who lived with special needs and dementia. Buffy often became disoriented and would become trapped in corners, which made outdoor time stressful and limited for her and similar dogs. Thanks to a generous donation from volunteer Judi Cantrell, we built a specially designed outdoor play area with no corners and a continuous circular walking path to minimize confusion and anxiety. The space features level turf for comfortable footing, gentle landscaping for sensory enrichment, and a tall solid fence to block wind and ensure safety and privacy for our residents. Buffy’s Backyard has not only expanded safe outdoor time for dogs with cognitive and mobility challenges, it has also become a peaceful, joyful place where staff, volunteers, and visitors can connect with and celebrate the lives of the dogs. Beautiful murals around the fence honor former residents and remind us of the Sanctuary’s mission to provide dignity, care, and love in every season of a dog’s life.

TED

Ted came to PSDS from “4 Paws 4 Life” after being transferred from the South. When he arrived, he had significant mite infestation, and the presumed diagnosis of Immune Mediated Ischemic Dermatopathy, where his immune system attacks his blood vessels and causes skin issues. After his arrival we did confirm his skin condition as well as diagnosed secondary skin infections and eye conditions. His skin care regimen is intensive, and after a year of treatment he looks the best he has since his arrival. Ted has won over everyone’s heart with his tolerance, resilience, and cheeky personality.

PEPPER’S MAGIC

A Fur-Ever Home For High-Risk Senior Dogs

Pepper’s exists to help ease the overcrowding of local and national shelters, while providing lifelong care to dogs who may have otherwise been euthanized. Senior dogs are referred to us by animal welfare organizations who have been unable to place a dog for adoption. Our veterinary team then assesses if Pepper’s is the right fit for the dog, and then our staff and volunteers welcome these dogs to our Sanctuary to live out the rest of their days.

The Number Of Senior Dogs Needing A Loving Home Continues To Increase

Senior dogs are a highly vulnerable population in U.S. animal shelters, and make up a significant portion of dogs residing there. Recent studies show that 23% of senior dogs are adopted compared to over 60% of puppies and younger dogs. Senior dogs can sometimes require more extensive medical attention, and the cost of veterinary care for these older dogs can be 60% higher than that for younger dogs, placing a substantial financial burden on shelter resources. That’s why we are here to help!

How You Can Help

Community involvement through donations (monetary and in-kind), volunteering, and advocacy can significantly enhance the resources needed to care for senior dogs. Medical expenses, specialized food and bedding, and medications are just a few large expenses that we encounter at the Sanctuary. Our volunteers are our greatest resource, who allow us to provide the best quality care to every dog, and are able to give our dogs companionship and love.

CONTINUED

PEPPER’S MAGIC

Senior Dog Speciality Care

Many of our dogs enter the Sanctuary needing significant medical care and support to start living a full life again. Fortunately, our shelter partners saw their potential. Often, after the extraordinary care from our Veterinary and Care Teams, many people will ask “Why is this dog here, they look fine?” We are proud that Pepper’s dogs appear healthy and happy, but providing care to senior dogs is labor intensive, expensive, and life-long, and could be more than the average family can accommodate. This is why senior dogs are difficult to place, and why Pepper’s exists… to welcome senior dogs home.

We give our “pack” the most loving Fur-ever home by offering:

z Communal bedrooms

z A year-round indoor dog park

z 50 acres of outdoor area for exercise and play

z Aqua Therapy

z Grooming Center

z Physical & Behavioral Therapists

z On-site medical and rehabilitation clinic

Additionally, for PSDS senior dogs nearing the end of their lives, our team provides round-the-clock hospice care, ensuring their comfort and care until their very last moments.

SENIOR DOG HEALTH

Pepper’s is fortunate to have a licensed, on-site veterinary team dedicated to the health, nutrition, and individualized care plans of our senior rescued dogs. While maintaining a full-time veterinary team is a significant expense, the expertise and around-the-clock availability of our staff enable us to provide complex care for these animals. This specialized medical support allows Pepper’s to give a second chance at a healthy and happy life to dogs who might otherwise be euthanized.

131 Vaccinations

To help prevent infection and keep everyone healthy and safe, our vet team distributed a total of 131 vaccines last year. These include Rabies, Distemper, Lepto, and Bordetella. In 2025, most of our dogs also received the canine Flu VX to protect our medically compromised residents.

158 Water Treadmill Sessions

As an added health benefit, some seniors are able to exercise using a special treadmill that is submerged in water. Our aqua therapy provides warm water and the benefit of buoyancy to encourage ease of movement with little to no added pressure on the joints. This therapy is particularly beneficial for our dogs with joint dysfunction and neurological disabilities, like our “cover boy” Spirit.

342 Rehab/Massage Treatments

Senior dogs rely on massage and rehabilitation exercises to help maintain health and quality of life. Specifically, massage is used to help increase blood flow, flexibility, and range of motion. Certain rehabilitation exercises encourage strengthening, muscle and ligament flexibility, proprioception and balance, along with endurance and weight management.

527 Laser Treatments

Laser therapy increases circulation and cell turnover to help reduce pain, swelling, and inflammation. While speeding up the healing process and recovery times, it helps achieve pain control without having to increase medications that can damage the liver and kidneys.

25 Dental Procedures (94 EXTRACTIONS)

Just like with humans, receiving dental care significantly impacts our dogs’ quality of life. Dental diseases can cause bacteria to spread through the body and affect organs in some cases. Many of the dogs that come to our Sanctuary need immediate dental care for broken and/or diseased teeth that need removal.

VOLUNTEERS

PSDS volunteers go above and beyond for our organization and bring a wealth of skills, knowledge, and experience that allow PSDS to provide the best days to senior dogs who are enjoying their last days with the compassionate care they deserve. From dog walking to laundry, socialization and enrichment, volunteers are our biggest champions and one of our greatest assets. Our Volunteer Coordinator works closely with volunteers to ensure they find shifts that maximize impact based on volunteer skills, interests, and physical abilities. By taking on essential daily tasks, volunteers allow staff to focus on medical care, improve strategic planning and Sanctuary growth, and provide high-quality care to all of our residents. Volunteers often tell us how much they appreciate the opportunity to come to Pepper’s to help care for our dogs, leaving each time with a greater sense of purpose and fulfillment, improved knowledge of care and a strong emotional commitment to our mission. Our senior residents look forward to their daily volunteer companionship as much as one another’s.

To get started, please visit our website at www .psds .org or email volunteer@psds .org

2025 Volunteer Statistics

ACTIVE VOLUNTEERS: 211 VOLUNTEER HOURS: 13,118

VOLUNTEER VALUE: $508,191.32*

* The current estimated value for each volunteer hour in Colorado is $38.74 according to the Value of Volunteer Time report compiled by the Independent Sector and Do Good Institute.

KEYSA

Keysa was the very first dog to call Pepper’s Senior Dog Sanctuary home and taught our team what compassionate, senior care rescue looks like in practice… patient, steady, and endlessly welcoming. Over 805 days at PSDS, she required a specialized diet and a precise feeding schedule for her sensitive stomach, and her care helped us refine our protocols for other dogs with medical needs. As our official greeter, Keysa warmly welcomed countless dogs, volunteers, and visitors, helping to create the calm, trusting atmosphere that defines our Sanctuary. We miss her deeply, but are profoundly grateful she spent so much of her life with us and helped lay the foundation for everything PSDS has become.

COMMUNITY GIVEBACK

Pepper’s offers a safe place for people as well as dogs. In 2025, our Sanctuary increased our community partnerships by offering a space for learning, healing, and connection to the following organizations:

Castle Rock Senior Center

Castle Rock Young Rotarians and Rotary Society

Craig Hospital

Donor Alliance

Firefly Autism Adult Program

Garden Autism

Gerrity Group

Grief Groups for PSDS

InnovAge Senior Center

Jeffco Public School Transition

Littleton Girl Scout Troup

Malley Recreation Center

Roxborough Boy Scouts

Willowbrook Place Assisted Living

Wellspring Community Stars

LEARN MORE

If you would like to learn more about Pepper’s, how to support our mission or sponsor one of our residents, become a volunteer, or any other information, please contact us at the numbers or addresses below:

PSDS WISHLIST

Want to make an immediate impact by donating much-needed supplies? Below are some of the items that are always in high-demand. You can also view and purchase items from our Amazon Wish List by scanning the QR code below. If you have any questions about specific items, quantities, etc. email us at donations@psds .org or call 303 .222 .0082 .

z Dog Beds (must be entirely machine washable)

z Toddler Bed-Sized Mattresses (must be entirely machine washable)

z Blankets (must be machine washable)

z Towels

z Pill Pockets (peanut butter is a favorite!)

z Red, Yellow, Green Collars

z Red, Yellow, Green Harnesses

z Puzzle Feeders

z Lick Mats

z Enrichment Toys

z Dehydrated Beef Liver Treats (beef liver as the only ingredient—see example of preferred brand)

z Dehydrated Salmon Treats (salmon as the only ingredient—see example of preferred brand)