Today we’d like to introduce you to Wendy Derhak.
Wendy, before we jump into specific questions about the organization, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
Hi, I am Wendy, the founder and Executive Director of The Pet Cottage. The Pet Cottage is a private sanctuary for pets that lose their humans due to death, disability or deployment. We become guardians to pets that lose their people specifically for the reasons stated in our mission. Prior to the birth of Pet Cottage, I had a small fitness business for seniors. I would go to my client’s homes and guide them in their exercise program. My demographic was primarily women ages 60 -90. They wanted to be healthy and participate in the exercise in their own homes. I became close with many of my clients and a few adopted me as their family.
Many of these seniors had pets sharing their homes with them. I am an animal lover and always appreciated the pets being part of my visit. I became particularly close with two women Joan and Elsa. They, in turn, became friends because of their relationship with me. Joan had never married; she did not have children and was an only child. Her family was her three beloved cats. In 2010 she was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and I became her caretaker. As the end of this life was coming her biggest concern was for her cats. Shadow who was 21, Jeremy and Smokey were 17. We began researching how to make me their guardians once she passed. We didn’t know about pet trusts or the best procedure for ensuring the cats’ care. We had Joan’s lawyer prepare an agreement.
Joan passed away in March of 2012. Shadow had already passed before her. Smokey and Jeremy came to live with me and that was the birth of The Pet Cottage. After Joan was gone, I wanted to create something that would honor her and her love of animals. An organization that became champions for pets who lose their people because of death seemed appropriate. At first, our mission was just death and then it became clear that often people become ill or unable because of age-related issues to care for their pets. The deployment followed as we became aware of the need to support our troop’s pets when they go to serve.
We are mission-specific and we stay in our lane. Right now, we serve through a foster network. When pets are accepted into our program, they are promised a home for life. Most are senior pets and they go to forever fosters, meaning they live the rest of their lives with that person or family. The Pet Cottage remains involved in their care and they are checked in on regularly by Furry Godmothers. Our intention is to have a sanctuary property where pets can live out the remainder of their lives. The property will allow us to serve more pets.
A secret benefit to our services is that we are able to assist senior people who want a pet to successfully care for one. There is a serious loneliness crisis in our senior population and pets are one solution.
Has it been a smooth road?
I worked for a non-profit in New Hampshire in the ’80s and ’90s, so I was familiar with non-profits, but I had never started one. There is so much to know. You start an impact organization from your heart and you want to serve, but there is so much more to it. Non-profit compliance and your Board of Directors is critical. The other critical piece is fundraising, where do you get the money to serve your community. I am learning something new every day and I am never bored.
Please tell us about the organization.
We are a sanctuary for pets that lose their humans due to death, disability or deployment. We become lifetime guardians, which means once they are in our pack, they are always part of our package. We are most proud of the pack we have created. We look out for each other, pets and people alike. Everyone needs a pack
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
The need for sanctuaries for senior pets is only going to increase. As our population ages and people have pets for companionship, more pets will be homeless as their people pass away.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.thepetcottage.org
- Phone: 561-935-1280
- Email: thepetcottage@hotmail.com
- Instagram: thepetcottagejupiter
- Facebook: The Pet Cottage
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