Local nonprofit provides sanctuary for dogs’ end-of-life

Brave Dogs Advocacy rescues senior dogs from animal shelters

By Kaylee Arca

Deep in the eastern hills of Morgan Hill, a tiny home houses 18 senior dogs. These elderly pups were adopted by Brave Dogs Advocacy, a nonprofit sanctuary that provides comfortable end-of-life care for dogs.

After a lifetime of advocating for dogs in local animal shelters, Armani Mondragon started Brave Dogs Advocacy in 2022. She started hosting the dogs in her living room near Henry W Coe State Park. But soon the operations outgrew the space and Mondragon designed and built a tiny house for the dogs on her property.

“Any little senior or hospice dogs, I bring them here for however much time they may have,” she said.

Some dogs may live with Brave Dogs Advocacy for years, while some only stay for a few days. No matter the time frame, Mondragon ensures their remaining time is spent in a comfortable environment opposite the typical overcrowded animal shelter experience. She even does the grooming for all 18 dogs.

“I take all senior dogs, and the only exception is that I would take a younger dog if it is on hospice,” she said. “I do have a three-year-old dog that came from a hoarding situation, but she probably doesn’t have much time. She has so many congenital defects. So that’s usually the only exception to the senior dog rule.”

Mondragon’s first senior hospice dog was an abandoned pitbull named Beauty from Dos Palos. Beauty was about 12 years old and had lived a miserable life. Mondragon named Beauty and renames all of the rescued dogs because most were abandoned and did not have a name when they joined the sanctuary. Beauty lived with Mondragon for three months.

“Beauty made me think about all the little seniors that get abandoned, that end up in the shelters . . . they’re a hard pull for a rescue,” she said.

When Mondragon first brought Beauty home, Beauty was afraid to play but she liked other dogs and was happy to be there.

“And then finally, one day she started playing and you know it meant the world to me to see her so happy and just being a dog,” she said. “But then to lose her so quickly was the game-changer. It was when I thought OK it was only three months of a good life but if I can do that for another dog I want to make sure they at least have some happy days before they go.”

Brave Dogs Advocacy does not offer the dogs for adoption. Most of the dogs are old, frail, and have medical issues that can be costly. She would also hate for an adopted dog to be returned to the sanctuary.

“You’re most likely never going to get them adopted,” she said. “Beauty was the one who kind of made me think . . . my focus turned to just seniors and hospice, they will come here and live out their life with me, however long that may be.”

Most of Brave Dogs Advocacy’s funds go to medical care. Mondragon partners with local veterinarians like Kirkwood Animal Hospital in Campbell and the VCA San Martin Animal Hospital. She also partners with Mini Cat Town’s Spay Shuttle to fix the dogs if needed.

One of the dogs, a pitbull named Alchemy, had a severe prostate problem and needed surgery. The surgery was quoted at $3,000, a large sum of money for a small rescue like Brave Dogs Advocacy.

Mondragon reached out to Dr. Samantha Gonzalez, a veterinarian who volunteers with Mini Cat Town, for help. Dr. Gonzalez was able to perform Alchemy’s procedure on the Spay Shuttle. The total cost was about $800 and included the surgery, biopsy, and all the medication and antibiotics he needed afterward.

Mondragon’s biggest challenge is fundraising. The initial funds came from her liquidated 401k and savings. Mondragon works a part-time job at the Morgan Hill Goodwill and tries to sell her art online to supplement funds. She lives frugally and is entertaining the idea of accepting volunteers.

Brave Dogs Advocacy is planning its first Holiday Boutique Fundraiser Dec. 7. More details will follow.

Kaylee Arca is a Morgan Hill-based freelance reporter.