**Updated as of 07/2025: We are not accepting any new dogs into our program at this time.
Who We Are
CKSDR is a small, volunteer-operated rescue located in central Colorado. With the help of dedicated foster homes, we work hard to ensure that all of Colorado's euthanasia-listed senior dogs find loving homes.
In June of 2012, CKSDR was founded by Sophiane and her mother Rebecca after they adopted Cayleb. Cayleb was an elderly German Shepherd mix who had been at a local shelter for quite a while with no hope of adoption. He joined their family for a very happy month before passing away from advanced liver cancer. In his memory, CKSDR was founded to assist other dogs like Cayleb- his "kindred spirits"- who are old, overlooked, and in need of help.
Since our founding, we have rescued over 150 euthanasia-listed senior dogs (plus a few cats and a couple rats) from Colorado shelters. When we first began our mission, we were accepted adoptable and hospice dogs. However, over the years there has been a welcome change. Shelters, rescues, and families looking to adopt have begun to realize how amazing senior animals are, and more and more adoptable seniors are going directly to adoptive homes rather than needing our intervention.
Our program now runs as a fospice. Shelters contact us when they have a senior that has either a terminal illness or a condition that requires specialized care that most adopters are unable to accommodate. We are then able to match them with one of our foster homes, who acts as their forever family while we provide all supplies, veterinary care, and any other support that's needed.
In June of 2012, CKSDR was founded by Sophiane and her mother Rebecca after they adopted Cayleb. Cayleb was an elderly German Shepherd mix who had been at a local shelter for quite a while with no hope of adoption. He joined their family for a very happy month before passing away from advanced liver cancer. In his memory, CKSDR was founded to assist other dogs like Cayleb- his "kindred spirits"- who are old, overlooked, and in need of help.
Since our founding, we have rescued over 150 euthanasia-listed senior dogs (plus a few cats and a couple rats) from Colorado shelters. When we first began our mission, we were accepted adoptable and hospice dogs. However, over the years there has been a welcome change. Shelters, rescues, and families looking to adopt have begun to realize how amazing senior animals are, and more and more adoptable seniors are going directly to adoptive homes rather than needing our intervention.
Our program now runs as a fospice. Shelters contact us when they have a senior that has either a terminal illness or a condition that requires specialized care that most adopters are unable to accommodate. We are then able to match them with one of our foster homes, who acts as their forever family while we provide all supplies, veterinary care, and any other support that's needed.
Our People
Sophiane Nacer is our founder and medical director who established the rescue at age 14. A lot has changed since then- she's moved from Colorado to Western Montana, where she now works in ecology. Between field work and her own fospice dogs, she's always covered in something gross, a little sleep deprived, and very happy. Her favorite dogs are the tiny ones who hate everyone except her, and she specializes in caring for dogs with congestive heart failure and dementia.
Sophiane Nacer is our founder and medical director who established the rescue at age 14. A lot has changed since then- she's moved from Colorado to Western Montana, where she now works in ecology. Between field work and her own fospice dogs, she's always covered in something gross, a little sleep deprived, and very happy. Her favorite dogs are the tiny ones who hate everyone except her, and she specializes in caring for dogs with congestive heart failure and dementia.
Rebecca Shattuck is Sophiane's mother and biggest supporter. At an early age, Rebecca got Sophiane involved with animals by volunteering in Trap-Neuter-Return and fostering feral kittens. Whether it's angry kittens or sweet old dogs, Rebecca is there and ready to give treats. Rebecca became certified as a dog behavior specialist, and loves to research the intricacies of dog behavior. She also enjoys gardening, birding with Sophiane, and going to plant sales. Her favorite dogs are the sweet, soulful ones and the ones who need a little extra help coming out of their shells.
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Dr. Meghan Shannon is our amazing veterinarian, and owner of Cherry Knolls Veterinary Clinic. We first met her when she adopted one of our dogs, Sophie, back in late 2014. A year or so later, after our previous vet retired, we found her again and have been with her ever since. She takes care of each and every one of our animals as if they were her own, and we literally couldn't do what we do without her! In her spare time she enjoys thinking about what she would do with her spare time, if she had some. |
Dr. Erica Rambus is our generous, compassionate in-home euthanasia vet. She helps our dogs pass to the rainbow bridge surrounded by their family in the comfort of their home. She first met 7-year-old-Sophiane when she was volunteering for her mobile spay-and-neuter van. Sophiane later continued to work beside her in an all-cat spay and neuter clinic. Erica's favorite dogs are cats, and teeney mean chihuahuas.
