Where Old Dogs Find Their Forever Peace: Inside Kingston's Paws Unlimited

Some people see an old dog and see a problem. Shari Bach sees a lifetime of loyalty that deserves a soft place to land.

In 2001, Shari founded Paws Unlimited on a simple but radical idea: that senior dogs — the ones who can't see as well, who have accidents on the floor, who need extra care — are worth saving. Not training, not rehoming to strangers, but keeping. Providing food, shelter, veterinary care, and endless love until their final breath.

A Sanctuary Built on Love (and Boarding Fees)

Located at 637 Murray Road in Kingston, Paws Unlimited operates on a model as unique as it is sustainable: "Board A Pet, Save a Life." The facility offers upscale dog boarding — complete with geothermal heating and cooling, radiant floor heat, outdoor play areas, an indoor TV lounge with classical music, and soft bedding — and uses those fees to fund the rescue mission.

It's an eco-friendly green facility built with non-toxic, plant-based paint and designed to be kind to the earth while being kind to aging dogs. Every pet receives quality nutrition and supplements tailored to their individual needs.

"Years of Experience in the Fine Art of Friendship"

The dogs at Paws Unlimited come from everywhere — surrendered when elderly owners enter nursing homes or pass away, rescued from neglect, or abandoned when they became "an inconvenience." Many have spent 12 or more years loving a family who no longer wants them.

"Can you imagine throwing away a loving companion who devoted 12 or more years of their lives to you?" Shari asks on the organization's website. It's a rhetorical question, but the answer is clear: You bring them here.

When it's time for a dog to cross the rainbow bridge, the Paws Unlimited team is there, holding them close. "It is our mission for every pet in our care to live out their life knowing they were loved and valued," the organization's statement reads.

What Reviewers Say

The Yelp reviews are glowing — a perfect 5.0 stars across four reviews. "Shari is wonderful. She takes care of your pets better than you would," wrote one reviewer. Another called it "a blessing for Ulster County" and praised the "intense care and love" that makes any large dog happy there.

Howard S., who adopted an American Eskimo in 2012, summed it up: "I wouldn't trust anyone else with my dog. Shari is, without equal, the most dedicated dog-loving person I have ever met in my life. It's like leaving your pet with family."

How to Help

Paws Unlimited is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, and donations are tax-deductible. The organization welcomes sponsors, volunteers, and visitors. They're open Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. (closed Mondays and Thursdays).

Call 845-336-PAWS (7297) or email pawsunlimited@gmail.com to learn more about adoption, boarding, or how to support the mission.

"Saving one animal may not change the world," the organization's website reads, "but it will surely change the world for that one animal."

For 25 years, Paws Unlimited has been changing the world — one old dog at a time.