History & Mission

Frosted Faces Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing and support for senior pets and the families who love them.

Founded in 2014 by Kelly and Andy Smíšek, the organization began with fostering senior dogs who were being overlooked in shelters. As the need for senior pet support quickly outpaced their personal capacity, they established Frosted Faces Foundation as a 501(c)(3) to engage a broader network of compassionate families and partners.

Since then, we’ve supported hundreds of families and evolved to meet the increasingly complex needs of senior pets in our community. Through innovative programs that rescue, rehabilitate, and rehome aging animals—alongside safety net services, veterinary care, and education—we’re building a future where every senior pet is seen, supported, and deeply loved.

At Frosted Faces Foundation, we recognize that senior pets face a perfect storm of challenges—medical needs, housing insecurity, age discrimination, and a lack of long-term planning by their guardians. Our approach is not just to rescue, but to rethink how we as a community care for aging animals and their people.

We work closely with open-admission shelters to identify senior dogs and cats who are out of time and options to increase live outcomes. Rather than simply offering temporary shelter, we provide a second chance through a network of individualized care. Each animal we accept receives tailored veterinary treatment and behavioral support to ensure they are not only safe, but thriving. From there, our adoption program connects them with families who are ready to author their final chapters.

For those unsure about adoption, the Frosted Fling Program offers a trial period of fostering a senior pet, making the experience approachable and low-risk. We also work to break down barriers to adoption through programs like Senior for Seniors, the Molly & Me Project, and Frosted Field Trips, each designed to make connecting with and caring for senior pets more accessible.

To prevent pets from entering the shelter system in the first place, we've developed support services that address why animals are surrendered. Our safety net boarding program offers temporary care for pets during times of personal crisis—like hospitalization, displacement, or financial hardship—so that families can stay together in the long run. We also provide direct financial assistance for veterinary care to help people avoid the agonizing decision between surrender and suffering. Recognizing that some families are thinking ahead, our Final Wish Program allows pet guardians to make plans for the continued care of their animals after they pass away.

At the heart of all our efforts is a commitment to education and community involvement. Through volunteerism, partnerships, and public outreach, we aim to change perceptions about senior pets and provide the resources people need to become lifelong advocates—not just for animals, but for each other. By addressing the reasons pets are surrendered and by elevating the value of their lives, we’re not only saving senior animals—we’re creating a more compassionate, informed, and connected community.

In 2016, we purchased our facility to serve as a safe, transitional space for senior animals in urgent need—those requiring medical care, behavioral support, or simply a soft place to land. While we treat every Frosted Face as family, our mission has never been long-term sheltering. Instead, we work toward permanent placement in loving homes, where their final chapters can unfold with dignity, comfort, and connection.

To better serve our animals and use every donated dollar wisely, we opened our on-site veterinary hospital in 2021. This allows us to provide timely, cost-effective care tailored to the unique needs of senior pets, while also streamlining treatment and improving care.

At Frosted Faces Foundation, we believe growing old is not a burden—it’s a privilege— and we are here to help!