A UX/UI redesign for a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to senior dogs with medical conditions — modernising the site, improving the adoption and donation experience, and giving these dogs the digital presence they deserve.
"Our mission is to provide shelter and care for sick or abandoned senior dogs with medical conditions requiring hospice care. We promise to give them the physical and emotional comfort, companionship, and enrichment they need to thrive in their golden years."
Sammy's Senior Sanctuary is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit based in New York. They take in senior dogs — many with serious medical needs — who would otherwise have little chance of adoption. Their work is equal parts rescue, hospice care, and celebration of the dogs' remaining years.
At the time of the redesign, current residents included Bella, Buddy, Cindy, Cupcake, Enzo, Garfield, Gregory, Hannah, Izzy, Jax, Noah, Tabitha, Zania, Zeus, Zoe, Josie, and Pastina — each with their own story. The site also maintains a "Paws in Paradise" memorial section for dogs like Sammy, Allie, Biscuit, Bobo, and others who have passed.
The original website was functional but failed in the places that mattered most. The emotional story of the dogs — the whole reason people would want to donate, volunteer, or sponsor — wasn't coming through. Key issues:
The redesigned site has five clear sections, each serving a specific user intent:
Every visual decision was made with one question in mind: does this make someone more likely to donate, sponsor, or volunteer? The dogs needed to be the stars — large photography, individual names, and enough warmth in the layout to make each pup feel real and worth caring about.
The Paws in Paradise memorial section was a particularly important design challenge — it needed to be celebratory and gentle, not heavy or sad. A place for the organisation to honour the dogs they've loved and lost, and for supporters to feel the full scope of the sanctuary's work.
Alongside the website work, I managed Sammy's social media — developing content strategy, creating graphics, and writing captions designed to grow engagement and turn followers into donors and volunteers. The goal was to tell each dog's story with urgency and warmth across Instagram and other platforms.
Click below to visit the live redesigned site, or jump directly to any page.
I documented the complete UX/UI journey — from the original audit through to the final redesigned site — in a Medium article covering specific decisions at each stage.