Consider Adopting a Senior Pet, It Could Change Your Life!

Sparkles was rescued from a BYB at the age of 11. She found a home with a wonderful family one year later at the age of 12.

I have been rescuing and rehoming animals for half my adult life. Whenever I find a suitable home for an animal it brings me a certain amount of joy to know that I have ensured that animal will have a decent life with a family that loves them. The joy in my heart when I place a senior rescue is boundless. Seniors always get a bad rap. “Oh, that one doesn’t have much time left” people will say. Perhaps they don’t have much time left, but you are in a position to make the time they have left a time of love and caring.

There are many advantages to adopting a senior animal. For one thing they are usually toilet trained, so you don’t have the same problems one would encounter when training a baby animal. They are usually calmer, no puppy or kitten exuberance to deal with. Seniors still have a lot to give however.

People are often hesitant to adopt a senior for fear of ending up with a sickly pet, but most senior animals in shelters and rescue groups are quite healthy. Another reason is that they do not want to think of bonding with a pet that might not live long. Dogs are technically considered “seniors” at age seven, but most live until 12-15 years of age (or longer). So, adopting a senior dog does not necessarily mean that your days together are numbered. Potential adopters also worry that their new pet will be set in his ways and might not behave appropriately. However, this is not the case. So many homeless senior pets once lived in a home and are often housebroken and somewhat trained. They are also likely to be less hyperactive and better socialized than young dogs or cats.

Adopting a senior pet is a kind action and a rewarding experience, but it is still important to understand that senior

dogs and cats do have special needs. Fortunately, the extra care is usually minimal – it is often just about prevention and awareness. Older dogs and cats may become a little less active in time and some develop arthritis, but these are things that are often simple to handle. So, next time you decide to adopt a dog or cat, consider making it a senior dog or cat. It will change your life forever.

Until Tomorrow Remember

BE THE CHANGE

Janette