Celebrate Adopt a Senior Pet Month Every November

• By NSC
• 2 Comments.

 

 

November is Adopt a Senior Pet Month!

Why is that exciting? Because it’s another chance to spread the word about the joy of senior pets.

Sadly, senior pets that end up in shelters are less likely to make it out alive than younger animals. And not because they die of old age before they get adopted.

No, it’s because most people want younger animals. So the shelters consider seniors unadoptable, or at least less adoptable. If the shelter gets too full, it euthanizes the older animals first.

I don’t know about you, but I find that incredibly sad.

But by spreading the word about senior pets, we can help change that.

In general, cats and small-to-medium sized dogs (up to 50 lb.) enter their senior years at about age 7. We usually consider large dogs, with their shorter lifespans, seniors at about age 6.

We don’t know who created Adopt a Senior Pet Month, but we’re happy they did. Seniors deserve loving furever homes too.

 

Why Senior Pets Make Great Companions

Sure, kittens and puppies and other baby pets are ridiculously adorable. It’s almost impossible not to fall in love with them. But senior pets still have lots of love to give.

And they’re often so grateful for their new home, you become their hero. They’ll shower you with affection. Yes, they do know you saved them.

Seniors even have some advantages over younger animals for some people. Especially for older people (seniors!) and families without a lot of time for training (but with plenty of time for loving) a pet.

You Know What You’re Getting

Their personalities are already formed. This means you know what you’re getting. Puppies and kittens do show some of their personality traits early, but with all that energy, they rarely slow down enough to really know what they’ll be like.

They’re Calmer and Quieter

Speaking of bouncy balls of non-stop energy: Senior pets are calmer than younger animals. How calm does depend on the animal! Our young senior cat (7 years old) is calmer than he was as a kitten. But is definitely not calm! Our 10-year old is calm, with occasional bursts of surprising energy.

But calm doesn’t mean they’re no fun. They still love to play. Just maybe not as long or hard.

Snuggles!

They make great lap cats and dogs. Many senior pets just want to curl up with their humans for pets and licks. (The licks are from them, not you!).

Less Training

They’re already trained. Well, a lot of the time anyway. If their previous people didn’t know how to train them, you may have to do a little. But they’re familiar with humans giving them commands, so they’re usually surprisingly easy to train. And since they’re relatively calm, they’re also less likely to get into things and need to be told “no.”

No, it’s Not All Sunshine and Roses

The one potential downside may be health issues. Like older people, older animals are more likely to need extra preventive care. And even treatment for illnesses. But as long as you can afford it, don’t let that stop you from enjoying the love of a senior pet.

And remember, kittens and puppies aren’t exactly cheap either!

Learn More: See if a Senior is For You

If you want to learn more about senior pets and how to care for them, Petfinder has a series of articles on caring for senior dogs and cats.

Senior Pet Products also has a Knowledge Center with links to helpful articles and other resources to help you care for your senior pet. Yes, the company’s main business is selling products for senior pets. But the resources are still useful. The products look pretty good too. And no, we don’t have an affiliate relationship with them.

Scroll down for some ideas on celebrating this unofficially pawsome month.

---

---

 

How to Celebrate Adopt a Senior Pet Month

So how can you help senior pets find the loving furever home they deserve?

Individuals

If you’re considering a new pet, think about adopting a senior. You won’t regret it!

Petfinder makes it easy to find senior pets. In the dropdown list under “Age,” just pick “Senior”!

Dogtime.com also offers an Adoptable Animal Finder. The search option is powered by Petfinder and lets you choose dogs or cats. Then you can refine your search and select “Senior” in the Age section. There’s also a “matchup quiz” to help you figure out what dog breed could be best for you.

And some rescues specialize in senior pets:

• Young at Heart, Senior Pet Adoptions: Dogs and cats. Located in Palatine, IL.
• The City of Elderly Love Rescue: Cats and dogs in the City of Brotherly Love, Philadelphia, PA.
• Leave No Paws Behind: Dogs. Located in California.
• Many more across the country. Search for senior pet rescue. Add your city or state to find ones nearby.

 

Can’t adopt? There are still things you can do:

• Donate to a senior pet rescue, or any rescue that is willing to take seniors. (Remember to check them out before donating, to be sure you support how they use donations).
• Donate to other organizations that work to help senior animals (again, check them out first!). Here are two you might like to look at:
  • The Grey Muzzle Organization: This organization helps rescues, sanctuaries and other groups afford to care for senior dogs. It funds programs like medical screenings and hospice care.
  • Elder Paws Senior Dog Foundation: This organization, located in Fresno CA, started out as a senior dog rescue. In 2016 it transitioned into a charitable foundation focused on keeping senior pets with their owners. It funds critical veterinarian care that owners can’t afford. This keeps the animals in their homes instead of being surrendered to shelters.
• Tell at least one person about Adopt a Senior Pet Month and the advantages of senior pets.

 

And if you already have a senior pet, share his or her picture and tell the world why you love your senior.

Shelters/Rescue Groups

Ok, you probably already know this, but promote your adoptable senior pets!

We’ve seen rescues offer a variety of incentives to consider adopting a senior pet:

• Reduced adoption fees.
• Waived adoption fees for animals over a certain age.
• Including a “Getting Started Kit” with all senior adoptions. Kits might include things like:
  • Bed
  • Food and water bowls
  • A toy
  • Treats
  • Collar
  • A leash for dogs
  • A litter pan and scoop for cats (maybe even a small bag of litter)

 

How do you plan to celebrate Adopt a Senior Pet Month this year?

 

GoogleAd-NSC-Bottom (text-3)