There are so many reasons to adopt a senior pet; first and foremost, all pets want love, attention and great care. Statics are showing senior dogs have a 25% chance of adoption vs. a 60% chance of adoption over a puppy. The least adopted in shelters are black senior dogs and black cats are the second least adopted. Cats that are 2+ years old have a 60% adoption rate vs. an 82% for kittens.
Senior Pets
Adopting any pet should take some research and consideration. Adopting a senior pet may require some thought regarding the pet’s age, health and known history. Most all senior pets are highly adoptable and can be a great companion.
Senior pets in a rescue/shelter are there for many reasons, their human has passed away, their owner couldn’t care for them, or they were abandoned. Most senior pets have had some sort of structure to their lives, maybe training, a routine or a long term home life. They can be so adaptable, but need to be in a home setting again. Pets found on the streets, it is unknown what their history is, but most can be trained. The shelter or rescue foster volunteer should provide information on the pet’s behavior and how well they are adapting.
By adopting a senior pet out of a shelter, you are actually opening a spot for another pet in need to enter the shelter for a home. This is a two for one win! You see, it takes senior pets longer to get adopted, so you are helping other pets, not just the senior pet you adopted.
With a senior pet, you already know their size, personality, possible health issues and how trained they are. Senior pets will be calmer and laid back.
Let’s determine what defines a senior in age. Dogs are considered to be Senior in the last 25% of their lives. This is determined by the breed of the dog. Larger dogs live shorter lives than smaller dogs on the average. The general thought is a cat is determined a senior if over 11 years old. This proves if in good health, most senior pets will have several years of life left.
Unfortunately, even No Kill Shelters struggle to find a solution for senior pets, as they can be housed in shelters until the end of their life without a chance for a life ending home.
Just a few rescues or shelters in CoMO to adopt a senior pet: www.unchainedmelodiesdogrescue.org
www.barniesplacefelinerescue.org
Black Paw 101: Save a Senior Pet!
Bobbi Wilson, CPPS since 2018