National Adopt a Senior Pet Month

Older animals are often the most difficult to place into adoptive homes, but they often have a lot to offer.

When people think of older pets, they may first think about maintenance and health issues, rather than the list of positive qualities mature animals possess. This is why the month of November is designated as Adopt a Senior Pet Month.

“While older pets may come with their own set of problems, there can be significant benefits to choosing an older pet from a rescue situation,” said Joe Ed Conn, DVM, Belle Meade Animal Hospital, Nashville. “The energy and time commitment to a new puppy or kitten are often more than our busy schedules allow.”

5 reasons an older pet might be a great option for you:

1. What you see is what you get.

  • There is no guesswork as to how large a dog will get or what energy level it might have.

2. Purebreds can be found fairly easily!

  • If you have your heart set on a specific breed of dog (or other animal) but you want to adopt, you can often find mature animals through breed-specific rescue groups in your area.

3. Training

  • An older dog (or cat/rabbit/horse) will often have basic training. For a dog, this means housetraining/crate training and basic commands. Cats may already be litter trained and the older they are, the more inclined they should be to lay on the couch rather than climbing around the house.

4. Previous care

  • Older pets are often left at shelters when elderly owners pass away or families can no longer care for them. This doesn’t mean they have been neglected; oftentimes, quite the opposite! Older animals have most likely already been spayed/neutered, fully vaccinated, and on routine deflea/deworming medications. When adopting a pet, be sure to ask about medical history and any special needs, such as diet or medications, the pet may have.

5. Love and companionship

  • When mature animals end up in rescues or shelters, they often are outwardly affectionate and grateful to the person who chooses them.

“Adopting an older pet may provide companionship without the time commitment on the front end,” Conn stated.

If you have been considering a pet, but have been putting off adding a member to your family due to the time and effort involved in house training a puppy or kitten-proofing your home, an older animal might be exactly what you’ve been looking for.

Check with your veterinarian or a reputable local rescue. Many rescue groups will even allow a ‘sleepover’ for you to make sure the animal is the right fit for your family. To find a veterinarian, visit www.tvmanet.org.

Rescue of the Week: Elliot