There are many reasons to adopt a senior pet. Here are the top 5 reasons to adopt a senior.
5. A puppy or kitten can require constant attention. A puppy can hold his bladder just one hour for every month they’ve been alive. For instance, a 3-month-old puppy will need to empty his bladder every three hours! And yes, that does include the middle of the night! An adult dog’s bladder is already fully developed. Shelter dogs are most often already house-trained and rescue groups make sure their adult dogs for adoption are housebroken before they go to new homes. You also have the advantage of knowing that your dog is physically able to “hold it” for several hours at a stretch. In most cases, adult dogs are by far easier to housebreak than puppies. You can teach an old dog new tricks!
4. Many senior pets in shelters or with rescue groups are already trained and ready to go! Adults have a much longer attention span than puppies or kittens, too, which means they’re easier and faster to teach. Adult dogs and cats already have recognizable personality traits, so you’ll be able to select one who is great with children, for example. Many rescue groups use foster homes to make sure each dog or cat for adoption is trained to be well- behaved indoors.
3. An adult dog has graduated from the puppy stage and cats have graduated from the kitten stage; each has an established demeanor and temperament, which will give you an instant idea of how she will fit into your household. Older dogs have all their adult teeth and are out of the energetic puppy phase, which will result in less destruction to your home. Many senior pets do well with young children or senior adults as they have a lower energy level and have possibly lived with them in their past homes.
2. With an adult pet, what you see is what you get. Their personality is already developed, and you’ll be able to spot the characteristics you’re looking for. Shelters and rescue groups are able to assess the personality of each pet for adoption, and carefully match you up with the right dog or cat for your lifestyle.
1. Senior dogs and cats lose their homes for a variety of reasons, usually having nothing to do with their behavior or temperament, but more due to the fact that their owners are unable to keep them for reasons including: the novelty of owning a dog or cat has worn off, allergies, death of a guardian, a new baby, loss of a job, a move, change in work schedule, and various other lifestyle changes. These dogs and cats need homes just as badly as young adoptees do, and make wonderful household pets.
Ask anybody who has adopted an adult dog or cat, and they’ll swear their bond with their rescued pal is as deep as they come. When you open your heart and your home to an older dog or cat who needs help, they really do show their appreciation for the rest of their lives!
Pets who have been uprooted from their homes, or have had difficult beginnings are likely to bond completely and deeply with their new human caretakers who they view as heroes. Pets who find themselves in the shelter or at a rescue group because of a death or other tragedy in their former human family usually go through a mourning period. Once they are adopted, however, they usually want nothing more than to please their new hero—YOU! No matter what circumstances brought them to the shelter or rescue group, most older pets for adoption are exceptionally affectionate and attentive pets and extremely loyal companions. But first you have to adopt one!
Adapted from adopt-a-pet.com and ceasarsway.com
If you are looking to adopt a senior pet, use the Adopt-a-Pet Tool search bar below to find a great senior pet in your area. Remember, a senior pet is over age 7 for small dogs or cats, and age 6 for large dogs.
With your help, we can keep senior pets out of shelters and place them in loving, caring homes. Your gift can help save senior pets from an uncertain future.
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