Veterinary medicine has made incredible strides over the last couple of decades, and as a result, our pets are living longer and fuller lives. For those of us who have made a lifetime commitment to our furry family members, having them around longer is a joy and a blessing.
However, there seems to be a significant number of families who have “outgrown” their aging pets. At least, that’s the most logical conclusion that can be drawn from the growing trend of homelessness among senior pets. Well, as the saying goes, one man’s trash is another man’s treasure. If yours is among the thousands of families who are interested in adopting a new pet, we’d like to urge you to consider a senior.
Still need some convincing? We’ve come prepared.
- They’re a lot less messy. If you’ve ever been the proud parent of a brand new puppy, you know that all that playful affection comes along with its fair share of chores. While we love puppies just the same, this high level of energy can be absolutely exhausting. When you adopt a senior pet, you will most often find that they have already been housebroken. They are also a lot less prone to chewing your baseboards and your favorite pair of shoes. Of course, anything is possible, but most of the time with a senior pet, your wardrobe and home will be safe from harm.
- What you see is what you get. When you adopt a senior pet, there’s no guesswork involved. You will never have to wonder how big they will get or what sort of demeanor they will have. They are already grown, and you can get a feel for their personality right away.
- Speaking of personality… Senior pets are often some of the most gentle and loving creatures you will ever meet. They love to take it easy, and they’re never short on cuddles. Don’t mistake that gentle nature for laziness, however. If you’re looking for a dog to jog alongside you or a kitty to play chase with, senior pets can keep up with the best of them! However, they always recognize when playtime is over, and they will be the best couch-cruising copilot you could ever ask for.
- They are generally well-adjusted and acclimate easily. Once you’ve brought that old gem home, you’ll wonder how your family ever survived without him or her. Generally speaking, older pets settle into new environments with greater ease than their younger counterparts. They’ve also already learned how to coexist and function as part of the group. They’ll slide right into your house and your heart in no time flat.
- They need you. When they make their way into a shelter, it’s a shock to the system. Trust us when we tell you that the family who rescues a senior pet from an animal shelter will be rewarded ten-fold. If you don’t believe that these animals recognize the incredible act of kindness that you have performed for them, give it a shot. We don’t need to convince you. Your future best friend will spend the rest of his or her life doing that.
Photo Credit: jenny downing via Compfight cc
In many American animal shelters, senior pets are considered to be among the least adoptable pets, and they are often the first candidates for unnecessary euthanasia. We would love for that to change. If you’re in the market for a new pet, consider a senior. We can say with absolute conviction that you’ll be so glad you did.
Featured Photo Credit: normanack via Compfight cc