NOTES FROM THE ADOPTION CENTER is a blog series where we will be sharing some of our rescue stories and our day-to-day challenges & successes at the Midland Humane Coalition Adoption Center. 
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Lately, we have been seeing a lot of very young puppies being dumped. Before anything else, if you ever find yourself a situation of being unable to take care of a pet, please don't just toss them in a dumpster.  Plan ahead. Do research and learn  how to re-home your pet responsibly and humanely. Do whatever it takes to find someone who will give that cat/dog a home. 

Here are two of  our recent rescues - SNOOPY & LUCKY.  They are so full of life and did not deserve for their futures to be snuffed out in one careless move. 

SNOOPY was found in a dumpster. We have no idea who dumped him or what reasons they could have had to throw away such a precious puppy. ​ We asked people to help name him -- interestingly enough, Snoopy won!  

LUCKY is a stray who came to us with some injuries.  We brought him to the emergency hospital to get the injuries treated. ​ Lucky's bill ran up to $1,572.  These types of emergency treatments  are where most funds are spent. 

Snoopy & Lucky are much too young to be vaccinated and neutered, so we cannot take them into the Adoption Center for health & safety reasons. 

However, we have reached out to our wonderful colleagues at GRAND COMPANIONS, who are better equipped to handle younger pups. 

After their first round of shots and initial vet check, we will be handing these puppies over to them in a week. 

Thanks, Grand Companions, for helping us save these puppies!  At the end of the day, these pets get the best chance to live their best lives when we're all working together and helping out where we can. 

~Vanessa Medina, MHC Executive Director

"I'm not going to want another dog" I told my significant other whenever I applied for this job over a year ago. I did a good job at it to until this little guy came in..he was not a happy camper and he let everybody know. 

I just loved his spark from the beginning. 

We foster already so whenever I noticed he was having a hard time adjusting at our facility I started bringing him home for breaks. He would get so happy anytime we would get close to home. He memorized our road quickly and would stand up and look out the window, wagging his tail and spinning around in circles, begging to get out of the car and go inside already.  

Once inside he would transform into a different dog. So happy and playful and would eat and drink so much as he was finally stress free after a very long day of giving the staff a hard time with his chiuhuaha attitude :) 

While at home, me and Sparky had a lot of fun running around the yard and then relaxing in bed. His favorite thing is to get the zoomies in bed and then run around at the speed of light!! He slams on the brakes and puts his butt up in the air and demands me to pat it. It gets him going allllll over again.

I didn't know how much I needed Sparky until he was set to be neutered and I couldn't bring him home anymore as he needed to heal at our center. I kept randomly getting sad because I just missed my buddy being at home with me and making me laugh.

Soon after, I was going out of town to see family and asked if I could just take him with me to give him another break since he was healed up at that point(mainly because I missed him). That trip was when I knew he was going to stay and the rest is history. 

He did so great and was so happy just to be there with me and my family. 

Sparky now hogs the bed and keeps our elder chi "Shoog" good company - as well as keeping our huskies on their toes by initiating pack howls during the day. He loves sitting out on the rocking chair with me while we watch the goats and chickens.

He has been such a great addition to our family and I'm forever grateful that he landed at our facility (the MHC Adoption Center) because I had the fantastic opportunity of meeting my next best friend. 

Physical Benefits

It’s good for the heart. Frequent interaction with a pet can help lower blood pressure and cholesterol, decreasing the risk of cardiovascular disease.

Promotes more exercise. Having a pet encourages movement and physical activity (i.e. walking and playing with your pet) which is good for improving overall health.

Healthy habits. Having a pet helps to develop a routine which can encourage owners to take better care of themselves(and their pet), eat & exercise regularly, and complete chores and other tasks. 


Emotional & Mental Benefits

Relieves loneliness and depression. Ever-present and all too attentive pets can be a source of affection, conversation and activity for isolated seniors. Just having a silly dog or cat around has the power to change one’s outlook from sad to glad! 

Increased social interaction. Walking a dog gets one out of the house and increases chances of socializing with the neighbors. Plus, dogs are a natural magnet for other pet lovers and make excellent conversation starters. 

Lessens stress. Spending time with a pet increases the feel-good hormone, serotonin. Pets also provide comforting physical contact, which can calm anxiety. 

Increase self-esteem.  Pets have the uncanny ability to make anyone feel special and loved! For seniors who struggle with self esteem issues as they get older, having a pet look up to them in admiration remind them that they are still capable of being loved and needed. 

Gives one a sense of purpose. Pets give one a pretty good reason to get up and out of bed each morning. Knowing that there is someone who needs you helps combat feelings of worthlessness and helplessness, which keep depression at bay. 

Knowing that they are loved and needed by a friend, even the furry, four-legged kind, enhances seniors’ overall health.


BEFORE GETTING A PET FOR A SENIOR LOVED ONE

As wonderful as having a pet sounds, it may not be suitable for everyone. If you think your loved one could benefit from having a pet, here are a few things to consider before deciding to get one. 

What’s the right pet? Do your research to determine what type of pet (species, breed, age, size, personality and energy level) will fit well with your loved one’s. A mellow older cat or dog will more likely suit them better than a highly energetic puppy. 

Have they ever owned a pet? Being responsible for a new pet can be too much to handle for someone who has never had one, but can be a welcome challenge for a former pet owner. 

Can they afford a pet? Consider their financial situation first. Pet ownership does come with costs and if they are on a fixed income, it could strain their finances. 

Where can you get a pet? Consider adopting an older pet from the shelter. Older pets tend to have lower adoption rates and a  higher risk of being euthanized. Adopting an older pet eliminates the need for training, stress of dealing with high energy levels, and will give you a sense of pride and satisfaction knowing that you’ve saved an animal’s life! 

MHC has a Senior to Senior Program where senior pets (5+ years) are matched with senior owners. We waive adoption fees for qualified matches.  Learn more here. 

Check out available senior pets  on www.midlandhumane.org/adoptables.html

Older cats & dogs (5+) are often overlooked for adoption. They are no longer as cute nor as playful as a newborn puppy. Perhaps they have mobility/medical issues and need extra care. 

While some of this may be true, older cats and dogs can still make wonderful pets and would appreciate love at this time of their lives more than ever. 

There are many good reasons to adopt an older pet. 

Benefits of adopting senior pets

• Senior dogs are already trained and already know basic commands. This means they probably won’t chew up your Christian Louboutins (if you own a pair) or your John Richard Ottoman (if your feet are propped on one) or the legs of the “Rooms to Go” sofa that you are working to pay for. In short, they are over that crazy chewing stage! The same goes for senior cats. Nothing is cuter or more fun to watch than the antics of a playful kitten. Of course, it is not very cute when their claws shred the upholstery on the cushion of your chair. An older cat may well be trained to use a scratching post.  
• They are likely already trained to pee and poop outside and sleep through the night. So you don’t have to worry about cleaning up messes in the morning or waking up at ungodly hours to let your pup out. 
• Their energy has slowed, no longer needing long, fast-paced walks and games of pitch and fetch, so they are perfectly content to join you on the sofa in front of the TV. And there is nothing more charming or restful than a mellow senior cat/dog dreaming contentedly by a fireplace or on your lap.
• By adopting an older pet, you may be saving its life! Many people are quick to adopt younger pets, overlooking ones that are 5+ years old. Sadly, older pets have a greater chance of being euthanized if not adopted in a timely manner. 
• One very important  reason to adopt a senior pet is that you will be standing up for the value and beauty of life at all ages and stages. The sad fact is that many older pets have been abandoned because their owners simply no longer want to take care of them. 
  
  

Overall, the older pet is less demanding than a young one, requiring less of your energy, but appreciating your love and companionship just the same.  
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Yes, there are many issues that come with an aging pet, but they are a very small price to pay for the priceless love they can offer! 

“To sit with a dog on a hillside on a glorious afternoon is to be back in Eden, where doing nothing was not boring - it was peace.”
Milan Kundera

KNOW A SENIOR WITH A PET? LEND A HAND!  

• If you know a senior who needs help getting their pet to the vet or even with daily walks, volunteer to give a hand. 
• When a low-income senior can no longer afford food and medical attention for their pet, it is time to step up and donate.
• There are some organizations like Senior Pet Assistance Network that provide a “meals on wheels” type service to qualifying seniors. Check to see if your community offers such a service and put the senior and the organization in touch with one another. 

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