Benefits of Adopting a Senior Pet

8/20/2021

In 1988, President Ronald Reagan proclaimed August 21 as National Senior Citizen Day to raise awareness about issues that affect senior citizens and their quality of life.

Let this day be a special reminder to let the senior citizens in your life know that you love and cherish them. Tell them you appreciate them. Better yet, show them by spending time with them!

But what about senior pets? Like humans, cats & dogs go through the inevitable process of aging and face many issues that come with getting older.

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.

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.

Shelia Huffman, Contributor/MHC Board

Shelia recently moved to the Greenwood community of Midland from Dallas where she was a staff writer for White Rock Lake Weekly and a columnist for Bubblelife Media. A retired travel agent and event planner, she has been an animal activist her entire life. Shelia has a daughter and son-in-law in Midland, a grandson in Dallas and a granddaughter at Texas Tech. She lists cooking and writing about food, and, of course, playing with her Terrier Mix rescue, Penelope, as some of her favorite things.

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