November is “Adopt A Senior Pet Month”!
Senior Pets make the BEST companions! It’s Terrie Carr. November is “Adopt A Senior Pet” month, I can’t wait to tell you why giving a home to a lovely older pet in your local animal shelter is a great “Opt To Adopt” option.
Why Would An Older Pet End Up In A Shelter?
A big part of my advocation for shelter pets is to dispel myths of WHY they end up in rescue. Animals end up in shelters of now faulty of their own. Their humans pass away, (very common with seniors in shelters), Fall upon hard times, move, and have life changes – there are many factors.
It is often thought that animals surrendered to shelters are badly behaved, sick, or have done something wrong to warrant being given up which simply isn’t true. Dogs are considered seniors at 8 years of age, cats around 10, and most have lots of life to live and love to give.
My Rosie has just hit senior status- (NOOOOOO!) and I wouldn’t trade her for anything while I adopted her as a young puppy from a hoarding case, I’ve adopted older pets and I can tell you from experience, and they are WAY easier than puppies! Shelter life can also be very tough on an older pet. They have been in homes their whole lives in most cases and their world is turned upside down when arriving in a loud, crowded shelter environment. If you can’t adopt, fostering is a fantastic way to help your local shelter, and senior pets are a great, lower-energy alternative than puppies, kittens, or young pets overall.
This Year Our WDHA Ultimate Rock Dogs Calendar Celebrates Senior Dogs!
I’m SOOOOOO excited to reveal the WDHA 2025 WDHA Ultimate Rock Dogs Calendar in one week! AND we had a record number of older pups that made the calendar cut including our WDHA Ultimate Rock Dog 2025 Winner – RILEY!
Older Pets Make The BEST Companions
Check out why they are on my list and remember – November is “Adopt A Senior Pet” month. Dogs, Cats, Birds, Small Animals…….you never know who you will find in your local shelter. Older and wiser is Pawsome!
Check out more pet-related content on my Rock N’ Ruff Roundtable Page link below – (adoptables, stories, interviews)
TC’s Rock N’ Ruff Roundtable Page
Opt To Adopt,
Terrie Carr
1. No Puppy Monkey Business
Older and Wiser!
Puppies are cute and fun! However, if you don’t have time for house training, chewed up shoes, overall training, and sleepless nights, a senior dog may be a great fit. It has been my experience that every dog needs “decompression” time……but seniors seem to decompress faster and settle in- so grateful for a place to hand their hat….I mean bowl!
2. You Know What You Are Getting
The fantastic thing about an older dog is the shelter or foster can tell you A LOT about your new best friend! Their patterns, likes, dislikes, eating habits, energy level. If you are looking for a companion for your dog, or a specific behavior for your lifestyle – (car traveling, comfortable around a huge family) senior pets give us the answer.
3. Seniors For Seniors- A Great Fit For Senior Citizens
Sophie the senior resting!
As we age, we may not want to commit to 12-16 years for a new best friend. It’s a reality, and one that is top of mind for pet lovers. Giving a senior pet a home is not only a wonderful thing to do (who doesn’t want a second chance?) but also a practical one. Just because a person becomes a senior citizen, doesn’t mean that you should not have a wonderful companion. Senior pets have life and love to give. Just like senior citizens and it can be a perfect match! Also, senior pets require less in the way of wild playtime, which may also be a benefit. Need a lap buddy as you grow older? Maybe a lower energy walking partner? Check out a senior in your local shelter or rescue group.
4. Older Pets Are EXTRA Grateful
Scrappy the senior napping
There is something wise, grateful and magical in the eyes of a senior pet. You can see it, you can feel it. They know they have been given a second chance. I love meeting and loving on our seniors in our shelters. I’m grateful for their devotion. They are very special, and that translates to our everyday lives when you open your heart and home to one.
5. Great For Busy Lifestyles
Senior Cats are so lovely
Want a pet, but don’t have hours and hours to commit? Seniors are great for someone with a busy lifestyle, especially senior cats. Don’t forget our feline friends. Senior Cats make Catastic Companions!
