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Learn About National Adopt a Senior Pet Month

November is National Adopt a Senior Pet Month, dedicated to helping senior pets in shelters find loving, safe homes. Many people avoid adopting senior pets because of their age, appearance, or the misconception that they have serious health issues. In fact, the longer senior pets stay in shelters, the less likely they are to get adopted. Find out more about Senior Pet Month and how you can raise awareness in your community by reading on. 

Why Is It Dangerous for Senior Pets to Remain in Shelters?

The longer older pets remain in shelters, the more exposure they get to dangerous illnesses and diseases. Because of their age, they might not have strong immune systems like younger animals, and they are more likely to become ill. The shelter environment is also stressful for all animals, but especially elderly ones who move more slowly and need a more peaceful environment. Being in a shelter can make them depressed, anxious, and fearful.

Who Should Consider Adopting a Senior Pet? 

Senior pets make wonderful companions for people of all ages, as well as families. Senior pets are often already house-trained and are usually calmer than puppies, kittens, and younger pets. Most of them come from a home where they felt safe and loved, and they just want to be in a loving home environment again. They typically already know simple, basic commands and can be taught new ones. If you have young children in your home or are adopting your first pet, you would benefit from a calm, low-maintenance senior animal. 

What Can You Do If You Can’t Adopt?

If you can’t commit to adopting a senior pet, you can volunteer at your local shelter. You can also foster a senior pet so that it won’t have to spend as much time in the shelter while it waits to find its forever home. You can also share information with friends, family, and colleagues about pets that need adoption, the benefits of adopting senior pets, and how they can help support their local shelters.

If you do adopt a senior pet from a shelter, set up a visit with your veterinarian as soon as possible for a full exam and health check-up.