In August, we were excited to receive a Petfinder Foundation 2022 Kia Pet Adoption Grant to help us offer reduced-fee adoptions at a special event that is being held November 6 through November 12. Thank you, Kia! With this event happening soon, we hope that prospective pet parents will give some thought and consideration to adopting a special senior dog or cat. It couldn’t be more timely, as November is “Adopt a Senior Pet Month.”   

Did you know that senior dogs and cats do not find their forever home as quickly as younger, more active animals? The length of their stay at a shelter can be more than double that of younger animals! Like in other shelters and organizations across the country, senior dogs and cats at PAWS Atlanta face an uphill battle when it comes to finding a home. Individuals and families are often drawn to puppies, kittens, and young adult pets. Adopters can be hesitant about what medical issues older animals might face in the coming years. Senior animal adoptions take longer and are less frequent the older an animal gets. Each year, PAWS Atlanta welcomes many amazing senior dogs and cats into our facility who need our love and support to find their forever home. Over the past two years, we’ve proudly cared for 156 senior dogs and cats. As we celebrate “Adopt a Senior Pet Month,” here are just a few things to consider if you’re thinking of adding a new special friend to your family:

• Looking for Love During Those Golden Years: Many dogs and cats who find themselves in a shelter were used to living in a home for many years. Now, they find their world turned upside down. They are looking for (and need!) new stability to live out their golden years.
• Most Senior Dogs and Cats Have Already Been Trained: This can be incredibly helpful, especially for those considering an older dog. Most older dogs are already familiar with the essential commands that will make life easier for both of you (Come, Sit, Stay) and have moved way past the dreaded chewing phase! Equally important, older pets are more likely to also be housetrained, which is a relief for both cat and dog parents.
• A Senior Dog or Cat Requires Less Exercise: As we age, we all slow down a bit, and your pet is no different. You can expect an older dog and cat to be less frisky and rambunctious than their younger counterparts, and in most cases, their requirement for exercise will be far less. This attribute alone makes the older dog or cat an ideal fit for many family situations and an ideal match for an older adult as well.
• Lower Blood Pressure and Reduced Anxiety: Many studies show the health benefits of having a pet. Among those benefits is lower blood pressure and less anxiety. There’s nothing like petting a dog or cat for reducing stress. Senior pets, especially, can bring comfort to your home, as they encourage you to relax and slow down.
• Companionship: Cats and dogs can provide a great outlet, and they love to listen to us. They are known to keep secrets and act positively enchanted even if your singing is slightly off-key. If we are lucky enough to hold a dog or cat in our arms or share the couch or a bed with one, we know how it feels to have a special furry friend. Senior dogs and cats make great friends!

We hope you'll consider adopting a senior pet into your family today!

Adapted from “Why Adopt a Senior Dog?” by Sherri Franklin and Liz Brooking, Grey Muzzle Organization blog, with excerpts from the book “Your Dog's Golden Years” by Jennifer Kachnic and Sherri Franklin