Many people walk into a shelter hoping to adopt a puppy or a kitten, while overlooking the older animals living in the same shelter. Older pets are seen as less desirable; however, they are often easier to adopt than younger animals. The ASPCA and petfinder.com founded Adopt a Senior Pet Month to help improve the perception surrounding senior pets. The goal: to present senior animals as quality candidates for adoption.
Sadly, senior pets are often the last ones to be adopted from the shelter. Most never find a home and spend the rest of their lives inside a shelter kennel.
One misconception… older animals suffer from is that they are in shelters because of their destructive or bad behavior. Though this is far from the truth, there are many reasons why a pet would end up in a shelter. Many of these senior pets were once someone’s faithful companions. Changing home circumstances, financial restrictions, death, or relocation can have adverse effects on a pet’s life. These pets have much to offer, and they are usually adaptable. Younger pets can be adorable, but they also demand a lot of attention and can be destructive and very hard work to keep up with. Usually, an older pet can easily fit into your lifestyle and adapt well to a loving new home.
So, this year Abandoned Pet Rescue is focusing on National Adopt A Senior Pet month by introducing you to our very special group of dogs and cats who are waiting to find that special home.
As we planned this article, we decided that Sam and Gracie, should be our first story. Here’s what we wrote…
“Sam & Gracie urgently need a foster or adopter to live out their golden years. These bonded senior siblings are 15 years old, 15lbs each and are the sweetest pups. They are currently staying with a staff member but have to come to the shelter while she’s working, which is stressful for them. The ideal home is one that’s quiet, compassionate and near Fort Lauderdale so that Abandoned Pet Rescue can continue to provide any needed medical care. Gracie gets fluids daily along with vitamins and both can be picky eaters. In some ways, caring for these seniors is easy as they sleep a lot, take short walks, are cat & dog friendly and their food and medicine is covered by the shelter. But there are challenges as they have to go potty every few hours, and people fear the heartbreak of losing them. It’s a fact of life, but when you see their little tails wag, when Gracie puts her head out the car window to sniff the fresh air, when Sam rubs his head in your lap until he falls asleep, you will be reminded that they are happy, they are in a loving home and that you are selflessly helping two incredibly gentle, sweet dogs that found themselves in a shelter at 15 years old.”
But before we could make it to press (as they used to call it) BREAKING NEWS!!!!! someone stepped forward and has taken Sam and Gracie home to live out their last years in peace and comfort. His name is Scott. He is a local businessman in the area who seems to fit the bill for our two special seniors just perfectly.
“I’m a dog lover and would hope somebody would take my dog in if something happened to me or if I was no longer able to care for him, so it seemed like an easy decision. And, after seeing pictures of Gracie and Sam I could not stop thinking about them.”
So they are now in their new home beginning their last joyous years.
In the coming days we will be introducing you to other senior dogs and cats here and on our Facebook page, Abandoned Pet Rescue, during this special month. To learn more about these special residents fill out an application on our web site, https://abandonedpetrescue.org/adopt/adoption-application/ or e-mail us at info@abandonedpetrescue.org. Remember LOVE IS TIMELESS!
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