Far too often, an older dog or cat will be handed over to a shelter. Sometimes it’s because the human can no longer care for their canine or feline furiend because of financial reasons.  Maybe their senior dog or cat needs medical treatment they can not afford or maybe they themselves have been hospitalized.  In some cases their human has passed on . But what’s even more sad is when a senior dog or cat is surrendered for the wrong reasons. There are many excuses, they smell, they’ve become too much work…all very selfish reasons to give up on a loyal furiend. But it happens & that’s what I’m here to yap about this week. 

Last week I yapped about fostering & sponsoring a shelter dog or cat.  You can read it by pawing this link Give The Gift of Love ~ Sponsorship & Fostering.

Most people when they come to a shelter are looking for a puppy/kitten or at least a young dog or cat. The seniors are often past over. But this shouldn’t be the case. A seniors can be a wagnificent companion.

Let me share a few good reasons you should consider an older dog or cat if you are adopting or thinking of fostering; remember I’m a senior going on 14 next month.

• Already house trained or litter trained
• no teething like a puppy
• tearing up your house
• Generally calmer

But also

• you’re adopting a good dog or cat who’s chances are slim. As I said above, most people want a youngster.
• you’re freeing up space for another dog or cat, possibly another senior
• your enriching a life that may have been cut short simply because they’re no longer youthful, too much work or perhaps their human has fallen on hard times or has died.
• You’ll be getting a devoted, grateful & simply pawsome furiend.

There are many rescues & shelters that work with senior dogs. Here is just a small sample…

Old Dog Haven is a small nonprofit group using a large network of foster homes to provide loving, safe homes for unadoptable senior dogs in need in western Washington. When they have room & the means, they take dogs into their homes.  They care for them as members of the family in permanent foster homes (what they call “Final Refuge”) & pawvide all needed veterinary care for as long as they have a good quality of life. In addition, they assist rescues, shelters & owners in finding new homes for senior adoptable dogs through their website, social media & referrals.

Senior Cat Action Network is an all volunteer organization that serves to advocate for “super” senior cats (aged 15 years & over) by partnering with rescues to fund the medical costs of aged felines in their care. They also care directly for a limited number of super seniors through their own foster network.

Super Senior Cat Sanctuary helps cats age 13+ at risk of euthanasia across the province of Ontario Canada.

Senior Hearts Rescue & Renewal was founded in 2016, Senior Hearts mission is to save the lives of senior dogs through a proven renewal & placement process giving  seniors a high quality of life in loving homes. Over 900 senior dogs’ lives have been saved & transformed.

Pepper’s Senior Dog Sanctuary pawvide care for dogs who find themselves at Pepper’s Senior Dog  Sanctuary through their last day. From walks, snuggles, & playtime to keep them happy & engaged, to routine veterinary exams, necessary medications, & hospice care to keep them safe & comfortable. They exist to compassionately & lovingly pawvide it all, every single day.

Senior Paws Canada is dedicated to pawmoting adoptable senior pets in Canada to help them find loving homes.

Muttville is a cage-free facility (first in the nation), foster program, on-site veterinary suite, & hospice program.

The Senior Dog Project offers a lot of information including an extensive list of shelters & rescues where you can adopt a senior.

The Sanctuary for Senior Dogs is a well established non-profit that fosters & facilitates adoptions.

ARTS Senior Animal Rescue is a rescue dedicated to helping senior animals in need – 8 years old plus for dogs & 10 years old plus for cats.  Here is their Facebook page.

If your thinking of adopting or fostering, consider a senior dog or cat. I’m sure a quick Google search will find a shelter or rescue with seniors near you.  We opened our house & hearts when we took in a senior last year.  Eddy needed some time & work to adjust but he’s a wooftastic furiend & huMom, Dot, Jerry & I are pawsitively happy we did. You can read Eddy’s story here.

If you are a rescue or shelter that would like to be added to this list, please paw out to us.  Sharing is caring 💜nose nudges💜

Have a pawsome week, CEO Olivia, Dot, Jerry Underfoot & Eddy💜

 

 

PS 🐾 Looking for wagnifient healthy & furbulously fun toys or pawsibly a supplement for the well being of your pawtacular good dog or cat? Shop Naturally

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