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Are you thinking about adopting a pet and immediately picture a puppy or a kitten? Have you thought about what that would mean to your life? Young ones are not housebroken or trained, chew everything they can get their mouths around including you and can be very disruptive to your routine. When you come home after a tiring day, your puppy or kitten will demand immediate attention. Your young dog will need to be taken to obedience training class. I know, you say, but they are soooo cute.
Why not consider an older pet? Many companion animals lose their homes through no fault of their own. Many folks think that animals that end up at the shelter or in rescue are genetically and behaviorally inferior. But it is not uncommon for wonderful, well-trained animals to outlive their usefulness or novelty with folks who adopted them on impulse or no longer want them. Other reasons they become homeless is the death of their person, or that person has to go to a nursing home, assisted living or move in with a child and the beloved pet is not welcome. Even though they are wonderful loving pets, they find themselves unwanted and homeless.
With a mature pet, what you see is what you get. They are open books from the start. You will immediately know their full-grown size, disposition and grooming requirements. They are already trained but can still be taught new tricks. They are great at focusing on you and the task at hand. Plus all the years of being able to read their first human can help them quickly figure out what you want and fit right in.
Older dogs and cats are more practical for older adopters. When you adopt a young one that can live for fifteen years, they might outlive you and be in the same predicament of having to find another home. Older dogs are still active, love to go for walks, play ball, bark when someone approaches your house and go for rides in the car. Older cats love to cuddle and play with toys and catnip. Since they have a bit less energy than their young counterparts, they are happy to join you on the sofa or in your easy chair.
At the shelter, the older dogs and cats are often the last to be adopted and the first to be euthanized. Saving an animal’s life offers an unparalleled emotional return on your investment, and you will feel the rewards every day you spend together. Adopting an adult rescue can be the best decision that you ever make. Rescue a dog and/or cat and get a devoted friend for life. Go ahead, do a good deed and adopt an older dog or cat in need of a home. Give that animal a chance that it otherwise would not have. You won’t be sorry. Contact a local animal rescue or our animal shelter for you next best friend.
Submitted by: Bonnie Compton, Pals for Paws, 252-637-7387
