Adopting shelter pets is an amazing process and a lot better than buying animals. The only problem is that even with adopting from shelters, there is still one type of animal that gets overlooked. Those animals are the older ones. People love to take home the little animals, but the poor older adults just don’t get the same love. People overlook them because they “aren’t as cute,” “could have health problems” or don’t seem “worth it” because of their age. These things are so far from the truth, though! Older pets are just as cute, any pet could have health problems and even if they don’t have as much time left on this earth as a baby animal, any time you have with them is completely worth it.
Statistics show senior pets are the most overlooked in shelter. Crittercomments.com said “Seniors languish in kennels, sometimes for months at a time, before finding a home or euthanized for space.” It is the sad truth, but senior pets are seen as less adoptable than babies. The thing is though, senior pets are just as good as any other animal. They are sweet, lovable and usually more laid back than younger ones. Senior pets spend more time in shelters, when they should be spending time with a caring family. I was given the amazing chance to adopt a senior pet of my own. This past week I adopted a 7-year-old cat named Myrtle. She is the sweetest cat I have ever met, and she couldn’t be happier to have found her forever home. Giving her that happiness was the most amazing feeling I have felt. I wouldn’t trade her for the world or change a thing about her.
Senior pets could actually end up being the better pick at the end of the day for some people. Senior animals are often calmer and a better pick for families. The biggest worry people have when it comes to adopting a senior pet is the worry that they will become ill sooner and have expensive vet bills. This can be a true fact, but it also might not be the case. The truth is, any animal could fall ill at any point, young or old, causing expensive vet bills or less time with the animal. At the end of the day, senior pets are lovable, do well on their own for the most part and are great additions to any family. When going to the shelters, it is important not to think about the about the age, but to focus on meeting the pet and finding a connection. The wonderfulness that senior pets have to offer may surprise you. Every animal deserves love, and it doesn’t hurt to take the amazing opportunity to bring a senior pet into your family.
