Why You Should Adopt a Senior Pet

November is Adopt a Senior Pet Month. When I learned this, I recalled hearing a woman speak last year about her personal mission to rescue and find forever homes for senior dogs. Established as a non-profit in 2007 by Sherri Franklin, Muttville‘s mission is to rescue wonderful, loving older dogs from shelters and euthanasia and find them homes with people who love seniors as much as they do.

Sherri used to volunteer at shelters and was heart broken to see so many senior dogs wait in shelters for months. She was so upset to see them either spend their senior years in shelters or end up being euthanized because of their age (when their health and temperament were often without problems). So she started adopting as many as she could on her own. And she enlisted the help of friends in providing foster homes while she searched for their forever homes. Hence the creation of Muttville with non-profit status in 2007.

I spoke with Leslie Lingren who has fostered close to 50 Muttville dogs and has adopted four of them. Leslie has always had a soft spot for less wanted as well as wounded dogs. When I asked him about the benefits of adopting an older dog, he said “There are less behavior problems when adopting an older dog. It’s absolutely perfect for people who live in the city and don’t need to provide as much exercise for their dogs. And there is something very special about providing a loving forever home for a rescue dog. They have a very different disposition. Often times they weren’t loved and were neglected. It’s so rewarding watching them blossom and find security. They become wonderful animals that are so grateful to be loved and adored.”

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Read more: Behavior & Communication, Dogs, Pets

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Patty B.

7:46PM PDT on May 18, 2012

If you are beyond retirement age...adopt a senior pet ,

send a green star

Winn A.

6:42PM PDT on May 14, 2012

Thanks

Jane H.

2:37PM PDT on May 14, 2012

As a true senior myself, I may one day adopt a senior cat.

David V.

12:09PM PDT on May 14, 2012

It is terrible that older dogs are euthenized just because of their age......more people need to show them love too.

Mary Beth M.

12:08PM PDT on May 14, 2012

The term 'senior' gets a bad rap because people think of old, sick, costing a lot of money. So often this is not the case. The dog or cat has an established personality, is often so grateful and devoted, and the need is so great. So many wonderful animals with so much left to give are available in shelters and have to compete with puppies and kittens. Sad.

Nadine H.

8:41AM PDT on May 14, 2012

we need more of this in the public to adopt all senior pets!

Marie W.

6:57PM PST on Feb 27, 2012

All deserve a home- except Herman Cain.

Mel M.

8:45AM PST on Feb 27, 2012

paula e.

2:39AM PST on Feb 27, 2012

Great story.

Trudy C.

3:02PM PST on Feb 26, 2012

We found my first cat when he was about 2, vet thinks cat was abandoned & driven away from. He had been declawed so this was doubly mean. Vocal, no fear of even strange dogs, no idea anyone wouldn't love him, even forced his way past my non-cat-loving incredulous parents' legs to get in. Had to put him back out, then sneak him back in every night. Then lived for a while at the workplace, thanks to cat-loving bosses. He was so friendly the security guard, couriers & letter carrier asked for him if they didn't see him out front. He was a hoot.

When he was 10 we got him his own cat, lol. She was 7. Sweet little angel would lie on the sofa back behind our heads, chewing our hair and purring like a squeaky motor, and lie on our legs at night, 'hotting' us up.

Both gave us sooo much happiness.

Older cats aren't wild Tamanian devils like kittens are!