7 Lovely Reasons to Adopt an Older Animal ...

By Alison

If you're thinking of welcoming a pet to your home, there are many great reasons to adopt an older animal. Most people automatically think of adopting a kitten or puppy rather than an adult animal, because they want to own it for a long time. This is understandable, as losing a pet is heartbreaking, but it means that shelters are full of older animals that may be deemed unadoptable. Seniors need a home too, so here are some of the reasons to adopt an older animal …

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1

Need Homes

One of the reasons to adopt an older animal is that they desperately need homes. If they're in a kill shelter, you can pretty much guarantee that the older animals will be first on the list to be euthanized. Even in a no-kill shelter they are passed over for younger animals. Yet they have so much to give - and they really deserve and need a good home.

2

Calmer

Older animals tend to be much calmer, so are much easier to have around the house. They won't require long walks or lots of entertaining, and will usually fit into your lifestyle much more easily. They'll also adapt to their new home very quickly, as they really seem to appreciate the chance they've been given.

3

Many Years Left

You might think that an older animal won't have many years left, but you could be surprised. Cats and dogs can live to quite a ripe old age, so a ten-year-old animal could easily live five, six years or more. And however long they live, the important thing is that they live a good life - quality time is better than more time in a home.

4

Rewarding

Adopting an older animal is incredibly rewarding. I've just taken in two older cats who were unwanted; there was no interest at all in fostering or adopting them. But they've very quickly adapted, and I feel really happy that I've been able to offer them a second chance.

5

Trained

Puppies and kittens are cute, but they're also destructive, active and lively. You'll have to toilet train them and teach a puppy proper manners. An older animal will probably require little or no training to use the litter box or walk calmly on a leash; they've already learned correct behavior.

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6

Less Destructive

Have you ever had your shoes chewed to bits by a puppy or your furniture destroyed by a kitten? Kittens and puppies need to play, as well as be taught manners. An older dog or cat, however, won't wreck your house or ruin your things.

7

Saving a Life

Perhaps one of the best reasons of all to consider adopting an older animal is that you'll be saving a life. You'll be giving them a proper home and taking them out of the shelter environment. The animal's welfare is always most important, so think of what an amazing thing you'll be doing by homing an older animal.

Older animals still have so much to offer, and can fit in much easier to your lifestyle. Besides, it really is incredibly rewarding to know that you're giving a home to an animal that really needs one. Have you ever had a pet that lived to a really ripe old age?

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Where Thoughts and Opinions Converge

We rescued our dog from an animal shelter when he was 5 years old. Looking back I wouldn't do anything differently likes the article said he was trained and we didn't have to go the through the tough puppy years. Also knowing that we have given him a good home for the rest of his life is a great feeling and I wouldn't want it another way !!

Too true !! I agree with all of these points ! I've taken in 3 unwanted cats over the last few years and they lived to a ripe old age & were wonderful companions! I've just however had two tiny kittens who are wrecking the joint but boy do I love em!!

All very true but also sometimes the older ones had unwanted behaviour they haven't shown the shelter. We have a well behaved older dog but after he was with us we found he barks constantly in the car!! That's his only fault. Love him to bits!!!!

I would love to have an older rescue, we have a young son so he wanted a young dog, next rescue and there will be more. I will adopt an older dog

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