Why You Should Adopt a Senior Pet

November is Adopt a Senior Pet Month, and we are here to walk you through some of the reasons why you should adopt a senior pet! When considering adopting a new pet, it’s easy to think that getting a puppy or kitten is the way to go. But hey, ten years is the new ten months!

Adopt senior pet Pixie.

Adopt senior pet Clyde.

Adopt senior pet Sebastian.

Adopt senior pet Sasha.

1. Senior pets have a clear purr-sonality: While it may take months or even years for a younger pet’s personality to fully develop, when you adopt a senior pet, oftentimes, what you see is what you get! If you’ve fallen in love with an older cuddle bug in the shelter, you will most likely get a cuddle bug at home as well. However, keep in mind that all pets will need some time to adjust to a new environment, just like we do!
2. Older pets often require less training and supervision: Want a pet but don’t want to deal with potty training? Senior pets are here for you! Barring a short adjustment period as your new pet learns the rules of their new home, senior animals often come with a set of manners built in! So whether you’re looking for a pup to walk politely on leash or a kitty who knows how to use the litter box, a elder pet could definitely be the one to fulfill your wish!
3. Senior pets (especially cats) live longer than you might think: Although 7 years old is often considered the age at which an animal enters the senior stage of life, this doesn’t mean they don’t have plenty of happy years ahead of them! Indoor cats, in particular, can often live to be over 20 years old if given proper care! Just be sure to keep up on vet visits and ensure your furry friends have all the care they need at home and on the go.
4. Not all older pets are couch potatoes: While some seniors may prefer a home where they can snooze on a comfy sofa, plenty of older pets don’t let their age slow them down! So don’t disregard an older pet just because you don’t think they’ll want to accompany you on a brisk walk or chase a feather toy– their senior spark might surprise you!
5. Save a life… and some cash: Many shelters have discounts on older pets in order to help get them adopted… sometimes senior pets even come with $0 worth of adoption fees! That’s right– you don’t have to break the bank to bring home a new best friend! To sweeten the deal, senior pets adopted from the Humane Society of Utah come spayed/neutered, vaccinated, and microchipped just like their younger compatriots, so you won’t have to worry about those costs adding up, either!