7 Things to Love About Senior Pets

“Don’t be frightened off by the gray hair around my muzzle… I have a lot of years left ahead of me and I want to spend them with you — my rescuer! My age has given me more time to learn how to love, and more cuddle expertise. Will you be my best friend for life?”

Every so often, a best friend can come into your life who becomes your other half — a confidant, an adventure companion, a buddy to finish the food you don’t want. Even better is that for a lucky few circumstances allow these best friends to grow old alongside one another.

For many pet owners, that joy of close friendship and unconditional love is a daily reality. The feeling of having a companion by your side through all of life’s most challenging and exciting moments is unrivaled — as is the joy of having a best friend who looks forward to your return not only at the end of every day, but who is ecstatic just to see you walk in from the next room.

For senior pets in particular, this bond is forged over a lifetime. But various reasons, many senior pets are relegated to animal shelters, often due to health reasons, a loss of interest after puppy and kitten-hood, or even health concerns on the part of the owner. Many of these pets have decreased chances of adoption simply because of their age, but what many don’t realize is that there are dozens of reasons why senior pets make amazing companions — and why their hearts are so full of love.

7 Reasons to Adopt a Senior Pet

• Gray hair looks distinguished. Just like humans, animals often grow gray as they age, particularly around the nose and paws. But every gray hair is a sign of wisdom and experience, not a mark of years — so cherish every last one! They only add to your pet’s unique character.

• They LOVE to love. Nothing can measure up to the gratitude of an older dog who has been rescued, and they will reimburse you with affection and appreciation a million times over. Senior pets may (or may not) have less energy than younger animals, so you might find them more content to snuggle and smother you with love.

• They’re often better trained. Puppy and kitten-hood is adorable, but litterbox and house-training is a big time commitment, as is navigating the mischievous chewing and exploration stages that young animals go through. With older pets, however, you have the leisure of skipping over the challenges that come with little ones in favor of a pet who is already calmer, more socialized, and more than likely housetrained. Yet, still with the same desire and ability to learn new tricks — they might even already know a few!

• What you see is what you get. Young animals are unpredictable — especially because genetics and socialization both play huge roles in the overall temperament your pet will have as adult — but a senior pet already has its personality established. A gentle, laid back older dog, for instance, will likely stay that way for the rest of its life.

• They relish the easy life. Just like an older pet may enjoy snuggling a bit more than a rambunctious young one, older pets are often more content overall. Since they don’t require as much exercise, you and your companion can simply relax together and enjoy the simple things in life.

• They make great companions for every lifestyle. One of the many wonderful traits of senior pets is that they are highly adaptable because of their maturity. Whether you’re a senior yourself or a young, highly active outdoorsman, there is an older pet with a personality to match your unique lifestyle.

• You might just be saving a life! Seniors have a much more difficult time getting adopted, so you will truly be saving a life by taking one into your home. You’ll be responsible for making their last years the best, most loving years they’ve ever known.

Organizations that Help Senior Animals

There are dozens of organizations and rescue awareness projects that sponsor, support, and facilitate the adoption of at-risk senior pets across the country. Many of the individuals and teams who have started these programs have done so after being inspired by their own heartwarming experiences with a senior pet. Check out just a few of these incredible groups on a mission to save senior pets and check-out their photos — you might just find your next best friend!

Susie’s Senior Dogs

Started by Erin O’Sullivan, the girlfriend of Humans of New York photographer Brandon Stanton, Susie’s sponsors adoptable senior pets from all over the nation, helping older dogs find new homes.

“Although it’s true that you might have less time together than you would when adopting a puppy, a senior dog makes up for it with their appreciation of being given a second chance. There’s nothing like earning the love of an older animal.”

Muttville Senior Dog Rescue

Called the “fairy godmother” of the SF-SPCA, Sherri Franklin launched Muttville after years of fostering and rehoming dogs on her own, with the goal of using foster, adoption, education, and community to address a problem bigger than she could tackle on her own.

“Muttville’s mission is to change the way the world thinks about and treats older dogs and to create better lives for them through rescue, foster, adoption and hospice. We reach out to senior and special needs rescue dogs; find suitable homes for those dogs that are adoptable; and offer end of life care for those that are not… Bringing these special dogs into a home is not only good for the dogs, but such loving, mellow dogs transform the quality of life for the people who adopt or foster them.”

Tails of Gray

As a non-profit organization that rehomes, fosters, and provides medical care, Tails of Gray places a special emphasis on the lives of innocent senior dogs left homeless for any reason. Following their motto of “Each One Matters,” TOG provides quality medical care to each of its animals and helps to place them into loving, responsible, and permanent homes. Tails of Gray also sponsors a unique Art by the Dogs program that helps raise money for their rescue charges.

“These precious dogs are welcomed into a home environment and we work at rebuilding the dog’s true character. We provide them with the medical attention they need to heal physically and the love and attention they need to heal emotionally. Senior dogs who may have come to us timid, frightened or otherwise emotionally scarred, blossom and flourish with the tender care that we provide as they await permanent placement in responsible and loving homes.”

Senior Dogs Project

Inspired by the adoption of their own senior dog, Misty, the Senior Dogs Project came to fruition to facilitate the adoption of older pets considered “less adoptable.” Through education and the power of personal story-telling, Sr. Dogs seeks to encourage the adoption of aged dogs across the country.

“Misty taught us that senior dogs deserve to be celebrated and valued, to be protected from discrimination because of their age, and to be given the best healthcare available… A throw-away society is no place for the loyal and wonderful canine species. But we believe that society can be changed by opportunities to demonstrate compassion. A dog can bring out the best in people; a dog unwanted because of age reaches to the very depths of human kindness and compassion. We believe that the more examples there are of compassion around us — whether toward our outcast dogs or fellow-humans — the better will be humanity’s chances for peaceful survival.”

The Mr. Mo Project

The Mr. Mo Project is run by Rowdy To The Rescue, an established non-profit group established in 2011. Chris Hughes founded The Mr. Mo Project with his wife Mariesa — together, they fight to save senior shelter dogs nationwide to honor the life of their late and beloved senior dog, Mr. Mo. With help from sponsors, rescue affiliates, Mr. Mo Project dogs receive financial assistance for the rest of their lives, whether in danger of being relinquished due to inability to afford healthcare, or whether in a current shelter program and at risk of euthanasia due to age and health concerns.

“Moses (Mr.Mo) brought our attention to the overwhelming number of senior dogs that find their way into shelters across the country. Moses came to us housebroken, well trained and a gentle, loving dog. He went on to become a chef, advocate for elderbulls and one of Facebook’s favorite faces. On February 17th, 2014 Moses was diagnosed with an inoperable spinal cord tumor. Moses lost his brave battle on March 26, 2014 and has since inspired this project.”

Pet Retirement Homes

We’ve mentioned end of life care and pet retirement before, but for pet owners faced with the prospect of passing on before their beloved pet, or the inability to provide quality care for their pet any longer, there are senior pet communities across the country and overseas who will give your companion a forever home tailored specifically to the aged resident. Regardless of health care and dietary needs, these incredible facilities shower their residents with the love and attention that they need, and ease the transition that often comes with losing their former owners.

House with a Heart Senior Pet Sanctuary

Once a pet becomes a resident at House with a Heart, it has a loving home for life. Here, Sher Polvinale and her highly trained staff devote themselves full-time to caring for their animals.

“The House with a Heart Pet Sanctuary mission is to provide senior and special needs pets with a loving and caring home where they will be allowed to live out their lives in a secure, nurturing environment.”

Silver Streak Kennels

Imagine a retirement home for dogs where your faithful companion is able to run, play, and enjoy the luxuries and freedoms of country life for the rest of their days — in upstate New York, no less! They also have great resources to facilitate the care of your senior pet at home

“A calm, low-stress environment with relaxed, appropriate exercise in a country setting gives each dog a beautiful landscape to retire in. Older dogs often require increased attention and care that many pet owners cannot supply, but Silver Streak Kennel’s environment and caretakers are specially equipped for the needs of senior dogs. Every dog is a guest at Silver Streak Kennels, whether for a short-term, long-term or even emergency boarding plan.”

Lincolnshire Trust for Cats

Internationally recognized for their luxurious feline accommodations and one-time fee, is the ultimate retirement home for cats who, most often, have lost their owners due to age. Half-rescue, half-retirement home, Lincolnshire is currently raising funds to expand their community to help kitties who may not have had owners able to afford the pension fee.

The Sunshine Home

The Sunshine Home in Honeoye, NY, offers, among other amenities, a common room with a television, cat walks and various cat furniture — and every cat is celebrated and spoiled to their pampered heart’s desire!

Age is Just a Number

November is nationally recognized as Adopt a Senior Pet Month, but we encourage everyone to consider adding an older pet to your family no matter the time of year! If you’ve ever considered adopting a senior animal, check out this heartwarming rescue video by Hope for Paws to see why it matters!

Here at KirinGie.Me, we aim to create a supportive community of pet-owners where you can share your pets and their unique stories — every photo, video, quirk, and “first” moment documented in one central place, customized to show off your pet’s personality, no matter their age!

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