No doubt about it, puppies and kittens are unbearably, irresistibly cute. No doubt about this either - lots of time, work and energy go into raising those cute fluff balls to be polite, house-trained, well-adjusted dogs and cats.

If you’re ready for a pet but don’t have the time that puppies and kittens require, a senior pet might be right for you. Cats are considered seniors by age 7 or 8. Dogs earn the senior title when they’re in the last quarter of their lives.

November is Adopt-A-Senior-Pet month. Though senior pets make terrific pets, they often have a tough time getting adopted from shelters. When I did shelter work, I was always moved when an animal was adopted. But it was the adoption of seniors that really got me. I’d imagine their new lives in a happy home, waking up every day to people who loved and cared well for them, and, cheesy as it sounds, I’d often get a little choked up as they walked out the door with their humans.

Why adopt a senior? Well, for one thing, puppies and kittens don’t have the corner on the market on cuteness. Take a look at these pictures from Muttville, a San Francisco-based rescue organization devoted to adopting out senior dogs (www.muttville.org). Those mutts are plenty cute!

Aside from the cute factor, here are some other good reasons to adopt a senior pet:

• Senior pet don’t need nearly as much exercise as young 'uns.

• They’re wiser than young pups.

• They enjoy life at a mellow pace. A senior pet will be happy spending peaceful moments with you. She’d rather taking a leisurely stroll with you than rush off to chase a squirrel or a butterfly. A senior pet would rather curl up at your feet or in your lap than play tug all evening long.

• You can absolutely teach seniors new tricks.

• What you see is what you get. They’ve already grown into their adult personalities.

• You’re giving a wonderful creature a second chance at a happy life.

• They’re instant companions, ready to integrate into your lifestyle.

• They’re probably housetrained. Chances are a senior pet’s already lived in a human home, so while she may need a refresher on potty training and nice house manners, you won’t be starting from scratch.

• They’ve got plenty of love to give.

If you’d like to adopt a senior dog or cat, check out the animals available for adoption at the San Francisco SPCA (www.sfspca.org); S.F. Animal Care and Control (www.sfgov.org/acc); Muttville (www.muttville.org); or any shelter or rescue organization.


 Posted:  November 1, 2008