7 Things You Should Know Before Adopting a Senior Pet – Mental Floss
November is Adopt a Senior Pet Month—a necessary campaign, considering many shelters euthanize senior-aged dogs and cats because they’re viewed as undesirable. Fortunately, several organizations exist across the U.S. to pair senior animals with loving homes.
According to a 2017 survey conducted by The Grey Muzzle Organization—which provides grants and resources to rescue groups, shelters, sanctuaries, and other nonprofits that take care of at-risk senior animals—two-thirds of respondents reported that things were looking up for homeless senior dogs; half of those surveyed believed more younger people were more open to adopting senior pups.
“A grey muzzle just means a dog will be even more grateful for the chance to love and be loved again,” Barbara Castleman, a volunteer media manager at The Grey Muzzle Organization, told Mental Floss. “After all, love is ageless.”
According to Chewy, small dogs reach senior status at 11–12 years old; medium dogs are considered senior dogs around 8–9 years old; and giant breeds become senior dogs at 6–7 years old. For cats, it’s about 7–10 years old.
“With an older dog, what you see is what you get,” Patty Stanton of San Francisco’s Muttville Senior Dog Rescue told Mental Floss. “Their physical size is established so there are no mysteries about whether they’ll exceed the weight limit for your apartment, and by and large, their temperament and personality are also fully developed. In other words, they’ve become what and who they are going to be.”
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