Let’s talk turkey! November is upon us and with it Senior Pet Adoption Month. If you have been considering adoption lately, you may be tempted to go for a puppy or kitten. Fluffy youngsters romping around a Christmas tree or popping their heads out of gift boxes are irresistible sights to be sure. But with the holiday hustle fast approaching, an older pet may be the way to go. Here’s why:
1. As the ASPCA points out, with age comes experience, meaning senior pets know how to behave and require less supervision. For example, an older pet is far less likely to be whiskers-deep in the Thanksgiving turkey while your back is turned.
2. Senior pets are more relaxed, according to Petfinder. The months leading up to January are busy enough as it is without a puppy constantly underfoot. Plus, an older pet can better appreciate the necessity of the post-Thanksgiving-dinner nap.
3. A pet that has reached adulthood is done growing. Unlike puppies or kittens, adult pets will not grow to an unwieldy size or develop unforeseen personality traits. Choosing a pet that shares your lifestyle and who won’t drag you by the leash down the sidewalk is made simple with older pets.
4. Petfinder says that senior animals have a greater mental capacity for learning new things. The old adage “you can’t teach an old dog new tricks” simply isn’t true! This also makes training easier, meaning you’re less frustrated and free to do things other than clean up after your puppy that looks like a dog but has the attention span of a goldfish.
Both the ASPCA and Petfinder stress that senior animals are too often overlooked for adoption. Senior Pet Adoption Month is a time to spread awareness about the plight of senior animals. If you can’t adopt, spread the word!
Touch of Class Pets 