LA Animal Services has designated November “Adopt a Senior Pet” month. Adopting a mature orphaned cat or dog is a great way to add love to your life. Many people automatically think of a puppy or kitten when they contemplate adopting a pet. Kittens and puppies are cute and cuddly, but they demand a lot of time, patience and energy. If you are considering adopting a furry friend and you are away from home most of the day, you want a calm pet or you have young children, there are great advantages to adopting a grown-up four-legged family member.
Here are a few advantages to adopting a mature pet:
- What you see is what you get. You already know how big they’ll get, what what their grooming requirements will be and what their personality is. This information will help you pick the right pet for you and your family.
- Older pets have manners. Unlike kittens and puppies, many grown-up animals have spent years living with a family and being socialized to life with humans. Many dogs are house trained and it takes only a matter of hours, or a day or two, to help them learn the potty rules in their new home.
- Your shoes will be safe. Older adoptive pets are usually less destructive and well past the search-and-destroy phase.
- You can teach an old dog (and cat) new tricks. Adult dogs and cats can focus on the task at hand, are more attentive and are more eager to please their humans. This makes them the perfect candidates for learning basic commands.
- Older pets are relaxing and easier to handle. Senior dogs and cats don’t have as much energy to burn. If you have small children in the home, a mature pet makes a lot of sense. Select an adult dog who likes kids and the transition will be much easier than adding another “baby” to the family. Adult cats can jump up on a bookcase or table when kids are being kids and observe the action from above.
- Adopted senior pets are grateful for your kindness. Somehow, older dogs and cats seem to know you gave them a home and a second chance at love.
You can meet some mature dogs available for adoption at a special event sponsored by ShelterMe and Susie’s Senior Dogs today, Saturday, November 4th from 10 AM until 4 PM at Cheviot Hills Recreation Center, 2551 Motor Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90064. Adoptions fee for this special event are $25.00.
