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Older
animals can make perfect pets
June 7, 2007
Last week I wrote about pets with special needs. Little did I know that
Minnie, a 19-year-old cat, would arrive at the Louisiana SPCA shelter.
She's blind, deaf and very sweet. She is a perfect example that pets
with special needs can experience a very happy, healthy and full life.
The family that loved Minnie all her life is no longer able to care for
her due to uncontrollable circumstances. She is waiting to become a
wonderful addition to another home.
Older pets often are overlooked in shelters across the country. That
represents a huge loss for humans and animals because older pets make
excellent companions.
Pets are defined as "older" when they have reached approximately
two-thirds of their life expectancy. A standard poodle, for example, has
an average life span of 12 years, so at 8, he or she is ready to become
a card-carrying member of the retired pets' club.
One major advantage of bringing a mature animal companion into your home
is that you have the advantage of already knowing its size at full
growth, its temperament and personality. A potential adopter can make a
more informed decision about whether they have the lifestyle that can
match well with the animal. That's a primary component of any
successful, long-term adoption.
Sure, puppies and kittens are undeniably irresistible, but we all know
they require lots of supervision and training. A mature cat often adapts
to a new home more quickly than a kitten. An older dog usually is
housebroken and trained.
Ask anyone who's been there: There's no trick to housebreaking. It
really involves patience, time and consistency. With a mature pet,
that's one less thing to worry about as you help them adapt to their new
home.
Older pets usually aren't high-energy and make ideal companions for
those that have a less active lifestyle.
Every animal, whatever their age, deserves a loving home. Loving pets
like Minnie remind us that they should not be overlooked at animal
shelters. They deserve a second chance.
- Gloria
Dauphin
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