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PETS
Senior Pets

for Seniors

By Neal Boyd

here are a lot of BENEFITS
older cats and Unlike
dogs looking for puppies and A senior pet is
humans they can kittens, a se-
Trelate to. Pets nior pet is al- already grown up,
have much to offer, from help- ready grown so the pet you meet
ing reduce stress to providing up, so the is the pet you get.
unmatched companionship. pet you meet
We spoke with Alicia Haefele is the pet you the country, many of which
at the Louisiana SPCA and get. Many already know what reduce or waive adoption
discussed why adopting an it’s like to be part of a family, costs completely. Contact
older animal might be a per- as a large number are brought your local shelter to see if
fect choice for a mature adult. to shelters due to situations you have a new friend wait-
like major illness, divorce or ing for you, or use online
COMPATIBILITY relocation to non-pet friendly resources like PetsForTheEl-
When searching for the residences. Additionally, most derly.org or SrDogs.com.
perfect pet, you should con- of them are already house Senior pets are steadily
sider how compatible you and trained, allowing you to spend increasing in number at shel-
your new friend’s energy levels more quality time getting to ters as owners find themselves
are. For an older dog, a few know your little partner as unable to properly care for
minutes strolling in the back- opposed to training them. them due to age or other
yard may be all the exercise circumstances. By taking part
they need. Similarly, older cats SENIOR PET PROGRAMS in a senior pets program, you’ll
spend most of their days sleep- There are “senior pets for make life better for yourself
ing (in the best cases, right in seniors” programs at shelters and for a dog or cat who sim-
the owner’s lap). and animal rescues across
ply wants to adore you.

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