It is a crying shame that older dogs are so difficult to adopt out of shelters. Almost everyone wants a bouncy young puppy or a really cute-looking younger dog. It’s easy to see why these dogs would be attractive. Youth and beauty can be hard to rival.
I once visited the Boulder Humane Society as a large shiny bus rolled in with the new arrivals from Utah to be put up for adoption. “Do you want to see them,” I was asked. I jumped at the opportunity. Climbing the stairs into the bus, I was faced with wall-to-wall pets – dogs and cats – all looking at me hopefully, each one in need of a home.
But then it struck me. They were all young and good looking. There were white dogs with a black patch over one eye, ghost-grey dogs, dogs with split-colored eyes and a jaunty look, dogs with cute crinkly ears, curly-coated poodle-ish puppies, tortoiseshell cats and cinnamon-colored Abyssinian-type kittens. I said, “They’re all gorgeous. How is that?” The reply came, “We only take the young and cute-looking animals because they’re the ones that are most adoptable.
Here’s why you should consider adopting an older dog:
• They’re a known quantity.
• They are already house trained, vaccinated and neutered.
• Lower exercise requirements and steady temperament.
• They come with experience.
• They make great pets and will be truly thankful for a loving home.
• They need your help and you will grow to love them
Conclusion
Many older dogs and cats find themselves in shelters through no fault of their own. There are several reasons why people relinquish pets of any age. I once heard from a friend at HSUS that 20% of people surrender their pet because they are “too old.”
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Dr. Dodman is a Professor in the Department of Clinical Sciences at Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine and Director of the school’s Animal Behavior Clinic. He is also Chief Scientific Officer for the CENTER FOR CANINE BEHAVIOR STUDIES. He has written over 100 scientific articles and several popular press books, including The Dog Who Loved Too Much and The Cat Who Cried for Help.