10 Reasons To Adopt An Older Pet

by C. Miriam Yarden, B.Sc., MS, APDT
LBReport.com Contributing Editor

(Sept. 19, 2010) -- Adoption of a rescued adult, healthy, suitable family pet should be discussed with the family veterinarian who can advise on the advantages of such adoption, how to go about finding that forever-companion and check out the health of the selected lucky dog or cat. Many times you will be confronted with attitudes of ‘after all, aren’t they just like used cars?' or 'if he is so wonderful, why was he given to a shelter?' or 'I’d rather buy a puppy so I know what I’m getting. And besides, they are soooo cute!'

Shelter workers and rescue people often hear these remarks and I am sure so do many veterinarians. They are made by prospective owners who are concerned about adopting an older (+2 year old) dog instead of getting a puppy. But there are many good reasons for adopting from a shelter or legitimate and reputable rescue group which carefully screened, vetted and evaluated each animal in their care.

The Top 10 Reasons.

1. You Can Toss Out the Pee-Pad. Rescue dogs are housetrained before they are offered for adoption. Conversely, housetraining a puppy takes time. Puppies with tiny, as-yet uncontrolled bladders need a consistent schedule and frequent opportunities to eliminate in designated spots. They can’t wait for the family to come home at the end of the day. An older dog can do eight hours standing on his head.

2. Your Underwear Stays Intact. With a teething puppy, you can expect to end up with about 10 pairs of unmatched socks and a few ragged slippers and shoes before he cuts every permanent tooth. With a puppy you can reliably expect a few holes in the carpet, a few books with missing pages, and at least one dead remote control. No matter how much you watch him, this is the puppy’s nature and career. An older dog can have the run of the house without causing such destruction.

3. You’ll Get a Good Night’s Sleep. Forget the alarm clock, hot water bottles and getting up at 2 am, 4 am and 6 am. If you had babies of your own you’ve been there. It’s not the puppy’s fault -- he misses his mother and littermates. But an older "rescue" dog will sleep through the night calmly and happily.

4. You Can Put Your Feet Up. With a puppy running around the house, how much peace and quiet can you expect when you get home after a hard day’s work? Do you really think your children will feed him, walk him, clean up his messes until he is housetrained? With an adult dog, only your children will run amok.

5. What You See is What You Get. How big will that puppy get? What kind of temperament will he have? How active will he be? Specially if you haven’t met the parents and siblings? When adopting an adult all those questions are pretty much answered. You can choose a dog, large or small, active or a couch-potato, goofy or brilliant, sweet or sassy. The rescuers and foster homes can help you select the right dog for you to meet. In fact, rescuers have an overflow of perfectly terrific dogs who were given up simply because their owners "didn’t know how big a Husky would get" (?).

6. Your Kids Will Love It. When puppies are excited they tend to jump and nip at people, especially children (they are easier to reach!). The kids in turn, can become frightened by the pup and the parents react emotionally. An older dog has almost always outgrown this stage and is calmer, more gentle and more tolerant around children.

7. Like Owner Like Dog. When picking a puppy, people become infatuated with the cuteness of the tiny, snuggling being. Down the road, it turns out that the dog is super-active, when you wanted a couch-buddy, or a couch-companion when you were hoping for a hiking partner. Such mis-matches are one of the top reasons people give when they call a rescue. Good rescue groups do an extensive evaluation of both dog and applicant to ensure that everyone will be happy with the adoption.

8. You Get an Instant Companion. With an older dog you almost automatically have a friend who can go everywhere and do everything with you NOW. There is no waiting until the puppy grows up. You will be able to choose the most compatible dog for you -- one who loves to travel or one who loves to play or one who loves to kick back -- the one who simply fits in with your individual lifestyle.

9. They're Not Lemons Unfortunately too many people believe that rescued pets have genetic or behavior defects. There is simply no truth in this. It is not uncommon that a rescue gets a dog that cost well over $1,000 who has been given up because the owners had no patience, were not responsible and he novelty wore off. Not many breeders will accept "returns." While rescuing an adult pet will not solve the problem of overpopulation (only responsible breeders and even more responsible owners can do that) it will give many animals a second chance at a happy life. And that happiness is shared by all around him

10. And a Solid Bond. Rescue dogs bond! Those who have been uprooted from their homes or who have not had the best start in life are more likely to bond deeply and completely with their new families when treated with patience and affection. Those who lost their previous families through death, divorce or a move, go through a terrible mourning process. However, once attached to a new loving family, they are eager to please again. Dogs who remember life on the streets or at the end of a chain or worse, revel and blossom in a nurturing environment. "Rescues" make exceptionally affectionate and attentive pets and most loyal companions

And they are so grateful!

ALSO:

Fall is here and Friends of Long Beach Animals is having its annual walk/run, stroll, promenade or just saunter for the animals. We have details on this event: click here.

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