Senior Mutts for Seniors Pete (11) with his adoptive parents Princess (9) with new "mom" Virginia
Adopt Old Dogs!
Click here to sign up for our Senior Mutt Match newsletter. It includes up-to-date information on adoptable senior mutts, links to articles about senior mutts as well as notice about Senior Mutt Match adoption events.
With age comes wisdom; therefore, if you are a senior and are viewing this page, you already know why senior dogs are the best! Just in case you need a few more reasons, we gave you five more. If that still does not convince you, check out the links to research and articles about the health benefits of animal guardianship.
We have also included some great organizations that help senior citizens keep their pets during times of illness, hospitalization, economic crisis or an emergency. Please refer to the resources on this page if you need help or you know someone that does.
ADOPT A SENIOR MUTT TODAY!
Drum roll please...............................
1. LOYALTY, LOYALTY, LOYALTY!
Chances are good that by adopting a senior dog you have rescued a wonderful, loving canine from an untimely, unfortunate and unwarranted death. A senior dog can sense that he or she was saved and will be eternally loyal to his or her new “forever” family.
2. BETTER HEALTH
Numerous studies have shown the health benefits that a calm, loving dog can have on a senior citizen. Senior dogs need daily/weekly walks which can help the overall health of the adopter and adoptee! Check the links at the bottom of this page for more specific information on research studies and findings.
3. COMPANIONSHIP
Senior dogs have many times had difficult lives and were shuffled from home to home. They have so much love to give and will bond quickly with the adopter that gives them their “forever” home. Senior dogs are also very mellow and often happiest resting at your feet or putting a loving head in your lap. It is hard to feel lonely with a loving dog near you at all times.
4. NO TERRIBLE TWOS OR UNRULY TEENS
Senior dogs are over the puppy chewing and destructive stages. They are usually housetrained and many already know some basic commands. Although some senior dogs may require more frequent veterinary visits, their love and devotion will far outweigh the effort.
5. NO SURPRISES
Senior dogs are full grown and their personalities are completely developed. When you meet with your senior dog you will instantly know what kind of wonderful, loving dog he or she will be.
Research and Articles on the Benefits of Pet Guardianship for Seniors
This site has a wealth of information about the health benefits for senior citizens. There are links to several research abstracts as well as articles about the connection between senior pet ownership and better physical and/or emotional health.
Includes a very funny piece about "how to prepare for a new puppy". After reading this piece you
will definitely agree that a senior dog is the best!
This is an article that cites the health benefits of having a pet in a senior citizens life.
A ton of good information about why pets are so important for senior citizens. Includes articles, research and links to other senior friendly sites.
An article from the Department of Aging and Veterans Services
An article from the Humane Society of the United States
Resources for Senior Pet Guardians during time of need and/or emergency
PAWS 24 Hour Hotline (760) 489-7877
"Recognizing the proven health benefits of companion animals, PAWS San Diego County provides essential services to the low income elderly, chronically ill and disabled of San Diego County to keep and care for their beloved animals. The unconditional love of a companion animal is a priceless gift for the many thousands in our community who are facing the challenges of living under these conditions".
PAWS does a wonderful job helping qualified animal guardians keep their pets. PAWS provides: pet food and supplies; veterinary and grooming assistance; in-home pet services such as dog walking, litter box cleaning and food delivery as well as temporary foster care when a client is hospitalized for a short term. Services provided by PAWS are free of charge and on a best efforts basis. Please visit their website or call PAWS if you or someone you know needs their services or if you are willing to donate your time and/or money to help this outstanding organization.
Rancho Coastal Humane Society "Pet Crisis Program"
Contact: Rancho Coastal Humane Society (760) 753-6476
The Pet Crisis Program provides short-term emergency housing for pets whose guardians are in transition due to medical emergencies, hospitalization or death in the family. If the pet guardian is unable to continue caring for the pet, RCHS will find a qualified, permanent and loving home for the companion animal. If you have further questions or need assistance please contact Amy Kost (see above).
Rancho Coastal Humane Society is located in Encinitas and is always looking for volunteers to help socialize, walk and love the many wonderful pets that take up temporary residence at the shelter while they wait for their forever homes. Please visit the RCHS website for more information about volunteering. If you don't currently have the time to volunteer, you can sponsor a pet on their webpage from the comfort of your own home.
Planning for your pet's future
Informational article to help you make sure that your pets are taken care of if you are no longer there for
them.
Programs to help with the costs of adopting pets for senior citizens
This program, which is funded by the Purina corporation, helps senior citizens (ages 60+) adopt pets from shelters for little or no cost. Many of the local San Diego shelters participate in this program but funding is limited and once the shelter has used their allotment, they can no longer offer the service. Please call the shelter you are interested in adopting from and ask if they participate in this program. San Diego Humane Society and SPCA currently participates in this program. Click here for specific information about Pets for People from the SD Humane Society's website.
The Pets For the Elderly Foundation (PFE) is a non-profit organization that provides the gift of health and happiness to senior citizens in need, while saving the lives of dogs and cats – many of which are euthanized by animal shelters or pounds simply for lack of funds or space. The most serious disease for older persons is not cancer or heart disease – it’s loneliness. Pets offer affection, unconditional love, fight loneliness, and can help east the loss of a loved one.The Pets For the Elderly Foundation makes donations to animal shelters throughout the United States to enable them to provide elderly persons a companion pet at no charge.When a senior citizen adopts a pet, we pay the fees charged by the shelter which include the adoption fee, spay or neuter cost, immunization shots, and follow-ups to make sure the relationship is thriving. Currently, North County Humane Society is the only shelter that is able to participate in this program in the San Diego area. If you would like to contribute to PFE so that they can help more shelters please click here.
Pete (11 years young) and his new "mom"!
Helpful Articles about older dogs
Disclaimer: SeniorMuttMatch.com acts as a directory of homeless pets and pet adoption organizations. No information in SeniorMuttMatch.com is guaranteed. Although the information on SeniorMuttMatch.com is updated frequently, it is always best to call the facility, organization or individual that lists the pet to insure the dog is still available and to insure the information listed in SeniorMuttMatch.com is accurate. It is crucial that any pet found through an adoption service or individual be thoroughly examined by a veterinarian immediately upon adoption. Any pets found, adopted through, or listed in SeniorMuttMatch.com are the sole responsibility of the adoption organization, individual/s placing the pet for adoption and/or the adopting party. SeniorMuttMatch.com accepts no responsibility for any liability or for any injury or damages to any person or property caused by any listed animal, as well as any cause of action, claims, suits or demands whatsoever that may arise as a result of such injury or damage.
Top five reasons that seniors should adopt a senior mutt