Adopting an older dog might be the last thing on your mind but it could be the best thing you ever do. Most of the time, when people think about bringing a new family member into their lives, they want puppies. But, adopting a senior dog is becoming an increasingly popular choice for families around the US, and right here at home in Volusia County. Senior dogs are given up for a variety of reasons and often find their way to shelters and rescues after a lifetime of love and care. Bringing them into your home means giving an older dog a second chance at a great family. There are also plenty of other reasons to adopt a senior dog, and if you're curious, you should keep reading.
Why Adopt a Senior Dog?
Senior dogs have several advantages over younger ones, especially for families with children. They're every bit as loving, trainable, and rewarding as any other dog.
Older Dogs are More Reliable
Where younger dogs are often taken to the shelter for training and exercise issues which result in aggression and damage to the home, older dogs rarely end up in shelters for these reasons. In most cases, older dogs are well trained and cared for, and end up in shelters because of a change in circumstance, a misfortune, or a poor decision on the part of their owners. For example, many senior dogs are turned into shelters because of death's in the family, owners moved into hospice care, new family members (babies), new allergies, or moves where dogs are not allowed. People give up family pets that are loved and loving. This means that adopting a senior dog allows you to bring a trained and loving dog into your family, so that you have less to worry about.
In addition, contrary to popular opinion, older dogs are great learners. You can teach an old dog new tricks, and many are eager to learn and learn well. Because old dogs have less energy, they pay attention better, so they can be easier to train than younger dogs.
Senior Dogs are Less Demanding
Puppies and younger dogs are high energy and may require hours of walks every day. Adopting older dogs means that you won't have to worry about this, as many senior dogs require significantly less exercise. While this will change based on the breed, older dogs are typically quieter, more reserved, need less exercise, and are less likely to have energy problems. Most older dogs don't require constant monitoring, making them a better choice for busy individuals, seniors, and families.
You Get the Dog You Adopt
When you adopt a puppy or a younger dog, you may be in for a lot of surprises. Even small pups can grow very large, puppies rarely retain their personality for long, and you'll have little choice in what kind of dog they grow into. When you adopt a senior, you can choose a dog with energy levels that match your preferences, and choose a dog that fits well into your lifestyle and your home. You will have to make adaptations to accommodate your furry friend no matter what, but with a senior dog, you know exactly what kind of dog you're adopting.
Giving a Dog a Second Chance
Many senior dogs find their way to the shelter when their families cannot care for them, move, or older caretakers are moved into a nursing home or die. These unfortunate circumstances often cannot be avoided, and an otherwise healthy and loving dog is left without a home or anyone to love them.
For example, Sophie's Circle was invited to take in a senior dog, Fred. His family was evicted from their home, and animal control was forced to take him. Because no one would adopt him, he was scheduled for euthanasia. When he came to Sophie's Circle he was heartbroken, he refused to eat, but we couldn’t find anything wrong with him. After giving up, he spent Christmas Eve with Kathy Blackman's family, and realizing he was loved, began to eat. Fred, now Freddie, is perfectly healthy, he's one of the sweetest and best mannered dogs we've cared for, and he lost his family as the result of misfortune.
Many senior dogs lose their homes because their families are moved into hospice, become financially unstable, or to death. But, while the dog can't understand why their family is gone, they are still deserving of love and care. Dog's grieve just as much as we do, and giving them a home allows them to have a second chance.
Saving a Life
Many older dogs, usually any older than 7, especially for larger dogs, are difficult to adopt. Because many of the shelters in Volusia County are kill shelters, they are often euthanized because people prefer to adopt younger dogs. By taking an older dog into your family, you can quite literally save a life. While Sophie's Circle is a no-kill rescue, adopting an older dog from us will open room to allow us to help other dogs and to give them a home until they find a family.
While many people have concerns about older dogs, they typically offer fewer problems, require less maintenance, and less training than younger ones. While it is more important for us to carefully match an older dog with a suitable family and environment, adopting an older dog will allow you to bring an instant companion into your family.
Sophie's Circle works to rescue and rehome dogs around Volusia County, and we frequently foster and adopt senior dogs. If you're interested, visit our adoption page to see some of our adoptable animals, or to get started learning about the adoption process.
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