Senior pets can be paired with senior members of our communities - with some support from volunteers.
Elderly people can become forgetful - it's part of ageing for so many humans - however with assistance they can enjoy the love and companionship of a healthy senior pet!
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Animal Aid is encouraging senior citizens to keep a pet in their life as long as they can. Research shows that senior citizens reap significant health benefits associated with pet ownership, including lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels, which in turn, reduces the risk of heart disease.
Seniors with pets tend to visit the doctor less often than non-pet owners and have improved longevity. Evidence also shows that the care and attention required by pets helps seniors to stay more active and healthier. Pets also establish routines and create a variety of opportunities for social interactions.
Animal Aid is encouraging senior citizens to keep a pet in their life as long as they can. Research shows that senior citizens reap significant health benefits associated with pet ownership, including lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels, which in turn, reduces the risk of heart disease.
Seniors with pets tend to visit the doctor less often than non-pet owners and have improved longevity. Evidence also shows that the care and attention required by pets helps seniors to stay more active and healthier. Pets also establish routines and create a variety of opportunities for social interactions.
- Lower blood pressure
- Reduced cardiovascular disease
- Reduced feelings of stress
- Lower cholesterol levels
- improved overall health means fewer doctor appointments
- Increased sense of responsibility and alertness
- Reduced sense of loneliness
- Increased activity during the day
- Increased fun!
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Senior pets have many advantages making them the perfect family pet. Seniors have developed their own character, are house trained, need less exercise, less excitable and are often a good match for homes with existing pets. Many older animals are well socialised and are aware of what it means to be part of a ‘pack’. If matched well, a senior pet will take no time fitting into the existing family dynamic.
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Little Paws has recently launched it’s new look ‘Seniors for Seniors’ Program.
Traditionally most families want a kitten so the adults often get overlooked. There are many great cats with loving personalities, very easy to manage and desperate for someone to show them love and affection.
The goal of ‘Seniors for Seniors’ is to match people who are eligible for the program with a loving adult cat that we have waiting to find a safe home. Seniors living in our community tell us they are often fearful to take on the commitment as they know their circumstances may change due to the health conditions or that veterinary costs could be prohibitive for them getting the right care for their cat when needed.
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Leading animal welfare organisation, Animal Aid, is launching their innovative initiative called ‘Seniors for Seniors'. This program is designed to nurture pet ownership amongst senior citizens by matching them with older pets proving that age is no barrier to finding happiness.
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In addition, pets appear to provide a sense of consistency in a rapidly changing world, and may reinforce feelings of self-sufficiency, dependability and optimism with their owners. Above all, pets offer their owners unconditional love and attention, regardless of how old the owner is, how grey his or her hair is, or how wealthy or poor the individual might be.
Pet ownership among seniors can also act as a therapeutic agent that allows individuals to escape stress and concentrate on something other than the challenges that face them in their daily lives. This release can have a considerable impact on overall health and well-being. A 1990 UCLA study showed that pet ownership could actually improve overall health and reduce the time a senior individual spends in a doctor’s office. A subsequent study by Alan Beck, Director of the Center of Animal-Human Bond at Purdue University indicated that pet ownership can act as a health enhancer for seniors by:
Pets can also act as “’social lubricants” for seniors, who may not be outgoing individuals by nature. Pet owners are often attracted to one another, and the topic of their pets frequently breaks the ice and starts discussions.
Adopting a senior pet can often open a new world for seniors. To find out how to adopt senior animals in our area, contact your local animal shelter.
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There's no question that pet adoption can be good for some seniors.
The benefits are well-documented:
“It was a win-win,” says Priestley. “My mom had purpose caring for another, and Bo’s life was saved. She got love and a wonderful home.”
That match prompted Priestley, a long-time animal rescue advocate, to launch “SENIORS FOR SENIORS – pets & people,” a Facebook group dedicated to helping senior pets and the senior people find a way to comfort and support one another.
In just two months, the group has over 450 members. Some seniors have adopted mature cats and dogs, outright. But all sorts of connections have been made. One senior was willing to foster a 13-year-old German Shepherd named Lola, but was looking for help to support the dog. Seniors for Seniors linked her with three members who could not house an additional pet but were each willing to pay $10 per month for the rest of Lola’s life, living with her new owner.
Other options include fostering a senior pet, until they find a home or making a financial pledge until a home can be found.
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"If you're willing to give our cats or dogs aged 7 years+ a loving home and lifetime commitment, there will be no fee to adopt!
At seven, life is only just beginning. Whether it’s having a Sunday sleep in or frolic in the park, make no mistake - senior animals have years of love, life and devotion to give to very lucky owners.
RSPCA vet clinics also support the care of our furry senior friends. Senior pets adopted from the RSPCA receive a 25% discount on consultation fee at theRSPCA's Burwood East and Peninsula vet clinics for the entire life of the pet! "
RSPCA vet clinics also support the care of our furry senior friends. Senior pets adopted from the RSPCA receive a 25% discount on consultation fee at theRSPCA's Burwood East and Peninsula vet clinics for the entire life of the pet!
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Great searchable site for the US - can be replicated for Australia.
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