November is Adopt a Senior Pet Month! | Humane Society of Missouri

November is Adopt a Senior Pet Month, and it’s a great time to consider adding an older, wiser and often overlooked friend to your family. Adopting a more mature pet may be a better fit for your home over a playful puppy or curious kitten.

Here are our five favorite reasons why a senior pet might be perfect for you:

1. Lots of love to share

Senior pets have a tremendous amount of love to give and are grateful to spend their golden years with you. Adopting a senior pet gives them a second chance at life with a family who will love and appreciate them.

2. They are not a 24/7 job

While a puppy or kitten can be an exciting addition to the family, people often underestimate the time it takes to monitor and train them. Adopting a senior pet allows you to have the benefits of a pet, without the time and energy involved in caring for a young animal.

3. They enjoy a laid-back lifestyle

Older animals often have a more relaxed and easygoing personality. A nice walk here and there is great for your furry friend, but they require less attention and activity than a young animal.

4. Most are already house trained

Many senior pets have been around humans long enough to understand easy commands and know how to behave in a household setting. A senior pet has already learned acceptable behavior and is quicker to understand what you’re asking of them.

5. Older pets give instant companionship

These sweet adoptable pets are ready to form an instant bond and be your companion for life. You are providing them with love, care and a home in their last few years of life. They are ready and eager to live with their new fur-ever family.

Never dismiss the opportunity to own a senior pet, as they provide all the love a puppy or kitten would and are often more mature acting and house broken. To learn more about animal adoption, visit hsmo.org.