Older Dog AdoptionsBut, if you are thinking of adopting an older dog from a shelter, whether it is government run or independently run, there are few things you should know. There are many advantages with older dog adoptions, important things to know about adoptions, and what to look for before you pick an older dog.
Many older dogs in shelters are left not chosen because of their age, which is not fair. Often an older dog may be the best animal to adopt. Why? Our Recommended Products A lot of older dogs have already been a part of a family and have been around other dogs, but the owners just could not keep them. The shelter should have information about the older dog. For example, if he’s friendly and good with kids, babies, and people, they should know this from the previous owner. A good shelter will know where the dog came from and if they don’t, they can tell you it’s was a stray wandering about with no apparent home. In either case, stray or not, good shelters should let you take the older dog home to see if it gets along with you, other pets, and your kids. Avoid shelters offering dog adoptions that won’t let you do this. We adopted a four year-old Border Collie mix who had sat at our government run shelter over Christmas one year. We did our trial run with our other three dogs and she got along great with them. We are now proud to have Pumpkin in our home and her previous owner who could not keep her, visits her often. What is the Shelter Like? Shelters for dog adoptions can be independently run by charities or animal welfare organisations, and sometimes by local authorities. It doesn’t mean that one is better than the other, but government run shelters are usually funded by local governments and are ensured funds to keep the kennels up to par. Independent shelters simply depend on the owner of the shelter. If you visit a shelter and it’s not clean, there are pet faeces around, and the animals have no water or food, look for another place for your new companion. Ask questions of the shelter owner or manager on how dogs are treated and if they are looked at by a veterinarian when they first come in.
This is a personal commitment question for dog lovers. If the dog has Parvo, which is almost always fatal unless a lot of money is invested in intravenous treatments, look for another dog. Parvo dogs will usually be separated from the others and if you see such a dog, ask if it does have Parvo. Almost every other illness an older dog suffers from can be handled and managed—even cancer. We adopted a black German Sheppard mix, Chloe and she had cancer. Yes, we did invest some money on her treatments, but she led a healthy life from age six when we got her to age ten when she left us. We miss Chloe but our whole family and are dog family enjoyed her running and we still have patches of bare ground where she ran that we call “Chloe’s Trail.” Essentially, older dog adoptions can bring much joy, even if they are sick, so take the time to ask the shelter questions about the dog, if it’s healthy or if it has a condition you and your budget can live with. Are You Really Ready To Adopt? Before you consider older dog adoptions, discuss with your family if you are ready to adopt an older dog, or any dog for that matter. Even abused older dogs just need a little extra care—not unlike the famous football player in the US who is now in jail for torturing his dogs—most of those dogs were adoptable. Dogs take some care, including bathing, feeding, grooming, and the all important exercise routine to keep them healthy. Ask yourself some tough questions about whether you are ready to make the commitment to care for a dog. Many breeds of older dogs, including Labradors can be friendly, fun, and offer up the best affection around anywhere. But make sure you are willing to put forth the commitment a dog takes before you decide on a dog adoption, especially older dog adoptions. Related Articles
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