When looking for a pet to bring into the family, which sounds more appealing?
A cuddly puppy who will scratch and chew everything, not know where to go for relief, and require constant attention like an infant.
Or, a dog that already knows the furniture isn’t for consumption, the purpose of the tree in the backyard, and how to stay entertained during the day (watch cars out the window and wait for my new favorite owner to come home).
Ask local veterinarians or shelter attendants and they will tell you that the older animal is a smart, sensible choice for a new pet. Not only is it more likely for older animals to be available for adoption, but also senior pets are likely socialized and used to living in a home. Kathy Perdue is director of marketing and special events of the Roanoke Valley SPCA, a non-profit agency committed to improving the quality of life of animals and the people they touch. She said about 50 percent of the animals at the SPCA are from owners who can no longer take care of their pet. The other animals come from the local animal control shelters. The SPCA is a no-kill facility and admission is based on space availability. Perdue said within a year’s time, the shelter adopts out 2,000 animals. “We’re seeing more and more [animals] being turned in because people can’t afford to keep them anymore,” she said. “We’re seeing more and more health problems because people can’t afford to have them treated.” The SPCA aims to have a new dog or cat adopted or fostered within a week, and even sooner in the case of older dogs who don’t cope as well with the shelter environment.
Due to the way animals come to the shelter, many of them are older. There are many reasons, including health problems, that Perdue said cause people to shy away from adopting older animals. “A lot of people are interested in puppies or kittens. They want their child and the puppy or kitten to grow up together,” Perdue said. “They see the older animals as having bad habits and they don’t want to take the time to break those habits.”
Michele Moseley, a volunteer, board member, and foster mom for Dalmatian Rescue of Southwest Virginia, said people shouldn’t be so worried that an older dog can’t be re-taught. Moseley began volunteering at the rescue in Elliston four years ago. Founded by Debi Smith, the Southwest Virginia rescue can house up to 20 dogs and specializes in the Dalmatian breed. Moseley said most of the dogs they take in are from owners who can no longer keep the animal or were not familiar enough with breed health concerns or energy level when they first adopted the Dalmatian.
Moseley started out as a foster mom because she was considering adopting Sarah, a 6-year-old Dalmatian. The foster turned adoption was a success. Sarah is now 10 years old, and a little “princess” who doesn’t love sharing her home with the other dogs Moseley fosters, the animal lover laughed.
Recently, Moseley fostered another 10-year-old Dalmatian named Crash. The elderly dog was living with his owner in Southwest Roanoke when the man passed away in his sleep, according to Moseley. Crash stayed in the home for two days before the man’s family discovered the death. Sad and confused, Crash took a couple days to settle at his new house, but when he did he got really attached to her. She couldn’t stand the thought of him having to go through another tough adjustment, so she offered to adopt Crash. Or, as she puts it, he adopted her. “Older dogs seem so much more appreciative of the fact that you’re giving them a home,” she said. Now, a little less than a year later, Moseley said Crash is healthier, more fit, more energetic, and a great addition to her family.
Though not everyone will foster animals the way she does, Moseley said one of the most effective ways to learn if an animal is the right fit for a family is to foster the dog or cat before adopting. “Fostering helps the person decide if that particular breed fits their lifestyle, or if they need a younger dog because they are high energy, or if they need an older dog because they don’t have the time for housetraining and they don’t have the time for teaching of commands,” she said. Older dogs are more settled, don’t chew, are housetrained, and like Crash really just want a good home. Fostering is also crucial to the mission of organizations like the Roanoke Valley SPCA. Kathy Perdue said the SPCA adopts out about 1,000 animals a year—including pregnant mothers, nursing mothers and their litters, and orphan animals. Often, the SPCA finds long-term foster homes for older animals with health problems, and provides veterinarian care through the shelter. “We do have a wide network and variety of need for foster homes but we’re always looking for more. The more we have, the more we save,” Perdue said.
When looking for an animal to bring into your home, whether you decide to foster first or not and whether you decide to get an older animal or not, Perdue and Moseley have one word: Adopt! And when choosing to adopt, they have another couple of words: Do Your Research. “We try to really instill that this is a commitment. It’s not something you can return if you don’t want it anymore,” Perdue said. “Our main goal is to never have that pet live in a shelter again.”
SPCA of Roanoke Valley: www.rvspca.org
Trainers in the Roanoke region offering discounted services for shelter dogs:
High Hopes Dog Training 540-343-3849
A to Z Dog Training 540-982-1152
Field of Dreams 540-314-3861
Pawsitive Partners 540-400-6894
Invisible Fence of VA offers a $250 discount on the installation of an invisible fence to owners of shelter dogs.
Low cost veterinary services:
Angels of Assisi 540-344-8707
Banfield Animal Hospital (PetSmart), Vinton Veterinary Hospital, and Valley Hospital all have funds that are set aside to assist pets in need when the cost of the care is beyond the owners’ ability to pay. Assistance is dependent on funds being available.
