National Adopt a Senior Pet Month is celebrated every year in November to raise awareness of senior pets in shelters that need to find loving, safe homes. Adopting a senior pet can be a rewarding, life-changing experience–for you and the pet! Read on to learn more about National Adopt a Senior Pet Month and what you can do to raise awareness of the needs of senior pets. 

History of Senior Pet Month

The ASPCA and petfinder.com created Senior Pet Month to improve the chances of senior pets in shelters waiting for loving homes. Senior pets are usually the last ones to be adopted from shelters, if they find a home at all. Most of them spend their lives inside a shelter kennel or are sadly euthanized before they ever find a loving home. 

Understanding Why Senior Pets are in Shelters

Most senior pets are in shelters because their owners passed away, moved into a nursing home, or can no longer care for them. This means that these pets have lost the only owner they have ever known and are now in an unfamiliar, noisy, and stressful environment. 

Dangers Faced by Senior Pets in Shelters

Senior pets in shelters face greater dangers than younger animals. Their health can quickly decline in the shelter environment. They are also exposed to illnesses that their compromised immune systems might not be able to fight off as easily. 

How to Raise Awareness of Senior Pets in Need

If you can’t adopt a senior pet yourself, you can raise awareness of senior pets in need of loving homes. Volunteer at your local shelter, or foster a senior pet so that it won’t have to spend its days in the shelter while waiting for adoption. You can also share profiles of senior pets on social media. 

Senior pets do have unique health needs and should be seen by the veterinarian at least twice per year. If you decide to adopt or foster a senior pet, take it to the veterinarian right away for a full health assessment.