Adopt a Senior Pet Month

Each November, Adopt a Senior Pet Month shines a light on the many older dogs and older cats waiting in rescue centres across the UK. While puppies and kittens often attract attention first, senior pets have just as much love to give.

They’re often calmer, well-mannered and already house-trained, making them a terrific choice for people who want a loyal, low-maintenance companion.

During Adopt a Senior Pet Month, rescue organisations often highlight their older residents to encourage more people to give them a chance. Here we’ll dig deeper into why that’s an awesome thing.

Don’t forget that older pets need cover too. If you choose to adopt a senior pet, protect them with a peace-of-mind pet insurance policy.

Thinking about adopting an older cat or dog? That’s an excellent idea 🐶🐱👍

Adopting an older pet gives you the chance to make a real difference. Many senior animals find themselves in shelters through no fault of their own, often due to a change in their humans’ circumstances.

And they can often be overlooked in favour of younger animals for attention, meaning they spend longer in shelters on average. By welcoming one into your home, you’re offering them comfort, care and the dignity of a happy retirement.

And there are advantages for you in adopting a senior pet as well. They tend to have predictable temperaments and established personalities, so you’ll know quite quickly exactly what you’re getting.

They’re generally less demanding when it comes to exercise and can be perfectly content with gentle walks or a cosy spot on the sofa. For older adopters or families seeking a calm household companion, an older pet can be an ideal fit.

Naturally, there can be downsides. Older animals may need a little extra care at the vet. But it’s worth noting that Petgevity Lifetime Plus policies have no age restrictions. Plus we could cover pre-existing conditions with these policies, provided they’re disclosed and agreed*.

How did Adopt a Senior Pet Month start? 🗓️

The initiative began in the States through the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) working with rehoming website Petfinder.com.

Numerous organisations in the UK have taken on the mantle, promoting senior pet adoption on social media. Some rescue centres may even offer adoption fee discounts during November.

How old is a senior pet? 

This can be variable depending on the breed. But for the purposes of our insurance, we consider an older dog to be 8 years old plus, and a cat achieves seniority at 10 (but superiority always).

What are the advantages of adopting a senior pet?

Adopting a senior pet rather than a puppy or a kitten can have certain advantages. Although it’s important to bear in mind that all cats and dogs are individuals with their own needs and quirks, so there are no guarantees.

But generally speaking, you may be able to expect the following:

• Calmer temperament: Dial down the chaos… Older pets are typically more relaxed and less hyperactive than younger animals. This could be an ideal match if you’re fond of a quieter home, or are a first-time pet owner.
• Predictable personality: Their character, size and energy level are already developed, so you know exactly what kind of companion you’re bringing home.
• Usually house-trained: Many senior pets already understand basic commands and good manners, saving you time and effort on training.
• Deeply affectionate: Senior pets often form strong, loving bonds with their new families and seem to appreciate their second chance at a happy life.
• Lower exercise needs: They usually require shorter, gentler walks or play sessions, which might be perfect if you’re looking for a calmer lifestyle.
• Rewarding experience: Rehoming any pet is a big-hearted thing to do. But in particular, giving an older pet a comfortable, loving home in their later years is a deeply fulfilling and compassionate act.
• Can be good with children or other pets: Many senior animals are experienced in social settings and adjust well to family life.
• Less destructive: Older dogs and cats are less likely to chew furniture, scratch carpets or engage in the mischief you might expect from young animals.
• Instant companionship: Unlike puppies or kittens that require months of training, senior pets often settle in quickly and are ready to be your loyal companion right away.

If you’re thinking about bringing home a rescue dog or cat, consider visiting your local shelter and meeting the senior crew. That wise face and wagging tail (or grateful purr) just might win you over.

The serial senior adopter: Rebecca’s story

Rebecca Roache of Oxfordshire is well versed in welcoming senior cats. “I’ve adopted lots of elderly cats over the last couple of decades. The first was a pair of 16-year-old cats – one Siamese and one Burmese – whose owner had recently passed away. I contacted a local shelter to ask to adopt a cat, and they said, ‘I don’t suppose you’d be interested in these two old timers?’ The charity worried that they’d be difficult to home, especially as they both had a variety of health problems.

“I went to meet them and the two of them were cuddled up together on a sofa, looking down their noses at me. I immediately agreed to take them. They were wonderful pets, and ever since I’ve gone out of my way to adopt old, poorly, disabled, and otherwise difficult-to-home cats.

“Adopting an older cat means, of course, being prepared to have to say goodbye earlier than you’d like. In my view, that’s a price worth paying, because it’s so rewarding being able to give a comfortable, loving home to a sweet pet who would otherwise languish in a rehoming centre, being overlooked again and again while everyone swoons over the kittens (understandably!).

“Sometimes people ask if older cats cost more in veterinary bills, and my answer is: not as much as you probably think. While there are health problems that come with old age, an older cat is much less likely than a youngster to get into fights, dangerous adventures and other silly scrapes. Besides, rehoming charities are often willing to share costs if you adopt a cat with a chronic condition.

“The most cats I’ve lived with at one time has been seven, and we currently have six. Two of those are amputees, one is diabetic, and two started out as strays on the streets in Canada. The oldest one is curled up on my lap as I type. When it’s time to add to the crew, I’ll once again pick up the hotline to my contact at the local rescue charity and ask them to send me their oldest, ugliest, least popular kitty.”

“I was adopted by a senior cat”: Soni & Cloudy’s story

Rather than adopting a senior pet, Soni Alcorn-Hender from Ponte de Lima, Portugal found herself and crew being adopted by an older cat – Cloudy (full name Cloudyface Nebulakins).

“A few years ago we accidentally acquired a puppy, and to avoid puppy accidents we left the front door open. Within a week, an elderly cat wandered through that door, into our house, and adopted both us and the puppy. She was quite sure this was her new home and it seemed rude to disagree.

“We soon realised she was almost totally deaf, only partly sighted, and that literally everything surprised her. She had tattered ears, missing teeth, and scars in her eyes. The vet said she’d probably been hit by a car ‘at least once’ with little sign of being treated afterwards. A local person who’d been feeding her said she was ‘about fifteen’ years old.

“She was a battered baggage of a cat, and yet she was the sweetest, calmest, easiest-to-please potato in the world. She was also having exactly none of the puppy’s nonsense, and taught her good manners.

“We had four cherished years of her slow-blinking at us and purring at everything before the difficult day came. But it meant that after a long and seemingly rough life, she was pampered, brushed, tickled, fed nice things, wrapped in blankets, licked by a (suddenly huge) dog, and loved enormously. And it felt like we were the lucky ones.

“She was the best potato. I highly recommend being adopted by a worldly cat.”

*Cover for pre-existing medical conditions is subject to acceptance. They will not be covered unless you have declared them and they are shown on your Confirmation of Cover.