Did you know that 50% of dogs who go into kennels never leave? This heartbreaking statistic is, in a lot of cases, entirely preventable. A large majority of that percentage is made up of older dogs who are very rarely adopted and, as a result, risk going ‘kennel crazy.’ Trust us, it’s as unpleasant as it sounds.
But at Snoozer UK, we love dogs of every age! And you already know how much we love adopted dogs. So, here are our 13 reasons why you should adopt an older dog...
It’s a wonderful act of kindness
- Older dogs deserve a home too
It’s no surprise that the most popular dogs for new adopters are puppies. Who can resist their lovely little faces? But every dog needs a loving family and older dogs are no exception. Studies suggests that most dogs over the age of one are in real danger of being neglected if they haven't already found a loving home.
- It wasn’t the dog’s fault
Contrary to popular belief, there are plenty of reasons why a dog ends up in a shelter and, for the majority of cases, it isn’t down to bad behaviour. It could just be a lack of training, the cost of dog ownership, allergies, moving house, “lifestyle” change... The reasons that a dog may have to go into a kennel are numerous, and we shouldn't always assume they're at fault.
- Senior dogs will be truly grateful for your kindness
Somehow, older dogs seem to be more aware that you gave them a home when no-one else would, and it may even make them better behaved and more obedient to you. Don’t quote us on this though because, after all, every dog has their own individual personality!
- Adopting an older dog may save its life
The heart-breaking truth is that most shelters in the UK are overcrowded and older dogs are regularly labelled as “unadoptable”. Consequently, despite their perfect health, some shelters do resort to safe euthanasia. If you adopt an older dog, you will almost certainly have saved their life and, in our eyes, are a superhero!
They’re your instant companions
- House-trained
Adopting an older dog is kind of like the “out of the box” version of buying a pet. They'll often already will be house-broken, so there’s no need to worry about your carpets or your fancy new Moroccan rug getting ruined. It might be a great solution if you are looking for an immediate friend without the (often stressful!) puppy-madness years.
- Older and wiser
With age comes wisdom. If you’re looking for a more peaceful pet, senior dogs are more likely to be considerate to your needs as the alpha in their lives. If the rules are clear and consistent, older dogs will be more likely to be obedient with the intention of impressing you (that’s the theory, anyway!).
- You can teach an old dog new tricks!
Spread the word because this old wives’ tale has done enough damage already! In truth, there are numerous examples of older, adopted dogs winning obedience awards. Read Autumn’s story to see for yourself!
- What you see is what you get
Dogs’ temperaments rarely change beyond 5 years old. This makes it much less of a risk when you’re choosing your perfect companion - you know it’s not going to outgrow your garden fence or become too hyper-active.
- Can look after themselves
Usually, older dogs don’t require endless hours of attention and can be left quite contently, without causing chaos. This means they can be a caring addition to your home rather than a responsibility you weren’t prepared for.
Cost? What cost?
- Cheaper shelter fee
You can side-step the costly ‘puppy premium,’ leaving you with some spare resources. Perhaps these could be used for a new bed for your new family member? Just a thought..!
- No obedience classes
Another advantage of adopting a senior dog is that they often already know basic commands - most importantly, “no”! This will save you invaluable time and valuable money.
- Your furniture is safe
Bypassing the puppy teething phase can preserve your wooden furniture and leave your antique grandfather clock unscathed. Phew!
- No inoculation costs
Every dog is an individual so when it comes to veterinary costs, it really is a lottery. You are, however, spared the expense of the inoculations that puppies need, and they don’t come cheap!
Looking after any dog is a big commitment so if you are considering getting a dog, make sure you're ready! Adopting an older dog could be exactly what you’re looking for and you’re probably saving their life.
If you have an awesome older dog story, share it with us on Twitter or Facebook. We'd love to hear from you!
