November is Adopt a Senior Pet Month
Each November, we celebrate Adopt a Senior Pet Month, an annual reminder that shelters and rescues are overflowing with older dogs who can make excellent family pets if someone gives them a chance.
When people go to the shelter, they’re often looking to adopt puppies and younger animals. This means that senior dogs are often overlooked, even though they offer just as much love as younger pets. Some are also easier to care for: Senior dogs may require less exercise, be less destructive, and (depending on their backstory) already be housebroken. Many senior dogs wind up in the shelter when their owners die or move away; many of these former pets are great family dogs and oftentimes fully trained.
Read on to meet Casey, Koa, and Klaus, three senior dogs seeking their own forever homes!
Casey (at least 10 years old)
Meet Casey! Casey is a very sweet, distinguished older gentleman who would love to retire in style in his new forever home. This senior Beagle is currently living in foster care, where he spends his days relaxing and going for leisurely strolls. Casey gets on well with other dogs and has a calm energy, making him a laid-back addition to almost any home. This senior pup also has a pre-paid adoption fee, making him free to Seattle residents (who would only have to pay the city’s two-year $74 licensing fee) upon welcoming this good boy into their family.
If you’d like to learn more about Casey, visit his shelter profile and follow the steps to complete an adoption survey, which can be emailed to adoptionreview@gmail.com.
Koa (9 years old)
Koa's foster parent thinks she's awesome! The 9-year-old Shar Pei is also very smart and knows the commands sit, stay, shake, lay down, and rollover. This senior gal is also a good walker, fully potty trained, and even wears grippy socks in the apartment without a fuss. Koa’s temperament is amazing – she’s just as happy lounging on the couch as she is taking long walks or being out and about. With tons of energy despite her age, she’ll often ask for a round of tug or hide and seek. “Koa is so good with people,” says her foster mom. “She’s become quite the celebrity in our building, and we get so many compliments on how pretty she is. She, of course, happily soaks up all the attention and pets from everyone.”
Koa’s adoption fee is $275, plus a two-year license of $74 if the adopter is a Seattle resident. If you'd like to learn more about Koa, visit her shelter bio and follow the steps to complete an adoption survey, which can be emailed to adoptionreview@gmail.com.
Klaus (7 years old)
At only 7 years old, Klaus is the oldest dog in the shelter. Larger breeds age more quickly than smaller dogs, which makes Klaus, a Shiloh Shepard, about 56 in human years. Klaus is a big boy but really a gentle giant. Despite his large size, this well-socialized senior has a mellow energy level--after a quick game of fetch, he's pretty much done. Klaus walks well on a leash, is house trained, and has lived with babies and small children. Anyone who is a budding hair stylist will especially love this dog because he has so much fur to brush!
Klaus’s adoption fee is $275, plus a two-year license of $74 if the adopter lives in Seattle. If you’d like to meet Klaus, drop by the Seattle Animal Shelter during open hours from 1:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m. daily to say hello! (Note: Mondays and Fridays are by appointment only).
Find more adoptable pets at the Seattle Animal Shelter
You can meet more adoptable dogs (and cats!) by visiting the shelter online or in person during open hours from 1:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m. daily (excluding holidays). Mondays and Fridays are by appointment only. Seattle Animal Shelter is located at 2061 15th Avenue W, Seattle, WA 98119. Make an appointment by calling the shelter at (206) 386-7387 (PETS).
Written by Jen Swanson with info provided by Seattle Animal Shelter
Edited by Tracy Stober & Kallie Sims