Anyone know about an elderly person adopting dog

Littlejen22

Strange question but do you know if rescue places generally have an age requirement when it comes to elderly adopting dogs?  My Mom decided she wants to adopt a small dog, she has not owned a dog in ages but always missed our dog after he passed away and thought about it but always said she could not go through the loss again.  Well, now she wants to and honestly I think it would be great for her and for the dog but I worry that they will turn her down b/c she is 75.  Of course I don't think they would tell her that but still worry they will not approve her.  Thoughts?  Oh, and God forbid something happened to my Mom I already know I would be "stuck" with the dog, so the dog needs to get along with little kids (well we visit her often so that is a must obviously) and with other dogs.  We live in NJ and little dogs usually go quickly here so any dog she considers is likely to find a home either way except maybe if she took a dog with a health condition or a senior dog but the one she saw online is an adult dog with no known issues.

SPK926

It depends on the rescue, but it's not unheard of. The rescue I work with does reference checks and home visits and while we do take age into account, there are some very "young" 75 year olds.

One of our recent fosters was adopted to an older 60 something woman and it was a great match. When she came to our house to meet him the connection between the two was instant, it was great to see! I work with a strictly pug rescue and pugs by nature are pretty lazy so they're actually a great match for the elderly. 

Do you think she would be able to handle a small dog? I sometimes worry about small dogs getting under foot of those that may not be the most stable on their feet. If you think she truly could handle having a dog and would make a great home for one then I think you could have her try applying. She could put you down as a reference and when they call you could bring up the age issue and all the reasons why even though she's 75, she would be a great owner.

TarponMonoxide

What would be excellent for her:

Adopting a senior citizen dog.:)

There are many many dogs that are older than 7 years of age and in shelters. Usually they are hard to adopt out because of their age.

And an older dog is more or less low energy and is prety much a lap dog. Perfect for an older person with decreased energy.:)

Littlejen22

I do actually think a young senior dog would be great for her, I know she would not adopt a very old senior dog b/c knowing that it would not have much time left would be too hard for her but I did see one 8yo dog that I thought would be great.  She wants to try to get one of the two that she saw very close to her home and if she is not approved I will call the other shelter. 

Thanks for the comments.  Ugh, now you have me scared of her tripping over a little dog.  The only dog she is used to be around at her age is my 55lb Border Collie.  I guess the closest she has to a little dog tripping her up is my two little kids, lol.  I guess that is something to talk to her about tomorrow.  She is fairly young for being 75 but yet she has had a hip and knee replacements so not falling is always a concern.

orangeblossom

The place we got Maxx from actually has a senior dog adopting program. They encourage it and waive some of he fees associated with adopting.

breaness

Like orange blossom said, the humane society near us offers a 50% discount on the adoption fee when seniors adopt senior pets

michaelandjulie2

A rescue in my area matches senior dogs with senior people, and it is great. Even people who might only have a pretty short time to live, but are still capable of caring for a dog. They do usually set up a plan for if the dog outlives the owner, such as the rescue taking the dog back or a trusted family member keeping the dog (this is part of the adoption agreement). I think a pet is a great idea in this situation. 

Temp752290812504671

Our local shelters also have a senior pet matching program with discounted adoptation rates. I think it is a great idea.

 

Sally_Brown

My 85-yr-old grandma just adopted a senior dog through her local humane society's Senior for a Senior program. The adoption fee was only like $20, and they gave her tons of supplies.  The dog she adopted is very sweet, mellow, and calm. It's really been good for her.