A Northern Virginia woman in her 50s was happy to adopt TJ, a senior dog, from a shelter in Fairfax, Virginia. Many people over 50 choose to adopt older animals for health benefits and low-key companionship. Photo courtesy of the Fairfax County Animal Shelter

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When a beautiful, fluffy calico cat named Lucy was 12 years old, her family gave her up. Lucy was sick, and they couldn’t afford her medical care, according to Maddie Lederer, an adoption counselor at the Montgomery County Animal Services and Adoption Center in Derwood, Maryland.

“We looked at her records and saw she had a history of bladder stones,” Lederer said. “We were able to treat her and put her on prescription diet food, so she hopefully wouldn’t have a recurrence.”

Lucy quickly became a favorite among staff and volunteers, who described her as a “purring machine” and a “professional loafer with a cute face.” Despite those endearing qualities, though, Lucy was overlooked by prospective adoptive families because of her age and medical condition.

That was until an older man walked into the shelter and said he was looking for a senior cat. He had previous experience with pets that needed medical attention, so that wasn’t a concern for him.

“I knew Lucy was the cat,” Lederer said. “Not to be cheesy, but it was love at first sight. He didn’t want to meet any other cat. He said that as a senior, he just wanted to have a senior buddy around with him.”

Older pets common in shelters

Lucy wasn’t the only pet to have been surrendered to a shelter in her later years. Unfortunately, it happens at shelters across the DMV.

“Sometimes the owner has passed away, and there’s no one related who is able or willing to take on the animal,” said Maria Anselmo, community relations manager at the Montgomery County shelter, adding that it may be due to financial constraints or a landlord issue.

A long-distance move can also cause a pet owner to reluctantly give up their pet to a shelter. Long trips can be especially stressful for older pets, according to Frankie Kachur, communications assistant at the Fairfax County Animal Shelter in Lorton, Virginia. “One family was very torn up [when they surrendered their pet], but they were flying to Australia.”

Of course, pets are stressed by surrender too. While shelter staff and volunteers strive to make pets as comfortable as possible, animals suddenly find themselves in cages, surrounded by other animals and unfamiliar people, not their families. Their sense of well-being can be deeply affected.

“This happens more with older cats; they were used to their own quiet castle,” Anselmo said. “They are struggling and really stressed out; they hunker down, hide and won’t eat.”

Fortunately, many of these older cats and dogs are taken in by foster families, who keep them in their homes temporarily, Anselmo said.

A foster home can reduce some of the animals’ stress, helping to reveal their unique personalities and restore their playfulness and bond with humans.

Health benefits of pets

Why adopt a pet at all? Well, there are some health benefits to owning an animal.

“They provide companionship … reduce stress, and lower blood pressure,” said Erin Johnston, director of marketing and outreach at D.C.’s Brandywine Valley SPCA.

Pets give people a reason to live — or just get out of bed every morning — which is one of the pillars of longevity.

“There are a lot of benefits to having a pet — a sense of purpose and routine, because you have something to take care of,” said Melissa Batchelor, a professor at the George Washington University School of Nursing and host of the podcast “This is Getting Old.”

Benefits of older pets

Prospective adopters should keep in mind that pets may require owners to go on daily walks or at least bend down, which may be challenging at first, Batchelor said.

“But it might improve your overall functioning by making you get up and down, so you’re almost building in balance and strength training,” she said.

Unlike puppies or kittens, older animals tend to be well-behaved, trained and mellow.

“They’re not still chewing on your shoes or peeing on your carpet,” Anselmo said. “Their energy levels are generally on the lower side. They have already worked out what life is all about, and they are just looking for someone who wants to share that life with them.”

What to consider when adopting an older pet

Some older pets might need special diets or medications, but this isn’t always the case, Anselmo said.

Although older pets “tend to develop more health conditions,” she said, “not all seniors have those conditions. Animals are living longer and longer.”

Still, prospective owners should consider their finances before adopting and be ready to cover costs for vet visits, food and other essential supplies.

In addition, it’s important for older people to keep in mind that the animal might outlive them. It’s best to have a care plan in place in case that happens.

Many shelters provide a range of services to help animals remain with their owners, including lists of affordable veterinary clinics and pet-food pantries for those facing financial difficulties. Contact your local animal shelter for more information.

Who is most likely to adopt older pets?

“Typically, older members of the community will adopt … and they are looking at having some companionship,” Kachur said.

Yet people of all ages may seek out older pets or animals with special needs.

“We also see younger people who have a soft spot for older pets and will come specifically looking for a senior pet or a pet with a chronic condition such as diabetes or a missing limb,” Johnston said.

Other ways to help

There are many ways that people who aren’t able to permanently adopt pets can help. Shelters welcome volunteers and typically accept donations of supplies (food, toys, blankets and towels) as well as financial contributions.

Additionally, most shelters offer training for those interested in fostering a pet, which they would care for temporarily while that pet awaits their “forever home.”

If you’re ready to meet a live-in furry friend, there are many available who need homes, particularly the harder-to-place, mature pets.

“I truly think there is a meaningful connection when an older pet comes to their new home,” Anselmo said.

“Seeing an older animal being passed over and how grateful and at peace that animal becomes [when adopted] — I think they bring extra joy because anybody who saves a life like this can’t help but feel good about it.”

For more information, contact the Montgomery County Animal Services and Adoption Center at (240) 773-5900; the Brandywine Valley SPCA at (202) 888-7387; or the Fairfax County Animal Shelter at (703) 324-0299, or view their websites to see photos of available animals.