Wouldn’t it be great if you could adopt a pet that is family-ready – housebroken, mellow, ready to fit right in? The good news is there are many dogs and cats at shelters and rescues that fit this profile. The bad news is they wait a long time to get adopted because they are overlooked due to age. With the senior pets, their personalities are set and what you see is pretty much what you get.
To help highlight these animals, November has been designated as Adopt-a-Senior-Pet Month. Here are some dogs and cats from several Chicago-area shelters and rescues that we’d like to spotlight in hopes that someone new will read their story and consider adding them to their home. Please cross-post, Tweet and pass along these animals and we’ll see how many we can get adopted.
The slideshow to the left has photos of all the animals featured below. They are the laid-back dogs and cool cats – the seniors looking to live out their golden years in a loving home.
Friends of Chicago Animal Care and Control (FCACC)
Alfonzo is a very happy, wiggly and fun 9-year-old Beagle/Jack Russell mix who has quite the zest for life. He loves to fetch, plays heartily with his foster brothers, walks great on a leash and is great in a care. Alfonzo does have kidney disease and is on a special diet and also takes high blood pressure medication. Like many small dogs, he has a collapsing trachea that doesn’t require special treatment, just a harness collar for walks. He could do well with our without other dogs, may be OK with cats and should have at least a small yard.
Grazie was rescued from a high kill shelter and didn’t have the easiest life prior to coming to Heartland. She is front paw declawed and may be blind or have limited sight in one eye. She is one of the kindest most loving kitties in the cat room and has a plush coat with unique markings with flattering highlights. At 8-years-old, this girl is quite the lap cat who does love being brushed and massaged and gets along well with the other shelter kitties.
It’s hard to believe that this loveable dog has waited so long to find a home. Yogi is an 8-year-old English Cocker Spaniel who is smarter than the average dog because he’s lived in a home his whole life and knows how to be a good dog and loves a regular routine. This sweetie deserves a second chance in his golden years.
Reggie is believed to be between 10-12 years old and he was dumped at a shelter when his owner said he didn’t have time for him any longer, leaving him behind without even leaving his name. His foster mom says he is one of the sweetest fosters she’s ever had and even gets along with the Diva dog in the house. He’s housetrained, loves to play and relax on the couch and isn’t much of a barker. His only real issue tends to be riding in the car. He’d love to settle into a home soon.
Rango lived a happy life and was well-loved until his guardian passed away. At 13-years-old, it’s taking him some time to adapt but this front-paw declawed guy is a lover and purring machine. He craves attention and is on inexpensive thyroid medication. He is easy going and would do well with another mellow kitty in the house.
Maddy is a comical, affectionate, and truly one of a kind dog that is frequently overlooked because she jumps up and down a lot in her kennel. She really just wants to go out and play and at 9-years-old she is very active still. She loves catching Frisbees mid-air and loves running around and herding her balls. Maddy loves water and has one of the best wiggly buts at Save-A-Pet. She’d do best with a fenced in yard and a couple of adults to entertain her. She is
Chloe is a very sweet-talking little calico cat that loves lap time, hanging with her friends and playing with her fuzzy mouse and crinkly ball. She’s quite the pro at finding lost items under the furniture. Chloe also is independent but still loves to be pampered and is adapting to her feline friends. This 7-year-old girl was part of the Senior Save this summer and would really love to settle in for the holidays in a new home.
Duke is a wonderful 12-year-old lab mix that lost his forever home when his owner passed away. He’s quiet, rides well in the car, is great on walks, and is housebroken and very trustworthy in the house. He gets along with other big dogs, but needs to be fed separately because he is protective of his food around other dogs. He takes treats gently though and just loves people – even offering a paw if he thinks he needs more attention.
Ernestina originally came to Tree House in October of 2000 as a fluffy five-month-old kitten. She was with one family for seven years along with another Tree House cat, but lost that home when the started traveling too much. Another adoption ended in a very short time when the adopter – who expressed what a wonderful cat Ernestina was – realized she wasn’t emotionally ready for a pet. Its sad she’s spent so many years here because her adopters have described her as a sweet, cuddly cat that is playful and laid-back. She takes a pill like a pro every other day for a mouth inflammation Please consider giving this dignified, patient 12-year-old lady a forever home — for real this time. She has waited so long
Destiny is a sweet, loving 10-year-old cat that is still very playful and full of life. This petite girl lost her home when her family moved. She doesn’t do well around energetic young children, but loves teens and adults. This strong, spirited girl would love to find a home soon.
Bruce is an 8-year-old lab mix and a southern gentleman to boot, hailing from Kentucky. He’s mellow and adapting well to the city while settling into foster care. He loves company, other dogs and is affectionate and well-mannered. He is looking for a new home where he’ll be showered with lots of love. To meet Bruce contact Lydia at lkrupinski@anticruelty.org.
Chicago English Bulldog Rescue
Virginia, or Ginny, was recently rescued from a puppy mill where she unfortunately was a breeding mamma. Since gaining her freedom, she has blossomed. Ginny walks well on a leash, loves being in the middle of the action and has bum knee and isn’t overly fond of steps. She prefers male dogs to females, but loves people and kids and is fine with cats. She is getting used to the housebreaking thing and is ready to settle into a home.
Ridley is a 7-year-old male Shih Tzu who was rescued from a Wisconsin puppy mill in May of 2009. He’s come a long-way in his foster home and is curious and inquisitive. Although he no longer lives in fear, he’ll always be a shy boy. Ridley loves taking walks, playing in the snow and following the lawn mower. He’ll be best with at least one other dog in the house and a fenced in yard will be required.
Australian Shepherd Rescue Midwest
Cookie is a super sweet 8-year-old Australian Shepherd who is ready to settle into a forever home. She is friendly, gets along with the other dog in the house. She is a bit on the small side at 30-pounds and is ready to retire in a permanent home.
If you'd like to nominate a dog or cat to be featured in a future Saturday adoption section, please email me at kathypetexam@gmail.com. During Noveber we are highlighting senior pets for Adopt-a-Senior-Pet Month.
Do you volunteer or work for a shelter or rescue that has programs you'd like to promote? Do you work in a pet-rleated business that has an interesting story to tell. If so, contact me at kathypetexam@gmail.com. Enjoy this article? Receive email alerts when new articles become available. Just click on the subscribe button above. You may also follow me on Twitter, Facebook or read my blog.
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