Adopting Pets Later in Life: 7 Steps to Take

With plenty of free time and love to give, you might decide retirement is the perfect time to adopt a new pet.

There are many advantages of having a pet in retirement. Pets can provide excellent companionship, especially if you don’t have family or close friends nearby. Many pets offer their owners unconditional love and affection. Additionally, they add a sense of purpose and structure to your life, as you are responsible for caring for another living being every day.

There are even health benefits for seniors who have pets in their homes, including lower blood pressure, reduced cholesterol and triglyceride levels, diminished feelings of loneliness, and increased opportunities for socialization.

At the same time, retirees can often provide pets with benefits younger people can’t. Without a job to go to every day, retirees can be home more with their pets. They’re also unlikely to be raising children, so they can therefore devote more attention and financial resources to their furry (or scaly) friends.

Adopting pets is important as there are millions of animals in shelters and rescues across the U.S. waiting for their forever family to come take them home. However, one speed bump you might encounter on your mission to adopt in retirement is your age.

That’s because rescues often have lists of criteria people must meet to adopt, including age limits. It might seem unfair, but rescues have standards because they want animals to find forever homes and not be surrendered once again due to their owner having age-related health problems or passing away.

While some rescues honor strict age limits, others will consider retirees on a case-by-case basis and work with them to find a pet that’s a good match for their age and situation. Being prepared with a plan that proves you’re ready to adopt can increase your chances of being accepted, so check out these seven steps to adopt a pet in retirement.

1. Find Senior Friendly Rescues

Search online and on social media for local animal rescues and reach out to see if they have age restrictions. You could also search online for local adoption events where you can talk to organization representatives in person.

2. Have a Plan for the Future

Going into the adoption process, it’s important to have a plan that details what would happen if you’re one day unable to care for your pet. Talk to trusted friends and family and see if anyone is willing to be a prospective guardian or backup guardian for your pet.

3. Consider Setting Up a Pet Trust

A pet trust is a legal arrangement that provides for the care and maintenance of pets if their owner becomes incapacitated or passes away. This type of trust allows the pet owner to set aside funds specifically for the pet’s care and designate a trustee to manage the funds and ensure that the pet’s needs are met according to the owner’s instructions.

In a pet trust, the owner can specify details such as:

• The type of care the pet should receive.
• The veterinarian who should provide medical care.
• The person or organization that will take custody of the pet.
• Any other specific instructions regarding the pet’s daily routine, diet, and living arrangements.

4. Be Prepared With Documentation

Most rescues will require you to provide proof of homeownership or a landlord letter confirming pets are allowed, as well as evidence of adequate financial resources to care for a pet. If you have a fenced-in yard or live close to a park, documentation of this could be a bonus on your application. The more detail you can provide, the better.

5. Get References

Good pet adoption references are people who have known you for a significant amount of time and who can speak to your responsible nature or your ability to care for a pet. Close friends, neighbors, veterinarians, former coworkers and landlords are people you may consider asking for references.

6. Be Open to All Breeds and Senior Pets

Remember that adopting a pet that’s a good fit for your health, energy level, lifestyle and pet ownership experience is better than focusing solely on certain breeds or young pets.

7. Volunteer for Rescues

Volunteering for an animal rescue can significantly improve your chances of adopting a pet. By spending time at the rescue, you build relationships with the staff and demonstrate your commitment and reliability, which can make you a preferred candidate for adoption. Additionally, volunteering allows you to get to know the animals better, helping you find a pet that is a perfect match for your lifestyle and preferences.

Want more? Check out our related blogs: 6 Tips for When Your “Grandpets” Come to Visit and Do You Qualify for a Service or Companion Animal?

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