Although lots of people adopt puppies, remember there are lots of old dogs that need loving homes, either through adoption or fostering, and there are other ways to help, if you are unable to live with a dog yourself, for various reasons. See the pets tag for more information. Read this fun illustrated book to keep your dog safe (which covers toxic foods and garden safety, collar safety and first aid).
Oldies is a wonderful organisation that focuses on finding loving homes for the ‘overlooked oldie’ dogs that are often house-trained and want nothing more than a cuddle, a sofa to snuggle on and the odd sniff around the garden or short walks around the block or to a local park. Volunteers are often needed to drive oldies to their new homes (the more volunteers, the less likely they have to take longer journeys to new homes). If you have a dog but are unable to look after him or her, you can contact their rehoming team and they will try to help.
Often older dogs come with health issues. Often local pet shelters will cover the vet costs for certain conditions (as most pet insurance does not cover newly-registered older pets or existing health conditions). Read more on where to find free or low-cost vet care. Other dogs may be a bit deaf or blind (but dogs use their noses to ‘see’ so usually can still live happy lives).
Many older dogs for adoption are from the greyhound industry (thankfully becoming less popular as people learn the truth about how they live, when not racing). In fact, greyhounds are delightfully lazy, and as long as they have a safe place to run (or even walk on lead) will lounge around most of the time (a bit like a cat) as long as they don’t see a rabbit!
Why are there so many older dogs looking for homes? Partly because we’re an ageing community so many older people die (you can help older and disabled guardians by becoming a volunteer dog walker, which lets dogs stay in homes with those they love). And often shelters have lots of ‘pairs of older dogs’ who have been together for life, so they try to wait to adopt them out together.
You can leave money to look after pets. If you have no-one to look after them if you die, Dog’s Trust Care Card is ideal to keep on your person, and they will try to find loving homes, keeping pets together.
Even if you don’t adopt, you could volunteer to help with walking, building work, admin or fundraising. Or join Snuggles Project to knit/crochet comfy blankets, while animals wait for homes.
