Having a pet when you are older is a wonderful idea, Right? Maybe it is a good idea for retired folks who are looking for a pet as a companion.
But then again, before you rush to the Humane Society to adopt a puppy, let’s play devil’s advocate on some of the pitfalls of being retired and caring for a pet.
Been There, Done That
My husband Dwain and I have always had pets in our family, but now that we are retired and ready for the “good life” it has become a concern. It was easier to find someone to take care of our kids when we traveled than it is to “pet sit.”
As the operators of the Veteran Owned www.AnimalHumanConnection.com we want to make sure the animals and the humans are happy and satisfied.
7 Tips To Consider
- Pets ?r? ? huge responsibility. If ? senior ?? unsure ?b?ut adoption, l??k ?nt? fostering ?n animal instead. A short-term commitment ?? ? good trial run t? ??? ?f pet ownership ?? th? r?ght decision.
- Before bringing ?n animal ?nt? someone’s environment, m?k? ?ur? ?t h?? b??n t? th? vet ?nd received ?t? shots. An unhealthy pet ??n carry germs ?nd infection ?nt? ? senior’s home.
- The love ?nd comfort ? pet ?r?v?d?? ?? priceless, but th?? ?r? ?t?ll ? financial commitment. B?f?r? ? senior adopts, m?k? ?ur? th?? ?r? ?n ? position t? pay f?r food, toys, regular vet visits, ?nd ?????bl? health issues ?nd procedures.
- Pets ?r? physical, ?? senior citizens ??n??d?r?ng adoption ?h?uld b? healthy ?nd energetic ?n?ugh t? handle ?n animal. If ? senior suffers fr?m mobility issues, th?n ? dog ?? n?t th? b??t choice, ??n?? th?? require daily walks ?nd playtime. C?n??d?r adopting ? cat instead; th?? ??n b? indoor pets ?nd require mu?h l??? attention ?nd maintenance.
- Seniors wh? h?v? previously owned pets tend t? b? b?tt?r equipped t? adopt. If ? senior d??? n?t h?v? ???t experience w?th animals, suggest spending time w?th ? friend’s pet. Th?? w?ll provide ? b?tt?r idea ?f wh?th?r pet ownership ?? ? good fit ?nd wh??h animal w?uld b? th? b??t choice.
- Pets ?r? family members, ?? it’s important t? work th?m ?nt? ??ur will. M?k? ?ur? seniors h?v? ? plan ?n place t? ensure th??r pets w?ll b? w?ll cared-for ?f th?? ?h?uld pass away.
- Look ?nt? organizations th?t h?l? match seniors w?th older animals. Adopting ? puppy ?r kitten m?? b? tempting, but th?? require mu?h m?r? work ?nd physical care. Older animals ?r? l?k?l? t? b? calm ?nd w?ll trained, ?nd generally m?k? b?tt?r companions f?r elderly citizens.
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© Judy Helm Wright, Pet Grief Coach Member of WIPIN (Women In The Pet Industry Network) and BlogPaws
© Judy Helm Wright, author at www.AnimalHumanConnection.com
