Discrimination of the elderly extends to pets
BY DENNY BARNEY
November was Adopt a Senior Pet Month here in Maricopa County. It may not be a surprise that a little age bias occurs in the animal world, too. Senior pets are often the hardest to adopt.
It often happens that a great dog sporting a few grey or white hairs on its muzzle is often passed over for a playful puppy. The lounging cat doesn’t hold the same attraction as the energetic kittens climbing all over each other. We are often drawn to the younger, feistier animals and ignore the mature and equally loving. That’s a shame.
It’s a loss for the animals—but also for many whose lives would be enhanced by a loving, loyal companion.
These older pets need help finding homes to live out their golden years. Many of them find themselves at one of our shelters through no fault of their own. In some cases, the owner has relocated and is unable to keep them, or regrettably, they find themselves alone when their owner has passed away or developed a medical
condition. These animals get transitioned over to one of our adoption facilities where they patiently wait for someone to love. Too often, they never get that chance.
Allow me to share some of the great qualities and benefits, particularly for empty nesters, of adopting a senior pet from one of our shelters.
Older pets are often less high maintenance. They’ve been through the rambunctious years. Most are housebroken and respond to simple commands. And yet they’re still teachable.
The more mature dog will walk alongside you at a steady pace, not race ahead of you dragging you along uncomfortably as you strain to keep them leashed.
Older pets are already fully grown. You see what you get and there are usually few surprises.
Many resources and benefits are available to those adopting senior pets here in Maricopa County. Dogs older than 5 are only $20 to adopt. For cats over a year old the adoption fees are waived. Veterans also have the benefit of waived adoption fees through the “Pets and Vets” program. Our Maricopa County Animal Care & Control volunteers and staff can help you find the perfect pet and answer any questions you may have when looking for your new
furry friend.
If you are looking for ways to get more involved, our newly implemented Adoption Ambassador Program allows volunteer ambassadors to foster difficult to place dogs, including seniors, until they can be found permanent homes. Ambassadors are in charge of marketing and handling adoption paperwork. In most cases, foster dogs will be in an ambassador’s care for an average of three to four weeks. This program simultaneously provides great opportunities for senior dogs as well as creates more space in our shelters for other animals.
This holiday season please consider adopting a senior pet and adding a companion to your life.
Denny Barney is a Gilbert resident and a member of the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors.
Have you heard the 1980s are considered the old times? Are you laughing or just aghast? We remember when the ’60s were as bad as the Civil War.
Guns do not kill, people kill. Here is the proof: 1.5 million babies are murdered in the USA every year. They are all killed by abortionists—and none of them use a gun. Thank you.
There’s nothing wrong legally or morally with the civil union for the sake of medical or legal assistance for two people. It’s the marriage part with or without the part of mutual sex that stinks up the issue. What’s wrong with people today? They all want to be on the TV news.
What TV channel candidate will you eventually vote for, instead of the right man who need to be in charge? It seems that each station has its own candidate of choice.
One nice thing the weather did for the local TV news is seeing the ladies in tops with sleeves and dresses down to their knees. They look so much nicer, don’t they?
If Obama gets his way again and brings 250,000 refugees from Syria to the United States, you can bet 50,000 will be terrorists. If the Congress doesn’t stop them, all commercial travel will stop, subways, trains and buses will stop. Stay away from major cities, major sporting events. Travel in your car only. All churches will be targeted. That’s what it’s all coming to unless we get rid of this president.
When you see pictures of soldiers with helmets on, why are the backs of their necks so unprotected? Wake up you guys! Protect the guys better than the way they are now.
I was very, very happy to see that the bond overrides in Gilbert and Higley won.
The UN again condemned the U.S. embargo on Cuba. Why don’t they condemn Cuba’s harboring of cop killers and terrorists? We need to pull out of the UN.
Notice to the poor French: Turn the Eiffel Tower back on or ISIS will think they’ve won.
Electing Hillary Clinton as president would be like electing Obama for a third term.
Hey, are you watching how America makes its bombs? Why don’t reporters say where they’re made? What is wrong with you nosy, nosy people? Why are you so stupid? It’s unbelievable how nosy reporters are with things they don’t need to know. What is wrong with you idiots? You’re disgusting.
BARNEY. Submitted photo
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