Should Seniors Get New Pets?

OneEyedDiva said:
A senior (or anyone else) shouldn't get a pet unless they can afford to care for it, pay for it's vet visits, food, grooming, toys and be well enough to walk it at least twice daily (if it's a dog and there's no yard space). Some people get pets then realize they are not up to taking care of them, then abandon them (worst case scenario) or take them to shelters.

I have a neighbor (don't think she's a senior) who has her whole building stinking because she has four cats, at least a couple are male and they spray. She can't afford to take them to the vet to get them neutered/spayed. You can smell it as soon as you enter the building and she lives on the third floor. I'm so glad I don't live in that building! I believe she's the cause of management instituting new rules about pet ownership and new fees.
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Diva, that’s really awful about the woman with all the cats. I would think the HOA could do something about that situation if she owns a condo. We only allow two pets in our condo, and if there was an odor, the HOA would be fining the person and could even make them get rid of the pets if the situation wasn’t resolved.

Some old dogs don’t need a walk and some little dogs don’t either. I do walk my little dogs, but it’s definitely not necessary and Maltese, in particular don’t seem to enjoy walks like other breeds do. I could give them plenty of exercise by throwing their toys and having them fetch. When I go on vacation, my dog sitter does not walk them because she’s 80 and has some orthopedic problems and they’re just fine.
 

Teacher Terry said:
Diva, that’s really awful about the woman with all the cats. I would think the HOA could do something about that situation if she owns a condo. We only allow two pets in our condo, and if there was an odor, the HOA would be fining the person and could even make them get rid of the pets if the situation wasn’t resolved.

Some old dogs don’t need a walk and some little dogs don’t either. I do walk my little dogs, but it’s definitely not necessary and Maltese, in particular don’t seem to enjoy walks like other breeds do. I could give them plenty of exercise by throwing their toys and having them fetch. When I go on vacation, my dog sitter does not walk them because she’s 80 and has some orthopedic problems and they’re just fine.
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Our co-op association is doing something about it, albeit a bit late in the game. But I don't know how long it took for someone to report her and the odors. It seems the maintenance man should have done it long ago. Due to the fines she must have incurred, which she may not have been able to afford to pay, she would likely get rid of three of the cats (we're allowed to have one). She would also have to prove that the cat is up to date with its rabies and distemper shots or she wouldn't be able to keep that one.

We had to submit forms to the office and provide proof of vaccinations. Also, starting next year, pets will be grandfathered in, but no new pets will be allowed. They are also charging a new pet fee, which I'm going to contest. I don't see why my strictly house cat should cost as much as people with barking dogs that they walk on the property and sometimes don't pick up after.
 
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After I retired in 2019, and yet again once I moved across country in 2021, many people suggested I get a dog. I chose not to as I couldn’t take the risk of regular expenses (vet bills, food), let alone potential emergency costs. Also, I travel to visit my two daughters and am gone for several weeks at a time, and there again, can’t afford the cost of boarding.

In April, 2023, I saw a metal dog at a vintage store for $20 and couldn’t pass it up. I took the picture attached here and posted it on my Facebook page for my friends to see, with a message saying I’d adopted a dog. It seems several friends read the message before seeing the picture and thought I’d adopted a real dog.

Well, that started the Pinocchio-like journey of him becoming a “real” dog… I post pictures of his adventures and the trouble he gets into, etc. He has a real personality and my friends write and ask what he’s up to. It’s become so fun!
 

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OneEyedDiva said:
Our co-op association is doing something about it, albeit a bit late in the game. But I don't know how long it took for someone to report her and the odors. It seems the maintenance man should have done it long ago. Due to the fines she must have incurred, which she may not have been able to afford to pay, she would likely get rid of three of the cats (we're allowed to have one). She would also have to prove that the cat is up to date with its rabies and distemper shots or she wouldn't be able to keep that one.

We had to submit forms to the office and provide proof of vaccinations. Also, starting next year, pets will be grandfathered in, but no new pets will be allowed. They are also charging a new pet fee, which I'm going to contest. I don't see why my strictly house cat should cost as much as people with barking dogs that they walk on the property and sometimes don't pick up after.
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It’s good that they are finally doing something. I would be leading a mutiny if our hoa ever decided to ban pets. I purposely bought into a place that allowed 2. I guess I’ll stay on the board to prevent that:)). I don’t know much about coops because they aren’t around here. With a condo you would have to change the CCR’s and then only enforce the rule when the condo sold.
 
SueBee said:
After I retired in 2019, and yet again once I moved across country in 2021, many people suggested I get a dog. I chose not to as I couldn’t take the risk of regular expenses (vet bills, food), let alone potential emergency costs. Also, I travel to visit my two daughters and am gone for several weeks at a time, and there again, can’t afford the cost of boarding.

In April, 2023, I saw a metal dog at a vintage store for $20 and couldn’t pass it up. I took the picture attached here and posted it on my Facebook page for my friends to see, with a message saying I’d adopted a dog. It seems several friends read the message before seeing the picture and thought I’d adopted a real dog.

Well, that started the Pinocchio-like journey of him becoming a “real” dog… I post pictures of his adventures and the trouble he gets into, etc. He has a real personality and my friends write and ask what he’s up to. It’s become so fun!
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He's lovely do you have him in your garden? Certainly a lot cheaper than the real thing but I would have both. I actually have 2 metal cats in my garden.
 
I have a dog and cat who will go with my daughter if I pass away before them. Our strata has changed the bylaw to allow 2 cats so I am hoping to foster which in turn will give my cat company. I cannot ask my daughter to look after 3. As a senior I don't think we should be put off by not getting another pet, to foster not only keeps the dog or cat out of the shelter but also provides company and joy. There is no excuse because the agencies look after the $ attached to housing the animal. Agencies depend on fosters, it is a very important job. If I had my own house I would have far more animals or at least another dog.
 
I would like to have another cat. Every time I think about it, I also think of vet bills, food costs and cleaning the litter box. I am also getting less mobile and it would be more difficult to care for a pet. I am now in a smaller house which has an open floor plan and more risk of a cat scooting out when I use a door. My executor hates cats and I don't want it to be a burden for him if the cat outlives me.

I cat sat for some friends about a year ago. That cured me. I don't mind a temporary arrangement like that, but I'm not up to a permanent commitment. I want to be fair to the animal, too.
 
debodun said:
I would like to have another cat. Every time I think about it, I also think of vet bills, food costs and cleaning the litter box. I am also getting less mobile and it would be more difficult to care for a pet. I am now in a smaller house which has an open floor plan and more risk of a cat scooting out when I use a door. My executor hates cats and I don't want it to be a burden for him if the cat outlives me.

I cat sat for some friends about a year ago. That cured me. I don't mind a temporary arrangement like that, but I'm not up to a permanent commitment. I want to be fair to the animal, too.
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Me too Debodun....I wrestle that every time I see on nextdoor some one
giving away a cat.....hard to resist sometimes.....
 
RobinWren said:
to foster not only keeps the dog or cat out of the shelter but also provides company and joy. There is no excuse because the agencies look after the $ attached to housing the animal. Agencies depend on fosters, it is a very important job.
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I don't think I could stand to foster; I'd fall in love with an animal and then have to watch it go to another home, that'd be too heartbreaking.
 
Teacher Terry said:
It’s good that they are finally doing something. I would be leading a mutiny if our hoa ever decided to ban pets. I purposely bought into a place that allowed 2. I guess I’ll stay on the board to prevent that:)). I don’t know much about coops because they aren’t around here. With a condo you would have to change the CCR’s and then only enforce the rule when the condo sold.
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Terry, the original by-laws had a no pet policy when I moved here 54 years ago. We got a kitten and I fought to keep by her letting management know that she was strictly a house cat and wouldn't be disturbing or defacing anybody else's apartment or the common areas. They let me keep her and slowly began allowing small dogs. A couple of years ago the by-laws were revised (again), but I don't know if the pet policy was included.

The reason I wouldn't lead the charge here is because some people obviously don't know how to care for their pets, don't follow rules and are inconsiderate of others. Also, most of the people who live here have been here for decades and if they wanted pets, they most likely would have gotten them by now. I wasn't looking to get a kitten....she coerced then adopted us (by hanging out on our patio and being so adorable). 😸
 
Yes I do get new Pets. I ask for older Dogs to adopt and I also have fostered younger Dogs who were up for adoption.

I always adopt from a local, well known adoption center. I know if I must return a Dog it will be safe and can be given back to the adoption center. The city shelters are overloaded with pets and the poor returned pet, might very well be put down, not due to any cause of him/her. Very sad.

The Dog I have now, an ex-racing Greyhound ( my 9th since 1992 ) I adopted 5 months ago. He is now 10 years old and the best friend anyone could ever ask for. He is well loved and cared for.
 
Dogs require a LOT of patience -- especially puppies who chew up everything in the house. But even grown dogs. So if you don't have the temperament for it, don't get a dog.
 
hawkdon said:
Me too Debodun....I wrestle that every time I see on nextdoor some one
giving away a cat.....hard to resist sometimes.....
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A few years ago, a woman I deliver meals to said as soon as the pandemic was over, she'd take me to the animal shelter to get a cat. I said that was like taking an alcoholic that's trying to quit to a liquor store; I'd come home with 10 cats. She responded, "What's wrong with that?"
 
I have an agreement with my daughter that she will take our dogs if we become unable to care for them, and either keep them or find acceptable homes for them. We both volunteer at our local shelter though she’s way more active then I, she’s the medical expert for this region, and has countless connections to other shelters and humane associations, so it won’t become a problem for her to take our dogs.

Because of that, I have the freedom to indulge myself and have no qualms about the future of any dogs we have. It’s why we were able to adopt Koko, the tiny cleft palate yorkie who started out with me as a medical foster. Yorkies live long lives and there is definitely the possibility that she’ll outlive us, so it’s reassuring to know she’ll be taken care of.

All that to say we’re very lucky to have that level of backup. I can’t imagine life without a dog, I’ve never not had one or more since my 20’s!

There are plenty of rescue organizations and shelters with humane policies regarding needing to surrender a pet you got from them. Our shelter has a policy in place that allows their adopters to return an animal to them and the shelter will always take them back! For those of you wishing for a pet but worried what would happen should you no longer be able to care for it, you might want to ask about your local shelter’s surrender policy.

It seems such a shame to me that there should be a barrier for those of you wanting a pet but denying yourself because of the uncertainty of their future. And also for those animals waiting to be adopted who could be spending time with a loving adopter, even if that time is cut short!
 
Ronni said:
It seems such a shame to me that there should be a barrier for those of you wanting a pet but denying yourself because of the uncertainty of their future. And also for those animals waiting to be adopted who could be spending time with a loving adopter, even if that time is cut short!
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I agree. Very few of us have much certainty about how long we'll live. While we're here we should enjoy life to the fullest, including offering a needy pet a home and providing ourselves with the loving companionship a pet offers.
 
We only adopt older cats. Both of our cats were adopted through fosters and both lived with elderly owners who passed away. Bugsy was already 6 when we adopted him and is now 11. The downside is that we will probably outlive him but at least we know we can make his senior years the best possible. He has added an immeasurable amount of joy to our lives.

We were "hoodwinked" with Andy. We were told he was 6 years old when we adopted him and we just thought he was a small cat. I think he was really 6 months old because he is a big boy now.
 
For our 68th anniversary our son bought us a nice adult cat, she is sweet and we get so many laughs from her.The funny and good thing is she just adores our son. So if we croak before she does she will still have our son, he loves her too. He gets all the work too, and we get quite a lot of enjoyment from her.
 
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