Don’t let the fact that the rescue you’re looking at isn’t brand new keep you from considering they may be the perfect fit for your home.

November is Adopt a Senior Pet Month, and I’ve done it too. Adult animals don’t turn me off. I love a great Previously Used *as the dealership likes to call them* pet.

When one of my rats died and left Jane behind, I hopped on the local Humane Society and found a 2 year old rat, just like Jane, that didn’t have a friend or home. April moved in with Jane and they became good friends, and April stayed on for 6 months before being put down. I knew they only lived on average 2-3 years, but it was a good fit, and I was glad to do it.

One time I was at Petsmart and I found Honey. She was a 4 year old guinea pig with a few small health issues, and no buddy. She was waiting there for the right home. I knew from years of experience that most of my guinea pigs only lived 4-5 years, but I wanted to take her and give her a good retirement along with a few of my other guinea pigs. She stayed on for 6 months, and was the sweetest little girl, taking her medicine every day and eating her pellets with her feet inside the dish. She lived with Chai and Mu-Xi Mu until she died.

Right now, our second to last adoptee is probably around 11-12. Amalie is our resident Old Lady. Finding a cat at the shelter over 10 years of age may deter some, but let me tell you about her. She’s perfectly set in her ways. She has excellent toilet habits and will cuddle with anyone that will let her. She has back pain from time to time that might be related to her having been front declawed at some point in her life, but if you discover she’s in pain, either pet that area gently or not at all, and listen to her cues. She also likes when you’re eating chicken, and will sit just in your side vision next to you until you notice she’s there and maybe offer her a piece. She’ll sniff it, but won’t eat it out of your hand and will wait for you to put it down. If you’re spending too much time around the house during one of her cuddle moods, she will wait nearby. If you see her… stare at her… then say “what?”. She’ll answer you with one meow that says “You’re working too hard and you need to come sit with me”. Ignore her if you want, but she’ll always speak the truth.

I’ve had kittens and I’ve had older cats, and I’ve had puppies and I’ve had older dogs. All of them need homes. Don’t think that you can’t handle an older animal because of medical bills. Eventually that kitten or puppy you got might need medical attention as well. Don’t think you can’t handle an older animal because the time you get will be shorter. You never know about that pet – You might have 10 more years with a 10 year old cat, or you could get 5 more amazing years with that 10 year old dog… Or you may end up giving them the best year or two left of their lives.

Over the past year we ran into a wall with medical problems with my alpha male. We thought we were going to lose him before he even reached age 8. We were ready to reconcile with this, that will were given 7 years with this wonderful, rambunctious, loving, smart, beautiful, chill boy; being so grateful we were given this short time with such a glowing influence in our lives.

You could find that older animal that fills that place in your life to make you think, that even if it’s just a few years, wasn’t that time with them totally worth it, and that you’d do it again if you had to?