by Ethel Smith

Created on: December 08, 2008

An older dog may find itself in the sorry situation of needing a new home for many reasons. It could be that:-

The dog is sick and the veterinarian bills are just way too expensive for its existing owners. It is easy to judge such owners but they could have a million and one other problems and just no means of affording hefty vet bills.

The dog's owner could have been taken seriously ill or died and rescue is the only viable alternative for the dog.

The dog's family unit could have suffered a breakdown, such as divorce, and now have no-one able to give the necessary amount of time and care to the animal.

Unemployment with no prospect of work on the horizon may have forced the dog's owners to consider parting with their beloved animal.

There are many such examples that can result in an older dog finding itself without a home. In all of these cases the dog may be a little treasure and make a fabulous new pet to someone else. However older dogs, especially those that are sick, and young but ill dogs, tend to be overlooked in the rescue game. Most people visit rescue centres looking for cute young puppies or middle aged healthy dogs.

However older dogs have many advantages. They may be:-

Fully trained.

Already socialised.

Have been castrated or spayed already.

Be quieter and settle more easily.

In general be less hassle as, although puppies are fun, they are hard work.

The one older rescue dog we adopted from the RSPCA was fabulous and we had seven great years with him before his health deteriorated badly.

As for those dogs, older or not, who are sick they need a home as much, if not more than other rescue dogs. Imagine being sick yourself and living in inhospitable conditions. In effect this is what a sick dog in an animal shelter is doing. Yes, these shelters do a great job but the conditions are not ideal for the old or infirm animal. An old animal will hopefully have been used to home comforts during its life and a sick dog needs extra warmth, care and love at this time of life. Either dog will feel ill at home in an animal shelter.

Fostering is often the best option for an old or sick dog and it can be a happy compromise. The shelter will take care of those expensive veterinarian bills whilst you, the fosterer, will provide a home full of love, shelter, food and care. In other words a sanctuary. It will still be hard when the dog passes away but you will know that you have given the animal peace in its last years.

There are some people who would say that for an old or sick animal euthanasia is the only alternative but that is very wrong. Many an older or sick dog can give its owner plenty of affection in return for its home. In fact everything a younger dog will do and maybe more. A caring dog owner however will know when the time is right for euthanasia for their pet. This is the one biggest favour you can do for your pet which you cannot do for people. However to do so before the pet has lived its life fully is very wrong. Any dog deserves the best and longest life appropriate for them and this is what we should aim for. Rescue centres these days work hard attempting to re-home an older or sick dog, as they rightly should.

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