Potential cat adopter gets denied because of her age.

[phippsie62]

I am heartily sick of the ageism that permeates our culture. It’s been especially egregious in politics of late: We need young people with fresh ideas! I’m all for fresh ideas, but why do people think they only come from the young?

As for pet adoptions, the “seniors for seniors” policy may be fine for some people, but for others, presiding over the decline and inevitable death of an old pet is a downright depressing prospect.

EVERYBODY should have a care plan for their pets in the event of their death, timely or untimely. The fact that older people are the only ones routinely admonished to do so just reflects the delusion of younger people that they themselves are immortal.

[Mango20]

That’s terrible! A healthy 66 year old would have a pretty good chance of living to 86 or beyond. The longer you live, the longer your life expectancy.

[16_Hands]

@Callista17

I do think it is something to consider. If someone’s elderly, or sick, DEFINITELY, DON’T get a kitten or puppy. It’s still an adjustment when they need to be rehomed.

My mom is quite elderly but still very active - I think she just turned 89 yesterday - and about 3 years ago bought a puppy of a small breed, like silky terrier I believe. She and that dog go everywhere together and is the star of their assisted living home. In all likelihood the dog will outlive her but my brother said he would be happy to have the dog if a home is needed. He’s got a large yard and loves dogs so there’s that.

[Callista17]

@16 Hands

My mom is quite elderly but still very active - I think she just turned 89 yesterday - and about 3 years ago bought a puppy of a small breed, like silky terrier I believe. She and that dog go everywhere together and is the star of their assisted living home. In all likelihood the dog will outlive her but my brother said he would be happy to have the dog if a home is needed. He’s got a large yard and loves dogs so there’s that.

Hopefully your brother’s situation is the same if the time comes, and he follows through with his committment.

[Darkwave]

@JanM

Just be sure that if you designate someone to watch out for the welfare of your animals after you die, that the person actually will do that.

My workaround to that has been to designate a representative of the group from whom I initially adopted our beasties (with their permission). I’m fairly confident this person will look out for my cats’ welfare, and doing so also matches the spirit of our adoption agreement.

[hoopoe]

I worked in vet clinical for over 20 years. the number of cats that reached 20 was far, far fewer than the number of owners who reached 80+

[over60]

DH and I are in our early/mid 70’s and have three cats in addition to my horse. We have made plans in our estate planning for their care should we die before they do. My horse will be 21 this year, two of the cats are 14 and the third is about 7 so odds are that we will outlive the horse and at least two of the cats. I will not hesitate to get another cat (s) and may look for another horse should that situation arise.

[Big_Tag]

This, honestly, is ludicrous. At 66, this individual could realistically have 20-30 years left. Also - zipping flamesuit - some rescues need to chill the f out. Is the better alternative to let a (presumably) adult cat sit in a cage and/or foster home because you think it’s possible the cat might outlive its owner? I don’t know about y’all but every shelter and rescue is chock full of young adult/adult cats 'round these parts. I do understand that not every family out there has a plan for the pets, and that is unfortunate, but you have the chance to put the cat into a (very likely lifetime) loving home. Come on.

[Dr_Doolittle]

Amen to this! ^ ^ ^

In an attempt to further their agenda, they often cut off their nose(s) to spite their face(s) – and the animals are the ones who suffer for this.

[sorrelfilly721]

@Dr. Doolittle

Amen to this! ^ ^ ^

In an attempt to further their agenda, they often cut off their nose(s) to spite their face(s) – and the animals are the ones who suffer for this.

Yes! I was once denied an adoption because I lived in a mobile home. My home was 1400sf. The rescue asked me if I though a mobile home was an appropriate place for a cat to live. I answered that I lived there, so I was pretty sure the cat would be just fine. They told me they had found another adopter. SMH.

[Dr_Doolittle]

@sorrelfilly721

Yes! I was once denied an adoption because I lived in a mobile home. My home was 1400sf. The rescue asked me if I though a mobile home was an appropriate place for a cat to live. I answered that I lived there, so I was pretty sure the cat would be just fine. They told me they had found another adopter. SMH.

Ridiculous.

:rolleyes:

[Lord_Helpus]

This is the most depressing thread I have ever read. I am almost 70 and I have 4 horses, 2 dogs and Mr Barn Kitty. It never occurred to me that I would be considered too old to adopt/have these animals. My doggies are adopted puppy mill dogs who were about 4 when I got them 3 years ago. The rescue called me about taking them. There certainly was no issue of “being too old”.

I have money set aside for all my animals, per year – since I do not know how long they will live. (horses are 28, 27, 16, 7. Dogs are c. 7. I do not know how old Mr. Kitty is, but everyone knows that barn kitties are part of the farm which is being sold/purchased, so I do not worry about him). The balance, if any, goes to rescues.

It made me come to grips with the cost of keeping horses, even retired ones. WOW. I am looking at putting aside 6 figures so they can continue to live in the luxury to which they are accustomed for up to 20 more years. How did I not realize this?

I WILL die with a dog sleeping next to me. In my ‘plan’, my caretaker will love her just as much as I do, and it will not be a major break in her life to move to my caretaker’s house.

[danacat]

Uplifting story:

A woman in her 70’s who clerks at a small organic foods market near me, recently lost her cat to old age. She said she hadn’t wanted to get another cat due to her own age, but soon couldn’t stand being without a cat. So she went to the local SPCA no kill shelter…

…they were happy to let her adopt a cat and showed her all the ‘younger’ cats that were ready to go. Then she noticed a very quiet, all black cat they hadn’t even mentioned, and she asked about him.

Reply was, He’s older and he’s black and nobody ever wants him, he’s been here for a long time and probably won’t adjust well to being adopted. Well, he’s the cat she took home.

She was worried he wouldn’t adjust, but as soon as she opened the carrier and let him out, he jumped in her lap, started purring and went to sleep like he’d been with her his whole life. A purrfect pairing.

[saultgirl]

@sorrelfilly721

Yes! I was once denied an adoption because I lived in a mobile home. My home was 1400sf. The rescue asked me if I though a mobile home was an appropriate place for a cat to live. I answered that I lived there, so I was pretty sure the cat would be just fine. They told me they had found another adopter. SMH.

That’s crazy! Do they even know how big 1400 square feet is?? Good gravy, that’s bigger than my 3 bedroom house!

[Perfect10]

My rescue adopts pets to seniors with a co-adopter who will take the pet if something happens to the adopter. Generally we don’t require a co-adopter until 70 or if they’re single and in their upper 60’s. Sadly, a few of our “co-adopters” have dumped the pets back on us once the adopter died, so it’s kind of a lose lose situation for rescues. Personally, I’m sick of having elderly people tell me that it’s too hard to lose a pet so they want a pet who will outlive them. That just isn’t fair to the pet. I’m all about a seniors for seniors program!

[sorrelfilly721]

@saultgirl

That’s crazy! Do they even know how big 1400 square feet is?? Good gravy, that’s bigger than my 3 bedroom house!

The rescue was in Beverly Hills so I guess they thought I lived in a shack LOL

[4Martini]

@16 Hands

My mom is quite elderly but still very active - I think she just turned 89 yesterday - and about 3 years ago bought a puppy of a small breed, like silky terrier I believe. She and that dog go everywhere together and is the star of their assisted living home. In all likelihood the dog will outlive her but my brother said he would be happy to have the dog if a home is needed. He’s got a large yard and loves dogs so there’s that.

I spend a lot lot of time in senior residences and pets make such a difference. Not only do they provide companionship but seem to also increase social interaction with other residents. The dogs are all part of the community. I think you have to have a walking plan and back up walking plan. There is a dog walker who comes three times a day and is usually walking a whole pack of dogs.

When I bring our big lab mix though I get lots of comments about people excited that it’s a real dog. Since the resident dogs are all smaller dogs.