Why was the LOVS program created?

Senior dogs and cats make amazing companions and need loving forever homes also! Potential adopters sometimes hesitate to adopt a senior pet stating potential high medical bills as one of their concerns. Paws Across Pittsburgh wants to help our senior rescues get in loving homes by alleviating this concern.

How do you choose which dogs are adopted out through the LOVS program? Age? Health?

Most of the pets placed in this program will be chosen by their age alone, while others may not be considered senior but may have health issues that makes them more difficult to place with a family.

What costs do the LOVS program cover and what are adopters responsible for?

Paws Across Pittsburgh will pay for preventative, routine, acute and emergency care and medications and supplements when prescribed by a board-certified veterinarian. PAP also pays for euthanasia if it’s deemed necessary.

What is the expected life span of animals in the LOVS program? Are they end of life animals?

Every animal is different. Our goal, whether they have 5 months or 5 years left, is to let them live it out in a home where they are safe and loved.

Are there advantages to adopting a senior pet over a young dog or puppy?

There are so many advantages to adopting a senior pet! Here are just a few;

• Older dogs tend to have manners since they’ve lived with humans for a long time already.
• They are less destructive since they are long past their “discover and chew everything new” phase.
• They know and have experience with human to dog communication, so they usually learn new habits and skills quickly.
• Senior pets make GREAT companions for senior humans since they are past the time in their lives where they need lots of exercise. They are often happy with a quiet and relaxing evening on the sofa with their special human.

Do senior pets have special needs?

As pets age, they can experience the same age-related issues that humans do. Vet appointments may be more frequent, and they may require medications to make their golden years last longer or make them more comfortable. Their hearing and vision may begin to fail, they can suffer from heart or liver disease as well as mental illness among other ailments. They need extra care as they grow older as much as a human does as they age.

What kind of experience should an adopter have to adopt a senior pet?

If you are willing to adopt and love a senior dog or cat, as well as watch for and monitor changes in their health and behavior, you will gain the experience you need with Paws Across Pittsburgh and your veterinarian supporting you along the way.

Adopters may worry about getting attached and then the senior pet passing away shortly after adoption. What advice do you have for this concern?

The truth is, all pets live short lives, and there’s no way to predict if they’ll pass away at 2 or 22. Becoming an adopter of senior pets can help you come to terms with death in a whole new way. You may find comfort in knowing that, even if they only live a few months, they will have spent their last days surrounded by love.

Are Senior Pets good with children?

Every animal is different and should be watched closely for signs of stress when introducing new experiences such as children. This applies to any animal regardless of size, species, breed or age.