When families decide they are ready for a pet, most start by looking for a puppy or a kitten. Baby animals are undeniably adorable, and there’s something very rewarding about raising pets to spend a lifetime with your family.

Some families eliminate the possibility of owning an older pet because they’re concerned about taking on an animal with a short life expectancy or medical conditions that will be expensive to treat and require constant monitoring.

Plus, most rescues and shelters consider a 7-year-old animal to be a senior. Those pets are likely to have a long life ahead. Even for most big dogs, 7 years is middle age. Many cats and some breeds of small dog routinely live until their teens or maybe even 20. So, there’s usually plenty of time to enjoy senior pets after they integrate into a household.

Adopting a senior pet also has plenty of advantages. And, since November is the ASPCA’s  (American Society of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animal’s) Adopt a Senior Pet Month, now is a great time to explore what makes seniors so special and highly desirable pets.

Drawing inspiration from ASPCA, Dumb Friends League and other sources, we’ve compiled the key reasons to adopt a senior pet.

1. What you see is what you get.
From the start, you’ll know important things like their full-grown size, grooming requirements, personality and tolerance of other animals and people. All this information makes it easier to choose the right cat or dog and forge an instant connection.

2. They’re easy to train.
You definitely can teach an old dog new tricks. Because they’re calmer and less distracted than young pups, older dogs are great at focusing on you and the task they’re asked to do. Plus, all those years of experience reading humans helps dogs and cats how to quickly understand and meet your expectations.

3. They’re truly grateful.
Many senior-pet adopters report they feel their new, older pets express a sense of gratitude. Because they’ve had—in many cases, tough—life experiences, they appreciate the security of having a stable, loving home more than a puppy or kitten, who might not know any other way of life.

As the Dumb Friends League (rescue) says: “While their faces may be a little gray (or white), their hearts are pure gold.”

4. They’re not a 24/7 job.
Senior dogs and cats usually don’t require the constant monitoring puppies and kittens do. That leaves you with more freedom to do your own thing. If you have young children, or just value your “me time,” having a relatively low-maintenance pet is definitely a bonus.

5. They settle in quickly.
Most older pets have already learned what it takes to get along with others and become part of a pack. They’ll be part of the family in no time.

6. They make fewer messes.
Your floors, shoes and furniture are more likely to stay intact. Older dogs tend to already be housetrained. Even if they’re not, they have the physical and mental abilities to adapt to your routine faster than puppies. With their teething years far behind them, seniors also are much less likely to be destructive chewers.

After exploring their new surroundings, older cats tend to spend more time sleeping or sunning than ripping through the house than rambunctious kittens.

7. It’s usually a shorter term commitment.
Some very responsible pet lovers fight the urge to get a canine or feline companion because they don’t know what the future holds long-term. That’s a wise move because a puppy or kitten can be anywhere from an 8- to 20-year responsibility. Providing a loving home for a pet in the golden years is not any less of a serious commitment, but it can be a shorter one.

8. They’re happy to just hang out.
Why get a high-energy puppy, if you’re a low-energy family? There’s no need to run yourself ragged. Older dogs do require exercise. They can be downright spunky; but, they’re not going to need, or want, to run a marathon every day. Older cats tend to be pretty self sufficient in finding entertainment.

9. They’re highly screened.
Because most adopters are looking for a puppy or a young dog, rescues really scrutinize health and temperament of older pets. The ones who are who are selected to go up for adoption have to be pretty special and able to compete with younger animals to find a home.

10. They’re great for rookies.
Adopting a senior pet is a great option for first-time pet owners. They are ready-made companions and are every bit as loving and loyal as a younger pet.

11. They usually don’t require extensive veterinary care.
Some pet lovers are hesitant to get a senior pet because they fear care will be exorbitant. Rescues and shelter advise prospective owners about obvious pre-existing illnesses or injuries. Senior cats and dogs have already been spayed or neutered and vaccinated. After adoption, they usually don’t need additional vaccinations and deworming that young kittens or puppies need. That doesn’t mean seniors can go without regular veterinary care. Typically, these pets require a yearly exam and vaccines as well as flea and heartworm preventives—just like any other healthy adult animal.

12. You’ll save a life and be a hero.
At shelters, older dogs and cats are often the last to be adopted and the first to be euthanized. Saving an animal’s life offers an unparalleled emotional return on your investment, and you’ll feel the rewards every day you spend together.

Creature feature

APAWS has a great variety of adoptable canines and felines in a range of ages including:

Roxy was surrendered by her owners after seven years. This beagle/spaniel mix has no idea why she was displaced and, frankly, neither does APAWS. Her owner simply said she could no longer care for the dog. Once she warms up to new acquaintances, this sweet, senior girl showers everyone with affection. Roxy deserves a home where she can be coddled and appreciated for the rest of her life.

Callie was adopted when she was younger. Unfortunately once her owner’s job required frequent travel, he decided the situation would not be good for Callie and returned her to rescue. She is a very sweet girl who is best suited for a calm, quiet home.

Thelma and Louisey were found by a wonderful man who saw something being thrown from a truck at a hunting camp. While at first he was not sure what had happened, he went to investigate and found these sweet hound mix puppies. They were covered in fleas and hungry. Thelma and Louise are now being cared for and are looking for a loving home where they can grow and enjoy a life full of joy.

Icicle is a beautiful gray-and-white adult female.

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Jack is an 8-year-old poodle mix. He was picked up as a stray with a female poodle and brought to the shelter. After the female was adopted and Jack was left alone, he cried for hours. Once he entered APAWS, he was discovered to be partially blind in one eye. Nonetheless, Jack does not let his disability get him down. He loves people and just wants to be in a hospitable lap. Jack also gets along fine with other dogs.

Henry hitched a ride next to a car engine. When the driver reached her destination, she heard meowing and called APAWS.  At first, this brown tabby’s foster was concerned, he was feral. But as soon as she picked him up, Henry started purring and snuggling.

These pets have all been microchipped, vaccinated, spayed/neutered, heartworm and FeLeuk/FIV tested. Many other adoptable cats, kittens, puppies and dogs are available at the Animal Protection and Welfare Society.