A senior already knows how to be a pet. What you see at the meet is who you get.
- Dogs
- Seven years and older.
- Cats
- Ten years and older.
- What they bring
- House manners, a settled temperament, and an easier first month than any puppy.
Seniors in the network.
Live from our adoption records, oldest first.
More to browse: Puppies · Kittens · Small dogs · Waiting longest · New arrivals · Cats at partner stores
The case for the calm ones.
Three things a senior gives you that a puppy cannot.
No surprises
Size, energy, temperament: all settled. The foster’s write-up is a description, not a prediction.
Lower key
Past the chewing, the zoomies and the 2 a.m. play sessions. Happy with a walk, a window and a lap.
Vetted before adoption
Every animal is vetted, vaccinated, microchipped and spayed or neutered before adoption, and any known conditions are on the profile.
Adopting a senior.
The fee on each animal’s profile is the one that applies.
In the same listings, most adult dogs under seven were $500. Every adoption fee covers spay or neuter, age-appropriate vaccinations, heartworm and flea and tick preventatives, a heartworm test for dogs over 9 months, an FIV/FeLV test for cats (one per litter), deworming and a microchip with registration.
Apply
Apply through the adoption link on the animal’s profile. We often get several applications for the same animal, so applying doesn’t guarantee adoption.
Meet
The foster reviews your application and, if it looks like a match, sets up a meet and greet at a home, a public place, or wherever you both feel comfortable.
Bring them home
Once you’re approved, we send an online contract and a request for electronic payment, and the foster arranges pickup or drop-off. Vet records are emailed after processing, which can take up to a week.
Want a small senior? Small dogs come through our network all year, and our small dogs page lists the grown ones, live. Not sure yet? Foster to Adopt gives you a trial period first.
Caring for a senior.
What the American Veterinary Medical Association recommends for older dogs and cats.
Twice a year or more
Senior exams go deeper than a younger pet’s and may include dental care, bloodwork and checks for age-related disease, so problems are found early.
Diet and weight
Older pets often need food that is easier to digest. Weight gain raises health risks in senior dogs, while weight loss is the bigger worry in senior cats.
Keep them moving
Exercise suited to their age keeps seniors healthier and more mobile, and interacting with you helps keep their minds active.
Small changes
A bed away from the stairs helps. Some loss of sight and hearing is normal, and a pet with failing eyesight gets around best when the furniture stays where it is.
Senior questions.
What people ask before they meet one.
Are seniors more expensive to care for?
Is the adoption fee lower for seniors?
Can I foster a senior instead of adopting?
How old is a senior dog or cat?
Do you have small senior dogs for adoption in Minnesota?
How often should a senior pet see the vet?
Meet one of the calm ones.
One application covers every animal in the network. Tell us who caught your eye and we will set up a meet.