Adopt A Less Adoptable Pet Week starts September 16th this year. There are millions of pets out there who need loving homes. Some animals get adopted very quickly. Others can have a very, very hard time finding forever homes. This is very sad, because these pets can make absolutely wonderful animal companions. A local Fayetteville, NC vet offers some advice on adopting a less adoptable pet in this article.

What Makes Pets Less-Adoptable

There are many things that can make pets less adoptable. Age is a common one. Many people pass by older pets in favor of kittens or puppies. Pets with black coats have a very hard time getting adopted, and on average stay in shelters 24 percent longer than other pets. People also tend to skip past pets with medical issues, behavioral problems, and/or other special needs.

The Numbers

The numbers on less-adoptable pets are very sad. According to one study, 95 percent of responding shelters had pets they would consider hard to adopt. Of those, 33 percent had pets that had been up for adoption for between one and two years, while 27 percent had pets that had been waiting more than two years for someone to choose them. In comparison, the average time a dog or cat spends in a shelter before being adopted is 12 weeks.

Benefits

In many cases, the things that make pets less adoptable are actually beneficial. It’s often just a matter of how you look at it. For instance, senior pets are calmer, quieter, and less destructive than younger animals, and are also super sweet and affectionate. And pets with medical issues are often just as happy and lovable as any other pet: they just may need a little extra TLC, or perhaps slightly different care. Black cats and dogs are quite sweet and adorable, and go with any outfit or décor. They also often have wonderful personalities! Even pets with behavioral issues can often overcome their problems, and become loving pets. You may also find it extremely rewarding and fulfilling to save that sad dog no one else wanted. Of course, adopting any pet is a big decision, as it’s a lifetime commitment. Think carefully before proceeding.

As your local Fayetteville, NC animal clinic, we are dedicated to offering great care. Please feel free to contact us anytime.