Too Old to Adopt? Some Pet Shelters Turn Away Potential Owners Due to Age

When Marilyn and Ralph lost their 16-year-old Shih-Poo, they were devastated. For months, they couldn't bear to even look at another dog. Eventually, though, their too-quiet house drove them to look for a canine successor. With a beautiful home and lots of love to give, they wanted to rescue a dog in need. Unfortunately, at age 80, they found themselves getting turned down or ignored by rescue organizations due to their age.

Hilary, at 67, found herself in a similar situation. An active hiker, she was eager to get another dog after her long-time companion passed, but was shocked to find that rescues deemed her "too old." After months of rejections, she finally gave up.

While the benefits of pet ownership have been well documented — including reduced stress levels, decreased loneliness and lower cholesterol and blood pressure — many older adults are finding it increasingly difficult to adopt a dog after 65. Rescues have long lists of adoption criteria, often including age limits. Some won't adopt to older adults at all; others will only adopt senior pets to older adults, while still others simply "ghost" elders who apply for dogs.

This is particularly ironic as shelters and rescues are bursting at the seams: In 2023, 6.5 million animals ended up homeless, with some 359,000 dogs euthanized due to lack of available adopters.

Additionally, senior homes provide dogs with benefits their younger counterparts can't. Many older adults are retired, so they're able to be at home with their pets full time. Elders are also unlikely to be raising children, allowing them to devote more time, energy and financial resources to "furry children." And long-time dog owners typically have years of experience to inform their dog parenting skills.

With senior homes offering so many benefits, it seems counterintuitive for rescues to ignore these potential adopters. But many rescuers admit it's a common practice.

Heidi Krueger of Collie Rescue of Southeastern Pennsylvania doesn't believe rescues are trying to discriminate against older adults. Rather, she explains, rescues want to ensure that their dogs not only get good homes, but also "forever homes." She says, "Many dogs are turned in to rescues because their older owners began to experience age-related health problems or worse, and can no longer care for them. The rescue wants to be sure that a dog won't have to go through multiple rehomings." For this reason, she notes, "Age is an unavoidable part of the big picture a rescue must consider."

Krueger is quick to add, however, that age is only one factor of many, noting, "We evaluate each dog and adopter on a case-by-case basis. We do ask about the ages of everyone in the home. A large, energetic dog who is not yet fully trained might pose a safety risk to an elderly adult, or a young child. We also do in-person home checks and meet-and-greets with dogs who we think might be a good fit. A senior who isn't a good fit for one dog may still be a good fit for another dog."

At the New York-based Yorkie911 Rescue, Heidi Walker notes, "We don't refuse to adopt to seniors — in fact, we've found that seniors provide wonderful homes!" That said, she admits there are practical considerations. "Our priority is what's best for the dogs. Giving an 80-year-old a 6-month-old puppy that will likely live 16 years is not, in our opinion, a good idea. Additionally, the energy level of a puppy can be exhausting."

Sheila LaChance, founder and president of Shepherds Beyond Borders, believes that many rescues refuse to adopt to older adults "for fear that the dogs will be returned." She notes that rescues often worry that adopting a young dog to an older adult could result in the dog ending up homeless at an age where it's more difficult to find another adopter.

While her rescue does not rule out senior adopters, they work to "place age-appropriate dogs in homes that we believe work well in those homes." She also makes sure all dogs have a backup plan. "We believe any home should have a plan in place for a pet should something happen — and this is true at any age."

When Marilyn and Ralph finally found a senior-friendly rescue, they were required to provide both a prospective guardian, should they ever be unable to care for the dog, plus a backup guardian. This gave the rescue peace of mind while giving the couple a joyful companion who continues to brighten their lives.

If you're not sure if a rescue will adopt to older adults, reach out, express your interest and ask if they have any age restrictions. Some will tell you if they have a cut-off age; others may not for fear of discrimination accusations. But if a rescue remains nonresponsive, just move on.

Petfinder.com and adoptapet.com offer a wealth of available rescue dogs, searchable by sex, breed, age and location. However, these listings are sometimes dated, so attending local adoption events may improve your odds.

Rescue advocates also advise getting referrals from friends who have adopted and perusing social media to find groups devoted to placing rescue dogs.

While adopting a dog isn't as rigorous as adopting a child, it sometimes feels that way. Rescue volunteers are passionate about their dogs, so if you want to be approved as an adopter, you'll need to show that you're able to provide for the dog's health, happiness and wellbeing.

At minimum, rescues typically want proof of homeownership or a landlord letter confirming that dogs are allowed, personal and vet references and evidence of adequate financial resources. Vet care is expensive, and Walker notes, "Adopters should have at least $1,000 to draw on in case of an emergency."

If finances are an issue, Walker recommends fostering. Rescues are always looking for foster homes, and typically will pay all medical costs. Some offer permanent foster placements for senior dogs or dogs with serious medical issues.

Organizations like Pets for the Elderly also offer financial assistance to cover adoption fees for adults ages 60+.

A pet trust is another way to ensure your dog's future. A trust ensures that your dog's care will be covered if something happens to you — and may make a rescue more confident approving your adoption.

Rescues also tend to give special consideration to people they know, so volunteering may help move your application to the top of the pile.

Walker also suggests being open to different breeds and mixes. She notes that many people come to the website looking for a yorkie, yet the rescue takes in many small-breed dogs, so a willingness to consider other options may open more doors.

Geography can also play into the equation; in areas where spaying and neutering is less common, it's typically easier to adopt. LaChance's Maine-based rescue works with senior-friendly rescues in Texas that have all types of dogs, and through them, "We've helped to place dogs in senior homes in several states when other rescues didn't respond after finding out the adopters' ages."

Of course not all rescues offer out-of-state adoptions, but you shouldn't be afraid to look further afield if you can't find a dog locally. From volunteer organizations like Pilots N Paws to paid transporters like Four Paws in Motion, there are numerous avenues for bringing out-of-state dogs home.

While it may take time, patience and legwork, there are rescues that will work with you. As Krueger notes, "It will be worth it in the end when those soft brown eyes look up at you and you know that your perfect dog has found his forever home."

Janice Costa is a 30-year veteran writer, editor and author specializing in the dog and home design arenas. She has written for publications ranging from House Beautiful and Business Insider to The Bark. When she's not busy writing, she can be found spending time with her own three dogs, and running her dog vacation business, Canine Camp Getaway. Read More