Senior Citizens Host Senior Pet Adoption Events to Help Older Animals Find Retirement Homes

Mar. 15, 2025

Two Waltonwood residents with a senior dog.Photo:Sara Bailey/Waltonwood

Sara Bailey/Waltonwood

Senior citizens are helping older pets make the best of their golden years.

Throughout August, numerousWaltonwood senior living communitiesare hosting “Seniors Helping Seniors” events. At the events, Waltonwood residents help senior pets from local rescues find homes where they can retire to a life of pampering.

The “Seniors Helping Seniors” events are Waltonwood’s way of contributing tothe nationwide Clear the Shelters adoption campaign, which runs through Sept. 10.

Waltonwood, which has all pet-friendly senior living communities, isn’t just giving senior pets a platform; the company is also covering the older animals’s adoption fees, so there are fewer barriers for prospective pet owners.

A Waltonwood Royal Oak resident with a senior dog from the Michigan Animal Rescue League.Sara Bailey/Waltonwood

A Waltonwood Royal Oak resident makes a blanket for a shelter pet.Sara Bailey/Waltonwood

Across Waltonwood’s senior living communities, residents have made over 1,000 homemade pet treats, more than 2,000 toys, and 200 blankets.

Waltonwood shared in a release that the company was motivated to help older shelter animals after learning that they stay four times longer in shelters than younger animals and that only about 25% of the senior pets in shelters get adopted each year.

Waltonwood added that it knows that human senior citizens often get unfairly stereotyped as inactive, uncomfortable trying new things, and incapable of forming new relationships, and it fears the same is happening to senior animals. The company has seen firsthand that senior citizens make great pet owners and are adaptable, fun-loving people who crave to live life to the fullest. Waltonwood is positive that the same is true for older shelter pets.

A Waltonwood resident with a senior dog.Sara Bailey/Waltonwood

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“We’ve seen firsthand the positive impact that pets can have, not just on their immediate companions but on our entire community,” Lindsay Charlefour, director of life enrichment at Waltonwood, said in a statement. “At Waltonwood, these adopted pets create joy and connection among our residents and we are excited to give these wonderful animals another chance at happiness. We hope the community will join us in making a difference and showing these deserving animals the appreciation and care they’ve earned.”

source: people.com