Discounts for Adopting and Owning a Pet

Discounts for Adopting and Owning a Pet Date: January 15, 2009 Author: David Smidt, SeniorDiscounts From Seniordiscounts.com newsletter

Pets make great companions and research has shown that pets can increase their owners' quality of life. A study published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society concluded that independently living seniors with pets tend to have better physical health and mental well being than those without pets. Seniors with pets are generally more active, cope better with stress, and have better overall health.

Some of the benefits of owning a pet:
Pets Lower Blood Pressure - A recent study showed that people over 40 who own pets had lower blood pressure than people who did not have pets.
Fewer Trips to the Doctor - A US survey of 1,000 Medicare patients indicated that elderly people with pets sought doctor's services much less frequently than those without animal companions.
Less Depression - Studies show that seniors with pets do not become depressed as often as those without pets.
Seniors Become More Active - Seniors with pets go for more walks and are generally more active than those without pets.

Adopting pets from shelters is a great way to help animals that need homes. There are various services that provide assistance to older adults looking to take in pets. These national organizations can help with some or all of the adoption costs and may provide assistance with necessary vaccinations.
The Pets For the Elderly Foundation pays the fees at participating animal shelters throughout the United States for seniors who adopt a companion dog or cat from a participating shelter - this includes the adoption fee, pre-adoption veterinary exam and spay/neuter.http://www.petsfortheelderly.org
PAWS (Progressive Animal Welfare Society)Provides a "Seniors for Seniors" program where mature cats and dogs (typically over 7 years of age) are placed with qualified senior citizens who are 60 years of age or older. The PAWS "Seniors for Seniors" program offers a special reduced adoption fee, and includes many benefits to help seniors who are living on a fixed income.http://www.paws.org/cas/adopt/seniors.php

United Animal Nations helps ill or injured animals whose caregivers or rescuers cannot afford the cost of the lifesaving veterinary care they need.http://www.uan.org
There are dozens of other local programs to help older adults find and care for pets. We have posted a useful list of some of the local organizations around the country on our web site. Click here:http://www.seniordiscounts.com/articles/articles-sd-petservices.aspx

Many cities require that pet owners register their pets and pay a one-time or annual fee. We have found that most cities offer discounts on the registration fees to qualifying seniors. Check your local city's web site for details.
Many city shelters and humane societies will also provide discounts on pet adoption, as well as necessary vaccinations or to have one's pet spade or neutered.
Don't forget that there are hundreds of veterinarians and animal hospitals that provide discounts to seniors and their pets. Check with a local vet or visit the SeniorDiscounts search area on our web site to locate veterinarians in your area.
© SeniorDiscounts

Obviously I'm a pet lover and have talked about them before, and I believe pets can provide so many benefits to us seniors. I would love to get your comments about your experiences with pets.

Tom Binder
Seniors Real Estate Specialist