Companion animals have been shown to reduce stress, lower blood pressure, ease depression, provide comfort and companionship, promote physical activity and prevent loneliness.
Studies have shown that owning a pet may slow cognitive decline in seniors.
A study done by the American Heart Association showed that owning a dog may promote longer life and lead to better cardiovascular outcomes for heart attack and stroke survivors who live by themselves.
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/10/191008083121.htm
Another study showed that owning a dog reduces loneliness in older adults.
There are numerous benefits to owning a pet. Our animal shelters are overcrowded with animals in need of a loving home. According to the ASPCA, “Approximately 6.3 million companion animals enter U.S. animal shelters nationwide every year. Of those, approximately 3.1 million are dogs and 3.2 million are cats”
Paring companion animals with seniors can benefit both. The seniors benefit in the ways I have described, and the pets benefit by being able to leave a shelter and live in a loving home.
Often it is the expense that prevents seniors from adopting a pet. Adoption fees, veterinary care, food, and other costs associated with pet care can be expensive.
Fortunately for seniors there are options to mitigate some of these costs.
Pets for the Elderly
Pets for the Elderly Foundation is a public charity that started in Cleveland, Ohio in 1992. It is now nationwide. They have placed over 100,000 shelter animals with seniors.
They help pay shelter adoption fees at participating shelters for people 60 and older. They help with pre-adoption veterinary exams and spaying and neutering if these are part of the adoption fee.
Also included are shelter programs that cover veterinary services, retention services, food shortage support, and other services for animal adopters. That PFE funding is implemented through a certified PFE partner shelter and includes routine veterinary care, surgery, food, home visits and grooming.
They work with 53 shelters in 31 states. You can find a list of their participating shelters on their website. Pets for the Elderly Foundation
They also accept donations to help support their work.
https://petsfortheelderly.org/
FACE Foundation
The FACE Foundation, based in San Diego, California provides medical care for pets owned by low-income families, senior citizens, veterans, military families, people experiencing homelessness, students, and the disabled.
They work with veterinarians throughout the country to provide lifesaving medical care for pets.
They also accept donations to support their foundation. FACE Foundation
Meals on Wheels
Meals on Wheels provides nutritious meals, check-ins and support for seniors. Widespread throughout the United States they have over 5,000 independently run local programs. Each Meals on Wheels program offers different services based on the needs of the local community. Some offer pet supplies including food and cat litter. Some offer financial assistance to help cover the cost of veterinary care and grooming. Some volunteers will even walk dogs and drive seniors and their pets to veterinary and grooming appointments.
Check with your local Meals on Wheels to see what services they offer.
PetVet
PetVet partners with Tractor Supply Stores and offers vaccinations for puppies and kittens, adult vaccines, testing for heartworm, Lyme disease and other pest-born illnesses and other routine pet care.
Walgreens & ShotVet
Some Walgreens pharmacies are partnered with ShotVet. They host pet clinics that offer low-cost pet vaccinations. They also offer low-cost flea control products and heartworm medication.
While this is not available in every state, check with your local Walgreens or visit ShotVet online to find a list of participating locations. ShotVet Locator
Pet Food Pantries
Pet food pantries and other low-cost pet care assistance programs are available throughout the United States.
Alley Cat Allies provides a list of pantries.
http://Alley Cat Allies Pet Food Pantries
Also check with your local animal shelters and Humane Society. They may offer a pet food pantry, or they may be able to put you in touch with one. Many local communities offer pet food pantries and other services.
Talk to your Veterinarian
Talk to your veterinarian about low-cost options. Many offer senior discounts or discounts if you fall below a certain income level. They may also know of other low-cost services in your area.
Spaying and Neutering
All pet owners should have their cats and dogs spayed and neutered.
Millions of cats and dogs are euthanized or suffer as strays each year. According to the ASPCA approximately 920,000 shelter animals are euthanized (390,000 dogs and 530,000 cats) each year in the United States.
Having your pet spayed or neutered can help reduce that number.
See my article on spaying and neutering your pets. I talk about several low-cost services.
The Tech Minimalist 