Mookie, Laney, Turtle, and Leo were all rescues, adopted as adults. I started this blog because:
A. Mookie insisted, and he's too big of a personality to keep contained within our house
B. I wanted to show as many people as possible how much fun adopted adult animals can be
Adult animals end up in shelters for all kinds of reasons with all kinds of backgrounds. Some have been abused (Leo), some were found on the streets (Turtle and Mookie), some proved too energetic for their owners to handle (Laney), and some are the victims of bad personality matches or simply changes in their owner's living situations that, unfortunately, resulted in them being surrendered.
These are wonderful animals who can bring you tremendous love, affection, and laughter. When I come home from trips, I can't wait to see their antics, to play with each of them, and to fall asleep with at least one taking up more bedspace than is necessary. Our animals have brought far more to our lives than we could ever ask for and I think much of that is because of the quiet and vaired histories each one arrived with.
Please considering adoptiong an adult pet the next time you are looking to create a forever home for a homeless animal. You'll be amazed at how much joy they can bring.
If you are not in a position to help our animal community through adoption, there are so many ways you can help: donations, fostering, volunteering to help at adoption events, etc. Everything helps and I have found the folks running these organizations to be among the lovliest and most appreciative to work with.
Please click on the following links for more information on how you can help.
Pet Adoption Network (Mookie): http://www.petadoptionnetwork.org/
Another Chance Pet Rescue (Leo): http://www.anotherchancepetrescue.org/
Both the Pet Adoption Network and Another Chance Pet Rescue are foster-based organizations. This means that the animals live with families while awaiting a forever home. The benefit of this is two-fold:
1. It can be easier on the animal than to be in a kennel. Kennels can be depressing and tiring for an animal.
2. It provides a better understanding of their personalities and quirks so it's easier to find a good personality fit between animal and home. For example, Mookie seemed like a boring white cat. Then I talked to Julie, his foster mom; she clued me in on his level of insanity. And I was sold.
Lollipop Farm (Laney and Mookie)
http://www.lollypop.org/
Lollipop has a great facility and takes very good care of their animals.
ASPCA (National Organization)
http://www.aspca.org/
More on the adopt an older animal bandwagon:
http://www.aspca.org/adoption/adoption-tips/reasons-to-adopt-an-older-dog.html
