Adopt a Less Adoptable Pet Week

How old are you?
I am in my mid fourties.  If I were a cat, or dog, in the middle of my life, I would very likely be euthanized rather than put up for adoption.  Most people want kittens or puppies, a few want year old pets, but very few want senior pets.

Senior pets are nearly impossible for shelters to adopt out.  They sometimes are thought to come with baggage, health issues, and the fact that they will not have many long years left.  Few people bother to even consider adopting such an animal.  Because of this, many shelters do not even keep senior pets and they are euthanized without even being given a chance.




Authors old cat, now deceased.  Ginger Bits.


Senior pets actually do have many benefits and are an ideal companion in certain situations:

Senior pets are ideal for senior owners, they are calmer, and do not need as much exercise.  They are usually well mannered and are less likely to jump on, or claw, their owner, than a playful younger pet.  Senior pets generally fit better into the senior persons life, as a senior person may not be able to make a 15 year commitment to adopting a younger pet.

Senior pets are perfect for people who are only in one place for a short time, such as military people who move every few years.

Senior pets are sometimes great for homes with children.  An older dog may be calmer and safer than a young puppy for example.  An older cat will just wander away from a child if it does not want to be bothered, where as kittens will claw to get away.  It should be noted that not all older pets are good with all children, and the manners of the children should be considered too.

Senior pets are well suited to the type of person who has lots of love to give to a companion who needs, and deserves it.

If you are thinking of adopting a pet, I encourage you to consider adopting an adult, or senior pet.  These animals need homes too!

Petfinder.com has named September 17 - 25 as "Adopt-a-Less-Adoptable-Pet Week" and have asked bloggers to feature some of the types of less adoptable pets, senior pets being the one I have focused on here, but also includes black pets, pit bull dogs, and those with health concerns. 

All pets need loving homes so adopting any pet this week (or at any time) will help, but I urge you to also considering saving the life of a senior animal.

Have a look at PetFinders Gallery of Pets which features only some of the less adoptable pets in shelters today!

Ferrets as Exotic Pets

Ferrets are a different kind of pet, playful like a cat, but clever like a Jack Russell Terrier, these are not a pet for a first time pet owner.

Ferrets are small carnivorous mammals, they are not rodents, but rather are weasels and would happily eat most rodents if they should encounter them, in fact they are often used for hunting rabbits.  They will also feast on bird eggs, and as such are illegal as pets in many areas due to the risk of them escaping (or being turned loose) and endangering local wildlife species. 

photo source

Ferrets are awake in the morning and evening hours and are quite active when awake.  They should have large, interesting, cages, and be given at least 4 hours out of their cage every day.  They are very curious, playful, pets.

One of the biggest concerns with keeping pet ferrets is their smell.  Ferrets have a scent gland near their anus and can release their anal glands at will (usually when scared).  For this reason many people in the USA and Canada have them descented, in fact this is often done to young ferrets before they arrive in pet stores for sale.  Other countries consider this inhumane, for example descenting is not generally done to ferrets in the UK.

Ferrets are obligate (true) carnivores, they need a proper meat source in their diet.  Cats are also obligate carnivores, and good quality cat food can be fed to a ferret in an emergency, however proper ferret food is always preferred, and in either case a meat source must be the first ingredient (eg.  Chicken Meal, Turkey Meal, Lamb Meal).

It is always best to buy a pet ferret from a breeder, or adopt from a shelter rather than buying from a pet store as the pet store ferrets typically come from mass breeders - are generally less social, and may have genetic concerns as the result of being poorly bred.

Take 5% OFF ANY SIZE ORDER at Ferret.com. Use coupon code CJFE5OFF at checkout.

Read More Information About Pet Ferrets:

Fast Ferret Facts

Unusual Pets:  Ferrets

How to Find Adoptable Exotic Pets

Pet Stores are the worst places to get a pet!  Why?  Because stores by 95% of their pets from mass breeders - mills -that breed pets for no other reason than profit.  They breed cheap to make the most money.  In most cases the pets have never even been handled prior to the day they are taken to the store and as such tend to be unfriendly.


As such buying from a reputable breeder is one of the best ways go get an exotic pet, but they can be hard to find and may be pricey, so the best option is to adopt an exotic pet from an SPCA, humane society, or other pet rescue group.

Adopt a Pet and Save a Life
A vast array of adoptable exotics can be found at most animal shelters, (although the small and furry ones are most common) it is just a matter of being in the right place at the right time, because many exotic pets are adopted within days of going up for adoption.  Others sadly wait for weeks, or months, before finding a loving owner.

Petfinder.com has a listing of many adoptable exotic pets, from snakes to skinny pigs (hairless guinea pigs).  We decided to look for adoptable exotic pets in our area of Alberta, and found many rabbits and guinea pigs, including Sherona who is up for adoption in Red Deer, Alberta.

You can see Sherona's Page here.

Adoption is a great way to "Save a Life", as well you often save money, and the adoptable pets sometimes even come with their cage and supplies.

Further Reading

The Advantages of Adopting a Pet rather than Buying One

How to Adopt a Pet from an Animal Shelter

Guinea Pigs as Pets

Adopt the Internet Day

Petfinder.com is using March 15, 2011 as Adopt the Internet Day, a day they plan to "take over" the Internet in an awareness campaign about pet adoption and issues facing homeless pets. 

Petfinder.com is a place where prospective pet adopters can go to find shelters with certain animals for adoption.  They list adoptable cats, dogs, horses, birds, rabbits, reptiles, and even farm animals.  Thus they may even have the exotic pet you are looking for!


On March 15 Petfinder.com is encouraging people to change their Facebook profile picture to one of an adoptable pet.  They ask people to tweet about an adoptable pet, specifically using the hashtag #adopttheinternt.

Until March 15, 2011, pet lovers can visit ICanHasCheeseburger and create a caption for an adoptable pet.

Please support Adopt the Internet Day, and make plans visit Petfinder.com's Special Page, on March 15.  Be sure to tell people about pet adoption on March 15 and encourage them to use Petfinder to locate a shelter near them.

Read How to Adopt a Pet from an Animal Shelter
Read Petfinder Making News