At animal shelters and rescue organizations you'll find loving, healthy pets waiting for a family to take them home. In amongst the cute puppies and kittens, though, you'll also find a quieter group of animals who are no less deserving of a loving home.

They're the older pets, the "seniors", who just need a comfortable retirement home they can call their own. Many people are rightfully concerned about the financial responsibilities of caring for an older pet - however, just like with people, every pet is different: some will require minimal care, others will need more. And even the smallest pup or kitty will eventually become a senior! It may help to discuss possible costs with a veterinarian who is familiar with the pet you are considering.

Some reasons to consider adopting a senior pet include:

• They're more mellow and tend to have better house manners. While many are still active, they're just as content to relax at home with you.

• Senior dogs are better focused and are easier to train - and they may already know some commands. You may have heard the saying, "You can't teach an old dog new tricks!" Fortunately that's not true. Puppies tend to have a short attention span, while older dogs learn quickly.

• Senior pets are often already housetrained. Dogs will know how to ask to be let outside when have need to go, and cats will know how to use their litter boxes.

• They're past the "destructive" stage. Puppies will chew most anything while they're in their teething stage, and kittens have yet to learn what's appropriate to scratch and what's not! Older pets tend to know what is "theirs", and they've often been taught what "no" means.

• You'll have more time for yourself and to enjoy your pet, instead of cleaning up after them, attending to frequent bathroom breaks, teaching them manners, and all the other stuff that's necessary when you have a youngster.

• You know what you're getting. You know how big your pet's going to be, how he looks, how active he is, and so on. Puppies and kittens have a lot of growing to do and they may develop into an adult that is different from what you expected.

• Senior pets have lots of love to give. They just need a family to love them in return!

Interested in opening up your home to a loving senior? Visit your local animal shelter, or try the Senior Dogs Project.

This article is provided courtesy of The Paw Friendly Directory of products and services for pets and the people who love them! www.pawfriendly.com