Is it true that I'm going to struggle to be accepted to adopt a rescue dog in my 60s? If so how do I get around this?

[NettieNat]

Next year I (experienced dog owner) will be ready to adopt a slightly older rescue dog. Cosy home and lovely life waiting for them. Trouble is I'm being told that 60+ folk are unlikely to be considered to adopt by most of the rescues. Don't really get this. Is there a way round it?

Have you verified that with the rescue centres? It doesn’t sound right to me.

We, 60s and 70s, have just adopted a fabulous rescue saluki/ borzoi/lurcher X. The larger charities may not be keen on older adopters but suggest that you look at some smaller ones, they’ll bite your hand off if you can provide a safe and loving home.

My friend is in her sixties and has just adopted a gorgeous greyhound.

I think it’s crazy, but I did see a rescue advert recently that said applicants over 60 must have someone else able to take over the care of the dog if they should no longer be able to. I wouldn’t care but the dog was 8.

That said, I don’t like seeing people in their mid 70s get puppies or young dogs. And I’ve seen a fair few adverts for broken hearted elderly dogs in rescues where their elderly owner has died.

Many Tears Animal Rescue based in Llanelli Wales tho they have fosterers throughout England and Wales.
I know of one lady local to me who adopted when she was late 70's.

Wood Green Animal Shelter, TV programme on Thursday evenings right now - at 8pm called The Dog House had an older lady with her twin sister on the last episode, I have a feeling she was 80+ ?

My sil has just adopted a dog in her mid 60s.

It would be bollocks if they did. I just sold a Goldie puppy to someone in his mid-70s. Being older doesn’t mean you’re not capable of taking care of a dog.

I was a volunteer for a breed rescue. One woman and her husband adopted a three year old dog and they were 70. Then three of them emigrated to NZ!

I don’t think it will be an issue with an older dog and smaller rescues but you might have issues if you wanted a puppy . At two of the rescues that I support most of the rehomers tend to be older people . You could also look at long term fostering for the Cinammon trust or a local rescue .

I just adopted an older dog from the Oldies Club. I'm 60. Have a look at their website.

69 & 70, we adopted two dogs aged 8 and 9 months last year from a local rescue. From the lovely photos on their web site and Facebook we are far from being the oldest.

My mum adopted a puppy in her 60's

Not the same, but my friend was refused to become a cat fosterer, on the grounds that she doesn't drive. Apparently she had to have the means to take a sick cat to a vet independently at any time of day or night, and no she couldn't rely on a taxi because the driver could refuse to transport a sick animal. She couldn't belive the charity could afford to be so fussy.

A local rescue to me seems to favour older, retired people, so I don’t think I’d be bothering with any larger rescues that had an age limit.

I’m just about to adopt a cat from a rescue centre and I’m 65. I don’t know about dogs though, I’d think they live less long than cats typically so you should be alright

A chap in my last village adopted a dog in his early 70s. He walked miles each day and was actually a volunteer who went out all over the world to help in disaster zones due to his previous work experience. Many people are fighting fit well into their late 80s now, 60 is not exactly old so seems unlikely.

I haven’t heard this before. On the latest episode of the Doghouse on Channel 4 (Woodgreen animal rescue) they rehomed a dog to an 88 year old!

My parents adopted a dog from Dog's Trust. They are late 60s/early 70s. It was fine.

Obviously it will depend on the activity levels of the dog and what a prospective home can offer. A border collie that needs lots of exercise and stimulation probably wont go to a home with an elderly person with mobility issues.

I would think older people would be fine as they are less likely to be out all day at work.

@NettieNatWho is telling you this?

My service dog is a Border Collie. I am 68 and can just about walk. The vet says he is the fittest and happiest dog he sees. He has a job, and he gets 12 or more miles of walks a day, every day of the year. There are such things as all-terrain mobility scooters.

One of the main problems with many of the rescue centres - and I am a big supporter of the Dogs Trust, but I include them in this comment - is that they are very bad a listening to people. They draw up blanket rules that pay no attention to the abilities and experiences of the people adopting, impose their own ideas about what is appropriate adoption, and therefore lose adopters. I would not be allowed to adopt a BC from them (if mine died), but it would be better off with me than with most people - I have lived with them for 68 years!

Thanks for all your encouraging comments. I now feel that even if he bigger rescues don't want me (or maybe they will) theres a dog waiting for me somewhere

The rescue centre where I’m getting the cat does say that you need to be confident you can look after your adopted pet for the next 15 years. They have dogs too, I don’t know if it’s any different

We adopted a 2 year old spaniel in our 60s

If the larger charity based rescues won't accept you on age grounds, then try a specific breed rescue - some would welcome you.

I'm in my early 60's and we got a giant breed puppy last year, although she came from a breeder, not a rescue. In our breed there are plenty of people in their sixties and seventies, nobody really thinks anything of it.