SPCA program waives fees for residents ages 55 and older who adopt a cat age 7 and older
By Julie Halm
Adopting a pet can be an incredibly rewarding experience and for those in their golden years, the SPCA Serving Erie County is now offering a special program to make that process much easier.
The Golden Ears program was launched in Erie County in early October and waives fees for residents aged 55 and older who adopt a cat aged 7 and older.
According to Jillian LeBlanc, social media coordinator for the SPCA Serving Erie County, the benefits to both pets and adoptees are wide- ranging and profound.
“This is according to the CDC; by adopting a pet and interacting with them, it can decrease blood pressure, cholesterol and triglyceride levels and it also helps to manage loneliness and depression,” said LeBlanc.
She said that when one thinks about it, these benefits make perfect sense, as pets can increase a person’s physical activity as they play with them or even go out to get supplies for them.
“Another thing that I found really interesting is it decreases anxiety and symptoms of PTSD,” she said. “It makes sense because there’s nothing better than when you come home from a long day at work and you sit down with your animal and they give you their full attention.”
For seniors living on their own, LeBlanc said that having an animal in the house can bring a sense of vibrancy and liveliness to the home.
While the cats eligible for this program are all 7 years and older, they all come with their own personalities, many of which are still very spry, according to LeBlanc. She said that there are added benefits to choosing an older animal as well.
“They might not be as rambunctious but with older cats, you don’t have to lay as much groundwork as you do with a kitten,” she said. “Older cats can be very adaptable and it can be helpful to have an animal that is already established and set in its ways.”
Those at the SPCA know that bringing home an animal can be a significant physical, emotional and financial commitment, which is why the Golden Ears program waives the adoption fees in these instances.
The process is also a very simple one. Those interested can stop by the SPCA Serving Erie County at 300 Harlem Road, West Seneca, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday to check out who is up for adoption. The adoption pre-approval services end at 4 p.m. each day, so those wishing to complete the process in its entirety should come earlier in the day. Once a person has found the pet they think they would like to take home, they need only show their identification to qualify for the program and get the process in motion.
The SPCA’s website is updated in real time. To see what cats are still available for adoption, go to YourSPCA.org. Those who have a question about a specific animal can feel free to call the SPCA’s Adoptions Department at 716-875-7360 ext. 207.