The St. Augustine Humane Society is in the development stage of offering the Seniors program, Silver Paws. We are seeking volunteers who would be interested assisting with this service. Please complete the volunteer form if you would like to be contacted about this foster program
The Silver Paws Program connects mature pet lovers with homeless mature pets. After Silver Paws foster parents participate in a foster orientation and training session, the program covers the cost of initial veterinary care, food and supplies for the foster pets, alleviating the financial concerns that are common.
Since it may take many months or years for an older pet to become adopted, the program allows Silver Paws foster parents to become permanent caretakers for their pets. In these cases, the program will continue to supplement costs associated with the pet, but the dog or cat will no longer be available for adoption. The pet will remain in the care of the foster for the remainder of the pet’s life, or until the foster can no longer care for the pet. This provides a caring, permanent home for a mature pet and a loving companion for a mature adult.
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Pets can play an important role in our lives as we age. As we grow older, knowing that you're loved, or that someone cares about you, isn't necessarily enough, and that need to feel needed-and appreciated for what you do-increases. Pets fulfill this need because they depend on their owners for care and attention. In return, the pets offer love and unqualified approval.
Studies have been documented that petting a dog or cat lowers blood pressure in hypertensive patients and that older people show improved alertness when caring for a pet. Pets often seem to be especially valuable for some people experiencing major life chances, such as illness or the loss of a loved one.
Depression can often be avoided. Pets also encourage their owner to be more physically active by playing with them or taking them on a walk. Pets amuse us, make us laugh and improve our overall morale.
Pet owners tend to remain more interested in events in their community and in their surroundings. They are not as lonely as perhaps they once were. They prevent or reduce absent-mindedness or bewilderment by communicating the sense of time and by maintaining a rhythm of the day. "forget oneself and ones problems" and to "live one's free time in a meaningful and interesting way".
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