By Lee Chambers
Marketing and Communications Manager, Dakin Humane Society, Springfield
When it comes to matching pets and people, Madeline Nagy has what you might call a magic touch. Involved in the animal welfare industry since 1998, she stared her work with animals and people as a volunteer coordinator with the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (MSPCA), later taking her talents into the MSPCA’s humane education department. In 2009, Nagy joined Dakin Humane Society – which maintains adoption centers in Springfield and Leverett, Massachusetts, as an adoption counselor.
Cats, dogs and other small animals are all available for adoption at Dakin’s Springfield location, and PRIME asked Nagy to give us an overview of what’s involved in adopting a pet at midlife – or beyond.
Q: There is documented evidence that sharing your home with a pet is good for you! Pet guardians often have lower blood pressure in stressful situations, suffer less loneliness and isolation, and gain purpose by caring for a pet. But – can age ever become a factor in adopting a pet?
“Animals can enrich our lives at any age and at Dakin we welcome adopters of all ages – young, old and everything in between! In many ways, midlife can be an ideal time to adopt a pet as the demands of work and family life typically decrease while the need for companionship may increase.
“Adopters entering midlife and beyond might consider identifying friends or family members in advance to provide back-up care for the pet in case of an unexpected illness or hospitalization. For those unable to have pets of their own, volunteering is another way to be involved with animals and to support the important work of humane societies in the community. For information about volunteer opportunities at Dakin and how to become a volunteer, visit www.dakinhumane.org.”
Q: All pets require a certain level of time, energy and commitment. What are some guidelines for picking the right pet for your life stage?
“As an adoption counselor at Dakin, one of my primary responsibilities is helping adopters choose animals that will fit well in their homes and complement their lifestyles. It is important for potential adopters to consider how much time and energy they’ll be able to invest in caring for a pet. In general, the younger the animal the more exercise, training, supervision, and mental stimulation he or she will require. In many cases, a mature, adult pet is a better match for the middle-aged adopter who is looking for an animal that can make a smooth transition into its new home.
“Another guideline for choosing a pet pertains to people living in condominiums or retirement communities where there may be restrictions on the number, size and type of pets residents are permitted to keep. It’s always a good idea to investigate your residential community’s pet policy before bringing a new pet home. Finally, while adopters typically come to Dakin looking for dogs and cats, Dakin also features a wide range of small animals for adoption – gerbils, guinea pigs, rabbits and birds for instance – that can be entertaining and relatively low-maintenance companions for people of all ages.”
QCaring for a pet requires a financial as well as an emotional commitment. Are there resources that can help keep pet care affordable, especially if income levels change?
“The financial component of pet guardianship is an important consideration for adopters of any age and can be particularly challenging for those on a fixed income. It is critical for potential adopters to consider not only the cost of acquiring a pet but also the cost of the pet’s long-term care and maintenance. Dakin offers a number of services to help pet guardians provide for their animals when financial resources are limited. Dakin’s Community Spay/Neuter Clinic, for example, provides high-quality spay and neuter surgery for dogs, cats and rabbits, and our weekly vaccination clinics make preventive health care for pets more affordable. For full-service veterinary care, there are several clinics throughout Massachusetts that offer services on a sliding scale for those who qualify. Lastly, Dakin provides pet food assistance to those in need, coordinating deliveries of pet food with human service agencies such as survival centers, food pantries, senior centers and Meals on Wheels.”
As a local non-profit organization Dakin Humane Society (dakinhumane.org) delivers effective, innovative services that improve the lives of animals in need and the people who care about them from its two locations in Leverett and Springfield, Massachusetts. The organization shelters, treats and fosters more than 20,000 animals each year. For info on how to support this service, visit www.dakinhumane.org
