A senior dog gets adopted through a hotel known for fostering dogs and matching them with their guests

A dog-friendly hotel helped a senior dog find a forever home after a guest took it for a walk.

Older dogs have a hard time getting adopted compared to younger ones. The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) reports that only 25% of senior dogs find homes. In comparison, 60% of younger dogs do.

Unfortunately, many older dogs are euthanized, with only 57% being saved compared to 75% of younger dogs.

“Fewer senior dogs are getting out of the shelter alive,” said Dr. Emily Weiss, Vice President of ASPCA, adding that she has few theories about why older dogs are less likely to be adopted.

She explained that senior dogs struggle because they may appear withdrawn after spending a long time in a family home.

Additionally, their calmer demeanor might not attract potential adopters who often prefer more lively dogs.

People often choose dogs based on appearance and behavior, favoring those who approach them excitedly, like puppies.

While many people lean towards lively and energetic puppies when choosing a dog, there are heartwarming exceptions that show the importance of kindness and chances.

A North Carolina hotel, The Park on Main, recently helped a senior dog find a loving family, according to WTOC 11.

This dog-friendly hotel has partnered with the Cashiers-Highlands Humane Society to foster shelter dogs since 2015.

These fortunate dogs enjoy a cozy stay at the hotel and have the chance to meet various guests, any of whom might adopt them.

“The hotel is dog-friendly. It’s dog-forward, I would say,” said the hotel’s general manager, Devon Allio.

When Sydney Haykel visited the shelter, Calhoun, an 8-year-old hound dog mix from the shelter, was there.

“The guest took Calhoun to her room and took him on a walk,” Allio said.

Even though Sydney didn’t take Calhoun home, she kept thinking about him.

Calhoun reminded her and her boyfriend of their previous dog, so they adopted him.

“Calhoun just kind of spoke to her,” said Jodi Henkel, a staff at the animal shelter.

Sydney processed Calhoun’s adoption with the shelter staff, and they met at a halfway spot in Tennessee to get her new pet.

“We just fell in love with him and happy to take him home,” Sydney said.

She looked forward to introducing her other dog, Goober, to Calhoun. She also gets the senior dog a Starbucks pup cup to celebrate.

For Allio, seeing Calhoun find a home brought mixed feelings.

“We’re sorry to see him go. It’s a sad day for us, but we’re also very happy he found his forever home,” he said.

The shelter staff mentioned that the dog-friendly hotel’s fostering program led to 25 to 30 adoptions over the years.

Meanwhile, there’s a significant need to adopt senior dogs. Despite their wonderful qualities and shelters’ efforts, they’re often overlooked in favor of younger animals.

This bias isn’t fair because older dogs can be the perfect companions for a happy home and a lasting bond with a family.

Here are a few benefits of adopting a senior dog:

• There are no surprises with older dogs – you already know what you’re getting. They won’t suddenly grow too big for your home. You’ll see how they behave when you meet them, helping you decide if they’ll fit into your life and family.
• Plus, older dogs often already know basic commands like “Come,” “Sit,” and “Stay,” which makes things easier. They’re usually already housetrained, unlike puppies. This is especially handy if you have young kids, as you won’t need to handle house and potty training all at once.
• Older dogs are usually calmer and need less exercise than younger ones. This makes them a great choice for many families and a wonderful companion for older adults.

Meanwhile, here’s a video of Calhoun when she met Sydney at a dog-friendly hotel in North Carolina: