Interesting Maddie’s Fund article on keeping senior pets out of shelters or getting them adopted faster by providing needed health care and support…this research dovetails nicely with innovative programs like Downtown Dog Rescue in LA and CRISP in Chicago that station individuals outside shelters to meet folks on the way in to surrender their pets. They then try to solve problems that the owner is experiencing. It is a form of social work. Oftentimes the problem can be solved by helping the owner afford health care or even just food. The research also suggests that these steps can help reduce senior shelter populations. Providing health care for the pets before surrender or to those interested in adopting a senior pet that can’t afford the health care helps these deserving older animals stay out of or get out of shelters.