SPECIAL PROGRAMS FOR SENIORS:

Free dog licenses and spay/neuter certificates

Seniors aged (62+) living in the City of Los Angeles qualify to receive a free dog license (must show proof of current rabies vaccination) and qualify to receive a Spay/Neuter Certificate valued at $60 for use at participating veterinary hospitals. 

For more information about free dog licenses for seniors, click here, or call the Department of Animal Services Licensing Division at 213-482-9550.

Seniors 4 Seniors Program

Seniors 4 Seniors is a new pilot program launched in January 2008 by the L.A. Department of Animal Services that matches senior pets (age 7 +) from Los Angeles Animal Care Centers with senior adults (age 62 +). Seniors 4 Seniors adoptions are free of charge and include:

• Spay/neuter surgery
• Vaccinations
• Microchip

Seniors may also qualify for one free dog license per year.

Older pets often are overlooked at shelters, yet make great companions, especially for seniors.  The majority of older pets are already housebroken, have been trained to walk on a leash (dogs), and are calmer and more settled in life.

The program will be available at each of the City’s six Animal Care Centers, at Mobil Pet Adoption locations and Super Adoption Events.

Please click here for a flyer about the Seniors 4 Seniors program.

10 Health Reasons Why Pets Are Great For Seniors

1. Pets Lower Blood Pressure. A study of health patients showed that people over 40 who own pets had lower blood pressure than people who did not have pets. Another study showed that talking to pets decreases blood pressure.

2. Fewer Trips to the Doctor. Seniors who own dogs go to the doctor less than those who do not. In a study of 1,000 Medicare patients, even the most highly stressed dog owner/guardians in the study had 21 percent fewer physician's contacts than non-dog owner/guardians.

3. Less Depression. Studies show that seniors with pets do not become depressed as often as those without pets.

4. Easier to Make Friends. Seniors with pets meet more people and like to talk about their pets.

5. Seniors Become More Active. Seniors with pets go for more walks and are generally more active than those without pets.

6. Pets are Friends. Most everyone, but especially seniors, will say that pets are their friends.

7. Pets Ease Loss. Older people who suffer the loss of a spouse and own a pet are less likely to experience deterioration in health following that stressful event.

8. Pets Fight Loneliness. You are less likely to be lonely with a canine or feline friend around.

9. Taking Better Care of Themselves. Seniors take good care of their pets and better care of themselves when they own a pet.

10. Sense of Security. Pets help seniors to feel that someone they trust is always around.

The L.A. Department of Animal Services is working with the Department of Aging on our new Seniors 4 Seniors Program. For more information about programs and services available from the Department of Aging (DOA), please visit the DOA website.

In addition, the Department of Recreation and Parks (RAP) operates several Senior Centers throughout the City of Los Angeles.  For more information about their special activity centers and programs, please visit the RAP website.