Brazil's senior dogs and cats face low adoption rates

In São Paulo’s municipal adoption centre, 84 of 332 animals listed for adoption were senior dogs or cats. Over an 11‑month period only nine of those seniors were adopted, while total adoptions reached 352.

The trend mirrors a nationwide pattern in Brazil, where older pets are far less likely to be chosen than puppies and kittens. Factors include perceived higher veterinary costs and shorter expected lifespans, as well as adopter preferences for more active companions.

Animal‑welfare groups and city officials are promoting “late‑adoption” initiatives. One program, Cuida Bem Idoso, provides lifelong veterinary care for seniors adopted through the municipal centre, aiming to reduce health‑related concerns and encourage more families to consider older pets.