JEFFERSON COUNTY —Decked out in thin protective clothing, Millie Barton and Susan Sczepanski entered a cat-filled room at Foothills Animal Shelter to groom Muffin, a 10-year old calico picked up as a stray.
The cat showed no signs of having been neglected or abandoned as she purred and soaked up the attention of the two volunteers as they brushed her slightly matted fur.
“She’s very sweet, loves attention and loves to be around people,” Barton said.
Over the last three years, Foothills has seen a sharp increase in the number of animals like Muffin — those ranging in age from 9 to 14.
Through the third week of October of this year, Foothills had taken in 96 cats and 82 dogs in that age range. In 2012, it was 28 cats and 39 dogs.
Those who work with animals attribute it in part to economic challenges many families still face.
“As the age of pets increases, so does the cost of care. Sometimes owners simply can’t afford dental work on an older pet or can’t afford surgery to remove a tumor … they can’t provide care for the animal and they’re dropped off,” said Jennifer Strickland, director of community relations for the animal shelter at 580 McIntyre St.
The total number of animals passing through Foothills has also increased, going from 7,076 in 2012 to 9,035 in 2013.
Jamie Segal, animal management officer for the city of Golden, said he’s noticed an uptick in people not taking care of basic pet responsibilities: letting licenses lapse, not getting rabies vaccinations and fewer people picking up their animals from the shelter.
“We have had more people complaining about not wanting to do the little things that are the added costs of pet ownership,” Segal said.
Strickland said older animals are also relinquished for any number of other reasons: allergies, death of a guardian, a new baby, loss of a job, a move, change in work schedule and various other lifestyle changes.
“I think, for one thing, the quality of medical care is improving for animals like it is for humans, and causing animals to live longer,” said Dr. Ryan Henderson, an associate veterinarian at Fox Hollow Animal Hospital in Lakewood.
Henderson added that adopting a senior animal comes with a little extra commitment but has benefits.
“You know what you’re getting personality and behavioral wise,” Henderson said.
The influx of older animals at Foothills has put a strain on the shelter’s budget, Strickland said. The shelter serves unincorporated Jefferson County, Arvada, Edgewater, Golden, Lakewood, Westminster and Wheat Ridge. The month of November is Senior Pet Awareness Month, and dogs over the age of 5 can be adopted for $25; there will also be a reduction in fees for cat adoptions.
“Many of these animals were once owned and loved by someone,” Strickland said. “Just like people, they’re going to need a little more care if they’re senior, and we want to make sure they’re adoptable as they can be.”
Austin Briggs: 303-954-1729, abriggs@denverpost.com or twitter.com/abriggs
