PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — A University of Georgia study suggests that pet adoption is a great way for seniors to reduce feelings of loneliness.
The study found that older participants felt less lonely four months after adopting a cat. After a year of research, 95% of participants adopted a rescue cat.
As Pennsylvania SPCA animal advocate Carol Erickson explains, fostering a cat is a great way to bring light and love into a senior's home.
Related: Pet Project: Reading Cat Body Language
Erickson also points out that research has shown that living with a companion animal significantly improves physical and mental health.
The PSPCA has an adoption program that offers foster homes for dogs and cats of all ages. Erickson said the program helps breeders provide food and a variety of resources that are beneficial to their animals.
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Seniors who want to keep a pet must be physically and cognitively capable of basic animal care. Erickson says potential caregivers also need to be kind, loving and understanding towards the animals they're fostering.
Featured pets currently looking for foster parents
Parsnip is a 13 year old domestic shorthair. Erickson describes her as a sweet older girl who is very curious and wants to be her only pet.
Paris is a terrier/pit bull mix who is almost 2 years old. She came to the PSPCA through Animal Law Enforcement. She is said to be very intelligent, but she does not like being confined in a kennel. Erickson said she's open to meeting other dogs and children who are knowledgeable about dogs.
Patches is a mix between a terrier and an American pit bull. She loves other dogs and loves being petted. She also enjoys meeting new people and children who can handle her own excitement.
You can meet Parsnip, Paris and Patches at the PSPCA's adoption event at PetSmart in Jenkintown on Sunday, March 24th from 2-4 p.m.
If you would like to learn more about these Pawfect friends up for adoption, please contact the PSPCA at Adopts@pspca.org or call 215-426-6300.
You can also watch Erickson's full interview for this week's Pet Project in the video player above. Stay tuned until the end to meet Parsnip, Paris, and Patches.
