PetsCareMart

All shelter pets deserve loving homes, but the cute puppy or kitten is often chosen over a senior or special needs pet. Petfinder.com’s Adopt-a-Less-Adoptable-Pet Week, September 17-25, gives such pets a special chance to find new owners who will welcome them into their families. Many of these pets were rejected and discriminated against because of their age, color of fur, or physical condition, but that doesn’t make them any less lovable or worthy of rescue. This year’s theme is “Don’t hate me because I’m ____. Adopt me because I need you.”

Here are just a few of the hundreds of pets from all over the United States featured in Petfinder.com’s gallery who need forever homes.

1. Sugar Plum: She Has More to Love

Sugar Plum, an adult hound mix from McArthur, Calif., is a sweetheart who is up to date on her vaccinations. She is also microchipped and housetrained. She needs to lose weight, so she needs an owner who will take her on lots of walks and put her on a diet.

2. Abigail: She Struggles With Asthma

Abigail is a beautiful Himalayan in Cedaredge, Colo., who would like to curl up in your lap. Due to a health condition similar to asthma, she has to take 2.5 mg of prednisolone every other day. Thankfully, this medication is inexpensive and easy to administer.

3. Pancake: Has Some Health Issues

Pancake is an American Staffordshire mix from Georgetown, Del., who was rescued while she was pregnant with a litter of pups. Sadly, she was used as a breeding machine and has some scars to prove it. Now Pancake is spayed and is as friendly as her big, somewhat lopsided smile.

4. Frankie: Needs to Eat Gluten Free

Frankie is a 5-year-old purebred Yellow Lab from Antioch, Ill. He will make a great family dog because he loves people and playing with other dogs and cats. Frankie has a very sensitive stomach, so he needs to be on a gluten-free diet.

5. Steve: a Rambunctious Pointer

Steve, a Pointer mix from Winnsboro, La., is so full of energy that he sometimes forgets his manners and will jump on you, not realizing how big he is. He gets very depressed if left alone, so he’ll need another dog as a companion.

6. Christopher: Senior Cat Loves to Cuddle

Christopher is a senior white cat from Norwood, Mass., who wants to cuddle and be your friend. Should a senior citizen on a fixed income adopt him, that person won’t have to pay a penny for veterinary care, thanks to the generous donors at Neponset Valley Humane Society.

7. Teddy: a Lovable Pup With a Disability

Teddy is a Pug/Boston Terrier mix from Penn Yan, N.Y. Due to negligent owners who turned him into the shelter with untreated glaucoma, he’s blind in both eyes. But he doesn’t let his inability to see stop him from playing with toys and accepting belly rubs.

8. Jake: Sheltie Needs Some Extra Care

Friendly and energetic, Jake is a 1-year-old Sheltie from Bath, Mich., who suffers from a genetic condition called dermatomyositis, which causes hair loss. The disease is not contagious, but the dog needs medication for the rest of his life.

9. Kayli: She’s Looking for a Loving Companion

Kayli, a Calico mix, came to Another Chance Cat Adoption in Des Moines, Wash., unable to walk and very depressed. One day a woman named Dorothy, who also had trouble walking, visited and they became fast friends. The powerful bond had a healing effect, as Dorothy eventually no longer needed her walker and Kayli became less depressed and responded well to laser treatments. Sadly, Dorothy died in May, and Kayli needs a new best friend.

10. Barney: a Three-Legged Dynamo

Barney is a German Shepherd/Lab mix puppy from Little Rock, Ark. One day when he was eating breakfast, he got into a fight with a bigger dog and his leg was so injured that it had to be amputated. Barney bounced right back after his surgery and was soon looking for a big bowl of dog food to devour.

For more information about Adopt-a-Less-Adoptable-Pet Week and to see more pets who are greatly in need of families, visit petfinder.com/lessadoptablepetweek.You can also go to Petfinder.com and type in your zip code to find adoptable pets at a shelter or rescue group near you.