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Senior dogs are getting a second chance thanks to one very important job: the cat tester

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24.06.2026

Adopting a pet is a beautiful thing. Providing a cat or dog with a safe, loving, and permanent home is a gift for both people and pets. If you’ve ever walked through an animal shelter, however, you know who most often gets left behind: senior dogs. Defined by the ASPCA as dogs over seven years old, they’re sadly among the toughest to rehome, with an adoption rate of just 25% compared to 60% for younger dogs.

People often worry about health issues or having less time together. Senior dogs have some great advantages, though, that shouldn’t be overlooked. They’re usually already house-trained, calmer, and possess a deep, almost instant gratitude for a new place to rest their heads.

Muttville Senior Dog Rescue in San Francisco specializes in giving these older dogs a second chance. But preparing an older dog for a new home requires a very specific kind of vetting. Specifically: Can this dog coexist with a cat?

Muttville’s secret........

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