Spokane-based humane society SpokAnimal recently announced a new partnership that will help place pets with elderly community members for no or low cost, says Dori Peck, the nonprofit’s executive director.

The partnership with Cleveland-based Pets for the Elderly Foundation includes quarterly grants of nearly $2,000 that help cover adoption fees for individuals 60 and over on low incomes. SpokAnimal, which applied for the grant program in February, is one of 60 shelters across 35 states that works with Pets for the Elderly, according to the foundation's website.

"They try to get as many animals into homes with seniors as they can," says Peck. "Mental health is so much better; physical health is so much better."

SpokAnimal's initial grant has already been used up, Peck says, noting that it went fast. The next grant will be issued in July.

People interested in adopting a pet through the program can email [email protected].

“That will get them into our system. That way, when we receive more funding, we can reach out,” says Peck.

Since announcing the partnership, Peck says SpokAnimal has received more than 300 emails about the program.

According to a social media post from SpokAnimal that announced the partnership, the grant program applies to cats and dogs, excluding pets between 8 weeks and 6 months old. The financial assistance is offered on a case-by-case basis, the post says.

"Loneliness is one of the biggest challenges facing older adults — and pets can make a world of difference," the post states. "They bring comfort, companionship, routine, and unconditional love."

Peck says SpokAnimal has a lot of smaller dogs available for adoption, noting that they may be easier for seniors to pick up and take on walks.

Adoption fees vary at SpokAnimal based on the age of the pet. Dogs ages 6 months to 7 years cost $275 to adopt, and "senior pups" over 7 years old cost $100, according to SpokAnimal's website. Cat adoption fees are $150 for cats 6 months to 2 years old, $100 for 3 to 7 year-olds, and $45 for cats 8 years and older. Adoption fees include spaying or neutering, microchip, first set of vaccinations, rabies vaccination, and a wellness exam, the website states.

Located at 710 N. Napa, SpokAnimal placed more than 5,000 animals last year. The organization also runs a spay and neuter clinic at 715 N. Crestline.

All cat adoptions are done offsite, at local PetSmarts, Petcos, or the Kitty Cantina, a café in Spokane that includes a "Kitty Lounge," where people can meet adoptable cats.

Dog adoptions are done by appointment, Tuesday through Saturday. The spay and neuter clinic is open Monday through Thursday, says Peck.

Even years after the pets are adopted, Peck will still receive photos and stories of the animals and their families.

“We’d love for all of our animals to go to forever homes; that’s the goal. We have so many incredible adopters that give us follow up stories and photos. That’s what makes our world go round is to have all those happy tales, as we call them,” says Peck.

Established in 1992, Pets for the Elderly aims to provide shelter cats and dogs to the elderly, saving the lives of shelter animals and providing companionship at the same time. The organization branched out on a national level in 2002. The organization has helped place more than 121,000 shelter animals in senior homes, according to its website. In Washington state, the organization partners with SpokAnimal and The Humane Society for Tacoma & Pierce County. 

“Pets offer affection, unconditional love, fight loneliness, and can help ease the loss of a loved one,” the foundation's website states.