Senior Special Section: Studies have shown that pets can increase the quality of life for older adults. This week we review some programs and organizations that can help you find a new friend for little or no money.

SeniorDiscounts Card News: We now have over 5,000 business locations offering exclusive discounts for members of the SeniorDiscounts Card. For more information on becoming a member of the SeniorDiscounts Card program, click here.

Senior Discounts Section: We have highlighted SeniorDiscounts Card Member discounts available on golf products, lodging, and cruises, among others.

Challenge Section: SeniorDiscounts announces a new winner for the Add A Discount Challenge every week. Check out our Challenge Section below for more details, this week's winner and for other ways to win a free SeniorDiscounts Card Membership.

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Pet Adoption

Pets make great companions and research has shown that pets can increase the quality of the lives of their owners. A study published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society concluded that independently living seniors with pets tend to have better physical health and mental well being than those without pets. Seniors with pets are generally more active, cope better with stress, and have better overall health. Another study showed that elderly pet owners have significantly lower blood pressure overall than their contemporaries without pets. In fact, a US survey of 1,000 Medicare patients indicated that the 40% of the elderly with pets sought the services of a doctor much less frequently than those without animal companions.

Having a pet can be expensive, but there are numerous ways to save money while caring for a pet or looking for a new one. Adopting pets from shelters is a great way to help animals that need a home and there are various services that provide assistance to older adults looking to take in a pet. These organizations can help with some or all of the adoption costs and may provide assistance with necessary vaccinations.

The Pets for the Elderly Foundation is a non profit organization that "makes donations to animal shelters throughout the United States to enable them to provide elderly persons a companion pet at no charge." This foundation will cover fees charged by the shelter which may include: the adoption fee, spay or neuter cost, immunization shots, and follow-ups to make sure the relationship is thriving. Currently over 55 shelters participate in the program. The Foundation has found homes for over 4,500 pets. For more information, visit their web site, click here.

PAWS (Progressive Animal Welfare Society) provides a "Seniors for Seniors" program where mature cats and dogs (typically over 7 years of age) are placed with qualified senior citizens who are 60 years of age or older. The PAWS "Seniors for Seniors" program offers a special reduced adoption fee of $35, and includes many benefits to help seniors who are living on a fixed income. New pets will be spayed or neutered and will receive their first set of vaccinations. Participants will also receive a certificate for a free health examination by a veterinarian of the participant's choice. For more information, visit their web site, click here.

Springer for Seniors is a program sponsored by the English Springer Rescue America organization. This program matches older Springer Spaniels with seniors across the US. The organization waives the normal adoption fee of $250 and provides support for the new owner. For more information, visit their web site, click here.

There are dozens of other local programs to help older adults find a new pet. The Senior Dogs Project has a useful list of some of the local organizations around the country. Click here.

Next week, we will look at some of the senior discounts associated with caring for your pets.

Do you know of a senior discount that we don't? Tell us and you could win $100.
Click Here.

UPRIGHT Golf located in Cedar Falls, IA is ending the bending in golf. UPRIGHT Golf playing aids make golf more enjoyable by allowing the golfer to concentrate on their game rather than on the discomfort in their lower back, knees, and hip joints. SeniorDiscounts Card Members receive FREE shipping for all orders. Card Members can save an additional $10 off the regular combined price of $54.90 when purchasing an UPRIGHT Golf Stick and the UPRIGHT Retriever at the discounted price of $44.90. SeniorDiscounts Card Members will also receive a complimentary MagnaFlex Putting Pack with the purchase of a Senior Golf Caddy.

Add a Discount Challenge

Each week in this newsletter we announce a new winner in the Add A Discount Challenge. Let your fellow senior discounters know about any new discounts you find and keep those discounts coming.

We are looking for any and all NEW Senior Discounts. This means discounts that we don't already have on our web site. Ask at your favorite place of business and find out if it offers a senior discount. If it does, simply submit it on our web site. Click here.

You can also tell us about businesses you think would be interested in offering a senior discount. Provide us with the business information and we will contact that business and invite it to offer a senior discount. The more discounts you enter, the better your chances of winning. Click here.

As always, we greatly appreciate your participation in adding value to our service.

Our winner this week, Sandi Needle of Hackensack, NJ will receive a one year SeniorDiscounts Card membership. Sandi, please e-mail us at: newsletter@seniordiscounts.com to claim your prize.

Weekly Internet Challenge

Answer the trivia question and you will be entered to WIN a complimentary SeniorDiscounts Card Membership with included SeniorDiscounts Guide Book.

This Week's Challenge:
Where and when was St. Patrick's Day first celebrated in the US?

To answer: Click Here and tell us your answer to the Weekly Challenge. Good luck!

Last Week's Challenge Question:
Who was the first person to win the first gold medal in the first event of the first Winter Olympics?
Last Week's Challenge Answer:
Germany

Our winner this week, Ron Smith of Franklin Lakes, NJ will receive a one year SeniorDiscounts Card membership. Ron, please e-mail us at: newsletter@seniordiscounts.com to claim your prize.

Corrections Challenge

We can always use help keeping our database of discounts current and our web site free of errors. If you find a discount that is not correct, no longer valid, or an error on our web site, let us know and we will send you a gift. Just e-mail us at: mistakes@seniordiscounts.com with the correction you have found and please include a description of the mistake. We appreciate your help.

"Dieting is the penalty you pay for exceeding the feed limit."
Submitted by Bill Bigley

If you have a comment, quote, or joke for us, please E-mail us at: newsletter@seniordiscounts.com.

This newsletter provides information on senior discounts, and tips on how seniors can save money at no cost to our readers.

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