If you're interested in adopting an older Yorkie, you can find one at a Yorkie rescue group. Older Yorkies make suitable alternatives for people who don't want to fuss with a puppy. However, with the older Yorkies is the potential for problems. An older Yorkie might not have been properly socialized when young for example, or it might have even been abused. Thankfully, most Yorkie rescue groups keep history files on the pups that they acquire so that you can assess your capability in attending to an older pup's needs.

Adopt a Yorkie, Adopt Its History

The information that you can expect from a Yorkshire Terrier rescue group is vast and extremely helpful towards making a sound assessment. From this resource, you can learn where an abandoned Yorkie came from and what circumstances caused it to be abandoned in the first place. You'll also learn about a Yorkie's temperament, medical problems, treatments (past and present), and current vaccinations.

Additional Protective Measures

Be aware that most of the pups in Yorkshire terrier rescue groups are spayed or neutered. They may also bear a microchip or some other type of identification device that labels the dogs' owner as the rescue group instead of the actual, new owner. This is to protect the dogs they care for in the event that they run away, or the new owners abandon the pups as well.

Where Adoptive Yorkies Come From

As you can guess, rescue groups get a lot of their pups as runaways or abandoned pets. Other Yorkies are voluntarily placed into these groups because their owners can no longer care for them. A good example case for the latter is when landlords refuse tenants with pets. But even more Yorkies find a residence in rescue groups after being salvaged from neglectful puppy mills and unscrupulous breeders.

Scrutiny Is Required

Clearly, adopting an older Yorkie takes a lot of consideration. If you're willing, you can adopt one after filing out an application, paying a fee, and passing a screening. This screening is important because it prevents the very thing that brought the Yorkie to a rescue group in the first place. So don't be surprised if you're subjected to a home inspection. And don't be surprised if you're subjected to follow up visits either. These visits won't last forever and they're honestly helpful if you're having problems.
Just be sure that if you commit, you hurry and pay the required donation as soon as you're approved. Dogs that don't leave these rescue groups within a set amount of time are euthanized!