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| It's Time to Visit the Shelter or Rescue Group | ||||
Before adopting a dog, take this test.
You’ve decided to get a new dog because: A) Your childs whining has finally worn you down. B) You hope to attract beautiful woman while walking your dog. C) You feel terrible for all the homeless pets in the shelter, D) That puppy in the pet store window is just too cute for words. E) You’ve been thinking about welcoming an animal companion into your home for quite awhile.
If you answered, C or E then you are ready for a a pet. Now, it is crucially important to consider the impact a new pet will have on your family, as well as the feelings of the animal, before you adopt. Keep Reading...
A visit to an animal shelter will prove that acting on impulse or appearance is not the way to welcome a pet into your home. The 4 BILLION homeless cats and dogs that die in shelters each year - 25 percent of them purebreds - attest to that. Many of these are puppies or kittens under 4 months old!
You stroll past kennels filled with hopeful animals, young and old, purebred and mixed breed, and must choose just one pet who’ll depend on you the rest of its life. Cards on each cage door tell their stories: This 2-year-old beagle was brought to a vet to be treated for a broken leg, but his owner never came back to claim him. This poodle’s owner died. The lab was a stray and no one has bothered to look for him here.
They’ve already seen bad luck. They need you to make the right decision. Do your homework before deciding.
Will Your Home and Life Accommodate a Dog?
First, you, your kids and all the adults in your household should agree that you want a dog. Look down the road for the life of the animal, which could be 10, even 20 years.
Do you have the patience and commitment to train your dog and understand his ways of communication? Dogs thrive on obedience classes; they’re generally happier when trained.
How old are your children? If they’re under 6, pet shelter experts recommend that you wait a few years. Puppies have extra-sharp teeth and claws, and strike back when teased. Toy-sized dogs may be too delicate for an exuberant toddler; large dogs can knock a child over. Some breeds, despite size, are domineering or high-strung.
Is anyone in the house allergic? Different species and breeds elicit different reactions. Spend time with a similar pet at a friend’s house before choosing yours.
Is an adult willing to shoulder ultimate responsibility for the animal’s care? Pets can teach a child about loyalty and responsibility, but you can’t expect a child to do all the work of feeding and walking.
How much time does your family spend at home? Animals like regular schedules. Dogs need to be walked and exercised. Do you know who’ll take care of your pet when you go on a trip?
Does your yard have a fence? Does your lease or condo board allow pets? What is the weight limit? Any breed restriction?
Can you tolerate some damage to furniture and floors until your new pet becomes accustomed to your home? Will you take accidents, even flea infestations, in stride?
Do you have the financial means to support a dog? Shelter adoption fees are usually minimal, compared to prices paid to a breeder or pet store. But the costs of medical care, training, food, grooming, toys, and other supplies add up.
How do you plan to housebreak your new pet?
What Kind of Pet Do You Prefer?
In addition to being a vehicle for rescuing animals, shelter adoptions offer potential pet owners the opportunity to choose from variety of types and ages. Remember that puppies must be taught how to learn, says Stephanie Frommer, Shelter Operations Coordinator at the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Adult animals are already housebroken, know how to learn and have developed personalities.
If you think you prefer a certain breed, read up on it before making the commitment. Ask the shelter about local rescue groups dedicated to that breed. Mutts, or mixed breeds, generally have a better, varied gene pool and a sturdier constitution, but there’s never a guarantee. Shelter personnel may be able to conjecture which breed is dominant in a mix by color, coat or face.
A purebred’s genetic tendencies toward temperament and medical problems are more predictable. For example, greyhounds and Labrador retrievers tend to be gentle; chow-chows may be hard to train, and lively; irrepressible West Highland terriers crave attention.
Adult size is sometimes an unknown with a young shelter dog. You know from the beginning that a Chihuahua stays tiny, while a bull mastiff needs plenty of paw room. You’re never quite sure what genes a mixed breed may have. Females are usually smaller than males. Still, that cute puppy could shoot past 50 pounds.
It’s Time to Visit the Shelter or Rescue Group
Before you bring the kids, make sure the shelter meets high standards in staff and cleanliness. Also, consider how your child may react if she ends up leaving the shelter without “rescuing” at least one little creature. The sight of animals in need will be tough to bear. That’s why you prepare yourself with the facts.
Are personnel knowledgeable? Observe the professionalism and sensitivity of shelter staff. Do they consult with animal behavior professionals and veterinarians?
Are you willing to answer questions? You may be asked for proof of identity and residence; the name of your landlord or condo board to verify that pets are allowed; the number of children and pets in the household; a history of pets you’ve owned; the name of your veterinarian; whether you have a fenced-in yard. Your work and travel schedule help determine if you could manage a puppy that needs socialization.
Will you agree to have your pet spayed or neutered, if not already done before adoption? Most shelters won’t allow you to adopt unless you do, and the cost is factored into the adoption fee.
Shelters try to provide a background on every animal that comes in. In the case of a stray, a trainer or behaviorist interacts with the cat or dog to evaluate its personality. Is it used to people in general? To children? How does it react to cats and dogs? If a shelter advisor recommends against placing an animal with children or an inexperienced owner, don’t argue.
Notice how the shelter assesses the health of its animals. Are there veterinary records on the pet? Did it receive its shots? Some shelters provide a list of vets who provide introductory discount services to their patrons.
Everyone in the household should meet the animal before it goes home. Ask the shelter workers to show you a limited number of animals, to prevent the kids from instantly “bonding” with an inappropriate animal. “Test drive” a few. Take the dogs for a walk; hold and play with a few before making your final decision