Adopting a pet is a big commitment. The decision to do so should never be taken lightly.
There are many factors to consider such as the size, age, and needs of the animal as well as the size, age, and needs of your family. The potential adopter must be realistic about the time and money needed to be a responsible pet owner. Even if you have thought about all these things, you can still make a mistake like when I adopted a dog that after three weeks in our home, suddenly attacked Vida, my gentle service dog of nine years. It was a terrible moment when I decided that for Vida's sake I had to bring the new dog back to the shelter.
Shelter employees and volunteers are always disappointed to see a dog come back to the shelter. It is particularly troubling when it seems like the new owner did not allow enough time for the animal and the family to adjust. The best way to avoid a return is not to take a cat or a dog on a whim, but rather after all the family members discuss the costs associated with the adoption. Monetary costs include the shelter adoption fees, the costs for neutering or spaying the animal, annual vaccinations and visits to the vet, medicines and food. For a cat there also is the cost of a carrier, kitty litter, and scratching posts. For a dog, there may also be the cost of obedience classes, a crate, a fence, and a collar and leash. For both cats and dogs there may be boarding costs if you plan to go away on vacations.
Then there are costs in terms of time. A responsible owner will not leave pets alone for 10 hours or more every day. This is particularly true if it is a puppy or kitten. For one thing, a puppy cannot "hold it" for hours. For another, kittens and puppies as well as adult cats and dogs all need stimulation that comes from lots of positive human contact. Dogs left tied to a chain day after day do not have a very interesting life. Even if you have a fenced yard dogs need regular walks with family members. Daily walks give a dog exercise, and it becomes a time for you to bond with your dog (especially with a little training so the dog does not pull you down the street). A game of fetch is another way to stimulate exercise and bonding with a dog. Cats also need human contact and exercise through frequent sessions of challenging play with humans (even just a string on a stick or a little ball of tin foil will do).
It is important for families to share the animal care chores. Too often Mom is the one who ends up doing it all. Asking kids to share in the chores such as feeding the animals or cleaning up their messes can give them a sense of responsibility and make them aware that caring for pets is necessary work. The family needs to understand that even after the excitement of getting a new pet wears off, there should be a serious commitment to care for this living creature that can feel pain, hunger and neglect.
Finally, it is critical to pick a pet that is going to be a good match for your family. If your family lives in a small apartment, a Great Dane or Mastiff mix probably is not the dog for you. If your family is athletic and very active, a young high-energy dog might be perfect. But if your family consists of two retired people, an older dog with less activity demands might make a wonderful match. If your family is terribly busy with work and school, a cat might be a better match because they typically are more independent than a dog.
My purpose here is not to discourage anyone from adopting a pet, but rather to encourage them to do so with eyes wide open to the choice of animal and the time and money that is needed to make the adoption a success--an adoption that will result in an animal finding a forever home and a family finding a pet that will bring them years of fun, laughter, and love.
For further information on the Saratoga County Animal Shelter, visit www.saratogacountyny.gov or call (518) 885-4113. Also, if you have questions about your pets, pet adoption or other related topics send them to jsweet@skidmore.edu. If we do not have the answers, we will contact people who do!
Shelter employees and volunteers are always disappointed to see a dog come back to the shelter. It is particularly troubling when it seems like the new owner did not allow enough time for the animal and the family to adjust. The best way to avoid a return is not to take a cat or a dog on a whim, but rather after all the family members discuss the costs associated with the adoption. Monetary costs include the shelter adoption fees, the costs for neutering or spaying the animal, annual vaccinations and visits to the vet, medicines and food. For a cat there also is the cost of a carrier, kitty litter, and scratching posts. For a dog, there may also be the cost of obedience classes, a crate, a fence, and a collar and leash. For both cats and dogs there may be boarding costs if you plan to go away on vacations.
Then there are costs in terms of time. A responsible owner will not leave pets alone for 10 hours or more every day. This is particularly true if it is a puppy or kitten. For one thing, a puppy cannot "hold it" for hours. For another, kittens and puppies as well as adult cats and dogs all need stimulation that comes from lots of positive human contact. Dogs left tied to a chain day after day do not have a very interesting life. Even if you have a fenced yard dogs need regular walks with family members. Daily walks give a dog exercise, and it becomes a time for you to bond with your dog (especially with a little training so the dog does not pull you down the street). A game of fetch is another way to stimulate exercise and bonding with a dog. Cats also need human contact and exercise through frequent sessions of challenging play with humans (even just a string on a stick or a little ball of tin foil will do).
It is important for families to share the animal care chores. Too often Mom is the one who ends up doing it all. Asking kids to share in the chores such as feeding the animals or cleaning up their messes can give them a sense of responsibility and make them aware that caring for pets is necessary work. The family needs to understand that even after the excitement of getting a new pet wears off, there should be a serious commitment to care for this living creature that can feel pain, hunger and neglect.
Finally, it is critical to pick a pet that is going to be a good match for your family. If your family lives in a small apartment, a Great Dane or Mastiff mix probably is not the dog for you. If your family is athletic and very active, a young high-energy dog might be perfect. But if your family consists of two retired people, an older dog with less activity demands might make a wonderful match. If your family is terribly busy with work and school, a cat might be a better match because they typically are more independent than a dog.
My purpose here is not to discourage anyone from adopting a pet, but rather to encourage them to do so with eyes wide open to the choice of animal and the time and money that is needed to make the adoption a success--an adoption that will result in an animal finding a forever home and a family finding a pet that will bring them years of fun, laughter, and love.
For further information on the Saratoga County Animal Shelter, visit www.saratogacountyny.gov or call (518) 885-4113. Also, if you have questions about your pets, pet adoption or other related topics send them to jsweet@skidmore.edu. If we do not have the answers, we will contact people who do!
Main Menu
Leave a comment