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Here are some great tips we've gathered together for you. We would suggest you browse thru them, even if you've adopted before or think you know all about adoption!! We just may have thought of something that you've overlooked!!
- Adopting a pet is a long term responsibility that requires serious thought. Your adventure with your pet will last their entire
lifetime - which can easily be as much as 10-15 years for dogs and up to 20
years for a cat. Do you know where you'll be and what you'll be doing 15-20 years from now? When you think about it that way, you will realize that your pet will probably be with you as you move thru many
phases of your life. Would you be willing to bring your pet with you, no matter what direction your life takes? Are you ready to make this kind of commitment?
- A pet demands and deserves a lot of your time, attention and affection. Many pets do not adjust well to solitude. How often will your new pet be left alone? Pets that are constantly left
alone can develop hehavioral problems. They thrive on several hours a day
of interaction with their owners. Most enjoy sleeping with you in the same bed - or at least the same room - every night. This applies to cats as well as dogs - don't believe the myths - cats need love too!! They are not as 'independent' as rumors have it and need and enjoy human attention and love as much as dogs do! Pets left to live outside face many
dangers from other animals and people. They should NEVER be left outside unattended all day or all night. Cats are best off and live the longest, fullest lives if they are NEVER outside at all!! Dogs should only be left outside in safe, fully enclosed backyards that they cannot get out of or be let out by anyone - and only for short periods of time to 'do their duty'. The majority of their outdoor time should be supervised and spent walking or running on a leash with their owner or playing catch with a frisbee or ball in a dog park or your backyard if it is large enough. Do you have the kind of time necessary to devote to a pet to ensure it is happy, healthy, comfortable and well-loved?
- Much of the time and attention your pet needs is not all 'fun and games'. You need to provide for their basic care - food, water, grooming, and in the case of a cat, maintaining their litterbox. One adult in the home should be
designated as the primary caretaker so that the basic needs do not get overlooked. Will your pet have one responsible person that can see to these needs daily, without fail?
- There are additional costs associated with being a pet owner. Owning a pet costs more than just the adoption fee. You must be in a financial position to pay for their daily needs such as food, treats, toys and grooming supplies, as well as having enough money to pay for their vaccinations and check ups in addition to having some money set aside in case they require emergency veterinary care.
Spaying/neutering is essential for the pet's long-term health, plus you should provide the pet with proper identification such
as ID tags or microchipping, and you may have to invest more money towards your pet's health and safety by reinforcing fences or adding sturdy latches, etc for dogs, or providing your cat with something they can scratch on to keep their claws in shape.
- Put some thought into choosing the right pet for your home. Not all pets are right for every household. For example, if someone in your family has pet allergies you should only consider adopting a poodle - as their hair is different from other animals and usually does not trigger allergies, so the type of pet could be important for you. Or perhaps your apartment landlord has placed breed or size restrictions on pet ownership such as only cats or only dogs under 20 pounds - or you live in a very small place, in which case the size of the pet you choose would be a consideration.
The age of the pet you adopt is also something you should think thru ... while puppies and kittens are undeniably adorable, they require a LOT more time and effort on your part and can be destructive - puppies need to be housebroken and can chew on your best shoes, kittens can pretty much literally swing from the chandliers and destroy delicate valuables - even if they are placed on a two inch shelf that is 8 feet off the ground!!
All of these things need to be thoroughly explored before adopting a new pet. And if you don't think you are up to coping with the extremes of a young pet, perhaps an adult pet would be a better choice for you. So when you are adopting a pet, you need to sit down and carefully review your household situation and choose a pet that will fit in best with their new surroundings ... your home!
- Your adopted pet needs to be compatible with your existing pets. If you are already a pet owner, you need to assess your current pets objectively and carefully consider who they would accept into 'their' home! For example if you already own a dominant personality male dog you would NOT want to adopt a very agressive male puppy! Or if your dog always growls menacingly at the neighbor's cat and relentlessly chases it up a tree, you should not try to introduce a cat into your family. Or if you have a much older pet, as sweet tempered as they may normally be, if you try to introduce a bouncy, overactive 'no holds barred' youngster into their house, they are very likely to either get irritated and tempermental and possibly hurt the young one - or become overwhelmed by the younger one, causing them to be reticent, reclusive, pout and/or hide. So if you currently have pets at home, you need to consider all the possibilities and possible reactions they could have, and choose a pet that they can adapt to readily and live with harmoniously.
A Couple of Extra Tips if You are Adopting a Dog ...
- Crate train your dog. A dog is a pack animal and their crate
represents a den to them, which is a cozy, safe haven. They are just like the traditional cute dog houses - except not so cute - but the 'cute' is for us humans, NOT the dogs!! It is not cruel to confine a dog to a crate when
no one is at home. This is a safe place for your dog. They eagerly and happily crawl into their little homes once properly trained to understand what they are for and represent to the instinctively! Crating your dog serves to both protect
your belongings from being destroyed by a lonely, bored pet - and prevent your dog from becoming sick or injured by getting into something poisonous or getting hurt somehow when you are not there to watch over them.
- Find a good trainer and obedience train your dog! Now we are not talking military training! Obedience training simply helps you communicate better with your pup and strengthens the bond between you and your dog. Research shows that you are more likely to keep your pet and live happily ever after together if they are an obediant pet. It is
important to learn what is normal, appropriate behavior and what is correctable. Your dog will feel more comfortable and be happier - and you will enjoy them more - if they 'learn the rules' and how to live by them. Perfect Paws Pet Rescue will be happy to help you find a good trainer.
We hope these tips are helpful to you and will assist you in choosing the adorable adoptable pet that is perfect for you and your household, so you can have many happy years together!
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