First Coast Pet

Posts Tagged ‘animal shelters’

It’s becoming more apparent that animal shelters are continually struggling to find homes for many unwanted canines in this country. Researching dog breeds prior to adopting one is extremely important; dog abandonment occurs all to often when the dog doesn’t meet that person’s expectations. When selecting the right dog for you, take into consideration several factors about your lifestyle and about the breed of dog you desire. Think about your own lifestyle. Are you active, or are you more of a couch potato? Where do dwell – do you rent an apartment in the city or own a large suburban home? Are there children in your life? Do you battle allergies on a regular basis? Do you need to set up indoor dog gates throughout your place? Do you find it tough to remember to shower in the morning, let alone groom a dog? If you are the kind of person that likes to be active and outdoors, a larger breed may be a good fit. Like spending time indoors?

It may be in your best interest to choose a dog that is happy and content to hang out on the couch with you. Some energetic breeds may become destructive when left indoors all day. Make sure you understand whether your schedule will accommodate your dog’s limitations. One of the saddest situations occurs when dog owners relinquish their pet to the pound due to the changing nature of their family. So take care of your dog and surprise him with goodies like Christmas dog collars. If your dog will be around children or elderly people frequently, you may want to consider finding a breed that is docile with a gentle temperament. If you suspect allergies will be an issue, investigate dog varieties with lesser shedding of hair and dander. Try to spend time around other’s pets before committing to your own as you may be able to determine the intensity of your reaction.

While you may like the distinctive appearance of certain coats, their grooming demands require constant attention. Neglected grooming can create a severely uncomfortable situation for man’s best friend. Be sure to not leave clothing on dogs for hours on end, even if they are wearing a cute dog Christmas sweater, because they are not good for their fur. Save yourself and your dog from future heartbreak by taking the time to better understand the time, energy, and care that a canine pet requires. Finding the right dog can be one of the greatest additions to your life and should not be taken lightly.

Did you know that in pet adoptions centers, animals have an expiration date? The staff of animal shelters put animals to sleep after a specified duration of time, if they don’t get adopted. We really can’t blame the shelters for this; it is a legal though upsetting procedure they have to carry out.

There are a few reasons why animals must be put to sleep when no one adopts them:

* One of the most common problems in animal shelters is the lack of space. Abandoned or stray animals are sheltered for a pre determined duration before they are displayed for adoption, or sadly, they are put to sleep forever. This gives the owners of the animals ample time to find and reclaim their furry friends. Remember that during the holding period of an animal, newer ones are continually being brought to the animal shelter.

* Not all of the animals brought to animal shelters are in good health and adoptable condition. Sometimes an animal is brought in that’s unwell and mentally unstable. Should the animal shelter’s staff deem the animal cannot be helped or adopted, it is put to sleep right away.

* In quite a few cases, an animal may have exhibit sign of stress after it has spent considerable time in the shelter. Behaviors such as agitation, anxiety, depression and aggression begin to show up, which is not typical for the animal. In the long run, if the animal does not get adopted, it becomes so mentally unsound that the staff of the animal shelter has to put it to sleep.

The pros of adopting from shelters

The best way to prevent these animals in shelters from being put to sleep is by adopting them. Whether you are planning to own a dog, cat, ferrets or any other animal, you are not only saving their lives but you are also getting a loyal companion for yourself.

What makes adopting an animal from an animal shelter is that you know what you will be taking home with you. Our furry friends in animal shelters have been examined by veterinarians. This means that the animal you’ll be getting is up to date with its shots, and its medical condition is properly looked over. Animal shelters may sometimes charge a fee for adoption, but still it’s a lot cheaper than buying a new one from pet stores, or compared to the service they had provided for the animal.

Taking your time in picking one

Be sure to take your time looking around and choose the healthiest animal you can find in an animal shelter. Look for one with ears and nose that are clean and free of mucous. The eyes should be bright and clear. Carefully inspect its coat and skin; look carefully for signs sores, bald spots or skin diseases. Check also the way of their walking – the animal should not be limping, limping might be an indication of skeletal problem like fracture or an injury.

Adopting an animal from pet adoptions centers means you are willing to bestow time and dedication in taking care of a furry friend. Remember that you will have other expenses besides the adoption charge itself. But all these are a small price to pay for saving the life of an animal and earning a loyal companion for the rest of its natural life.

Pet adoption is a great way of getting pets in a much less price.In addition, adoption of pet is a fantastic way of providing homes and taking care to the pets and animals that have been mistreated by its previous owners or left.

Adopting pets from shelters just charge an adoption fee which is very far from the regular prices of animals in pet stores.The range of adoption fee in between $35 to $200 which includes services like deworming, vaccination and spaying (neuter).  There are even shelters that offer follow up veterinary services to ensure that pets remain healthy and able to get the necessary vaccines. 

Animal shelters provide great choices for adoptable pets.  Shelters not only have adult animals, but they also have kittens and puppies that a pet parent can choose from. However there are some myths about animal shelters and why it is not a good place to adopt from.

Many people believe that pets in shelters have behavioural problems. It is important to remember that these animals have bad experiences from their previous owners. They might have experienced neglect and abuse.  Animals in shelters normally exhibit minor behavioural problems.  Some of these pets may be scared while others can be excited.Animals having major problems with respect to behaviour are not displayed for adoption.

Screen test is done by the animal shelters in order to know the temperament of animals living in the shelter.  The shelters try to get as much information they could get from the animals’ previous owners.  Soon-to-be pet parents are happier and at ease to know that their new pet has healthy and friendly temperament. 

Since these animals have been neglected, abused and abandoned, the next parent should display more patience to train them. Also since these pets already know and encountered difficult hardships they display more loyalty and devotion to their new owners. There are some pet parents who have adopted from shelters saying that their pets are more loyal and loving than other pets.

Another shelter myth says that pets from shelters and pounds are mature animals and cannot be trained. Most pets in shelter are older animals but there are also kittens and puppies that is available for adoption. 

Adoptable animals from shelters can be trained like other animals. The important thing during training is to be consistent, patient and understanding.  Animals (regardless if they are in shelter or in homes) respond to good, effective, loving and humane training techniques.

There are shelters that offer the new pet parent the opportunity to participate in obedience training and pet parenting classes.  These sessions serve as a transition period for the pet and the parent to bond together. 

It is commonly believed that pets in animal shelters are inferior to purebred animals.  According to the Humane Society of the United States there is an average of 25 to 30 percent of purebreds in animal shelters. 

Also, mixed bred animals are not inferior to purebred animals.  Animal shelters have pets that are healthier and have better temperaments than purebred.  Interested pet parents just have to talk to the shelter and provide the what kind of behaviour they would like to have in their pets.  Mixed bred pets oftentimes exhibit traits of several breeds.  If a pet parent like to have a purebred because of its temperament, the shelter would likely have a mixed bred that exhibits the qualities of the purebred. 

Going to a shelter for a pet adoption is a great way of helping animals in need in a much affordable and economic way.  Adopting a pet from a shelter is not only a solution for the pet parent’s problem but also a way of saving a life.