First Coast Pet

Posts Tagged ‘Pet parents’

Many myths are prevalent about adoption process of the pets.  Several myths about pet adoption is that the pet parent will get an animal with behavioural problems or temperament which does not suit the family.  There is also an animal shelter myth saying that animals in shelters are less valuable or intelligent that purebred animals.

To eradicate our fears of these pet adoption myths, we should know the adoption and selection process done by animal rescue groups and shelters.We should be totally participative in the procedure of adoption to ensure the success of the pet adoption.

Rescue groups and shelters ask a lot of questions about the prospective pet parents or adopters.Two reasons are there for this: first, is to ensure that adopter is able to provide permanent home to the new pet and next is to ensure if he is capable of handling the responsibility and financial commitment required to keep a pet.The other reason is to ensure that the adopter and the pet would have a good match. They normally do it interviews or signing application forms. 

A best way to be sure what kind of pet the adopter is interested having, is doing a research on their own.  There are several questions that will help the adopter to determine the pet, like activeness, family composition, type of residence, or love for the outdoors. 

There are several websites that displays different animal characteristics and one the choice had been made, the adopter can inform the shelter or rescuers what animal they have in mind.  Shelter and rescuers can identify what breed of animals you might be interested in.  Also they have a selection of mixed bred pets that can also display the characteristics of an animal or pet you have in mind.

Some of the questions may even be intrusive of the adopter’s personal life, but the rescuers and shelter staff are just trying to make sure that these homeless animals’ interest will be top priority.  Another step that can be done to assist the adopter to be prepared with what to expect in the adoption process is by checking the websites of shelters and rescue groups.

There are also some shelters and rescuers that do a “yard check” before the pets are taken to their new homes.  It is quite necessary since shelters and rescue groups have full grown animals that need a larger size of place to roam and have physical activities.

Some even do veterinary check with the present or former vet clinics.  This is to ensure that current of previous pets were up-to-date with their shots, exams and other medical attention they require.  While there are others who require three character references in their application papers, aside from the veterinary to be really sure. 

After these have been completed with both parties satisfied, an adoption contract is presented as a final step in the process.A contract of adoption includes information like vaccination, required veterinary visits, diet, a required spay/neuter, continuation of medical treatment as per prescription (if applicable) and return clauses if the adopter wishes to return the pet.

To fully adopt the animal, a pet adoption fee is needed to conclude the process. Normally the price ranges from $75 to $200 dollars depending on the size, animal, and vetting costs.  After this, adopters and now-pet-parents get to take home their beloved pets. 

Pet adoption is taking responsibility over an animal that has been put up for adoption due to experience of abuse, violence, neglect and etc. with previous owners. Through pet adoption, animals get a chance in finding its appropriate, caring and home for ever for themselves. Aside from this humane chance we are giving to man’s best friend, there are also benefits from adopting animals.

The United States Humane Society estimates an whopping of 8 to 10 million dogs and cats are forced to take shelter each year. From these numbers, there is estimated 4 to 5 million of pets euthanized in shelters. Numbers of strays that die due to starvation are not included in this data. 

With these sad figures, pet adoption is a great way of saving a life of a homeless animal. Animal euthanasia is being done because there are too many people giving up their pets and too few people adopting from shelters. There is limited space in shelters, euthanasia is a very hard decision to make by staff members to make way for new animals pouring into their doors. 

Animals in shelter dying by euthanasia can be dramatically removed by adopting pets in shelters instead of buying them in pet stores. By adopting an animal from shelters, other animals can be saved and rescued else where and provided a home. 

Animal shelters, unlike what pet adoption myths say, have healthy animals. Shelters often get as much information from previous owners to determine what kind of vaccination has already been provided. Aside from medical care investigation, shelters also provide the necessary vaccination and many spay o neuter the animals before being adopted. 

Worrying about the temperament or behaviour of the animals is also not a big issue. The common misconception that because of the behaviour problems the animals are taken into shelters, however the truth is that personal reasons of owner themselves are a reason for returning pets to shelter homes. 

Everybody knows that having pets have actual benefits. According to Sciencedaily.com, there are a lot of researches proving the pet parents have lower blood pressure, less anxiety, and experience lifts in their depression. One study actually proved that with a little than 10 minutes, a pet can lower blood pressure significantly. 

Pet parents even have overall better physical health due to exercise with their pets.  Actually senior, citizens who own pets actually need less medical attention. Not only the people who are old and sick have benefits from pets.  Children exposed to pets during their first year of life have a lower frequency of asthma and allergies. 

Pet parents who have undergone surgery even have lower recovery time. There is even a study saying that heart attack patients with pets have longer life expectancy than those who do not. There is even a study saying that pets decrease heart attack mortality rates by 3 percent which is 30,0000 lives every year. Those who have AIDS/HIV witness reduction in the intensity of depression and are also able to reduce their stress levels through the presence of a pet. 

There are countless research proving that taking an animal into their homes is a great way to enhance their personal and family health. The love and care that pet parents provide to their pets in indeed reciprocated. Aside from humane and health benefits that pet adoption can give, it is also a great way of saving money.

For a price which is very much less compared to pet store pets, you will get an animal that will be able to provide you with loyalty and devotion.