| Most of us know that warm, fuzzy feeling of seeing | | | | age, but later in life they can develop kidney failure |
| a puppy or kitten at play. Pet lovers all know that | | | | and may not use the box as regularly. Medication can |
| tug at our heartstrings when we visit a Humane | | | | help keep the infection at bay, but like all |
| Society or animal shelter and see the numerous | | | | prescriptions, regular medication costs money. You |
| animals looking at us sadly through their cages. We | | | | may consider acquiring pet insurance, but that too |
| also know the quiver of our lip when we look on the | | | | costs money. Remember: nothing is free, not even a |
| Internet and view the photos and read the stories of | | | | "free pet"! |
| all the pets needing new homes and looking to be | | | | 5. Think about the future. Are planning to have a |
| placed through the hundreds of pet rescue | | | | baby in the next few years? Do you think you might |
| organizations. Many of us, in turn, respond by | | | | be moving soon? The number one reason people |
| adopting a pet or two. There is little else that lifts | | | | give for relinquishing a pet to an animal shelter is "I'm |
| one's spirits than to come home from a tough day at | | | | moving". That's a lame excuse - pets can move with |
| work or school and be happily and lovingly greeted | | | | you just like children. It may be a bit traumatic on |
| by a four-footed friend. If you are thinking of adding | | | | them at first, but they will be fine, just like people |
| a pet to your home, seriously consider adopting | | | | eventually adjust to a new home and neighborhood. |
| verses buying - there are SO MANY animals in need | | | | It is more traumatic for them to be left by their |
| of new, loving homes that are available through | | | | family. If you are a person who would move without |
| animal shelters, ASPCAs, Humane Societies, and | | | | your pet or who would consider giving up your pet |
| rescue groups. Each year, nearly 5 million dogs and | | | | because of having a baby, it would be best for you |
| cats are euthanized because there are not enough | | | | to wait and adopt a pet after you are more settled. |
| homes. Be a hero - ADOPT! As you consider | | | | 6. Meet the Newbies! If you currently have pets in |
| adopting a pet, here are seven tips to help insure | | | | your house and are thinking of adding another, make |
| you and your new pet will spend many happy years | | | | sure the animals currently living in your home have |
| together: | | | | opportunity to meet the new potential four-footed |
| 1. Don't adopt on a whim - seriously think about this | | | | member on neutral ground. It is much better |
| important decision. Consider your lifestyle: do you | | | | all-around to know the animals won't get along |
| travel a lot or gone to work for several hours a day? | | | | BEFORE bringing the newest member into the |
| Do you have children, and if so, are they younger or | | | | household. Most animal shelters provide visiting rooms |
| older? Are you really ready for the responsibility of a | | | | to which you can bring your current pets in to meet |
| pet, and if so, what type of pet best fits your family | | | | their potential new companion. After you bring your |
| situation and lifestyle? Dogs require a great deal of | | | | new pet home, be prepared for some jealousy and |
| exercise; cats are more independent-natured, and fish | | | | minor fights as all the animals become accustomed to |
| don't shed or whimper when they're lonely. | | | | each other and their place in the household "pack". |
| 2. Never give a pet as a gift! Your lifestyle may be | | | | Sometimes this can take a few weeks or even |
| different from the person you're thinking of gifting | | | | months. |
| with a living creature and that person may not want | | | | 7. Train your pet! Puppies often need to be |
| a pet. NEVER give a puppy, kitten, dog or cat as a | | | | housebroken, and all dogs need to know the basic |
| gift to a child and expect that child to be the pet's | | | | commands of sit, stay, come, and no. No pet is |
| caretaker - things may go along smoothly for awhile, | | | | perfect, just as no child or adult is perfect. You may |
| but within a few weeks or a month you as adult | | | | want to work with a professional trainer or take |
| parent will be the one taking care of the pet - just | | | | your dog to community dog obedience classes or |
| accept that fact and if you're okay with it, then | | | | train the pet yourself and learn a bit more right with |
| adopt a pet as a FAMILY. | | | | your new furry friend! Training helps insure safety for |
| 3. Research! Various breeds of dogs, for example, | | | | your pet and helps your new pet more closely bond |
| have different personalities and needs; research the | | | | with you. Even cats can learn a few things from their |
| many breeds to help find the best fit for your family. | | | | human, whether they like to admit it or not! And |
| Most shed, that's a fact of life, so if you or a family | | | | remember: train lovingly, not harshly! Harshness and |
| member has allergies, you should look at the breeds | | | | cruelty do not bond pets to people - instead, it |
| that shed the least. Cats also come in a variety of | | | | makes animals fearful - and it's immoral! Adopting a |
| breeds and personalities; maybe one suits you better | | | | pet is a wonderful experience, and having a pet in |
| than another. | | | | the house makes the dwelling a cozy, warm, and |
| 4. Consider your finances. Pets require annual medical | | | | loving home. Our pets love us unconditionally, and, like |
| care (vaccinations) and, like people, can develop | | | | children, they depend on us for care. Follow the |
| medical issues due to genetics or accidents. For | | | | above-mentioned tips and you and your pet will live |
| example, most cats are litterbox-trained at a young | | | | happily ever after! |