| Are you thinking about getting a pet? Dogs and cats | | | | outdoor people who want to share their lifestyle with |
| have been a companion to Man since the beginning | | | | a companion, the humane society will have the |
| of history. They have provided us with protection, | | | | perfect dog to join you on your morning run or |
| helped us with hunting, and provided unflinching | | | | evening bike ride. |
| loyalty and companionship. In today's world, | | | | Besides the owner-pet matching advantage, the |
| companionship is the primary need for the average | | | | humane society also provides comparatively low cost |
| household. Whether you live alone or are married | | | | spaying or neutering services and preventative |
| with children, whether you have an active outdoor | | | | veterinary care. All the shots necessary for a dog or |
| life or prefer to stay at home, there is a dog or cat | | | | cat will already be taken care of or arrangements will |
| to fit your lifestyle. So where do you find such a | | | | be made to get those handled when the pet is old |
| wonderful companion? Your local humane society is | | | | enough. Some humane societies also provide |
| the best source for a good and healthy pet. | | | | after-adoption services such as continued pet care |
| What is a humane society? A humane society is a | | | | advise and obedience classes. |
| non-profit organization that provides multiple services | | | | The final reason to adopt a pet from the humane |
| to domestic animals including animal rescue and care, | | | | society is because the employees and volunteers of |
| pet adoptions, and public education. The animals of | | | | the humane society are dedicated animal lovers. |
| the humane society are pets that have been | | | | Wouldn't you rather get a pet from someone who is |
| neglected or abandoned by the previous owners or | | | | knowledgeable about dogs and cats and who is |
| from people who give up their pet for various | | | | committed to their well-being? Janet is one such |
| reasons including moving, they can't afford the pet, | | | | volunteer at the Humane Society of Greater Kansas |
| the pet grew too big, or because of behavior | | | | City (HSGKS). She has four years of volunteer |
| problems that the owner may not have had the | | | | experience with the humane society and can attest |
| knowledge to correct. The humane society evaluates | | | | that the employees and volunteers of this |
| these various homeless animals and cares for them | | | | organization work from the heart and that a team of |
| until a quality home can be found. In order to try to | | | | skilled veterinarians work to ensure the health of the |
| prevent more homeless animals, the humane society | | | | animals. Janet's two dogs, Brody and Lily, were |
| is also committed to providing education to the public | | | | adopted from a humane society. Lily was about two |
| and to providing low-cost veterinary services such as | | | | months old when she was adopted. She is a cute |
| preventative care and spaying or neutering. | | | | Australian shepherd while Brody is a chocolate lab |
| Why get a pet from a humane society? The humane | | | | who Janet calls a "gentle giant". He was adopted a |
| society assesses the health and temperament of all | | | | year after Lily when he was about two months old. |
| the animals that come their way. They also evaluate | | | | He is now four years old and over 100 pounds. There |
| the people looking to adopt the pet. This ensures | | | | was an adjustment period between the two dogs |
| that you get the perfect pet to match your lifestyle. | | | | due to Lily's herding instincts but Brody learned to |
| The humane society works to provide pets for | | | | adjust and gladly succumbs to the smaller dog. Janet |
| experienced pet owners as well as for first-time pet | | | | says that Brody and Lily "are an integral part of my |
| owners. Since some dogs at the humane society are | | | | life and I am glad our paths have intertwined; I'd be |
| already trained and house-broken by their previous | | | | lost with out them." |
| owners, an adult dog would be great for someone | | | | If you are looking for a new pet as wonderful as |
| who doesn't want to go through all the training | | | | Brody and Lily, remember that adopting a pet is a |
| required of a puppy . But if you'd prefer to raise dog | | | | lifetime commitment. Adopting from a humane |
| from a puppy, the humane society has puppies too. | | | | society is not a simple process because the people |
| If you are a cat lover you can easily find a grown | | | | who work there want to make sure that you are |
| cat with the perfect personality. Or you can choose | | | | not only ready for that commitment but are also |
| a cute little kitten to bond grow with your family. | | | | capable of fulfilling it. However, the benefits and |
| The humane society will also be able to help you find | | | | rewards of adopting a pet from the humane society |
| the perfect dog or cat that will be good with your | | | | far outweigh the lengthy adoption process. For more |
| children. And if you have other pets, the humane | | | | information on adopting a pet, contact your local |
| society will find you a new pet to get along with | | | | humane society. There is a wonderful dog or cat just |
| your already established household. For active | | | | waiting for you. |