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Adopting Pets
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Published: September 5, 2006
When most people see a puppy in the window of a pet shop they say, “Oh, aren't you the cutest thing.” One cannot resist those large, pouting eyes, long floppy ears, and wagging tail. They are cute and can make great pets, but so can a dog adopted from a shelter.
Whether you are looking for a cat, a puppy, a full grown dog, a pure bred, a mix, or even a guinea pig or parrot, there are many choices at a shelter.
Millions of animals are in need of a good home and with the help of the shelter staff, an open mind and a big heart there is a pet to fit most anyone's lifestyle.
People tend to buy puppies from a breeder because they want to raise them on their own, but plenty are available at a local shelter. A puppy bought from a breeder does not guarantee the perfect dog, but when looking to adopt there is a better chance of finding the right pet. Animals at shelters all have their own unique personalities and temperaments that are well known by the people who work there. This can improve ones chances of matching the right pet to the right person. Also, a credible shelter takes care of the veterinarian exams, vaccines, and spaying/neutering for a fee (around $200 for dogs, $100 for cats) far less than the pricey tag for a pure bred dog.
When looking for a pet to adopt it's important to take the time to think about what type of animal would mesh well with your lifestyle. If you travel a lot, a small animal like a guinea pig or hamster would make a great pet. They can feed and water themselves with a dispenser. If you are dependable and home a lot, a bird would be a good companion. Parrots are very social animals, but keep in mind they can live to be 20 to 50 years
old. For those home most every night, a cat would make a great friend. If you are home a lot and enjoy long walks and play time, then a dog would be the perfect pet.
When adopting from a shelter it is essential to keep an open mind, but know what to look for behaviorally. As an example when looking for a dog, look for one that really likes people and wants to be around them, one that is affectionate.
Which ever type of pet you choose from a shelter, be understanding and compassionate. They had no control of their circumstances; many were abandoned or given up. People come in everyday and adopt, but once a cage is available it will just be filled again. In the U.S., 6 to 8 million dogs and cats are taken to shelters every year. Half of them never find homes. The current estimate is that each year 3 to 4 million dogs are euthanized. Part of the problem is lack of space, money, and homes for all the animals. No shelter wants to put down any animal, but sometimes they have to. Another problem is over population of stray cats and dogs. In the words of the Price Is Right host Bob Barker , “Help control the pet population, please have your pet spayed or neutered.”
There are great pets out there for adoption, but sometimes it just doesn't work out. Many pets get returned to shelters time and time again, causing heartache to the family as well as the dog. Every credible shelter should take the animal back without any problems.
Scientific research has shown that there are many health benefits in owning a pet. Pet owners have better psychological well-being because a pet lessens the feeling of loneliness. Having a dog at home or alongside you during walks lessens ones fear of being attacked or robbed. They are likely in better physical heath because of the exercise and Pet owners have lower cholesterol than non-owners. Having a pet may decrease heart attack mortality by 3%, which means 30,000 lives are saved yearly.
If you cannot adopt a pet into your home, you can still help out at a local shelter. All it takes is an open heart and the time to give to an animal. It can change both the animal's life and the person for the better.
"Animal Shelters." The Human Society of the United States. 2006. 30 Aug.
2006 .
"Benefits of Animal Companionship." Monroehumane.Org. Delta Society. 1 Sept.
2006 .
Coile, Ph.d., D. Caroline. "When Bad Genes Happen to Good Dogs." Dog World
Oct. 2006: 14-15.
Engebretson, Monica. "Ten Things to Know Before Adopting a Bird."
Petfiner.Com. 2006. 31 Aug. 2006 .
Miller, Pat. "How to Pick a Winner." Petfinder.Com. 2006. 30 Aug. 2006.
Nachminovitch, Daphna. "Why Euthanasia?" PETA's Animal Times Summer 2004:
27.
Whether you are looking for a cat, a puppy, a full grown dog, a pure bred, a mix, or even a guinea pig or parrot, there are many choices at a shelter.
Related Articles
People tend to buy puppies from a breeder because they want to raise them on their own, but plenty are available at a local shelter. A puppy bought from a breeder does not guarantee the perfect dog, but when looking to adopt there is a better chance of finding the right pet. Animals at shelters all have their own unique personalities and temperaments that are well known by the people who work there. This can improve ones chances of matching the right pet to the right person. Also, a credible shelter takes care of the veterinarian exams, vaccines, and spaying/neutering for a fee (around $200 for dogs, $100 for cats) far less than the pricey tag for a pure bred dog.
When looking for a pet to adopt it's important to take the time to think about what type of animal would mesh well with your lifestyle. If you travel a lot, a small animal like a guinea pig or hamster would make a great pet. They can feed and water themselves with a dispenser. If you are dependable and home a lot, a bird would be a good companion. Parrots are very social animals, but keep in mind they can live to be 20 to 50 years
old. For those home most every night, a cat would make a great friend. If you are home a lot and enjoy long walks and play time, then a dog would be the perfect pet.
When adopting from a shelter it is essential to keep an open mind, but know what to look for behaviorally. As an example when looking for a dog, look for one that really likes people and wants to be around them, one that is affectionate.
Which ever type of pet you choose from a shelter, be understanding and compassionate. They had no control of their circumstances; many were abandoned or given up. People come in everyday and adopt, but once a cage is available it will just be filled again. In the U.S., 6 to 8 million dogs and cats are taken to shelters every year. Half of them never find homes. The current estimate is that each year 3 to 4 million dogs are euthanized. Part of the problem is lack of space, money, and homes for all the animals. No shelter wants to put down any animal, but sometimes they have to. Another problem is over population of stray cats and dogs. In the words of the Price Is Right host Bob Barker , “Help control the pet population, please have your pet spayed or neutered.”
There are great pets out there for adoption, but sometimes it just doesn't work out. Many pets get returned to shelters time and time again, causing heartache to the family as well as the dog. Every credible shelter should take the animal back without any problems.
Scientific research has shown that there are many health benefits in owning a pet. Pet owners have better psychological well-being because a pet lessens the feeling of loneliness. Having a dog at home or alongside you during walks lessens ones fear of being attacked or robbed. They are likely in better physical heath because of the exercise and Pet owners have lower cholesterol than non-owners. Having a pet may decrease heart attack mortality by 3%, which means 30,000 lives are saved yearly.
If you cannot adopt a pet into your home, you can still help out at a local shelter. All it takes is an open heart and the time to give to an animal. It can change both the animal's life and the person for the better.
"Animal Shelters." The Human Society of the United States. 2006. 30 Aug.
2006 .
"Benefits of Animal Companionship." Monroehumane.Org. Delta Society. 1 Sept.
2006 .
Coile, Ph.d., D. Caroline. "When Bad Genes Happen to Good Dogs." Dog World
Oct. 2006: 14-15.
Engebretson, Monica. "Ten Things to Know Before Adopting a Bird."
Petfiner.Com. 2006. 31 Aug. 2006 .
Miller, Pat. "How to Pick a Winner." Petfinder.Com. 2006. 30 Aug. 2006.
Nachminovitch, Daphna. "Why Euthanasia?" PETA's Animal Times Summer 2004:
27.
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