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So you're thinking of adopting a dog or a cat. Congratulations! The dog or cat you adopt will reward you with many years of love, companionship and devotion. But it will not be all a bed of roses. While animal adoption can be a very rewarding experience, there are a few things to consider before you make that decision. Dogs and cats are a lot of work. You have to walk the dogs several times every day and you have to keep a cat's litter box clean. They have to be fed and watered, usually twice per day. Sometimes they need bathed or groomed. If you are not willing or able to take on the additional work and responsibilities of being an animal guardian, please don't adopt. Dogs and cats love human contact. If you do not like to have a cat rub against you or jump up in your lap, or if you are annoyed by a puppy who jumps up for attention, you may want to think twice before adopting an animal. If you are unwilling to provide the contact that the animals crave, I would urge you not to adopt an animal. Both dogs and cats require regular veterinary care. They are just like people and they need vaccinations to protect them from deadly diseases and they need regular (usually annual) examinations to make sure they are in optimal health. Even routine veterinary care can be expensive. If you are unsure if you can meet the costs associated with veterinary care, please consider not adopting until you can handle the financial obligations. Dogs and cats shed. Dogs can track in mud from outside. Puppies can and will soil your carpets until they are housetrained. Cats can scatter kitty litter on the floor around the litter box. Dogs will throw kibble around their food dishes when they eat. Dogs, especially puppies, can chew furniture or shoes if bored or left unsupervised. Cats can scratch furniture if they are bored or have no other outlet, such as a scratching post. If you are "house proud" and do not want to have to clean up after an animal, please do not adopt. Dogs need a lot of exercise. They need to run and play. Dogs who do not get adequate exercise can become quite destructive, burning their pent up energy by chewing furniture or by jumping on you. While some breeds are more suited to being "couch potatoes", even they require some exercise. If you do not have the time or dedication to provide them with the exercise they need, please consider not adopting. Dogs need training. They are not born with the knowledge of what is expected of them. Training is important if you want a dog who is a well-behaved and trusted member of the family. If you do not work diligently to train your dog, I can virtually guarantee you that your experience as an animal guardian will not be a good one. You might try reading books on training and doing it yourself. If you aren't seeing significant changes in your dog in two weeks, you need help. Don't wait for help to find you. Seek it out and find a professional. Training a dog takes a minimum of half and hour a day, every day, for the first three months. If you can't dedicate half an hour a day to your new dog, please reconsider adopting. You don't have enough time. Animal adoption is a long term commitment. Dogs can live for 12-15 years and cats can live as long as 18 years. If you can not commit to caring for an animal for many years, please do not adopt. If you understand all of the problems that can be associated with animal guardianship and have the dedication to provide your animal with the care and love needed to ensure a great experience, we urge you to adopt an animal. Over 5 million dogs and cats are euthanized in the United States every year. By adopting an animal you can help save a life. So be a hero- adopt a homeless dog or cat. |
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