Become
A Member
Up
For Adoption
Before
You Adopt
Guardian
Angel
Happy
Tails
Lost
Pets
Latest
Happenings
Calendar
Of Events
Past
Events
Kid's
Corner
Volunteering
Donate
Now
Training
For Pets
Links
Local Spay/Neuter
Clinics
Boarding Kennels
Veterinarians
Rescues
|
Need a Pet Friendly Rental?

Consider the Following Before Adopting a Pet
Sharing your home and
life with a four-legged furry friend is a big decision. Before you
make that decision, take a moment to think over the following:
| |
Why do you want
a pet? You'd be surprised how often people fail to ask themselves
this question BEFORE they get a pet. Remember; a pet can be
with you 10, 15, even 20 years.
|
| |
Do you have time
for a pet? Animals can't be ignored even if you're sick,
tired, or busy. They require food, water, care, and exercise
every day of every year. Who will care for your pet when you're
on vacation?
|
| |
Can you afford
a pet? Pet ownership is expensive. Licenses, training classes,
spay/neuter procedures, food, kitty litter, and other expenses
will add up quickly.
|
| |
Can you have
a pet where you live? Make sure you know what your restrictions
are if you rent. Is the size of the animal you're considering
appropriate for the size of you living quarters?
|
| |
Will you be a
responsible pet Owner? Having your pet spayed or neutered,
obeying your community's leash and licensing laws, keeping identification
tags on your pet is being a responsible pet owner. Giving your
pet love, companionship, a healthy diet, and regular veterinary
care is also essential.
|
Please take a moment and take this quiz to see if you are ready
to adopt a new furry friend.
"Is this the right time to adopt"
Pets add fun, companionship,
and love to our lives, but theyre also a big responsibility.
Choosing to add a pet to your family is a very important decision.
Sometimes, adopting a pet may be too much added responsibility if
youre experiencing other life-changes at the same time. Take
this quiz to assess whats happening in your life now, and in
the near future, to help you decide if this is the best time to adopt
a pet. Count one point for each of the following events that have
either occurred in your life in the past six months, or that you think
may occur in the coming six months:
Divorce or end of relationship
Marriage
Change in living arrangements (new roommates
or moving in with significant other)
Move to a new residence
Pregnancy or new baby
Longer hours or increased responsibility at work
Financial concerns
Children leaving home or moving back home
Care-taking responsibilities for elderly or ill
family member
Significant changes in family routine
Death of a family member
Death or disappearance of a family pet
Relinquishment of a pet (given away or brought
to an animal shelter)
Significant health problems of a family member
Change in working status of a family member (begins
work, changes jobs or retires)
Frequent travel, either for business or pleasure
Limited leisure or free time
Graduation from high school or college
Disagreement among family members about adopting
a pet
Add one point for every pet you currently have
(one aquarium counts as one pet)
0 - 3: Your life seems fairly stable. Now is probably a reasonable
time to acquire a pet.
4 - 6: You have a lot of responsibilities right now. Although
adopting a pet may still work for you, a small mammal, an adult cat,
or well-trained, adult dog would probably be more appropriate than a
kitten, a puppy, or an active breed of dog.
7 - 10: Lets think twice about this. With all the changes
and responsibilities in your life right now, you may not have time to
care for a new pet. It would probably be better for both of you and
the pet if you wait until your life settles down a bit.
10+: STOP!!! DONT PASS GO!!!! Acquiring a pet now is not
a wise decision !!!!! Why not consider a pet rock or a computer
pet instead??
CHOOSING A PET
Choosing a Dog?
If you are thinking of
adding a loving and loyal canine companion to your family, you will
want to consider many factors in selecting the type of animal which
best suits your lifestyle and fits your needs.
| Is an Adult dog for you? |
| |
Playful but will sleep at night! |
| |
Chew on bones, not shoes |
| |
Usually potty trained |
| |
Personality developed |
| |
Can still learn |
| |
Eager to bond |
| |
Appreciative |
| |
Need a second chance |
| OR Is a Puppy for you? |
| |
Puppies love to play, even at 3:00 a.m. |
| |
Puppies love to chew everything! |
| |
Puppies need potty training |
| |
Puppies need loads of time & attention |
| |
Puppies are adorable but are HARD WORK! |
| |
Puppies are babies for at least a year |
Choosing a Cat?
Cats make wonderful pets.
Because they're less demanding, they can easily adjust to a variety
of lifestyles and living spaces. Every cat is a true individual, though,
so it's important to take the time to choose a four-footed friend
who's right for you.
| Is an Adult Cat for
you? |
| |
Playful, but more likely to sleep on your schedule. |
| |
Usually litter box trained |
| |
Lap warmer |
| |
Personality developed |
| |
Appreciative |
| |
Need a second chance |
| or Is a Kitten for you? |
| |
Kittens love to play, even at 3:00 a.m.
|
| |
Kittens need to be trained
|
| |
Kittens need your patience and time
|
| |
Kittens are adorable but are HARD WORK!
|
| |
Kittens are babies for at least a year
|
ADOPT A SENIOR PET !!
Older pets are often overlooked
when people come to adopt, but older cats and dogs have many qualities
that make them great pets. With todays busy schedules, there arent
enough hours in the day. Our schedules can be overwhelming and very
stressful. Adopting a senior pet can be a wonderful way to relax in
your life. Imagine a pet that loves sharing quiet moments, a pet that
is already trained and doesnt chew or scratch everything in
sight. There are loving, healthy senior pets looking for that one
special home to cherish for the rest of their life. And they dont
ask for much, just a warm place to sleep, good meals and plenty of
love. Puppies and kittens are cute, without a doubt. Who can resist
a playful, wiggling ball of fluff? They are always the first to be
adopted, yet, there are wonderful senior pets no less deserving of
a happy home. They look hopefully through the wire of their kennels
watching people just walk right by them, wishing for a family to welcome
them into their home. Senior pets can and do bond very strongly with
adopters. Many seem to understand that they have been given another
chance at a happy life and are grateful for the opportunity to love
someone and be loved in return. Consider giving a senior a second
chance. Instead of passing by older pets, stop and spend some time
with them and you may find the most wonderful companion possible !!!!
One by One
One by one, they pass my cage,
Too old, too worn, too broken, no way.
Way past his time, he can't run and play.
Then they shake their heads slowly and go on their way. It seems
I am not wanted anymore.
I once had a home, I once had a bed,
A place that was warm, and where I was fed. Now my muzzle is grey,
and my eyes slowly fail.Who wants a dog so old and so frail?
My family decided I didn't belong,
I got in their way, my attitude was wrong.
Whatever excuse they made in their head,
Can't justify how they left me for dead.
Now I sit in this cage, where day after day, The younger dogs get
adopted away.
When I had almost come to the end of my rope, You saw my face, and
I finally had hope. You saw thru the grey, and the legs bent with
age, And felt I still had life beyond the cage.
You took me home, gave me food and a bed. And shared your own pillow
with my poor tired head. We snuggle and play, and you talk to me
low, You love me so dearly, you want me to know. I may have lived
most of my life with another, But you outshine them with a love
so much stronger.
And I promise to return all the love I can give, To You, my dear
person, as long as I live. I may be with you for a week or for years,
We will share many smiles, you will no doubt shed tears.
And when the time comes that God deems I must leave, I know you
will cry and your heart, it will grieve. And when I arrive at the
Bridge, all brand new, My thoughts and my heart will still be with
you. And I will brag to all who will hear,
Of the person who made my last days so dear.
- Author Unknown
|

|