Adopting & Rescuing
Thank you for taking action and considering if you should be adopting or rescuing! While you make the compassionate decision to adopt or have the heart to shower a dog or cat with affection, it is important to consider whether you HAVE THE TIME, SPACE AND MONEY to add a new member to your family. Caring for an animal is a BIG COMMITMENT. Here are our top 10 helpful tips:
With all the adorable fur-babies out there, you need to take time and consider your environment and lifestyle. Here are some questions to ask yourself: Do you live in an apartment or a house with yard? Do you travel a lot? Who will let your dog out if you’re not home? Are you able to alter your work schedule to provide the care your pet needs?
Dogs require a lot of care and can be expensive. When you commit in caring for a dog, you would need to be responsible. Regular and emergency Veterinarian visits, vaccinations, bedding, collar and harness, quality food, treats, grooming and more can be expensive.
Though there are many breeders and pet stores who continue to produce and sell animals, there are many wonderful dogs and cats waiting in shelters or foster homes for someone to adopt them. With limited shelter space - for every pet sold in a store or by a breeder, a dog and cat in a shelter can be put to sleep. So consider adopting your pet from the shelter instead.
Be a responsible owner. Spay or neuter your pet to make sure no unwanted puppies or kittens are born. Plus, it helps with your pet’s health and behavior.
Learn more about spaying and neutering here.
Accidents do happen, and you never know if or when your pet will get lost, run away or wander around and couldn’t find his way home. Microchipping your pet and having a collar with proper tags with your pet’s name and phone number will help get your pet back home.
There are some foods that are dangerous to animals... DO NOT FEED YOUR DOG CHOCOLATE! Here are other human foods that could also be harmful – onions, grapes, raisins, macadamia nuts and more. It is important that you be aware of them. It is also important to feed your pet high quality food and treats but be careful not to overfeed as obesity causes major problems. Also, do not leave food out all day.
Grooming your dog is essential to their well being. Brushing their teeth several times a week is seriously important to their dental health, trimming their nails regularly prevent injury and pain from normal walking, bathing them regularly to prevent skin irritation and a smelly scent, brushing their fur regularly helps prevent matting and increases circulation to the skin which keeps them healthy! You can have them professionally groomed or spend some quality time together and do it yourself.
It is important to puppy proof your home when adopting a dog – hide dangerous items, chemicals and objects that will harm them, as pups could view them as toy foods. As pups grow into adulthood, they need lots of running around and much exercise. A Dog needs at least one long walk daily and play time. Training, setting rules and boundaries is also an important key of having a well-behaved pet. Plenty of exercise and fresh air makes a happy dog.
Be on top of your pet’s health check. Make sure to visit your veterinarian for your pet’s complete vaccination. Calendar your pet’s monthly Flea & Tick medication and Heartworm medication for Control and Prevention. Your veterinarian will prescribe the correct medication based on the size and age of your pet.
NEVER LEAVE YOUR PET:
• Chained up outdoors with no proper housing, food and water
• Locked inside a car – temperatures inside a car can skyrocket in a matter of minutes
Remember, give your pet plenty of love and affection.
A Dog’s life is much shorter than the average human’s life and it goes by so quickly! So spend lots of quality time with your pet every single day.
Help Us Make A Change
Join us and let’s end pet homelessness! We need your support!