Home | Archives for Pet Adoption

Should You Give Pets As Christmas Gifts?

November 19, 2012 By

Owning a pet is a great responsibility for the whole family, even more so than having a baby. This is because eventually babies grow up to become teenagers, then adults who don’t need constant supervision throughout life. Giving pets as Christmas gifts may seem like a good idea at the time; all you can think of is how the kids will enjoy having a little fur ball to play with. Christmas is the season of love and giving, and puppies and kittens are so adorable but do they make good Christmas gifts?

Gifting a Pet to Your Own Family

Before deciding on gifting a pet for Christmas, discuss it with your family first. Find out if the kids want a dog or cat and if they are ready to be responsible for it. Make it clear that a pet is a living thing that has needs to be taken care of. Raising an animal can be high maintenance and you must consider the financial obligations involved like feeding, training, grooming, medical bills, toys, and some other accessories like bedding, collars, restraints, etc.

Another thing to consider is whether someone in the family is allergic to pets. Allergic reactions like itching, sneezing, watery eyes and stuffy nose is as a result of animal hair or dander (small scales from animal skin). This is a common problem and should not be overlooked because it can also make other health conditions like asthma become worse.

Adoption

When considering the idea of getting a pet as a Christmas gift, think about adoption. This is because pet adoption agencies care for the pets in their possession. They try to make sure you understand what you are getting into by bringing an animal home, what your responsibilities are as a pet owner, and other implications. They are concerned about the welfare of the animals because they have seen how poorly these animals are treated and want to avoid a repeat situation. You can find information online with pictures and descriptions of pets available for adoption in your local area.

If you are not satisfied with adopting, you can always visit a pet store and buy a puppy or kitten or any other pet of your choice. Always make sure to get some history about the pet you choose before the purchase.

Gifting a Pet to a Loved One

One should also consider the above information if you are thinking of giving a pet to a loved one. Think of the person’s lifestyle; are they always on the road, do they work long hours, do they have roommates or are they living with family, are they patient, loving and caring, and most of all, does the person want a pet? From there you can determine what type of pet you can get them, if any at all.

Matching a pet to a person can save a lot of distress in future. If, for instance, the person likes jogging, getting a golden retriever or German shepherd will make a good match. If the person has a happy energized personality, then a Jack Russell Terrier might be suitable.

In the event that your adorable Christmas pet is no longer wanted, instead of abandoning it, it is best to return it to the animal shelter or better, find a loving home for it.

Filed Under: Cats, Dogs, Pet Adoption

Pet Adoption Tips

July 25, 2012 By

There are millions of animals that do not have homes these days. Thankfully, you are one of the many people who would like to help one of these poor animals. You are in the right place. Congratulations for taking the first step to adopting a pet for your family. Having the correct pet adoption tips on hand will make your decision a lot easier.

The following tips will help you to make a well informed decision.

Have a chat with your family before choosing a pet. Discussing the responsibilities that come with this new addition will make sure that everyone in your house is ready for the new changes that your pet will bring. If you have children, you might not want to get a very large dog, but maybe a puppy rather, one that can grow up with the kids. Remember that all children will need some type of supervision when it comes to caring for a cat or dog, so it will end up being the parent’s responsibility at the end of the day.

Do the necessary research about the different breeds. Some breeds tend to be more aggressive and will not be suitable if you have children around. Make sure you check to see if any of your family members have allergies before making a decision. You would not want to have gone through all that effort to find this out after the fact.

Some animals do not play well with children. Kittens and puppies have sharp claws and they could unintentionally hurt your children.

Having a new pet will allow you to teach your children how to walk a dog and help them understand how often it is required. If you are getting a cat, make sure everyone understands how to change the kitty litter box correctly.  Keep in mind, when first adopted, puppies tend to need potty training, while a cat will demand your attention until it adjusts to the new environment.

Make sure to choose a pet that will suit your individual home. If you live in an apartment, you will want to rather get a cat or kitten.

Before bring your furry little friend home, make sure that you have bought enough food supplies. If you have chosen a baby animal, then you might want to buy some toys and things to keep the little one busy.

Create a schedule that can involve the entire family. This will not only help your pet feel more comfortable, but also help your children learn responsibility.

In addition to these pet adoption tips, you will want to find a suitable sleeping place for the new addition to you family, especially if you are adopting a dog. Cats tend to find their own place to sleep, while dogs need a little help. If you allow animals in your home, then you will need to decide where you would like your dog to sleep. There are many different types of beds available on the market today. On the other hand, if you would prefer your dog to sleep outdoors, then you will need to find a suitable, waterproof dog house.

Filed Under: Pet Adoption, Pet Safety Tagged With: ,

Tips for Choosing a Family Pet

July 19, 2012 By

For families who are considering choosing a family pet, you should consider an animal that all members of the family are going to enjoy. There are many different animals that could make a great pet, from dogs and cats, to turtles or other small rodents (hamsters, mice, etc). So, before making the choice, families should consider all options, and ask all family members what they would like best, prior to selecting the animal to bring home as a first pet.

When you have smaller children, a pet that is interactive, loving, and fun to play with might be the best option to look for when choosing a family pet. Dogs are probably the best option, especially with younger kids. Breeds like Retrievers are probably the nicest breed, as they are loving, will play with the kids, and are caring pets. For those who want a house pet, a cat or other pets like a turtle might be a great choice. They are small, inside animals, and are easy to care for. Additionally, they keep to themselves, and do not make a mess in areas other than the designated liter box or cages.

Introducing Your Pet to the Family

After choosing a family pet, you have to know how to introduce it in to your family. With younger kids, you are going to want to bring the dog (or other pet) in slowly. You should let the pet learn its way through the home, get used to the family members, and most importantly, go at its own pace. Making sure the kids do not move too quickly and trying not to force the pet to do things it does not want to do is also important. Letting the pet get accustomed to his/her surroundings, where they will live, and who the owners are, is an extremely important part of the introduction process.

Interaction

Once the pet has made itself comfortable with the home, the kids, and owners, you can now start allowing the kids to interact and play with the pet. Especially with dogs, as they are so loving and interactive, once they know who the owner is, they are extremely loyal. Playing out in the yard, inside, or anywhere else the pet is allowed to be, is suggested, so that the dog learns who the owners are and how to play and interact with them. With younger kids, parents must be around early on to ensure the kids do not do something to irritate the pet, which may cause it to lash out in defense.

There is no one set way to introduce the pet in to the home; you have to give it time to get accustomed to the family, its new home, and surroundings. After choosing a family pet, give it a few days to learn who will be caring for it and that it is now living in a caring home. From there on, each family will go about interaction, caring for, and playing with their pets in a different manner than other families.

If your new pet still seems a bit stressed and is not adjusting well, pick up our guide to the upper right of this page titled “10 Ways Your Pet Can Become Stressed and What You Can Do About It.” Apply the techniques we suggest and your pet will be on its way to feeling right at home.

Filed Under: Kids and Pets, Pet Adoption, Pet Safety Tagged With: , ,