Will this Family be the One?

Before you can pick out your new pet, you’ll have to fill out an often extensive application, which includes basic information like where you live and your age, as well as your pet ownership history (including veterinary records), and a personality profile. Then you still can’t leave the shelter until you sign a contract promising to take good care of your pet and to return the animal to the shelter if you can no longer care for it. Once you’ve chosen a pet, you’ll have to go home for a designated waiting period (usually 24 hours) to talk it over with your family and make sure that you’ve made the right decision.

It’s also mandatory in many shelters to spay or neuter (surgically sterilize by removing the reproductive organs) all pets they accept. A single shelter can house hundreds of animals, and there usually isn’t a lot of money available for hired help. Though they don’t get a paycheck, Condo for sale Bangkok near BTS (bangkok.thaibounty.com) the tail wags and purrs they get in return are ample rewards for most volunteers. Shelters do this to prevent more unwanted animals from being born and ending up in shelters. Many families give up a pet because they are moving, having a new baby, or because the animal has a behavioral problem. For that reason, volunteers are essential parts of shelter operations.

Shelters also reduce mismatches by making every effort to give each pet they accept a full “background check.” In cases where the owner dropped off the pet, the shelter will ask whether the animal had any nasty habits, like chewing on the furniture, biting or urinating on the floors. In Defense of Animals. Hubbard, Kim and Gabrielle Saveri. Siebert, Charles. “New Tricks.” The New York Times Magazine, April 8, 2007, pgs. Some will even have an animal behavior specialist give the animals a thorough psychological evaluation. Shelter employees will also do a health screen, checking for heartworm and other diseases. Human Society of the United States. Once you’ve found the right dog or cat, some shelters offer post-adoption services, such as “pet parenting” and dog training classes, to help you bond with your new pet. Hewitt, Bill. “Should Strays be Killed? “Sheltered Lives.” People Weekly, June 29, 1998, pgs. ” People, November 6, 2006, pg.

But others lose their animals by accident-because they didn’t take the proper safeguards to keep them at home. Keep your pet’s license current. Millions of people avoid a mall or chain pet store and adopt a pet from their local animal shelter. It can help a shelter contact you, should your pet run away. This tiny, implantable chip contains a unique identification number that can help animal welfare officials contact you if they locate your pet. Consider having your cat or dog microchipped. Make sure your pet always wears a collar with a clear identification tag that includes your name, address, phone number, and your pet’s name (this is even important for indoor pets, because it is possible for them to slip out through an open door or window).

Although the Humane Society recommends that shelters hold strays for at least five days, the actual number of days can vary based on the space in the shelter, as well as the health and adoptability of the animals. Most shelters will take every stray that arrives, but are forced to euthanize some animals when they become too full. Despite the name, though, these shelters will euthanize animals that are too old or ill to care for anymore. These are called “no kill” shelters. A smaller number of shelters only accept limited numbers of animals but promise to care for them until they are adopted.