Pet Post Issue 58 - Salina Animal Shelter

Why You Should
Adopt
an Aging Dog
Families who have made the decision to bring an older dog into
their home are the first to tell you how much better their lives
are for it, and shelters are filled with senior dogs hoping to enjoy
their puppy retirement with a warm bed (or floor) and good
company. The list of benefits is endless, here are five amazing
reasons to look to the older dog generation when adopting.
WISDOM COMES WITH THE TERRITORY:
With experience come wisdom, and like people, older dogs are
chocked full of it. A senior dog is typically housetrained and
socialized and no longer needs to chew up your household
items just to get attention. This helps you to avoid the stress
and chaos that comes with raising and training a puppy.
A SENIOR DOG KNOWS WHO THEY ARE
An older dog already has an established personality. We can
learn a thing or two from a senior dog who has figured out who
he is and what he wants. You won’t have to guess what they
need because they will be the first to tell you. Nor do you have
to worry about any surprises either, since what you see is what
you get.
THEY TAKE THE TIME TO SMELL THE ROSES
Since dogs are generally much calmer than younger dogs, and
their sense of appreciation is overwhelming. Don’t be surprised
if a senior dog will sit by your side for hours, content
with periodic, hugs and pets. Now that they’ve left the wasted
effort of chasing their tail behind them, they have more time to
enjoy their environment, and more importantly, enjoy your
company.
BECAUSE MOST PEOPLE JUST WON’T
Simply put, the majority of dogs that aren’t adopted and face
the risk of being put to sleep are older dogs. Puppies and
younger dogs are typically adopted first, leaving behind an
amazing group of dogs that face discrimination purely because
of their age. If you won’t adopt a senior dog, no one will.
YOUR HEART WILL THANK YOU
An older dog is so happy and grateful to have a second chance
in life that he will most likely welcome your companionship
with open arms. He gives back to you more than you could
ever imagine.
Whether your dog is young or old, there are no guarantees in
life, so if you are going to rescue a dog, then look beyond their
age and you will certainly find the one that is right for you.
Adopting
The right Cat
For you
Longing to add a small four-legged friend to your household?
Animal shelters have great cats that are there
through no fault of their own. If your looking for a purebred
or a mutt, they have both. Picking a cat through a
shelter may require more effort but the rewards are worth
it.
CAT OR KITTEN
Decide whether you want a cat or a kitten. Kittens are
cute, but have insanely high energy and do destroy things.
If you have small children, they may not mesh well with a
kitten....kittens scratch and little kids crush. Older cats are
calmer and you can tell what their personalities are like.
Often cats are given up because the original owner doesn’t
have time for the cat, lost their home, or had allergies, not
because the cat was a problem.
VISIT THE SHELTER
You may be surprised what you find. Shelter’s don’t always
have the resources to post pictures of all the animals,
so be sure to go in and see who they have available. Bring
everyone that is involved in the decision of what cat to get.
EVALUATE THE CATS
Have interaction with the cat. Have a shelter staff member
take it out of the cage: most shelters have an area for you
to pet the cat. Remember that cats are scared in this new
environment, but petting and talking to the cat should give
you a general idea of it’s personality. If you have children
and the cat isn’t scared of them in the shelter environment,
the cat should also get along with them at home.
MAKE A CHOICE
Once you’ve chosen your new pet, the shelter will have
you fill out paperwork and pay your fee. The fee includes
the cost of spay or neuter and shots.
• Introduce your cat to its litter box as soon as you get
home.
• If you have other pets, introduce them slowly.
• Confine your cat to it’s own area.
• Give the cat time to adjust to your home.
• Buy toys your new cat will play with.
• Ask shelter staff for their recommendations.
Source:
sheknows.compets&animals