Adoption of Animals

1817 Words4 Pages

Adoption of Animals

Anyone, who visits an animal shelter, as I do, sees an extraordinary number of beautiful, affectionate, and desperate dogs and cats. The majority of animals in any particular shelter are dogs, usually adults, for whom there aren't enough adoptive homes waiting. A few may have come from responsible breeders, whose owners do not realize that the breeder will take them back,many are those who are lost, and/or from owners who simply got tired of them. Some are pet shop puppies from a puppy mill that did not meet the owner's expectations due to health, temperament, or other reasons. A large number usually turn out to be the result of deliberate and irresponsible home breeding. These people are known as "back-yard breeders." And that is not a compliment.

The bottom line is that most people who decide to purchase or adopt a companion animal simply do not realize the responsibility they will be taking on for the next one to fifteen (+) years. It is not fair to say that most people do not have good intentions in their decision to acquire a pet, especially those who rescue an unwanted pet from a neighborhood shelter. What is important is that people become educated about the acquisition of a new pet and the responsibilities that accompany the addition. When rescuing an animal from a shelter or humane society, it is required that the owner spays or neuters the pet within thirty days of date of adoption. Usually, a portion of the fees acquired at the time of adoption is used for the spay/neuter surgery. Thomas Shermerhorn,VMD acknowledges that dogs and cats can be spayed quite early (about 8-10 weeks) without the risk of any long-term problems-well before the first heat, which usually happens about six months of a...

... middle of paper ...

...list of courses. 6 Dec. 1999. Information and advocacy Web site.

Accurate and current reporting on legislation and humane issues.

Extensive amount of links.

"Humane Education Network: A Voice for Animals." Home Page. 27 Mar. 1999

6 Dec. 1999. Relevant and accurate information about animal

welfare. Relevant links to other on-line educational sites.

"National Association for Humane and Environmental Education."

Community Outreach and Teacher Training. Home Page. 6 Dec. 1999.

Extensive and excellent resources for teachers, parents.

Information, advocacy, and educational site. Excellent links.

"Zoo to You Online." Non-profit organization formed to help educate

Students. 6 Sep. 1999. 5 Dec 1999. Information site dedicated

to linking schools with on-line educational and resource communities.

Open Document