DDF PSA ~ Adopt A Pet Q&A

Jeff from Adopt-A-Pet.com asked that I share some questions and answers about Pet Adoption with my readers. It is quite different from most of the Q&A's that are published about Pet Adoption because it is written as an interview would be conducted. It is not your normal questions either ... I found it interesting to read and I hope you do too. I have highlighted sentences that I found to be keystones in RED (though normally my comments are red, they aren't today!).

Common Questions About Pet Adoption

Q: Although there are millions of pets in shelters needing homes each year, many pet-owners-to-be don’t think about pet adoption when they’re looking for their new four-legged friend. Why do you think this is, and what can be done to turn that around?




A: Many people who want to get a pet just are not aware of how many great pets are available at shelters. They might also have the misconception that pets in shelters might be there because there was a problem with the animal. In fact, most pets end up in shelters not because of any problem with pet behavior, but because an owner died, moved, or simply didn't have the time or money to care for the animal. In some cases animals are lost and never found by their owners. These animals are healthy and very eager to please. Rescued pets are wonderful- just ask anyone who has one.

 Some people are seeking purebred animals or puppies and think these animals are not available in shelters. In fact, nearly a quarter of all animals in shelters are purebred. Often someone buys an expensive purebred animal and then attempts to breed that animal to recoup their money. The animals that are not placed in homes end up in the shelter. Puppies and kittens often up in shelters as well, but it is important to note that puppies require a lot of work and training and can be destructive. Puppies are great, but often people are much happier getting a dog who is older, and whose size and temperament is a known quantity.

 
Q: What are the 5 most important things a potential adopter should consider when choosing their new pet?

 A:


1. You need to make a real commitment to care for your pet for its entire life.


2. Verify in advance that you’re allowed to keep a pet where you live.


3. Never adopt a pet on a whim or because you feel it’s love-at-first-sight


4. Provide sufficient exercise and stimulation during the first few weeks, this will help the pet adjust.


5. Make any necessary modifications to your yard and fence to provide for your pet’s safety.






Q: What are 5 positive aspects of pet adoption, and why is adopting a good option?

 A:


1. When you adopt an adult animal, you can see his/her size and temperament. This helps ensure that the pet is right for you and your family.


2. It feels great to know you have saved an animal’s life.


3. Adopted pets are very loyal and know they have been given a new home.


4. Adopting a pet can be an important lesson to teach your children-- both about the value of life, and also about civic responsibility.


5. Choosing a mixed breed animal can help avoid many of the genetic health problems that have developed in purebred animals due overbreeding and inbreeding.






Q: If someone reading this isn’t in a position to adopt a pet right at this time, but still wants to help homeless pets, what are 5 things they can do to get involved?

 A:


1. People can do Social PETworking and Twitter Critter! They can run a search on Adopt-a-Pet.com, find a pet they want to help get exposure for, and use the share tools on our site to post the pet link on their Facebook, Twitter, MySpace or other social network page. Or, they can email the link of a pet in need from our site to their friends.


2. They can place a link/graphic or even a search widget for Adopt-a-Pet.com on their personal website to encourage they users to see pets in need at local shelters.


3. People can add their info to our volunteer database so shelters who need volunteers can find them.


4. People can search Adopt-a-Pet.com to find a local shelter, and make a cash donation to that shelter to help them with the costs of housing, feeding and medical care of shelter animals.


5. People can encourage other pet owners to spay or neuter their pet to help prevent unwanted births.



DogsDeserveFreedom IN *** People interested in helping homeless animals can also contact their local shelters/rescue organizations and volunteer to help in the local community. There are many different jobs that need to be done for these organizations from putting up posters and attending fundraising events to assisting with the animals directly!