People not picking animals who fit their lifestyles is one of the top reasons that animals end up in shelters. This is why so many rescues, adoption groups, humane societies and animal shelters have begun to have more comprehensive adoption forms and are beginning to screen their potential adopters with so much more care.
They want to make a good fit the first time so that the animal can stay in the same home and not come back to the shelter. And yes, diligently screening adoptions takes a lot more time, energy and effort than letting everyone and their brother adopt any animal they might want.
Animal shelters, humane societies, etc. want to do a high number of adoptions for a variety of reasons. Some of the reasons are that it makes the organization look good; it lowers the need for euthanasia, and more animals can be saved the faster they are moved out of shelters. High adoption numbers also help organizations land grants and obtain financial support.
One of the dangers of putting so much value on high adoption numbers is that sometimes good matches of animals are not made or groups are willing to lower their adoption standards just to get their numbers up.
Last summer, there was a holiday same-day adoption done by a shelter that resulted in a remarkable number of animals being adopted. The downside was that several weeks later these same animals were turning up in shelters all over the state. High adoption numbers are only a plus if your return rate is low.
It is the responsibility of both the potential new animal owner and the adoption group that the animal fits the lifestyle of potential adopters. Here are some things to remember when looking for a pet:
-- Pick an animal that fits your finances.
-- Remember that little puppies and kittens grow up. If you live in a small apartment, a large dog might not be for you.
-- If you are physically limited or frail, make sure you pick an animal you can physically handle.
-- If you have a quiet lifestyle and want to keep it that way, do NOT pick a high-energy dog unless you plan on taking it to obedience classes.
-- Make sure that neither you nor anyone in your family has allergies. If so, choose accordingly.
-- If you have high-energy children do not pick a fearful animal, one that is senior or one who is not interested in playing.
-- If you do not like taking walks in the rain, snow, ice and heat for your dog to go to the bathroom then you need to have a fence.
-- If you are gone away from home more than you are there, do not get a dog.
-- If you are planning to stake a dog outside 24/7, do not get a dog.
-- Do some research on the type of animal you want to adopt to see if it is a good fit for you and the life you have.
-- Spend some time with the animal you are thinking of adopting. Ask questions. Bring everyone who is going to be living with the animal to make sure the new animal will fit in with existing animals in the home.
-- Do not make spontaneous buys where animals are concerned. Take a few days to think it over carefully.
Being a responsible pet owner means making a life time commitment to the life of that animal — not just what is convenient for you. Look ahead to your future. Can you see that animal in your life”? If not, don’t get the animal.
Maleah Stringer, program director of Anderson Animal Care and Control, is also president of the Animal Protection League. She can be reached at maleahstringer@aol.com.
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John P. Cleary
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Maleah Stringer: Pick a pet that fits your life
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