Home About Guest Post Contact Us Disclaimer Privacy Policy Links
Twitter
YouTube
RSS
Facebook

Pets for the Holidays: Not the Ideal Gift

By Guest Author on Monday, August 30th, 2010 | No Comments

The holidays are without a doubt the worst time of year for new pets.  Parents, children, and friends suffused with the joy of the season eagerly choose a puppy or kitten to give as a gift with visions of the overjoyed look on their loved one’s faces as they open the box and see their furry little friend.  And indeed, there is nothing better than the unconditional love and companionship that a pet can provide.  Unfortunately, most of these gift-givers neglect to consider that they are also handing over a huge responsibility, one that may last for several years.  Pets are not toys to be played with and discarded after the initial flush of newness wears off.  They are living, breathing, feeling creatures that require care.

There are immediate needs to be met, especially if the animal is still a baby.  First and foremost, they will need food, bedding, and a place to go to the bathroom.  From there, they will require a lot of attention and probably some sort of training, not to mention visits to the vet, a series of shots, and eventually, an operation to spay or neuter them.  This not only means a huge commitment of time, but it could also demand a lot of money.  For a family that is strapped for cash and short on spare time, a pet could be more of a burden than a blessing.

So what becomes of these holiday pets?  In all honesty, most will end up in shelters, the victims of anonymous drop-offs from families that either can’t or won’t keep them.  This is not only unfortunate for the pet-owner, who no doubt feels terrible about not being able to care for their new pet (there’s nothing like the gift of guilt), but also for the animal in question.  Not only will these animals spend the foreseeable future in a cage, they must undergo the trauma of being bustled from place to place, with no sense of stability, and they may face euthanasia at overcrowded and underfunded animal adoption facilities.

Now, there are certainly times when it is acceptable to give a pet as a gift.  For example, if you know that someone has been lonely and they have the time and money to care for an animal that needs a home, you may want to discuss the prospect of adding a fuzzy companion to their life.  If it’s something they’re interested in, then there is no reason you shouldn’t take them to a shelter to save the life of a newfound friend and help them to form a relationship with an animal that will be mutually beneficial to both parties.  Or if parents are keen to teach their kids the joy and responsibility of pet ownership (and are willing to pick up the slack and care for the animal if their children can’t), then a puppy or kitten may fit the bill.  However, the key in each of these situations is that the parties involved are not only informed, but are willing and able to make a commitment to love and care for a dependent animal.  Only then is it truly a gift.

Marissa Montague writes for Christmas Songs, your comprehensive resource for the best in holiday music.

How to Pet-Proof Your Home

By Guest Author on Thursday, August 19th, 2010 | 1 Comment

The decision to adopt a pet is not one that is made lightly.  You must first consider what type of animal you are keen to bring home, then decide on breed, age, approximate size, gender, how many pets you plan to adopt, and so on.  Younger pets will require a lot of time and attention whereas older ones may be content to nap all day while you’re at work.  Male pets may spray while females are often prone to fighting.  And besides all the hallmarks attendant to particular breeds, each animal is going to have its own unique personality to contend with, which may affect not only how they fit into your household, but also their ultimate trainability.  It can be a lot to think about, but do not get so caught up in considering which pet to take home that you neglect to prepare your house to receive the animal that is destined to be a long-term companion.  Here are a few ways to make sure that transitioning a new animal into your home goes as smoothly as possible for all involved.

  1. Get on their level.  Much like preparing a home for the imminent arrival of a baby, you must be aware of what is on the level of a much shorter individual.  Like babies, pets are curious and they will almost certainly check out everything within reach.  For that reason, you should remove (or make inaccessible) anything harmful that they could potentially ingest, damage, or hurt themselves on.
  2. Secure harmful items.  Once you have identified items that could harm your pet, they must be secured.  For example, many pets can use snouts, paws, and so forth to open cabinet doors, so those that contain food, trash, cleaning products, etc. should be secured with child locks to keep your pets out.  As for those items that your pets might be tempted to chew or mark as their territory (anything from books to shoes to your Playstation), you may want to move those off the floor and higher up or put them in a cabinet or closet.
  3. Consider bumpers.  While pets tend to be less wobbly than infants, you may still want to think about whether or not your furniture could cause them undue harm.  Coffee tables with sharp edges and spindly chairs or side tables are almost begging to be bumped into and knocked over, ultimately bruising your new best friend.  So if you’re not willing to replace them with pet-friendly alternatives, at least add bumpers or secure them in some fashion to protect the hide of your furry friend.
  4. Don’t forget the outlets.  Outlet covers are an absolute necessity!  Curious pets don’t know any better than to stick paws, noses, and tongues into inviting holes in the wall, so spend a few bucks on plastic covers to pop in so you don’t end up with any crispy critters.
  5. Work from the ground up.  Now that you’ve done all you can to make the ground level safe for your new pet, let your eyes drift upward.  Plenty of animals will climb or simply bump into furniture, so try to determine if they might knock over books, knick-knacks, or electronics in the course of their exploration or play.  Smaller items can be moved away from edges while heavier electronics can be secured to the wall with straps.  This will guarantee that your fluffy friend avoids death from above.

Kathleen Macky is a writer for Tampa Homes 24-7, which specializes in Riverview Real Estate.

Why Older Pets Are the Cat’s Meow

By Guest Author on Saturday, May 8th, 2010 | No Comments

You finally got through escrow on a property with a nice, big yard and it is time to start looking for the animal that will turn your house into a happy home. Even though you don’t think you have time for a new puppy or kitten, you balk at the idea of buying an older pet. After all, what if you end up with a dog like the one your neighbors have? They never bothered to train it, so now it has a bad habit of barking all night and keeping half the neighborhood awake. The idea of training a full grown dog embedded with bad behavior simply does not sound appealing. You think that adopting an older pet will bring nothing but problems, but that couldn’t be further from the truth.

Adopting an older pet can have huge benefits. If you’re like most adults, you work at least part of the time, if not full time. Guess what? Puppies and kittens need round-the-clock attention. That’s right, they’re babies. And you know what happens if you leave a puppy in the house alone all day…you come home to a Turner and Hooch moment (couch cushions shredded, slobber in your shoes, and all kinds of unfortunate “accidents”). Babies don’t like to be left alone! And forget about getting them spayed or neutered. That’s when you really have to keep an eye on them 24/7. Yes, they will lick until they remove the stitches.

Older pets, on the other hand, have most likely been fixed (if not, the shelter will do it when they come in) and they are far less rambunctious than the younger variety. Most of them have already been housebroken or box-trained, at the very least, and many have been trained in a number of other areas, from staying off the furniture to following common commands. In addition, they are probably used to living with people and if they have any problems (kids, other pets, food possessiveness), the shelter can disclose them up front. With a younger pet, you never really know what kind of personality you’ll get.

And if the thought of a helpless, wide-eyed little puppy or kitten getting euthanized is keeping you up at night, you really needn’t worry. Babies have no problem getting adopted. People take one look at the fuzzy little furballs and snap them right up. Older pets, on the other hand, need your help! With home foreclosures on the rise, many families have no choice but to leave their pets at the pound. These are the animals that will inevitably face being put to sleep as shelters suffer an increase in tenancy and a decrease in funding. You have the power to give these worthy animals a second chance at life and, in the process, gain a companion that compliments your lifestyle.

Guest Post by Sarah Harris from Massage Therapy Schools find massage therapy salary information listed on our site.

Why Adopt A Pet?

By Alison Wood on Sunday, July 12th, 2009 | No Comments

There are many reasons for people to get pets. Some get a companion so that they do not feel lonely. Some get a jogging partner or walking mate to help them lose weight. Some find themselves getting a pet for a sense of security. No matter why they choose to get a pet, people should be encouraged to begin their search at the local shelter. Adopting a pet is not only less expensive than buying from the pet stores, it can be a socially and emotionally rewarding way to find your next best friend.

242394_anxious_puppy

Shelters all over the country are filled beyond capacity with a frightening number of pets being euthanized each day. While it is true that each purebred breed has its own fan club, there is an awful lot to be said for the pound puppies as well. Do not let a less than pedigreed pooch put you off, there is no certification for true love.

The best adoption shelters in the country will put each pet and potential pet owner through rigorous examinations before allowing you to bring your choice home, a fact that may put a shelter dog ahead of others in safety. Do you really know what the aggression factor is with that purebred? I bet they can tell you the answer to that question at the shelter. They not only check for health risks, but social skills as well. Pets that show any sign of fear, aggression or other potential problems will be labeled as un-adoptable and kept in the shelter. Others will find themselves looking for and hopefully finding their new forever home.

In the end, it if it does not matter where you find your best friend, why not start at the shelter? Find the nearest shelter and start your search there. Not finding the right breed or the right size dog? Leave your name and number with staff, along with a brief description of what you would like to find and they will probably come through fairly quickly. Don’t get hung up on designer dogs and expensive pet stores. Do not buy a puppy from a breeder that you are not familiar with, because who will you complain to if there is a problem? And never buy a pet from a suspected puppy mill or any company that might deal with the mills and unscrupulous breeders. Adopting a pet from a shelter will save its life, and hopefully, the shelter pet will steal your heart in the process!

MuttMart - Everything for your dog for less!

Adopting A Pet: Is It For You?

By Alison Wood on Wednesday, May 20th, 2009 | No Comments

Deciding to get a pet is a large step in a family’s life. They have to decide what kind of pet that they want, what breed, and the general size. They might have already narrowed down their name choices for their new pet, picked out where its bed will be and bought some toys. Now all that is left to do is to get the actual pet. For far too many people, that next step will involve a trip to the local pet store for a purebred cat or dog, but our shelters are filled beyond capacity with pets that just need a little love and their chance to finally find a forever home.

449395_puppy

Before you spend a large amount of money on a purebred puppy or kitten consider a few things. Are you planning on showing your new addition at shows? Is this a business decision that you are making? If the answer to both is no, then by all means reconsider spending that much money on buying your new friend. Go down to the shelter and walk through. Talk to the shelter staff, and let them know exactly what you would like to find. If the exact right animal is not there, and you truly do not connect with any of the available pets, leave your name with staff and have them call you if the right pet does become available.

Once you have made your selection, you will fill out an application and pay a small fee. In some shelters, there is an interview to make sure that the pet and the adoptive family is a good match. There might be an in house interview as well, to see the environment that the new pet will be coming too, and to make sure that there is adequate space for him. Some shelters now require an offsite interview with an area veterinarian who will fill out a letter of recommendation for the prospective adoptive family in order to assure the shelter staff that post adoption care will be maintained on a regular schedule.

After you have filled out the paperwork, answered all of the questions and been interviewed by those in charge, you will get to the most fulfilling part of adopting- the moment they put that leash or carrying cage in your arms and you bring your brand new family member home for good.

  • LT - 090909 - 125×125 Feel Good