READY TO ADOPT?

Thank you for your interest in providing a forever home for a homeless animal

• Read our pet adoption guidelines
• Decide on which animal is best suited for your home and life
• Search our adoptable dogs or cats online
• Come visit the facility to meet and greet
• Fill out an application

Have you been thinking about adding a cat or dog to your family? Wondering if you are ready?
First and foremost, make sure you are prepared to care for your new pet for its entire life – 15 to 20 years on average for an indoor cat and 6 to 13 years for an indoor dog. Hundreds of thousands of cats and dogs end up in local shelters each year because their owners did not carefully consider the responsibilities associated with having a pet. Make sure you can provide a loving home for the entire life of your animal before adopting.

CATS

While cats are usually thought of as low maintenance pets, there are still some lifestyle changes that need to be made when adding a cat or kitten to your household.

Can you make the necessary time commitment to your new pet?
While cats are considered to be independent, they still need love and companionship from their people. Before you commit to the long-term care of a cat or kitten, evaluate whether you have the time to devote to your new pet. An hour or so a few evenings during the week and part of most weekends is generally enough time to allow you and an adult cat to develop a caring bond. Kittens, on the other hand, require more care and attention.

Can you make the financial commitment to properly care for your new pet?
When adopting a cat, there are certainly more expenses to consider than just the fee paid to the shelter or rescue agency. Initial and ongoing, supplies, medical expenses, and care while you are out of town all need to be factored into the economic decision of whether or not to adopt a cat or kitten.

If this is your first cat, you will need to consider the cost of the following essential supplies:
* Litter, scoop and litter box(es)
* High quality cat food as well as food and water dishes
* Grooming supplies – brush, claw clippers, etc.
* Scratching posts of varying textures and design
* Cat carrier

Young kittens need three distemper shots, each 3-4 weeks apart, and then a rabies vaccine between 14 and 16 weeks of age. Between four and six months, your new kitties will need to be spayed or neutered. This surgery is important for the long-term health of your new pet – kittens spayed or neutered before reaching sexual maturity have a significantly lower risk of dying from reproductive cancer. Spaying or neutering your pet is the single most effective method to help avoid the development of hormone driven behavior problems.

Is your house adequately prepared?
While cats do not require a lot of space – they are often touted as the ideal pets for apartment living – you will need to make some changes before bringing kitty home. Make sure potentially dangerous items are put safely away, out of your cat's reach – rubber bands, string, moth balls, curtain cords, poisons and shopping bags with handles. Also, be sure to make yourself aware of which household plants may be poisonous to your cat. The Cat Fanciers' Association maintains a list of plants that are poisonous to felines.

DOGS

Before taking on that furry friend one should consider many things. Caring for a dog is more than simply providing food and water, it requires a lot of time and hard work. This responsibility should not be entered into lightly. If you plan to adopt a dog you should understand that you are making a commitment to an animal for all the years of his life. Shelters are full of dogs brought in by people who were unprepared for the responsiblity and time involved in taking care of them.

Keep in mind these key points when deciding if a dog is right for you and your family.

* Supplies - In addition to food, dogs need treats, collars, leashes, toys, bowls - well the list goes on and on.
* Veterinary care - Regular trips to the Vet for yearly checkups and to keep immunizations current. You must also be prepared for the unscheduled visits when your dog is ill or injured.
* Training - Most if not all dogs need to be trained if you want to see the behavior you desire. You can train your dog yourself but obedience classes are highly recommended because they help socialize your dog to many different types of people and other dogs.
* Daily exercise - You should have the time to walk your dog twice a day for 30 minutes or more depending on the size and energy level of your dog. Daily exercise will keep your dog happy and healthy.
* Grooming - Dogs require regular baths and grooming. Depending on the type of dog you have daily brushing may be necessary. Some breeds need to be taken to a qualified groomer to keep them looking and smelling their best.
* Size and breed - A major consideration for anyone contemplating adopting a dog is the dogs' size and breed. Many breeds have certain traits that go with the territory. For instance, Chihuahuas are notorious for yapping. Working dogs like Sheppards, Collies and mixed breeds need a lot of exercise.

It is very wise for an individual to do some research related to dogs before adopting one. Learning about what to expect can better prepare the new dog owner and thus lead to an easier transition for the dog. The decision to adopt a dog should not be made without first giving some deep thought to all that is involved.

Take the time to find a dog that will fit into your lifestyle. The decision to adopt a dog should be made by all family members involved, even the children.

Dogs are like people, they are not perfect and they do make mistakes. Before you decide to adopt a dog consider whether you can be as forgiving toward your dog as he will be toward you. If you are prepared for the responsibility and the unconditional love, then it's time to go adopt your new best friend!

As you can see, the decision to adopt a cat or dog should not be taken lightly. There are many important factors that should be considered when you are thinking about bringing a new furry friend into your life. After weighing these and other factors, if you do decide to adopt, you will know that you are doing a beautiful and responsible thing by providing a life long home to a cat or dog who, in turn, will be your devoted companion for many years to come.

THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING THE ANIMALS AT OPERATION KINDNESS!