Care of Your New Pet
Regardless of the type of pet you select, they each have basic needs. These are simple and straight forward, but worth considering prior to bringing your new pet home.
Food and Water
Dogs and cats need food specially formulated for them. It is a mistake to assume that they will do well on a diet of “people food” or that they should hunt for their meals. Get guidance from your veterinarian as animal’s needs vary greatly. There is also literature and information available at your pet store. Purchase your pet food upon approval of your adoption request, so you can be with your pet on its journey to a
new home and family.
A Safe Environment
Consider where your pet will live. Even if it lives indoors, you will need to be sure that when outside, your pet is safe. Animals need protection from extreme heat and cold, direct sunlight, high humidity, strong rain, wind, snow, and ice. Do you have a fence, and if so, what is the height? A fence can help to keep your pet within the safety of your home. Also, be certain that proper ID tags are on your pet.
Veterinary Care
Veterinary care is as important to your pet as medical care is to you. So much can be done to help your pet live the highest quality of life possible. Please have your pet spayed or neutered, and help them live longer by getting vaccinations - such as for rabies.
Spay/Neuter Your Pet
We can't preach it enough: have your pets spayed and neutered. It is truly a national tragedy that millions of animals are killed each year simply because no one WANTS them. When acquiring an animal, you assume sole responsibility for them. Much like children, animals depend on us to keep them happy, healthy, and safe. Be part of the solution instead of part of the problem. Spay/Neuter is the single most important thing you can do to make a difference.
Exercise
Physical exercise is important to the health and well being of animals. While your pets may explore your backyard, they may still need the encouragement of a guided walk. Because each animal has different medical factors, ask your veterinary about the appropriate length of walk for your pet. Play time can help to stimulate the mind of your cat or dog, and assists in developing a loving bond between you and your pet.
Social Order
Dogs are pack animals and expect to have a leader. To feel secure your pet needs to be part of a group, which is your family or friends. Dogs also need a team leader who they can watch to know what is expected and when. If you do not assume this position your pet most likely will. Many books are devoted to this subject and may help you understand how animals think and behave. Obedience training or behavioral classes may also help.
Consistency and Attention
Animals need consistent expressions, rules and results to learn what is expected of them. They want to please and it boosts their moral to know that they have completed your command. They need to be treated fairly to know that their owner is trustworthy. By nature many animals are born with happy and outgoing dispositions. Abuse can change this into fear, nervousness, aggressive and unpredictable behavior. Pets adopted from shelters may need additional care and guidance to begin to trust people again. Your love and consistency can help to give your pet a new life.
Microchipping Saves Lives
Each year millions of lost and abandoned animals are taken in by animal welfare organizations across North America, of these animals only 14% of the dogs and 4% of the cats (estimated figures) are ever returned home. The major reason for failing to re-unite a lost pet with its owner is because the pets are unidentifiable. Microchipping offers pet owners the only truly permanent method of identifying your pet and linking the animal back to you, the owner. If you want to improve your pet’s chances of getting home in a lost pet emergency – microchipping is your best option.
Here are some helpful links to information on bringing
a new pet into your home.
