RUNNING HEADER: PET ADOPTION
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Pet Adoption
Irene Hall
Mrs. Jennifer Rachal
English 122
SJVC
September 24, 2013
PET ADOPTION
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Nine years ago I adopted Alexander, my cat from a no kill cat rescue. I was moving into my first
apartment and needed a ‘roommate’. Alex became my constant companion from the day I brought him
home. I had searched several other places such as the ASPCA and breeders. I even checked a few pet
stores. I was unable to find exactly what I was looking for. Then I found Cat Ma, a no kill cat rescue on
Craig’s list. After all the research I did, and all the interviewing of those that I was able to talk to, I
learned a few things about adopting a cat, and really any animal in general. Animals are abandoned for
many reasons; while those reasons may be valid at the time, animals still need homes; over 50 percent of
animals in the ASCPA are cats. Sometimes people think cats and dogs from a rescue are dangerous or
have more issues then they are worth. Yet, people give up animals because they move to a place that
doesn’t accept cats or dogs, they find the animal to be more work that they want or even that they cost
more than they can afford to take care of. Sadly, many animals do not find new homes. There are two
factors that can help to reduce the 2.7 million cats and dogs who are put to sleep a year ("Animal Shelter
Euthanasia"),
simply spaying and neutering and finding forever homes for them.
It can be a challenging choice of which place pick, a no kill rescue or a shelter. Both often have
over-crowding and more animals than homes available. Most no kill rescues take in mothers and their
litters and pregnant cats. No kill rescues, do not take their animals and have them put down. They work
very hard to re-home, each animal that comes to them. Most the animals live with fosters who care for
them. This also allows for the animal to be socialized. Some places take animals in that need re-homing
from the home they are at currently. I worked with Cat Tales rescue to rehome Alex’s sister. To reduce
her stress and give her a happier life, I choose to find her a new home instead of taking her to the ASPCA.
Places like the ASPCA take in all animals however, for various reasons they are put to sleep. It can be
from the breed of dog, to the age and health of the animal. Certain breeds no matter how sweet the dog, it
will be put to sleep shortly after arrival. Some dog breeds have been deemed dangerous breeds,
Rottweiler’s, Pit bulls and even German Shepherds to name a few.
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Every year 2.7 million cats and dogs are put to sleep. Seventy-one percent of that is cats in
shelters like the ASPCA ("Animal Shelter Euthanasia"). There are many reasons to adopt from shelters
and no kill rescues. While there is a cost to adoption through these places, most times they are far less
than buying from a breeder or even a pet store. “About 25% of the time you can find specific breeds.
There are even rescue groups that take in only specific breeds as well.” Other advantages to adopting
through rescues and shelters are that they can do a “behavioral analysis of pets, and advice on making
your relationship work with the new pet” ("Adopting from an Animal Shelter or Rescue Group: The
Humane Society of the United States", 2013
"). Another perk to adoptions through shelters and rescues
is that the adoption cost pays for several things quiet often. Such as micro-chipping, shots, and having
your new pet, spayed or neutered. From Tony La Russa’s Animal Rescue Foundation, the current prices
for spaying a dog by pounds, rangers from 160-225 dollars and neutering is from 110-150 dollars; then
certain breeds such as Pit bulls, Chihuahua’s, and mixes of both breeds, it’s 25 dollars. Spaying a cat is 80
dollars and 60 dollars for neutering ("ARF | Animal Programs | Spay / Neuter Clinic", 2012). Just the
cost alone to adopt from a rescue or shelter where this is done as well as shots and micro-chips, the
difference can be very drastic. Adoptions through Cat Tales for adult cats is, $70 dollars and kittens are
$90 dollars, this includes spaying or neutering, micro-chipped, deworming, FVRCP vaccination (which
stands for Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus Infection, Panleukopenia) and FeLV tested
("Wilson, 2011 "). Adoption through Cat Tales is nearly 3 times less than paying for everything out of
pocket when adopting a cat or dog through a private breeder. This is very common with most all
adoptions done through shelters and rescues.
Finding a reputable place to adopt or buy a pet can be really tricky. There are so many places, and
breeders out there that. This can make it hard to tell what is and isn’t an animal mill. Animal mills in
general, are rampant. However, puppy mills alone are estimated to be about 15,000 in the US. The cycle
of abuse for these animals is horrible. It is not uncommon that people will look in the newspaper, on line
thought places like Craig’s list or even in pet stores usually ones that aren’t so well known.
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Petco does cat adoptions, and all of their cats are from the local ASPCA. However, there are little pet
shops aren’t as well known, or are a single shop and not a chain of stores. Almost 99% of all puppies in
the window are from puppy mills. These places aren’t well maintained, they are over run, and animals are
often abused. One of the best questions to ask is to view the facility. Most puppy mills will say no, will
divert someone from coming to see the facility. They don’t want anyone to know that the puppy they are
about to buy is from a mill and the conditions are nowhere near what is desire by any person. Cages that
are small and stack on top of each other, females bred in back to back heats. Bred until they can no longer
breed large enough litters; some of them have lost their teeth because of malnutrition during their
pregnancy. Often these dogs are under fed, lacking medical care, lacking socialization. Often puppies
that come from mills are very ill, or are susceptible to diseases, parasites, and fleas. This can cause
injuries and death of both the dogs and puppies as well. Secondly, get a written guarantee of health for
the cat or dog that is being bought. This gives the chance to return or replace the animal. Since dogs are
often shipped from other states and sometimes other countries, asking where the dog was born, and
checking if the dog was imported is especially important. Animals shipped from overseas go through
stressful, cold and uncomfortable trips. Since puppy mills are known for back to back breeding practices,
knowing how many puppies a particular dog has had, as well as the selection of breeds can tell a buyer a
lot; often if the animal is getting the proper care and treatment. Thought it doesn’t take the place of
visiting the facilities. Like hiring anyone to work in your home or at a job, ask for puppy references. Ask
to speak with other people who have adopted an animal from the breeder or shop. Are they happy with
their animals ("BACON, 2007")? While asking all these questions might put the mind at ease, it doesn’t
promise that the animal being bought is in good health. Even though dogs can be registered with the
AKC, all that says is that the dog is from two dogs of the same breed and is registered as such.
The life cycle of a female in a pet mill looks a little like this. It starts with the breeding for
quantity not quality of a dog. This leads to puppies and mothers being kept in unsanitary, cramped and
exposed cages.
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At 7-8 weeks the puppies are packed in to crates and sold, those crates are then transported across the US.
This leads to the puppy in the window often looking very cute. This brings in customers to pay sometimes
thousands of dollars for unhealthy and puppies lacking socialization. These two things lead owners to
abandon the animals due to vet bills or a dog with improper behavior. Then overcrowding in shelters and
the cycle begins again ("Puppy Mills & Pet Stores - Rio Rancho Keep Legislation for Animal Welfare
Safe", 2012
").
Often animals are adopted, and then abandoned, put down or dropped off at the pound or a
shelter. Overcrowding in shelters has forced many shelters to put cats and dogs down at a much faster
rate. So providing a new pet with a forever home is really important. Some things to think about when
finding the right pet, is the pet a good size for the current house, a Great Dane isn’t going to be a good fit
in an apartment. In a senior home, where they are moving slower that the animal, is there risk of the cat
getting hurt or causing the person taking in the cat going to trip and fall over a kitten or it’s toys, all things
to consider. Small breed dogs don’t always work well with a new baby, what about current life style, an
animal can’t be left home alone all the time, they need someone home to care for them. Dogs need to be
walked, cats need companions too. All of these are important to take into consideration when adopting a
cat, a dog, a turtle, a bird, or even a fish. They need care, they need an attentive owner there to give that to
them. Just like a small child, a new pet is a huge adjustment. They, also like humans have their own
personalities. They need care that helps to promote their health, walking, playing, and training to name a
few things. Just like humans, animal have anxiety issues as well. While they may not cry they still act out.
For dogs it can be destroying your house, chewing up shoes, door jams, even blinds over the windows.
Cats as well, they may hide under a bed, or even destroy your furniture. Making sure your animal has a
home that is set up for them as much as it is for their owner and family is very important. Example in my
home, it’s a kid, a dog, a cat, and fishes. The dog needs to be walked, and outside to run in the back yard,
the cat needs a sunny place to lie out and recharge as well.
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The child needs attention and care as well. All of these things are outside of anything else. It can be very
time consuming, also very rewarding.
Having a cat or a dog has many health benefits. Lowered blood pressure, reduced stress,
reduction in depression, for seniors more activity and even helps socially. Pet therapy animals are used
often in hospitals, nursing homes and other places where someone maybe staying for a long period of
time, even in homes where people maybe alone. According to an article on everyday health.com, The
Delta Pet Partner Program, a study that was published in the Journal of American Geriatrics Society
found that elderly pet owners are better health wise verses people of the same age with no animals. Even
fish in a tank help according to a Purdue University study, which found in Alzheimer patients, watching a
fish tank during meals, increases their appetites, this is particularly important in those who don’t get
enough good nutrition ("Sharnak/Webvet, 2009").
Every cat and dog has the potential to make become a valued family member, a family member
who brings about health benefits, joy, and reduction in stress and depression. Every year over 2 and a half
million cats and dogs are put to sleep. Sadly, many of them just need a good home with understanding
owners. The biggest choices anyone can make, where to adopt their cat or dog from. Finding the right
facility is a huge step in the right direction. Making sure to avoid places like pet mills and pet shops can
be a struggle when someone isn’t really sure what to look for or what to ask. Arming yourself with
information and knowledge can make all the difference. Giving a cat or dog a second chance at life
through rescue adoptions can help to find a forever home for a four legged friends, giving them a new
‘leash’ on life.
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References
Adopting from an Animal Shelter or Rescue Group: The Humane Society of the United States.
(2013, March 19). Retrieved from
http://www.humanesociety.org/issues/adopt/tips/adopting_from_shelter_rescue.html
Animal Shelter Euthanasia (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.americanhumane.org/animals/stopanimal-abuse/fact-sheets/animal-shelter-euthanasia.html
ARF | Animal Programs | Spay / Neuter Clinic. (2012). Retrieved from
http://www.arf.net/animal-programs/spay-neuter-clinic/
Bacon, B. (2007, June 21). How to Avoid Online Puppy Mills - ABC News retrieved from
http://abcnews.go.com/TheLaw/story?id=3299804&page=1
Puppy Mills & Pet Stores - Rio Rancho Keep Legislation for Animal Welfare Safe. (2012,
December 13). Retrieved from http://www.rrklaws.org/puppy-mills
Sharnak/Webvet, B. (2009, August). Pets for the Elderly Are A Therapeutic Match - Pet Health
Center - Everyday Health. Retrieved from http://www.everydayhealth.com/pet-health/petsfor-the-elderly.aspx
Wilson, R. (2011, August 27). Cat Tales Rescue: Cat and Kitten Adoptions - Giving Event, Suisun City, CA Patch. Retrieved from http://suisuncity.patch.com/groups/giving/p/ev--catand-kitten-adoptions-2